Digital Commons Network^™

A Constellation Of Vital Phenomena: Exploring Post-War Ethics, Claire Marshall Watkins

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

In my paper, A Constellation of Vital Phenomena: Exploring Post-War Ethics, I explore the embodiment of care ethics and informed altruism through the novel’s protagonists, Akhmed and Sonja, respectively, who each care for a local girl Havaa whose home has been destroyed and whose father has been disappeared by the Russian Feds from their small Chechen village. Akhmed immediately takes her on as his own while Sonja is hesitant. As the novel progresses, Sonja and Akhmed each provide an even amount of time and effort into her care, though they approach it differently. Akhmed—Havaa’s neighbor and family friend—works together with …

May 2, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

A (Loper) Bright Future?: How The Supreme Court Opened A Path For Drug Reform, Malich, Jack

Santa Clara Law Review

We are witnessing a sweeping transformation of administrative law. The Supreme Court has taken aim at what it believes is a constitutional error: the power of the administrative state. All parts of the so-called “fourth branch of government” are undergoing shifts in the legal doctrines governing their structure. For those in favor of a strong administrative state, most of the Court’s new approach to agency action may represent a sinister effort to prevent the making of disfavored policy by the Executive. However, advocates of agency power would do well to remember that the administrative state can be oppressive. No agency …

Dnp Final Report: Improving Adherence With Cms Sep-1 Sepsis Bundle In The Emergency Department, Emmanuel Bernards

DNP Final Reports

Adherence to the CMS SEP-1 Sepsis bundles is critical to sepsis management and leads to lower sepsis mortality, lower incidence of readmission, reduced length of hospital stay, and improved patient outcomes. This medical center has struggled to meet the required 71% adherence rate set by the Center for Medicaid and Medicare, representing the benchmark of acceptable care of sepsis patients. Therefore, the following PICOT question arises: among the hospitals’ ED physicians and nursing staff (P), how does a multimodal approach consisting of education, visual reminders, and audit and feedback (I) compared to a single approach (education) (C) affect adherence to …

University Of Minnesota Morris To Celebrate 62nd Commencement, Communications And Marketing

Campus News Archive

No abstract provided.

“Take This Job And Shove It”: How Black Women’S Fight For Economic Rights Informed Their Participation In The Broader Social Movements Of The Twentieth Century, Kyndle Diane Lee

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the vital role of Black women in the American labor movement during the twentieth century, emphasizing how their leadership and union participation were central to both labor organizing and the broader fight for human rights. Black women workers navigated and resisted the effects of racism, sexism, and class exploitation in a century marked by industrial expansion, economic upheaval, and major civil rights struggles. Far from passive participants, they emerged as key organizers, negotiators, and strategists in their communities, labor unions, and national movements. Additionally, their work extended beyond their demands for better wages and safer working conditions. …

State Of Being, Danielle M. Koenig

Student Projects

Danielle Koenig's photographic practice is an exploration of time, memory, aging, and the inevitable transitions of life. Through the use of digital photography, she creates a visual narrative that captures the complexities of these life stages, revealing the universal experiences that tie us all together. Her work explores how time influences our identities, how memory connects us to the past, and how the constant presence of change highlights the fleeting nature of life.

As both an artist and a mother, Danielle's work revolves around the lives of those closest to her—particularly her children—capturing their growth and change while reflecting on …

Enhancing Communication For Individuals With Complex Communication Needs: The Critical Role Of Training And Evidence-Based Aac Strategies, Rachel H. Williams

Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education Faculty Publications

Communication is a basic human right, as affirmed by the National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities (NJC, 2024). For individuals with complex communication needs (CCN), special considerations must be taken into account to ensure equitable access to this right and must be supported through appropriate services, tools, and strategies. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems are essential for many individuals with CCN, enabling access to expressive and receptive language. However, successful AAC implementation requires well-trained educators, speech-language pathologists, and support staff who understand how to assess, model, and support communication effectively (Brady et al., …

I Will Not Accept This Rose: "The Bachelor(Ette)," Gender Stereotypes, And Self Perception, Rylie Vann

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Reality television is a cornerstone of modern-day TV programming, and typically features some element of competition, a makeover, or finding love. The Bachelor began airing in 2002, and the franchise that was built off the initial season continues to be a big name in romantically themed reality television. However, the show employs a variety of tactics during filming and while editing that presents a heteronormative view of contestants. The extent of this influence was explored using a mixed-method approach. A content analysis of several episodes from The Bachelor and The Bachelorette was conducted in order to determine how many instances …

The Mujahedeen E-Khalq Of Iran (Mek): Agents Of Democratic Revolution Or Cultic Oppression?, Molly Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis focuses on the People’s Mujahideen of Iran (MEK), an Iranian oppositional group that has engaged in a decades-long effort to depose the Iranian government. The goal of this thesis has three parts. First, it examines if the MEK should be classified as a new religious movement/cult. It also addresses the implications of such status given the MEK’s claims that it functions as a democratic entity and that it can be trusted to govern Iran in democratic fashion. Secondly, it examines if Iranian disinformation has influenced the MEK’s reputation. Thirdly, it analyses how the MEK has been able to …

The Role Of Elongin B In Drosophila Melanogaster Muscle Development, Madelyne Dayan

Student Theses and Dissertations

Muscle atrophy is a result of a number of muscle diseases, as well as aging, disuse, and infections. Muscles weakened in these ways exhibit a characteristic decrease in size, strength, and mobility. The similarities between muscle in humans and Drosophila allow for direct comparisons to be made in vertebrates from studying muscle in Drosophila. Differential gene expression has been shown to play an important role in embryonic muscle development in Drosophila melanogaster. A previous study identified Elongin B (EloB) to be involved in somatic muscle morphogenesis in Drosophila, with mutant embryos displaying severe muscle defects, including thin, mis-attached, and missing …

Spills & Layers, Anastasya Peña

Theses and Dissertations

Spills & Layers explores how process can give a painting meaning. My work uses acrylic and oil paint to create compositions that are both visible (spilling across the canvas freely) and hidden (caught under layers of paint).

Found Words, Lost Homes: Immigration And The Language Of Identity, Ali Motamedi

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the relationship between personal experience and public space through a body of work that moves between image, text, and material. Rooted in an intimate perspective and extending into streets, landscapes, and communal environments, the practice examines how nomadism—both physical and conceptual—shapes ways of seeing and making. Drawing from my background in engineering, a deep connection to Farsi literature, and the lived experience of immigration, the work reflects on themes of displacement, belonging, and identity.

A Limit That Recedes, Chloe Wilcox

Theses and Dissertations

In "A Limit that Recedes", I discuss my art practice in terms of accumulation and techniques of reproduction, such as casting, printing, and repetitive actions. I contextualize my work among artists such as H.C. Westermann, Isa Genzken, and Paul Thek. The work featured in this thesis explores ideas of aspiration, longing, and failure, and explores themes of the fraught relationship of the human and nature.

The Impact Of Mentorship On Burnout Among Novice Nurse Faculty, Lucas Gless

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Burnout among novice nurse educators contributes to increased rates of faculty turnover and vacancies in nursing education. This is especially significant in rural settings. This quality improvement project aimed to determine the impact of mentorship on novice nurse educators’ perception of burnout at a rural community college in East Texas. Utilizing a mixed methods design, novice nurse educators with less than two years of academic nurse education experience were assigned experienced faculty mentors over an eight-week period. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educators Survey (MBI-ES) measured emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment, both before and after the intervention. Data analysis, using the …

Quality Improvement Project Prevention Of Perioperative Pressure Injury Utilizing Scott Triggers Education, Assessment, And Interventions, Lisette Miller

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Abstract

The quality improvement project was initiated to educate perioperative staff on the evidence-based practice of Scott Triggers to reduce perioperative hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs). The purpose of the project was to provide Scott Trigger’s education to perioperative nurses for the reduction of perioperative HAPIs utilizing Scott Trigger's risk assessment tool and recommended interventions. Using a quantitative quasi-experimental design, the project consisted of two separate three-month data collection sets, one set collected pre-educational intervention, and the second set collected post-educational intervention. The project proved the use of the Scott Triggers high-risk assessment tool and utilization of the recommended interventions to …

Quality Improvement Project Impact Of Multidisciplinary Patient Education On Heart Failure 30-Day Readmission Rate, Jeanne P. Williams

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Patients diagnosed with heart failure are at an increased risk for readmission to the hospital within 30 days of discharge, and their care costs are projected to continue to increase. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement (QI) project aimed to implement an evidence-based initiative to mitigate the increased heart failure 30-day readmission rate on a 30-bed medical-surgical telemetry unit in an acute care facility. Using the teach-back communication method, multidisciplinary patient education was implemented to prepare patients diagnosed with heart failure to manage their condition once discharged home. The theoretical and implementation frameworks used were Lewin’s Change Model, …

Entry-Level Physical Therapists’ Perceptions Of Initial Employment, Richard G. Hubler Jr.

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

As physical therapy (PT) grows as an autonomous profession within the ever-changing healthcare system of the United States, PT educators strive to provide students all the training that they require for a career in professional clinical practice. Although graduates of PT education programs receive a doctoral degree, their preparedness to succeed in their early career is unclear. The purpose of this qualitative research study is to investigate the perceptions of entry-level physical therapists (PTs) toward early professional practice and their initial employment choices. Entry-level PTs that have been employed full-time for one year or less were interviewed to gain an …

To What Extent Is Social Media A Tool For Political Mobilization?, Bridget Westrum

Political Science Theses and Capstones

This study looks at the potential impacts of social media advocacy on mobilizing the pubic. Drawing from the Pew Research Center’s 2018 American Trends Panel, I look at Americans’ views of technology, political involvement, and their perceptions of social media and online engagement. I found that younger respondents view social media as more important to their political engagements. I find a significant relationship between census region and perceived importance of social media on issue involvement, as well. Respondents from the southern United States who consider themselves to be "very liberal" report a greater influence of social media on their involvement …

Know Thyself: A History Of Ancient Neuroscience, Alex Delano

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Neuroscience is often described as one of the youngest bodies of science, but documented study of the brain begins as early as the Neolithic period. The ancient Mediterranean was a hub for science, mathematics, philosophy, and literature, all disciplines necessary for the study of the brain. Evidence of neurosurgical procedures like trepanation and craniotomy began in the Neolithic period and were practiced and improved upon throughout the ancient Mediterranean. The first detailed studies on brain anatomy were carried out in the 3^rd century BCE in Greece which created a necessary structure for future scientists to build on. While many …

A Multimodal Intervention To Improve Treatment And Clinical Outcomes In Children With Recurrent Otitis Media, Daniel Courtaney

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Acute otitis media is the number one cause for primary health care visits and antibiotic prescriptions in the pediatric population (El Feghaly & Jackson, 2023). Upwards of 27% of children experience multiple episodes of otitis media (OM) that meet recurrent otitis media (ROM) diagnosis criteria (Pelton & Marchisio, 2023). Guided by the Iowa Model (Iowa Model Collaborative, 2017), the project’s purpose was to implement a multimodal intervention to decrease recurrent OM and repeat clinic visits. A comprehensive literature search of 5 databases yielded 16 sources ranging from levels I-IV (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2023). Using the AGREE II and JBI Critical …

Enhancing Hospital Throughput With The Power Of Reminders: Implementing A Discharge Before Noon Strategy At An Urban Teaching Hospital, Jessie Ventura

Doctoral Projects

The doctoral project deploys a "Discharge Before Noon" strategy at an urban teaching hospital to resolve discharge delays and improve patient throughput efficiency. Hospitals experiencing overcrowding must prioritize timely patient discharges to enhance clinical results and operational performance. The project adopted the PARIHS framework to steer implementation through its emphasis on evidence-based practices, contextual factors, and facilitation strategies. The research gathered discharge data and team coordination results before and after the intervention period. The findings revealed elevated discharge numbers before noon and substantial progress in interdisciplinary team collaboration. The initiative indicated an optimizing trend for discharge procedures, even though statistical …

The Importance Of Being Earnest: A Costume Designer’S Process, James Hunter Rock

Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film: Theses, Student Research, and Creative Work

This thesis is a comprehensive breakdown of the costume design process for Nebraska Repertory Theatre’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde during the fall semester of 2024. The author logs the production’s processes in collaborating on the concept and aesthetic of the play to present the Victorian era story for a modern audience. In this thesis, insights into the costume designer’s conceptualization, research, previsualization, and final design process are explored, providing an in-depth look into the creation of characters that remain true to the director’s original vision while being engaging for contemporary theatre. The various challenges …

Physical Activity Programming To Improve Qol In Pediatric Ibd Patients, George Russell, Anya K. Cutler, Anna Furr, Julia Fritz, Kevin Sztam, Birgitta Polson, Rebecca Edwards, Noah Hoffman

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2025

Discussion: This work contributes to limited literature supporting the positive impact of PA in a target population and provides novel guidelines to implement an accessible PA program proven to be effective and well-liked by patients & families. Findings support incorporation of PA into the holistic care of pediatric patients with IBD.

Factors Influencing No Show Rates In Adult Urology Patients, Bruce T. Ndebanje, Ethan Griffin, Evelyn James, Lily C. Wang

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2025

Our study highlights a strong association between insurance status and no-show rates. Patients with Medicaid or no insurance were significantly more likely to miss appointments (OR 3.25 and 5.99).

Implementation And Evaluation Of A Resident Pediatric Complex Care Education Series, Calivin Schaffer, Danielle Doctor, Amy Buczkowski, Bonnie Lynne Boomsma, Logan Murray

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2025

Children with medical complexity have significant chronic health problems that affect multiple organ systems and result in functional limitations, high health care need or utilization, and often dependence on medical technology. Addressing their needs requires optimizing care within the medical home and medical neighborhood.

Evaluation Of Engagement And Collaboration Among Hospitals In The Maine Rural Maternity & Obstetrics Management Strategies (Rmoms) Network, Molly Volt, Lori Travis, Caroline Zimmerman, Erica Swan, Katherine Crothers, Anna Gilbert, Kate Allerding

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2025

Introduction

• Maine RMOMS Network: Grant awarded to Maine in 2022, 16 rural birthing hospitals & 5 state partners

• Network Goal: Improve access to maternity and obstetrics care for rural communities

• A qualitative Network Health Evaluation was conducted to diagnose strengths and areas of growth regarding engagement and collaboration

Parent Perspectives On Primary/Specialty Co-Management Of Pediatric Asthma, James Bohnhoff, Mike Kohut, Dana Schwartz, Darby Glenn, Anya Cutler, Elizabeth A. Jacobs

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2025

No abstract provided.

Iterative Simulation And Healthcare Failure Modes And Effects Analysis Improves Child Abduction Response Systems Over Four Years Of Testing In A Children's Hospital, Dani Bruno, Marissa Perry, Madison (Max) Doane, Jamie Fey, Micheline Chipman, Brian Richardson, Leah Mallory

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2025

Iterative Simulations Improve Child Abduction Unit Readiness.

Momsim-A Simulation-Based Outreach Program To Maintain Team Readiness For Obstetrical Emergencies Across A Rural Health System, Lauren Weller, Micheline Chipman, Beth Gray, Becky Hunt, Emily Watson, Sarah Austin, Anya Cutler, Jeff Holmes, Leah Mallory

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2025

An in situ Obstetric Emergency Simulation Training Program increased interprofessional Labor and Delivery team member confidence across our rural health system.