Digital Commons Network^™

Mathematical Model For Tripledemic Disease (Covid-19, Rsv, And Influenza), Foster Opoku

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The concurrent circulation of COVID-19, Influenza (Flu), and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), collectively termed the ”Tripledemic,” poses substantial public health challenges due to their overlapping transmission patterns and compounded healthcare demands. The discovery of COVID-19 vaccines such as Moderna (mRNA-1273, Spikevax) and Johnson & Johnson’s, among other vaccines, has reduced COVID-19 cases but has not completely eradicated the disease. In the 2022-2023 season, the world witnessed a ”tripledemic” of Flu, COVID-19, and RSV. We propose Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered (SIR) and SusceptibleExposed-Infectious-Recovered (SEIR) mathematical models to estimate transmission rates, compute the basic reproduction number, forecast infections, and analyze seasonal variations and comparative transmission …

Assessing A Police Department's Reliance On The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (Nibin) To Solve Shooting Cases: Can Nibin Increase Shooting Clearance Rates?, James Stephen Abbott

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Often, police response to shooting incidents lacks the investigative leads needed for successful follow-up and prosecution. This may result from a lack of surveillance video or witnesses investigators rely on to solve such cases quickly. To overcome these obstacles, law enforcement has turned to forensic science to provide police with the information and clues to be successful. Ballistic evidence is one such tool that can provide police with detailed information regarding linked shooting cases that can help identify possible new witnesses, surveillance videos, potential suspects and criminal groups, motive, and account for the number of firearms used at the scene. …

Mechanisms Driving Social Structure In Octodon Degus, Logan Platt

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

We report results of a study on the mechanisms shaping social network structure in Octodon degus, a diurnal, semi-fossorial rodent endemic to Chile. Using data collected over three seasons (2022–2023), we tested the roles of nighttime spatial proximity, female social cohesion, and female homophily based on masculinization (anogenital distance) in shaping social associations. Nighttime spatial proximity was negatively associated with association strength, indicating that individuals that were closer at night exhibited stronger associations. Female social cohesion emerged as a driver of social structure, with stronger within-group associations observed in most seasons. However, female homophily based on anogenital distance did not …

The Relationship Of Family Characteristics Of At-Risk Children In Rural West Tennessee And Select Measures Of Success Over A Period Of 10 Years, Kelly Ann Maupin

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore differences in a program funded in rural West Tennessee. The Promethean Foundation is a program that provides childcare tuition support to at-risk children. While the program has been in existence for 20 years, the study focused on 10 years from 2009 through 2019. The program staff reviewed the perceptions of staff and family members during the qualifying process. The study was also to investigate the level of achievement measured in children by age five and nine years considering the length of time enrolled in an early childhood program. To explore differences, children …

Person-Centered Preemployment Transition Services: Student And Parent Involvement, Tiffany Ramsey

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in 2014, changed the way state operated vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs provide services to students with disabilities. WIOA did this with the introduction of the provision of preemployment transition services to students with a disability aged 14-22 and allowed for the provision of services to both potentially eligible students and eligible students with an IPE. This study explored the associations of preemployment transition services in relation to the number of days from eligibility to VR case closure with an exit reason of competitive integrated employment outcome. The quantitative results of …

Assessing The Doctoral Capstone As A High-Impact Practice In Occupational Therapy Education, Erin Melhorn

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess the doctoral capstone as a high-impact practice in occupational therapy education. By analyzing the perceptions of Occupational Therapy Doctorate graduates, site mentors, and faculty mentors, using the eight key indicators of a high-impact practice the researcher sought to understand the value and impact of the doctoral capstone experience. A single case study design was used to survey graduates, faculty mentors, and site mentors who participated in the doctoral capstone from 2017-2024. Using a generic qualitative research approach to investigate the research questions, the researcher utilized both survey questionnaire data and interview data …

Optimizing Inpatient And Emergency Care For Pediatric Healthcare For Patients With Disabilities And/Or Diverse Health Needs, Ellagrace Brunton

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Abstract

A researcher from an entry-level doctorate program examined the barriers to equitable healthcare access and experiences in emergency and inpatient settings for pediatric patients with diverse health needs, including intellectual and developmental disabilities, social-emotional challenges, and complex medical histories. The Optimizing Pediatric Healthcare project aimed to enhance the healthcare experience for individuals with disabilities and their support systems by emphasizing the importance of continuing education, collaboration, and inclusivity. This report evaluates the implementation of evidence-based resources, such as continuing education modules for healthcare providers. These modules were developed to address disparities pertaining to sensory strategies, trauma-informed care approaches, and …

The Effectiveness Of Cannabis And Its Impact On Daily Activities, Brooke Mazzarelli

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Mental and physical health struggles have become increasingly prominent for individuals in all phases of life to various degrees. These struggles negatively impact a person's ability to effectively complete preferred daily tasks and occupations, specifically if untreated. Current literature indicates that although there are multiple prescription medications to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, chronic pain, and sleep issues, these medications come with a long list of short-term and long-term side effects and can also be expensive and unaffordable without insurance, especially when considering that these four symptoms are often identified as comorbidities. These factors highlight why there is an increased need …

Supporting Care Partners Of Individuals Impacted By Mental Illness Through An Occupational Therapy Lens, Chelsea A. Monpas

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Care partners of individuals with mental illness experience impacts on daily life from stress, stigma, changes in role and routines, and occupational imbalance. Addressing these needs falls within the scope of occupational therapy (OT); however, it has not been widely implemented with care partners. The purpose of this research study was to develop and implement a support program for care partners of individuals with mental illness through an OT perspective. The program was designed using literature supported interventions, collaboration with mental health practitioners and health care providers, and participant reported needs to support and increase occupational balance for care partner …

The Impact Of Learning Environment Modifications On Physical And Mental Health, Marley J. Nissenbaum

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

University students are at heightened risk of chronic pain and mental health challenges due to academic stress, poor sleep, and inadequate ergonomics in classroom settings. Musculoskeletal pain is especially common among students in healthcare fields, including occupational therapy, where the demands of the profession increase the importance of proper body mechanics. Despite being taught ergonomic principles, many students lack access to ergonomically appropriate learning environments. This study aims to explore how ergonomic modifications and education affect the physical and mental well-being of occupational therapy graduate students. A four-week randomized control trial was conducted with 19 students from Western New England …

Unlimbited Wellness ©: Exploring Prosthetic Use: Navigating The Journey Of Embodiment Through Occupational Therapy Intervention, Jordyn A. Robertson

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

This doctoral capstone project explores prosthetic abandonment and embodiment with the goal of enhancing prosthetic acceptance through education, advocacy, and psychosocial support. The student researcher implemented a series of educational modules within Unlimbited Wellness©, a telehealth program founded by Dr. Debra Latour, in collaboration with Handspring Clinical Services. The researcher delivered these modules through structured focus groups using an occupational therapy framework, designed to support individuals with upper limb absence (ULA). The researcher included participants over the age of eighteen years of age, with any level of ULA currently using prosthesis, or who are currently in the process …

Tracking Love, Marking Milestones: The Hidden Struggle Of Caregiver Mental Health, Kehinde Olasehinde

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Caregivers play a critical role in monitoring and tracking their child's developmental milestones, often seeking reassurance that their child is progressing appropriately for their age. However, the process of developmental tracking can present emotional challenges and contribute to caregiver stress and anxiety. This doctoral experiential project aims to assess the accuracy with which caregivers track developmental milestones and explore the mental health implications of this process. The primary objective is to identify gaps in caregiver knowledge and recognize the challenges they face in understanding and monitoring child development. A secondary goal is to promote awareness of the importance of caregiver …

Bridging Health And Function: Integrating Occupational Therapy Into An Urgent Care Campus Health Center, Brooke L. Mckeon

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

As the field of occupational therapy (OT) continues to grow, its potential impact in emerging practice areas is often underrecognized, particularly in primary and urgent care settings. Traditionally rooted in hospital and rehabilitation environments, occupational therapy remains underutilized in outpatient and preventative care, despite its well-established benefits. This is especially evident in university health centers, where increasing health concerns among college students, faculty, and staff have created a growing need for holistic and accessible support services. Occupational therapy's unique role supports health promotion, rehabilitation, and injury prevention in ways that complement and enhance medical care. Integrating occupational therapy into primary …

2025 Commencement Program, Columbia College Chicago

Commencement Programs

The commencement program of the 2025 Columbia College Chicago graduation ceremonies.

Stability Analysis Of Turbulent Fluid Flow, Adam D. Schroeder

Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science Honors Projects

Hydrodynamic stability refers to the study of when and how laminar flows transition to turbulence. This includes investigations of the mechanisms of transition, as well as the classification of known flow configurations as either stable or unstable and the identification of critical values of flow parameters at which this bifurcation occurs. In this thesis, we introduce the mathematical theory behind continuum mechanics and fluid dynamics as well as some tools from the study of dynamical systems. We apply these concepts to the linear stability analysis of zero pressure gradient flat plate flow via numerical simulations in OpenFOAM, discussing both the …

Learning Through Relationship, Eileen L. Lamble

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

A brief compilation of growth and learning through the 10 core competencies of social work.

Cover Crop-Induced Improvements To Soil Hydraulic Properties And The Role Of Termination Time In Mitigating Negative Soil Moisture Impacts, Fabrizio Javier Pilco

Theses and Dissertations

In the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, water scarcity and drought pose ongoing challenges for farmers. Although cover crops are promoted for improving soil health and moisture, their effects on soil hydraulic properties in this region remain understudied. This thesis addresses both long-term (Chapter 2) and short-term (Chapter 3) impacts of cover crops on soil hydraulic properties and soil moisture. Long-term effects were evaluated through a three-year participatory field trial across four farms using a BACI design, while short terms were evaluated using a complete randomized block design. Soil hydraulic properties (residual water content θr, saturated water content …

Identification Of Cadmium As A Structural And Functional Modulator Of Psd-95 Regulating Nmdars At Postsynaptic Membranes, Claudia Garza

Theses and Dissertations

Postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) is an essential scaffolding protein in excitatory neurons. PSD-95’s N-terminal palmitoylation region elicits synaptic plasticity by targeting, anchoring, and trafficking glutamate receptors, such as N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDAR), to the postsynaptic membrane. The molecular interactions of PSD-95 and its dysregulation in excitatory synapses are currently being explored as primary causes of neurodegenerative diseases and disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s disease. Recent studies demonstrate an overaccumulation of zinc at two cysteines (C3 and C5) and two histidines (H24 and H28) of PSD-95 blocks palmitoylation, causing a loss of NMDAR at the postsynaptic membrane. In addition, exposure …

A Modern Prometheus: Frankenstein's Relevance In Our Modern Society, Amanda C. Partida

Theses and Dissertations

For over two hundred years Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has been in the public consciousness. It took only five years for the first adaptation, Presumption; or the Fate of Frankenstein, to be staged in 1825. Since then, there has been at least one adaptation every decade, with Universal Studios’ 1931 Frankenstein as the most famous adaptation, which shows just how much Shelley’s novel of science and hubris has resonated with audiences for many years.

This thesis aims to connect the ever-changing scientific anxieties of society with the most well-known Frankenstein film adaptations. By focusing on four specific films Frankenstein (1931), …

Vibration-Based Algorithm For Diagnostic And Prognostic Condition Monitoring Of Railroad Bearings And Wheels, Jeffery Ray Pams

Theses and Dissertations

Bearing and wheel failure accounts for the majority of equipment-related train derailments on US railroads. Current wayside monitoring systems have been insufficient in the prevention of catastrophic derailments prompting the rail industry to explore the possible integration of onboard condition monitoring systems into their rail operations. The University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) in partnership with Hum Industrial Technology, Inc., has developed a wireless onboard system intended for the condition monitoring of railroad bearings and wheels. This thesis presents the development, evaluation, and implementation of an algorithm designed to be used in conjunction with these systems to provide railroad …

Carbon Dioxide, Methane, And Nitrous Oxide Fluxes From Managed Aquatic Systems Of The Rio Grande Valley, Siena Rose Stassi

Theses and Dissertations

Greenhouse gas (GHG) dynamics from small-scale inland water remain relatively understudied, with knowledge gaps across ecosystem types and regions. In South Texas, there is a unique system of managed distributaries and their associated ox-bow lakes, commonly known as resacas. Most resacas are artificially managed and considered novel ecosystems, yet their GHG dynamics are unknown. Two resaca systems were monitored throughout one year to understand the magnitude, temporal variation, and environmental drivers of diffusive fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), along with ebullitive CH4 emissions. Emissions of both CO2 and CH4 peaked in hot summer months, …

Camassa-Holm Type Equations And Multi-Peakon Solutions, Yonghong Chen

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the multi-peakon solutions of a class of Camassa-Holm type equations with quadratic nonlinearities, specifically focusing on the differential equation mt +θmu+ amxu+bmux = 0, where m = u−uxx, and θ, a, b are arbitrary constants. We derive the nonlocal form of the equation and explore its peakon dynamics, including the well-known Camassa–Holm, Degasperis–Procesi, and Holm–Staley b-family equations. By employing a practical computational approach, we analyze the N-peakon solutions and present the corresponding dynamical systems, particularly focusing on the two-peakon case. The results will …

Unveiling Perspectives: Young Adults Banned Books Critical Content Analysis, Tiffany Ladonna Jarebica

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation conducts a critical content analysis of seven banned young adult novels—All Boys Aren’t Blue, All the Things We Do in the Dark, Almost Perfect, Ask the Passengers, The Bluest Eyes, The Hate U Give, and The Kite Runner—within one Texas school district. Using intersectionality theory as a lens, the study explores how intersecting identities such as race, gender, sexuality, and trauma are portrayed in these narratives and examines the role these portrayals play in the censorship process. The analysis investigates the socio-cultural, political, and institutional factors that influenced the removal of these texts, considering how their …

Family-Centered Organization Creating “Lazos” To Affix Families And Their Students To Education: A Case Study, Erica Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

Historically, parental involvement has alternatively shifted from being a central participant within the United States’ education reform to being a secondary input stakeholder primarily due to the constant attempts to align its purpose, presence, and effects in education initiatives. Additionally, the varied constructs considered by multiple researchers and federal or state education agencies to define ‘parental involvement’, the variety of ‘population descriptors’, and ‘types of communication’ have increased the complexity to address the needs diverse family structures have to successfully build “lazos” to affix themselves and their students to education. This case study explores the perspectives low socioeconomic Hispanic families …

Perceptions Of Special Education Teachers On The Transition Planning Process: Examining Practices That Predict A Positive Post-Secondary Outcome For Students With Disabilities In The Lower Rio Grande Valley School Districts, Mayra Lorena Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the significance of the transition planning process for students with disabilities, particularly from the perspectives of the special education teachers. Grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), this research examined the role of the student, parent, work related experiences and teacher involvement in the transition process, and the relationship between these factors and College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) measures. Using a quantitative approach, that included special education teachers’ responses to the Secondary Education Transition Questionnaire adapted version and a cross analysis with 2022-2023 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) CCMR indicators, the study identified critical gaps between …

Translanguaging As A Cultural Bridge: Entretejiendo Voces Bilingües En La Frontera [Translanguaging As A Cultural Bridge: Interweaving Bilingual Voices At The Border], Gloria Sarahi Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

El presente estudio cualitativo explora las autohistorias de cuatro maestras bilingües que viven y enseñan en el Valle del Sur de Texas, una región fronteriza entre Estados Unidos y México. A través de pláticas íntimas, tejimos juntas narrativas que revelan la complejidad de ser mujer, ser educadora, ser transnacional, y ser bilingüe en un espacio donde las lenguas, culturas e identidades se cruzan, se fracturan y se reconstruyen. “Pláticas can provide a space of healing as the platicadoras release past trauma and current struggles rigged with sexism, racism, classism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism” (Morales et al., 2023). Utilizando un …

Exploring Secondary Content And Career And Technical Education (Cte) Teacher Self-Efficacy In Supporting The Literacy Needs Of Long-Termed Emergent Bilinguals: A Mixed-Methods Inquiry, Jennifer Louise Burden

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation employed a mixed-methods convergent design, incorporating survey data and semi-structured interviews to investigate the self-efficacy of high school teachers in content areas and Career and Technical Education (CTE) towards their perceived abilities to support emergent bilingual students, particularly in content-specific literacy.

Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Bandura's (1977) self-efficacy theory and Dweck's (2008) growth mindset, this study explores how educators' perceptions of their abilities impact their instructional practices and student outcomes.

Findings reveal a need for more training and resources to increase student engagement, which impacts academic outcomes and attendance and calls for comprehensive reforms in teacher …

¿Puedo Decirlo En Español?: Teacher Views On Utilizing Translanguaging Pedagogies To Bridge The Language Gap In Secondary Classrooms, Luis Carlos Bocanegra

Theses and Dissertations

Translanguaging disrupts the notion of language as a fixed, separate system, offering a deeper insight into how individuals fluidly navigate and construct meaning across linguistic boundaries. This research study uses narrative research and participatory action research to employ translanguaging as a pedagogical framework to create inclusive spaces where emergent bilinguals could fully utilize their linguistic repertoire in secondary schools in the borderlands of the Rio Grande Vally in deep South Texas.

The findings of this study are organized into two overarching themes: cultural relevance and inclusivity in borderland schools, which brings to light the importance of culture, inclusivity, and supportive …

A Comparative Study Of Urban And Natural Nesting Gray Hawks In The Lower Rio Grande Valley Of South Texas, Evan Farese

Theses and Dissertations

Urbanization can negatively impact birds of prey, which occupy higher trophic levels. The Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus) is a neotropical raptor inhabiting the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas, where it is threatened. The species’ ecology has been little studied and it is unclear how urbanization may affect population viability. I studied Gray Hawk reproductive success, diet, and thermal ecology at nests in urban and natural habitats in the LRGV. Camera trap data showed adults at urban nests delivered mostly avian prey, while mammalian prey was most frequently brought to natural nests. Data from temperature loggers showed …

Parenting Among Mothers With High Psychosocial Stress In South-Central Appalachia: Aspirations, Actions, And Intervention, Kelly Daniel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Conceptualizations of adaptive parenting within Appalachia have been historically limited by the scarcity of research with the region as well as stereotyped depictions of Appalachian parents. As such, this project aimed to examine Appalachian parenting through a culturally sensitive lens by centering lived experiences through the ecological systems theory. The sample included mothers (n = 41) who attended Mom Power, an attachment-based, trauma-informed parenting skills intervention in the Appalachian Highlands. Reflective Thematic Analysis was used to analyze qualitative interview data by exploring and conceptualizing current parenting challenges and associated maternal feelings and reactions. Results include the development of a metaphor …