Digital Commons Network^™

Gene Editing And The Accessibility Of Bioterrorism: Rethinking Global Biosecurity In The Post-Covid-19 Era, Nicholas Morales

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

COVID‑19 demonstrated how a single biological event can strain health systems, disrupt supply chains, undermine national security, and erode public trust. This shock occurred as biotechnology became dramatically more accessible: gene editing and synthetic biology tools once limited to specialized laboratories are now widely available through inexpensive equipment, open‑source data, and decentralized expertise.

This expanded access accelerates innovation but also broadens the threat landscape. The ability to reconstruct pathogens using publicly available sequences and mail‑order DNA shows that complex biological synthesis is no longer confined to state programs. These risks are amplified by opaque biotechnology activities in China, Russia, and …

Using 1:1 Behavior-Analytic Instruction To Enhance Outcomes Of A Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum: A Retrospective Single-Case Clinical Evaluation, Cierra Vandermeer

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which people acquire and apply skills to manage emotions, form relationships, make responsible decisions, and pursue personal and shared goals, and these competencies shape identity development and daily functioning (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning [CASEL], 2020). While there are many SEL programs and curricula that exist for school-aged children, there are few curricula that a) have a focus on 1:1 instruction for preschool to primary-aged children, and b) integrate and incorporate Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles. This thesis reviewed a retrospective case study of a six-year-old female-identifying student who participated in …

When Speech Speaks Louder Than Truth: Language Variation And Credibility In The Courtroom, Melanie E. Spinnie

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This study aims to investigate how linguistic variation affects perceptions of credibility in courtroom settings. It focuses on how jurors, judges, and other individuals in the legal system may exhibit bias (consciously or unconsciously) based on how a defendant or witness speaks-- this could include speech disorders as well as differences in dialect, accent, and speech style. Through review of relevant literature, review of a relevant historical case, conducting a survey, and conducting a semi-structured interview, this study explores whether certain speech patterns or characteristics are disproportionately associated with negative judgments during legal proceedings, such as reduced credibility and trustworthiness. …

Europe In The Indo-Pacific - Implications For The United States, Joshua G. Zinicola

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Within the last five years the Indo-Pacific has become a region of increasing interest to European NATO members. In particular, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy have assigned strategic importance for their national security to the region, signing cooperative agreements with regional allies of the United States and deploying significant forces to the region. These agreements include commitments to jointly develop new technologies and combat systems for employment in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific, such as the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), and the Trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (AUKUS). They also include …

Corpus Meum, Mea Electio, Kara L. Coonrod

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The right to bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom is something I hold very close to my heart. Women who did not wish to embrace motherhood, or who grew beyond the walls of the hearth and home, have been far more often persecuted than praised. Over the past two years, I have created artwork borrowing the visual and material language of the Catholic church (along with personally relevant folklore) to elevate my freedom of choice and bodily autonomy in the face of religiously driven political oppression. Using a less frequently referenced organ from my reproductive system to represent my struggle against …

Herp Count 2025, Camryn Gulledge

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Herp Count 2025 is a process-based project in which I log and document every herp (reptile or amphibian) I encounter in the wild while investigating the realities of human impact on ecosystems. During 2025, I observed 1,406 individual herps, most of which appeared not in remote wilderness but in the compromised margins of human spaces. When I observe them in a littered area, I collect nearby trash and bring it back to my studio to combine it with a detailed drawing of that specific individual. In my Contact series, I use a clean-touch printmaking process that involves a stretched plastic …

Advancing Hate Speech Detection: Binary And Multiclass Approaches From Traditional Methods To Parameter-Efficient And Ontology-Guided Language Models, Mahmoud Abusaqer

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The widespread proliferation of hate speech on social media platforms poses significant challenges for content moderation and user safety, requiring automated systems that are simultaneously accurate, efficient, and capable of fine-grained distinctions. This thesis investigates hate speech detection through five published manuscripts organized into two complementary threads: binary detection (hateful vs. non-hateful) and multiclass detection across demographic targeting categories. The binary thread progresses from a broad 38-model baseline spanning traditional machine learning, deep learning, and transformer architectures (where RoBERTa reaches 91.48% accuracy and CatBoost remains competitive at 88.60%) to parameter-efficient adaptation, in which Low-Rank Adaptation (LoRA) of large language models …

Knowledge And Attitudes Of Medical Students About Research Methodology, Statistics, And Statistical Inference: An Assessment For Clinical Research Comprehension Skills, Laith Ashour, Lama Al-Mehaisen, Afnan Rababa, Osama Alrjoob, Moutaz Amayrh, Malak Al-Rabe'e, Qusai Al-Anasweh, Hala Al-Miqdadi, Nada Freihat, Mohammad Al Khreisha, Ala' Al Doaikat, Al-Mo'tasem Bellah Al-Rahamneh, Hamzeh Hatamleh, Fayez Zedat

Health Professions Education

Objectives: Medical students require a solid understanding of statistics in research papers. However, literature lacks sufficient studies on their proficiency, especially on Jordanian aspect. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study on 361 medical students to evaluate their attitudes toward statistics, their knowledge in research methodology, and their ability to correctly interpret commonly used statistics in medical research. Statistical attitudes were assessed using three scales (value, difficulty, and interest) from the SATS-36 scale. Additionally, a novel author's-validated scale was created to measure students' research methodology knowledge. The scale validity was assessed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Multiple linear regression analysis was …

Beyond Clinical: A Proposed Policy Literacy Pathway In Health Sciences Education, Zarina Syed

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Health sciences graduates require not only clinical competence but also the ability to interpret, engage with, and enact policy. Yet, undergraduate curricula often emphasize technical skills, leaving gaps in policy literacy. Method: This conceptual paper proposes a scaffolded Policy Literacy Pathway to progressively integrate policy understanding across health sciences curricula. Results: Policy is framed as a dynamic, context-dependent process, aligning global ethical frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals with regional legislation and professional regulations. The pathway comprises four stages: Encounter, Iterative Engagement, Critical Reflection, and Policy Enactment. These guide students from initial exposure to policy issues through analysis …

Integration Of Planetary Health In Health Professions Education And Training In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review, Rayishnee Pillay, Veena S Singaram

Health Professions Education

Purpose: This review explored the integration of planetary health and sustainable healthcare education in health professions education and training in low- and middle income countries (LMICs), by mapping capacity development initiatives, pedagogical approaches and contextual barriers to implementation. Method: A literature search was conducted using the following databases, MEDLINE (PubMed), EBSCOhost (Academic Search Complete), ERIC, ProQuest, Redalyc, Sabinet, Scielo, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, and grey literature search on CORE, Google and Google Scholar for publications on the incorporation of planetary health and sustainable healthcare education in health professions education and training in LMICs between 1 January 2014 to 30 …

Determinants Of Postgraduate Education Pursuit Among South African Trained Paramedics: A Cross-Sectional Study, Naseef Abdullah, Patricia Mcinerney, Simpiwe Sobuwa

Health Professions Education

Introduction: The knowledge economy necessitates a highly skilled workforce, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) navigating sustainable development trajectories. Within healthcare systems, paramedics represent a critical professional group whose advanced education directly impacts emergency care quality and system improve ment. While postgraduate qualifications are essential for paramedics to effectively develop and implement evidence- based emergency care and address unique healthcare challenges, the determinants influencing their educational advancement remain poorly understood. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study collected data from 265 Paramedics registered as Emergency Care Practitioners with the South African Health Professions Council through an online survey. Participants were recruited …

Exploring Job Stressors And Burnout Among Core Faculty In Entry-Level Physical Therapist Education Programs: A Convergent Mixed Methods Study, Jj Ferguson, Adam Fritsch, Jodi L. Young

Health Professions Education

Purpose This study explored burnout among core faculty in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs, identifying its most prevalent aspects and key organizational correlations. Methods A convergent parallel mixed-methods design integrated quantitative data from the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Educators Survey and the Areas of Worklife Survey with qualitative data from semi-structured interviews. Data were collected concurrently, analyzed independently, and merged during interpretation. Quantitative analyses used multiple linear regression, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Results Eighty-one faculty completed the survey and 20 participated in interviews. Emotional exhaustion emerged as the most prevalent burnout dimension, with 51.9% reporting moderate to high levels. …

Professional Identity Development Among Nursing Students: The Impact Of Structured Reflective Practice, Abdelmonim El Fadely, Kamal Takhdat, Charaf-Eddine Ahraiba, Rahma Bouali, Sabah Selmaoui, Boujemaa Agorram

Health Professions Education

Purpose This study aimed to assess the impact of a structured reflective practice intervention on the development of professional identity among nursing students. Method A mixed-methods design was adopted. The intervention, based on guided reflective practice, was implemented with a voluntary sample of 58 participants. The evaluation relied on a quasi-experimental quantitative approach using the Macleod Clark Professional Identity Scale, with a comparison group and both pre-test and post-test measurements. A qualitative component was also included to explore the dimensions of the studied concept in greater depth. Results Quantitative findings showed a statistically significant difference between the post-test means (p < 0.001), indicating that the reflective practice intervention had a positive effect on the experimental group compared to the control group. The qualitative results further illuminated students’ reflections, which were organized into ten themes corresponding to the study’s conceptual framework: professional knowledge and skills, values and ethics, the nursing role, leadership, professional self-image, social image of the profession, sense of belonging, identification with role models, theory–practice integration, and career choice. These dimensions provided a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of professional identity, capturing the complexity of the concept. Conclusion These results support the integration of reflective practice as a pedagogical approach to fostering the construction and development of a positive professional identity. Professional identity, as a rich and multidimensional concept, goes beyond the process of professionalization—it represents its ultimate achievement.

Attitudes Toward Dementia Among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study, Ngoc Ha Vo Thi, Thuy Nga Tran Thi, Ngoc Sen Hoang Thi

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Dementia is the loss of cognitive function, including thinking, memory, and communication, due to brain disorders. The global prevalence of dementia is increasing, affecting younger populations. Caring for individuals with dementia requires preparedness to manage behavioral and psychological symptoms. As future healthcare providers, nursing students are expected to have the necessary knowledge and attitudes to support dementia patients. To describe nursing students' attitudes toward dementia and explore related factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 520 nursing students at Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy. A structured questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics, academic information, knowledge, and attitudes …

A Pilot Study In Student Perceptions Of Technology-Enhanced Learning In Dpt Education, Pamela Bartlo, Michael Seils, Michael Policella

Health Professions Education

Purpose. Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students have grown up immersed in technology, which may influence how they learn. Technology-Enhanced/Enriched Learning (TEL) refers to technology used in face-to-face, online, or hybrid learning environments. Limited research has examined TEL within DPT education programs. This study investigated DPT students’ experiences with TEL and compared its impact to traditional lecture-based learning (TLBL) on classroom participation, engagement, and comprehension.

Methods. This cross-sectional, mixed-methods study used a convenience sample of DPT students at a private university across three cohorts over two years. Inclusion criteria were completion of at least half of required degree coursework …

Health Students’ Knowledge, Perceptions, And Willingness Toward Artificial Intelligence In Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance: A Cross-Sectional Study, Ikhwan Yuda Kusuma, Fauziah Fauziah, Afriza Pujiati, Dhiya Zulayta, Septi Nurkhasanah, Khamdiyah Indah Kurniasih

Health Professions Education

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) causes approximately 4.95 million deaths annually. Although artificial intelligence (AI) may enhance AMR detection, surveillance, and antimicrobial use, evidence remains limited regarding how health students’ knowledge, perception, and willingness influence AI adoption for AMR control.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the direct and mediating relationships between health students’ knowledge, perception, and willingness toward AI-based approaches for combating antimicrobial resistance in Indonesia using structural equation modeling.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 4,369 health students across Indonesia was conducted using a validated questionnaire. Data on knowledge, perception, and willingness were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), SmartPLS, …

Preparedness Of Recent Australian And New Zealand Podiatry Graduates: Insights From Practising Podiatrists, Katrina Reynolds, Michelle Mclean

Health Professions Education

Purpose. Transitioning to the workforce can be challenging for health professional graduates when they are not adequately prepared for clinical practice. This study explored the perceptions of practising podiatrists, including those who were also clinical supervisors, regarding the preparedness of recent graduates for clinical practice and identified potential improvements in podiatry education to enhance readiness.

Method. Registered, practising podiatrists in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) were recruited from December 2018 to May 2019 via professional organisations and social media. Data were collected through an online survey comprising closed and open-ended questions exploring perceptions of recent graduate preparedness, suggested program changes, …

Exploratory Study Of The Relationship Among Religiousness, Resilience, Grit, Calling, And Differentiation Of Self In Nursing Students, Christine L. Sommers, Yonathan Aditya, Grace Solely Houghty, Ihan Martoyo

Health Professions Education

Purpose: To explore the relationships between resilience, religiousness, grit, calling, and differentiation of self in nursing students.

Methods: A cross-sectional design with a questionnaire was used. A total of 434 nursing students currently enrolled in a nursing degree program completed the online questionnaire, for a response rate of 32.3%. The study used the Indonesian version of the following instruments: 1) CD-RISC 10; 2) Four Basic Dimensions of Religiousness; 3) 12-Item Grit Scale; 4) Brief Calling Scale; 5) Differentiation of Self.

Results: Most of the participants were female, enrolled in a Bachelor of Nursing program, and desired to be nurses to …

Firearm Violence In Health Care Professional Education In The United States: A Scoping Review., Kim D. Dao, Melissa D. Burgemeister, Sierra M. Hakanson, Audrey Rc Elias, Liana C. Wooten

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Despite widespread recognition of firearm violence (FV) as a public health crisis in the United States (US), gaps persist in understanding the education provided to health care professionals (HCPs) regarding prevention and management. This scoping review aimed to characterize FV education curricula for HCPs in the US, focusing on identifying target learners and understanding curricular content and implementation to inform future educational initiatives.

Methods: This scoping review was conducted according to Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Cochrane. Search terms included “health occupations”, “allied health personnel”, “gun violence/prevention”, “firearm violence/prevention”, “curriculum”, “education”, …

Chronicles Of Film Tourism: An Integrative Review And Future Research Directions, Sangkyun Kim, Anton Klarin, Stijn Reijnders, Qijie Xiao, Nicky Van Es

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study triangulates historiographical and scientometric reviews to provide a systems perspective on film tourism. The three phases of historiographical analysis (exploration, growth, and maturity) correspond to the three clusters of scientometric analysis: (i) initial research exploring film tourism development and management, (ii) growing the field through studies on film tourists’ perceptions and practices, and (iii) reaching maturity through extending research into different cultural contexts and meaning-making processes. Based on the analysis, we offer a set of directions for future research, including the need to integrate sustainability research and film tourism studies in developing country contexts, as well as intertextuality …

Code-Switching, Identity-Shifting, And Identity Distress Among Black Undergraduate Women Attending Predominantly White Institutions, Erin Smith

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Code-switching (altering language or speech) and identity-shifting (modifying appearance or behavior) are adaptive strategies often used by individuals from marginalized groups to navigate environments shaped by dominant cultural norms. Although these behaviors are commonly discussed in qualitative literature, relatively few quantitative studies have examined their psychological correlates among Black undergraduate women attending predominantly White institutions (PWIs). These behaviors may function as coping strategies in response to racialized and gendered expectations, yet the psychological implications of these strategies remain understudied. The present study examined the relationships among identity distress, code-switching, identity-shifting, and gendered racial identity centrality within a diverse sample of …

Assessing The Implementation Of National Sodium Reduction Policies In Nigeria: An Interim Qualitative Evaluation Of Stakeholder Perspectives, Chisom Obiezu-Umeh, Erica L Jamro, Guhan Iyer, Mark D Huffman, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Population-wide dietary sodium reduction is a global priority and a highly cost-effective strategy to lower blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular disease risk. In response, the Nigerian government launched the National Multi-sectoral Action Plan (NMSAP) in 2019, recommending evidence-based policy actions including limiting sodium in processed foods, restricting food advertising especially for children, promoting public awareness, integrating nutrition education in schools, and front-of-package labeling. We conducted a qualitative study to examine progress, barriers, and facilitators in implementing these policy actions 3 years post-launch.

METHODS: Between March and September 2024, we conducted 47 key informant interviews and 5 focus group discussions …

Evaluating Mesothelin As An Immunotherapeutic Target For Endogenous T Cells, Kiriakos Koukoulias, Ryu Yanagisawa, Alejandro G Torres Chavez, Penelope G Papayanni, Yovana Velazquez, Hyun-Sung Lee, Spyridoula Vasileiou, Ann M Leen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Mesothelin (MSLN) is a GPI-anchored cell surface glycoprotein that is overexpressed in various solid tumors, including mesothelioma, triple-negative breast cancer, colon, ovarian and pancreatic cancer, with restricted normal tissue expression.

Methods: To explore the immunogenicity and immunotherapeutic potential of MSLN to T cells with native receptor specificity, 29 individuals of diverse HLA backgrounds were interrogated for T cell activity against MSLN.

Results: Twenty one (72%) subjects (21/29) mounted a specific T cell response when repetitively challenged with MSLN antigen. Reactive cells were Th1-polarized, polyfunctional, predominantly detected in the CD8+ T cell compartment and cytotoxic toward autologous and MSLN+/HLA-matched tumor …

The Constitutional Significance Of The First American Pope: The Promise Of Listening In An Era Of Mutual Suspicion, Derek A. Webb

Scholarly Articles

Pope Leo XIV has focused a good deal of writing and speaking in the first year of his pontificate on the theme of listening, dialogue, and bridgebuilding. For Leo, listening, dialogue, and creating harmony across diverse perspectives where possible are at the heart of the Christian life. But his reflections on these themes, while rooted in theology, are aimed at a wider audience, going well beyond the church community, and addressing philosophical issues of universal human concern. Indeed, the first American pope happens to be highlighting certain ideals regarding dialogue that, while perhaps forgotten today, are central to the American …

08.01.01. Black-Necked Stilt, Himantopus Mexicanus, Z. B. Holmes, Ann Hodgson, Florida Ornithological Society

08.01. <em>Recurvirostridae</em> - Stilts and Avocets

The Black-necked Stilt is a conspicuous shorebird that is easily identifiable, with its black and white body and long pink legs.

08.04.01. American Woodcock, Scolopax Minor, B. H. Anderson, Ann Hodgson, Florida Ornithological Society

08.04. <em>Scolopacidae</em> - Sandpipers and Allies

Most often seen in Florida in winter when resident American Woodcock, with numbers augmented by migrants from the northern United States and southern Canada, leave their nighttime feeding areas at dawn for nearby woodlands where they roost during the day.

08.04.02. Willet, Tringa Semipalmata, Z. B. Holmes, Ann Hodgson, Florida Ornithological Society

08.04. <em>Scolopacidae</em> - Sandpipers and Allies

The two Willet subspecies (T. s. semipalmata and T. s. inornata) are geographically separated between western and eastern populations within their Nearctic range.

08.03.02. Wilson's Plover, Charadrius Wilsonia, L. M. Deaner, Ann Hodgson, Florida Ornithological Society

08.03. <em>Charadriidae</em> - Plovers

Readily distinguished from other plovers by its thick bill and larger size, the Wilson's Plover currently breeds along the eastern coast of the United States from Virginia south through Florida and westward along the Gulf states through Texas.

08.03.01. Killdeer, Charadrius Vociferus, Bill Pranty, Ann Hodgson, Florida Ornithological Society

08.03. <em>Charadriidae</em> - Plovers

The Killdeer, one of Florida's two species of upland shorebirds, is a familiar bird with its unique dual breast bands and distinctive, oft-repeated calls.

Conspiracy Paradigms: Response To Conspiracy, Really?, Laurent Sacharoff

Hofstra Law Faculty Scholarship

Federal law codifies more than one hundred conspiracy statutes. When we critique and seek to fix conspiracy law, we must therefore first identify which type or paradigm of conspiracy we are addressing. Andrew Ingram’s excellent article tackles the application of conspiracy to street crime, and his proposed solution requiring proof of substantial planning and organization makes sense in that realm. But the same proposal may create more, rather than less, injustice when applied to other paradigms, such as the use of conspiracy law to punish social movements and protests.