Finding, Founding, And Forging: Queer Formulations Of Family In Nineteenth-Century British Novels, Brian Hicks

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines how nineteenth-century British novels imagine and negotiate queer formulations of family at moments when biological kinship, marriage, and inheritance were increasingly formalized as social and legal imperatives. Reading canonical texts by Austen, Shelley, Wilde, Brontë, and Hardy, alongside the proto-modern and modernist work of Joseph Conrad and Virginia Woolf, I argue that these novels resist consanguinity as the sole basis of family and instead theorize queer kinship as something found, founded, or forged through affinity, care, and shared orientation rather than blood or reproduction. Drawing on queer theory, feminist criticism, phenomenology, and Foucauldian accounts of power and …

Perceptions Of Prek-Eighth Grade School And District Administrators On The English Language Learner Reclassification Criteria, Impacting Long-Term English Learners, Elma Adelina Rodriguez

Doctor of Education (EdD)

The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions of school and district administrators regarding English Language Learner (ELL) criteria that affect the academic trajectories of Long-Term English Learners (LTELs). ELL criteria differ across states and are used to demonstrate not only English language proficiency but also ELL students' academic performance. While English-only students are not required to demonstrate their academic use of English, ELL students are required to demonstrate English-language academic reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills to be reclassified as English proficient. If ELL students remain classified as ELL for multiple years, they are labeled as LTEL. …

Passing In Plain Sight: Visibility, Activism, And Identity, Rei Zimmerman

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

The act of passing would seem to be the opposite of activism because it is an act meant to avoid detection. While the language of passing is, itself, problematic, African-descended people passing as white might be read as attempting to capitulate to a racial binary. Similarly, trans people passing as cis or cishet might be read as attempting to capitulate to the gender binary rather than challenging it. But this paper explores the potential for reading passing as a surprising act of activism that foregrounds resistance, resilience, and solidarity rather than disappearance. I focus on Leslie Feinberg’s groundbreaking trans novel …

Semantic Control In The Prefrontal Cortex: An Ale Meta-Analysis, Francesca Thomassee, Christopher Cox

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Semantic control is the ability to manage our knowledge about the world to ensure that the information produced is appropriate to a given context (Lamdon Ralph et al., 2017). While the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG) has been found to be significantly involved in semantic control (Jackson, 2021), it remains unclear if there is a region of the LIFG that is specific to semantic control and is not involved in any other executive tasks. To investigate this, we employed an activation likelihood estimate (ALE) meta-analysis of prior PET and fMRI research including strong-weak association and feature selection tasks. Based on …

Feelings And Futures: Social Design Addressing Identity And Engagement Of Adolescent Girls In A Community-Based Organization, Eseoghene Mukoro

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Community organizations can provide numerous benefits to adolescent youth in various aspects of their lives—socially, psychologically, and physically, to name a few. Unfortunately, many youth-serving organizations aim to serve youth without directly involving their perspectives in the creation of their respective programs. At the Gardere Initiative, adolescent girls appear to have low levels of engagement and belonging, while their male counterparts enjoy activities and spaces catered to them. This poses a question of how this community organization might better serve the desires and life context of these adolescent girls.
Social Design is the practice of designing an intervention (product, service, …

Relearning Language: A Meta-Analysis Of Syntactic Priming In Aphasia, Ally Miller, Willem Van Boxtel

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Background: Despite the importance of grammatical skills for participation
in daily life, treatments for sentence–level abilities in aphasia
are comparatively scarce. The psycholinguistic paradigm of syntactic
priming has recently been advanced as a potential assessment and
treatment for grammatical skills, and existing evidence on priming in
aphasia is highly promising. Nevertheless, a comprehensive analysis of
the strength of priming effects in aphasia, as well as treatment components
which might amplify these effects, has not been reported.
This meta–analysis synthesizes existing findings on syntactic priming
in aphasia, aiming to provide a comprehensive picture of priming
effects and their potential application for …

From Millionaires To Marsh Island: Origin And Development Of Wetland Conservation Efforts In Louisiana, Roan Guidry

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Wetlands are protected, managed, and restored worldwide to provide a range of ecosystem services, including (i) habitat for plants and animals, (ii) carbon storage, (iii) improving downstream water quality, and (iv) reducing flooding by river and coastal waters. When did such conservation begin, and how do early conservation efforts shape recent public policy? This thesis identifies some of the earliest recorded examples of private efforts in Louisiana and analyzes how these early efforts shaped State and Federal Government action in the realm of conservation. The earliest wetland protection efforts in Louisiana began in the 1910s to sustain continental populations of …

Analyzing And Understanding America’S Involvement In The Global War In Terror Through The Oral Histories Of Its Veterans And Other Sources, Bryce Edwards

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

From 2001 to the early 2020s, the United States and its allies have consistently engaged in political, military, counterinsurgency, and nation building operations in nations such as Afghanistan and Iraq. The efforts of this coalition first rallied to combat the threat of global terrorism after September 11th, yet it would then develop in decades-long assignment to rebuild these countries and their institutions with fundamental (and foreign) western values. This thesis intends to examine the conflict by conducting oral histories of its many veterans, to better understand their lived experience. These interviews will be supported by scholarly works from those involved …

Addressing Perception Of Nurse Burnout Through Educational Interventions On An Inpatient Hematology And Oncology Unit: A Quality Improvement Project, Kendra Flint

Master's Theses and Capstones

Introduction Nurse burnout is a growing concern in healthcare due to its negative effects on nurse well-being, staff retention, patient safety and quality of care. This quality improvement project evaluated whether a brief educational intervention could improve nurses’ confidence in recognizing and managing early signs of burnout within an inpatient hematology and oncology unit.

Methods This QI project utilized the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework to guide implementation and evaluation. Registered nurses completed anonymous pre- and post- intervention electronic surveys and descriptive statistics were used to compare change in self-reported confidence and burnout perception.

Intervention Participants were directed through a brief electronic …

The Prevalence Of Diabetic Retinopathy In American Indians Or Alaska Natives And Non-Indigenous Americans: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis., Caberry W. Yu, Keean Nanji, Anubhav Garg, Michele Zaman, Jane Jomy, Abdullah El-Sayes, Catherine Sun, Shreyas Bhat, Mark Phillips, Dena Zeraatkar, Jinhui Ma, Enrico Borrelli, Sunir J Garg, David H. Steel, Tien Yin Wong, Sobha Sivaprasad, Charles C. Wykoff, Varun Chaudhary

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

TOPIC: To estimate the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in adult American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) and non-AIAN patients with diabetes.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although diabetes mellitus is more prevalent among AIAN patients compared with non-AIAN patients, the evidence is inconsistent regarding whether AIAN patients have a higher prevalence or severity of DR.

METHODS: We searched Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from inception through February 23, 2025. We included primary studies evaluating the prevalence of DR in Americans with diabetes. The prevalence of (1) DR, (2) diabetic macular edema (DME), (3) proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), (4) vision-threatening …

Strengthening Workforce Stability And Operational Efficiency In The Transition To Practice: A Quality Improvement Project, Alana L. Lemoine

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract 

Background: The transition to professional practice is a challenging period for new graduate nurses, and inadequate support can contribute to high turnover and reduced job satisfaction. Structured mentorship programs have been proposed as an effective strategy to improve retention, support professional development, and enhanced perceived impact during the first year of practice for new graduate nurses.

Local problem: Within a single microsystem, new graduate nurses faced challenges related to access to formal mentorship and support throughout the transition to practice. Baseline data indicated that only 50% of nurses had access to active mentorship, and retention rates in 2024 were …

Promoting Equitable Access To Postpartum Hemorrhage Education: A Quality Improvement Project Using Educational Interventions For Night Shift Nurses, Michelle Stella

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a serious condition that can lead to maternal morbidity or mortality following the birth of their child. It is important for nurses to be properly educated to manage this condition quickly and efficiently. Night shift nurses often face barriers to accessing educational opportunities during their shift because most education is tailored to daytime hours.

Local Problem: At the project site facility, night shift nurses perceived inconsistent access to education compared to day shift nurses. This gap highlighted the need for more flexible educational modalities to meet the needs of night shift nurses.

Methods: This …

Increasing Nursing Perceptions On Advanced Directives Through Education To Promote Patient Centered Care, Michelle Strong

Master's Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Improved Daily Communication To Reduce On-Time First Case Start (Fcots) Delays In The Operating Room: A Quality Improvement Project, Autumn Tourangeau

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND: First Case On-Time Starts (FCOTS) are a key indicator of perioperative efficiency and influence operating room (OR) utilization, staff productivity, patient satisfaction, and healthcare costs. Baseline data from an ambulatory perioperative unit demonstrated persistent variability in FCOTS performance and inconsistent interdisciplinary communication regarding surgical delays.

Local Problem: Inconsistent communication and documentation of first-case delays limited interdisciplinary awareness of workflow barriers and contributed to ongoing variability in FCOTS performance.

Intervention: A standardized, HIPAA-compliant daily communication process was implemented, consisting of an end-of-day email summarizing FCOTS delays and the documented reasons for delays. Educational materials and standardized documentation tools were introduced …

Improving Equipment Safety And Operational Efficiency In The Labor And Delivery Setting Using A Standardized Bedside Equipment Checklist: A Quality Improvement Project, Clara E. Lane

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Timely and effective neonatal resuscitation depends on the immediate availability and functionality of emergency equipment. Within labor and delivery settings, equipment failures or delays in obtaining necessary supplies and equipment can be detrimental to neonatal health outcomes. Standardized equipment verification processes have been recommended to improve equipment readiness and reduce preventable delays in care provision during neonatal emergencies.

Local Problem: Baseline observational data within the labor and delivery microsystem identified inconsistencies in equipment verification processes, resulting in variable equipment readiness across the microsystem. Staff reported variations in room preparation, safety checks, and concerns related to missing or malfunctioning equipment …

Introducing Education For Sensory Approaches In Mental Health-Related Emergency Department Visits: A Quality Improvement Project To Enhance Patient-Centered Care, Jesse O'Neill

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Barriers to specialty care access have resulted in emergency departments (ED) operating as temporary psychiatric hold facilities for their communities. Patients boarding in the ED are demonstrated to use a disproportionate percentage of facility resources with minimal benefit to the patient. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement identifies the impact of the healthcare environment on patient outcomes and suggests staff training to foster trauma-informed practice culture (Schall et al., 2020).

Local Problem: High-stress healthcare environments can escalate maladaptive patient behaviors and the use of restrictive interventions. Traditional use of restrictive interventions lacks supportive evidence and contradicts person-centered care goals (Molloy …

Implementing A Standardized Patient Report Sheet To Improve Timeliness And Efficiency Of Patient Handoff Reports: A Quality Improvement Project, Brian F. Mclaughlin

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background: A successful patient handoff report is a foundational element of nursing care, it encompasses the patient's medical history, current treatment plan, patient-centered goals, and notes of consideration. Blazin et. al. (2020) identified unsuccessful patient handoff reports as the root cause of many medical errors. Improving the patient handoff report process provides opportunities for increased registered nurse job satisfaction, reduced medical errors, and increased time efficiency.

Local Problem: Anecdotal discussions with nursing staff on an adult medical-surgical unit  revealed frustration with the patient handoff reporting process. Nursing staff cited interruptions, lengthy patient handoff report times, and the need to …

Cheshire Advisory Council Agenda & Minutes 2026, Carl Majewski

Advisory Council

No abstract provided.

Comprehensive Analytical Investigation Of Tetrahydro-4h-Chromene And Dihydropyridine Derivatives, Ryan J. Burk

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations

Novel calcium channel blockers (CCBs) with dihydropyridine (DHP) or tetrahydro-4H-chromene moieties are often chiral, so effective enantiomer separation methods are needed for continued drug development. The purpose of this dissertation is to outline a comprehensive method development model for the chiral separations of DHPs and tetrahydro-4H-chromene derivatives. The scope of this dissertation is to address analytical challenges during initial synthesis, chiral separations, and data analysis during post-processing for this class of chiral compounds. The first section focuses on the method development strategies for separations of DHPs in the sub/supercritical fluid (SFC) and normal phase modes with the 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin stationary phase. …

Novel Methods For Environmental Fluoride Measurement, Cable Warren

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations

Fluoride analysis has been an important focus of analytical analysis for many years and will continue to be so going forward. Today, fluorinated compounds, specifically per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), better known as “forever chemicals” have captured the moment and are the subject of vast research and regulation. Under this context, I have researched new methods of fluoride separation and concentration in complex media as well as a novel method of PFAS destruction and total organic fluorine analysis for screening of PFAS in aqueous samples. Through research and work on micro-scale detection methods, an understanding of the state of the art and …

Andante: Introduction, Ilaria Serra

Andante: An Introduction

Cover art: Dorothy Tennant (1855-1926), Al gioco

Problems And Possibilities Of Namelessness In Late Antiquity And The Early Middle Ages, Jamie Wood, Hope Williard, Máirín Maccarron, Julia Hillner, James R. Burns

Medieval People

No abstract provided.

Full Journal

Pastoral Liturgy

No abstract provided.

Ghostly Grieving In Theatre’S Now Also The Dramaturgy Of Perception And The Body In Contemporary American Ghost Plays, Jacob Mann Christiansen

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

“Ghostly Grieving in Theatre’s Now Also” explores how contemporary American plays and playwrights stage the dead as a way of understanding theatre’s unique language for dealing with the shared, complex human experience of grief. Focusing on theatrical ghosts and other “impossible” presences, I articulate how these figures function as dramaturgical devices. I also argue that theatre’s ghosts “set the stage” (as it were) for communicable meaning-making by inviting audiences into the tasks of creation and mourning.

My work draws on performance theory (especially phenomenological accounts of theatrical storytelling), on dramaturgical analysis, and on grief studies. In this dissertation project, I …

Hidden Wounds: Exploring Moral Injury In Childhood Exposure To Domestic Violence, Megan Elizabeth Denny

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The profound impacts of Childhood Exposure to Domestic Violence (CEDV) have been documented extensively, revealing long-term psychological effects such as the potential development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and increased likelihood of future victimization or perpetration of violence. Yet, the concept of moral injury (MI) traditionally explored in military and healthcare contexts, remains significantly underexplored in populations exposed to CEDV. This study examines the relevance of MI among individuals who experienced domestic violence (DV) during their youth. The research focused on two primary aims: (1) to describe the level and variability of moral injury-related distress among adults with histories of …

The Forensic Implications Of Hydrochloric Acid (Hcl) Exposure On Dna Preservation In Human Teeth, Shaelyn Lee Zimmerman

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Identity is a human right, and forensic anthropological methods are often aimed at returning identity to decedents. Three main pathways are used for the identification of human remains: fingerprints, dental records, and DNA analysis. Identification efforts may be hindered when perpetrators attempt to obscure the victim’s identity. In cases where corrosive substances, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl) are used, dental comparison and fingerprinting often fail and genetic analysis becomes the best chance of achieving personal identification.

Previous studies have shown teeth are an excellent source of DNA. Large, multi-rooted teeth, such as molars, are often preferred because they contain the …

Climate And Seasonal Influences On Indo-Pacific Sea Level: Insights From 30 Years Of Satellite And Tide Gauge Data, Karlina Triana

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

We analyze Indo-Pacific sea-level variability using monthly satellite altimetry (1993–2025) validated against records from 16 tide-gauge stations. Cross-comparisons show strong agreement, especially in the western Pacific, confirming the reliability of altimetry for regional assessments. Seasonal SLA variability is largest in the Bay of Bengal and South China Sea and reflects monsoonal forcing, whereas interannual fluctuations in the eastern Indian and western Pacific oceans are dominated by ENSO and modulated by PDO. Harmonic decomposition isolates annual and semi-annual cycles, and an EOF/PCA framework identifies the leading modes: EOF1 (30.8%) captures basin-scale interannual variability and EOF2 (20.9%) reflects the seasonal cycle. Spectral …

The Impact And Sustainability Of A School Improvement Grant On Student Outcomes In An Elementary Setting, Tiesha Denise Reed

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine the impact and sustainability of the School Improvement Grant (SIG) Transformation Model and to determine its impact on a low-performing elementary school. The research study used a quantitative research design to investigate the effects of the SIG on student achievement and school annual reporting data across three time periods: pre-intervention (2014-2015), post-intervention (2016-2017), and six years after the grant ended (2022-2023). The research design was appropriate because it allowed the researcher to collect archival data and examine potential differences across time periods. The independent variable was the three time periods, and the …

Practicing Contemporary Documentation: An Analysis Of Historic Influences And Personal Inspirations, Zoee D. Rasso

Theses and Dissertations

For my Honors Thesis, I proposed and created a solo exhibition of my artwork, researching the inspiration behind this work to determine its place within in the context of contemporary art history. My work as an artist centers on stylized, psychologically charged portraits of birds. Looking at art history, birds as artistic subjects are historically rooted in documentation, from scientific illustrations and game paintings to ukiyo-e. Analyzing my own creative influences such as James Audubon, Walton Ford, and Safet Zec, this Thesis explores my artistic background and influences, examining how I have developed as an artist over my tenure at …

Album Production: A Pedagogical Tool In Collegiate Brass Performance, Alex Doolittle

Theses and Dissertations

This graduate research project investigates the value of musical album production within collegiate brass performance training and pedagogy. Within the collegiate sphere, brass pedagogy has long centered on live performance, such as juries, recitals, and ensemble participation as a primary performance tool; however, the 21st-century musical landscape is deeply rooted in technological and digital artistic dissemination. This study is used to push the boundaries of how technology can be interpreted in brass pedagogy by asking: How does album production function as a pedagogical tool in collegiate brass performance training?

In this project, I used an auto-ethnographic case study design, serving …