Digital Commons Network^™

Unmasking The Shadows: A Comprehensive Exploration Of Serial Killers, Erica D. Lewis

Master of Arts in Human Services

Using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative literature review and qualitative case study analysis, this capstone investigates the developmental pathways of serial killers. The study investigates a variety of biological, psychological, and sociological elements—such as genetic predispositions, neurological disorders, childhood traumas, and environmental stressors—interact to shape serial killers. The study offers a multidisciplinary perspective, grounded in criminological models such as routine activity and labeling theories, sociological frameworks such as social disorganization and strain theory, and psychological theories such as psychopathy and attachment theory. Theoretical findings are contextualized through case studies of notorious serial killers like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and …

2025 August 19 - Medical Student Education Committee Minutes, Medical Student Education Committee, East Tennessee State University

Medical Student Education Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

2025 August 19 - Faculty Senate Agenda And Minutes, Faculty Senate, East Tennessee State University

Faculty Senate Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Designing Writers: A Self-Regulated Approach To Multimodal Composition In Teacher Preparation And Early Grades, Qi Si, Tracey S. Hodges, Vahid Mousavi

Teacher Education and Leadership Faculty Publications

Reading and writing in the 21st century have evolved from traditional text-based formats to multimodal literacy, integrating linguistic, visual, auditory, and spatial modes to enhance communication and comprehension. While multimodal reading has been widely studied, multimodal writing remains underexplored, despite its growing importance in K–12 education across disciplines. Multimodal composing demands advanced self-regulation as students navigate multiple digital tools and platforms. Self-regulated learning strategies, particularly the self-regulated strategy developmental model, offer a promising approach to support students in planning, monitoring, and revising multimodal compositions. However, a comprehensive framework linking self-regulation and multimodal composition is lacking. This article addresses this gap …

Re-Engaging Driver Attention Using Chatgpt: A Multimodal Study On Stress Impact And Driving Performance, Alaa Zaki Elfiqi

Theses and Dissertations

Driving is considered a complex task that requires continuous focus and attention from the driver. Driving performance can also be impacted by changes in the driver’s stress level. However, limited research explores methods to address this challenge. With the current advances in Large Language Models (LLMs) and their ability to engage in human-like interaction, this study investigates the potential of using ChatGPT, designed to speak Egyptian Arabic, in re-engaging driver attention under different driving scenarios for low-stress and high-stress conditions within a virtual reality (VR) environment driving simulator. Drivers were asked to follow a leading car into two scenarios with …

Enhanced Meropenem Activity And Stability Following Load In Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofiber Scaffolds With Sitagliptin As Quorum Sensing Inhibitor On Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Samar A. Salim, Abdelrhman Mohsen, Mohamed Emara, Taghrid Elmahdy

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Background The increasing resistance of bacteria to conventional antibiotics poses a significant health challenge. Innovative strategies, such as combining antibiotics with agents like quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs), have been developed to combat this issue. QSIs enhance antibiotic efficacy without inhibiting bacterial growth, minimizing the risk of resistance. Aims Evaluate the combined effect of Sitagliptin (STG) as a QSI with Meropenem (MER), fabricate drug-loaded Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) nanofibers, and investigate their antimicrobial activity against standard Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1) and carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRPA). Methods The combinatorial effect was assessed using a checkerboard assay. PVA/STG, PVA/MER, and PVA/STG/ MER nanofibers were fabricated …

August 19, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

A Qualitative Study On The Experiences Of Burnout Among Mental Health Practitioners Rendering Clinical Care During Covid-19, Mykiyaa Marvella Walker-Sanchez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, between 21% and 67% of mental health practitioners in the United States experienced signs of burnout. The pandemic exacerbated these challenges, with an increased demand for mental health services. By 2022, 45% of practitioners reported burnout, and the APA’s 2023 Practitioner Pulse Survey noted that psychologists were working at the limits of their capacity, with high levels of burnout. While research on COVID-19 and burnout has expanded for physicians and nurses, less focus has been placed on mental health practitioners' experiences. The purpose of this generic qualitative study aimed to understand how mental health practitioners …

Evaluating Adjustment And Proficiency Disparities In Virtual Reality, Mohammad Jahed Murad Sunny

Theses and Dissertations

The rapid integration of VR in various application domains necessitates a deeper understanding of how levels of user experience impact user performance and task efficiency. This study investigates the relationship between experience with VR, expertise in 3d computer gaming, and physiological skills across multiple performance metrics, such as task-completion time, task load, accuracy, manipulation speed, and related spatial requirements. In a comprehensive analysis of multiple levels of VR experience and 3d computer-game expertise, we identified key trends that indicate increased experience in both domains significantly enhances task efficiency while at the same time reduces perceived workload and improves task accuracy. …

Exposure To Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Reveals A Death Resistance Mechanism In Dictyostelium Discoideum, Zoya Nadeem Faruqui

Theses and Dissertations

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are very versatile due to their multifunctional properties including unique physicochemical and antimicrobial characteristics. They are widely utilized across various fields such as biomedical, industrial fields, environmental remediation, and agriculture. Therefore, their cytotoxic effects on biological systems necessitate a deeper understanding of the cellular responses to nanoparticle exposure. This project primarily investigates the impact of ZnO NPs on the model organism Dictyostelium discoideum AX4 (social amoeba) which has not been examined before unlike a vast variety of organisms in the literature. The cytotoxic effects of ZnO NPs on Dictyostelium discoideum AX4 cells are compared with …

The Relationship Between Self-Reported And Observer-Rated Maternal Anxiety During Mother-Infant Interactions, Annalisa Tran, Jacqueline Hammack

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

Research pertaining to maternal anxiety and mother-infant interactions is a rapidly growing field. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between self-reported maternal anxiety ratings and observer-rated maternal anxiety scores. Thirty-nine motherinfant dyads participated in a four-minute free-play session via Zoom. The Parent Anxiety measure from the Coding Interactive Behavior scale was used to measure observed maternal anxiety. The General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale was used to measure self-reported maternal anxiety. No significant association was found between self-reported maternal anxiety and observed maternal anxiety. An exploratory analysis was conducted to compare self-reported maternal anxiety and observed maternal sensitivity. …

Mock Battles: A Time And Place For Conflict, Benjamin Crawford

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

Mock battles are a category of ritual widely recognized by cultural anthropologists, and yet the term as used stands as a wide umbrella covering an incredibly disparate range of human behaviors. Ethnographers have applied the label of “mock battle” both to events incorporating actual bodily harm—most famously, the Andean Tinku—and to non-violent theatrical performances such as the Moros dances popular throughout Spain and Mexico. To better understand the particular social functions of these rituals, I distinguish between two separate but interrelated “genres” of mock battle: the Civil War type, in which communities schedule limited outbursts of cathartic physical violence; and …

Exploring Infant Toy Interactions In Free Play Environments, Emma Bermudez, Jacqueline Hammack

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

Infants’ interactions with toys play a crucial role in their early cognitive and motor development, yet much of the research on this topic has been conducted in controlled laboratory settings, which may not accurately reflect the diversity of toys and interactions infants experience in their natural environments. This study uniquely examined these interactions in a home setting by utilizing an online video conferencing platform. This study investigated how toy properties influence manual infant-object interactions during dyadic tabletop free play, where mothers selected the toys for the session. Within the confines of this study, results show that infants spend significantly more …

Use Of A Novel Plant Essential Oil-Based Insecticide For Insect Control In Household Gardens And Lawns, Mia Michnik, Alysa Suissa, Liah Brussolo Cremona, Annalise Wellman, Nicholas Nifakos, Alexander Spanoudis, John M. Harlin

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

Insecticide use has increased as population and agricultural demand for crops grows. Commercial insecticides contain active ingredients that are often harmful to humans and the environment. A viable alternative to this concern is developing and using insecticides with low toxicity and minimum risk to the environment. In this study, we sought to empirically assess the effectiveness of an insecticide based entirely on plant essential oil active ingredients, which contain complex secondary metabolites. Our results show that a concoction of several plant essential oils was effective in killing a wide range of household garden insect species and bedbugs, encompassing five orders …

Bioarchaeological Analysis Of Three Individuals Excavated From Palikè Di Mineo, Sicily, August M. Stone, Madison Rieth, William Burnett

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

This study presents the analysis of three individuals excavated from the area of Palikè di Mineo, Sicily in May and June of 2023. The archaeological area contained numerous burials, but this study focuses on two adult male and one subadult (child). Burials are estimated to be from the Imperial Period of the Roman Empire (20 CE - 360 CE). Information collected includes age, sex, stature, and taphonomy of the individuals. Burial style, artifacts, and position of the burials are used to present data on the possible conditions of life in ancient Sicily. This article contributes data to the greater discussion …

Fast Fashion: Discovering American Consumers' Opinions, Ava Vignola

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

The effects of fast fashion range from human rights violations to environmental devastation. This study uncovers the views of Americans on fast fashion. It was expected to find that many Americans prioritize price when shopping, due to the growth of these companies. The study had 193 people complete a questionnaire on Amazon Turk that contained 16 questions. It found that most Americans consider the price to be more important than the ethics when shopping, with there being a statistically significant difference (p < .001) in that older consumers are more likely to prioritize price. It also found that males are more likely to disagree than females with the statement that fast fashion is unethical (p < .001). This data can be used to create marketing strategies to encourage American consumers to purchase from sustainable companies.

Zero/Low Textbook Cost Syllabus For [39335 Eng 2100 - Htrf Writing I], Ju Ly Ban

Open Educational Resources

This class is a warm-up for the many writing assignments you will encounter, no matter your major. We will read, write, and talk through texts in different genres, learning how to (1) understand what a writing task is asking for (2) build clear arguments (3) find strong evidence and (4) manage time and writing anxiety. These skills will help you revisit, rethink, and expand your own resources.

You are the writer. (Yes, even if you use ChatGPT. We will talk about how to use it well, too.) And you already have your resources. Let’s begin in an imaginary living room—the …

Strategies To Recommend Compliance For Cna Staffing Ratios In New Jersey Nursing Homes, Mira Gaba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in New Jersey, which provide both short-term rehabilitation and long-term residential care, are faced with mounting pressure due to mandated staffing ratios for certified nursing assistants (CNAs). The purpose and review question for this integrative review centered on best practices and strategies for nursing home leaders to meet the new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and New Jersey standards for CNA staffing ratios in nursing homes. This review used the systems theory to look at SNFs as connected networks where staffing, leadership, finances, and care delivery all work together. An examination of the literature published …

Strategies To Improve Psychiatrist Understaffing In Psychiatric Hospitals In Rural And Underserved Communities: Addressing Administrative Challenges, Carla Aramouni

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Psychiatric hospitals across the United States face a worsening shortage of psychiatrists, particularly in rural and underserved communities, which limits timely mental health care, increases wait times, and places unsustainable strain on the psychiatric workforce. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify administrative strategies that can mitigate psychiatrist understaffing and support sustainable care delivery in psychiatric hospitals. An integrative review methodology was used to explore both empirical and nonempirical literature, resulting in 92 articles, including 32 peer-reviewed sources and several supporting studies selected through a systematic search, screening, and critical appraisal. Thematic analysis of the evidence revealed five …

An Investigation Of Parental Involvement In The Safe Passage Initiative (An Anti-Violence Program), Danielle King

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the issue of parental involvement in Safe Passage, an anti-violence initiative operating within seven Pittsburgh Public Schools. Recognizing the involvement of parents is critical for successful violence prevention, this study explores the barriers hindering meaningful participation and identifies strategies to enhance parent-school-community collaboration.

Utilizing qualitative research methods, the study captures insights from parents, educators, and community stakeholders through a reflective Journey Line activity and focus group discussion. Data collected revealed several significant barriers such as inconsistent communication, limited parental availability due to demanding work schedules, mental and emotional exhaustion, cultural disconnects, and a lack of clarity regarding …

Sac Newsletter 2025, South Asia Center

Newsletters from the South Asia Center

No abstract provided.

Humidity Control Apparatus And Materials, Ying Zhong

USF Patents

A ventilation port maintains the humidity range within a sealed or partially sealed enclosure maintaining a level of atmospheric moisture such as a greenhouse. The port is comprised of a polymer blend film made of a hydrophilic component serving as the water-absorbing material and substrate component serving as the mechanical backbone. The film is designed to bend and open the port when the humidity within the enclosure exceeds a predetermined level outside the humidity range, allowing for the venting of excess humidity. Once the humidity falls back within the desired range, the film returns to its original state and closes …

Mechanism Of Unconventional Il-33 Release In Airway Disease, Omar Osorio

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

The alarmin cytokine IL-33 is a strong inducer of type two inflammation and has been implicated in various chronic lung diseases. Although much work has been done to understand the inflammatory effects of extracellular IL-33, there is still a knowledge gap in understanding how this cytokine is secreted by airway epithelial cells in steady-state conditions. In the work laid out in this document, a COPD-disease associated isoform of IL-33, that has exons 3 and 4 (IL-3334) spliced out and is tonically secreted at baseline conditions. This IL-33 isoform is secreted from airway epithelial cells alongside, or as part of, extracellular …

The Power Of Service Learning At Byu, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

This article summarizes the merits of Service Learning for university students.

Educating Nurses On The Agency Of Healthcare Research And Quality Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program To Reduce The Rate Of Pressure Ulcers, Marie France Destaul

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A staff development project was conducted to address the practice problem encountered in a healthcare setting. The identified gap in practice was related to a lack of knowledge of pressure ulcer injury prevention among inpatient staff. Leadership deemed it essential to address this practice problem in nursing care because the prevalence of pressure ulcer injuries in hospitalized patients was high. The following practice-focused question guided the project: For staff in an inpatient setting, will education on the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program increase knowledge toward the goal of decreasing the incidence of pressure ulcers? …

Nurse-Initiated Improvement For Documentation Of Penicillin Adverse Drug Reactions In Pediatric Urgent Care Clinics., Elizabeth Monsees, Diane Petrie, Rana El Feghaly, Sarah Suppes, Brian R. Lee, Megan Whitt, Amanda Nedved

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Background/Objective: Penicillin allergy labels (PALs) contribute to broad-spectrum antibiotic use. Thorough documentation can help prescribers identify and remove unnecessary PALs. We aimed to improve documentation of PALs in three pediatric urgent care (PUC) clinics, using a nurse-initiated quality improvement (QI) approach. Methods: QI interventions included a survey to assess prescriber and nurse confidence, an online educational module, and an algorithm to aid in clarifying PALs. We measured the percentage of PALs with a clarified reaction severity as our primary outcome using annotated control charts. Descriptive and inferential statistics evaluated survey responses between nurses and prescribers. Results: Clarified PAL reaction severity …

Canada’S Indigenous Social Workers’ Medicinal Plant Knowledge: A Land-Based Way Of Knowing For Indigenous Practice, Iris Kim Plain Eagle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Canada’s Indigenous people of Treaty 7 region have experienced intergenerational trauma resulting from colonization perpetrated by the Canadian government. While the use of medicinal plants, are employed by Indigenous social workers, their integration into mainstream human services organizations remains limited. The gaps in Indigenous social work practice hinders client culturally competent care and the acknowledgement of Indigneous knowledge systems in colonial systems. This generic qualitative study explored the experiences of participants who integrate medicinal plant healing and ancestral knowledge into practice. Informed by indigenous wholistic theory, the study aimed to understand how Indigenous social workers navigate the challenges and opportunities …

Kraemer Is 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient, Communications And Marketing

Campus News Archive

No abstract provided.

Immunogenicity And Safety Of A Rabies-Based Highly Pathogenic Influenza A Virus H5 Vaccine In Cattle, Nir Paran, Christoph Wirblich, Catherine Olal, Alessandro Tarquinio, Kimberly H. Lohmeyer, Drishya Kurup, Stacey Schultz-Cherry, Ismaila Shittu, Gregory C. Gray, Dennis A. Bente, Pia U. Olafson, Matthias J. Schnell

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

The circulation of highly pathogenic H5 influenza A viruses in cattle, other mammals, and wildlife threatens animal and human health. To address this, we vaccinated heifer-calves with a deactivated rabies-virus-based H5 vaccine, which was well-tolerated and elicited neutralizing antibodies against both clade-1 and clade-2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses, comparable to naturally H5-infected and convalescing cows. The immune responses to the vaccine platform were durable for at least 200 days and unaffected by preexisting RABV immunity.

Women Veterans' Use Of Gender-Specific, Online, Social Support Systems For Social Identity After Military Service, Katie M. Baillio

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The number of women veterans serving in the military is growing. This qualitative study explored women veterans' perspectives and experiences with gender-specific online social support services, and how that contributes to their social identity after military service. A generic qualitative design was used, and data were collected through semistructured interviews for 10 women veterans who had transitioned out of the military within the last 5 years. Five themes emerged: (a) big picture: connecting with other women veterans was helpful; (b) veteran forums were used for federal or state benefits, but women used gender-specific forums for questions specific to women's issues; …