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Drone Dichotomy: Investigating The Application Of Unmanned Aerial Systems For Offensive And Defensive Chemical, Biological, Radiological, And Nuclear-Related Tasks, Evan Jacob Martinovitch

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This thesis investigates the application of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for both offensive and defensive chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) tasks to determine if they serve as a force multiplier on the modern battlefield. As CBRN weapons reemerge as realistic threats alongside the rapid proliferation of UAS, the intersection of these fields presents unique challenges and opportunities. Through a methodology that examines the history of the UAS-CBRN intersection, military doctrine, and the status of UAS technology, this research evaluates the capability of current and emerging UAS against specific CBRN delivery, reconnaissance and surveillance, and decontamination tasks. The analysis conducted …

The Confidence-Man Goes To The Moving Panorama: Herman Melville’S Confidence Narrator And United States Imperialism, Bradley J. Lee

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This thesis argues that Herman Melville fashioned his novel The Confidence-Man; His Masquerade (1857) after the moving panorama, a popular entertainment technology contemporary with the novel. More specifically, the thesis argues that the novel recalls Banvard’s Mississippi Panorama (1846). Using Jay Leyda’s The Melville Log and John Hanners’ record of Banvard’s performances, I establish beyond reasonable doubt the possibility that Melville saw this painting, or, at the very least, was aware of it, its content, and its social position. Tracing the novel’s engagement with this panorama reveals what seems at first to be its imperialist, Manifest Destinarian undertones. The novel’s …

Inherited Sins: Essays, Claire Ellerman

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Joan Didion said of her book, The Year of Magical Thinking, that, “the reason I had to write it down, is that no one had ever told me what it was like.” She was trying to make sense of her grief following the death of her husband, and in doing so, wrote a piece of creative nonfiction (CNF) that explores her own life in and around the larger ideas of mourning, connection, and moving forward. This is the ultimate aim of creative nonfiction: writing to make sense of our lives in relation to the world around us. In this …

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 …

Eastern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus Niger) Occupancy In A Southern Missouri Woodland, Daniel Garten

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Species occupancy, which relates the probability of presence of a species at a specific place and time, is an important component of conservation and wildlife management. Principally it is used for estimation of a species’ distribution as well as understanding species interactions and quantifying environmental effects. The purpose of this study was to analyze occupancy of the Eastern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger) across multiple seasons (2019–2022) at Bull Shoals Field Station (BSFS), and to identify potential covariates associated with detection and colonization. Data were drawn from camera trap surveys from 26 sites during summer and fall seasons. Multi-season occupancy models …

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 …

Stopping The Buck: What Made The Truman Committee Uniquely Successful In Its Oversight Of World War Two Military Contracts, Victoria Kelley-Chiarelli

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

During World War Two, Harry S. Truman led the Senate Select Committee to Investigate the National Defense Program, also known as the Truman Committee, in its oversight of military contracts and the war effort. The Truman Committee saved the U.S. government billions by identifying and discouraging waste, fraud, and abuse, and saved many armed forces personnel’s lives through identifying defective products. Truman’s background in World War One service and his time as a local official in Missouri show signs of the integrity and commitment to good governance that made the Truman Committee so successful. The Truman Committee’s membership, staff, principles, …

Exploring Factors Mediating White-Nose Syndrome In Little Brown Bats, Carly R. Trujillo

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) has experienced drastic population declines across North America due to the recent disease white-nose syndrome (WNS). Previous studies have identified putatively adaptive alleles (PAAs) that may give individuals a greater likelihood of survival. However, there could be geographic-specific adaptation, creating different adaptive landscapes. Additionally, there may be energetic trade-offs between disease survival and reproductive output, and it is not clear what the long-term survival outcomes for the species may be as a result. Long-term evolutionary outcomes are unclear because this species has a lifespan exceeding the arrival of WNS and is difficult …

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 …

American Elderberry's Next Top Pollinator: Evaluating The Role Of Arthropods In Pollination, Jenny K. Burrow

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

American elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis) is a woody deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. In addition to its long history of use by indigenous peoples, there is renewed interest in cultivating and consuming American elderberry, primarily driven by expanding health supplement markets. Despite recent advances in horticultural development of American elderberry, its pollination ecology remains poorly understood. In this field study, I evaluated the contribution of arthropod visitors to pollination of American elderberry. To do this, I first characterized the identities and abundances of arthropod visitors via timed arthropod collections and floral observations during peak flowering …

Student Perspectives Of A Rubric-Based Performance Assessment In A Secondary Large Ensemble Classroom: Fairness, Clarity And Learning, Jeffrey S. Payne

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate student perceptions of a rubric-based performance assessment within a secondary large ensemble music program.  Seventy high school students enrolled in a high school band class completed a rubric-based performance assessment that featured personalized feedback and opportunities for resubmission  Using a mixed-methods approach, 17 students in the class voluntarily participated in a survey, the results of which I used to study my own use of assessment.  The survey consisted of eight Likert-scale questions and four open-response questions which were used alongside data regarding the resubmission rate and teacher documentation of instruction. Results indicated …

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 …

The Role Of Application Questions In Identifying Underrepresented Applicants In A Doctor Of Physical Therapy Program: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study, Michael Bourassa, Allison Bourassa, Saurabh Mehta

Health Professions Education

Purpose: The underrepresentation of U.S minority groups in the physical therapy profession remains a persistent challenge, with student enrollment in U.S doctoral education programs being the main pipeline to increase representation within U.S healthcare fields. This study aims to examine the association between non-academic application questions and applicant diversity in a Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Methods: The main outcomes measured in this study include demographic and cognitive variables, as well as non-academic application questions, for a single DPT program admissions cycle. Demographic variables include race, gender, and age, while cognitive variables include GRE scores and GPA. General non-cognitive question …

Effectiveness Of 3d-Printed Models In Undergraduate Dental Endodontic Education: A Systematic Review., Razi Jalali, Shankargouda Patil, Frank W Licari, Kamran H Awan, Shilpa Bhandi

Health Professions Education

Purpose: With the development of flexible polymers and stereolithography, 3D printed models have been proposed for dental education to overcome the shortcomings of extracted natural teeth and artificial resin blocks. This review aimed to systematically review the literature available for the effectiveness of the use of 3D printed tooth models for undergraduate endodontic education. Methods: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar electronic databases were searched. Clinical studies with full-text articles available in the English language were selected. Data extraction, risk of bias assessment using the ROBINS-I tool, and assessment of the …

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 …

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.

Nursing Education In Indonesia And The Global Demand For Quality Healthcare: A Systematic Review, Evelyn Hemme Tambunan

Health Professions Education

Purpose: This study systematically reviewed evidence (2019–2025) on Indonesian nursing education, focusing on accreditation, competency based curricula, and workforce readiness in relation to global standards

Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, DOAJ/PMC, and policy repositories. Eligible sources included peer reviewed studies, systematic reviews, and policy reports related to nursing education in Indonesia quality assurance, competency based learning, and workforce demand.

Results: Twelve studies and reports were included, producing three themes: accreditation and quality assurance, competency based education and curriculum innovation, and workforce readiness and global alignment. Accreditation reforms, particularly Indonesia’s 2025 outcomes based …

Undergraduate Research Experiences Toward Student Success: Challenges And Opportunities For Medical Science Students At A University Of Technology, Ziningi Nobuhle Jaya

Health Professions Education

Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the research experiences of undergraduate medical science students at a university of technology to identify challenges and opportunities and determine the affordances of research participation for student success.

Method: The study population comprised all third-year medical science students (n=30) enrolled in the research methods module, which is the only such module offered as part of the medical science academic program. Participation was voluntary and so the final sample represents a self-selected subset of fourteen individual from the full cohort. The data collection tool comprised closed and open-ended questions evaluating challenges, lessons learned, skills developed, …

Beyond The Numbers: A Mixed-Method Evaluation Of Faculty, Peer, And Self-Assessment Using Rubrics In Blood Pressure Determination Among Phase 1 Mbbs Students, Abeetha S, Chitra M, Suba A, B. Dharani, Sadhana S

Health Professions Education

Background: Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) emphasizes formative, learner-centred assessment. Blood pressure (BP) measurement, a core clinical skill, integrates knowledge, skills, communication, ethics, and attitude. While rubrics are widely used to standardize evaluation, their utility in triangulating faculty, peer, and self-assessment in BP measurement remains underexplored.

Aim: To evaluate the reliability and educational value of rubric-based faculty, peer, and self-assessment in BP determination among Phase 1 MBBS students using a mixed-methods approach.

Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted among 98 Phase 1 MBBS students in a South Indian medical college. Forty-nine students performed BP measurement, assessed simultaneously by 5 faculty …

Development Of A Faculty-Led Program To Improve Npte Readiness, Yaqiong Wang, Marlon Addison, Michael Hauber, Rachel Mcgraw, Karen Bock, Brendon Stewart

Health Professions Education

Purpose. The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) is a multiple-choice examination that Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students must pass to obtain licensure as physical therapists in the United States. Recent national data show a concerning decline in first-time pass rates, dropping from 91% in 2020 to 82% in 2025.¹ This downward trend is also reflected at our university. These findings underscore the need for effective strategies to enhance NPTE preparation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to: 1) Describe a scaffolded model of faculty-guided exam preparation, designed to enhance students’ success on the NPTE during the months …

Design, Delivery And Impact: Practical Tips For Impactful Continuing Professional Development, Helen Mcgregor, Brett Vaughan, Louise Horstmanshof

Health Professions Education

Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential for maintaining competence and improving patient care, yet most approaches often have limited impact on practice. This Practice Brief draws on qualitative research with Australian allied health professionals to identify what motivates CPD engagement and supports meaningful learning. Participants highlighted that improving patient outcomes is the strongest driver, and that learning is most effective when it is relevant, actionable, socially interactive, and linked to real-world practice. We synthesised these insights into the PRACTICAL framework, outlining nine principles for CPD design: Patient Outcomes, Recipients, Actionable Takeaways, Co-design, Theory, Investment, Collaborative Learning, Assessment, and Link to …

The Need For A Validated Psychometric Scale To Assess Multidimensional Language Barriers In Medical Education Among Arabic Speakers, Ali Alfaifi, Nasser Shubayr

Health Professions Education

Language barriers significantly hinder academic performance, psychological well-being, and clinical communication skills of Arabic-speaking healthcare students educated through English-medium instruction. Although existing instruments focus on clinical communication—often among physicians—critical dimensions such as academic challenges and psychological impacts remain underassessed, and tools rarely address disciplines beyond medicine (e.g., nursing, pharmacy, radiology). Studies in Arabic-speaking contexts typically employ author-developed or adapted questionnaires lacking rigorous validation. This short communication underscores the need for a comprehensive, psychometrically sound scale tailored to Arabic-speaking healthcare students. Proposed dimensions include Language Proficiency, Academic Impact, Psychological Impact, and Clinical Communication. Validation will involve systematic item development, exploratory and …

Perceptions Of Managerial Roles In Physician Leadership Among First- And Final-Year Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Mintzberg’S Framework, Sari Huikko-Tarvainen, Timo Tuovinen, Petri Kulmala

Health Professions Education

Purpose: This study investigated how medical students – as future physicians – perceive the relevance of Mintzberg’s ten managerial roles to physician leadership, and whether these perceptions change throughout medical education.

Method: In 2021, all first‑year (n = 116/116) and 98% of final‑year (n = 107/109) students at the University of Oulu, Finland completed a web‑based survey rating Mintzberg’s ten managerial roles in fulfilling physician leaders’ leadership work on a 5‑point Likert scale. Item reliability and internal consistency were examined with Cronbach’s α. Because Likert data are ordinal, medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs) were calculated, and group differences were tested …

The Role Of Participant–Clinician Relationality And Intervention Source In A Violence Reduction Trial: A Qualitative Study, Paul Leslie Simpson, Freya Stephenson, Patricia Morgan, Emaediong I. Akpanekpo, Jocelyn Jones, Peter William Schofield, Lee Knight, Tony Butler

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Violence and domestic violence are global public health problems with prevention programs showing limited effectiveness. The form of delivery of such programs can influence their utility yet delivery characteristics are often poorly described. We analysed interviews with clinicians (n = 5) and participants (n = 12) involved in ReINVEST, a violence reduction clinical trial, to identify key elements of delivery. Three themes were identified: (1) clinician accessibility; (2) clinicians as participant advocates; and (3) humane care, reflecting participant–clinician ‘relationality’ as a central component of program delivery. We propose that this relationality is more likely to emerge in interventions delivered independently …

Mapping The Use And Psychometric Characteristics Of The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (Osce) In Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy Education: A Systematic Review, Luis Gómez Miranda, Tomás Reyes Amigo, Hernán Andrés De La Barra Ortiz

Health Professions Education

Purpose. Musculoskeletal disorders are a major cause of disability, underscoring the need for clearly defined and assessable competencies in physical therapy education. Although OSCEs are increasingly used in physical therapy programs, evidence regarding their design and psychometric properties is not yet fully characterized within musculoskeletal physical therapy education. This systematic review aimed to describe how OSCEs have been applied to assess musculoskeletal competencies in physical therapy education, summarize their structural characteristics and reported psychometric properties, and identify methodological gaps.

Method. A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, …

Study And Evaluation Of The Trimester System In Ksau-Hs, Saudi Arabia, Ayesha Mukthar, Sharon Pricilla Jeevan Kumar Leela, Suchithra Koipurathu Rajappan

Health Professions Education

Purpose: The study aimed to identify the perceptions of students, faculty and administrative staff in College of Science and Health Professions (COSHP), Al Ahsa campus, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), about the trimester system implemented in education sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since the beginning of the Academic Year 2022-23 i.e. (1442) AH.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with a structured questionnaire of 30 closed-end items consisting of three sections was implemented. The first and second section focusses on the overall opinion, impact, and challenges observed as well as evaluating the trimester plan, the academic …