Digital Commons Network^™

Professional Identity Levels Of Occupational Therapists In Different Practice Settings, Megan Maekawa, Alyssa Vessel, Ryan Yambao

Occupational Therapy | OTD Research Papers

Occupational therapists may experience weakened professional identity when their practice settings’ cultures, policies, resources, or interdisciplinary teams do not support occupational therapy’s core philosophies and values. Each practice environment has different workplace cultures and resources that influence an occupational therapist's ability to provide quality service for their clients. For example, when an occupational therapist works in a practice setting that does not support a core philosophy like occupation-based practice, they may experience a blurring of roles and responsibilities with other professionals. Overlap and confusion of responsibilities can lead to unclear expectations about their unique contribution to the client’s care. Additionally, …

Analysis Of Kcnj2 Variants Associated With Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, Elaine Vanterpool, Kerenlaime Bautista

Student Posters

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a cardiac disorder characterized by an accessory electrical pathway, leading to tachycardia and arrhythmias. It is diagnosed via electrocardiogram (ECG), showing a shortened PR interval and delta wave. WPW is typically managed with medications, catheter ablation, or surgery. Although primarily caused by anatomical anomalies, emerging research suggests genetic factors, including ion channel mutations, may contribute to the condition. The KCNJ2 gene encodes an inward-rectifier potassium channel critical for cardiac excitability. Mutations in KCNJ2 are linked to Andersen-Tawil syndrome, a disorder featuring arrhythmias and muscle weakness, raising questions about its role in WPW. This study investigates whether …

Open Educational Resources For And As Assessment, Eliana Elkhoury, Jako Olivier, Travis N. Thurston, Morgan Barker, Steven Clontz, Will Cross, Michael Tadeusz Dabrowski, Teresa Focarile, Hillary Fox, Angela George, Sharona Krinsky, Drew Lewis, Erin Mckenney, Lauren Mcmillan, Nalanda Roy, Zoë Soon, James Thibeault, David Tully, Lydia Watson, Sam Winemiller

Open Educational Resources For and As Assessment

The need to rethink assessment in higher education has become increasingly urgent due to the shift to remote teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent introduction of various generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools. Globally, instructors are called to redesign their assessment practices to make them more innovative, authentic, and empowering.

The Syntax Of Sports Class 7: Information Flow, Patrick Barry

Books

What can sports fans who start “the wave” at a big stadium teach us about getting people to speak up in class or at an important meeting? What can the poet Maya Angelou and the boxer Joe Louis teach us about streamlining sentences and paragraphs? And how exactly do we get our ideas to flow in powerfully persuasive ways? Explore these and other questions in the seventh volume of The Syntax of Sports, a series based on the innovative and highly interdisciplinary courses Professor Patrick Barry teaches at the University of Michigan.

Keepunumuk: Teaching The Deconstruction Of The “Myth Of The First Thanksgiving”, Pierce Thompson

A with Honors Projects

The goal of this project was to volunteer to teach a reading activity for elementary school students about the indigenous peoples (Wampanoag) contact in 1621 from the indigenous perspective and deconstruct the “First Thanksgiving myth” using the book “Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story” published on August 2, 2022, by authors Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, and Alexis Bunten.

Perceptions Of Artificial Intelligence Use To Enhance Feedback For Preservice Teachers During Field Experiences, Betsy Schamber

Dissertations and Theses

University supervisors (USs) play a key role in providing feedback for preservice teachers (PSTs). Although artificial intelligence (AI)’s use in providing feedback in educational settings had been explored, its use for feedback for PSTs’ field experience remained unknown. The first case study herein explores PSTs’ perceptions of AI-assisted feedback for field experiences. Findings highlighted PSTs’ perceptions of AI as a catalyst for new idea generation. While AI provided a starting point, the ending output still needed to reflect PSTs’ personalities. Similarly, PSTs valued the human element of feedback, noting how USs’ lived experiences provided an added value. In K–12 classrooms, …

Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus G⍺Q/G⍺S And Rgs2 Signaling Pathways Mediate Sympathoexcitation And Sodium Retention In Hypertension, Shane Harold Boomer

Dissertations and Theses

The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) regulates diverse physiological processes for maintaining homeostasis, modulating functions ranging from fluid balance to sympathetic nervous system activity. Due to its integral connections with various autonomic and endocrine systems, the PVN significantly influences cardiovascular and renal function, notably in blood pressure homeostasis and the development and regulation of hypertension. The regulatory capacity of PVN is mediated through several signaling pathways, including those involving G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) and G- protein signaling. We hypothesized the altered PVN signaling through Gαq/Gαs and regulators like regulator of G-protein signaling 2 (RGS2) pathways affected sympathetic nerve activity and blood …

The Role Of Grades On Learning In Higher Education, Kindra Schneider

Dissertations and Theses

This study examines grading in higher education from two distinct perspectives: graduate students’ perceptions of a grading scheme that utilizes rubrics and self-assessment and instructors’ perceptions of academic freedom in grading. The first study examined graduate students’ perspectives on a grading scheme utilizing rubrics and self-assessment. Data from focus groups and journals revealed four main themes: the importance of clear expectations, enhanced synergy between rubrics and self-assessment when transparency increased, bias towards rubrics based on more exposure, and mixed feelings surrounding perceptions of self-assessment and its influence on learning. The second study investigated non-tenured faculty’s perceptions of academic freedom in …

Social Anxiety And Cannabis Use Context, Brooke Beckius

Dissertations and Theses

Cannabis use is highly prevalent among young adults in the United States, with many experiencing associated problems. Social anxiety has been identified as a significant risk factor for cannabis use and related consequences; however, it remains unclear whether cannabis facilitates or inhibits social engagement among socially anxious individuals. Solitary cannabis use is consistently linked to use-related problems, but the term “solitary use” may encompass distinct contexts—such as social preparatory use, use to aid sleep, or use while spending time alone. The present study aimed to examine how cannabis use influences social engagement among socially anxious individuals and test how specific …

Navigating The Legal Risk Universities’ Healthcare Providers Potentially Face From Medical Decisions Impacting Collegiate Athletes’ Future Nil Income While Following The Ncaa’S Mental Health Best Practices, Kenneth D. Ferguson

Fordham Law Review

No abstract provided.

Like It Or Not: Recognizing A Special Relationship Between Social Media Companies And Their Users, Alexandra Tran

Fordham Law Review

When the internet plays a role in a plaintiff’s injury, there can be considerable roadblocks barring recovery. At the heart of the dispute over how social media should be legally addressed is the balance between maintaining freedom of expression on the open internet and imposing regulations on social media companies to ensure online safety. When plaintiffs allege that a social media company had a duty to warn them about dangers on its site, courts are generally reluctant to extend the special relationship doctrine to encompass the social media-user relationship. In addition to the high bar set by courts, different jurisdictions …

Evaluation Of A Semiconductor Optical Amplifier For Free Space Optical Communication Applications, Charlotte K. Duda, Chadwick Lindstrom, Francisco Fonta, Ben Stuhl, Aaron Cross, Julie Smith

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

High-power semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) are a promising alternative to erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), which are traditionally used for free-space optical communication (FSO). Here, we characterize the performance of a watt-class 1550 nm Aura^TM SOA for FSO applications. We demonstrate an open eye diagram for 26.8 dBm SOA output power using the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) tranche 1 protocol. We then show that despite some waveform distortions, frame error rates of 3.9 x 10^-4 are achieved for -28 dBm of received optical power with no forward error correction (FEC). Parameters of importance to optical communications such as signal …

Novel Infection By Mucor Hiemalis Kills Caenorhabditis Hosts Through Intestinal Perforation, Jay Ni

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as a popular model system to investigate cell biology and host-pathogen interactions. Presently, C. elegans is studied as a natural host of intracellular pathogens such as microsporidia and Orsay virus along with extracellular bacterial and fungal pathogens. The use of C. elegans as a model in host-pathogen research is limited by the number of naturally occurring pathogens to the organism. Through a sampling project to identify new pathogens of C. elegans, we identified the fungus Mucor hiemalis as a pathogen of Caenorhabditis species. We observed the fungus in the intestinal lumen of wild-caught …

Relational Database Schema To Support Research Profiling Studies, Natural Language Processing, And Bibliometric Analysis, Darnelle Melvin

Library Faculty Research

In this paper, a relational database schema is introduced that supports rapid prototyping, data preprocessing, and warehousing tasks associated with research profiling studies, natural language processing, and bibliometric analysis. Python scripts are leveraged for the seamless retrieval and processing of data from Semantic Scholar. This schema is tailored to efficiently analyze entities such as authors, their scientific papers, referenced papers, and cited papers. Adhering to the relational model, this schema offers a standardized approach to data storage and detailed information retrieval for scientific papers. Enhancing knowledge discovery in scientific databases, this schema provides researchers with a powerful platform for robust …

Passion For Purple: Individual Differences In Strength Of Color Preferences, Eleanor Klein

A with Honors Projects

Abstract:

In response to the frequently circulating idea that people who have purple as a favorite color are more passionate about it than others about their own favorite colors, this study sought to survey 48 individuals on their favorite colors, how strongly they felt about them, and whether they had a neurodevelopmental disorder that may impact the strength and expression of this preference. While there was no statistically significant relationship between favorite color and passion for it as measured by four questions, failing to reject the null hypothesis that no specific favorite color is related to more passion for it, …

The Luxury Belief: How Casual Political Labeling Harms The Lower Classes, Yan Lei

A with Honors Projects

This essay argues that casual political and moral labeling, when used as a luxury belief, misleads followers, fosters intellectual complacency, and amplifies misunderstandings about complex issues such as race.

From Code To Motion: Adventures With Wall-A Robot, Simon Sarah Mampouya-Balende

A with Honors Projects

This essay is about the author's experience working on a robot and programming, and what they learned from the project.

Artificial Intelligence In Society: Transformations And Ethical Paradigm, Yashoda Urmilla Itwaru

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

The recent advancement and adoption of AI (Artificial Intelligence) make it vital to study the effects it has on individuals and communities. Adopting AI into daily life changes interactions such as the decision-making process and task performance. AI algorithms can shape a user’s online experiences, influence their preferences, beliefs, and behavior. However, people raised concerns regarding privacy, autonomy, and manipulation. For these reasons, debates regarding the ethical aspects of AI arose.

AI provides society with more tools to complete tasks. AI can automate data intensive jobs and physical tasks. This brings a sense of job insecurity, which affects the mental …

The Force Without Faces: Asian Culture And Its Invisible Role In Star Wars, Charlie Posrivisuthikool

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

M.A. ITP Thesis Paper Abstract:

This thesis paper – The Force without Faces - Asians Culture and Its Invisible Role in Star Wars – analyzes the relationship between George Lucas' Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) and the works of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (1954) and The Hidden Fortress (1958), along with Flash Gordon (1936). The Western idea of a borrowed culture plays a significant role in crafting one of the most successful franchises in Hollywood history. Following Joseph Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces and other theorists, George Lucas takes the audience on …

Beyond Entertainment – An Analysis Of Minecraft: Education Edition As An Inclusive Educational Platform For Diverse Learners, Herschel Meusa

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

Minecraft: Education Edition is examined as an interactive and educational media object and art form. Through an analysis of its game's UI, interactive design, and user-friendliness, players are immersed in the game. Although Minecraft provides an open-ended design that fosters creativity, freedom, and collaborative learning, its structured instructional scaffolding, adaptive difficulty, and comprehensive accessibility features make it less inclusive for all learners. This thesis argues that these gaps serve as warnings to educational Media Arts practitioners working on interactive media design and lessons about interface design, user agency, and inclusion in game mechanics. This research examines the structure of Minecraft …

Soundwaves Of Change: How Paperboy Prince Redefined Activism Through Art In Bushwich, Omar Kwesi Hurlock

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

This thesis examines how Paperboy Prince, a Bushwick-based artist and activist, employs multimedia art forms to challenge social norms and foster community change. Through analysis of their music, performances, and community initiatives, particularly at the Love Gallery, this research demonstrates how Prince combines artistic expression with grassroots activism to address gentrification, economic inequality, and social justice in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

The study employs theoretical frameworks including post-cinema theory, Afrofuturism, and digital performance theory to analyze Prince's work. Key findings reveal how Prince's artistic practice creates new modes of political discourse through: (1) the fusion of digital and physical activism, (2) the …

January 2025 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Will This Be Graded? A Multiple Case Study Analysis Of High School Principals’ And Teachers’ Grading Beliefs, Adam Rudebusch

Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation examined the beliefs and perceptions of high school teachers and principals in two rural, Midwestern states to discover what they believed about the purpose and process of determining students’ grades. The aim of the research was to discover the discrepancies between stakeholders’ beliefs about grading and the implications of these discrepancies for policy and practice. A qualitative approach involving one focus group comprised of four principals, one focus group of four teachers, and two follow-up interviews with individual teachers was used to discover teachers’ and principal’s beliefs surrounding grades. Protocols included both direct questions and vignettes that allowed …

Saving Tomorrow: The Triumphs And Tribulations Of Innovational Behavioral, Social-Emotional, Or Mental Health Support In A Rural Public School, Andrea Powell

Dissertations and Theses

Although some research has established the use of diffusion of innovation in technical fields, few studies show its utilization in public schools. This qualitative case study aimed to understand the trials and tribulations associated with implementing behavioral, social-emotional, or mental health support in a rural K–12th public school. Further, this study sought to understand how innovation diffuses throughout public school districts. Specifically, this qualitative study analyzed the perception of innovation through survey data collected from teachers and administrators in a rural K–12th grade public school district. When implementing behavioral, social-emotional, or mental health supports in a rural school, five themes …

Upward Distortion And Organizational Culture, Benjamin Gellerman

Dissertations and Theses

The “MUM effect," a social phenomenon in which people prefer to avoid sharing bad news, can cause “upward distortion,” as employees give incomplete information to their supervisors to avoid reprisal. Organizations require upward communication to transmit critical information, and disruptions to this process have implications for both workplace efficiency and job satisfaction. Strauss (2011) developed the Upward Communication Distortion Index (UCDI) to measure the propensity of individuals to distort upward organizational communication. The UCDI was compared with the subscales for LMX (leader-member exchange) and Locus of Control. This project analyzed upward distortion in American businesses, specifically how four different organizational …

Instructional Coach Evaluation: Co-Refining An Evaluation Tool For Improved Feedback, Charles Folsom

Dissertations and Theses

As instructional coaching roles have evolved, many school districts continue to rely on teacher-based evaluation tools, creating a gap in the effective support and development of instructional coaches. In the Franklin Ridge Community School District (FRCSD), a pseudonym, both instructional coaches and their supervisors reported that the existing evaluation tool was misaligned with role expectations. This study examined how instructional coaches and their evaluators collectively co-refined the New Evaluation Tool (NET) to provide more role-specific and meaningful feedback. Guided by qualitative action research, this study engaged 12 participants through document analysis, qualitative surveys, and focus groups. Using Braun and Clarke’s …

Voices From Within: Understanding Native American Student Journeys In Predominantly White Institutions: A Phenomenological & Autoethnographic Study, Collette Bowman

Dissertations and Theses

This study explored the lived experiences of Native American undergraduate students at a small Midwestern university, with particular attention to how identity development, systemic challenges, and culturally grounded support systems shape their academic and personal paths. Using a phenomenological approach paired with an autoethnographic lens, this research amplifies Native student voices while drawing on the reflections of the Indigenous researcher who shares similar lived experiences. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and field notes. Three major themes emerged from the analysis: Identity Development, which captured how students negotiated cultural identity, intergenerational impact, and a sense of belonging; Barriers and Challenges, …

Racism And The Treatment Of Muslim Americans After 9/11, Khatera Akmal

A with Honors Projects

Racism is more than prejudice—it is fear transformed into power. Racism is commonly defined as “prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism … against a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.” But definitions alone do not capture how racism forms. At its roots, racism grows out of ordinary human instincts: fear of difference, the tendency to categorize, and the desire to belong to a group. These instincts aren’t inherently harmful, but when combined with national anxiety or crisis, they can turn into widespread prejudice and …

The Effects Of A Game-Based Social Skills Intervention On Social Skills Acquistion For Autistic Youth In Training And Generalized Settings, Sales Libby Ann

Dissertations and Theses

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly have difficulties with social communication which is often targeted using social skills teaching (SST) (Mikami et al., 2014). These programs are effective, however, many lack evidence of social validity measures or procedures as well as generalization of the skills targeted in intervention. The current study investigated the skill acquisition of three participants through the use of social skills teaching embedded within a role-playing game. The primary dependent variable was the skill acquisition of each participant within the RPG setting. Immediate increases in level and trend were noted across participants for most skills following …

Guidelines For Radiometric Calibration Of Electro-Optical Instruments For Remote Sensing, Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

SDL Presentation on Radiometric Calibration of Electro-Optical Instruments for Remote Sensing