Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Nature Exposure On Workplace Engagement, Allison Emmons

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

The idea that nature is beneficial to humans is somewhat unclear in the field of psychology. Many studies have found that exposure to natural elements can improve human emotions and performance on cognitive tasks. However, there are inconsistencies in the literature regarding whether both outcomes can be enhanced at once. There is also limited research on how nature can impact attitudes about the environment and tasks at hand. This study seeks to examine whether or not incorporating natural elements into workplaces improves employee performance and engagement measures, such as decision-making quality, job satisfaction, job motivation, and current emotional state. This …

Examining Weight Related Attitudes And Health Behaviors Among College Students, Alexis C. Denski

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

BACKGROUND: College is a pivotal period for the development of lifelong health behaviors. Factors such as greater personal freedom, poor diet, social norms, and insufficient physical activity (PA) contribute to common weight gain and increase of body image challenges. Although many college students report trying to lose weight, there is limited research examining if their PA and dietary behaviors align with evidence-based health recommendations. PURPOSE: Examine the proportion of college students trying to change their weight and their engagement in weight-related behaviors such as PA, strength training (ST), and dietary factors. METHODS: In Fall 2019, a random sample of 5,000 …

The Effect Of Perception & Trust: How Our Flaws Shape Prices, Institutions, Systems, And Economic Stability, David Mackinnon Butler

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

A Comprehensive Overview Of Prison Rape And The Impacts Of The Prison Rape Elimination Act, Kayn L. Bienhold

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

This paper will examine prison rape by exploring sexual abuse rates, the causes of underreporting, the gender-based prison and rape cultures, reasons why victims are targeted, and the impact The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) has had on the issue. It draws on both qualitative research and national surveys. Findings have shown that sexual victimization is much more widespread than indicated by official reports due to high rates of underreporting, fears of retaliation, and flawed implementation and enforcement of PREA’s policies. Culture in male prisons are shaped by hypermasculine hierarchies that discourage reporting, while female prisons experience disproportionately high rates …

Clinical Identity And Cognitive Difference: Neurodivergence Among Speech-Language Pathologists, Domonique M. Mitchell

Brehm Scholars Research

Neurodiversity has been increasingly recognized within speech-language pathology in relation to client populations; however, comparatively little attention has been given to the cognitive diversity of clinicians. Professional norms in healthcare and allied health often emphasize neurotypical standards of communication, productivity, and professionalism, which may shape how neurodivergent clinicians experience their work.

This study explored the lived experiences of neurodivergent speech-language pathologists (SLPs), with particular attention to professional identity development, workplace experiences, and the perceived impact of neurodivergence on clinical practice. Using a qualitative design, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with five neurodivergent SLPs across varied professional settings and analyzed using …

Implementation Of The Four Pediatric Feeding Disorder Domains By The Elementary School-Based Speech-Language Pathologist: A Research Plan, Kelsi Szakovits

Brehm Scholars Research

No abstract provided.

Student Perceptions Of The Learning Environment In A Hospital School Program, Hannah Buck

Brehm Scholars Research

Most research related to hospital school programs has focused on adult perspectives (e.g., teachers, administrators, parents, and clinical staff) rather than on the perspectives of hospitalized students. This study examined the education-related perspectives of hospitalized K–12 students (N = 10) who had engaged with the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital School Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Participants completed one semi-structured interview and two short surveys. Sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, in vivo coded, and thematically analyzed. Despite the challenges associated with hospitalization, participants generally reported equal or greater enjoyment of in-hospital schooling compared to non-hospital schooling. Survey responses revealed that higher …

Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Neurons In The Bed Nucleus Of The Stria Terminalis Modulate Avoidance Behaviors And Feeding, Juan Manuel Romero, Shae-Marie Stafford-Trujillo, Mitzy Mendoza, Pey-Shyuan Chin, Snigdha Srivastava, Mikhail Kochukov, Qingchun Tong, Benjamin Russell Arenkiel

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Introduction: Animals rely on defensive avoidance of exposed or potentially threatening environments as a fundamental survival strategy, often expressing this behavior as thigmotaxis, or a preference for the periphery of an open space. However, researchers still do not understand how neural circuits coordinate avoidance behavior with competing physiological drives such as feeding. In this study, we investigate how corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-expressing neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) integrate environmental avoidance and feeding behavior.

Methods: We used adult male and female mice and applied fiber photometry to monitor BNST CRF neuronal activity in vivo. We performed both …

Understanding The Level Of School-Family Alignment Around Anti-Bullying Programs In A Rural Middle School: Is Everyone On The Same Page?, Eleanor M. Kilishek

Doctor of Education (EdD)

School-family engagement is commonly regarded as a critical element for effective bullying prevention programs in schools, however the extent to which families understand these systems is often unclear. Guided by an integrated conceptual model that weaves theory on alignment with an examination of ecological systems layers and feedback loops, this qualitative single-site case study examined the levels of alignment between parent perceptions and the implementation of a rural middle school’s bullying prevention program. Leverage points for growth emerged by identifying where gaps in understanding or informational silence occurred. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants for semi-structured interviews with members …

A Cause Sprinkled With Blood: The Life Of Owen Lovejoy, Abolitionist, Pastor And Congressman, Owen Bryant Lovejoy

Books

No abstract provided.

Severe Maternal Morbidity According To Sickle Cell Disease Genotype, Tetsuya Kawakita, Natsume Furukawa, Sora A. Jones, Salimah Navaz Gangji

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic hemoglobinopathy that disproportionately affects individuals of African descent and is associated with elevated risks of maternal complications. However, the contribution of specific SCD genotypes to severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and postpartum readmission remains poorly characterized at the population level.

Objective

We sought to examine the association between SCD genotypes-hemoglobin SS (HbSS) disease, hemoglobin SC (HbSC) disease, sickle thalassemia, and sickle cell trait-and SMM, hospital readmission, and related adverse maternal outcomes.

Study design

This was a retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2016 through 2022, representing over 20 million weighted …

Sleepiness In Pregnancy And Adverse Perinatal Outcomes, Rachel Friedlander, Xiaoning Huang, Phyllis Zee, Sadiya S. Khan, Philip Greenland, Francesca L. Facco, Judith Chung, William A. Grobman, Shalini Manchanda, Uma M. Reddy, George R. Saade, Robert M. Silver, Lynn M. Yee

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Sleep disorders in pregnancy have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, and gestational diabetes mellitus, yet these findings are largely from retrospective studies. Using data from a prospective study that used validated tools to assess sleepiness in pregnancy, we aimed to assess the association of sleepiness in pregnancy with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

In this secondary analysis of data from a large, diverse prospective cohort of nulliparous individuals conducted at eight United States medical centers, those with self-reported sleep data were included. Sleepiness was evaluated in early (6-13 weeks) and mid-pregnancy (22-29 …

Posterior Subperiosteal Abscess Of The Distal Femur In A Pediatric Patient: A Rare Surgical Presentation Of Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis, Michael Dearman, Corey Bindner

School of Medicine Student Publications and Presentations

Introduction: Pediatric osteomyelitis commonly arises from acute hematogenous spread and remains diagnostically challenging due to limited radiographic findings and difficulty obtaining MRI in young children. Subperiosteal abscess formation is an uncommon but serious complication, with posterior distal femoral involvement reported only once previously.

Case Report: A 19-month-old male presented with fever and refusal to bear weight. Initial radiographs were unremarkable. Worsening symptoms prompted admission with rising inflammatory markers and blood cultures positive for gram positive cocci. MRI demonstrated distal femoral metaphyseal osteomyelitis with a posterior subperiosteal abscess. Through an anterior arthrotomy and metaphyseal drilling, osteomyelitis and joint involvement were addressed. …

Qualitative Exploration Of Covid-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Healthcare Workers In Sierra Leone: Do The ‘Trusted Messengers’ Trust The Vaccine?, Ifeolu David, Enid Schatz, Wilson Majee

Population Health Leadership and Analytics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction

Vaccine hesitancy is a global issue, and the important role of healthcare workers in addressing vaccine hesitancy is well documented. However, there is limited theory-guided research on the uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations among healthcare workers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study examined COVID-19 vaccine uptake among healthcare workers in Sierra Leone and assessed the relevance of the 5C model—which posits that vaccine uptake is shaped by confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation and collective responsibility—in explaining their vaccination attitudes, intentions and behaviours.

Methods

24 indepth interviews were conducted in 2022 with healthcare workers in Freetown, Makeni and Kenema. The …

The Eighth Amendment And Prison Staff-To-Sentenced Prisoner Sexual Violence, Matthew Lyskawa

Faculty Scholarship

In this Article, I provide the first comprehensive account of lower federal courts’ Eighth Amendment prison conditions jurisprudence regarding prison staff-to-sentenced prisoner sexual violence. I show that lower federal courts are systematically misunderstanding and misapplying Supreme Court case law in this context. The result is that sexually victimized prisoners must meet extremely burdensome doctrinal standards unique to sexual violence claims. Lower federal courts would faithfully follow Supreme Court precedent if they applied the excessive force standard to sexual assault claims and the conditions of confinement standard to sexual harassment claims. However, a faithful application of Supreme Court case law does …

Evaluation Of Micronized, Electrospun Fiber Matrix Effect On Outcomes Of Major Lower Extremity Amputations., Michael Dearman, Brittany Wagner, Alireza Behbudi, Luis Fernandez, Alan Cook, Rebecca Swindall, Brandi Pero, Alisha Thedford

School of Medicine Student Publications and Presentations

Background: Major lower extremity amputations are associated with substantial postoperative morbidity and mortality (Belmont). Restrata is a synthetic electrospun fiber matrix that is engineered to closely resemble human extracellular matrix to facilitate wound healing while avoiding the drawbacks of traditional biologic wound matrices (MacEwan, Fernandez). There have been no studies which have directly compared micronized electrospun fiber matrix (MEFM) to biologic xenograft matrices in patients undergoing major lower extremity amputation. The purpose of this study is to compare postoperative wound recovery in patients undergoing major lower extremity amputation, treated with MEFM (Restrata Minimatrix, Acera, St.Louis, Missouri ) versus a type …

Walking Through The Valley Of The Shadow: A Pancreatic Cancer Journey, Don Butterworth

Academic Books

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Micronized, Electrospun Fiber Matrix Effect On Outcomes Of Major Lower Extremity Amputations, Michael Dearman, Brittany Wagner, Luis Fernandez, Alireza Behbudi, Alan Cook, Rebecca Swindall, Brandi Pero, Alisha Thedford

School of Medicine Student Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Information Technology Dashboard Design Research, James Myers

Dissertations and Theses

Dashboard displays in command center environments benefit from design guidelines informed by perceptual and cognitive research. This dissertation examines how spatial hierarchy and chartjunk affect knowledge retention from dashboard displays, using a mixed-methods approach that combines formative qualitative studies with controlled experiments. Three formative studies, an expert review, a heuristic analysis with three reviewers, and semi-structured interviews with IT professionals identified spatial hierarchy and chartjunk removal as the design guidelines most likely to affect dashboard comprehension. A subsequent co-creation study with IT professionals refined these findings and informed experimental stimulus development. Two experiments tested these guidelines using a dashboard knowledge …

Adverse Experiences Of D/Deaf Individuals, Lily Buchholz

Graduate Research Papers

With over 1 million people making up the Deaf and hard of hearing community in the United States, this population faces Adverse Childhood Experiences and intimate partner violence at rates higher than the hearing population. D/deaf people experience adversity specifically related to their inability to hear, including discrimination and daily microaggressions. Researching the adverse experiences of the D/deaf population allows for greater awareness to better serve them in professional settings. Clinicians using this information can provide more trauma-informed services, schools can create healthier and safer learning environments for D/deaf students, and D/deaf communities can support each other through connection and …

Climate Change Impacts On Forest Canopy Temperatures: From Mechanisms To Implications, William Hagan Brown

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

Forests are a vital interface between the biosphere and the atmosphere. As global temperatures rise due to increasing anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, it is important to understand the response of forest tree canopy leaf temperature (T_can). Additionally, understanding variation in T_can and regulation across species within ecosystems is crucial for understanding how climate change affects plants. Thus, this research aimed to measure T_can in temperate and tropical forests under contrasting environmental conditions to advance understanding of T_can. At the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment (BIFoR-FACE) site, continuous thermal infrared (TIR) …

Quantifying The Lower Limits Of Plastic Detection With Absorption Features And Mesma Spectral Unmixing Over Sentinel-2 Satellite Imagery, James Delaney

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

Plastic pollution is a widespread environmental issue, with larger macroplastic objects resulting in harm to the environment, economies, and human health. Satellite remote sensing can detect plastic over widespread areas, but quantifying plastic on the spatial scale within sensor pixels (sub-pixel) in imagery poses challenges to medium-resolution sensors. Determining the factors affecting the ability of plastic to be detected at small scales within satellite imagery and testing little-explored spectral unmixing sub-pixel plastic quantification on these open-source satellite images can increase the value extracted from this data source. Spectral measurements of plastic packaging at changing abundances were measured using a hyperspectral …

Teaching Safety Skills To Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities In A School Setting, Nicole Freeman

Dissertations and Theses

his study was designed to determine the effectiveness of using Behavior Skills Training with or without In-situ Training to teach responding to a simulated toxic substance in young adults with intellectual disabilities in a school setting. Simulated safety skills were measured using a task-analysis of independently identifying, avoiding, and reporting the simulated toxic substance to a qualified adult (i.e., teacher, caregiver, classroom support provider). The task analysis of the identification, avoidance, and reporting was an attempt to quantify independent self-help skills on the part of the participants. The measurement procedure was consistent with previous research conducted on similar safety skills …

Iron(Ii)/Cobalt(Ii)-Mediated Silicon And Carbon Quantum Dots For Nanozyme Activity And Fluorescence Sensing Of Hydrogen Peroxide And Glucose, Kang Qin

Dissertations and Theses

Silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have been widely studied as fluorescent nanomaterials for sensing applications. In this thesis, we developed two different nanomaterials, SiQDs and CQDs, and investigated their catalytic activities and applied them for the detection of hydrogen peroxide and glucose. In the first project, Co2+-mediated SiQDs were synthesized through a hydrothermal method. The obtained nanoparticles showed obvious peroxidase-like activity toward the oxidation of tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of H2O2 under acidic conditions. Moreover, a weak oxidation of TMB was also observed without H2O2, suggesting the existence of oxidase-like activity. To better understand the …

2026 Intersession Catalog, Illinois Math And Science Academy

Intersession Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Potassium For High Rainfall Pastures In Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Natural resources factsheets

Potassium (K) deficiency can lead to a decline in clover content and severely limit pasture productivity in high rainfall pastures. Large amounts of potassium can be lost each year through leaching and removal of potassium in hay or silage.

This information is specific to high rainfall pastures receiving more than 600mm average annual rainfall in the south-west of Western Australia.

Tissue Sampling And Analysis For High Rainfall Pastures In Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Natural resources factsheets

Tissue testing helps identify nutrient deficiencies that impact plant health. In high rainfall areas ( > 600 mm), pastures are highly productive and have greater demand for both macro- and micronutrients. Micronutrient status is best assessed through plant tissue, as soil levels are difficult to measure accurately.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development recommends tissue testing to assess the effectiveness of fertiliser and soil testing programs, and diagnose emerging macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies that could cause production losses.

Environmental Impact Of Nitrogen And Phosphorus Fertilisers In High Rainfall Pasture Areas Of Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Natural resources factsheets

The most commonly used nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers in the high rainfall (>600mm annual average) south-west of Western Australia can be leached into the groundwater and washed into waterways, resulting in serious environmental and economic damage.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development recommends regular soil testing and consultation with FertCare-accredited advisers to reduce leaching losses and increase profit from added nutrients.

Nbc Peacock North Winter 2026 Newsletter, Peacock North Staff

NBC Peacock North Newsletter

Highlights include: Al Roker is our Guest Speaker, NBC Turns 100! --Tom Wolzien interviewed by Karen Curry and Marilyn Altman -- When Vinnie Novak Met Fidel Castro -- Silent Microphones -- The Oscars will be Streamed in 2029

Localized Air Pollution Impacts From Data Centers In Northern Virginia, Damian Pitt, Ivan Suen, Ellie Plisko

Institute for Sustainable Energy and Environment Publications and Presentations

This report examins the extent of air pollution emissions resulting from the use of backup generators at data centers in Northern Virginia, including both actual current emissions and potential future emissions, and how those emissions totals compare to other sources of air pollution in the Northern Virginia region. It also examines how exposure to data center emissions correlates with demographic characteristics such as race, income, and education.

We while the air pollution emissions from individual data centers is minor, the collective impact from the 100+ such facilities in the Northern Virginia region is significant. Notably, the cumulative emissions exposure in …