Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Mental Health Disorders Among Hispanic Immigrants In Boston: Barriers, Challenges, And Opportunities For Care, Yohanny M. Herrera

Capstones

No abstract provided.

Umschreiben: A Lesson Plan For Introducing Circumlocution Skills In A German Classroom, Janelle Carter

World Languages and Cultures Activities and Assignments

Objectives:

• Introduce ways to handle communication breakdown
• Create authentic representations of our personalities: this is something we often do in our first language when we forget a word
• Increase social competence and increase willingness to communicate (will and skill, p. 82)

Weighing Risks: How Families Of Disabled Children Made School Choices During The Pandemic, Rachel E. Fish, Alexandra Freidus, Erica O. Turner

Education and Child Study: Faculty Publications

In this paper, we show how positionality shapes caregivers’ decisions about children’s schooling, by expanding on research on Black families’ educational decision-making (Cooper, 2025; Posey-Maddox et al., 2021) to examine the positions from which families of disabled and multiply-marginalized children make educational choices. The families of disabled children in our sample made holistic, ongoing risk assessments and weighed trade-offs based on their positions during a period of time marked by multiple, on-going “choice moments” (Posey-Maddox, et. al, 2021): the first two years of the Covid-19 pandemic. We show that disability and ableism – intersecting with racism and socioeconomic inequality – …

Liberal Arts Education And Practical Pedagogy, Jessica Roberts

Theses & ETDs

This thesis explores how a liberal arts education, combined with extensive practical teaching experience and real-world insights, has shaped my philosophy and trajectory as a future educator as I traversed the college system. Drawing from interdisciplinary coursework and firsthand classroom involvement, I examine the benefits and challenges of pursuing a nontraditional path into teaching, particularly through the lens of Florida’s certification system. Rather than following a conventional teacher preparation program, I intentionally crafted an individualized academic journey grounded in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, complemented by sustained practicum experiences across multiple school districts. My work highlights how liberal arts …

Cerebellar Contributions To Vocal - Motor Integration: A Comparative Tractography Study, Alexys Siagel

Theses & ETDs

Vocal behavior in mammals ranges from stereotyped, reflexive calls to highly flexible, learned vocalizations. While research has traditionally emphasized cortical and basal ganglia circuits in vocal learning, recent work has highlighted the cerebellum’s expanding role in modulating complex, adaptive motor behavior. This study uses diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-based tractography to investigate cerebellar connectivity from five key regions involved in respiration, swallowing, and vocalization—the nucleus ambiguus, periaqueductal gray, basal ganglia, anterior ventral lateral thalamus, and vocal motor cortex - across four species: harbor seal, elephant seal, California sea lion, and coyote. Results revealed that pinnipeds exhibit broader, denser, and more lateralized …

A Study Of The Forecasting Power Of The Yield Curve, John Stayte

Theses & ETDs

This thesis is an investigation of the United States Treasury yield curve, focusing on its ability to predict economic growth in the 21st century. Academic studies done in the late 20th century brought the yield curve into the spotlight as one of the most accurate indicators of future economic growth available. It has been used as a tool by government and private sector actors to guide decision making since the publishing of those studies. However, it has exhibited odd behavior in recent years, inverting for record periods of time without producing the recession that was forecasted by the inversion. This …

Creative Connections: The Liberal Arts Approach To Supporting Vulnerable Youth At The National Association Of Mental Illness, Jayleigh Totten

Theses & ETDs

This thesis explores my journey throughout my internship with NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, where I applied a liberal arts education to real-life mental health advocacy. The intersection between liberal arts and mental health is rooted in community engagement, hands-on experiences, and critical thinking. Through programs like Lean On Me and Youth Move, I was able to support the youth and young adult community through peer support and program development. This is not your traditional research-based approach, instead, it provides a reflective summary of in-depth experiences through storytelling, personal reflection, and analysis.

Ritual And Ritualization In The Peony Pavilion, Caroline Young

Theses & ETDs

This thesis examines the functions of ritual in Tang Xianzu’s 湯顯祖 (1550-1616) The Peony Pavilion (1598). It moves beyond traditional scholarly focus on romantic love and supernatural elements to analyze how ritual in the play functions both as a mechanism of social confirmation and resistance, and as a means of emotional expression. Written during the late Ming dynasty, when Wang Yangming’s 王陽明 (1472-1529) School of Mind challenged Zhu Xi’s 朱熹 (1130-1200) philosophies on Neo-Confucianism, The Peony Pavilion shows Tang’s critique of Neo-Confucian ritual propriety through its characters’ diverse engagement with ritual. Drawing on theoretical frameworks from Catherine Bell’s concept of …

The Effects Of Melanism On Leopard Solitary Behavior, Rachel Ullven

Theses & ETDs

Both melanism and communicative markings have been well-examined for their adaptive value. However, investigation of communicative markings using melanism to represent a loss of those markings is far too rare in existing literature for its research potential. One such species where melanism overrides what are thought to be communicative markings is the leopard (Panthera pardus). Since the dangerous, elusive, and solitary nature of the leopard has made it difficult to study their social behavior, proxies such as tracking collars or camera traps have been used in an attempt to gain insight into their behavior and social organization. By using sighting …

Outdoor Analytics: Tracking And Optimizing Fishing Through A Digital Dashboard, Chase Wink

Theses & ETDs

Despite being a common activity for both leisure and business, fishing data collection and analysis are still completed inefficiently. Conventional techniques like handwritten notes or dispersed internet resources frequently lead to lost or underutilized data, which hinders researchers' and fishermen's capacity to make informed decisions. This thesis addresses the need for a centralized, interactive fishing dashboard that integrates an interactive map plotter, provides clear visualizations, and aggregates fishing trip data. Having a lifelong love of fishing, this project was created to provide a useful tool that improves fishing experiences and aids in conservation and research. A wide spectrum of users, …

Investigation Of Microrna In Canine Congestive Heart Failure, Jada Prignano

Theses & ETDs

Myxomatous mitral valvular degeneration (MMVD) is the most common heart disease in dogs, as well as a significant disease in the human heart. MMVD is characterized by valvular thickening and regurgitation, leading to secondary cardiac structure and function changes. The prevalence of this disease has been correlated wilh age and breed. Small breed dogs such as the Cavalier King Charles spaniel (CVKC), are predisposed to the disease, and the prevalence in the CVKC dogs older than 10 years is greater than 90%. Given that the disease is common, but only a minority of dogs will progress to heart failure, it …

The Art Of Being Hidden, Rachel Roeder

Theses & ETDs

The Art of Being Hidden is the Thesis project of Rachel Roeder in pursuit of her dual major in Creative Writing and Humanities. The project is a collection of short stories written over the course of the last two years. The aim of this project is to show the potential of Rachel’s writing as well as show what they have learned during their time as a student at New College of Florida. The stories included here are not necessarily in their finished forms, however they reflect where Rachel’s work is at the end of her four years of study. There …

The Effect Of Graphene Oxidation And Weight Percentage On The Biodegradability And Conductivity Of A Cellulose-Graphene (Oxide) Biocomposite, Jesse Roman

Theses & ETDs

The advent of electronics has been one of the greatest breakthroughs in human history, allowing us to significantly improve our quality of life, long-distance communication, and overall development as a society. Optimization and innovation of such technologies is ever-present today, as we continue to transition from in-person to online services. Despite the ongoing advances, the materials that we use to fabricate these devices are typically of plastic and metallic-origin, which not only persist in the environment, but are also detrimental to its health and that of humans. In fact, due to our increasing dependence on electronics, the industry is rapidly …

Effects Of Social Dynamics And Realism On Moral Decision Making In Young Adults, Jillian Salvitti

Theses & ETDs

Moral dilemma research has been used for decades to evaluate moral decision-making across a myriad of contexts. These dilemmas, while philosophical in creation, have evolved into a tool to measure moral decision-making. The current study aimed to evaluate differences in moral decision-making when working with a competitive peer while also being presented with dilemmas more realistic than typically found in moral decision research. Participants rated their agreement with 5 moral dilemmas by themselves, rating agreement with a proposed action on a 6-point Likert scale from Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree. Then, participants were asked to work together with a confederate …

Evaluation Of An Efficient Ensembling Strategy For Linear Classifiers And Neural Networks, Lelaina Rose

Theses & ETDs

In this thesis I examine a specific ensembling technique—which I call “additive ensembling”—and how it performs when applied to linear classifiers, the perceptron, in particular, and feedforward neural networks. This technique differs from previous methods of ensembling, as it does not require the storage of individual weight vectors. Instead, it iteratively sums weight vectors from multiple separate models, resulting in one final summed model containing just one weight vector per class. It is implemented as an extension of scikit-learn’s machine learning library’s model classes. This algorithm is very straightforward to implement, requiring only a few lines of code and is …

Otto Von Bismarck: Foundation And Downfall Of The German Empire, Pablo Sarmiento

Theses & ETDs

In this thesis I will present the achievements of German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. However, I am also presenting the faults in Bismarck's domestic and foreign policy. Through my research, I will display how the chancellor influenced German politics starting from his appointment to power in 1862 up until his removal from power in 1890. In the final section of this paper, I will analyze the legacy of Bismarck's strategies and the impact those have on German leadership throughout the Wilhelmine period. Overall I am portraying how the tactics Otto von Bismarck used had allowed him to create Germany but …

The Art Of Adaptation: Translating Short Stories To Film, Jakob Schreck

Theses & ETDs

This thesis addresses the process of adapting a short story into a feature-length film and what techniques that filmmakers use to translate a written work in a visual format. The adaptation essay features two case studies of short stories “The Sentinel” by Arthur C. Clarke and “Why Don’t You Dance?” By Raymond Carver and what directors Stanley Kubrick and Dan Rush are trying to accomplish with their adaptations of these stories into 2001: A Space Odyssey and Everything Must Go, going through what each director does with their adaptations and each of their approaches to them. The short story collection …

Ai@Fhsu Magazine - Issue 1, Fort Hays State University

Artificial Intelligence at FHSU

Table of Contents:

Letter from the Editor... 03

QnA with Provost Jill Arsendorf... 05

ChatGPT-- Our New Favorite Committee Member... 07

Dialogue, Learning, and GenAI in the University... 11

The Intersection of AI and Multilingual Learners... 19

An Uncommon Cross-Disciplines Collaboration... 21

Google Gemini as a Consultant for Quantitative Data Analysis... 24

Purpose-Built Intelligence... 28

Adventures with AI... 31

Artificial Intelligence in School Psychology... 34

The Infrastructure of AI at FHSU... 38

Embracing Generative AI in Business Education... 42

From Hesitation to Confidence: AI’s Role in Student Communication & Expression... 44

FHSU Hosts AI Symposium to Help K-12 Educators Embrace …

Radiation Dose Reduction Strategies In Interventional Radiology, Breanna Fluhr

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

This project explains the importance of radiation dose reduction in Interventional Radiology (IR) and the strategies that help protect both patients and healthcare staff. General factors that influence exposure, challenges associated with extended fluoroscopy times, sources of scatter radiation, and the role of proper training and protective equipment are discussed. IR procedures often involve long imaging times and complex patient anatomy, which can significantly increase radiation dose if not carefully managed. Traditional safety practices such as pulsed fluoroscopy, last image hold, collimation, increased distance, and appropriate shielding are essential in minimizing unnecessary exposure. New advancements, including patient dose management software, …

Radiation Dose In Computed Tomography (Ct), Helen Minnick

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

Computed Tomography (CT) is a critical diagnostic tool that delivers rapid, detailed cross-sectional imaging but remains a major contributor to medical radiation exposure. Increasing use of CT has led to concerns about excessive or low-value exams, including repeat scans that do not often change patient management and may increase long-term cancer risk. Evidence shows that only a small percentage of repeat head CTs reveal clinically significant findings, underscoring the importance of justification and reducing unnecessary imaging. Pediatric patients are particularly vulnerable due to increased tissue radiosensitivity and longer lifespans, making dose optimization essential. National initiatives such as Image Gently and …

Ai In Mammography, Samantha Lorenzo, Gina Capitano

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

Abstract

This Research explores the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) in mammography and its role in cancer diagnosis. It examines statistical data related to AI-assisted diagnostics, highlights AI’s ability to detect early signs of cancer that may be imperceptible to the human eye, and discusses the growing adoption of AI among breast radiologists. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States and the second-leading cause of cancer-related death. Approximately one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. The integration of AI in mammography represents a promising advancement in early detection and …

A Case Study: Alzheimer’S Progression In Mri, Lacey E. Sorber

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of Americans. Many individuals know a person who is currently suffering from Alzheimer’s or has lost their life due to the disease. Alzheimer’s can be described as early-onset or late-onset. Early-onset Alzheimer's occurs before the age of 65, and late-onset occurs after the age of 65. This research demonstrates a case study of a 63 year old male with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include memory loss, cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and language problems. The patient in this case study’s symptoms began with memory loss and began to regress into cognitive decline. …

Daily Announcements January 2025, Wofford College. Office Of Marketing And Communications

Communications Office Daily Announcements

No abstract provided.

The World Is My Oyster: Restoring Nature, Inspiring Minds, Antonia N. Ferguson

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2025

Through Service Learning: Marine Conservation and Restoration, I was a co-leader for UCF STEM Day under the theme “Oyster City Safari.” Our team designed interactive games and crafts to teach two groups of 25 elementary students about oyster reef restoration. Students acted as oysters and reef animals, transforming fragmented reefs into whole ones to demonstrate how restored reefs support biodiversity. They also played a species-matching game and created oyster shell necklaces and crowns. These activities encouraged them to see the value of oyster reefs and inspired future stewardship of the environment. I also contributed to seagrass restoration by assisting Coastal …

Divng Deep: Inspiring Young Scientists Through Ocean Exploration, Chloe Lowman, Mia Sims

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2025

What started as a simple lesson plan grew into an unforgettable journey of inspiring young minds to explore the mysteries of the deep sea. The goal of our service-learning project was to spark curiosity and make a meaningful impact on our community by inspiring the next generation of young scientists. We designed and taught an interactive marine science lesson for fourth graders at Rainbow Elementary School, diving deep into the fascinating world of the ocean’s darkest zones. Through hands-on games, creative crafts, and lively discussions, students explored how extraordinary adaptations help deep-sea creatures survive where sunlight never reaches. We wanted …

Navigating The Way To Colonoscopy Completion: A Quality Improvement Study, Jessica Duncan

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Abstract

Background: Colonoscopies are a highly effective method of colorectal cancer screening, yet their value is hindered by frequent last-minute cancellations and patient no-shows. The absence of a consistent, evidence-based pre-procedural education tool to address patient-level barriers remains a critical gap in healthcare delivery.

Local Problem: At a hospital-based medical practice in Kane County, Illinois, 7% of colonoscopy cancellations occur last minute, primarily due to preventable factors.

Methods: This quality improvement project compared last-minute cancellation and no-show rates between a control group receiving standard care and an intervention group provided with enhanced education and regularly scheduled follow-up contact through patient …

Kennesaw State University: Program Profile, Michelle Miles, Rita L. Bailey

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

Founded in 1963, Kennesaw State University (KSU) has grown rapidly from a junior college to a doctoral-granting comprehensive university of nearly 45,000 students. Situated in the northwest suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, KSU is now one of the 50 largest public institutions in the U.S. and has been classified as a Carnegie R2, a doctoral research institution with high research activity. Although KSU originally served a commuter student population, its average undergraduate student age has steadily decreased and, according to the most recently published KSU Factbook (2024–2025), is currently 21.4 years. KSU’s student body is evenly balanced between male and female …

Grand Rapids Community College: Program Profile, Michael Schavey

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), Michigan’s first community college, was established in 1914 and is focused on offering traditional liberal arts and occupational pathways, adult education courses, and skilled training courses and apprenticeships. Academic offerings include twelve Academic Pathways, eight degree programs, and several certificate programs. GRCC had 11,777 students enrolled in fall 2022; 72% are part-time, 57% of enrolled students are female, 40% of the student population are from underrepresented groups, and 72% of the students are considered in-district residents of Kent County.

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth: Program Profile, Amy M. Shapiro, Brian J. Ayotte

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMass Dartmouth) is a comprehensive, regional campus of the University of Massachusetts system. It is a Carnegie-classified doctoral university of high research activity located in the South Coast region of the state, close to Cape Cod and between the cities of Fall River and New Bedford. The university offers 61 undergraduate majors, 88 minors, 42 master’s degree programs, 17 doctoral programs, and 43 graduate-level certificate programs. These programs are spread across five academic colleges: Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Charlton College of Business, Visual and Performing Arts, and Nursing and Health Sciences. There are also two graduate-only …

Give Your Data A Glow-Up: Data Visualization With Tableau For Non-Programmers, Rachel Blume, Cameron Nielsen

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

A well-designed data visualization can be a huge boost in effectively communicating your research findings. Tableau is the most popular, most powerful software for creating custom visualizations from complex datasets without requiring coding skills. This hands-on workshop will walk you through the basics of getting your data loaded into Tableau, choosing the right chart or graph type to best show off your findings, and customizing the results to look professional and aesthetically pleasing.