Digital Commons Network^™

Sexual Grooming And Other Barriers To Disclosure Of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Lillian A. Steedman

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Child sexual abuse is a serious and prevalent problem in the United States and is associated with negative consequences across numerous life domains (e.g., psychological, physical, socioeconomic). Disclosure of sexually abusive experiences may facilitate victims’ abilities to obtain psychological, social, and legal support. It has been theorized that sexual grooming plays a role in decreasing the likelihood of disclosure and of disclosures being believed. Therefore, this dissertation examined associations among sexual grooming, other barriers, and disclosure decisions and timing. Participants were recruited and screened online for eligibility to participate in a survey examining details of the abuse, trauma-related shame, disclosure …

Through Their Lens: Co-Teachers’ Effective Strategies That Support Ells And Swds In Mathematics Inclusion Classrooms, Cheryl A. Bentham

Dissertations

Abstract

The current dialogue surrounding minoritized students in mathematics classrooms often focuses on deficit-based narratives that compare their competency to unrealistic norms. Such continuous negative narratives only serve to add another layer of marginalization to students who are already underserved, notably Black and Hispanic students, and subgroups comprising ELLs and SWDs. This qualitative case study explored the research-based strategies utilized by three co-teacher pairs to support ELLs and SWDs in Algebra inclusion classrooms. Vygotsky's (1978) social constructivist theory guided the study, which posits that learning occurs through social interactions, environmental influences, and support from more knowledgeable others. The data were …

Teacher Experience And Perception Of Feedback Literacy In The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, Carla B. Mills

Dissertations

Writing instruction in schools remains a significant area of concern even after decades of awareness that students are not performing at proficient levels upon high-school graduation. This phenomenographic case study investigated teacher feedback literacy at the secondary level through interviews with teachers of writing-intensive International Baccalaureate Diploma Program courses and document analysis. Areas of feedback literacy strength included teacher awareness of designing positive class environments, attending to the socio-emotional needs of their learners, extensive use of both rubrics and exemplars, and frequent provision of verbal feedback. Document analysis revealed the presence of explicit instruction in written feedback, rubric use, and …

Standardized Training Methodologies For Medical Laboratory Science Students And Their Importance For Student Success, Maria Simpson

Medical Laboratory Science Independent Study Projects

Clinical education is a critical component of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) programs, serving as the primary bridge between academic instruction and professional practice. However, traditional clinical rotation training models often struggle to keep pace with rapid advancements in laboratory technology, expanding professional responsibilities, workforce shortages, and heightened patient safety expectations. The purpose of this capstone project is to examine the key factors driving the need to update training methodologies in MLS clinical rotations and to evaluate contemporary educational approaches that better prepare students for entry-level practice. This project addresses systemic challenges faced by clinical laboratories, such as staffing constraints, heavy …

Tailoring The Stereotype Of Asian Femininity: Nancy Kwan, The Qipao, And 1960s Hollywood, Jing Yang

Film and Media Studies (MA) Theses

This article asks the following questions: First, whether or not Kwan, and her qipaos, created new stereotypes of Asian women, or whether they, in fact, customarily represented within restricted versions of Asian femininity already available within mainstream, dominant Western culture of early 1960s Hollywood films. That is, this article seeks to investigate why Kwan, and her qipaos, in fact, became so culturally productive at that moment of historical time. Second, this article further seeks to explore the ways in which the qipao continued to enable Nancy Kwan to represent to mainstream Western, Hollywood-based audiences, uniquely, greatly, or importantly different versions …

Advancing Internationalization With Collaborative Online International Learning (Coil): A Systems Engineering Approach, Sharon Bommer, Olumuyiwa Asaolu, Paul Dagnall, Scott Segalewitz, Oluwatoyin Popoola, Esther Adeyemi

Journal of International Engineering Education

As globalization accelerates and engineering careers increasingly require international collaboration, engineering education programs must design courses and curricula to adequately prepare students for careers as engineers in modern industry. Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is a model of teaching and learning that supports the development of intercultural competence through a joint online learning environment. This paper presents a systems engineering approach of module development for an integrated COIL undergraduate course between a university in the United States and a university in Nigeria. The key objectives of this course are to increase students’ intercultural competence and to simulate global engineering management …

Underground Mine Tunnel Fire Dynamics: Experimental Investigation And Ai-Driven Characterization Of Flame Behavior, Jingmin Xu, Rui Tian, Ashish Kakoria, Aamir Iqbal, Tao Yang, Lina Zheng, Guang Xu

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Underground mine tunnel fires pose serious threats to personnel safety and infrastructure integrity, yet their detection and characterization remain challenging due to complex ventilation environments and limited visibility. This study combines full-scale fire experiments with advanced computer vision analysis to investigate the influence of fire size and ventilation on thermal, chemical, and visual signatures of mine fires. Six full-scall controlled experiments were conducted using two fire pan sizes under three ventilation conditions. Fuel mass loss, temperature distribution, and gas concentrations were systematically recorded using thermocouples, gas sensors, and visual/thermal imaging. Results show that mass loss rate is primarily governed by …

Synthesis Of Bea Zeolite From Coal Fly Ash Nano-Silica Extract: Application In Co2 Adsorption, Alechine E. Ameh, Shabnam Feyziyeva, Jean Luc Mukaba, Keagan Pokpas, Baylar Zarbaliyev, Ojo O. Fatoba, Benoit Louis, Leslie F. Petrik, Oluwaseun O. Oyekola

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study demonstrates a circular economy approach to carbon dioxide sorption by re-purposing coal fly ash (CFA) into BEA zeolite using CFA-derived nano-silica and aluminum precursors via hydrothermal synthesis. The XRD patterns, with characteristic peaks at 15° and 37° 2θ, and SEM images both confirmed the complete transformation of the spherical-shaped CFA particles into amorphous nano-silica materials with particle sizes less than 100 nm. The absence of amorphous phases and the formation of high-intensity peaks at 7.8° and 22.8° 2θ further indicated the production of a highly crystalline BEA zeolite, obtained after hydrothermal synthesis durations between 10 and 72 h. …

Extending Legal Privilege To In-House Counsel In India, L Viswanathan, Animesh Bisht

National Law School of India Review

Client-attorney privilege is a cornerstone of the rule of law, yet its extension to in-house counsel in India remains fraught with uncertainty. The Supreme Court’s recent decision in In re: Summoning Advocates who give legal opinion or represent parties during investigation of cases and related issues, Suo Moto Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 2 of 2025, reinforced a status-based exclusion, holding that in-house counsel fall outside the definition of “Advocate” under the Advocates Act, 1961 and the Bar Council of India Rules, and therefore cannot claim privilege under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. This paper examines the Indian statutory framework and …

Nurse Manager Perceptions Of Strategies To Overcome The Underutilization Of Nonpharmacological Pain Control Methods In Adult Acute Care, Landen M. Bonnell

Undergraduate Honors Theses

A basic patient right is to have pain adequately managed. However, research consistently indicates that many adult patients in acute care experience inadequately managed pain, which may contribute to adverse patient outcomes. Studies have shown that nonpharmacological pain management can lead to increased patient satisfaction, shorter hospital stays, and better patient outcomes. However, many barriers exist to nurses providing effective nonpharmacological pain control therapy, primarily including heavy workload and a lack of education and support. Currently, there is insufficient research on how to overcome these barriers. Four nurse managers with experience in nursing leadership were interviewed using a qualitative descriptive …

Online Group Neurobehavioral Therapy (Nbt) For Veterans With Epilepsy And Major Depressive Disorder (Mdd), Melissa F. Fadipe

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background: Veterans with epilepsy experience high rates of psychiatric comorbidity, most commonly major depressive disorder (MDD). Barriers to accessing mental health care—including geographic distance, transportation limitations related to seizure-related driving restrictions, and fragmented care between neurology and psychiatry, contribute to the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of MDD in this population. Neurobehavioral Therapy (NBT), a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-informed psychotherapy developed for individuals with seizures, has demonstrated benefits for psychological distress and quality of life. Internet-based interventions and short message service (SMS) text messaging offer promising strategies to address access barriers; however, limited research has examined the feasibility and acceptability of delivering …

Baseline Nutrition Knowledge And Feasibility Of A Whatsapp-Delivered Nutrition Education Intervention Among California Wildland-Urban Interface Firefighters, Lauren E. Anderson

Master's Theses

Wildland firefighters perform physically demanding work under challenging environmental conditions that place substantial demands on nutritional health and occupational performance. Despite the importance of nutrition in supporting physical performance, recovery, and long-term health, limited research has examined nutrition knowledge and dietary behaviors among California wildland firefighters or evaluated the feasibility of remotely delivered nutrition education interventions within this occupational population. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to assess baseline nutrition knowledge, nutrition self-efficacy, and dietary behaviors while evaluating the feasibility of a 12-week WhatsApp-delivered nutrition education intervention among California wildland firefighters.

Twenty-four firefighters completed the baseline assessment and …

Worldwide Innovative Network Consortium: Building A Common Global Cancer Database., Farhood Farahnak, Wafik S El-Deiry, Yves A Lussier, Razelle Kurzrock, Shai Magidi, Catherine Bresson, Shirin A Enger, Jia Liu, Jair Bar, Jeremy L Warner, Tobias Meissner, Eitan Rubin, Jens Rueter, Himabindu Gaddipati, Mandar Kulkarni, Zhen Chen, Sewanti Limaye, Rachel Elsey, Brenda M Rubenstein, Anthony M Joshua, Humaid O Al-Shamsi, Khaled M Musallam, Fanny Wunder, Jacques Raynaud, Guy Berchem, Manon Gantenbein, Amal Al Omari, Said Dermime, Hikmat Abdel-Razeq, Pierre Saintigny, Andrés Cervantes, Roger R Reddel, Adel T Aref, Juan Martin-Liberal, Conxi Lázaro, David Cordero Romera, Marina Sekacheva, Raanan Berger, C S Pramesh, Ioana Berindan-Neagoe, Eugenia Girda, Alejandro Piris-Gimenez, Carol J Farhangfar, Mohammed E Salem, Rodrigo Dienstmann, Ramon Salazar, Naftali Z Frankel, Zachary Batist, Yuri Quintana, Gerald Batist

Faculty Research 2026

This review shares the ongoing work of the global Worldwide Innovative Network (WIN) Consortium for Precision Medicine to synthesize emerging cancer treatment data and to define the requirements for a common global cancer database that can truly support precision oncology. We performed a narrative review of emerging cancer treatment data, molecular profiling technologies, and existing clinicogenomic databases, focusing on how tumors are characterized, how subgroups are defined, and how demographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors are captured. The growth in molecular profiling technologies and the development of new targeted therapies are transforming cancer care. Tumors, regardless of tissue origin, are increasingly …

Beyond The Binary: The Intersection Of Substance Use And Lgbtq+ Identity, Allyana Musa

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Substance use among LGBTQ+ youth remains a significant public health concern, with rates of alcohol, marijuana, and other substance use consistently exceeding those of their heterosexual peers. This systematized review examines the literature on substance use interventions for LGBTQ+ youth, with a focus on identifying the program components and theoretical orientations associated with effective and affirming outcomes. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of ERIC and PsycINFO was conducted to identify peer-reviewed studies published between 2016 and 2026 that addressed substance use among LGBTQ+ youth. Eligible studies included quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, and conceptual research examining substance use, risk and …

A Systematized Review Of Parent Experiences With Special Education Placement In Rural Communities, Madeline Bishop

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Parents of children enrolled in special education programs often face unique challenges, particularly in rural settings where access to resources and communication with school personnel can be limited. This systematized review explores how rural school systems can best support parents during the special education process. A systematized review of articles published between 2005 and 2025 was conducted. A thematic analysis of 20 articles revealed 3 themes following the review: benefits and barriers to rural special education, professional relationships, and parents’ strain and appreciation. Overall findings highlight the importance of the experiences between parents and school personnel regarding special education. Limited …

Finding Balance: School-Based Yoga Interventions And Their Alignment Within Multi-Tiered Systems Of Support, Ursula Vogt

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

School-based interventions that support emotional regulation and student well-being are increasingly emphasized within Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Yoga has emerged as a potential school-based practice; however, its outcomes, alignment with MTSS frameworks, and implementation characteristics remain unclear. This systematized review examined (a) psychological, emotional, and behavioral outcomes associated with school-based yoga interventions, (b) their alignment with Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports, and (c) implementation characteristics that support feasibility in school settings. A systematic search identified 21 U.S.-based studies, which were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings indicated that yoga interventions were associated with improvements in emotional regulation, stress and …

Supporting Every Student: Optimizing School-Based Mental Health Services For Students With Intellectual Disabilities, Sarah K. Eggleston

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Youth with intellectual disabilities (ID) are at considerably greater risk of developing mental health problems compared with the general population; however, their needs are less likely to be identified, and they often face barriers to accessing quality mental health care. School-based mental health professionals (SBMHPs) are uniquely positioned to support students within their natural learning environments, where many common barriers to service provision have been removed. The present study examined the current state of practice among SBMHPs in Virginia in identifying and supporting the needs of students with ID, as well as SBMHPs’ training experiences. An online cross-sectional, mixed-methods survey …

Cartel Del Noreste And Human Smuggling: Understanding Modern Tactics: A React Case Study, Anjun Dhillon, Isaac J. Moelter

Reports, Projects, and Research

On August 23, 2026, three members of Cartel Del Noreste (CDN) attempted to smuggle three people across the U.S. southern border in Laredo, Texas. Francisco Suarez, age 20, along with Luis Daniel Segura Guzman, age 26, prepared to transport the group from Mexico to the United States. The cartel members used Facebook to advertise their transportation services and to recruit aliens who needed help. A third CDN member, Bernardo Aniceto Garza, age 27, was placed in charge of driving the vehicle.

Aligned But Disengaged: Self-Estrangement Weakens Citizenship Behavior In Higher Education, Andrew Krouse, Rob E. Carpenter

Human Resource Development Faculty Publications and Presentations

Higher education depends on discretionary employee contributions that sustain coordination, service continuity, and institutional functioning. Yet contemporary governance and accountability pressures can reconfigure higher education work in ways that erode autonomy, line-of-sight, and intrinsic reward, elevating the risk of work alienation, weakening the discretionary behaviors institutions rely on. This study tests whether person–organization fit (POF) predicts organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and whether multidimensional work alienation mediates this relationship through powerlessness, meaninglessness, and self-estrangement. Using survey data from 325 employees across four U.S. higher education institutions, we applied confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling with bias-corrected bootstrapping. Model comparisons were …

From Birth To Better Health: Educating Mothers With Gestational Diabetes On Breastfeeding Benefits And Glucose Management, Jesse A. Soria Jr, Sarah Smith, Audrey Nolan Smith, Keeley Kosier

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases a mother's risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) later in life and can affect an infant's future health. Breastfeeding can help improve a mother's blood sugar control and may lower her future risk of diabetes, but many mothers with GDM do not know about these benefits. This quality improvement (QI) project evaluated a standardized education program on breastfeeding and diabetes prevention for postpartum mothers with GDM at the Family Birthing Center at St. Joseph's Medical Center (SJMC) in Stockton, California. The intervention included a 10- to 15-minute education session and an evidence-based educational …

Know Your Birth, Jasmine Mckelvey, Reagan L. Hunt, Michaela M. David

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

Maternal mortality remains a significant public health concern in rural Kenya because of limited healthcare resources, inadequate emergency obstetric training, and barriers to accessing timely, high-quality maternal care. This quality improvement project evaluated the implementation of the Know Your Birth educational intervention, a culturally responsive, simulation-based training program designed to improve healthcare providers' knowledge, confidence, and competency in evidence-based maternal and newborn care. The project was conducted at Sega Dispensary in Sega, Siaya County, Kenya, and included 26 healthcare staff members. Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, participants completed a brief educational presentation followed by three interactive skills stations focused on …

An Examination Of Leadership Approaches In Alcoholics Anonymous As Perceived By Its Members, Kelly J. Shaw

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This research analyzed leadership dynamics within Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a 12-step recovery group that operates without traditional organizational structures. Although AA's Ninth Tradition emphasizes minimal formal organization, it allows the formation of service boards and committees. This contradiction raises questions about how AA functions effectively without a clearly defined leadership model. Using a qualitative approach, this study aimed to identify the type of leadership present within AA and explore its impact on maintaining sobriety. Additionally, the study examined AA members' perceptions of leadership and how leadership is reflected in the organization's practices. Applying the six-phase reflexive thematic analysis by (2006), …

Crystal Structure Of New Polar Rare Earth Borates Na2.62Ln2.12(Bo3)3 (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm) Containing Isolated Bo3 Groups, Alevtina A. Maksimova, Mark D. Smith, Hans Conrad Zur Loye

Faculty Publications

Three new rare earth borates, Na2.62Ln2.12(BO3)3 (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm), were synthesized via a high-temperature solution reaction using a BaCO3–H3BO3–NaF flux and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Amm2 with lattice parameters a = 5.0985(10) Å, b = 11.180(2) Å, c = 7.1483(14) Å, and a unit cell volume of 407.48(14) ų (Z = 2) for Na2.62Pr2.12(BO3)3, a = 5.0983(10) Å, b = 11.181(2) Å, c = 7.1491(14) Å, and a unit cell volume of 407.51(14) ų (Z = 2) for Na2.62Nd2.12(BO3)3, and a = 5.08630(10) Å, b …

A Stabilized Weighted Interior Penalty Method For Thermal Convection Model In Heterogeneous Porous Media, Yuanyuan Hou, Qianqian Ding, Xiaoming He, Yanping Lin

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this article, we propose and analyze a stabilized weighted interior penalty method for solving the thermal convection problems in heterogeneous porous media. We first transform the thermal convection model into the pressure primal form with homogeneous Neumann boundary condition and develop a symmetric weighted interior penalty method to handle the discontinuous Darcy number and automatically adjust the penalty coefficient corresponding to the varying permeability. Then we recover the velocity by a stabilized method and incorporate it into the energy equation to obtain the temperature. The stability and convergence rates of the numerical solutions are rigorously proved and verified by …

Single Crystal Growth Of The Orthoborate Nabalu(Bo3)2 And Optical Investigation Of Eu3+ And Tb3+ Doped Nabalu(Bo3)2, Alevtina A. Maksimova, Mark D. Smith, Lakshani W. Masachchi, Hans Conrad Zur Loye

Faculty Publications

Sodium barium lutetium borate NaBaLu(BO₃)₂ crystals were synthesized using a high-temperature solution method. The crystal structure of this layered orthoborate is described and corresponds to that of an extensive orthoborates family, NaBaR(BO₃)₂ (R = Sc, Y, Yb, Tb – Lu). NaBaLu(BO₃)₂ was doped by Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ to explore its performance as a host material and to investigate the luminescent properties of the Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ doped materials. The emission spectra of the NaBaLu(BO₃)₂:Ln (Ln = Eu, Tb) crystals are presented. The most …

What Drives Schoolchildren's Food Choices? Insights From A Gamified Stated-Preference Choice Experiment In Tunisia, Ali Chalak, Christelle Akl, Joanne Haddad, Nehmat El Helou, Sonia Sassi, Houda Ben Gharbia, Rawan Traboulsi, Marc Haber, Jalila El Ati, Hala Ghattas Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

This paper models the drivers of schoolchildren's food choices in urban Tunisia using a gamified Stated-Preference Choice Experiment (SPCE), which includes scenario attributes (food placement, preparation, and price) and contextual factors (parental/peer modeling eating behaviors). A representative sample of 2465 schoolchildren aged 8 to 12 years in Greater Tunis participated in a SPCE, which simulates real-life food choice scenarios on a typical school day. The game includes six nodes (breakfast, recess, lunch, snack on the road to/from school, afternoon snack, dinner) in various locations (home, school, neighborhood). Each choice task includes nine items to choose from (3 beverages, 3 side-meals, …

The Extension Of The Arbitration Clause To Non-Signatories In Qatar's Construction Arbitration: A Study Under Law No. 2 Of 2017, Nazir Hasen Ikhlayel

Maurer Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines whether an arbitration clause in a construction contract governed by Qatar Arbitration Law No. 2 of 2017 can be extended to a non-signatory party. The study addresses a problem that arises in major construction projects, in which employers, main contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and suppliers are linked by separate yet interdependent contracts. At the same time, arbitration remains structured around bilateral consent.

The importance of the study lies in its relevance to Qatar’s legal and economic development. Qatar’s major infrastructure projects, including those accelerated by the 2022 FIFA World Cup and those continuing under Qatar National Vision 2030, …

Automated Guided Wave Characterization Of Marcelling: In-Plane Fiber Waviness In Thermoplastic Composites, Sourav Banerjee, Ana Tudor, Corey Leydig, Thomas Ferguson, Tally Bovender, Darun Barazanchy, Josh Widosky, Paul Ziehl

Faculty Publications

Thermoplastic composite (TPC) materials often develop in-plane fiber waviness during manufacturing, a defect known as marcelling. Marcelling negatively impacts the strength and overall performance of the composite and are hard to control. While it may appear as a surface imperfection, it can also extend partially through the thickness of the material. Currently, there is no established nondestructive evaluation (NDE) method to reliably detect and quantify marcelling in composites after manufacturing. As marcelling is not a local defect but spans across the surface in in-plane dimensions of the structure, traditional pulse-echo and phased-array ultrasonic NDE are ineffective. Automated multi-directional guided …

Thermal Conversion Of Cotton Gin Byproducts Into Liquid Fuels And High-Value Chemicals, Emmanuel Asare

Mechanical Engineering Theses

In this study, we performed fast pyrolysis, catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP), and catalytic hydropyrolysis (CHP) of cotton gin byproducts (CGB) to investigate their conversion into hydrocarbon-rich liquid fuels and high-value aromatic chemicals. Five CGB fractions (CC1, CC2, SM, TM, and FCGB) were collected from different stages of cotton ginning operation and characterized by proximate, ultimate, and higher heating value (HHV) analysis. The feedstocks contained 41.5 44.8 wt.% carbon, 54.2–58.5 wt.% volatile matter, 6.0–15 wt.% ash, and higher heating values of 15.2–16.8 MJ kg⁻¹. All pyrolysis experiments were performed using a Pyroprobe 5200 coupled with GC-MS/FID, while catalyst loading, hydrogen pressure, …

Reliability Generalization Of The Learning Transfer System Inventory, Ashlee Tolliver

Human Resource Development Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation research was to examine variability in coefficient alpha estimates across the 16 Learning Transfer System Inventory (LTSI) constructs and evaluate reliability-reporting practices within the literature using a reliability generalization meta-analysis. Studies published between 1997 and 2025 were identified through database searches and a review of Academy of Human Resource Development conference proceedings. Following screening and listwise deletion, 118 studies were included in the final analyses. Unweighted mean coefficient alpha estimates were calculated, and ordinary least squares regression and commonality analyses examined the influence of instrument version, translation status, and full or partial use. Reliability estimates …