Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Quality-Of-Life Impact Of Driving For People With Aphasia, Kaleigh Welch, Emily Huddleston

Appalachian Student Healthcare Research Review

Purpose: This study explored how driving ability or loss affects the social, emotional, and practical quality of life of people with aphasia (PWA). Given that driving is a key marker of independence, identity, and community participation, the study aimed to understand how individuals with aphasia experience driving resumption or cessation and how these experiences shape daily functioning and psychosocial well‑being.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven adults with aphasia recruited from a university-based aphasia group. Interviews were completed in a private university clinic room. Open-ended questions elicited participants’ feelings, experiences, and perceptions regarding driving or not driving after aphasia. …

A Multi-Objective Optimization Framework For Equitable Stormwater Management In Urbanizing Rural Communities, Harry L. Wilson

Industrial Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Due to limited technical and financial resources, urbanizing rural communities often face growing stormwater management challenges while undergoing rapid development. This thesis proposes a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) framework that integrates topography-driven stormwater flow behavior, infrastructure placement constraints, and multiple planning objectives to support cost-effective stormwater infrastructure decisions. Our model accounts for budget constraints, gravity-driven surface water flow, infiltration capacity, and spatial contiguity requirements to determine optimal pond placements that balance flood reduction and implementation costs. A synthetic discretized grid representing a small municipality is used to demonstrate model behavior under varying rainfall and topographic conditions. Results demonstrate the framework's …

Investigating The Effects Of Stress On The Passive Transfer Of Antibodies From Colostrum To The Newborn Calf, Audrey F. Dykes

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

The objective of the current study was to examine passive transfer of immunoglobulins A (IgA) and G (IgG) to the calf in relation to dam’s fecal cortisol and lactoferrin. In July 2024, late-gestation, Angus crossbred heifers pregnant by artificial insemination (n = 30) were moved to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Stocker Unit and housed in 0.42-ha grass paddocks for each heifer. Calving began in mid-August. Heifers were observed routinely throughout the workday and then at 8 p.m., 12 a.m., and 6 a.m. After calving, the calf was allowed to stand and suckle once then dam sample collection …

The Megachurch As An Idol: How The Church Replaces God With Itself, Meredith Scheiner

Honors Projects

Megachurches in the United States draw massive crowds, bring in swaths of wealth, and are the locations of many controversies within and outside of the Christian faith. As demonstrated by two theologically divergent megachurches, Lakewood Church run by the Osteen family and First Baptist Church of Dallas lead by Robert Jeffress, the growth and current state of these megachurches is preeminently built upon the marriage of the American Dream and Christianity: resulting in overt or subtextual prosperity theology elements. The rise in Christian book and music industries, and advertising and marketing of products within the church are examples of these …

The Impacts Of High Protein Diet On Sleep And Mood In Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Pcos), Lily G. Hiegel

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The objective of this study is to determine whether adherence to a high protein diet over a sixteen-week period leads to improvements in sleep quality and mood in women with PCOS. It is hypothesized that individuals following the high protein diet will demonstrate significantly better sleep quality and more favorable mood profiles compared to individuals not following the high protein diet. By targeting insulin resistance and dietary carbohydrate intake, this intervention may influence multiple pathways involved in PCOS symptomatology, including hormonal regulation, metabolic function, sleep physiology, and psychological wellbeing.

The Association Of Birth Order And Coping Strategies In Children During Family Stress; A Case Study On A Second-Born Child, Jaymee Bass

Theses & ETDs

This study examined the association between birth order and coping strategies in children, with a particular focus on primary and secondary control coping during family stress. Drawing on theoretical models of coping that distinguish between efforts to change external stressors (primary control) and efforts to adapt internal responses (secondary control), the study explored whether children’s roles within the family may help predict their preferred coping mechanisms. Prior research suggests that personality traits, sibling dynamics, and family structure influence both emotional development and coping processes, indicating that birth order may be a meaningful factor in how children respond to stress. Participants …

Oil Prices And Exchange Rate Dynamics: An Analysis Of The Colombian Peso Against The U.S. Dollar., Tomas Gonzalez

Theses & ETDs

This thesis analyzes exchange rate movements between the Colombian Peso (COP) and the US Dollar (USD), focusing on the role of international oil prices and other variables such as inflation and interest rates. Given that Colombia's economy relies heavily on the export of raw materials, it is expected that fluctuations in oil prices will be reflected in the dynamics of the exchange rate. The analysis also incorporates the theories of Uncovered Interest Parity (UIP) and Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). For this analysis, monthly data spanning the period from 2014 to 2026 will be utilized, employing an econometric approach that includes …

Remimazolam As A Sedative For Endoscopic Procedures: A Scoping Review, Hamzha Aysheh, Megan Henderson, Megan Hinkle, Sara Holton, Spencer Turner, Dwayne Accardo Dnp, Ccrn, Faana

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Propofol is commonly used for procedural sedation during endoscopic procedures because of its rapid onset and short duration; however, its use is frequently associated with adverse effects such as hypotension, hypoxemia, respiratory depression, bradycardia, and injection site pain. As diagnostic endoscopic procedures continue to increase, particularly among older and medically complex patients, there is a growing need for sedative agents that provide effective sedation while minimizing perioperative risk. Remimazolam, a novel ultra–short-acting benzodiazepine metabolized by tissue esterases, has demonstrated favorable hemodynamic stability and a reduced adverse effect profile in recent literature. The purpose of this evidence-based quality improvement project …

Discharge Education Bundles And Evaluating The Effect On Readmission And Satisfaction Rates: A Scoping Review, Jane Campo Bsn, Rn, Charlotte Edwards Bsn, Rn, Mary Catherine Hall Bsn, Rn, Sarah Moore Bsn, Rn, Allison Walker Bsn, Rn, Tracy Mcclinton Dnp, Aprn, Agacnp-Bc, Hget-C, Ebp-C

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Transitioning children with a chronic medical condition from hospital to home is a critical and difficult process, leaving many families feeling anxious and unprepared. Nationally, 1 in 7 pediatric patients are readmitted within thirty days, making readmission rates an important quality indicator with both clinical and financial implications. To address these challenges, multiple discharge bundles have been developed; however, their effectiveness has not been consistently evaluated. The aim of this project is to summarize the current literature and highlight its positive outcomes, with the intention of promoting further research, reducing 30-day readmission rates, and increasing parental satisfaction (Shermont et …

Impact Of Nitrous Oxide Analgesia On Labor Experience, Kierra Jones Rn, Bsn, Elyzabeth Morales Rn, Bsn, Lanitra Ray Rn, Bsn, Rhonda Johnson Dnp, Cne, Cnm, Facnm

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) has re-emerged in the United States as a labor analgesia option that supports mobility, autonomy, and patient-centered care. As nurses increasingly support low-intervention and physiologic birth approaches, understanding the effectiveness and safety of nitrous oxide for low-risk laboring individuals is essential. This scoping review examines current evidence on nitrous oxide use during labor, focusing on maternal pain management, satisfaction, and neonatal outcomes to inform evidence-based nursing and midwifery practice.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL Complete, and the Cochrane Library between September and October 2023. Inclusion criteria consisted of English-language studies published within …

Gendered Socialization Of Comfort With Risk And The Selection Of A College Major, Eliza S. Staton

Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study investigates the potential relationship between the gendered socialization of risk preferences and the selection of a college major. Women are underrepresented in many fields of study, but especially in those related to science, technology, engineering, and math (S.T.E.M). Careers in STEM fields tend to require degree paths that require difficult classes, with lower average grade points, and a high chance of failure. As of 2023, only 24% of the student body in the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas was composed of women (Uark 2023). These high-pressure, male-dominated environments have been found to lose women at …

Sustaining Care In The Nonprofit Sector: A Qualitative Study On Burnout, Secondary Trauma, And Compassion Fatigue, Anna Kate Kelly, Alexia Angton Phd

Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses

Given the high emotional toll of nonprofit work, burnout, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue are prevalent among employees. This study examines how these phenomena manifest in individuals' everyday lives. Drawing on in-depth interviews with eleven nonprofit workers in the South-Central United States, the findings reveal three primary themes: the consequences of emotional labor, frustration with the system, and supportive strategies. Overall, participants described a tension between finding deep purpose and meaning in their work and experiencing an emotional burden that shapes how they engage with the world. These findings have implications for mental health care, organizational practices, advocacy and policy, …

Differences In Local And Systemic Immune Responses To Primary And Secondary Immunizations With The Herpesvirus Of Turkeys (Hvt) Vaccine In Layer Pullets., Allie K. Bowerman

Poultry Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Marek's disease, caused by a herpesvirus, is a major issue in poultry production due to its high mortality rate. The herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) vaccine has been used as a crucial measure to mitigate outbreaks of Marek's disease in poultry production; however, little is known about the immune response to the HVT vaccine. In this study, we examined how primary and secondary intradermal (i.d.) vaccination with the HVT vaccine in the growing feather (GF) pulp affects local and systemic immune responses, including cellular, antibody, and cytokine responses. Six 9-week-old and six 19-week-old Light-brown Leghorn (LBL) pullets received a primary or …

Perceptions Of German Eugenics: An Analysis Of German Eugenics In The Eugenics Review, 1920-1945, Ally Iandolo

Political Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research examines how the eugenics movement in Germany was perceived by academic peers. I utilize entries from the British journal, The Eugenics Review, from 1920-1945 to create a database of all journal articles, book reviews, correspondence, and other entries that mention German eugenics. Then, using this database, I determine how German eugenics was perceived and which topics were identified by the journal’s contributors. Further, I analyze the careers of the authors who wrote these articles to understand the scope of interest in German eugenics from the Eugenics Review.

Legal Analysis Of Health Issues In Women's Sports, Isabella Docker, Olivia Jonas, Joslyn Maciak, Owen Goodridge

Transformations: Presentation Slides

This presentation examines the legal and ethical challenges surrounding health issues in women's sports. Key points include pregnancy, sexual assault, and mental health issues connected to women's sports. We focus on the impact on their well-being, athletes' performance, and career longevity. Negligence, liability, and assumption of risks all play a major role in women's sports.

Sign Of The Times: School Desegregation In Richland County Schools District One, 1944-1974., Otiana Thompson

All Theses

This paper explores how school desegregation in Richland County Schools District One  between 1940 to 1974 reshaped racial and political dynamics in Columbia, South Carolina. Although twenty-two students successfully desegregated the district's public schools in 1964, the process proceeded slowly, facing local and state resistance. By 1969, fewer than 1,300 Black students attended formerly White schools, while White flight to private institutions and neighboring county school districts accelerated. National challenges to this gradualist approach resulted in the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in Green v. New Kent County case (1968), that determined “freedom of choice” plans to be insufficient to establish …

Comparative Effectiveness Of Immunotherapy Alone Or With Chemotherapy As First-Line Treatment For Marginal Zone Lymphoma, Adam Olszewski, Thomas Ollila, Dai Chihara, Geoffrey Shouse, Natalie Grover, Reem Karmali, Pallawi Torka, Colin Thomas, Praveen Ramakrishnan Geethakumari, Stefan Barta, Nancy Bartlett, Narendranath Epperla

Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research

No abstract provided.

A Hidden Giant: Tee Superiority In Mrsa Endocarditis With A Massive Supravalvular Aortic Mass, Mohammad Abed Alhaleem, Nebras Abu Abed, Salman Muslem, Fatma Bisher, Nadeen Sukhon, Wehbi Hanayni

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background: A 66-year-old male with MRSA bacteremia developed septic pulmonary emboli, sternoclavicular joint infection, and prosthetic knee infection. While initial TTE was negative, subsequent TEE identified a large supravalvular aortic vegetation necessitating surgical excision and valve repair, underscoring the diagnostic superiority of TEE and the need for early surgical consideration in complicated MRSA endocarditis. Case Presentation: A 66-year-old male with diabetes, hypertension, and prior knee arthroplasty presented with MRSA bacteremia complicated by septic pulmonary emboli, sternoclavicular joint infection, and prosthetic knee infection. He underwent debridement of the chest wall and knee prosthesis with cultures confirming MRSA. Initial transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) …

Avoiding Anchoring Bias In Lymphadenopathy: Metastatic Thyroid Cancer Mimicking Tuberculous Lymphadenitis, Giuliano Romano, Mitchell Schwocho, Jacob Morton

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction The differential diagnosis for a new neck mass is broad and includes malignant, infectious, and autoimmune etiologies. A systematic approach incorporating history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing is essential when developing and narrowing down a differential. Case Presentation A 52-year-old man with a history of diabetes, asthma, ankylosing spondylitis on weekly etanercept, and GERD presented with a 2-day history of painless right-sided neck swelling. He denied fever, chills, weight loss, night sweats, dysphagia, dyspnea, cough, recent illness, or constitutional symptoms aside from mild fatigue. He had recently returned from a 1.5- month trip to Bangladesh and had self-discontinued etanercept …

Factors Influencing Patient Recall For Follow-Up In The Multi-Stage Deployment Of Medical Intelligent Screening Systems, Wenjie Chen

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

With the deep integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the healthcare sector, intelligent screening systems have achieved significant breakthroughs in predictive accuracy; however, they commonly face a management challenge in clinical implementation: accurate early warnings but limited patient recall. To address this ineffective technological empowerment issue in practice, this study proposes a theoretical framework featuringbidirectional interactions between "technological empowerment" and"relational empowerment" based on empowerment theory to systematicallyinvestigate the dynamic evolution mechanisms and boundary conditions of patient recall willingness under multi-stage, cross-departmental deployment of medical intelligent screening systems. Using a leading municipal hospital as the primary experimental setting, the study …

Exam Approach Impacts On Test Anxiety And Motivational Outcomes, Makenna Lynn Frias

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

In science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields students are facing exams with record high rates of worry and discomfort, this is known as test anxiety (Rajiah, et al., 2014). Factors such as self-concept (Simpkins et al., 2006) and views of control (Levenson, 1974) are negatively affected by examinations (the terms ‘exam’ and ‘test’ will be used interchangeably) (Spielberger, 1980). A student’s fear of failure, or how the students perceive setbacks or challenges, impacts and is impacted by test anxiety (Henry et al., 2021; Conroy, et al., 2002). Being established by the professor, the exam approach is beyond a student’s …

Rotunda - Vol 105, No 5 - May 1, 2026, Longwood University

Rotunda

No abstract provided.

Dnajb9-Positive Fibrillary Glomerulonephritis In A Patient With Longstanding Discoid Lupus Erythematosus: A Rare Association, Seyedah Simi Daryabari, Abhishek Vadhar, Sally Othman, Brahmani Tata, Towfiqul Chowdhury, Sujata Kambhatla, Chadi Saad

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN) is a rare primary glomerular disease characterized by the organized deposition of nonamyloid, randomly arranged fibrils within the mesangium and glomerular basement membrane. While FGN is frequently associated with malignancies and chronic infections, its association with the autoimmune spectrum is emerging as a critical clinical entity. Specifically, the relationship between DNAJB9-positive FGN and discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is exceedingly rare, as renal manifestations in lupus patients are typically attributed to immune-complex-mediated lupus nephritis. We present the case of a 67-year-old female with a longstanding history of DLE, manifesting as cutaneous lesions on the extremities and scalp with …

Rethinking Mixed Dka-Hhs: An Extreme Presentation Of Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State, Sajith Silva, Umair Malik, Amin Pasha, Sujata Kambhatla

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recognizes diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) as life-threatening hyperglycemic emergencies that can overlap clinically; approximately 10% of presentations are described as mixed DKA–HHS. Because current guidelines do not define a single “mixed” category, overlap is best understood as concurrent fulfillment of key elements of both syndromes: DKA-type anion-gap metabolic acidosis with ketonemia or ketonuria, together with HHS-type severe hyperglycemia, hyperosmolality, and dehydration. We report an extreme HHS presentation (glucose >2,100 mg/dL) with limited DKA overlap. Case Description: A 34-year-old woman with longstanding type 1 diabetes mellitus managed with an insulin pump, …

Targeted Therapy With Braf/Mek Inhibitors And Immune Check Point Inhibitors In Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer - A Case Report, Yagnapriya Ammakola, Muhammad Ibrahim Majeed, Ishmael Jaiyesimi

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction- Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a highly aggressive malignancy constituting about 1% of all the thyroid neoplasms. It has poor prognosis with median survival of around 3 to 6 months. Recent advancements with targeted therapies have improved the survival outcome in these patients. We report a case of anaplastic transformation of papillary thyroid cancer with BRAF V600E mutation who responded to targeted therapy. Case presentation- A 54 year old male presented with a palpable left sided mass. Labs were unremarkable but imaging with contrast enhanced CT scan showed a 3 cm left thyroid nodule with bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. Biopsy …

Late Hepatitis B Reactivation After Hsct And B-Cell Depleting Therapy: Case Vignettes Challenging Fixed-Duration Prophylaxis, Ariana Cho, Harrison Moses, Muaz Alchirazi, Vishakh Keri, Lea Monday

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation remains a critical concern in immunosuppressed oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients, yet the optimal duration of antiviral prophylaxis is unresolved. Current guidelines recommend 12–18 months of prophylaxis after HSCT or B-cell depleting therapy for patients who are isolated anti-HBc positive, based on documented cases of late reactivation beyond the traditional 12-month threshold. However, these recommendations largely derive from studies in HBsAg-positive patients or those receiving rituximab-containing regimens, with limited data addressing the broader range of high-risk scenarios encountered in practice. We present two vignettes highlighting this gap. Patient 1 is a 60-year-old …

When “Voice” Becomes Law: A Caution Against Emancipatory Complacency In Anti-Sexual Violence Feminism, Samantha Lillian To

LL.M. Essays & Theses

This Essay destabilizes a feminist project that seeks to emancipate sexually violated women in the United States through a rhetoric of voice. There is a body of feminist literature that imagines voice as unconstrained self-expression through which sexually violated women resist patriarchal oppression and heal from trauma. When projected onto the courtroom, however, this framework becomes an ideal that the legal process, by its structure, cannot fully accommodate. This Essay presents three claims. First, despite the emergence of a legal promise of “voice” after the enactment of the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, feminists should not treat it as the culmination …

Men’S Courts Or Women’S Laws? Domestic Violence, Men’S Rights Activism, And The Specter Of False Cases, Arushi Gupta

LL.M. Essays & Theses

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Indian newspapers and magazines began reporting stories of domestic abuse in matrimonial homes ranging from women subjected to dowry demands, beatings, everyday mistreatment, financial control, expulsion from the home, and even being burnt to death. Feminists recognized this as an urgent issue to respond to as these reports highlighted that domestic violence is endemic. Everybody knew a victim. Their own mothers, sisters, friends and, in some cases, they themselves were facing violence within marriage. The lobbying of women’s groups helped prompt the passage of Section 498A in 1983, which criminalized cruelty against women …

A Rare Price Of Pain Control: Methemoglobinemia From A Lidocaine Patch, Sushmita Mantravadi, Kesava Mankikanta Achuta, Aaron Goyal, Amin Pasha, Abed L. Dabaja

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction The overall prevalence of methemoglobinemia is around 0.035%. Methemoglobinemia is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of local anesthetic use. While all patients are at risk, those with cardiac or pulmonary compromise are more susceptible to developing clinical manifestations. We report a case of acquired methemoglobinemia following topical lidocaine patch application for post-operative pain management in an elderly patient. Case Presentation 84-year-old male with a past medical history of aortic stenosis status post Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Coronary artery disease, gastrointestinal bleed due to colon polyps, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, trigeminal neuralgia, obesity, essential hypertension, chronic atrial …

Mycobacterium Chimaera In A Young Patient Without Underlying Cardiac Surgery History, Kate A. Szczesniak, Rakesh Shah, Malitha Hettiarachchi

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction/Objective Mycobacterium chimaera (M. chimaera), within the Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC), is a slow-growing nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) species that is most often characterized by nonspecific symptoms of night sweats, fever, and fatigue. Due to the nonspecific symptoms of M. chimaera and the rarity of this infection, delayed or misdiagnosis occurs in these patients. Risk factors of contaminated heater-cooler units used in cardiac surgery have been reported; however, cases without this exposure, such as this case, have been cited less commonly. This case of M. chimaera will present a young patient initially presenting with dyspnea who was found to have a …