Digital Commons Network^™

Improving Mathematical Achievement And Engagement Through Technology Integration, Jennifer Ham

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Engaging students effectively requires continuous effort from educators to improve their classroom learning experiences. Research has demonstrated the benefits of educational technology in enhancing student learning outcomes. Nonetheless, there is a lack of research in the United States on how the integration of technology affects students' engagement and comprehension of mathematical concepts in elementary education. This inquiry-based research aims to investigate the impact of technology integration on the understanding and engagement of fourth graders in mathematics. This study aims to address the following questions: How does integrating technology in fourth-grade mathematics impact students' understanding of math concepts? What impact does …

Using Digital Word Puzzles To Develop Executive Functioning Skills In Adolescent Males With Known Skills Deficits, Lisa K. Griffith

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Research shows that game-based interventions can effectively help develop some executive functioning (EF) skills. However, the majority of the interventions previously studied involve specialized and/or expensive games. The author believes that using commonly available word-based digital puzzles to “warm up” students’ brains can lead to improved EF skills, leading to students being more motivated to engage in learning, which in turn promotes greater success in the classroom as well as in life in general. Two adolescent males were studied for five weeks (total of 17 school days) using Merriam-Webster’s Blossom (2025) as an intervention for EF skills at the start …

The Impact Of Self-Reflection On Teacher Growth And Effectiveness, Thatcher Goodale

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This study explored how consistent self-reflection can support teacher growth and improve instruction. Over a four-week period in a 7th-grade computer science class, I used daily reflections, journal entries, and informal observations to see how reflection influenced my teaching and student engagement. Small, regular check-ins after each class helped me adjust lesson pacing, improve transitions, and respond more intentionally to student needs. Themes like time management, classroom flow, creativity, and collaboration came up often, but student engagement was mentioned the most. Without major changes to the curriculum, reflection helped me teach with more purpose and confidence. While this study focused …

Desire To Improve Or Enrich Curriculum – Student-Centered Learning, Cailey Dolash

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This study investigates the relationship between teacher efficacy and the implementation of student-centered learning in PreK-2 classrooms, supporting the need for teacher professional development to support effective practice. Due to growing interest in student-centered approaches, there are challenges, often due to teachers perceived self-efficacy in managing and adapting new instructional strategies. Using Bandura's Teacher Efficacy Survey, this research examines the self-reported efficacy levels of 16 teachers across various grade levels PreK-2nd Grade. The results indicate a significant correlation between higher teacher efficacy and the successful use of student-centered learning techniques. Teachers with lower efficacy ratings need professional development in this …

Why Kindergarteners Need To Have Daily Social-Emotional Instruction, Ali Boger

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

There has been a rise in disruptive behaviors across the nation, negatively impacting teachers, students, and academic performance. Research suggests that daily social-emotional learning (SEL) instruction can enhance the quality of education by addressing these challenges. When educators adopt a whole-child approach, focusing not only on literacy and mathematics but also on emotional development, students are better equipped to navigate stressful situations and build resilience. This inquiry-based research explores the impact of daily SEL in the kindergarten classroom, specifically examining how ten minutes of daily SEL instruction affects executive functioning and the overall classroom environment. Results from this study indicated …

The Effects Of The Preschool Sdi Program On Students With Disabilities In The Inclusive Setting, Sarah Westhoff

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This study's purpose was to determine if the Preschool SDI program, created by Iowa, was an effective program for creating a successful inclusive environment for all students. To determine the effectiveness, the following guiding questions were asked: 1) What is the rate of growth between the amount of time spent in an inclusive setting and academic success and 2) What inclusive models are successful in creating inclusive settings for teachers and students? To answer these questions this study focused on a north central Iowa school district. Participants included a total of 67 three- to five-year-old children enrolled in the district’s …

Using The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (Siop) To Improve Academic Achievement And Confidence In Students Recently Exited From Esl Services, Melissa Van Middendorp

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This mixed-methods research study examines the impact of the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) on the academic achievement and confidence of recently exited English as a Second Language (ESL) students in a sixth grade science classroom. The study utilized quantitative data from pre-assessments, progress monitoring checks, post-assessments and a student survey. The study utilized qualitative data from the researcher’s observations and participant work samples. Despite limitations of the study, findings suggest that implementing the SIOP framework into the mainstream classroom improves academic success and student confidence.

The Impact Of Gamification On Student Motivation, Autumn Schott

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Many middle school students struggle with low motivation and disengagement, particularly in STEAM classrooms where creativity, persistence, and collaboration are essential. Gamification using game design elements like challenges, points, and badges in a learning context has emerged as a promising strategy to increase student motivation and academic engagement. This action research project explored how intentional gamified instruction impacts student motivation, engagement, and performance in a middle school STEAM class. Using a mixed-methods approach, the teacher-researcher collected data through pre- and post-surveys, student work samples, classroom observations, and weekly reflective journal entries. The results indicated a positive correlation between gamification and …

The Impact Of Project-Based Learning On Student Engagement And Participation, Dakota Schnell

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Many students, particularly in middle grades, demonstrate disengagement with traditional teaching methods, resulting in decreased participation and challenges in meeting learning objectives. This lack of engagement often manifests as low motivation and a disconnect from classroom activities, especially in subjects like English. Project-Based Learning (PBL) presents a potential strategy to address this issue by fostering a more dynamic, student-centered environment. This inquiry-based research aimed to determine whether implementing a PBL project could improve student engagement and participation compared to traditional methods within a 7th-grade English classroom. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study involved 30 seventh-grade students participating in a "Get …

Trait Mindfulness Is Associated With Enhanced Daily Affectivity And Cognition Independent Of Daily Stressors Exposure: Insights From Large-Scale Daily Diary Studies In The Us And Singapore, Yi Jing Chua, Andree Hartanto, Nadyanna M. Majeed

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Trait mindfulness has been linked to various adaptive outcomes, including attenuated affective and cognitive responses to laboratory-induced stress. However, the role of trait mindfulness as a resilience factor against daily stressors exposures is less established. Across 2 studies, multilevel analysis was used to examine the relationships between trait mindfulness and daily affect and cognition, as well as affective and cognitive reactivity to and recovery from everyday stressor exposure. Trait mindfulness was significantly associated with higher daily positive affect in both studies, lower negative affect and cognitive failure, and lower cognitive reactivity to daily stressor exposure in Study 2. However, trait …

New Policy Tools And Traditional Policy Models: Better Understanding Behavioural, Digital And Collaborative Instruments, Michael Howlett, Sarah Giest, Ishani Mukherjee, Araz Taeihagh

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

The study of policy tools has been undertaken for several decades. This work has isolated and examined many different types of instruments or levers utilized by governments to implement their policies and examined in detail how they are arranged into mixes, packages, or portfolios of tools. However, recent developments in society and technology have highlighted the potential to use new or previously underutilized policy instruments for both traditional tasks and to address new challenges associated with emerging technologies and other contemporary issues. These tools include social media platforms, collaboration, behavioral insights, and data-driven approaches to policy-making and policy design using …

April 2025 Faculty Senate Packet, University Of Nebraska At Kearney Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Packets

No abstract provided.

U.S. Territories And The Criminal Law Curriculum, Emmanuel Hiram Arnaud

Faculty Scholarship

In this Article, I make a case for why issues concerning the territories should be taught in law school courses and suggest a few ways in which federal criminal adjudication in the territories can and should be incorporated into the criminal law and procedure curriculum.¹⁰ As I advance elsewhere,¹¹ criminal adjudication in the territories functions differently than in the mainland United States.¹² Using the framework of what I call the “territorial criminal legal system,” I have begun mapping the contours of the unique prosecutorial ecosystem produced by the territorial condition.¹³ Chief among the characteristics is the …

University Revolution: Artificial Intelligence And The Transformation Of Learning, Kevin P. Hallinan

Books and Book Chapters by University of Dayton Faculty

Grounded in the rich traditions of disrupting the historical roles of faculty, curriculum, and institutional structures, this text challenges the very core of what a university is, advocating for a future where AI empowers the ideals of education to enable learning beyond what has heretofore been possible, as well as knowledge creation to meet the rapidly evolving demands of society. This transformation is not optional—it’s inevitable, and it’s happening now.

The Bulletin: Sidney Kimmel Medical College At Thomas Jefferson University, Volume 103, Issue 1, Spring 2025

The Bulletin (formerly the Jefferson Medical College Alumni Bulletin)

No abstract provided.

Rhythm Is Essential: Unraveling The Relation Between The Circadian Clock And Cancer, Olajumoke Ogunlusi, Abantika Ghosh, Mrinmoy Sarkar, Kayla Carter, Harshini Davuluri, Mahul Chakraborty, Kristin Eckel-Mahan, Alex Keene, Jerome S Menet, Deborah Bell-Pedersen, Tapasree Roy Sarkar

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Physiological processes such as the sleep-wake cycle, metabolism, hormone secretion, neurotransmitter release, sensory capabilities, and a variety of behaviors, including sleep, are controlled by a circadian rhythm adapted to 24-hour day-night periodicity. Disruption of circadian rhythm may lead to the risks of numerous diseases, including cancers. Several epidemiological and clinical data reveal a connection between the disruption of circadian rhythms and cancer. On the contrary, oncogenic processes may suppress the homeostatic balance imposed by the circadian clock. The integration of circadian biology into cancer research offers new options for making cancer treatment more effective, and the pharmacological modulation of core …

Epigenome-Wide Association Study Of Incident Type 2 Diabetes In Black And White Participants From The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities Study, Sowmya Venkataraghavan, James S Pankow, Eric Boerwinkle, Myriam Fornage, Elizabeth Selvin, Debashree Ray

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Aims/hypothesis: DNA methylation studies of incident type 2 diabetes in US populations are limited and to our knowledge none include individuals of African descent. We aimed to fill this gap by identifying methylation sites (CpG sites) and regions likely influencing the development of type 2 diabetes using data from Black and White individuals from the USA.

Methods: We prospectively followed 2091 Black and 1029 White individuals without type 2 diabetes from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study over a median follow-up period of 17 years, and performed an epigenome-wide association analysis of blood-based methylation levels with incident type 2 diabetes …

From Relapse To Restoration: Insights Into The Immunopathology Of Bacterial Vaginosis (Bv) In Women Of Reproductive Age, Nhi To, Ms

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) has been a subject of study for decades, yet its complex pathogenesis remains poorly understood. BV affects most women of reproductive age, with significant associations to gynecological and obstetric complications. A deeper understanding of the complicated host-microbiota dynamic is crucial for advancing treatment options, as BV continues to pose challenges in effective management. This review aims to explore the current research on vaginal microbiota as well as potential mechanisms of BV-associated bacteria (BVAB) and their interaction with the host immune system, altogether sheds light on the complex interplay within the human reproductive tract. While Lactobacillus-dominant communities support …

Consciousness And Fundamental Fine-Tuning: Brentanian Teleology Contra Agentive Cosmopsychism, Brandon Rickabaugh

Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers

No abstract provided.

Intraoperative Goal-Directed Haemodynamic Therapy: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Stratified By Trial Size, Dominik X Müller, Daniel I Sessler, Bernd Saugel

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Individualized Blood Pressure Regulation And Acute Kidney Injury In Older Patients Having Major Abdominal Surgery: A Pilot Randomized Trial, Zhaohua Pang, Shuang Liang, Nannan Zhou, Xiaoyan Zhu, Qulian Guo, Daniel I Sessler, Wangyuan Zou

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common postoperative complication, and hypotension may contribute. We therefore tested the primary hypothesis that individualized intraoperative blood pressure regulation reduces postoperative AKI in older surgical patients.

Methods: We enrolled patients ≥60 years old scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery with invasive arterial pressure monitoring. All had goal-directed fluid management based on stroke volume variation cardiac output, and administration of a starch. Participants were randomly assigned to: (1) individualized blood pressure management targeting a systolic blood pressure (SBP) within -20% and +10% if baseline SBP was ≥130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure was ≥80 …

A Phase I Study Of The Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, And Safety Of Liposomal Bupivacaine For Sciatic Nerve Block In The Popliteal Fossa For Bunionectomy, Daniel I Sessler, Xiaodong Bao, David Leiman, Jia Song, Jason Chittenden, Alexander Voelkner, Alparslan Turan, Jeffrey Gadsden

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This trial assessed the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of liposomal bupivacaine given via ultrasound-guided popliteal sciatic nerve block with or without immediate-release bupivacaine hydrochloride in adults having bunionectomies. Forty-five adults were enrolled into four sequential cohorts: (1) liposomal bupivacaine 266 mg with bupivacaine hydrochloride 50 mg; (2) liposomal bupivacaine 133 mg with bupivacaine hydrochloride 50 mg; (3) liposomal bupivacaine 266 mg; or (4) bupivacaine hydrochloride 100 mg. Outcomes included pharmacokinetics (e.g., bupivacaine maximum plasma concentration [C

Measles Is Just A Harbinger, Catherine Troisi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Apoe And Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementias Risk Among 12,221 Hispanics/Latinos, Sandra Barral, Zikun Yang, Nicole Phillips, Robert C Barber, Adam M Brickman, Lawrence S Honig, Basilio Cieza, Dolly Reyes-Dumeyer, Richard Mayeux, Farid Rajabli, Michael L Cuccaro, Jeffery M Vance, Silvia Mejia Arango, Rafael Samper-Ternent, Alejandra Michaels Obregon, Rosa Montesinos, Marcio Soto-Añari, Juan Carlos Duran, Maria Cusicanqui, Ivonne Z Jimenez Velazquez, Victoria Marca, Maryenela Illanes-Manrique, Mario Cornejo-Olivas, Margaret Pericak-Vance, Rebeca Wong, Sid O'Bryant, Nilton Custodio, Giuseppe Tosto

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Effect of apolipoprotein E (APOE) on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) risk is heterogeneous across populations, with scarce data on Hispanics/Latinos.

Methods: APOE genotype was studied in 12,221 Hispanics/Latinos (per cohort and via metanalysis): Caribbean-Hispanics, Mexicans, Mexican-Americans, and Peruvians/Bolivians. A subsample had longitudinal assessment and plasma p-tau. We tested the modifying effects of global and local ancestries. Results were replicated in an independent Peruvian cohort and brain samples.

Results: APOE ε4 effect was strongest in Peruvians/Bolivians (odds ratio [OR] = 6.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.71-13.83), followed by Mexicans (OR = 4.31, 95% CI = 1.58-11.74), Mexican-Americans …

Development And Evaluation Of An Automated Multimodal Mobile Detection Of Oral Cancer Imaging System To Aid In Risk-Based Management Of Oral Mucosal Lesions, Ruchika Mitbander, David Brenes, Jackson B Coole, Alex Kortum, Imran S Vohra, Jennifer Carns, Richard A Schwarz, Ida Varghese, Safia Durab, Sean Anderson, Nancy E Bass, Ashlee D Clayton, Hawraa Badaoui, Loganayaki Anandasivam, Rachel A Giese, Ann M Gillenwater, Nadarajah Vigneswaran, Rebecca Richards-Kortum

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Oral cancer is a major global health problem. It is commonly diagnosed at an advanced stage, although often preceded by clinically visible oral mucosal lesions, termed oral potentially malignant disorders, which are associated with an increased risk of oral cancer development. There is an unmet clinical need for effective screening tools to assist front-line healthcare providers to determine which patients should be referred to an oral cancer specialist for evaluation. This study reports the development and evaluation of the mobile detection of oral cancer (mDOC) imaging system and an automated algorithm that generates a referral recommendation from mDOC images. mDOC …

The Lawyer: Spring 2025, Seattle University School Of Law

Lawyer

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Hyperglycemia On Post-Reperfusion Outcomes In Patients With Hyperacute Ischemic Stroke, Nicole Schumacher

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Stroke is a major contributor to disability in the United States, with ischemic stroke accounting for approximately 87% of all cases. The use of approved reperfusion therapies, including intravenous thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and mechanical thrombectomy, has significantly improved functional outcomes for ischemic stroke patients. However, hyperglycemia at the time of hospital arrival is associated with worse outcomes, including increased infarct growth, higher rates of disability, and elevated mortality. Despite this, current stroke guidelines neither exclude hyperglycemic patients from receiving reperfusion therapy nor recommend glucose management during the hyperacute phase of care. While recent studies suggest that mild …

Physical Therapy Outcome Measures Used In Persons With Long Covid: A Systematic Review Of Interventional Studies Up To 1-Year Postglobal Health Emergency, Andrea Lopes Sauers, Liana Johnson, Marissa Mortensen, Laura Bianca Dorásio Da Silva, Luciana Angélica Da Silva De Jesus, Jaime González, Cristino Oliveira

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Purpose:

To identify the most frequently used outcome measures in interventional studies for Long Covid in outpatient, home-based, and telerehabilitation physical therapy settings.

Methods:

Registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42021286714) and conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, this review included interventional studies performed in outpatient, telerehabilitation, or home-based physical therapy settings, assessing adults with persistent Long Covid symptoms in at least 3 months post-COVID-19 infection and published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. A comprehensive search strategy was executed across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, PEDro, SciELO, Web of Science, and CINAHL. Data were managed via Covidence, with studies independently screened and extracted by …

El Penacho De Moctezuma Or Kopilli Ketzalli?: A Study Of Colonialism & Featherwork, Natalie Heiland

Student Publications

This paper focuses on an object with many titles: Moctezuma’s Headdress, El Penacho or Kopilli Ketzalli. These names, in English, Spanish and Nahuatl, perfectly highlight the way colonialism has affected the discourse around it. The piece was initially taken during the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the early 16th century and shipped to Vienna, where it has remained ever since. Through analysis of historical sources and modern discussions, I will address how this object has been treated poorly throughout history, from the initial seizure, to its time in storage where it was improperly researched and labeled, the many conservations it …

Mapping Trends In Gender-Inclusive Legal Language Between Circuit Courts In The United States, Juliette M. Rhinow

Student Publications

This study examines the use of gender-inclusive legal language in federal circuit court opinions in the United States between 2020 and 2024, with a focus on how judicial political ideology influences linguistic behaviors. Drawing on postmodern feminist theory and utilizing content analysis, the research compares six federal circuit courts by coding 46 court opinions for inclusive and exclusive linguistic practices related to transgender and non-binary individuals. Inclusive practices included the use of self-identified names and pronouns, affirming decisions, and acknowledgment of transgender identities, while exclusive practices involved misgendering, outdated terminology, and restrictive rulings. Results show that progressive circuits demonstrated significantly …