Digital Commons Network^™

Study Links Coal Ash Sites To Elevated Cancer Risk Nationwide, Clara Turnage

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Counties near coal ash storage facilities are more likely to report higher cancer rates, raising questions about regulation and long-term health risks of such installations, a new study concludes.

Jtc 26: A Full Circle Moment, Staff Report

University of Mississippi News

This story is part of the 2026 Journey to Commencement series, which celebrates the pinnacle of the academic year by highlighting University of Mississippi students and their outstanding academic and personal journeys from college student to college graduate.

Computer Science Meets Public Health—Developing An Ai Coach For Health And Well-Being, Alina Scantlebury, Jade Custer, Taiyo Williamson, Kelly L. L'Engle, Alark Joshi

Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Using Multiple Means Of Representation To Enhance Higher Education Student Learning, Cathy Stephens

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

Today’s students enter higher education from diverse backgrounds with differing educational pathways. Universal design for learning recognises that learners are not homogenous and suggests ways of improving engagement, understanding and agency for heterogeneous learners by including varied resource formats and instructional approaches, or multiple means of representation. While institutional imperatives often call for consistency of approaches and pre-designed content formats, this small pilot study asks if the implementation of varied resources and activities can enhance student comprehension and understanding of project requirements in a creative course. This small-scale study surveyed students on the perceived value of a variety of resources, …

Open Multi-Agent Systems: The Free-Range-Zoo Framework And Moasei Competition, Ceferino J. Patino Iv

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The field of multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) has made significant strides in addressing sequential decision-making problems under uncertainty. However, traditional MARL frameworks assume closed-world settings with fixed agent sets, static task distributions, and unchanging environment dynamics. This thesis presents two complementary contributions that advance the state of open-world multi-agent systems research: (1) the free-range-zoo framework, an open-source environment suite for MARL in open environments featuring dynamic agent populations, evolving task sets, and changing operational frames; and (2) the MOASEI Competition, an international benchmarking event that leverages free-range-zoo to evaluate how artificial agents handle openness in complex, partially observable domains. The …

University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, April 27, 2026, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

Meeting minutes from the Faculty Senate of the University of Northern Iowa.

Strategies Of It Leaders For Deploying Cloud-Native Applications In Emerging Markets, Peter Ekhator

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cloud-native applications are transforming organizational information technology (IT) operations by enabling scalability, flexibility, and cost efficiency. However, some IT leaders in emerging markets lack evidence-based strategies for successfully deploying cloud-native applications. IT leaders and organizational decision-makers are concerned because ineffective deployment limits the ability to leverage cloud technologies for innovation, operational resilience, and sustained competitiveness. Grounded in the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies IT leaders use to deploy cloud-native applications in emerging-market contexts. Data were collected using semistructured interviews from 10 IT leaders with experience deploying cloud-native applications and were supplemented …

A Daily Assessment Of Food And Alcohol Disturbance And Alcohol Intoxication As Predictors Of Sexual Violence Victimization, Amanda Elizabeth Baildon

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Alcohol-involved sexual violence (SV) is a common and detrimental experience for young adult women. To supplement SV prevention strategies aimed at perpetrators, who are fully responsible for the occurrence of SV, risk reduction programs that target women’s drinking have been implemented with limited efficacy. To improve these programs, research must examine novel predictors like food and alcohol disturbance (FAD) that contribute to SV risk. FAD refers to compensatory behaviors (e.g., restricted eating, excessive exercise) to offset alcohol’s calories or enhance intoxication. Approximately 45% of young adult women engage in FAD, a practice that likely heightens SV risk by facilitating rapid …

Udri To Host National Conference On Power Systems For Space Missions, University Of Dayton

News Releases

With its rich heritage in aerospace and nuclear power technology development, the city of Dayton will be in the national spotlight next week as the site of the 2026 Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space Conference, to be held April 27-30 at the Dayton Convention Center.

Supporting Teachers With Student’S Challenging Behavior: A Social Emotion Learning Approach, Sarah Holtzlander

Masters Projects

Challenging classroom behaviors in early childhood and elementary settings are often linked to deficits in students’ social-emotional skills, including emotional regulation, social awareness, and problem-solving. These behaviors can disrupt instruction, impact peer relationships, and contribute to increased teacher stress and reliance on reactive discipline practices. Although research strongly supports the effectiveness of social-emotional learning (SEL) as a preventive and skill-based approach, many educators report limited training and a lack of practical resources for implementation. The purpose of this project is to develop a comprehensive, teacher-friendly SEL toolkit designed to support the integration of evidence-based strategies into daily classroom routines. Grounded …

Beyond Attachment: Endolysosomal Determinants Of New World Arenavirus Entry And Fusion, Cassandra E. Thompson

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Arenaviruses are enveloped, negative-sense RNA viruses maintained in rodent reservoirs and transmitted to humans through exposure to aerosolized rodent excreta, where they can cause severe and sometimes fatal disease. The geographic distribution of arenaviruses reflects the range of their rodent reservoirs, resulting in the classification into Old World and New World groups, with New World arenaviruses further subdivided into clades A–D. Viral entry is the first step of infection and a major determinant of host range, tissue tropism, and zoonotic potential. Further, viral entry is a tightly regulated, multistep process that couple’s receptor engagement with intracellular trafficking and pH-dependent membrane …

Molecular Circuits In Dendritic Cell Development, Feiya Ou

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

In 2008, the Kenneth Murphy Laboratory published the seminal discovery that BATF3 is an essential transcription factor (TF) for the development of classical dendritic cell type 1 (cDC1) (Hildner et al., 2008). Since then, two major themes of the lab have been to elucidate the genetic networks that control dendritic cell (DC) development and to define the unique functions of individual DC subsets. My dissertation aligns primarily with the former theme while also reflecting my own scientific interests. Specifically, this dissertation investigates how two developmental enhancers are controlled by a series of TFs in cell type- and stage-specific manners to …

Personality, And Generation In Green Entrepreneurship, Julie Garritano

Honors Projects

This research investigates the drivers of Green Entrepreneurial Intent (GEI) by examining the intersection of personality traits and immigrant generation status. Utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework, the study focuses on how openness to experience and conscientiousness—the traits most strongly associated with sustainability-oriented innovation—influence entrepreneurial intentions.

A central aim is to determine how first- and second-generation immigrant statuses moderate these relationships, particularly through the lens of intergenerational transmission of values and social norms. The study integrates illustrative case analyses of Timberland and Patagonia to trace how environmental stewardship and ethical business practices evolve across successive leadership generations.

The …

A Trauma Psychology Approach To Space Psychology And Long-Duration Space Travel In Consideration Of Isolation, Resource Scarcity, And Group Dynamics., Alden Nicoll

Honors Projects

As modern societies research and prepare for long-duration deep space travel, psychological research becomes increasingly prevalent into understanding the effects of trauma on the psyche. This present study looks at the current research outcomes of “Team Dynamics”, “Social Isolation”, and “Resource Scarcity” within the literature of Space Psychology. Current research on social isolation is taken from past missions in outer space and analog missions in Antarctica, at sea, and prison research. While research is vast on social isolation, it doesn’t consider how trauma could be intensified with both time and duration in space. Next, when considering team dynamics and how …

Harm Reduction Strategies In Addiction Recovery: Effectiveness, Barriers, And The Role Of Social Stigma, Julia J. Amlin

Honors Projects

Substance use disorders (SUDs) present a major global public health crisis. An estimated 46.3 million individuals are affected in the United States, with only a small fraction receiving any form of treatment. While abstinence-based models have historically dominated addiction treatment methods, harm reduction approaches have emerged as evidence-based alternatives that reduce overdose mortality, improve treatment engagement, and decrease the transmission of infectious diseases. Despite strong empirical support harm reduction interventions continue to face significant social, political, and structural resistance. These harm reduction interventions include supervised consumption sites, overdose prevention centers, medication-assisted treatment, naloxone distribution, and drug checking technologies. This resistance …

Nondelegation In Winter (Again), David Zaring

UC Law Constitutional Quarterly

Last term, the Supreme Court – these days thought to be intensely interested in reviving a formalist separation of the branches of government – has finally abandoned the quintessence of that project, a revitalization of the nondelegation doctrine. This essay argues that the Court’s decision in FCC v. Consumers’ Research reflects a pragmatic turn: rather than rewriting the test for nondelegation, the Court retained the old test, gave up on formalist reform, and indicated that it will be looking elsewhere for separation of powers remedies. The result is a jurisprudence that remains formally attached to its precedents while embracing the …

The Florida “Educational” And Employer Censorship Statutes: Constitutional Challenges, Joel E. Davidson

UC Law Constitutional Quarterly

No abstract provided.

Luja Volume 6: Issue 1 (Full Volume)

Laurier Undergraduate Journal of the Arts

No abstract provided.

Secondary Mathematics Teachers' Perceptions, Knowledge, And Collaborative Practices In Professional Learning Communities, Josey S. Rodriguez

Education Theses and Dissertations

This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) investigates teacher perceptions, knowledge of and collaborative practices of professional learning communities (PLCs) at a Southwest Texas high school. The study used a mixed-methods design utilizing a survey, open-ended questionnaire, PLC observations, and an interview. Participants included 8 mathematics teachers and one campus administrator at a campus with over 800 students in grades nine through twelve. Teacher perceptions of PLCs were analyzed using descriptive statistics for quantitative data, while observations, the open-ended questionnaire, and the interview were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Findings revealed that despite PLC+ training, limited …

Exploring The Relations Between Employer Beliefs And Workplace Practices: Organizational Factors And Autism Employment Outcomes, Melinda Ann Henson

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Autistic individuals experience persistent employment disparities despite interventions targeting individual skills and supports, suggesting that workplace factors also shape employment outcomes. Self-Determination Theory (SDT) posits that workplace environments supporting employee autonomy, competence, and relatedness promote employment outcomes. This study examined SDT-aligned practices and tested associations between employer beliefs about autism as a form of neurodiversity, hiring receptivity, and employment outcomes for Autistic professionals. A preliminary aim was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a newly developed measure, the Workplace Inclusivity and Autonomy Survey (WIAS), designed to assess SDT practices via employer report. Participants included 43 professionals representing a range of …

Implementing A Self-Administered Crafft Screening Tool In A Pediatric Mental Health Setting, Michael Nguyen

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

Background: Adolescent substance use disorders (SUDs) require early identification in inpatient psychiatric settings, but inconsistent screening workflows limit systematic detection.

Aims: This quality improvement project evaluated implementation of the Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble (CRAFFT) 2.1 screening tool to improve identification of adolescents at risk for SUDs and support multidisciplinary communication.

Methods: CRAFFT 2.1 screening was embedded into admission workflows for adolescents admitted to two inpatient psychiatric units. Admission nurses distributed self-administered forms during admission. Completed screenings were scored and entered into the electronic medical record. Scores were categorized as low (0), medium (1), or high (≥2). High-risk results …

The Intersection Of Visual Communications, User Experience, & Design Theory: A Case Study With The Dog Spaw, Jessica Miltner

Honors Projects

This project explored the intersection of visual communication, user experience, and design theory, focusing on researching design and UX principles and applying them in a real-world case study with The Dog Spaw from Celina, Ohio. The project resulted in a redesigned website that aims to influence user behavior by improving perceptions of trust, professionalism, brand consistency, and ease of use, and by examining how these perceptions, in turn, influence user action.

Creepy Or Customized? Understanding The Ethical Boundaries Of Ai-Powered Personalization, Hope Schultz

Honors Projects

Artificial intelligence has taken the world by storm, and its presence in our lives only continues to grow. Not only has it changed the way we live and interact with technology, but it has also fundamentally changed how businesses reach customers, particularly in marketing. It now powers the algorithms, predictions, and personalized experiences that shape nearly every digital interaction we have as consumers, including the videos we see on TikTok, the products that are recommended to us on Amazon, and the weirdly accurate ads that pop up across different platforms. These AI-powered systems are constantly learning from tiny behaviors we …

Americana Marketing Campaign, Shaela O'Keefe

Undergraduate Theses

Americana World Community Center has served as a beacon of hope and justice within the Louisville, Kentucky community for over 30 years. The nonprofit organization provides “holistic services to Louisville's refugee, immigrant and underserved population to build strong and healthy families, create a safe and supportive community and help every individual realize their potential” (Americana, 2024). Americana creates opportunities for families to thrive through “education, family support, youth achievement, and career & financial development” (Americana, 2024). To further Americana’s mission and assist immigrant families, the organization is currently undergoing the process of gathering narratives of Americana’s impact on their staff, …

Quality Improvement Project: Integrating Depression Screening Into Adult Wellness Visits In A Primary Care Clinic, Nina Denchukwu

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Depression is a prevalent and debilitating mental health condition that remains significantly underdiagnosed in primary care, despite national recommendations for universal adult screening. At the project site, less than 40% of adults completing annual wellness visits had documented depression screening. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate whether integrating the evidence-based Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-2 and PHQ-9 into the electronic health record (EHR) would improve completion of depression screening, documentation, and referrals to treatment. The project was guided by Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations Theory and the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework. A quantitative pre–post intervention design linked with the …

Quality Improvement Project: Impact Of Faculty Competency And Classroom Application Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai), Clydea Hale

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has created a growing need for nursing faculty to develop competency in AI to adequately prepare students for modern clinical practice. Despite this need, limited faculty knowledge and low classroom application of AI persist. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project was to evaluate the impact of an evidence-based AI educational intervention on nursing faculty competency and classroom application. Guided by the Stetler Model of Evidence-Based Practice and Lewin’s Change Theory, a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was implemented with nursing faculty at a rural community college in …

Promoting Trauma-Informed Practices Through Staff Education, Ediomi Enebong Oduwole

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Front office staff in outpatient psychiatric settings are often the first point of contact for patients experiencing anxiety and emotional distress. However, existing evidence indicates that non-clinical, front office staff often lack formal training in trauma-informed care (TIC). This gap may limit early recognition and response to patient distress. This quality improvement project addressed this gap by evaluating the impact of a trauma-informed educational intervention of staff confidence and documentation of patient distress. The project was guided by Pender’s Health Promotion Model and Lewin’s Change Theory. It used a pre-and post-intervention quantitative design with sample of five front office staff …

Media Framing Of The Bawku Conflict In Ghana: An Analysis Of Cultural Biases, Narratives, And Peacebuilding Implications, Falilatu Saaka

Master of Arts in Media and Communication Plan II Graduate Projects

This research examines the media framing of the Bawku conflict in Ghana, focusing on how cultural biases shape the portrayal of ethnic disputes and influence public perception. Utilizing a qualitative discourse analysis grounded in Framing Theory and Afrocentric critique, the study analyzes ten news reports from major Ghanaian media outlets to identify patterns of bias, narrative construction, and ideological positioning. Findings reveal that media coverage predominantly emphasizes security and stability, often at the expense of addressing deeper political, economic, and historical factors. Language, imagery, and sourcing choices tend to reinforce stereotypes, skewing public understanding towards ethnic dichotomies, particularly between the …

Social Perspective Taking, The Search For Meaning, And A Sense Of Belonging In Emerging Adults, Miranda Joy Powers

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study examined relationships among social perspective-taking, the search for meaning, and a sense of belonging among college students. Drawing on data from the 2021 Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership, this research tested whether social perspective-taking and the search for meaning predicted higher levels of belonging. Additionally, covariates, including race, religious affiliation, gender, and COVID-19, were analyzed to assess their effects on both the independent and dependent variables. A regression analysis was performed, and as hypothesized, students with higher levels of social perspective-taking and those searching for meaning reported greater belonging. In addition, the covariates race, religious affiliation, COVID-19, and …

Homeless Veterans: How To Help Veterans Receive Their Benefits So No Veteran Is Without Sustainable Housing, Kelly Hancock

Nonprofit and NGO Studies Student Projects

In this research, I examined why veterans remain homeless despite available resources and what can be done to place them in sustainable housing. I did this through interviews with VA staff and by examining various projects implemented to support veterans. In my research, I found that the resources are available for veterans if they know to request them. The VA employees noted that misconceptions and misinformation are leading causes of veterans not asking for help. Therefore, a solution would be for civilians to call the VA hotline to report homeless veterans. They will then meet the veterans where they are …