Digital Commons Network^™

Virtual Reefscapes: Modeling Fish Abundance On Artificial And Natural Reefs In Broward County, Jesse Caruana Snachkus

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This project involved constructing a VR simulation of fish abundance on artificial and natural reefs in Broward County. Two environments, SS Tracey, and a section of the Florida Reef Tract, were created to highlight ecological differences between artificial and natural reef habitats. All environments and species models were designed in Blender, a 3D modeling software, and each fish species was animated to showcase naturalistic behavior. The completed assets were then assembled in VR using the Open Brush application. This project integrates art, technology, and ecology to make marine environments more accessible and engaging for a wide audience. A combination of …

Psychology Lecturer Confronts Ai, Attendance Decline, And Future Of Student Learning, Valerie Reynolds

Digital Edition

No abstract provided.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles And Chitosan Exhibited Synergistic Protection Against Diabetic Nephropathy In Mice Model, Abdulkader M Shaikh Omar, Zainab M Al Aamri, Salim M El Hamidy, Muhamed A. El Nobey

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

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a progressive complication of diabetes mellitus characterized by oxidative stress, impaired glucose metabolism, and renal dysfunction. This study explored the protective effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), chitosan, and their synergism on renal function disorders, oxidative stress, and histopathological alterations in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice model. Mice treated with STZ exhibited marked hyperglycemia (284.08 ± 0.76 mg/dL), elevated HbA1c (17.35 ± 0.13%), and reduced insulin levels (3.09 ± 1.00 μI/mL), along with increased levels of renal biomarkers: urea (46.01 ± 0.28 mg/dL), uric acid (8.09 ± 0.19 mg/dL), and creatinine (1.79 ± 0.06 mg/dL). …

Online Snap, Wic, And Nutrition Incentives In The United States: A Scoping Review Of Program Implementation And Evaluation Evidence, Richie Holmberg, Kin Anjani, Gabby Headrick

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Group Antenatal Care On Pregnant Women's Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behavioral Outcomes Toward Postpartum Family Planning In Nigeria, Taiseer Zaman, W. Douglas Evans

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Building Ethical Roadmaps For Ai Integration In Public Health (Eraiph), Imomotimi (Timmy) Imomotebegha

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Emergency Repetitive Audible Stimuli On At-Risk Communities, Kriti Gaur, Abby Kurtz, Sean D. Cleary

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Disability Among People Who Inject Drugs (Pwid) In Washington D.C.: A National Hiv Behavioral Surveillance (Nhbs) Data Analysis To Guide Harm Reduction Programming In D.C., Andrew O'Brien, Sydney Bornstein, Irene Kuo

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Perinatal Mental Healthcare -- The Usefulness Of A Toolkit For Maternity Care Providers To Address Perinatal Mental Health, Claudia Gomez

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

The Missing Lynx: Investigating Passive And Active Rewilding With The Eurasian Lynx, Isaiah Charles, Tatiana Flores, Isabella Lopez

Conservation Biology

The Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx) is a wild cat native to the boreal forests, mountains and grasslands of Europe and Asia (Bhattacharyya, 2025). The Eurasian lynx keep ungulate populations in check which allow for forests to recover from overgrazing, promoting biodiversity and ecological balance. However, the Eurasian lynx had become locally extinct across Europe by the 1900s due to habitat loss, hunting by farmers in retaliation for predation of livestock and the illegal fur trade. Conservation and ecological restoration efforts to rebuild the lynx population have been underway. Rewilding is a form of ecological restoration involving the reintroduction of a …

Constructive Falsity, Legal Truth, And The Public Interest In Not Reporting On Expunged Records, Itay Ravid

Villanova Law Review (1956 - )

No abstract provided.

Ot In Maternal Health, Leslie M. Baker

OTD Capstone Projects

Many organizations that serve the care of pregnant and postpartum women have identified unmet client need specific to the health and well-being of new mothers, which occupational therapy (OT) has the potential to address, through health promotion and well-being initiatives that focus on the prevention of barriers to participation, specific to the co-occupation of motherhood.  While in an emerging practice area, the inclusion of Occupational Therapy (OT) is well positioned to address the physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of new mothers. Through the creation of educational programming, this doctoral capstone project supported from an occupational therapy perspective, the development of …

Emotion Meta-Perceptions And Political Identity, Mattie Kujawski

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

The United States of America is in a time of political division. Research shows that political ideological alignment is related to emotional processing. Further understanding this relationship may be useful to bridging the political divide. This exploratory research study investigated the relationship between cognitive and affective meta-perceptions of five discrete emotions (joy, sadness, anger, fear, and disgust) and political ideological alignment. The study was guided by three exploratory research questions: Are meta-perceptions of emotion, assessed by affective and cognitive attitudes toward discrete emotions (joy, anger, fear, sadness, disgust), related to political identification and political ideology? Are affective and cognitive meta-perceptions …

Cure Sound Project: Study In Silence?, Quezia Abrao, Deeya Bhadresa, Elisa Castro, Fiona Coulbourne, Carlos Flores, Lizzeth Holguin, Lazarus Maldonado, Jeremy Mares, Andrew Martini, Nicole Matthews, Katherine Montero, Mariana Reyes, Jacob Rodriguez, Julieta Ruiz, Eliana Sanchez, Gabriela Varela

Posters - 2026

Difference in sound levels in study areas across campus can affect students’ ability to work and learn efficiently 1.

According to the WHO, safe sound levels are measured to be around 70dB 2. Some study areas on campus experience sound levels exceeding the safe threshold. Unsafe sound levels are considered to be at or above 85dB 3. These unsafe and excessive noise levels negatively affect a student’s ability to concentrate and work efficiently which correlates to a decrease in class performance, attention deficits, and stress 4.

This study aims to get a base-line measurement of dB levels in common study …

The Effects Of Low Stimulating Music Vs. High Stimulating Music On Visual And Auditory Reflexes In Young Adults, Monabelle Elbayeh, Vania Galindo, Ria Modi, Gianna Montelongo

Posters - 2026

This study investigates the effects of high-stimulating versus low-stimulating music exposure on human reflexes, specifically examining how different levels of auditory stimulation influence reaction time. Music is known to impact cognitive and motor performance, but its direct effect on reflex responses remains less understood. In this experiment, participants are exposed to high-stimulating music and low-stimulating music in separate trials, with reflexes measured before and after each condition using visual and auditory tests in the LabScribe program. It is hypothesized that after listening to high-stimulating music for five minutes, individuals will demonstrate shorter reaction times compared to after listening to low-stimulating …

Research Proposal: Enhancing Or Replacing? A Qualitative Study Of Ai's Impact On Coaching Strategy And Team Dynamics, Mariana Perez Romero

Posters - 2026

Since early 2020’s, artificial intelligence has become widely accessible and increasingly adapt in everyday life. In sports, AI now plays a major role in performance analysis, training strategies, and real time decision-making. While these tools offer significant advantages, they also reshape how athletes and coaches communicate, interpret information, and build relationships. Sport is a space for relationships: communication between coaches and athletes, trust within the team, shared decision-making, and bonds that are built through experience. It is important to understand how AI is influencing these human dynamics. This study will explore how AI influences communication and interpersonal dynamics in sports, …

Untangling G-Quadruplexes In Dna: The Effects Of Nucleotide Excision Repair, Jaidelin Alvardo, Abiageal Riley, Erick Morales Orrante, Raynne Malik

Posters - 2026

Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER) remo ves bulky DNA lesions that are attributed to UV irradiation, environmental mutagens, and chemo-therapeutic agents (Schärer, CSH Perspectives Biology, 2013). G4- quadruplexes are formed by four guanines hydrogen bonded together to form a planar ring, and stacking of the hydrophobic G quartets stabilizes the quadruplex structure Capra et al.,PLoS Computational Biology, 2010). A surplus of this structure is linked to genomic Instability and cancer development.

Prior studies indicate that because NER eliminates large lesions of DNA, there may be a link to the removal of G4-quadruplexes through Nucleotide Excision Repair (De Magis et al, Nature,2020). …

Does Habitat Predict Head Shape? A Comparative Geometric Morphometric Analysis Of Eurycea Spp., Sarah Flores-Garza, Alexa Miner, Gianna Montelongo

Posters - 2026

Subterranean environments impose strong selective pressures, including complete darkness and reliance on non-visual sensory systems. In Eurycea salamanders, these conditions are associated with traits such as reduced eyes and expanded head regions that improve sensory detection (Tovar et al., 2025). Subterranean species are often expected to share similar head shapes due to convergent evolution. However, not all species experience these pressures equally. Eurycea latitans is a polymorphic species that inhabits both surface and cave environments. Eurycea sp._NB is an obligate subterranean species, while Eurcyea sosorum is a surface species. This study tests whether habitat predicts head shape in Eurycea, or …

Availabilty Of Educational Tools And The Presence Of Technology In Online Stores: Supporting Teaching Practices In Autistic Youth, Sofia Kamar, Layla Alanis

Posters - 2026

- A neurodevelopmental condition known as, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is characterized by difficulties with social interaction, behavior regulation, and communication. (DSM-5-TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) - Specialized educational tools are essential for supporting the learning, communication, and social development of autistic youth (Jones, Hanley, & Riby, 2020). - Teachers depend on a variety of learning aids—such as sensory supports, visual schedules, and assistive technologies— to address diverse student needs (Carrington et al., 2020). - According to earlier studies, young people with ASD frequently require specific resources, physical and technological, as well as scheduled routines to facilitate learning and transitions …

Beyond The Sidelines: A Qualitative Analysis Proposal Of How Female Athletes Reclaim Narratives Via Digital Ownership, Kaitlyn Kirschner

Posters - 2026

The Gatekeeping Model: Traditional sports media operates through a centralized gatekeeping system, in which editorial filtering determines the information disseminated to the public (Wilderness Agency, 2021). Narrative Control: Such centralization strongly shapes the portrayal of athletes’ identities and restricts the visibility of individuals outside mainstream sports. The 90/10 Coverage Gap: Despite the expansion of professional leagues, women’s sports continue to receive less than 10% of total media coverage (I Play Like a Girl, 2024). Standardized Reporting: Established broadcasting practices and commercial priorities have historically resulted in standardized reporting that favors male-dominated sports (Doyle et al., 2021). Systemic Inequity: These frameworks …

Analyzing The Effect Of Melatonin On B Cells' Expression Of Cd36, Caitlyn Pinaga, Gabriella Galdeano, Nayi Gonzalez, Emma Welsch

Posters - 2026

• B cells specifically target pathogens and proliferate to make a plasma cell and secrete antibodies when stimulated. They use glucose as a main energy source but can also use fatty acids. • CD36 is a glycoprotein involved in the transportation and metabolism of fatty acids. • B cells express CD36 in unusually high levels in autoimmune patients. It is unknown as to how this occurs. • Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland, commonly known for its function in regulating the circadian rhythm. • Melatonin is also known as a master cell regulator and is believed to …

Bird Population Response To Abiotic And Biotic Stresses In Urban & Restored Oak Savannah Habitat, Annabelle Ball

Posters - 2026

Birds are heavily impacted by urban development. Many experience habitat fragmentation and removal of food sources. However, other species can adapt to and even thrive in urban environments, thanks to certain tree species, bird feeders, and buildings. In North America, the house sparrow and the European starling are invasive species that benefit from urban environments (Bartelt, 2011; Fitzwater, 2014). Meanwhile, many habitats across the continent are experiencing restoration/rewilding efforts for the benefit of birds. One such habitat is the oak-savannah, which is characterized by 10-30% canopy cover and a mixture of prairie & woodland vegetation, supporting a high diversity of …

Konglish, Abigail Escheveria, Juan Maurissio Gomez Gonzalez, Vanessa Vasquez Zavala

Posters - 2026

Konglish is a language variety resulting from contact between Korean and English

1.“Konglish is a blend of Korean and English found throughout South Korea, and often suffers or lack of prestige amongst Koreans” (McPhail, 2018)

2. “A creative, dynamic contact vernacular mixing English and Korean, including morphology, syntax, semantics, pronunciation, and discourse, but not a full language” (Lawrence, 2012)

3.  Konglish should not be understood as a distinct language variety; rather, it is a cultural practice through which Koreans draw on available linguistic resources to engage in communication and to interpret their position within the globalized world. (Park, 2021)

"I Need Help!": Can Ashwagandha Reduce Inflammation-Driven Oxidative Stress Without Inducing Cytotoxicity In Macrophages?, Caitlyn Pinaga

Posters - 2026

Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce inflammation in humans by lowering pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers, helping regulate immune responses. It is commonly used to support conditions linked to chronic inflammation, such as stress-related disorders, arthritis, and metabolic imbalance. THP-1 macrophages are a part of the body's immune response to inflammation. While they produce a lot of different responses to inflammation, one of them is the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is established to be a powerful antioxidant and is used as a positive control. My study aims to understand how ashwagandha, a popular supplement, affects …

The Effects Human Presence Has On Dolphins Within A Natural Lagoon Enclosure In Managed Care, Mario Martinez, Winter Saldaña

Posters - 2026

● Previous research looked into the overall behavior of dolphins in managed care using observations of location (Dudzinski & Hill, 2025).

● This study provides opportunities to investigate the effects of human presence on dolphin activity and space use (Lauderdale et al., 2022; Trone et al., 2005).

● Purpose - To determine if human presence affects dolphin behavior / spatial use of natural lagoon.

● H1: Dolphin clustering will be seen in the most Northern part of the lagoon and area associated with humans consistently (Melillo et al., 2009).

● H2: Higher activity levels will be observed during the “during” …

Obesity In The Rio Grande Valley: Applying An Evidence-Based Public Health Approach, Erika Pineda-Horta

Posters - 2026

What structural and social determinants drive elevated adult obesity rates in the Rio Grande Valley, and what evidence-based interventions can reduce adult obesity prevalence in Hidalgo County by 5% by 2030?

Objective: This study applies an EBPH framework to (1) characterize the burden and structural determinants of adult obesity in the RGV, and (2) propose a culturally responsive, evidence-based intervention targeting adults aged 18+ in Hidalgo County.

Adult obesity is clinically defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m² in adults aged 18 and older (CDC, 2022). It is a chronic, multifactorial non-communicable disease shaped by structural, social, and …

Integrating Leadership Development Into Sales Management Education: A Teaching Case Using Goleman’S Leadership Framework To Teach Coaching And Adaptive Leadership, George Talbert, Malcolm Talbert, Earl Honeycutt

AMTP Proceedings 2026

Sales management courses often emphasize operational responsibilities such as forecasting, territory design, hiring, compensation, and performance evaluation. While essential, these topics alone do not prepare students for the behavioral and emotional demands of leading people in dynamic selling environments. Employers increasingly expect early-career managers to motivate, develop, and retain talent under ambiguity. This teaching case presents a senior-level undergraduate sales management capstone that embeds leadership development into the core of the course using Daniel Goleman’s emotional intelligence-based leadership styles as the primary framework. The course positions coaching as a central, teachable competency and treats leadership as a set of context-dependent …

Navigating Displacement: Queer And Crip Of Color Reframings Of Eating Disorder Discourse, Emilio Parra-Garcia

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Senior Honors Papers

Scholarship on eating disorders has long been dominated by quantitative social science research that shapes clinical understandings of these illnesses, despite growing humanistic interventions. My thesis places eating disorders, through an “archive” of psychological studies, in conversation with queer and crip of color theory to uncover the co-constitutive relationship between queerness, disability, and race/ethnicity that centers on queer people of color with eating disorders as a necessary site of theoretical inquiry. Drawing on Sabrina Strings’ analysis of racialized body ideals, I trace how genealogies of bodily legibility (driven by discourses on whiteness, weight, and citizenship) created systems of “categorical oppression,” …

(Un)Imagining India: Anti-Rape Protests As Diagnostic Of Indian State Power, Sonal Churiwal

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Senior Honors Papers

Since the 2012 brutal gang rape and murder of Jyoti Singh brought India’s pervasive rape culture to international attention, media, politicians, and the broader Indian public demanded justice for “India’s daughter.” Protestors called on the Indian government to expand the police state, execute perpetrators, and create fast-track legal courts to avenge her death. Collectively, they cast the state in the role of a protector, even of a patriarchal authority. The nature of these demands stands in contrast to Kashmir and Manipur, geographies differentially controlled by the Indian state, where protests call for the withdrawal of the Indian army, a primary …

Choice, Power, & Care: Crisis Pregnancy Centers And Reproductive Justice In Missouri, Sylvie Richards

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Senior Honors Papers

Crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) are religious organizations with the purpose to dissuade people from obtaining abortions. They often present themselves as authentic reproductive healthcare clinics through medicalized language, services such as ultrasounds and pregnancy tests, promises of information on all pregnancy options, staff dressed as medical professionals, and placement near family planning clinics. In reality, CPCs are medically unlicensed and often spread medical misinformation.

No study has yet focused on CPCs in Missouri, despite providing a critical case study. The state has minimal access to abortion and other components of comprehensive reproductive healthcare and one of the worst maternal mortality …