Digital Commons Network^™

Comparative Investigation Of Bacterial Adhesion On Medical Device Thermoplastics, Dev V. Mehta

Honors Theses

This project will focus on determining if differences in bacterial cell wall composition influences adhesiveness to thermoplastic materials used to construct patient orthotic splints. Bacteria with decreased adhesion are unable to remain bonded to orthotic splints, increasing its ability to transfer to a patient’s wound, leading to an infection. Antibiotic resistant bacteria used in this investigation included gram-positive cocci vancomycin-resistant (VRE) Enterococcus faecalis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and gram-negative rods extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Each test bacterium is a major pathogen causing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Saline, artificial perspiration, and ascites fluids were used to determine the …

Determinants Of Hypertension Awareness And Control In Kenya: A Secondary Analysis Of National Survey Data, Alexander K. Davis

Honors Theses

In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are prevalent and pose a major concern as the current healthcare systems are oriented primarily towards communicable diseases. The largest contributor to CVDs, hypertension, is a significant issue in Kenya, a model LMIC. Based on previous studies in this lab, high rates of hypertension are present in the region of Kasigau, Kenya. Kasigau is a small region within Taita-Taveta County, Kenya. Traditional risk factors are not necessarily predictive of hypertension in all regions of Kenya. This study aims to address the lack of tested risk factors for hypertension in Kenya and …

College Student Coping And Experiences During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Trinka Peer Pape

Dissertations

The isolation experienced by college students during the COVID-19 pandemic led to numerous issues and increased stress. The purpose of this study was to examine the coping mechanisms that college students utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the impact of the pandemic on how these students coped and their overall lived experiences. Participants were juniors and seniors graduating between May 2023 and May 2024 from a university in the southern Midwest. The researcher employed a mixed methodology approach, consisting of a quantitative survey, followed by qualitative interviews with students who completed the survey. Based on the results of the …

Perseus Interim Evaluation Report, Data Innovation Project, University Of Southern Maine

Publications

The Data Innovation Project (DIP) from the University of Southern Maine’s Catherine Cutler Institute serves as the external evaluator for the USDA NIFA SAS-funded Promoting Economic Resilience and Sustainability of the Eastern U.S. Forests (PERSEUS) project. This project is a joint effort between Purdue University, the University of Georgia, and the University of Maine. The DIP supports the project in assessing its progress, implementation, and emerging impacts through data collection from project participants and systematic document review (i.e. annual USDA reports, personnel lists, and meeting notes). This includes synthesizing quantitative and qualitative data and incorporating these metrics into independent evaluation …

The Trade-Off Between The Fear Of Judgment (Stigma) And The Intention To Engage With Ai-Driven Hiv/Aids Information: Evidence From Bangladesh And Nigeria, Abdullah Mohaimen

Masters Theses

This study explores the relationship between Fear of Judgment (FOJ), understood as perceived stigma, and Intention to Engage (EI) with an AI-driven chatbot providing HIV/AIDS information. Stigma often discourages individuals from seeking information or discussing sensitive health issues, creating barriers to prevention and education. AI chatbots offer a potential solution by enabling anonymous, accessible, and non-judgmental interactions. This study examines whether FOJ reduces users’ willingness to engage with such technology and whether cultural context shapes this relationship. Data were collected from young adults in Bangladesh and Nigeria (N = 56) through an anonymous online survey using a simulated chatbot, Lifeline. …

Distribution Mapping And Modeling Of The Invasive Japanese Knotweed, Jossalyn Rogalski

Masters Theses

This thesis investigates the distribution of invasive Japanese knotweed across Michigan. This plant poses significant challenges to land management due to its rapid growth, environmental impacts, and difficulty of removal once established. Using geographic information systems (GIS), remotely sensed data, and secondary environmental datasets, this research maps current infestations and analyzes key factors influencing the species’ growth and dispersal, such as soil composition, hydrology, land use, and a range of environmental variables, including climatic (annual mean temperature, temperature seasonality, annual precipitation, precipitation seasonality), elevation, vegetation and hydrological indices (NDVI, EVI, NDWI), percent tree cover, and distance to roads. Spatial analysis …

Public Policy And Food Security: A New England–Maritime Provinces Comparative Analysis Of Nutrition Assistance Programs, Kellie A, Therriault

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

This study examines how differences in policy design and program administration influence food assistance access and potential food insecurity outcomes across Northern New England (Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont) and the Canadian Maritime provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island). Using a mixed methods comparative design, the analysis integrates 2023 administrative data with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews with program administrators. Key indicators include program participation, household composition, benefit structure, and eligibility thresholds. Results indicate that SNAP participation varies widely across U.S. states and is associated with differences in average income levels, while Canadian provinces demonstrate more consistent …

Accessibility On Campus: How Universal Design Can Make A Difference, Samantha Wittenberg

Honors Projects

This research is meant to showcase how survey those who self-identify as having a disability so see how feedback they provide can help guide changes to make to the Maurer Center on Bowling Green State University’s campus. By utilizing principles found in Universal Design, much of the feedback was able to be applied. Much of what was found are small modifications to help with general accessibility such as visualization to help with navigation.

Chicago Southland Work-Based Learning Report, Alexia Santiago

Reports, Analyses, and other Publications

In 2025, Education Systems Center (EdSystems) at Northern Illinois University partnered with Prairie State College, South Suburban College, and local school districts to build a strong and comprehensive system of work-based learning opportunities. This report shares information collected on existing opportunities and identifies opportunities to scale work-based learning across the region.

The Carolina Rain Porch: A Southern Vernacular Considered, Jackson M. Dent

All Theses

The “rain porch,” also known as the “Carolina porch,” is a distinctive vernacular porch type concentrated in South Carolina’s Pee Dee region and sporadically found in neighboring states. Despite its strong regional identity, the form has received little sustained scholarly attention. This thesis presents a comprehensive study of the rain porch, examining its origins, chronology, geographic distribution, and architectural variation. Defined by an extended porch roof supported by free-standing columns set forward of porch deck, the rain porch represents a purposeful environmental adaptation within nineteenth-century domestic architecture. The research integrates archival sources, National Register of Historic Places survey data, mapping, …

Taking A Deeper Look: Attributing Tonal Values Of Photolumens To Their Emulsions Using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Anna M. Moore

All Theses

This thesis examines whether tonal variation in photolumens made with historic silver gelatin photographic papers can be linked to differences in elemental composition. Photolumens are cameraless photographic images created by placing objects directly on light-sensitive paper and exposing them to ultraviolet light. Because expired and historic darkroom papers often produce unpredictable colors and tones, this study asks whether visually defined tonal groups also show measurable chemical differences.

Twenty historic paper samples were exposed, documented, and sorted into five tonal groups based on visible image characteristics. Each sample was then analyzed using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) …

Developing A Decision-Making Tool For Breast-Feeding Mothers Whose Babies Have A Cow's Milk Protein Allergy, Rachel M. Griffith

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) is one of the most common food allergies in infancy, affecting an estimated 2–3% of infants, including those who are breastfed. Many symptoms of CMPA overlap with gastrointestinal disorders and lactose intolerance, leading to frequent misdiagnosis and unnecessary maternal dietary restriction. Breastfeeding mothers who eliminate dairy to manage suspected CMPA often face nutritional deficiencies, emotional strain, and financial burden, while infants risk poor growth if symptoms are not properly addressed. Breastfeeding is viewed as the optimal source of nutrition for infants providing many cognitive benefits and positive maternal effects like decreased stress and risks of …

Faculty And Academic Advisor Perspectives On Embedded Certifications Supporting Neurodivergent Learners, Katherine B. Watkins

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study explores the experiences, strengths, and challenges of neurodivergent individuals within educational and social environments, with a focus on promoting inclusivity and understanding. Neurodivergence, encompassing conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other cognitive variations, is increasingly recognized not as a deficit but as a natural form of human diversity. The research examines how traditional systems often fail to accommodate diverse cognitive styles, leading to barriers in learning, communication, and self-expression. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines quantitative survey data with qualitative interviews to capture both broad trends and personal narratives. Participants reported that rigid structures, sensory overload, …

Enhancing Food Security In Stann Creek. Belize Using Meat Rabbits, Lindsey Garretson

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

In recent years, food insecurity and the prevalence of hunger have rapidly grown throughout the world, but especially within Latin America and the Caribbean. Along with growing rates of food insecurity and hunger there are increases in medical conditions including negative impacts the functioning of every major organ system, increased rates of mental illness, both overweight and underweight children, wasting in both children and adults, and anemia. Availability and access to healthy, nutritional food options can help lower the risk of these conditions. With these considerations, the goal of this project was to create an all-encompassing manual and construction guide …

Keeping It Conservative (Under The Sheets): Conservative Political Ideology And Its Impact On Intimate Relationships, Amirah Harris

Theses & ETDs

This study examined the relationship between conservative political ideology and key aspects of romantic relationships, including gender role attitudes, expressions of intimacy and affection, communication styles, and partner preferences. Based on prior research suggesting that conservatism is associated with traditional social values and relationship behaviors, four hypotheses were proposed predicting significant associations between political conservatism and these variables. A sample of 334 adults in the United States completed an online survey consisting of the Attitudes Toward Women Scale, Index of Sexual Satisfaction, Affectionate Communication Index, Communications Patterns Questionnaire, and the Ideal Partner and Ideal Relationship Scale. ANOVA analyses were conducted …

Kapwa Across Contexts: Acculturation And Enculturation In Filipino American Identity At Home And In School, Jared Jamias

Education (PhD) Dissertations

Kapwa Across Contexts: Acculturation and Enculturation in Filipino American Identity at Home and in School examines how Filipino American identity is shaped across two primary sites: K–12 schooling and the Filipino American home in Southern California. Centering first-generation Filipino immigrant parents and their U.S.-born second-generation children, this qualitative study is guided by AsianCrit, Culturally Responsive Methodologies (CRM), and Nadal’s Filipino American Identity Model. Using narrative inquiry, six Filipino American family units (6 children; 8 parents) participated in individual and joint dyad interviews and Culturally Responsive Musical Inquiry (CRMI), in which families co-composed an original song. Findings indicate that K–12 schooling …

Improving Outreach To Residents Through Semi-Structured Interviews, Emmett Booth, Mlis, Ahip, Gary Kaplan, Mlis, Ahip, Abby Adamczyk, Mlis, Ahip, John Caruso, Md

Academic Commons and Scott Memorial Library Staff Papers and Presentations

Objectives

Our academic medical center has a large number of residents and fellows across programs based out of multiple hospitals, five of which receive direct support from the libraries. Two librarians supporting the scholarly activities of residents and fellows were hired by the university in the last six years. As these positions evolve, we seek to understand if outreach is working, whether support is effective, and whether scholarly support needs are changing. Building on survey results from last year,1 the team is conducting interviews with residents and program directors to better understand their perceptions of library support and services.

Seeing Skin, Seeking Evidence: Lessons From A Dermatology Internship, Isabella Floyd

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Indoor tanning exposes individuals to artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiation through devices such as tanning beds and sunlamps, increasing the risk of skin damage and malignancy. Prior research suggests associations between indoor tanning and melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), with potential variation based on age of initiation and cumulative exposure.

Purpose: The purpose of this literature review was to examine the association between indoor tanning and skin cancer risk, with a focus on age at first exposure, frequency, and duration of tanning bed use across melanoma, BCC, and SCC outcomes.

Methodology: A structured literature review …

Comparatively Exploring Journalism And Oral Histories As Modes Of Advocacy For Marginalized Communities, Miceala R. Morano

Journalism Undergraduate Honors Theses

In this study, four oral history interviews produced at the Pryor Center and news stories produced by four local media outlets were comparatively analyzed using software program MAXQDA. Each was qualitatively coded for expressions of identity, community and advocacy. These three key themes were determined through bottom-up processing, meaning the overarching themes were selected after each interview was listened to twice.

The results of this process were then used to determine the key similarities and differences between oral history and journalism, and how both practices can be used to accurately capture the narratives of marginalized communities. These findings were combined …

Sex Differences In How Celebrity Crushes Bolster Self-Perceived Mate Value, Madyson M. King

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Previous research indicates that parasocial relationships provide surrogate connections for individuals to where they offer various psychological benefits. Some benefits include self-esteem and improved body image, which may be connected by such relationships facilitating attainment of one's ideal self. Given this benefit of social surrogacy, it could be possible that a vicarious romantic connection with a parasocial figure may similarly bolster one's mate value if that relationship were to move an individual closer to a personal ideal. We predicted that engagement with a celebrity crush would be associated with a heightened mate value. A community sample of men and women …

Negation And The Backfire Effect, Caden Fowler

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Quick! Do not think of a polar bear. Did you think of a white bear? As Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote in his 1863 essay “Winter Notes on Summer Impressions,” “[when tasked to not think of a polar bear] you will see that the cursed thing will come to mind every minute.” The consequence of negation without context (i.e., unlicensed negation; Levine & Hagaman, 2008) is what has come to be referred to as the “backfire effect,” a phenomenon where correcting misinformation strengthens belief in that information rather diminishing it (Ecker, et al., 2020). Fake news and misinformation in …

The Effects Of Cannabidiol (Cbd) On The Social, Cognitive, And Physical Facets Of Anxiety Sensitivity, Ezri Rathbun

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

The current study investigated how repeated administration of 300mg of cannabidiol (CBD), when compared to a placebo, affects the social, cognitive, and physical facets of anxiety sensitivity (AS), a characteristic that reflects fear of the consequences of anxious arousal. Prior work suggests CBD may have anxiolytic effects that may be specific to the social aspects of anxiety. Thus, it was hypothesized that, that, relative to placebo, CBD would reduce self-reported AS-social concerns, but not AS-cognitive or AS-physical concerns, compared to baseline. Participants (N= 79; 52 women; M_age = 22.06) with elevated perceived stress were randomly assigned to 14 …

What Are The Roles Of Vocabulary And Working Memory In Metaphor Comprehension?, Claire Simpson

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

One of the most notable factors that influence sentence comprehension is the presence of metaphors (e.g., Inhoff, Lima, & Carroll, 1984). The metaphor interference effect (MIE) is a very interesting result of metaphor comprehension. It is a well-known linguistic effect (e.g., Al- Azary et al., 2021; Glucksberg et al, 1982) that can result in participants taking longer to determine that a metaphoric statement is false compared to other non-metaphoric literally false statements. The present study investigated the impact that vocabulary knowledge, working memory capacity, and memory load have on the metaphor interference effect. We predicted that each of these characteristics …

The Effect Of Self-Disclosure To Dogs On Stress, Coping, And Emotional Well-Being, Lilian Crawford

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Self-disclosure has been defined as the voluntary sharing of personal thoughts and experiences with another individual, and in recent years, it has been associated with improvements in psychological and physiological well-being. Recent research into animal-assisted therapy has also demonstrated the emotional benefits of interacting with dogs. However, the current research has not yet explored how the specific act of self-disclosure to dogs affects emotional well-being. The present study explored the effects of self-disclosure to dogs on stress, ability to cope, and emotional well-being. Participants (N = 113) included dog owners who were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: self-disclosure …

The Relationship Between Media Use, Identity, And Attitudes Towards Women, Kelly A. Summers

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Pornography’s popularity among college men is widespread, with degrading content being common in top-selling pornography (Bridges et al., 2010; Foubert et al., 2011). Research has shown higher consumption of degrading pornography is associated with more negative attitudes towards women, greater acceptance of rape culture, more sexist beliefs, and greater likelihood of engaging in aggressive and dominant behavior during physical intimacy (Bridges et al., 2023). “Incels” (a term meaning involuntarily celibate) are individuals who have not yet had a sexual debut despite an interest. Relatively little research exists on this population, but the little that has been conducted suggests incels have …

Overview: Neuroscience And The Law, John M. Conley, Rami Major

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Off-Label Neuroimaging, Jane Campbell Moriarty

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Neural Implants: The Promise, Peril, And Regulatory Challenges, Richard S. Saver, Jeffrey L. Saver

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Legal And Regulatory Considerations For Post-Trial Access To Maintenance Of Beneficial Investigational Neural Devices, Alexandra L. Foulkes, Erika Versalovic, Amanda R. Merner, Gabriel Lázaro-Muñoz

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Memoir: The Brain, Neuroethics, And Bioethics, Leslie C. Griffin

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.