Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Impact Of Generative Ai On Curriculum Design And Instruction: A Study With Preservice Teachers, Lindsay A. Gold, Vanessa Winn, Jackie M. Arnold

Thomas C. Hunt Building a Research Community Day

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is transforming education by reshaping curriculum design, individualized learning, and professional collaboration. This interpretive study examines how 70 preservice teachers engaged with GenAI through structured learning experiences focused on lesson planning, content development, and reflective practice. Participants, all fourth-year PK–Grade 5 and intervention specialist candidates at the University of Dayton, completed a co-taught seminar led by methods professors in science, social studies, language arts, and mathematics. Data sources included initial reflections on GenAI’s role in education, documentation of prompt exploration, and ongoing reflections during the seminar. Thematic analysis revealed a shift in preservice teachers’ understanding from …

Croatian Seagrass Meadows: Time Change Detection Of Loss Due To Anchoring Damage, Eliza J. Hammari, Gabe Mills, Ruth Kerry, Steve Schill

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Posidonia oceanica in the Croatian seascape is an important seagrass species for carbon sequestration and habitat stability. One of the largest threats to seagrass is boat anchoring. In this study we used satellite imagery to detect changes in seagrass in anchoring hotspots over a seven-year period.

Addressing Sensory Processing And Regulation To Improve Developmental Outcomes In A Nicu Developmental Clinic, Faith Crumley

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Background and Significance 

Infants and children who spent time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) experienced intense sensory stimuli early on, during a critical period of brain development. These early experiences have been associated with later challenges in sensory processing and regulation, impacting developmental outcomes (Pineda et al., 2023). Following discharge, NICU Developmental Follow-Up Clinics play a key role in monitoring developmental progress and identifying delays. Given the influence of sensory processing on regulation, motor development, and participation in occupations, early identification is critical. This capstone project was conducted at a NICU Developmental Clinic to address the need for …

Finding A Home Away From Home: An Accessible Hotel And Short-Term Rental Guide, Atley E. Livingston

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Travel has become a significant part of today’s social culture, allowing individuals to connect with family and friends, explore new environments, and engage in meaningful experiences. However, many wheelchair users report that traveling is often frustrating, inequitable, and difficult. To better understand the limitations of travel on this population, a needs assessment was conducted through a collaboration with a nationwide organization that supports the wheelchair community. Participants identified travel accommodations and the barriers they present as a major limitation to travel. The purpose of this capstone project is to analyze lodging and housing accessibility through the lens of the population, …

Supporting Emotional Wellness After Neurologic Injury: Development Of A Workbook To Improve Self-Awareness And Healthy Habits, Erin L. O'Donnell

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Emotional challenges such as depression, anxiety, loss of identity, and reduced motivation are common after neurologic injury and can hinder rehabilitation and daily functioning (Guo et al., 2022; Villa et al., 2018; Raggi et al., 2024). However, traditional rehabilitation often emphasizes physical recovery, with fewer accessible interventions targeting emotional wellness. This capstone project addresses this gap by developing and evaluating an emotional wellness workbook to support recovery, incorporating evidence that lifestyle factors like exercise can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety (Carek et al., 2011). Guided by the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model (Bass et al., 2024), this quality …

Variation In Rehabilitation Related Durable Medical Equipment Use And Cost Among Stroke Survivors: A Retrospective Analysis Of Medicare Beneficiaries, Madison Gersper

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Title: Variation in Rehabilitation-Related Durable Medical Equipment Use and Cost Among Stroke Survivors: A Retrospective Analysis of Medicare Beneficiaries.

Purpose: In the US, stroke is a leading cause of disability (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). Stroke survivorship is expected to rise significantly in the coming years (Feigin et al., 2024; Martin et al., 2025), resulting in a large number of people with disabilities who rely on Rehabilitation-Related Durable Medical Equipment (RR-DME) for daily living. However, there is limited published research on equipment access and costs.

The overall objective of this study was to identify predictors of access to …

Implementation Of Standardized Volunteer Training Protocol To Support Executive Functioning Outcomes In Therapeutic Riding, Sydney R. Cornwell

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Executive functioning (EF) skills including inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, are essential for successful participation in daily occupations. Therapeutic riding (TR) programs offer a unique environment where cognitive, sensory, and motor systems can be engaged simultaneously. Limited research, however, exists on how occupational therapy (OT) principles targeting EF can be systemically integrated into TR settings. This quality improvement project was conducted at a nonprofit therapeutic riding program serving children and adults with psychological, emotional, physical, and cognitive challenges. The purpose of the project was to enhance the structure, consistency, and therapeutic values of the riding sessions by introducing and …

Implementation Of A Classroom-Based Sensory Regulation Toolkit To Enhance Participation In Students With Severe Disabilities, Camryn R. Woods

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Students with severe and multiple disabilities often experience sensory processing differences that can adversely impact their ability to engage, participate, and regulate within the classroom environment. Educators frequently report feeling underprepared to address sensory needs and implement effective, practical strategies to support these students. The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop and implement a classroom-based sensory regulation toolkit within a specialized educational setting serving students with significant physical and cognitive disabilities.

The primary goals of the project were to (1) increase teacher knowledge and confidence in recognizing sensory processing patterns, (2) provide accessible, evidence-based strategies to support …

Reducing Inter-Rater Discrepancies During Administration Of The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (Copm) Within An Interdisciplinary Research Team, Julia E. Moore

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Background: Consistent administration of outcome measures is essential for producing reliable research data, particularly in stroke rehabilitation where client-centered goals guide intervention (Kelly-Hayes, 2004). The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) is widely used to evaluate self-identified occupational performance goals; however, variability in administration among research team members may introduce inter-rater discrepancies and bias in data collection (COPM) (n.d.). Within the Medical University of South Carolina Stroke Recovery Research Center, inconsistent COPM administration was identified during analysis of data and informal interviewing from an ongoing study. Informal interviews were conducted with 7 occupational therapists experienced in neurorehabilitation to identify barriers to …

Enhancing Workplace Readiness Through Social Skills Training For Adults With Idd, Caroline Crowe

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) often experience barriers to employment related to limited opportunities to develop and practice professional social skills within supportive environments. This capstone project aimed at enhancing workplace readiness among adults with IDD by implementing a structured social skills training program focused on professional communication. The program was conducted at a day center for adults with IDD and served 10–15 participants seeking employment opportunities, with staff involvement to support sustainability.

A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating informal staff interviews, participant observations, weekly skill demonstration scoring, and post-intervention surveys completed by both participants and staff. The …

Analyzing Variations In 48-Hour Mortality Rates Following Hospital Admission For Trauma Injuries Across Urban And Rural Hospitals, Kimberly Gilbert Henderson

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Purpose:  To examine 48-hour in-hospital mortality among trauma admissions and evaluate patient- and hospital-level factors associated with early death, with emphasis on rural–urban differences.

Methods:  This retrospective observational study used the 2022 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project–National Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS). Trauma admissions were identified using HCUP injury indicators and ICD-10-CM codes restricted to initial encounters. To reduce transfer-related bias, analyses were limited to non-transfer admissions after excluding 22,195 transfer-in cases, 6,723 transfer-out cases, and 66 observations with missing data, yielding 182,560 admissions. Early mortality was defined as death within 48 hours. Bivariate differences were assessed using χ² tests, and multivariable …

Generative Ai In An English Language Program: Practitioner Action Research In A Community Of Practice, David Patent, David T. Lind, Amy M. Walker, Olga Oganesyan, Jeff W. Jiang, Haley L. Berl, Tara K. Manion, Kelsey Rae Gillette

College of Professional Studies - All Scholarship

Generative AI (GenAI) adoption in English language programs (ELPs) has outpaced training and institutional support. This practitioner action research (AR) study investigates how eight professionals in a university-based ELP navigated GenAI integration through structured inquiry within a Community of Practice (CoP) framework (Wenger, 1998). Following Burns's (2010) cyclical AR model and Whitehead and McNiff's (2006) living theory approach, participants engaged in a semester-long AR cycle (January–April 2025). Data comprised transcriptions of three recorded meetings and four researcher journals, analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Five themes were identified: implications of GenAI on professional practices, personal and professional …

Front Matter

Caroliniana Undergraduate Research Journal

This is the Front Matter for Volume 1, Issue 1: "The Blueprint" of the Caroliniana Undergraduate Research Journal. Included here are the Front Cover, Title Page, and Table of Contents.

Understanding The Binding Of Nickel(Ii) Bromide To A Zirconium Metal-Organic Cage For Heterogeneous Catalysis, Luci Green

Caroliniana Undergraduate Research Journal

Heterogeneous catalysts offer inherent advantages in improving the sustainability of industrial chemical processes. Their high ease of separation and recyclability has the potential to reduce the cost, waste, and energy consumption of processes that currently rely on homogeneous catalysts. Metal–organic cages (MOCs) are an attractive material for heterogeneous catalysis due to their discrete and highly tunable structures, which can be functionalized by binding these complexes with catalytically active metals. The specific objective of this study is to provide preliminary insight into the binding of nickel(II) bromide (NiBr₂) to zirconium MOCs, which was done by studying the binding of …

Emergence, Differentiation, And Modeling Of Hematopoietic Stem Cells In Developing Embryos, Lucy Shive

Caroliniana Undergraduate Research Journal

In the field of developmental biology, the understanding of embryogenesis is driven by ever-advancing techniques of studying embryos’ structures and behaviors. Yolk sacs are critical to an embryo’s survival and its function in producing a mature organism from a simple zygote. A hallmark of embryonic yolk sacs is their production of primitive hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Recent research has explored the mechanisms by which these HSCs develop and migrate, as well as the mechanisms by which they differentiate into various cell types. This more thorough understanding of HSCs is the basis for the development of embryo models, peri-gastruloids, from stem …

Silent Spaces: The Suppression Of Black Culture At Predominantly White Institutions, Anita James

Honors Theses - Providence Campus

This study examines how Black students experience cultural expression, identity, and belonging within a predominantly White institutional (PWI) environment. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 20 participants, including survey responses and six semi-structured interviews with three undergraduate students and three alumni. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns across participant experiences. Findings revealed that Black students frequently engage in cultural suppression and identity regulation, including code-switching and modifying their appearance and behavior, in order to navigate academic and social spaces. Participants also described heightened self-awareness, social isolation, and the need to manage how they are perceived in …

Constraining The Subgalactic Relationship Between Star Formation And The Hot Interstellar Medium In Ngc 4254, Erik B. Monson, Bret D. Lehmer, Amirnezam Amiri, Karina Barboza, Ashley T. Barnes, Antara R. Basu-Zych, Daniel A. Dale, Sanskriti Das, Simthembile Dlamini, Simon Glover, Kathryn Kreckel, Laura A. Lopez, Sebastian Lopez, Smita Mathur, Hsi An Pan, Jennifer A. Rodriguez, Karin Sandstrom, Sumit K. Sarbadhicary, Jiayi Sun, Thomas G. Williams

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We investigate the relationship between star formation and X-ray emission from the hot interstellar medium (ISM) on ∼kiloparsec scales in NGC 4254 (M99) by combining spatially resolved star formation histories (SFHs) and Bayesian X-ray spectral fitting. We measure subgalactic star formation rates (SFR) by modeling spectrophotometric UV-IR data with flexible SFHs, and we produce point-source-subtracted maps of the diffuse X-ray emission using Chandra data. We extract and fit the spectra of five regions selected by their SFR density Σ_SFR, deriving hot gas luminosities and plasma temperatures. We examine the subgalactic kT–Σ_SFR and L_X^gas − Σ …

Assessing The Art Of Directing Amahl And The Night Visitors, Klark Johnson

One University Assessment Celebration

No abstract provided.

Understanding Post-Nicu Caregiver Mental Health And Occupational Participation: Implications For Healthcare Practice, Emily S. Knight

Student Capstone Papers

This capstone project explored the mental health challenges experienced by caregivers following their infant’s discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the resulting impact on occupational participation. Using a mixed-methods design, data was collected through an anonymous survey of 46 post-NICU caregivers, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative responses. Findings revealed that caregivers commonly experienced significant mental health concerns, including stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, particularly within the first year following discharge. Although results demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in mental health over time, many caregivers reported limited access to mental health resources and professional support. Importantly, the study …

The Scarlet - Volume Civ, No. 10 (April 10, 2026), Scarlet Staff

The Scarlet (Student Newspaper) (2011-present)

The April 10, 2026 edition of The Scarlet (est. 1939), Clark University's student-run newspaper. The Scarlet is intellectually and editorially independent of the University. This issue is a satirical April Fools Day edition of The Scarlet.

Puddles Of Grace, Bruce Kuiper

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"... dignity, truth, and beauty do not originate from the platform. They originate from the source."

Posting about ­­­­­­­­ordinary yet profound moments in life from In All Things, an online hub that offers insight into maintaining and faithful and orthodox Reformed Christian worldview while fearlessly engaging in every aspect of contemporary life – until all is made new.

Puddles of Grace

Constitutive Ampk Activation Prevents Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development Through Inhibition Of Hnf4Α Activity, Zhen Sun, Bernard Linares, Cassidy Urdiales, Fiyad Alsarmi, Boyuan Sang, Nagireddy Putluri, Jeanine L Van Nostrand

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality and is largely driven by metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a master regulator of metabolism, and its activation has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy for treating metabolic disorders. However, although AMPK activity is down-regulated in HCC, the precise role of AMPK in HCC development has not been clearly delineated. Here, we investigated the ability of constitutive AMPK activation to prevent HCC development using a constitutively active AMPK transgenic mouse model and a pharmacological AMPK activator. We observed that AMPK …

Singing Not To Sing: The Interplay Of The Environment And Behavior On The Reproductive Success Of Forest Breeding Migratory Birds, Miranda Bliss Zammarelli

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Habitat selection is a key behavior that has consequences for fitness, which can shift with environmental variation. The environment can affect reproductive success indirectly by shaping behavior or via direct impacts. Many forest breeding migratory birds choose a habitat by establishing territories. To understand the interplay of environment and behavior on the reproductive success of forest breeding migratory birds, I leveraged long-term data and newly collected species-specific data from Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, USA. I analyzed over 50 years of territory maps from seven species occupying a 10-ha plot to understand how birds distribute themselves in a habitat. …

Patient Perceptions Of Empathy In Medical Student Encounters: Comparing Electronic And Handwritten Notetaking Methods, Harish Karthikeyan, Asad H. Siddiqui, Stacey Algren, Angellar Manguvo

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Objectives: Patient interviews are central to clinical practice, serving as both an information-gathering tool and a foundation for rapport and empathy. With the increased use of electronic documentation during clinic visits, concerns have been raised about technology detracting from the patient-clinician connection. This study examined whether medical students’ notetaking modality (electronic vs handwritten) influenced patient perceptions of empathy during clinical encounters.

Study Design: This study employed a causal-comparative approach, as student groups occurred naturally, combined with a survey design to collect data from patients.

Methods: A total of 135 student–patient encounters were analyzed at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School …

Enhancing Family Centered Care, Participation, And Well-Being In The Nicu, Abigail Schweickhardt

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Background

Caregiver mental health is often overlooked or not addressed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). When diving into the literature, themes of anxiety, stress, depression and PTSD are reported from NICU caregivers. A metanalysis study reported many caregivers received short discharge notices, and NICU staff deemed caregivers competent in using their child’s medical equipment after a 15-minute brief. The short notices and lack of knowledge in medical equipment causes caregivers to not feel confident in taking care of their infant (Padratzik, 2022). To help improve caregiver mental health, the family centered care model is the gold standard. Caregivers …

Holding Hope: Empowering Parents Through Perinatal And Nicu Palliative Care, Huntington N. Cotten

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Families receiving perinatal and neonatal Palliative Care (PC) services can experience significant emotional and practical challenges while caring for a child with medical complexities. The Care Companion, a family centered, educational resource, was created in response to survey findings indicating that rehabilitation therapists (OT, PT, and SLP) encountered challenges in providing PC services, followed by site‑specific insights that highlighted additional gaps in family support, education, and parent–infant bonding. This Occupational Therapy (OT) Capstone project was completed within a large academic pediatric medical center providing interdisciplinary PC services to families whose infants have been diagnosed with serious, life‑limiting conditions. The purpose …

Effect Of Irrigation Scheduling On Forage Yield And Quality Of Rhodes Grass And Common Vetch Under Water Stress Conditions, Abdo Bakri Fakirah, Adel Alhjami

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture

This study examined the effects of different irrigation intervals (7, 14, 21, and 28 days) on the growth, yield, and quality of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) and common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) under field conditions in Sana'a Governorate, Yemen, during two growing seasons. A randomized complete block design with a split-plot arrangement was employed. Short irrigation intervals (7 and 14 days) significantly enhanced plant height, fresh weight, and dry matter yield in both forage species, whereas moderate water stress (21 days) increased crude protein concentration. Rhodes grass showed higher biomass production, while common vetch achieved superior forage …

Building An Inclusive Workforce: Closing Equity Gaps In Community Colleges And Vocational Schools With Elliott’S Embodied Inclusion 360 Framework, Niki Elliott Ph.D.

Inclusion in Postsecondary Education

Community colleges and vocational schools serve as critical access points to higher education and upward mobility, yet historically marginalized neurodiverse students—particularly men of color—continue to face inequitable outcomes in retention, completion, and career readiness. Despite rising enrollment in career and technical education programs and increasing workforce demand, institutional practices often rely on fragmented supports that overlook the interplay of physiology, environment, culture, trauma, and instructional design. Closing these equity gaps requires a holistic, embodied approach informed by neuroscience, trauma studies, and culturally responsive pedagogy. Elliott’s Embodied Inclusion 360 (EI 360) Framework offers such a model, integrating five interdependent domains—physiological, relational, …

Forecasting Future Precipitation In Basrah City, Iraq Using The Statistical Downscaling Model (Sdsm), Ahmed Sagban Khudier

Warith Scientific Journal of Engineering and Technology

Accurate rainfall predicting has become for securing managing water resources, chiefly in light of escalating climate crises. Basrah is among the Iraqi cities most vulnerable to these changes, as climate fluctuations are clearly impacting water availability and hydrological sustainability indicators in the region. The results of this study, through using the Statistical Downscaling Model (SDSM), indicate that the future precipitation was predicted for Basrah Governorate/Iraq up to 2085. Future precipitation projections were developed under group of Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios which RCP (2.6, 4.5, and 8.5). The CanESM2 global climate model was used to generate large-scale atmospheric predictors for …

Lisa Cristiani: A Survey And Analysis Of Her Musical Travels Through The Russian Empire (1848-1853), Emilia González Dorantes

LSU Master's Theses

Information about French cellist Lisa Cristiani (1825–1853) and her travels through Imperial Russia has mainly reached us thanks to two articles in French periodicals published around the first decade since her death. These sources prioritized the journey itself, centering the narrative on her travels rather than on her musical activities. Recent scholarship on Cristiani has expanded our previously limited knowledge about her life. Scholars such as Hoffmann (2011) and Deserno (2018) have focused on biographical and feminist analysis, and DeVries (2014) has unveiled new documents from Russian sources. Nonetheless, a detailed examination of her musical performances within Imperial Russia has …