Digital Commons Network^™

Employing Expressive Art To Explore Mexican Americans’ Grief Experiences Of Loss Due To Covid-19, Leyla Feize, Varesh Gorabi, Vanessa Garza, Christian Baggett, Cassandra Sarmiento, Margarita Tirado, Angela Maldonado, Melissa Daniels

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic changed people’s lives and resulted in tremendous pain, loss and suffering. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV), in the state of Texas in the U.S., was one of the regions with the highest number of infections and deaths during the pandemic. However, individuals’ bereavement in the RGV is rarely addressed. In this qualitative study, a snowball sample of 47 individuals who had lost their loved ones during the years 2020–2021 were interviewed and invited to engage in an art activity. The findings revealed four themes: peculiar funeral, grieving confusion, loved ones’ memories, and connection to self and the …

The Compass - Volume 93 Issue 2 - Complete Issue, Scott R. Beason

The Compass: Earth Science Journal of Sigma Gamma Epsilon

No abstract provided.

My Soul, She Walks Behind Me, Sanyukta Shiv Kumar

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

This thesis reimagines the consequences of my great-grandmother’s life. It is an attempt to demystify women’s conditioned roles within private and public spaces and note how, through this conditioning, their identity is repressed to the point of diffidence and eventually, abhorrence towards their own bodies and the physical spaces they occupy. This is portrayed in poetry form through the voice of my great-grandmother as the primary speaker, and is interspersed with the voices of the grandmother, the mother, and the great-granddaughter.

My great-grandmother’s lived experience consisted mostly of her life as a young wife, mother, devotee, and storyteller. She told …

2024 Fall Vol. 41 No. 2, Alumni Affairs School Of Medicine

Medicinews

No abstract provided.

Viability Discrimination Of Bacterial Microbiomes In Home Kitchen Dish Sponges Using Propidium Monoazide Treatment, Christina K Carstens, Joelle K Salazar, Shreela Sharma, Wenyaw Chan, Charles Darkoh

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Dish sponges are known to support the proliferation of human bacterial pathogens, yet they are commonly used by consumers. Exposure to foodborne pathogens via sponge use may lead to illness, a serious concern among susceptible populations. The extent of exposure risks from sponge use has been limited by constraints associated with culture-independent or dependent methods for bacterial community characterization. Therefore, five used dish sponges were characterized to evaluate the presence of viable bacterial foodborne pathogens using the novel application of propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment and targeted 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Select pathogen viability was confirmed using targeted selective enrichment. …

Regulation Of Fibrinogen Synthesis, Dre'von A Dobson, Richard J Fish, Paul S De Vries, Alanna C Morrison, Marguerite Neerman-Arbez, Alisa S Wolberg

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The plasma protein fibrinogen is encoded by 3 structural genes (FGA, FGB, and FGG) that are transcribed to mRNA, spliced, and translated to 3 polypeptide chains (Aα, Bβ, and γ, respectively). These chains are targeted for secretion, decorated with post-translational modifications, and assembled into a hexameric “dimer of trimers” (AαBβγ)2. Fully assembled fibrinogen is secreted into the blood as a 340 kDa glycoprotein. Fibrinogen is one of the most prevalent coagulation proteins in blood, and its expression is induced by inflammatory cytokines, wherein circulating fibrinogen levels may increase up to 3-fold during acute inflammatory events. Abnormal …

Ficture: Scalable Segmentation-Free Analysis Of Submicron-Resolution Spatial Transcriptomics, Yichen Si, Changhee Lee, Yongha Hwang, Jeong H Yun, Weiqiu Cheng, Chun-Seok Cho, Miguel Quiros, Asma Nusrat, Weizhou Zhang, Goo Jun, Sebastian Zöllner, Jun Hee Lee, Hyun Min Kang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Spatial transcriptomics (ST) technologies have advanced to enable transcriptome-wide gene expression analysis at submicron resolution over large areas. However, analysis of high-resolution ST is often challenged by complex tissue structure, where existing cell segmentation methods struggle due to the irregular cell sizes and shapes, and by the absence of segmentation-free methods scalable to whole-transcriptome analysis. Here we present FICTURE (Factor Inference of Cartographic Transcriptome at Ultra-high REsolution), a segmentation-free spatial factorization method that can handle transcriptome-wide data labeled with billions of submicron-resolution spatial coordinates and is compatible with both sequencing-based and imaging-based ST data. FICTURE uses the multilayered Dirichlet model …

Clonal Hematopoiesis Of Indeterminate Potential Is Associated With Reduced Risk Of Cognitive Impairment In Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease, Cissy Xiao, Manjula Kurella Tamura, Yang Pan, Varun Rao, Celestin Missikpode, Caitlyn Vlasschaert, Tetsushi Nakao, Xiao Sun, Changwei Li, Zhijie Huang, Amanda Anderson, Md Mesbah Uddin, Do-Kyun Kim, Jonathan Taliercio, Rajat Deo, Zeenat Bhat, Dawei Xie, Panduranga Rao, Jing Chen, James P Lash, Jiang He, Pradeep Natarajan, James E Hixson, Kristine Yaffe, Tanika N Kelly, Cric Study Investigators

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) and dementia disproportionately burden patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The association between CHIP and cognitive impairment in CKD patients is unknown.

Methods: We conducted time-to-event analyses in up to 1452 older adults with CKD from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort who underwent CHIP gene sequencing. Cognition was assessed using four validated tests in up to 6 years mean follow-up time. Incident cognitive impairment was defined as a test score one standard deviation below the baseline mean.

Results: Compared to non-carriers, CHIP carriers were markedly less likely to experience impairment in attention (adjusted …

Sentiment Analysis Of Harry Potter: Exploring Ai Versus Human Interpretation, Xander Newman, Katherine Elkins

IPHS 200: Programming Humanity

The project starts by examining whether a smaller window size of 5% allows the algorithm to determine cruxes and their sentiment more accurately than the standard 10% window size, using the passages identified by the crux report to assist me. I find that the smaller window size seems to be more accurate for the most part, but this is not always the case. Moreover, regardless of window size, the algorithm struggled with definitively assessing ambivalent sentiment, much like how a reader has their own interpretation of emotionally charged moments. Moreover, using the results of the 5% and 10% window size …

Human-Chatbot Interaction Patterns: A Topic Modeling Analysis Of 3,275 Conversations With Chatgpt, Hannah Sussman

IPHS 200: Programming Humanity

This research presents a topic modeling analysis of the WILDCHAT-FULL dataset, examining user interactions with ChatGPT across over one million conversations. The study focused specifically on extended conversations (five or more exchanges) between U.S.-based users and ChatGPT in English. Using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), I identified 50 distinct conversational topics with coherence scores ranging from -1.5 to -14.92 (mean: -4.47). The analysis revealed diverse interaction patterns spanning creative writing, jailbreaking (attempting to get ChatGPT to do something against its guidelines), technical discussions, business applications, and educational queries. A particularly striking finding was that creative writing and role-play scenarios dominated the …

Intertextual Sentiments In Ulysses And The Odyssey, Aidan Jordan, Katherine Elkins

IPHS 200: Programming Humanity

James Joyce’s masterpiece novel Ulysses is a text built upon its relationship to other texts. The very title is a reference to the Greek hero Odysseus and the epic poem that contains his story. The form of Ulyssesrelies heavily on the structure of the Odyssey for its movement. With chapters taking key events from the Odyssey as inspiration for their themes, characters, and events. One chapter for example is based on the episode where Odysseus travels into the underworld and Joyce’s stand-in character Bloom goes to a funeral. These structural and tonal suggestions have lead me to ask if this …

Hippocampal Gray Matter Volume In Young Adulthood Varies With Adolescent Alcohol Use, Juliann B Purcell, Nathaniel G Harnett, Sylvie Mrug, Marc N Elliott, Susan Tortolero Emery, Mark A Schuster, David C Knight

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Adolescent substance use is linked with negative future outcomes (e.g., depression, anxiety, substance use disorder). Given that the brain undergoes significant maturation during adolescence, this developmental period may represent a time of particular vulnerability to substance use. Neuroimaging research has largely focused on heavy or binge patterns of substance use; thus, relatively less is known about the neural impact of a broader range of adolescent substance use. Characterizing the neural impact of a broader range of adolescent substance use may inform prevention and treatment efforts. The present study investigated relationships between adolescent substance use trajectories (i.e., alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis) …

Pparγ/Etv2 Axis Regulates Endothelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition In Pulmonary Hypertension, Dong Hun Lee, Minseong Kim, Sarah S Chang, Raham Lee, Andrew J Jang, Juyoung Kim, Jing Ma, Michael J Passineau, Raymond L Benza, Harry Karmouty-Quintana, Wilbur A Lam, Benjamin T Kopp, Roy L Sutliff, C Michael Hart, Changwon Park, Bum-Yong Kang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) plays an important role in pulmonary hypertension (PH) but the molecular mechanisms regulating EndoMT remain to be defined. We demonstrate that the axis of the transcription factors PPARγ (Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor gamma) and ETV2 (ETS variant 2) play important roles in the pathogenesis of PH. Decreased levels of the expression of PPARγ and ETV2 along with reduced endothelial and increased EndoMT markers are consistently observed in lungs and pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension patients, in hypoxia-exposed mouse lungs, human PAECs, and in induced-EndoMT cells. Etv2 +/- mice spontaneously developed PH and right …

Measuring Anxiety Among Latino Immigrant Populations: Within-Country And Between-Country Comparisons, Sumeyra Sahbaz, Ronald B Cox, Pablo Montero-Zamora, Christopher P Salas-Wright, Mildred M Maldonado-Molina, Melissa M Bates, Augusto Pérez-Gómez, Juliana Mejía-Trujillo, Saskia R Vos, Carolina Scaramutti, Patrizia A Perazzo, Maria Duque, Maria Fernanda Garcia, Eric C Brown, Seth J Schwartz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Anxiety is the most prevalent mental health disorder among adults worldwide. Given its increased prevalence among migrants due to their marginalized position in the societies where they reside, psychometric evaluations of anxiety measures such as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) are needed for use with migrants. The present study is the first attempt to compare the structure of GAD-7 scores for (a) different Latino groups in the same country and (b) the same Latino group in two different countries. Using three samples of Mexican and Venezuelan migrants (total N = 933), we provide reliability and validity evidence of the GAD-7 …

Effects Of Social-Emotional Learning On Student Perceptions Of Themselves, Their Academics, And Their Behaviors, Tera Broderick

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Schools across the country are working with students who face numerous challenges in their daily lives, often leading to disengagement and a lack of readiness to learn. This study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) into the school day and its impact on students’ academic and social-emotional development. A literature review of existing literature on SEL’s influence on student well-being provided the foundation for this research. Based on this review a self-assessment was given to fourth grade students in a public school in Iowa. Analysis of the results, following the implementation of SEL, revealed that increased …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Restorative Practices In The Classroom, Susan Brown

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This inquiry-based research project evaluates the effectiveness of restorative practices in addressing student misbehavior and improving school culture within elementary classrooms. The study examines the impact of restorative practices, such as restorative circles and conferences, on reducing reported behaviors and exclusionary disciplinary measures such as suspensions, while fostering an inclusive and supportive school environment. The research was conducted at Libby Booth Elementary School, with a focus on two classrooms during the 2023- 2024 academic year. Using a mixed-methods approach, both quantitative data on student behavior and qualitative surveys from a teacher survey were collected and analyzed. The findings reveal that …

Do The Winners Really Get To Write History? The Use Of Perspective-Taking Journaling In Teaching Multiperspectivity, Rylie Stanton

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Understanding multiple perspectives is an essential skill students in a Social Studies classroom need to understand historical events. It is vital for students to understand how these different perspectives drive the cause-and-effect relationship of history. Research notes the importance of teaching multiperspectivity, however, multiperspectivity can be a difficult task for teachers to address and teach effectively. While there are some pedagogical methods to effectively teach multiperspectivity, more methods are needed. This study aims to examine if the use of perspective-taking journal activities can help students understand those multiple perspectives leading to a greater understanding of the causes and effects of …

Cooperative Learning And The Effects On Knowledge Retention And Positive Peer Relationships, Cathy Ray

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Teachers have long utilized different classroom collaborative learning strategies such as think-pair-share, partner work, or group projects to enhance student engagement and learning. However, effective implementation remains a challenge, requiring teachers to balance collaborative efforts with individual accountability. Teachers need to balance effective group work while maintaining an expectation of individual work. This study investigates the impact of cooperative learning on knowledge retention and the development of positive peer relationships among students. Based on a literature review about the effectiveness of cooperative learning in education, research was done with two groups of fourth-grade students in a rural, public school in …

Problem-Based Learning Vs. Direct Instruction: A Case For Independence, Nicholas Heider

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This research study compares problem-based learning (PBL) and direct instruction, to determine which teaching method will increase fourth grade students’ learning independence and problem-solving ability. This quantitative study analyzed pre-test and post-test results, alongside survey responses from two separate fourth-grade classes. One class was taught a unit using problem-based learning, while the other received instruction on the same unit using a direct instruction approach. The statistical analysis revealed no major differences between the two teaching methods, suggesting that teachers should consider their students’ learning styles before selecting a teaching method for a given unit. Although the sample size was small, …

Enhancing 4th Grade Classroom Engagement Through Flexible Seating And Interactive Learning Strategies., Hannah Goetler

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This inquiry-based research study explores the impact of flexible seating and interactive learning strategies on student engagement and academic performance in a fourth-grade classroom. The study utilized a mixed-methods approach, using both pre- and post-surveys and classroom observations, over four weeks to assess changes in student comfort, focus, and collaboration. The findings showed significant improvements in engagement, with students self-reporting higher levels of comfort and collaboration, as well as reduced off-task behavior. Flexible seating options included wobble stools and floor cushions and fostered autonomy and enhanced focus during lessons. Additionally, interactive learning strategies complementing flexible seating setups, further promote active …

The Role Of Trauma And Social-Emotional Learning On Academic Achievement, Kayela Gearhart

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Trauma and social-emotional learning are important issues in today’s educational institutions. This study looked at the impact that childhood trauma and social-emotional learning have on academic achievement so that students who have experienced trauma will benefit. The following research question was explored: What impact does social-emotional learning instruction have on academic achievement? Thirty-two fourth-grade students in two classrooms in one school district in rural Northeast Iowa participated in this study. FAST reading, math, and mySAEBRS data from prior to the implementation of a schoolwide SEL curriculum were compared to data from the same assessments after the SEL curriculum was implemented. …

Trauma-Informed School Improvement Plan, Amy Lundell

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Studies show that adopting trauma-responsive approaches in educational settings can lead to a significant decrease in behavioral problems. By responding to challenging behaviors with more empathy and support, school staff can increase their capacity to understand the “why” behind what children display. This school improvement plan will examine the cornerstones of implementing a trauma-informed practice in a K-5 elementary school. To begin with, adopting trauma-informed approaches requires a shift in the organization's culture, policies, and procedures to ensure that every aspect of the system is aligned with the principles of trauma-informed care. This will not only reduce concerning behaviors but …

Implementing Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports, Emily Jamison

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This study examines the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) in schools and its impact on student behavior and school climate. Recognizing the need for effective, positive discipline frameworks, this research analyzes both quantitative data, such as disciplinary referrals and attendance rates, and qualitative feedback from teachers and students. In the school, behavior that require office referrals are at an all-time high. A system is needed to be put in place to ensure that students are receiving behavior instruction. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study gathered data from different leveled schools; elementary, middle and high schools, to test …

Integrating Stem/Steam Learning Into The Preschool Classroom, Kaitlyn Van Sickle

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This school improvement plan was developed to address that STEAM integration is an essential component of preschool student’s learning and education. This school improvement plan will also show that STEAM is not a curriculum but a way of thinking. In order to integrate STEAM effectively there needs to be change towards students’ and teachers’ thinking. Research has shown that when students are exposed to STEAM teaching starting at an early age it will positively impact student achievement. The two main components of this improvement plan include indicating the instructional strategies and teachings needed for STEAM integration and the professional development …

Social Emotional Learning (Sel) Instruction: The Effects On Students With Learning Disabilities (Ld), Courtney Schulte

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) has been researched for over 20 years, yet it has become the focus of policy makers over the last several years. SEL competency has proven to increase student relationship building skills, emotional control, academic success and overall self-esteem. Research has shown SEL instruction benefits all students, even students in special education when taught in an explicit and direct manner.

Integrating Technology Into The Secondary Spanish Classroom, William E. Glienke

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

As educators navigate the complexities of modern classrooms, engaging students, especially English language learners, in meaningful learning experiences has become increasingly critical. This action research paper explores effective strategies for integrating technology in the middle school Spanish classroom, specifically targeting seventh graders at Woodrow Wilson Middle School. By implementing a blended learning model combining traditional teaching methods with digital tools, this study seeks to assess the impact of technology on student engagement and language acquisition. The research employs a comparative analysis between classes utilizing digital platforms—such as language learning applications and collaborative online tools—and those adhering to conventional pedagogical approaches. …

Data-Based Decision Making: Improving School Intervention Systems, Simone Sterling

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

ol improvement plan focuses on prioritizing student data and equity in the development of Peakview Elementary's Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). The goal is to reform the existing MTSS framework by implementing research-based strategies to enhance Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), discipline practices, and the special education referral process. A comprehensive review of effective support systems and identified disproportionalities informed the analysis of Peakview’s student data and MTSS practices, revealing key areas for improvement. The proposed action plan adopts a collaborative, data-driven approach to address these needs. In addition to the establishment of Data Teams, the plan emphasizes the …

Sight Word Retention Through Cross-Age Tutoring, Stacie D. Morken

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This study explores the effectiveness of cross-age tutoring as an intervention for improving sight word retention in elementary students. Sight words, essential for early literacy development, can be challenging for some students to master, but evidence suggests that tutoring from older peers may enhance retention. In this study, fourth-grade tutors were paired with first-grade students to engage in structured tutoring sessions using flashcards, sight word bingo, and connected text designed to reinforce sight word recognition. The intervention aimed to provide personalized, one-on-one support to struggling readers while offering older students the opportunity to develop teaching and leadership skills. Results showed …

Effective Use Of Technology In Elementary Classrooms, Skyler Young

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Technology use in classrooms has become popular throughout the last decade. Several factors show an increase in student learning and motivation while using technology to enhance their content knowledge. This study examines the existing benefits of using technology in the classroom and the challenges that are present to several teachers when the students can access technology at home. The researcher completed a qualitative study using reflective practices to conduct data required from a literature review, reflection journal, and a teacher and student survey to draw their conclusions. This data led to the conclusion that technology is an essential part of …

Closing The Socioeconomic Achievement Gap, Mallory Mcdermott

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research study was to investigate why the achievement gap exists in order to find ways to best serve the students who fall into it. Students from low socioeconomic backgrounds are showing disparities in academic achievement in areas of grades, standardized testing scores, and dropout rates. The researcher conducted a quantitative study to determine the effectiveness of a supplemental intervention on student’s mathematical understanding. The research was conducted within a fifth grade classroom at Midland Elementary. Data was collected from a pre-test and the i-Ready diagnostic screener to determine what skills the participants needed improve in. The …