Digital Commons Network^™

Deputy Sheriffs’ Experience With Inmate Suicide, Tiffany Buco

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Deputy sheriffs working in correctional facilities are responsible for enforcing rules and regulations of the facility, supervising inmates, ensuring security, and preventing inmates from escaping. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of deputy sheriffs experiencing an inmate’s death by suicide. The sample for this study consisted of six deputy sheriffs who had been a deputy sheriff for at least 3 years and experienced an inmate suicide. The theoretical foundation applied to this study is the personal construct theory because it requires constructs that are used to make sense of people’s experiences, in this …

The Free Press Vol. 56, Issue 7, 12-09-2024, Chris Tiner, Cayley Bowman

Free Press, The

Spotlight on USM Neighbors--Promise Scholar Ornaments--Student Election Talk--Why You Should Have a Signature--Practicing Rest--A Night at the Opera--Goat's Milk and Cookies--Just Keep Running

Hospital Location, Socioeconomic Factors, And Obesity Impact On Patient Readmission Rates 30 Days Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Graft, Mazalo Looky

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is associated with a high rate of readmissions within 30 days after discharge. Patient variables such as obesity and socioeconomic status (SES) are modifiable, whereas hospital factors such as location indicate the need for a better regional needs assessment. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of hospital location, SES, and obesity (independent variables) on the 30-day readmission rate post-CABG (dependent variable) among US patients. Secondary data sets available from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Society of Thoracic Surgery websites were analyzed to assess the impact of location, …

Enhancing Civil Infrastructure Performance Through Lidar-Based Dynamic Monitoring And Phased-Construction Bridges, Khalid Hossam Alkady

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation aims to enhance the performance and structural integrity of civil infrastructure systems through two primary goals. The first goal is to develop and rigorously validate end-to-end frameworks for full-field monitoring of the dynamic response of civil structures via Ground-based Lidar (GBL) scanners. GBL can be employed to sample point clouds at a high sampling rate for dynamic data collection, which addresses the limitations of using contact-based sensors in structural health monitoring (SHM) applications used for early-detection of structural damage.

The second goal of this dissertation concerns the challenges associated with constructing bridges in phases, so they can remain …

Disobedient Daughters, Disobedient Wives: How Women Pushed Against Restrictive Norms In Early Modern Japan, Drew Mcclellan '25

Student Research

This essay examines the shifting roles and restrictions placed on Japanese women from the Classical period through the Edo period, focusing on how women both conformed to and resisted societal expectations. It uses primary sources like the Onna Daigaku ( Greater Learning for Women) and Tadano Makuzu's Solitary Thoughts to highlight the tension between prescribed ideals of feminine virtue and the lived experiences of women, particularly during times of peace and war. The essay also discusses the ways women found and wielded power through family structures, their education, and participation in warfare, as well as how they challenged restrictive norms …

On The Benefits Of Directness In Virtual Characters For Motivational Interviews, Michael O'Mahony, Cathy Ennis, Robert Ross

Conference papers

Understanding the factors influencing successful engagement with Embodied Conversational Agents (ECAs) remains a significant challenge. This understanding could be used to personalise agents to users to improve interactions. Some studies have shown that simulating personalities in healthcare agents can improve effectiveness and engagement. However, it is not yet well understood how variations of agent personality can be leveraged to improve user engagement with Motivational Interviewing (MI) ECAs. Specifically how the balance between agent warmth and directness can be controlled in an MI agent to improve likeability and engagement. We conducted an online Wizard-of-Oz (WoZ) mediated study of two variants of …

Hyperspectral Imaging For Temperature Measurements Of Hot Spots In Shocked Plastic-Bonded Explosives, Dhanalakshmi Sellan, Siva Kumar Valluri, Dana D. Dlott

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Hot spots are formed when energetic microstructures are shocked, and they play a critical role in shock sensitivity. It is important to know both the time-dependent size and temperature of the hot spots, in order to generate a kinetic model to describe reaction growth in plastic-bonded explosives (PBX). Here we use a recently developed technique where PBX is fabricated in the form of a thin wafer, embedded within a transparent polymer binder, and shocked with a laser-launched flyer plate that produces pressures of about 30 GPa range. In this method, every crystal of the cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine (HMX)-based PBX can be observed …

Residential Metals Abatement Program Investigation Summary Report After The Bell Child Care Center, Environmental Resource Management (Erm)

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Automated Segmentation Of Mri White Matter Hyperintensities In 8421 Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke, Hosung Kim, Wi-Sun Ryu, Dawid Schellingerhout, Jonghyeok Park, Jinyong Chung, Sang-Wuk Jeong, Dong-Seok Gwak, Beom Joon Kim, Joon-Tae Kim, Keun-Sik Hong, Kyung Bok Lee, Tai Hwan Park, Jong-Moo Park, Kyusik Kang, Yong-Jin Cho, Byung-Chul Lee, Kyung-Ho Yu, Mi Sun Oh, Soo Joo Lee, Jae-Kwan Cha, Dae-Hyun Kim, Jun Lee, Man Seok Park, Hee-Joon Bae, Dong-Eog Kim

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background and purpose: To date, only a few small studies have attempted deep learning-based automatic segmentation of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) lesions in patients with cerebral infarction; this issue is complicated because stroke-related lesions can obscure WMH borders. We developed and validated deep learning algorithms to segment WMH lesions accurately in patients with cerebral infarction using multisite data sets involving 8421 patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Materials and methods: We included 8421 patients with stroke from 9 centers in Korea. 2D UNet and squeeze-and-excitation (SE)-UNet models were trained using 2408 FLAIR MRIs from 3 hospitals and validated using 6013 FLAIR …

Fall Prevention Staff Education For Nurse Preceptors' Utilization In Nursing Orientation, Angela Green

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project involved the creation of a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) staff education project for nurse preceptors to utilize in nursing orientation. The project was to increase the nurse preceptors’ knowledge, awareness, and competencies of the hospital’s fall prevention plan. The gap in nursing practice issue was an increase in fall occurrences throughout the hospital. The hospital’s key performance indicators for fall events demonstrated a significant increase in fall rates. The practice-focused question for this project addressed whether a staff education project on fall prevention provided to nurse preceptors would result in a decrease in the number of the …

Hospital Location, Socioeconomic Factors, And Obesity Impact On Patient Readmission Rates 30 Days Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Graft, Mazalo Looky

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is associated with a high rate of readmissions within 30 days after discharge. Patient variables such as obesity and socioeconomic status (SES) are modifiable, whereas hospital factors such as location indicate the need for a better regional needs assessment. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of hospital location, SES, and obesity (independent variables) on the 30-day readmission rate post-CABG (dependent variable) among US patients. Secondary data sets available from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Society of Thoracic Surgery websites were analyzed to assess the impact of location, …

How Should Scientists Act? Assessing Public Perceptions Of Scientists And Scientific Practices And Their Implications For Science Communication, Thomas G. Safford, Emily H. Whitmore

Faculty Publications

Is how science is conducted legitimate? Are scientists trustworthy? Whether the public answers “yes” to these questions is critical for science communicators. We explore how social factors affect public perceptions of the practice of science, and then test how those beliefs relate to views about how scientists engage with the public and policy making. Our results show that political ideology and religiosity affect these views. However, more importantly, respondents’ concerns about the integrity of the scientific process are the strongest predictor of views about scientists’ behavior, providing a focus area for future communication efforts in support of science-based decision making.

When Help Hurts: Workplace Instrumental Support And Employee Emotional Exhaustion Within-Person, Jensine Paoletti-Hatcher, Anthony T. Misisco, Eden B. King

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The social support paradox describes mixed findings on the effects of social support on well-being. An application of the person-environment fit perspective can address the paradox by reasoning that similar quantities of social support needs and social support supplies should result in optimal well-being outcomes. We integrate a person-environment fit perspective with self-determination theory in an examination of the relationship between workplace instrumental support and emotional exhaustion through a two-week experience sampling method study. Fifty-nine participants responded to questions about desired quantities of work-related help from their colleagues (coworkers and supervisors) and their perceived quantities of work-related help after work …

Rapid Characterization Of Exoplanet Atmospheres With The Exoplanet Transmission Spectroscopy Imager, Luke M. Schmidt, Ryan J. Oelkers, Erika Cook, Mary Anne Limbach, Darren L. Depoy, Jennifer L. Marshall, Landon Holcomb, Willians Pena, Jacob Purcell, Enrique Gonzalez Vega

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

The Exoplanet Transmission Spectroscopy Imager (ETSI) amalgamates a low-resolution slitless prism spectrometer with custom multi-band filters to simultaneously image 15 spectral bandpasses between 430 and 975 nm with an average spectral resolution of R = λ / δ λ ∼ 20 . ETSI requires only moderate telescope apertures ( ∼ 2 m ), is capable of characterizing an exoplanet atmosphere in as little as a single transit, enabling the selection of the most interesting targets for further characterization with other ground and space-based observatories, and is also well suited to multi-band observations of other variable and transient objects. This enables …

The Man Who Would Be Billy Collins, W. Edward Blain

Valparaiso Fiction Review

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Socioeconomic Factors On The Leadership Styles Of Healthcare Leaders, Regina Viney, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Socioeconomic factors have been shown to influence opportunities, decisions, motivation, and outcomes in all areas of life. Yet very little is known about how socioeconomic factors influence the leadership styles of healthcare leaders. Five nurse leaders from different backgrounds were interviewed to identify if those Leaders believed that their Socioeconomic factors played a role in the leadership style, they were comfortable emulating. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare leaders in San Joaquin County. A total of five participants (three female, two male) were interviewed for this study. Participants were asked questions about their leadership style and socioeconomic factors. These questions …

The Experience And Identity Interview: Narrative Therapy In Research Interviewing, Janet E. Conti, James T. M. Calder, Rebekah Rankin

The Qualitative Report

In this paper we introduce “The Experience and Identity Interview” (EII) and demonstrate ways that this qualitative research interview can be used to engage participants in talk that scaffolds between their experiences, the meanings they ascribe to these, and their identity (re)negotiations. In doing so, there is scope to generate rich interview data that addresses a range of research questions. Drawing on the paradigm of narrative therapy, the EII generates a collaborative dialogical space wherein both researchers and research participants may co-contribute to the unpacking of normative discourses that shape participants’ usual ways of speaking about their lived experiences, thereby …

Narrative Practice Research Network Special Issue Introduction: Qualitative Research Meets Narrative Therapy And Community Work: A Confluence Of Practice And Politics, David Denborough, Claire Nettle, Sally St. George, Dan Wulff

The Qualitative Report

This special issue, a collaboration between The Qualitative Report and the Narrative Practice Research Network, is a rich and diverse collection of papers linking Narrative Therapy/Community Work and qualitative research. In four sections, authors explore narrative practice research innovations, practitioners doing research and influencing practice via Research as Daily Practice, insider knowledge/insider research towards broader social movement politics, and research in service of broader change. The special issue organizers and contributors hope this collection leads to more conversation and collaboration.

Problem Behavior In Schools: The Impact, And A Guide For Intervention, Karlie Marie Schulte

Masters Projects

Problem behavior often disrupts the completion of scheduled activities throughout the school day. This project reviews research findings explaining the impact of problem behaviors on the individual exhibiting the behavior, the student’s peers, and how the teacher that supports the student is impacted. Background on problem behavior is provided through explaining the “functions” of behavior. Additionally, ways to lessen the impact of problem behaviors are discussed including instructional strategies, positive behavior supports (PBS), a positive teacher and student relationship, and educator mindset. The project serves as a guide for educators looking to improve practices in their classroom to decrease problem …

Transforming Accounting With Artificial Intelligence, Aidan M. Morneault

Business Analytics Student Projects and Publications

The accounting field is evolving quickly with the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and BNN is taking on this challenge. This report explores how BNN incorporates AI tools like Microsoft’s CoPilot and Caseware into its operations to streamline audits, enhance efficiency, and ensure compliance. This report will also cover how the industry handles this new technology, but still have a focus on BNN. While AI has brought significant benefits such as reducing costs, speeding up data processing, and moving towards real-time audits, it also presents challenges. These challenges include trust in AI outputs, high implementation costs, and workforce training. To …

Ucf Pegasus Plan - Kindergarten - Rules, Laws, And Community Helpers, Madison R. Simonds, Sierra Torres, Taylor Templeton

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will explore the concepts of rules, laws, and community heroes through activities such as games, read-alouds, and role play. Students will learn about the importance of rules in society, the role of laws in keeping communities safe, and the ways in which community heroes such as police officers and firefighters contribute to the well-being of others.

Facile Fabrication Of Water Filters With Desirable Properties For Removal Of Pathogenic E. Coli From Drinking Water At Point-Of-Use, Godfrey Michael Shayo, Elianaso Elimbinzi, Christina Fabian, Talam E Kibona

Tanzania Journal of Science

The inevitable consequences of waterborne diseases caused by consuming contaminated water have prompted the development of low-cost water filtration technologies that surpass traditional purification methods in effectiveness. Ceramic water filters have been extensively researched due to their promising application in the filtration and purification of water to produce clean and safe drinking water. The present study reports the synthesis of ceramic filtration systems incorporating silver nanoparticles with desirable properties for water purification. The obtained samples were examined by XRD, XRF, and SEM analyses. XRD analysis showed that the samples had crystallite sizes ranging between 16 to 22 nm. XRF analysis …

Volume 42-1 Complete Issue, C. Nicholas Raphael

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 42-1 Complete Issue

A Comparison Of Clustering Techniques Using Biogeographical Data, Lisa M. Dechano

The Geographical Bulletin

Geographers and ecologists frequently employ clustering methods to achieve meaningful ecological groups based on similarity measures. Four popular clustering techniques, and resulting similarities and differences produced by each method when applied to biogeographical data are reviewed. Data were collected and classified within a riparian site on a mid-river island in a tornadodamaged area of northwestern Pennsylvania and on upland sites on either side of the river. Results illustrate that similar environmental clusters are produced by the four methods under investigation. However, more complex relationships between upland sites and the riparian sites also emerged that would not have been discovered had …

Projections And Perceptions The Geographic Information System: A View Of Professional Surveyors, Roland F. Self

The Geographical Bulletin

Much has been written and continues to be written regarding " Geographic Information Systems" or as it is commonly known " GIS." The acronym is bantered about with a belief that everyone has an equal understanding and awareness of exactly what it is. To some it is a technology or sophisticated software or as some definitions indicate, a GIS can " contain major components including data input, data storage and retrieval, data manipulation and analysis and data reporting subsystems." It can be "a management system which can collect, store and retrieve spatial data, identify locations meeting specific criteria, explore re …

Validation Of A Culturally Adapted Neuropsychology Screening Measure Among Older American Indians, Katherine A. Edwards

Psychology ETDs

American Indian (AI) older adults are most at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in the United States. However, there are no cognitive screening tools validated or normed for AI populations, limiting the diagnostic accuracy of current tools. In this study, a culturally adapted screening tool was adapted for three different sites with older AI adults, and validated against widely used neurocognitive screening measures to determine convergent validity. Results found that adapted story memory scores were significantly higher than unadapted scores. Additionally, culturally salient story memory scores were more consistent with measures of crystalized intelligence, while unadapted story …

How Has The Introduction Of The Video-Assistant Referee Impacted European Football For Fans Watching At Home?, Andre Augustine, Nor Shabir Bin Nor Azamie, Jianxiang Wang, Nasrul Aiman Bin Razalee

Introduction to Research Methods RSCH 202

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has reshaped officiating in European football, offering unprecedented decision accuracy but disrupting the traditional fan experience. This study examines how VAR influences fan satisfaction among at-home viewers, a critical yet understudied demographic, by focusing on perceptions of fairness, game flow, and emotional engagement. Using a cross-sectional survey of 385 global fans, sectioned by age groups and fandom levels, the research employs regression analysis to explore relationships between satisfaction and factors such as team loyalty, football knowledge, and exposure to VAR. Results indicate that while VAR enhances perceived fairness, frequent interruptions and delayed celebrations significantly reduce …

How Is Music History Important And How Can Music History Be Included Into Our Regular Music Curriculum?, Abby Michalak

Honors Projects

From a music education major's perspective, music history is rarely taught in high school and middle schools today. Music history can teach so much to students, including context, style, and even why pieces were written. Through this paper, we explore why music history is an important topic to be taught in schools and how music programs across the country can include it into their curriculums through smaller sized lesson plans. This paper includes a sample curriculum that goes through the different period of music and a unit for "spotlights" for countries that are rarely represented in high school and middle …

Air Supremacy, The Enabler Of Close Air Support Operations – An Evaluation Of Past, Present, And Future Air Campaigns., Owen Topolnicki

Senior Honors Theses

The achievement of gaining aerial supremacy, or lack thereof, is the hinge upon which Close Air Support (CAS) swings. The attainment of it enables CAS specialist aircraft, not unlike the Ju-87 Stuka or A-10 Thunderbolt II, to be exceptionally effective in their operating environment. While the lack of it, forces aircrews to pioneer new solutions either in the form of multi-role aircraft (capable of self-defense), or other innovative solutions similar to unmanned aerial systems (UAS’s), as aptly seen in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict. Thus, the ability of an air force to gain air supremacy and to do so quickly, …

National-Level And State-Level Prevalence Of Overweight And Obesity Among Children, Adolescents, And Adults In The Usa, 1990–2021, And Forecasts Up To 2050, Marie Ng, Xiaochen Dai, Rebecca M. Cogen, Michael Abdelmasseh

Open Access archive

Background: Over the past several decades, the overweight and obesity epidemic in the USA has resulted in a significant health and economic burden. Understanding current trends and future trajectories at both national and state levels is crucial for assessing the success of existing interventions and informing future health policy changes. We estimated the prevalence of overweight and obesity from 1990 to 2021 with forecasts to 2050 for children and adolescents (aged 5–24 years) and adults (aged ≥25 years) at the national level. Additionally, we derived state-specific estimates and projections for older adolescents (aged 15–24 years) and adults for all 50 …