Digital Commons Network^™

A Father To The Fatherless: A Trauma-Informed Care Ministry For Fatherless Fathers, Delmus L. Gillis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This DMIN action research project proposed that the Bethlehem Baptist Church (BBC) did not develop ministries that specifically addressed the persistent unbiblical endemic of fatherlessness within its congregation. The initial tragedy of fatherlessness can be transformed into the beautiful design of godly families when proper attention is given to the root cause of damaged relationships and effective means of correcting abnormalities are properly instituted in the church. Therefore, the researcher created the Trauma-Informed Care Ministry for Fatherless Fathers to guide fathers who experienced fatherlessness into a biblical model of fatherhood. When the church remains silent on important matters of faith, …

Measuring Comfort Levels Of General Education Students When Interacting With Peers With Severe Disabilities: A Quasi-Experimental, Pretest-Posttest, Quantitative Research Design, Kaila Olivia Khai

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest research study was to determine whether a disability awareness program would increase high school students' self-reported comfort level when interacting with peers with disabilities. This study is important because student comfort levels when interacting with peers with disabilities has a direct impact on inclusion, social acceptance, and positive relationships throughout the school and community; therefore, this study adds to the literature regarding comfort levels by examining the difference between comfort levels of general education students that have and have not received a disability awareness program. The sample was composed of 90 high school …

Early Postsecondary Use Of Assets In Seed Ok: Cda Distributions Through 2025, Jin Huang, Margaret Clamcy, Mark Schreiner, Lissa Johnson, Michael Sherraden

Center for Social Development Research

The SEED for Oklahoma Kids experiment (SEED OK) is a large-scale policy test of universal, automatic, and progressive Child Development Accounts (CDAs). In late 2007, each newborn in the experiment’s treatment group received a CDA seeded with a deposit of $1,000. This brief presents the first findings on the distribution of funds from those accounts.

Strategies To Address Employee Shortages In Allied Health, John O. Delozier

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Continuing shortages of allied health (AH) workers have become a critical business challenge for health care organizations, driven by an aging population, rising service demand, and the lasting effects of the COVID 19 pandemic. AH leaders remain concerned about meeting essential staffing requirements, as persistent recruitment and retention difficulties threaten the delivery of high-quality health care. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies successful health care leaders used to recruit and retain skilled AH employees. The participants were seven Maryland health care leaders with experience successfully implementing recruitment and retention strategies …

Annual Report State Fiscal Year July 2022-June 2023, Tennessee. Department Of Children's Services.

Department of Children's Services

No abstract provided.

Understanding Disinformation, Propaganda And Media Literacy In Moldova, Adriana Bzovii

Research Papers

This research paper describes the landscape of disinformation, propaganda and media literacy in Moldova from the perspectives of journalists, higher education and civil society representatives, as well as the general population. In this context, the literature review refers to concepts of media literacy, disinformation, and propaganda, relationship between them, as well as the potential Russian contribution to manipulating public opinion in post-Soviet countries, focusing explicitly on the Moldovan case. To study the specific features of disinformation and propaganda, this paper addresses the following research question: How disinformation, propaganda and media literacy are currently perceived and connected in Moldova? By adopting …

Comments On Proposed Regulations Reg-117002-25: Trump Accounts Contribution Pilot Program, Jin Huang, Margaret Clancy, Michael Sherraden, Lissa Johnson, Stephen Roll

Center for Social Development Research

In March 2026, the Internal Revenue Service announced issued a notice of proposed rulemaking on the Trump Accounts Contribution Pilot Program and solicited comments on the proposed regulations. This testimony presents comments submitted in response to that call. The comments focus specifically on auto¬matic enrollment as addressed in the proposed regulations and provide recommendations for regulatory amendments to imple¬ment automatic enrollment within the existing legal framework for 530A accounts (known as Trump Accounts).

Professional Development Partnerships 101: Building Creative , Collboarative Communities For Catholic Schools, Jennifer Buss

Education Department Faculty Conferences

Collaboration is at the heart of our Catholic schools can build effective partnerships with universities, parishes, parents, and community organizations. Participants will learn practical strategies to form sustainable relationships that strengthen professional development, enrich student learning, and expand access to shared resources. By connecting our schools with the broader Church community, we bring innovation into classrooms and support the spiritual, academic, and emotional growth of every child.

Unh, Riverwoods Partnership Expands Experiential Learning Opportunities, Aaron Sanborn

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Impact Of Sustainability Practices And Operational Efficiency On Firm Value In Indonesia’S Mining Sector, Erika Windyasari, Yosman Bustaman

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Sustainability practices are increasingly prominent in investor assessments of firm value Nevertheless, empirical evidence regarding which specific environmental practices are incorporated into capital market valuations remains inconclusive, particularly within mining sectors in emerging markets. This study investigates the correlation between sustainability practices energy efficiency, water management, waste management, renewable energy adoption and environmental quality (PROPER rating) together with operational efficiency and firm value in Indonesian listed mining firms. The analysis uses panel data for 23 firms over 2017–2023. Firm value is measured by Tobin’s Q, while operational efficiency is measured using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The correlation is estimated using …

An Exploration Of The Experiences Of Vulnerable Young People Participating In A Stand-Up Paddle-Boarding Therapy Course; A Phenomenological Study, Claire Hornsby, Alison Warren, Rosi Raine, Alun Morgan

School of Health Professions

Nature-based interventions have been advocated as an approach to support mental health and well-being in young people. The Wave Project, a United Kingdom–based charity, has an established surf therapy intervention for vulnerable children and adolescents which has been demonstrated to have a positive impact on mental health and well-being. However, this intervention provides challenges in terms of accessibility for young people located away from the coast. Stand-up paddle-boarding is an aquatic activity which can be conducted on inland waters, which therefore has the potential to address this barrier. Semistructured interviews (n = 6) utilizing video and photo elicitation were conducted …

Screening For Food Insecurity In An Outpatient Ophthalmology Clinic: A Health Equity- Quality Improvement Fellowship Project, Christine Coward, Tricia Jacobson, Mahadevan Subramanian, Sharon Ojo, Theresa Green, Neil Seligman, Jan Schriefer

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Various social determinants of health have been implicated in ophthalmic diseases, with food insecurity being particular important, given the link between food and conditions such as diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy. Although quality improvement initiatives that address food insecurity screening exist, data extending to the ophthalmic clinical setting is limited.

Purpose: We implemented a health equity quality improvement fellowship project to improve screening for food insecurity in an urban ophthalmology outpatient clinic that sees adults and children.

Methods: Several initiatives were implemented in an attempt to reach a goal of 80% of patients screened for food insecurity. …

Mental Health Rates Across Ethnic Groups In A Small Midwestern Christian University, Arianna Torres

Honors Theses

This study aims to find if there is a significant difference in depression, anxiety, trauma, and suicidality among students of different ethnic backgrounds at Andrews University. By focusing on ethnic disparities, this research aims to target the mental health issues rising among college students and bring to light the importance of cultural competency in relation to mental health. Results from this study may aid Andrews University in developing more inclusive and culturally responsive mental health services and inform broader discussions about mental health equity in higher education. It can also add insight into how mental health rates may vary by …

Implementing Measurement-Based Care In Virtual Mental Health Services For Rural Veterans: Provider Insights From A Pre-Implementation Evaluation, Amanda Heeren, Kimberly Mccoy, Lindsey Fuhrmeister, Natalie Suiter, Jan A Lindsay, Chloe Hoang, Laura Marsh, John Fortney, Carolyn Turvey

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background

Measurement-Based Care (MBC) uses repeated standardized psychological assessments to monitor treatment progress and guide clinical decision-making. Although MBC improves outcomes when results are discussed collaboratively, adoption across the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) remains below 50%, particularly in virtual and rural settings. This pre-implementation evaluation explored provider perspectives to inform development of a digital MBC workflow for rural tele-mental health settings.

Methods

Using the Alacrity Center’s Discover, Design, Build, and Test model and User Centered Design, we conducted a pre-implementation survey of mental health providers at a VHA Medical Center providing care to rural and highly rural Veterans in South …

Examining The Influence Of Organisational And Leadership Knowledge On Resilience During Economic Downturns-A Case Study For Sme Success, Dr. Aloma Jayasundera, Dr. Rubhesh Jha

Arab Economic and Business Journal

This study investigates how organisational and leadership knowledge impacts the resilience of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) during economic downturns, focussing on a foreign-owned business processes and Information Consulting (IT) consulting company in Bahrain. This is a mixed-methods approach that integrates qualitative and quantitative data, including thematic analysis and Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). This study shows that an emphasis on external problems caused the company to disregard important internal challenges. The findings highlight the need for better crisis management and digital strategies to strengthen the organisation from within and create a better workplace culture. This study contributes new insights into …

Faculty Senate Chronicle Of April 2, 2026, Lisa Appeldorn

The University of Akron Faculty Senate Chronicle

Minutes for the regular meeting of The University of Akron Faculty Senate on 04/02/2026.

Everyday Tracking And Extraordinary Harm: Item Finder Misuse In Digital Coercive Control, Vivian Hocking, Shirley Atkinson, Hai-Van Dang, Nathan Clarke

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

PurposeWhere one in three women worldwide experience some form of intimate partner violence, the rise of technology facilitated abuse means that abusers have increased access and control over their victims. This extension paper aims to examine the threat potential for technology misuse as pertains to item finder devices that make up part of the Internet-of-Things. Item finders have increasingly become the weapon of choice for abusers leveraging technological advantages against their victims.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining digital ethnography with 12 individuals engaged in a participant study to evaluate the misuse potential of Apple AirTag, Chipolo …

Photogrammetric Analysis Of Porites Lobata And Pocillopora Spp. Live Coral Cover At Devil's Crown, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Katherine Whitehouse, Preston Toutant

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Porites lobata and Pocillopora spp. are predominant scleractinian corals at Devil's Crown, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador that have been monitored for 48 years. Fluctuations in colony abundance and live tissue surface area of both taxa are associated with environmental variability driven by El Niño-Southern Oscillation. To better quantify colony number and live tissue cover of the two taxa, photogrammetry was utilized during a research expedition in May 2025. Two GoPro cameras were used during snorkel transects in the northwest (Porites) and northeast (Pocillopora) sectors of the shallow (2-3 m depth), elliptical submerged caldera to produce overlapping digital …

The Hidden Map Of Women's Health: Predictors And Protectors Across Our Lives, Tasfia Howlader

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Women's health has constantly been changing-from public health infrastructure to health policies, and even medical advancements. Yet, the struggles are persistent within the gaps present in women's health. The Socio-Ecological Model (SEM) explains interactions between different levels of relationships, which result in health outcomes that vary from individual factors to environmental factors. Applying the SEM to describe health disparities can help explain how the relationships an individual has influenced their health. This project serves to exemplify these different levels while discussing the tailoring of services to the needs and the importance of populations based on their experiences. Specifically, adhering to …

Parental Perceptions About Crispr And Other Biological Treatments For Fragile X Syndrome Compared With Sickle Cell Disease (2000-2025): Systematic Review Protocol, Ethan Hunter, Lukah Varghese, Mohit Belur, Prathiv Raj Ramesh Babu

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a genetic condition associated with intellectual disability, while Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) comprises inherited red blood cell disorders. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) gene-editing therapies are currently being implemented for SCD but remain experimental for FXS. Understanding caregiver perspectives on CRISPR-based therapies is crucial because families play a central role in weighing risks/benefits during treatment decision-making. Synthesizing evidence on caregiver attitudes toward CRISPR-based therapies for FXS and SCD can help determine if perceptions observed with SCD can inform expectations for FXS. This systematic review will include qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies published between …

Creatine: More Than Just A Gym Bro Supplement? An Evidence-Based Review Of The Safety And Efficacy Of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation, Lara Kotak

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Creatine monohydrate (CrM) is an extensively researched supplement that has been used to enhance athlete performance, muscle mass, recovery, and even improve health span beyond athletes. Despite the plethora of reasearch supporting creatine supplementation at recommended dosages, misconceptions and further questions regarding its safety and effectiveness remain. Examples of existing concerns include the potential effects of creatine on hydration levels, renal and liver function, fat mass, hair loss, muscle cramping, and fertility. Additionally, there are questions regarding the safety and effectiveness of creatine across populations of such as children, adolescents, females, older adults, and pregnant individuals. Furthermore, inquiry about the …

Predicting Alzheimer's Disease Via Machine Learning Through Adni Data, Sahana Reddy

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Since the neurological pathology, including protein deposits and neurodegeneration, starts a decade before cognitive, memory, and behavioral symptoms, AD development should be predictable from physical biomarkers. This study investigates how patients' memory and cortical brain thickness at baseline can predict their likelihood of developing AD through supervised machine learning. From baseline visits, 205 participants' data were extracted from the ADNI database, all designated as healthy control in the first visit, but some converted to AD or Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in later visits (Group 2), and some remained healthy (Group 1). The …

Time-Dependent Modulation Of Isr And Upr In Glioblastoma Stem Cells Using A Curcumin-Inspired Bis-Chalcone Analog, Abby Morrill, Carleigh Miller

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor driven by therapy-resistant GBM stem cells (GSCs). GSC's rely on adaptive stress pathways like the Integrated Stress Response (ISR) and Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). Curcumin modulates these pathways but has poor bioavailability. We developed curcumin-inspired bis-clacone analogs with improved potency and selectivity against GSCs and tested efficiency using a time-course study. A series of bis-chalcone analogs were synthesized and tested against three patient-derived GSC lines using MTS assay (0.1-10 μM, 72 h). A lead derivative compound compatible with carbon dot nanoparticle conjugation was synthesized and evaluated for mechanistic consistency and GSC cytotoxicity. ISR/UPR …

Marine Biodiversity Monitoring And Community Engagement On The Boulder Reefs Of Peanut Island, Sophia Oliveira, Luke Mckeon, Josie Larson, Raymond Hernandez, Triumph Perry, Lianna Rasimowicz

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Artificial boulder reefs were constructed along the shoreline of Peanut Island in Palm Beach County, Florida to enhance habitat complexity and provide a safe, accessible snorkeling experience for the island's many visitors. These nine boulder reefs support a diverse assemblage of marine organisms and offer an ideal setting for ecological monitoring. This project documents the fish, invertebrate, and coral species that utilize these structures and provides the public with accurate, easily accessible information about the organisms they may encounter while snorkeling. Monthly GoPro surveys employing a roving fish sampling technique were conducted on each reef to record new species observations …

Evaluation Of The Use Of Longitudinal Data For Depression Research And Antidepressant Drug Discovery, Rojie Ekanayake, Niousha Mousavi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders, affecting over 280 million people globally. Diagnosis of depression remains limited, and treatment is complicated due to the subjectivity of using psychometric scales for diagnosis. This has created a need for more objective methods for the diagnosis of depression and the assessment of the outcome of various treatment/management methods. These methods should consider a holistic approach encompassing biochemical, mental, and socioeconomic factors of patients. Longitudinal datasets, in the age of AI, offer an unprecedented opportunity for such an approach. Thus, it is hypothesized that the application of machine learning to …

Comparative Evaluation Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Implications For Active Learning And Assessment In Global Stem And Health Sciences, Vinay Munlapudi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Today's all-pervasive emergence of Artificial intelligence (AI) necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of its role in education, especially for occupational disciplines in healthcare and STEM. AI has reshaped student learning and instructors' navigation of the evolving, post COVID-19 global academic landscape. This study aimed at encapsulating evidence-based AI implications for student-centered, active learning and assessment of STEM and health-science education in developed countries versus underprivileged communities. An exploratory, scoping review of 50 recent, scholarly journal-publications was conducted over six months through diverse search engines (Pub-Med, Google Scholar, and library databases) using keywords such as "Active learning with AI" and "Assessment of …

Investigating Oct3-Mediated Buprenorphine Transport As A Mechanism For Salivary Accumulation And Oral Toxicity, Laasya Vemparala, Veda Pesala, Sydni Gunpath, Mehtab Singh

Undergraduate Student Symposium

In this study we prepared a 3D printed model to better understand OCT3-mediated buprenorphine transport. Buprenorphine is a high affinity partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor (μ-OR) and main component of Suboxone. It has a unique pharmacological profile that makes it effective for treating both pain and opioid use disorder (OUD) but has been linked to oral health issues such as dry-mouth and tooth decay. The exceptionally tight binding of suboxone to μ-OR allows for sustained receptor occupancy and reduced opioid misuse potential by patients. Recent evidence suggests that the Organic Cation Transporter 3 (OCT3), a membrane transporter expressed in …

Integrating Domain Knowledge And Machine Learning In Rice Cultivation: A Case Study Of Algeria, Sara Faruqui, Jane Krivosheev, Jenna Handal

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Research has highlighted Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a promising solution to mitigate the threat of food insecurity. Rice, a staple in the global diet, is particularly vulnerable to heat stress caused by climate change. The challenges of climate change, population growth, and increased famine risk may be alleviated through the implementation of AI models in rice cultivation. For decades, agricultural workers have faced the dilemma of needing to increase crop yields while dealing with dwindling resources and the need for more efficient practices. AI models, however, are limited by the quality and scope of the data they receive. Integrating domain …

From Bedtime To Bacteria: A Sleep Extension Pilot Study Revealing Gut-Linked Pathways, Maya Totev

Undergraduate Student Symposium

While the gut contains trillions of bacteria that influence the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems, its implications in health interventions and wellness are often underappreciated. Lifestyle factors, including sleep duration and quality, influence gut microbiome composition and are linked to adverse health outcomes. While sleep extension is known to benefit health, emerging evidence suggests the gut microbiome and inflammatory pathways may help clarify these underlying mechanisms. This pilot study examined the effects of a two-week sleep extension on the gut microbiome composition in healthy adult females as part of a larger investigation of sleep, stress, and systemic inflammation. Participants completed …

The Association Between Ultra-Processed Foods And Inadequate Sleep In Us Adults From Nhanes, 2005-2018, Seema Rajper

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Ultra-processed food (UPF), rich in sugar and fat, could affect sleep quality due to inflammation and hormonal imbalance. However, the population level data is scarce, and the findings are mixed, especially in adult populations. We examined associations between UPF consumption and odds of inadequate sleep (characterized by sleep difficulty and/or inadequate sleep duration: short sleep (<7h) or long sleep (≥9 hours)) among U.S. non-pregnant, non-lactating adults using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with a 14-year span. We assessed 33,156 adults (aged ≥ 20 y) using up to two 24-hour diet recalls from the NHANES (2005 to 2018). UPF intake was calculated using the NOVA classification system, and inadequate sleep (specifically sleep difficulty, short sleep, long sleep) was ascertained from the self-reported sleep disorder survey. Odds of inadequate sleep (aORs) were compared across the quartile intakes of UPF using population weights-adjusted multivariable general logistic regression. Of the 33,156 adult participants, 34.9% had short sleep (n=11,576), 11.9% had long sleep (n-3,937), and 24.7% had sleep difficulty (n=8,199). We also found that the highest quartile of UPF, relative to the lowest quartile, is significantly associated with 23% increased odds of short sleep (aOR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.07-1.41; p=0.023), after adjusting for all covariates. The dose-response relationships between higher UPF intake and higher risk of short or long sleep were determined, respectively (both p <0.05). However, no association was found with sleep difficulty (aOR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.95-1.26; p =0.6185). We found the dose-response relationship between higher UPF intakes and higher risk for inadequat sleep …