Digital Commons Network^™

Adaptive Bayesian Clinical Trials: The Past, Present, And Future Of Clinical Research, Donald A Berry

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/Objectives: Decision-analytic Bayesian approaches are ideally suited for designing clinical trials. They have been used increasingly over the last 30 years in developing medical devices and drugs. A prototype trial is a bandit problem in which treating participants is as important as treating patients in clinical practice after the trial.

Methods: This article chronicles the use of the Bayesian approach in clinical trials motivated by bandit problems. It provides a comprehensive historical and practical review of Bayesian adaptive trials, with a focus on bandit-inspired designs.

Results: The 20th century saw advances in Bayesian methodology involving computer simulation. In the …

Attention-Based Binary Question Answering Using Hybrid Of Bi-Lstm And Bi-Gru, Nada Fadhil Mohammed, Israa Hadi Ali

Baghdad Science Journal

Question Answering (QA) is a crucial aspect of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and information retrieval systems. Users usually hope to help with everyday life by teaching the program how to answer questions like a real person. QA aims using NLP techniques to generate a correct answer to a given question according to given context or knowledge on the massive unstructured corpus). Binary question answering (Binary QA) involves providing binary answers (yes/no, true/false) to questions posed in natural language. With the development of deep learning over the years, deep learning technologies have played a pivotal role in advancing the state-of-the-art in …

Perception Of Quality Of Life, Brain Regions, And Cognitive Performance In Hispanic Adults: A Canonical Correlation Approach, Juan C. Lopez-Alvarenga, Jesus D. Melgarejo, Jesus Rivera-Sanchez, Lorena Velazquez-Alvarez, Rosa V. Pirela, John Blangero, Jose E. Cavazos, Michael C. Mahaney, Joseph D. Terwilliger, Gladys E. Maestre

School of Medicine Publications

The quality of life (QoL) perception has been studied in neurological diseases; however, there is limited information linking brain morphological characteristics, QoL, and cognition. Human behavior and perception are associated with specific brain areas that interact through diffuse electrochemical networking. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to analyze the brain region volume (BRV) correlation with the scores of Rand’s 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36) and cognitive domains (memory and dementia status). We analyzed data from 420 adult participants in the Maracaibo Aging Study (MAS). Principal component analysis with oblimin axis rotation was used to gather redundant information from brain parcels …

Fostering Meaningful Learning: Experiences Of Linguistically Diverse Trainers In Early Childhood Care And Education (Ecce) Professional Development, Anna Howell

Dissertations and Theses

Linguistically diverse trainers play a critical role in reshaping professional development (PD) within Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), yet their contributions remain marginalized within English-dominant institutional structures. This qualitative study explored how these trainers define and deliver meaningful learning experiences despite systemic barriers, limited resources, and monolingual policies. Grounded in critical constructivism, the research centered the lived experiences and voices of linguistically diverse trainers across multiple contexts. Through semi-structured interviews, participants shared how they co-constructed relational, culturally grounded, and linguistically affirming PD environments rooted in community knowledge and emotional connection. Findings reveal that meaningful learning occurs when training reflects …

Adhd In Youth With Major Depressive Disorder In The Texas Youth Depression And Suicide Research Network (Tx-Ydsrn): Clinical Correlates And Moderators, Blake M Upshaw, Samuel D Spencer, Caitlin M Pinciotti, Vadym Zhyrov, Abu Minhajuddin, Ace A Castillo, Allyssa Abacan, Holli Slater, Rachel A Walker, Joseph C Blader, Sarah L Martin, Jeffrey D Shahidullah, Jair C Soares, Robert Andrew Harper, Madelyn Guerra, Lynnel C Goodman, Wayne K Goodman, Sarah M Wakefield, Madhukar H Trivedi, Eric A Storch

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Depression is a major public health concern with a 19% lifetime prevalence in youth, often precipitating other concerns, including suicidal behavior, poor school performance, and worsened peer relationships. ADHD is also common among youth and frequently presents alongside major depressive disorder (MDD), with this comorbidity associated with increased impairment. More research is needed to elucidate the clinical characteristics of this comorbidity (MDD + ADHD), especially as it relates to youth with MDD and no ADHD (MDD - ADHD). The present study examined the clinical correlates of MDD + ADHD in youth and the presence of an ADHD diagnosis as …

Qualitative Thematic Analysis Of Crisis Communications From The Digital Pulpits Of Megachurches During Covid-19, Ralph Dustin Henderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative thematic analysis multi-case study was to explore how secular crisis communication theories were adopted and modified by theological themes in U.S. megachurches during the first six weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic related lockdowns. Image Repair Theory (IRT), Discourse Renewal Theory (DRT), and Rhetorical Arena Theory (RAT) were examined alongside Christian themes (Theodicy, Radical Love, Physical Care, and Nontraditional Stakeholder Scope). Thematic analysis of sermon transcripts from 18 megachurches showed that IRT modified: high-attribution tactics were minimal; denial (via IMRA theodicy) defended the Church Universal (CU); evasion justified Church Local (CL)actions; and offensiveness reduction (esp. Transcendence) …

Dwelling, Kelly Erin Mclysaght

Dissertations and Theses

dwelling explores the network of connections between time, the self, and physical space. People and place are layered, and memories haunt these blurred spaces. Poems follow several lines of questioning: what lingering presence does abuse leave in the body and in the home? Is it possible to inhabit and share space with these presences, and if so, what does that mean for identity, relationships, and safety? Through repetition, image, and syntax, dwelling constructs a maze, enacting the conflicting desire to both linger in memory and run from it, holding the haunting beauty of grief and loss alongside anger and alienation.

Fort Hays State University Tiger Weekly, July 25, 2025, University Relations

Tiger Weekly Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Mental Health In Prisons: Examining Variations In Disorders Across Custody Levels, Ariel Bysiek

Dissertations and Theses

The United States has a significantly large prison population with the number of people currently in a correctional facility being 1.9 million. Concern has been increasingly growing related to treatment of individuals in prison, particularly when it comes to solitary confinement. Many people believe that solitary confinement is unnecessarily cruel and debilitating to AIC's mental health. Studies have found contradicting information as to whether solitary impacts mental health. Part of the reason for this contradiction stems from the lack of measurement systems that are appropriate for AICs. The measures used in studies are meant for the general population, not individuals …

Assessment Of Dnase Activity By Ratiometric Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer, Candace L Minchew, Vladimir V Didenko

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The present protocol describes a simple and sensitive ratiometric Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay for the detection and quantitative assessment of DNase activity. Ratiometric FRET measurements make use of the ratio of donor and acceptor emission signals. The assay detects single-stranded DNA breaks using a staple-shaped, dual-tagged 38-mer FRET oligoprobe, employed as a real-time DNA cleavage sensor. The main application of the described approach is the quantitative assessment of the effects of reaction conditions, such as pH, temperature, and buffer composition, on DNase activity. Due to its ability to detect even minor and slow DNA cleavage, the assay is …

U-Rich Elements Drive Pervasive Cryptic Splicing In 3′ Utr Massively Parallel Reporter Assays, Khoa Dao, Courtney F Jungers, Sergej Djuranovic, Anthony M Mustoe

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Untranslated RNA sequences play essential roles in orchestrating gene expression. However, the sequence codes and mechanisms underpinning post-transcriptional regulation remain incompletely understood. Here, we revisit the finding from a prior massively parallel reporter assay (MPRA) that AU-rich elements in 3' untranslated regions (3' UTRs) can drive upregulation or downregulation of mRNA expression depending on 3' UTR context. We unexpectedly discover that this variable regulation arises from widespread cryptic splicing, predominately from an unannotated splice donor in the coding sequence of GFP to diverse acceptor sites in reporter 3' UTRs. Splicing is activated by U-rich sequences, which function as potent position-dependent …

Environmental Quality Of Organic Pollutants In Seawater From Tobruk Bay, Libya - A Mediterranean Coastal Study, Mohamed A. Okbah, Maie I. El-Gammal, Mohamed H. Bahnasawi, Abdulali A. M. Balal

Blue Economy

Data on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in the Bay of Tobruk, Libya, remain scarce. The present study establishes a baseline for monitoring PAH levels, identifying their sources, and evaluating associated ecological risks. Seawater samples were collected from nine sites during the summer and winter seasons. The total concentrations of 16 priority PAHs ranged from 62.33 to 454.70 μg/L in summer (mean: 235.23 ± 152.37 μg/L) and from 79.26 to 473.36 μg/L in winter (mean: 253.85 ± 151.49 μg/L), reflecting substantial pollution. Seasonal trends suggest slightly reduced PAH levels in summer, potentially due to changes in industrial output, runoff patterns, …

Creating Learning Bridges: Redesigning Homework Within The Framework Of Multiple Intelligences, Vasileios Zagkotas

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

The article explores the application of Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences to homework and the potential of this approach to enhance the educational experience. Through a pilot application in philological subjects in Greek secondary education, the article presents the Homework Toolkit for Cultivating Multiple Intelligences, which offers various activities adapted to different types of intelligence. The findings from the case study research indicated that applying multiple intelligence theory to homework design improved academic performance, responsibility, and student collaboration, while also enhancing critical thinking and creativity. The results indicate that designing homework based on multimodal learning can reform the learning …

The Human Condition, Hannah Arendt

Hannah Arendt Marginalia - All

[Chicago] University of Chicago Press [1958]

Call #: HM211. A7

contains marginalia, marginal lining, editing, endpaper notes and “Hannah’s corrections” see late edition (front page)

PDF Information: 36 pages – 3 MB

Aristoteles' Politik, Aristotle

Hannah Arendt Marginalia - All

Leipzig: E. Koschny, 1880 Call #: JC71.A43 G3

Arendt copy contains marginalia, marginal lining, end paper notes and notes in English on page before end paper notes

PDF Information: 12 pages – 11.6mb

The Athenian Constitution ; The Eudemian Ethics ; On Virtues And Vices, Aristotle

Hannah Arendt Marginalia - All

No abstract provided.

Collected Shorter Poems, W. H. Auden

Hannah Arendt Marginalia - All

London, Faber, 1966

Call #: PR6001.U4 A17 1966

Contains marginalia, underlining, marginal lining and endpaper notes

PDF Information: 20 pages – 5 MB

Lectures On The French Revolution, John Acton

Hannah Arendt Marginalia - All

New York, Noonday Press [1959]

Call #: DC143 .A3 1959

Contains underlining & marginal lining

PDF Information: 318 pages – 2.1 MB

Book Review: Jeff Fynn-Paul. Not Stolen: The Truth About European Colonialism In The New World. New York: Bombardier Books, 2023., Alexander Robbin Marks-Katz

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

Political debates are sometimes accompanied by soul-searching. This is particularly the case in respect to the legacies of treatment of African Americans and Native Americans in U.S. history. However, soul-searching can also be manipulated into political buzzwords like settler colonialism, cultural genocide, and Manifest Destiny. In Not Stolen, Jeff Fynn-Paul evenhandedly relates historical facts about Native American history. This review then fits his facts into an analysis of the Divine hand in settler-Native American interactions.

Historiography Of The Medieval Tournament: How The Study Of Jousting Reflects Medieval Studies, Maddux L. Mullinax

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

In the modern age, sports are more than just athletes on a field in front of screaming fans; instead, they are dynamic showcases of strategic prowess, cultural expression, and societal values. Long before stadiums and sports arenas became the centers of competition and entertainment, medieval tournaments enthralled audiences with their unique blend of martial skill and pageantry. From the electrifying clash of a joust to the elaborate courtly dances, the history of the tournament weaves a vivid tapestry of medieval life. This merging of chivalry and combat creates an enduring spectacle that has captivated historians and enthusiasts for centuries. The …

Origins Of The Great War: The European Powder Keg, I.B. Landry

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

The weakened state of Russia in the years following the Russo-Japanese War offered the best chance for the Schlieffen Plan to work, because Russia was not prepared to fight a general war during this period. Instead, what occurred was a constant rise in tension over competing powers who were not willing to concede on their intransigent foreign policies. While it is true that Germany was aggressive, powers like Britain, France, and Russia imposed limitations on German growth. The arms race and the militarism that grew in tandem did no favors for the competing interests of the European “powder keg.”

The Experience Of People Living With Dementia (Pwd) In Participating In Virtual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (Vcst)—A Qualitative Systematic Review, Hau Ying Chan, Heather Bullen

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This systematic review aims to explore the experiences of people living with dementia (PwD) participating in virtual cognitive stimulation therapy (vCST). With the global shift of cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) online during the COVID-19 pandemic, little research has explored how PwD experience telehealth interventions. This is the first qualitative systematic review on the experience of PwD participating in vCST.

Methods: Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for qualitative systematic reviews, a comprehensive search was conducted across six databases and the grey literature from January 1, 2013, to August 31, 2023.

Conclusion: Two synthesized findings were identified from two …

Using Media As A Source In Lessons: Media Literacy Methodology And Constructivist Media Decoding, Ayşe Aslı Sezgin Büyükalaca, Chris Sperry, Cyndy Scheibe

Journal of Media Literacy Education

Media literacy, beyond being an independent course, can be integrated into educational content at various levels through a structural approach that emphasizes questioning and understanding diverse perspectives. Students need tools to analyze diverse content critically, so it’s important to move away from traditional teacher-centered instruction. This paper examines a question-based approach to integrating media literacy into Turkish educational courses, emphasizing the Constructivist Media Decoding (CMD) method. The study highlights CMD’s potential to address gaps in Turkiye’s media literacy education, offering a detailed discussion of its theoretical background and benefits within the Turkish context. By illustrating CMD’s adaptability and value, this …

A Systematic Review Of Transmedia Literacy: Implications For Lifelong Learning, Rafel Meyerhofer-Parra

Journal of Media Literacy Education

One of the main objectives of international agendas is the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities. Transmedia literacy, usually acquired informally, offers many of the key skills, competences and strategies to ensure learning in a world where technology has a predominant role. However, no analyses reporting the impact of their use are systematically identified in the literature. Therefore, a systematic review of the literature on transmedia literacy and its practices is proposed, searching 4 databases and analysing a total of 42 articles. The results show experiences with plural thematic, extension and educational context, mainly located in the formal educational system, and …

Insights From Educators: Integrating Ai Literacy Into Media Literacy Education In Practice, Stephanie Jean Tsang

Journal of Media Literacy Education

Through in-depth interviews with junior high school teachers in Hong Kong who participated in a media and artificial intelligence literacy program intervention, this research highlights the importance of prioritizing values and ethics education over technical proficiency when incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into media literacy training. While quantitatively assessing students’ literacy levels posed challenges, future media literacy programs should concentrate on introducing technological terminology and concepts, promoting awareness of potential issues, instilling values for responsible technology use, and fostering empathy to create a harmonious online environment. By focusing on fundamental values and key concepts rather than following fleeting AI trends, educators …

Classroom Contexts: Teachers Talk Teaching Media Literacy, Sakshi Bhalla, Michelle R. Nelson, Michael Spikes

Journal of Media Literacy Education

In this study, we examine the lived experiences of educators who engage with youth through media literacy education. While prior research has examined the efficacy of media literacy education interventions, little attention has been paid to the contexts in which these are conducted. Our analysis of 20 semistructured interviews reveals how the structural context illuminates several “divides,” shaping how media literacy is taught and experienced. Three major themes emerged from the data: (1) teachers and high school students inhabit distinct media worlds, shaping their media understanding differently; (2) the socio-economic status of the school determines whether media literacy is taught …

Fort Worth City Guide, 1899-1900, William D. Harvey

Writers' Program of the Work Projects Administration in the State of Texas, Fort Worth City Guide and History Draft Records

A Fort Worth City Guide, originally written for the City Directory of Fort Worth - 1899-1900, transcribed by William D. Harvey in the 1930s for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project. The guide includes an overview of recent developments in Fort Worth, including the expansion of the railroad industry, development of public schools and libraries, construction of a new cotton mill, St. James Infirmary, the county court house, and several church buildings

Trans* Educators In Early Childhood Through Secondary (Pk-12) Schools: An Exhaustive Literature Review, Chris Cyan Divens

Journal of Queer and Trans Studies in Education

This literature review provides documentation and analysis for 22 years of empirical, English-language research on trans* educators in early childhood through secondary (PK-12) education. A total of 87 publications from six different continents provide a basis for researchers and policymakers interested in better understanding this historically marginalized population. Findings include a diverse array of methodological and theoretical approaches as well as several meta-level findings concerning the varied circumstances of trans* educators. There is a need for additional research to address persistent gaps as well as for sweeping policy change and collective action to improve the unacceptable conditions of trans* educators.

Food Literacy Program Among Adults In A Primary Care Setting, Marie K. Williams

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice problem: The increase in preventable chronic diseases is associated with food illiteracy, which arises from a lack of understanding of nutritional value and dietary guidelines (Silva et al., 2023).

PICOT: (P) In adult primary care patients aged 30-75 years, (I) does the implementation of evidence-based food literacy program (C) compared to standard practice (O) improve food literacy (T) in eight weeks?

Evidence: Using a validated food literacy questionnaire effectively measures improvements in food literacy. Customized programs that fill knowledge gaps are essential for enhancing overall food literacy. Intervention: Customized educational tools were provided to participants based on their knowledge …

Courting Oblivion Part Iii: Enacting A Chelsea Manning Act Of Oblivion And Amnesty, Joshua J. Schroeder

Cleveland State Law Review

This is the third and final part of the three-part Courting Oblivion series on the legal concept of oblivion, meaning legal forgetfulness, letting go of the past, or forgiveness, usually to predicate a second chance, a restart, or even an era of reconstruction. This Article begins with an exposition of former President Donald J. Trump’s several indictments, including his indictment under the Espionage Act of 1917. It explains how, even while being charged for espionage, Trump and other nonwhistleblower suspects appear to unfairly benefit from a double standard.

The Article gives an exposition of the origins of whistleblower protections in …