Digital Commons Network^™

Creating The Role Of Aunt Eller In Oklahoma!, Phyllis Horridge

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This document is a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Arts with concentration in Musical Theatre. It is a detailed account of author Phyllis Horridge’s artistic process in creating the role of Aunt Eller in Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Fall 2025 production of Oklahoma! This thesis follows the actor’s process through pre-production analysis, an historical and critical perspective, journals detailing the rehearsal and performance process, a post-production analysis, and process development. Appendices and works cited follow the process development.

An Analysis Of Slms For Machine Translation Of Healthcare Documents, Wyatt Clausen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The language barrier creates significant healthcare challenges for patients who struggle with English. While large language models (LLMs) have advanced machine translation, their high computational costs, environmental impact, and risk of data breaches have raised concerns. Small language models (SLMs) can address these concerns and be further adapted to specific tasks through parameter-efficient fine-tuning (PEFT) methods, including Quantized Low-Rank Adaptation (QLoRA). This study compares the Spanish-to-English translation quality of two 7-billion-parameter SLMs, Mistral and Llama 2 7B, in the medical domain, using BLEU, chrF, and COMET as evaluation metrics. It further investigates whether QLoRA fine-tuning and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) on …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Ecophysiology Between The Invasive Macroalgae Starry Stonewort And The Native Macroalgae Chara To Predict Invasion Potential, Thomas J. Zellmer

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) is an invasive macroalga from Eurasia. Currently, starry stonewort’s invasive range consists of the upper Midwest and Great Lakes region, including the Mississippi River. Starry stonewort poses recreational and ecological problems by forming dense canopies that extend through the water column. Starry stonewort occupies a late-season niche space with dense biomass occurring in late July and persisting well into autumn. There is a lack of information on the ecophysiology of starry stonewort. In this study, two populations of starry stonewort, Minnesota and New York, were analyzed to compare regional differences in ecophysiology, along with chara (native …

Secure Base Script Behaviors In Romantic Couples As Predictors Of Romantic Relationship Quality, Ben N. Zigelstein

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Attachment representations guide expectations about the availability and responsiveness of attachment figures during times of need. These representations are shaped by early experiences of consistent, reliable caregiving and influence how individuals seek and receive support from close others across the lifespan. Secure base script knowledge, a temporal-causal sequence of events encompassing the essential elements of seeking and receiving support at times of need, is increasingly used to capture attachment representations. Research indicates that secure base script knowledge significantly predicts the quality of self-reported and observed romantic relationships. However, the extent to which secure base script behaviors (i.e., bidding for support, …

A Few Words From Our Staff

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

Full Issue

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

Exploring In-Service Teachers' Perceptions Of Video Game Use In Classroom Instruction: A Qualitative Study, Yvette A. Talley

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

This dissertation explores in-service teachers' perceptions of using video games as educational tools, focusing on the benefits, challenges, and practical considerations of game-based learning in classrooms. Employing a qualitative research design, the study seeks to capture the nuanced, subjective experiences and tacit knowledge of teachers, providing a comprehensive understanding of how video games can be effectively integrated into teaching practices. Data were gathered through interviews and analyzed thematically to uncover key themes and insights. The findings reveal a spectrum of viewpoints, highlighting both the potential of video games to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes, and concerns related to classroom …

Trauma Symptoms Predict Student Course Experiences: Undergraduate Ptss And Learning About Trauma-Related Content, Jessica Cless, Carol A. Johnston, Brian S. Nelson Goff, Olivia K. Edwards

Human Development and Family Science Faculty Publications

Objective:  Previous research indicates a risk for student distress and secondary traumatic stress in college courses containing sensitive, trauma-related content. There is a need to understand how students with various levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) respond to sensitive material. Participants: Ninety undergraduates enrolled in a traumatic stress course. Methods: Students completed a survey assessing trauma-related symptoms and self-reported experiences with and reactions to trauma-related course content. Results: Regardless of PTSS levels, students responded to the course in a similar manner. However, results from a multivariate regression a moderation analysis indicated significant associations between PTSS levels and emotional reactivity, perceived …

The Vulnerable On Campus: Financial Independence Of College Students, Jing Jian Xiao, Nilton Porto, Luiz Cruz, Ting An

Human Development and Family Science Faculty Publications

College years are a critical transition period from financial dependence to financial independence for young adult college students but research on financial independence of this population is limited. The purpose of this exploratory, mixed-method study is to identify types of young adult college students in terms of financial independence. With data from a sample of college students at a public university in the U.S., cluster analyses show four distinct clusters regarding their funding sources for education: parental dependent, scholarship dependent, loan dependent, and self-dependent. These clusters show differences in student characteristics. Among them, self-dependents and loan dependents are the most …

Be Fruitful, But Do Not Multiply, Nathaniel Stagg

Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers

No abstract provided.

John Cottingham, The Humane Perspective: Philosophical Reflections On Human Nature, The Search For Meaning, And The Role Of Religion, Christopher Hauser

Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers

No abstract provided.

Divine Aseity And Self-Existence, Thomas Oberle

Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers

No abstract provided.

A Simple Guide For Researchers And Institutional Review Boards (Irbs) To Protect Data Integrity In Online Human Subjects Survey Research, Julie Simpson

Integrity in Research and Scholarship

Researchers have used the internet to collect data for over two decades. More recently, however, online research has become a target for fraudulent respondents, particularly when researchers offer monetary incentives for participation in a study. This guide will briefly outline the evolution of internet-based human subjects research, explore the current environment for online data collection from human participants, outline strategies for researchers and Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to help minimize and identify fraudulent responses and protect data integrity in online surveys, and discuss the challenges of balancing data integrity with research participant welfare.

A Simple Guide To Responsible Authorship And Publication, Julie Simpson, Patricia B. Condon, Bonnie Brown, William C. Clyde, James J. Connell, Ramonda Kindle, Nathan A. Schwadron, John E. Sparrow, Xueting Sun, Engin Taze, May-Win Thein, Anita R. Tucker, Karen T. Van Gundy, James Wible

Integrity in Research and Scholarship

This guide examines the following aspects of responsible authorship and publication practices:

1. The significance and goals of publication
2. Publication mechanisms and responsible practices
3. The importance and guiding principles of authorship
4. The definition and responsibilities of an author
5. Responsible writing practices

Please note that throughout this document there are links to examples of concepts/issues within certain disciplines for illustrative purposes. The examples may not be relevant to all disciplines so check guidance specific to the applicable discipline before proceeding. This guide was adapted from an online training module that was part of the University of New …

Advancing Virus-Associated Lymphoma Research In Latin America: A Global Opportunity For Cancer Science, Irene Tamí-Maury, Bryan Valcarcel, Maria Alejandra Torres, Arlett Hernandez Chavez, Luis Malpica

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Food Delivery Services For Enhancing Participation In The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program For Women, Infants, And Children (Wic) In The United States: Bridging The Wic-Eligible Access Gap, Jingjing Gao, Muinat Abolore Idris, Lilian O Ademu, Bryan Colby Griffin, Yue Zhang, Yun Hang, Gabriela A Gallegos

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Diet-related health disparities among U.S. children persist despite the availability of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits to eligible women, infants, and children. Participation remains suboptimal: only 51.2% of eligible individuals were enrolled in 2021. Transportation and food-environment constraints pose salient barriers, especially for caregivers of infants in food deserts. Emerging online ordering and delivery options may reduce access frictions, but grocery delivery coverage is limited, and fees are often not covered by benefits.

Methods: We linked USDA Food and Nutrition Service state-level WIC participation data (November 2024 vs. September 2025) with demographic, …

“I Can’T Just Talk It. I Have To Live It”: The Roles, Needs, And Recruitment Of Recovery Home House Managers, I Niles Zoschke, Kathryn R Gallardo, Hannah L N Stewart, Serena A Rodriguez, Danielle Gillespie, Sheryl A Mccurdy, J Michael Wilkerson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Recovery homes are an increasingly important recovery support service for people with substance use disorders, yet limited research has examined the roles of house managers or how individuals are recruited into these positions. This study examines how house managers understand and enact their roles, how recovery home operators recruit for these positions, and how the demands and sustainability of the role are perceived in practice.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative thematic analysis of interviews with 29 operators and staff working in 10 Level II and Level III recovery homes across five Texas cities.

Results: Findings indicate that house managers …

Nasal Cavity Microbial Makeup And The Influence On Psychiatric Symptoms Following Fire Exposure In Firefighters, Paul Grunsted, Chao Xu, Amanda Janitz, Jessica Reese, Janis Campbell, Tasha M Santiago-Rodriguez, Sara J Javornik Cregeen, Joseph F Petrosino, Jooyeon Hwang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Firefighters experience high levels of occupational stress and trauma, increasing their risk of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although microbial communities may influence brain function and behavior through neural pathways, the nasal microbiome remains understudied. This study examined associations between nasal microbiome characteristics and psychiatric symptoms among firefighters.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 34 firefighters recruited from Texas fire stations. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Nasal swabs were collected before and after fire suppression and 16S rRNA sequencing was used to characterize microbial communities. Alpha and beta diversity, relative abundance, and …

Building The Infection Prevention Workforce: Development, Implementation And Evaluation Of Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute Infection Prevention And Control 300 Series, Kayla E Ruch, Janelle Rios

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI) was established to strengthen infectious disease preparedness across Texas. The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) 300 Series represents the third year of a multi-tiered educational initiative designed to provide free, accessible, evidence-based IPC training and continuing education credits for the healthcare workforce.

Methods: Registration and attendance data were collected through Zoom™ and Microsoft Teams™. Knowledge assessments, post-module surveys, and mid- and end-of-series evaluations were administered through QuestionPro™. Module content was informed by guidance from APIC, CDC, CMS, and OSHA. Descriptive statistics and the Kirkpatrick Model of Training Evaluation were used to assess …

Safety And Efficacy Of 6% Hydroxyethyl Starch In Patients Undergoing Major Surgery: The Randomised Controlled Phoneics Trial, Wolfgang Buhre, Óscar Díaz-Cambronero, Simon Schaefer, Martin Novacek, Marina Soro Domingo, Bjorn Stessel, Aurelio Rodríguez-Pérez, Torsten Richter, Georg Rohe, Bernard Cholley, Matthias Gruenewald, Gerhardus Kuiper, Samir Jaber, Dianne De Korte, Javier Belda, Marcelo Gama De Abreu, Robert Baronica, Thomas Scheeren, Carlos Ferrando-Ortolá, Wojciech Szczeklik, Dana Tomescu, Tomas Vyzamal, Zejka Gavranovic, María Pilar Argente-Navarro, Guido Mazzinari, Sarah Thaler, Nuria García-Gregorio, Jeroen Vandenbrande, Diane Zlotnik, Jakob Wittenstein, Sonja Schmier, Susanne Rohn, Christoph Glasmacher, Martin Holler, Cornelius Jungheinrich, Ulf Niess, Daniel I Sessler, Martin Westphal

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Abstract

Background: Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is often used for maintaining vascular volume during major surgery. Long-term high-dose HES in septic patients promotes renal injury, whereas meta-analyses of current HES products in surgical patients do not show such effects.

Objective: We studied if the peri-operative use of HES is noninferior to crystalloids in terms of acute kidney injury. Secondary outcome was the noninferiority of HES on worsening of renal injury and/or the incidence of a composite endpoint of major complications and mortality until postoperative day 90.

Design: Randomised double-blind trial in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery with expected blood loss at …

Feasibility And Preliminary Outcomes Of A Remotely-Delivered Exercise Training Intervention For English-Speaking Hispanics/Latinos With Multiple Sclerosis: Results From The Ferla Ms Study, Victoria A Flores, Stephanie L Silveira, David X Marquez, Dominique Kinnett-Hopkins, Augusto Miravalle, Fabian Sierra-Morales, Robert W Motl

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: There is limited evidence on the feasibility of remotely delivered exercise interventions for English-speaking Hispanics/Latinos with MS.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and exploratory efficacy of a remotely-delivered, home-based exercise program for English-speaking Hispanics/Latinos with MS and to explore associations among feasibility metrics, outcomes, and social determinants of health (SDOH).

Results: Of 340 individuals contacted, 112 were eligible (33%), 33 enrolled (9.7%), 30 randomized, and 26 completed (87% retention). Adherence averaged 81% (exercise) and 89% (control). No serious adverse events occurred. Exploratory within-group improvements were observed in the exercise group for physical activity (p = 0.03, d = …

Understanding Practices Of Lactation And Infant Feeding Together With Women With Hiv: The Uplift Observational Study Protocol, Christiana Smith, Emily Anne Barr, Karen Hampanda, Mark Trumbull, Hulin Wu, Jennifer Mckinney, Sarah Buisson, Carly Hoffmann, Ciarra Brown, Angela B Hutchinson, K Rivet Amico, Ifeyinwa V Asiodu, Elizabeth J Mcfarland, Margaret A Lampe, Preetam A Cholli, Olga Varechtchouk, Allahna Esber, Athena P Kourtis, Lisa Abuogi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: There is a limited understanding of infant feeding decisions, practices, and outcomes for women living with HIV (WLHIV) and their infants since U.S. guidelines were updated in 2023 to support breastfeeding for virally suppressed women on antiretroviral treatment.

Methods and analysis: The Understanding Practices of Lactation and Infant Feeding Together with women with HIV (UPLIFT) study is a convergent mixed-methods, multisite, observational study designed to address key knowledge gaps. Twelve US sites will begin enrollment in early 2026 to accomplish three core activities (CA). In CA1, we explore infant feeding decision-making and experiences via in-depth interviews with pregnant/postpartum WLHIV …

Correction: Feasibility Of Conducting A Pilot Randomized Trial Of A Mindfulness-Based Intervention Among Sheltered Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness, Diane Santa Maria, Paula Cuccaro, Erica Sibinga, Kimberly Bender, Ethel Jacko, Widumini Liyanage, Jennifer Jones, Stanley Cron

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This corrects the article "Feasibility of conducting a pilot randomized trial of a mindfulness-based intervention among sheltered young adults experiencing homelessness" in volume 16, 1649664.

Evaluating Differences In Nonsyndromic Orofacial Clefts By Infant Sex: National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2011, Victoria A Salinas, Natalie P Archer, Layla R Lustri, Katherine L Ludorf, Timothy Ihongbe, Wei Yang, Eva M Williford, Marilyn L Browne, Adrian M Michalski, Lindsay A Williams, Wendy Nembhard, Eirini Nestoridi, Gary M Shaw, Andrew F Olshan, A J Agopian, National Birth Defects Prevention Study

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: To investigate nongenetic factors that may contribute to observed differences in nonsyndromic orofacial clefts by infant sex.

Study design: Using data for 1997-2011 deliveries from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a case-control study, we separately examined associations between 23 maternal factors and cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and cleft palate alone (CP) using multivariable logistic regression stratified by infant sex.

Results: We compared 2986 infants with CL/P and 1557 with CP to 11 271 control infants without birth defects. After adjusting for maternal age at conception and education, lower odds of nonsyndromic orofacial clefts were …

Enhancing Data Compatibility In An Evolving Landscape: Medical Cannabis And Polysubstance Use Protocols In The Phenx Toolkit, Anne Buu, Johannes Thrul, Amanda Bunting, Tamara Haegerich, Wayne Huggins, Christian Hopfer, Denise Vidot, Cataia Ives, Ryan Mcneil, Sarah Zemore, Corrie Vilsaint, Elizabeth Fallon, Christine Hill, Carol Hamilton, John Kelly

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: With increasing legalization of medical cannabis and prevalence of polysubstance use in the United States comes the need for standard psychometrically validated measures to study these substances' health effects in the population. The PhenX (consensus measures for Phenotypes and eXposures) Toolkit (www.phenxtoolkit.org) is a freely accessible catalog of recommended measurement protocols to promote data compatibility across studies, but this extensive catalog did not include measures in these important areas.

Methods: In 2024, a PhenX Working Group of experts followed a well-established consensus process to identify and recommend measurement protocols suitable for inclusion in studies on medical cannabis and polysubstance …

Population-Based Analysis Of Synergistic Effects Of Functional Disability And Comorbidities On Retention In Hiv Care Among People With Hiv, Modupe Olajumoke Onigbogi, Osaro Mgbere, Paul Rowan, Ruosha Li, Charles Darkoh

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: This cross-sectional study examined how types of disability and comorbidities influence retention in care (RIC) among people with HIV (PWH) in Houston/Harris County, Texas, USA.

Methods: Data from 1142 participants in the Houston Medical Monitoring Project (2015–2021) were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multivariable logistic regression were used to evaluate factors associated with RIC.

Results: Approximately 74.9% of participants were retained in care. Compared to PWH without specific comorbidities, those with dyslipidemia and kidney disease had higher odds of RIC (AOR: 2.66; 95% CI: 1.40–5.03 and AOR: 14.08; 95% CI: 1.44–138.12, respectively). PWH reporting only mobility disability had …

Enhancing Surgical Safety, Sarah Moxon

IdeaFest 2026

Surgical site infections (SSIs) account for 20% of hospital-acquired infections, increasing patients’ risk of disability and mortality and raising costs for hospitals. This quality improvement project, using the Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change, aims to reduce SSIs at a rural hospital by 20% within one year. Engaging key players, proven strategies will be implemented, including preoperative nasal decolonization, reducing operating room traffic, and using an SSI risk tool. These strategies will be evaluated through electronic medical record (EMR) documentation audits, tracking door openings, nasal swab cultures, and surveys assessing the SSI risk tool’s impact on clinical decision-making.

Reducing Door-To-Ekg Time In The Emergency Department, Halie Dearman

IdeaFest 2026

Delayed electrocardiogram (EKG) acquisition in emergency departments (ED) represents a preventable patient safety crisis disproportionately affecting women, Black patients, older adults, and non-English-speaking patients. Using the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice, this quality improvement project addresses door-to-EKG (D2E) times exceeding the ACC/AHA 10-minute benchmark in a rural northern California ED. Three evidence-based interventions are proposed: culturally tailored community education on atypical acute coronary syndrome symptoms, a standardized nurse-driven triage EKG protocol with dedicated equipment, and institutional adoption of D2E time as a formal quality metric. Evaluation includes EHR timestamp audits, demographic disparity analysis, and longitudinal mortality review. Timely EKG acquisition …

Skin Tone Inclusive Assessment To Reduce Missed Pressure Injuries, Sheena May Viste

IdeaFest 2026

Patients with high‑melanin skin are at increased risk of developing pressure injuries and experiencing more severe progression because early signs are frequently missed. This disparity is attributed to delayed PI recognition because standard visual skin assessments are biased toward light skin and fail to identify early tissue damage (Black et al., 2023; LaFond et al., 2025). Implementing the Skin Assessment for Dark Skin (SADS) technique—use of halogen light and multisensory palpation—during assessments helps nurses identify early pressure injury indicators. The overarching goal is to reduce diagnostic delays by using tools such as Skin Assessment for Dark Skin (SADS) to support …

Manipulation Of Attention And Expectancy Within An Open-Label Placebo Treatment For Experimental Pain, Arianna Nevis

IdeaFest 2026

Open-label, or honestly prescribed placebos, offer an ethical alternative to deceptive placebos. Results reported here are a part of a larger study where expectancy and attention were experimentally manipulated within a 2 (expectancy: high/low) x 2 (attention: high/low) between-subjects design with a no-treatment comparison group. Pain was experimentally induced in all five experimental groups using the well-established cold pressor task. Participants self-reported expectancy and researchers utilized a behavioral measure of attention to assess the effectiveness of these manipulations. Overall, expectancy scores were sensitive to manipulations, but the attention manipulation failed. Future research should explore new methods of both measuring and …