Neural Dynamics Supporting Flexible Cognition, Meredith J. Mccarty

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Flexible cognition enables humans to adapt their behavior to changing circumstances by prioritizing relevant information and filtering out distractions. This process is thought to be supported by the integration of ongoing behavioral goals with incoming sensory information, but how this integration is realized in the human brain remains unclear. It is unknown how high-order sensory cortices can balance specialized processing with flexible integration of changing behavioral goals. In the following investigations, we use intracranial EEG (iEEG) recordings in humans to study the neural dynamics of flexible cognition during high-order sensory processing. First, we validated assumptions about the locality of iEEG …

Orthogonal Comparison Of Nuclear And Mitochondrial Clonal Architectures In Hematologic Malignancies, Nehali Shah

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by accumulation of mutations that disrupt hematopoietic differentiation and promote clonal expansion. Understanding how these mutations arise and evolve is essential for improving diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment stratification. Current methods are limited by either restricted genomic coverage (targeted panels) or low throughput and high cost (in single-cell whole genome sequencing, scWGS). An emerging alternative is the use of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations as clonal markers.

This study aims to determine whether mitochondrial-derived clonal architectures correlate with nuclear-derived clonal architectures in AML, thereby evaluating mtDNA as a scalable orthogonal tool for lineage …

Maternal Folic Acid Supplement Use, Folate Intake, And Preterm Birth Among Infants With Spina Bifida, Renata H Benjamin, Katherine L Ludorf, Rachel P Allred, Jenil R Patel, Wendy N Nembhard, Gary M Shaw, Suzan L Carmichael, Tania A Desrosiers, Eirini Nestoridi, Eva M Williford, A J Agopian

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: We sought to assess the extent to which folic acid supplementation and dietary folate intake are associated with preterm delivery among infants with spina bifida.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective population-based study using the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS; 1999-2011) and the Birth Defects Study To Evaluate Pregnancy exposureS (BD-STEPS; 2014-2019). We utilized robust Poisson regression to calculate the risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the associations between preterm birth (< 37 weeks) and maternal use of folic acid-containing supplements, dietary folate intake quartile, and a combined variable accounting for supplementation and dietary folate status.

Results: Among 1199 infants with spina bifida (1011 in NBDPS, 188 in BD-STEPS), 217 (18.1%) were born preterm. There were no statistically significant associations …

Nurse Practitioners Comparison To Other Hospital Providers: Patient Safety, Thomas Kippenbrock, Deanna Jan Emory

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: Patient safety remains a critical challenge in healthcare services. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 10% of patients suffered harm within healthcare systems, resulting in an estimated million deaths annually due to unsafe practice. The study objective was to compare advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, and attending physicians’ responses to overall patient safety ratings and error reporting.

Methods: An Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality data set provided responses of patient safety and error reporting submitted by 3,659 advanced practice nurses (APN), 1,044 physician assistants, and 5,140 attending physicians. The Hospital Survey of Patient Safety Cultural version 2.0 …

Ai: It's Not Going Away! Harnessing Ai To Enhance Learning In Nursing Education, D'Ann Wilson Somerall, Chris Hickman, William E. Somerall Jr.

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed learning, but to what extent? Is AI preventing students from using their creativity and knowledge? Is AI negating the development of scholarly writing skills? Do students understand the academic use of AI and the possibility of generating inaccurate information they may share with others, thinking it “came from the internet,” so it must be correct?

ChatGPT, an AI tool used extensively by college students, was released in November 2022. Multiple other programs have been released in the past two years, and more tools are launched daily. Sadly, many academicians have not embraced AI or developed …

Intersecting Civic Engagement Among Nurses With Service-Learning In Nursing Education, Carrie Rewakowski

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Following the timely declaration by the World Health Organization that 2020 was the “Year of the Nurse and the Midwife” (Howard, 2019), the profession of nursing was thrust into the national spotlight. Nurses can leverage this spotlight by using their voices to advance the health of those they serve through civic engagement. Civic engagement refers to involvement in significant activities that influence and shape society (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 2024). Healthy People 2030 identified civic participation as a crucial element in Social Determinants of Health that includes both voting and volunteering (Pronk et al., 2023). With over 5.2 …

Lessons Learned In Educating, Developing, And Nurturing Nurse Leadership Skills For Challenges Ahead, Nancy M. Valentine

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Every Nurse is a Leader. This declarative statement is promulgated by professional nursing organizations that acknowledge the potential for nurses to be widely recognized as effective change agents.^1,2,3,4 It can be inspirational and daunting, whether for aspirants embarking on a career or seasoned nurses unaccustomed to perceiving themselves as leaders.

Organizations play a key role; some empowering, others perhaps disinterested in nurse-driven initiatives. Given these shifting realities, we must collaborate to make proactive nurse leadership a component of practice for every nurse.
Based on research, are leaders born or made, every nurse has the potential to be a leader. …

Nurses’ Role In Using Prayer As A Complementary And Alternative Spiritual Care Tool, Sonia H. Wisdom

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Praying is a spiritual and religious ritual that patients may use to support healing and cope with stress. Illness may challenge the patients’ ability to pray and nursing assistance is needed (Gad et al., 2022). Nurses are uncertain of their role in responding to patients’ prayer needs, as the use of prayer remains controversial (Nilsson, 2022).

This quantitative study explored nurses’ attitudes and perceptions of their role in praying. Data were collected from a self-selected sample of 2,688 RNs in the Florida Board of Nursing, using a 33-item 5-point Likert-scale questionnaire. Factor analysis extracted four subscales labeled as attitudes to …

The Transformative Impact Of Stakeholder Engagement In Assessment Planning, Kathleen M. Williamson, Sharon F. Beasley

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Stakeholder engagement is a cornerstone of robust evaluation and decision-making processes, playing a critical role in shaping the direction and effectiveness of assessment initiatives in a nursing education program. This presentation explores the multifaceted contributions of stakeholders in assessment planning, emphasizing their ability to provide diverse perspectives, align goals with organizational and community needs, and ensure the relevance and inclusivity of evaluation frameworks.

Through active involvement, stakeholders help assessments transcend mere data collection, adding layers of context and meaning that enhance depth, accuracy, and validity. By leveraging their unique insights, organizations can achieve outcomes that are not only informed and …

Aligning Strategic Goals & Personal Growth: Innovative En-Renc Teaching Strategies At Raffles Hospital, Lilian S. M. Yew, Dira D. Haridas, Jai Vaishnavi D. Jayakumar, Hui Wen Ten, Nur Shida Binte Zainal Abidin

Biennial Convention (CONV)

The Enrolled Nurse Role Expansion Nursing Nurse Course (EN-RENC) at Raffles Hospital(RH) aligns training with strategic goals & individual development. It enhances patient care, operational efficiency, and financial viability while supporting career advancement & job satisfaction for enrolled nurses (ENs).

Purpose: Demonstrates alignment of strategic objectives and individual development via innovative teaching in EN-RENC.

Program Overview: EN-RENC equips ENs with advanced skills like intramuscular injections, wound dressing, venepuncture, & diabetic foot care, improving patient care & satisfaction^1,2. Upskilling ENs reduces dependency on agency staff & overtime, lowering labor costs & optimizing workflow.

Efficiency and Cost Savings: Enhanced EN …

Regulatory Settlement, Stare Decisis, And Loper Bright, Lisa Schultz Bressman, Kevin M. Stack

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

In Loper Bright v. Raimondo, the Supreme Court adopted and deployed a particular narrative about agency action in support of overruling Chevron: Agencies reverse their own statutory interpretations “as much as [they] like[],” creating pervasive instability in the law, thereby destroying private reliance interests. Based on a study of two decades of agency regulations affirmed by the D.C. Circuit under Chevron, we show how infrequently agencies reversed their interpretive positions. Our study suggests that the Court’s regulatory “whiplash” narrative is overstated and that there is an underappreciated institutional settlement for notice-and-comment rules under Chevron. Identifying this regulatory settlement …

Identifying Barriers To Accessing Early Intervention Services, Michelle Y. Gilbert

Biennial Convention (CONV)

This mixed-methods study examines disparities in referral and enrollment rates for Early Intervention (EI) services among children under age three at risk for or diagnosed with developmental delays. The research focuses on a cohort of children referred from Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) to High-Risk Clinics or BabyNet services who did not receive recommended services. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected to analyze referral and enrollment rates, identify factors associated with underutilization, and explore provider and parental perceptions of EI services. Common barriers to accessing services and characteristics influencing enrollment were also identified.

Existing studies have highlighted the importance of …

Do You Feel The Power? Affinity Spaces For Black Male Principals, Wallace Cobbs

All Dissertations

This qualitative study explores the experiences of Black male principals by examining how affinity spaces provide essential support in facing the challenges of school leadership. Using semi-structured interviews and a focus group, the research investigates how these spaces influence principals’ self-efficacy as they manage racial microaggressions, systemic barriers, and professional isolation. The findings show that affinity spaces help build confidence, encourage professional growth, and support personal well-being. By connecting self-efficacy theory to the real-life experiences of Black male principals, this study adds to the conversation on equity in education and the need for meaningful, culturally-relevant support systems.

Metabolic Dysfunction Caused By Dietary Oxylipins And The Environmental Toxicant Pfos, Jazmine Alexis Eccles-Miller

All Dissertations

Disruption of fat metabolism is a hallmark of metabolic disease. A liver enzyme, Cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) is an anti-obesity enzyme that produced several omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid metabolites that could contribute to metabolic diseases such as fatty liver disease. Two of these metabolites, 9-HODE and 9-HOTrE, may be associated with fatty liver. Mice were exposed to 9-HODE and 9-HOTrE to investigate whether they contribute to fatty liver disease under fasting conditions. A transgenic mice model expressing the human enzyme CYP2B6 was also fasted to determine if CYP2B6 leads to increased fatty liver under fasting conditions compared to a …

A Mixed Methods Study Of The Weather And Climate Science Curriculum Pilot In South Carolina K-12 Schools, 4-H, And Agricultural Education Programs, Emily B. Hood

All Dissertations

Weather and climate science topics in K-12 education are more important now than ever due to extreme weather and climate events happening worldwide. Most U.S. science teachers included climate science in their courses, but they may not have a sufficient background in the topic which can hinder their efforts, or there is no explicit curriculum for the teacher to utilize. Research indicates that there is a need for innovation in the curriculum to help prepare children to become the next generation of leaders and address complex problems, such as issues related to weather and climate science. There are a few …

School Discipline Bylaws In Egypt: An Analysis Of The Framing Of Children’S Rights In Education (2014–2024), Noha Ekram Hassan

All Dissertations

This study investigates how Egypt’s School Discipline Bylaws (SDB), issued between 2014 and 2024, construct the language of discipline, children’s rights, and school governance. Using a Corpus-Assisted Critical Discourse Analysis (CADA) combined with interpretive Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the research identifies child-rights terminology within the five Bylaw versions, examines its relationship to the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and traces how these linguistic patterns change over time. The analysis also explores the discursive framing of discipline, sanctions, and agency, alongside a rubric-based evaluation of the SDB’s alignment with CRC principles of protection, participation, and …

The Influence Of Using Bibliotherapy And Cinematherapy Interventions On The Social-Emotional Competencies Of Middle School Students Identified As Gifted, Debra P. Wallace

All Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Adolescents encounter many stressors in their lives and need resources to help them navigate their challenges. Access to books and movies may help gifted middle school students find ways to cope with various stressors characteristic of gifted students. Bibliotherapy and cinematherapy interventions effectively offer gifted students emotional support for their mental, social, and academic struggles, since gifted students tend to avoid asking for help. In a rural southeastern town, a 2-month improvement science study included a Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle with gifted eighth graders. From December 2024 to January 2025, gifted students participated in an intervention program using bibliotherapy and cinematherapy …

Adoption Of The 4-H Thriving Model Of Positive Youth Development:A Case-Centered Examination Of 4-H Agents, Patricia Whitener

All Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Youth development professionals working in non-formal educational settings face the persistent challenge of translating evidence-based frameworks into effective practice. This explanatory sequential mixed-methods study examines how South Carolina 4-H agent/educators perceive and adopt the 4-H Thriving Model following mandatory statewide training. The study investigates the roles of professional identity, change readiness, and organizational factors in shaping innovation adoption decisions among Extension professionals who work with considerable autonomy within diverse community contexts.

The 4-H Thriving Model represents a comprehensive theory of change that connects program practices to the developmental processes that influence youth outcomes (Arnold and Gagnon, 2019). The model …

The Life Significance Of Summer Outdoor Program Employment During Emerging Adulthood, Austin M. Souto

All Dissertations

Seasonal employment in outdoor programs—encompassing camps, guiding services, and similar organizations—plays a vital role in delivering structured outdoor experiences, yet little research has explored its enduring effects on staff over the course of their lives. This dissertation examined the long-term significance and influence of seasonal outdoor work during emerging adulthood. Guided by Significant Life Experience and Life Course Theory, an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design was used. In the qualitative phase, interviews revealed that seasonal work influenced life trajectories by contributing to identity formation, career discovery, ways of relating to others, and the navigation of trade-offs. Seven mechanisms—opportunities for growth, connection …

Ai In Consideration Of Her: Accounting For Gendered Workplace Dynamics In The Design And Evaluation Of Human-Centered Ai Integration In Everyday Workplaces, Kelsea S. Schulenberg

All Dissertations

Rapid advancements in the technical capabilities and availability of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, have drawn widespread attention to the opportunities and challenges associated with AI integration into everyday workplaces (i.e., office-type work). Following calls for organizations to consider the ethical and workplace-specific impacts of generative AI's use before integrating it into the workplace, this dissertation addresses three critical gaps in Human-Centered Computing (HCC) and AI workplace integration research. First, this dissertation unpacks the underdeveloped links between women's representation - or lack thereof - in AI-related fields and how their experiences with gendered workplace dynamics in …

Surface Reaction And Transportation Of Radium-226 In Marine Systems, Jiusi Wang

All Dissertations

Historical uses of radium (Ra)-containing self-luminous paint, such as on gauges and dials in naval ships, have led to the potential for such paint, and thus Ra, to be released into the marine environment. Radium-226 (²²⁶Ra) behavior in marine systems is not fully described in the literature, presenting a knowledge gap in the process of evaluating potential ecological impact of Ra in marine systems. This study explores various mechanisms contributing to Ra environmental transport in marine systems on a laboratory scale, including leaching, sorption, and diffusion. ²²⁶Ra leaching from watch hand dials containing radioactive luminous paint is …

Redefining The Script: Autonomy, Agency And Advocacy Among Black Women Educators, Racquel Plummer

All Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study examines how Black women educators working with scripted curricula exercise autonomy, agency, and advocacy in elementary school contexts. Guided by interpretive phenomenology, the inquiry centers on lived experience and meaning-making. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with ten educators, supplemented by reflexive journaling, member checking, and peer debriefing to enhance the trustworthiness of the findings. Analysis used iterative, thematic methods within a hermeneutic circle.

Two questions shaped the design. What beliefs and perceptions do Black women educators hold about autonomy, agency, and advocacy in scripted classrooms? How do they negotiate professional identity and role within mandates? …

Breeding For Disease Resistance In Melon And Watermelon, Venkata Rao Ganaparthi

All Dissertations

Watermelon and cantaloupe are two widely consumed cucurbits, but their acreage in the United States reduced by nearly 50% in last two decades. Fusarium wilt caused by a soil borne pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum(Fon) race 2 is a major limiting factor in watermelon production as it reduces yields by 80%. Grafting watermelon plants onto the root stock of wild, disease-resistant varieties like ‘Carolina Strongback’ is the best strategy to manage Fon race 2. Though effective, this approach increases production costs.

Part of this dissertation focused on finding more sustainable, cost-effective solutions to control Fusarium wilt …

Opposed-Piston Two Stroke Engine As A High Power Density Solution In Heavy Duty Applications: An Experimental Evaluation With Diesel And Ethanol, Ankur Bhatt

All Dissertations

With an increasing demand to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the conventional powertrain technology is at a saturation point. There is reinvigorated research interest in alternative powertrain designs that offer potentially higher efficiencies and lower engine-out emissions compared to conventional powertrains. The opposed piston two-stroke (OP2S) engine is one such alternative engine architecture that has demonstrated a reduction in engine-out emissions and increased efficiency compared to conventional four-stroke diesel engines. Like any two-stroke engine, the scavenging process and the composition of the internal residuals are predominantly governed by the pressure differential between the intake and the exhaust ports. Without dedicated …

Experiences Of Young Adults With An Intellectual Disability And Their Families As They Transition From High School To A Post-Secondary Education Program, Erica Walters

All Dissertations

PLAIN LANGUAGE ABSTRACT

Young adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) often face challenges when transitioning from high school to adult life. Postsecondary education (PSE) programs have been shown to help these individuals build skills, gain independence, and improve long-term outcomes, such as employment and independent living. However, not all students with ID are aware of or able to access these opportunities. Families, schools, and communities play an important role in helping young adults with ID prepare for and succeed in PSE programs.

This study explored what helps or makes it harder for students with ID and their families to pursue postsecondary …

El Leñador, December 2025, El Leñador Staff

El Leñador Newspaper

El Leñador is an English and Spanish newspaper produced by Humboldt State University students. Our staff cover and provide news to Latinx and other diverse communities on campus and in Humboldt County. We are committed to providing relevant news and expanding the representations and stories told about people of color and other marginalized groups. Our work helps create more social, political and cultural diversity in local media.

El Leñador es un periodico en español y inglés producido por estudiantes de la Universidad Estatal de Humboldt. Nuestro personal cubre y provee noticias a la comunidad Latinx y otras comunidades diversas en …

Error Reduction Methodology And Data Simulation For Interval Data, Ranik Christopher Jelinek

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition affecting hundreds of millions of individuals worldwide. However, clinical datasets often record continuous laboratory measurements as categorical intervals rather than precise numerical values. This interval-censored structure presents methodological challenges for standard regression-based classifiers. This study compares three strategies for handling interval-valued predictors prior to fitting a logistic LASSO model: (1) midpoint imputation, which replaces each interval with its arithmetic center; (2) ordinal encoding, which maps intervals to integer ranks; and (3) a Monte Carlo simulation approach, which repeatedly samples uniformly from each observed interval and averages predictions across replications. Using a 10-fold …

Engage, Assess, Intervene, Evaluate: Barriers Facing The Elderly Population, Isabel Anderson, Gracie Brown, Mari Langton

Student Projects

This study examined barriers faced by older adults in Orange City, Iowa, through a mixed-methods community practice project incorporating assessment, implementation, and evaluation. During the assessment phase, researchers conducted interviews with elderly residents and professionals, gathered observational data, and facilitated community dialogue using the Nominal Group Technique. Key themes included social isolation, transportation challenges, financial strain, limited health literacy, and difficulty transitioning from independence to assisted living. A strong cultural emphasis on independence often discouraged help-seeking, while fragmented agency communication and rural limitations in specialized care further complicated service navigation. Asset mapping and power analysis highlighted community cohesion, faith-based support, …

Tips On The Prisma Flow Diagram & Methods Section Write-Up, Sandra Y. Desjardins, Jenny Stockton

TMC Library Newsletter (2015-)

Clearly communicate your research methodology with a well-crafted PRISMA flow diagram. This 30-minute class provides practical tips and a step-by-step guide to creating a clear and informative methods section for your research papers. Related LibGuide: Where to Publish Your Research by Tracy Ashby. Come learn the foundational skills needed for successful research in a welcoming and practical "Lunch & Learn" environment. Register here to attend the session.

Open Access Fee Waivers And Discounts, Joanne Romano

TMC Library Newsletter (2015-)

Open Access Publishing at No Cost

PubMed Central (PMC) Eligible authors can deposit accepted manuscripts free of charge. Visit the PMC website for details.

TMC Library Publisher Agreements Affiliated authors may qualify for waived or discounted open access fees through select publishers.