Digital Commons Network^™

Global Epidemiology Of Cephalopina Titillator Infestation In Camels: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis (1980–2025), Temesgen Mohammed, Aboma Zewude, Tsegaye Shamebo, Layaly Hamdan, Atef Oreiby, Hazim O. Khalifa, Gobena Ameni, Bojan Gajic

All Works

Background – Cephalopina titillator (C. titillator) is the causative agent of camel nasopharyngeal myiasis and is widespread in camel-rearing regions worldwide, causing impaired health, reduced productivity, and economic losses. However, despite the veterinary importance of C. titillator, global epidemiological evidence remains limited and fragmented, and no comprehensive synthesis of prevalence data across camel-rearing regions has previously been conducted. The objective of this review was to estimate the global pooled prevalence of C. titillator infestation in camels. In addition, subgroup analyses were made to assess the effect of camel species, geographic region, and study period on the pooled prevalence of C. …

Framing Emirati Womanhood: Heritage, Modernity, And Soft Power In Tourism Discourse, Valerie Priscilla Goby

All Works

This paper examines how Emirati womanhood is framed within the tourism discourse of the United Arab Emirates, analysing how gendered representation operates as both a cultural and political instrument in nation branding. Drawing on framing theory and informed by feminist perspectives on tourism and media representation, this study explores the visual and textual portrayal of women on official online platforms, including Visit Dubai, Visit Abu Dhabi, Emirates Airlines, and the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth. These materials constitute a state-sanctioned narrative of national identity that integrates cultural heritage with modernity. Through qualitative framing analysis, four recurrent interpretive frames were …

Preserving The Past, Innovating The Future: Integrating Metaverse, Blockchain, And Generative Ai For Tourism And Cultural Heritage Preservation, Mousa Al-Kfairy, Amna Ahmed Aaber Ahmed Alqubaisi, Omar Alfandi

All Works

The preservation and accessibility of cultural heritage are seriously threatened by urbanization, mass tourism, neglect, and natural disasters. This study utilizes cutting-edge technologies to address these issues by presenting a novel framework that combines generative AI, blockchain, and the metaverse. The Metaverse provides immersive virtual experiences that lessen the physical strain on delicate locations by enabling the creation of lifelike digital replicas of cultural heritage sites. By creating immutable records, blockchain technology ensures the legitimacy, ownership, and traceability of digital assets, enabling open access and NFT monetization. Rebuilding lost or damaged artifacts, creating lifelike 3D models, and customizing user interactions …

Black Men's Perception Of Mentorship In A Black Male Initiative Program, Caprice Butts

Dissertations

Black men in higher education often navigate systemic barriers, including underrepresentation, limited access to resources, and challenges related to belonging and identity within predominantly white institutions (PWIs). Mentorship programs, such as Black Male Initiative (BMI), have emerged as a key support mechanism; however, limited research explores how Black men experience these programs and how mentorship influences their personal and professional development. This study examined how Black men perceive the influence of a BMI mentorship program on their personal and professional development during and after their postsecondary journeys.

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Black men who participated …

The Intersection Of Social Desirability And Cultural Competence In Counselors: Broaching Sexual Topics With Sexually Minoritized (Lgb) Clients, Jareb Kinney

Dissertations

Mental health counselors increasingly work with sexually minoritized clients, yet limited understanding exists regarding how social desirability shapes counselors' perceived cultural competence and their willingness to broach sensitive sexual topics in therapeutic settings. This gap can obscure the subtle ways personal conditioning and professional performance pressures influence clinical practice. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to explore how social desirability influences mental health counselors' experiences and perceived cultural competence when discussing sex-related topics with sexually minoritized clients. Guided by symbolic interactionism, the study employed a purposive and snowball sampling strategy to recruit ten mental health counselors with direct clinical experience serving …

Lindenwood Digest, April 1, 2026, Lindenwood University

Lindenwood Digest

• Key Events: Lindenwood University Giving Week scheduled for April 6–10, 2026; Spring II 8-week midterm grade submission deadline on April 13, 2026; Lindenwood Showcase campus-wide celebration on April 23, 2026. 

• Primary Figures: W. Travis McMaken and James Hutson (Lindenwood faculty speakers at AI mini-conference); Tom Wagganer (Senior Associate Athletic Director recognized for Q2 incident response); Gabriela Romero and Kevin Winslow (RISE Mindsets session presenters). 

• Date/Location: Events occurring throughout April 2026 at various campus venues including Dunseth Auditorium, Harmon Hall, the LARC, and Hyland Arena in St. Charles, MO. 

• Archival Significance: Documentation of the discontinuation of the …

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Socio-Informed Policing: Applying Bourdieu To Mandatory Police Reform Training, Neil T. Shelton El

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Contemporary U.S. police reform policies rely on officer training as a primary mechanism to address issues of law enforcement legitimacy and accountability. Yet, despite legitimacy-based curricula such as procedural justice, research indicates that this training struggles to produce durable changes in police practice. This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach to examine officers’ perceptions of mandated reform-oriented training. Drawing on Bourdieu’s theory of practice, the study conceptualized police training as a sociological process shaped by habitus, forms of capital, and the policing field. Data were collected from six officers in a large urban police department to examine how they internalize, …

The Relationship Between Culturally Based Mentoring And Academic Persistence In African-American And Latino Male Community College Students, Corey M. Williams

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Men of color, particularly African American and Latino males, continue to experience disproportionately low rates of persistence and degree completion in community colleges. While prior research has often focused on individual deficits, less attention has been given to the institutional conditions and relational supports that shape student success. This study examines how culturally grounded mentoring influences persistence, student involvement, and overall student success among men of color in a community college context. Grounded in Tinto’s theory of student persistence and Astin’s theory of student involvement, this qualitative phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of participants engaged in a structured mentoring …

Research And Innovation Update, April 1, 2026, Office Of The Vice President For Research And Innovation

Office of Research, Economic Engagement and Outreach

No abstract provided.

From Feelings To Function: An Occupational Therapy Perspective On All Things Regulation, Caroline Travaglin

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Social-emotional learning (SEL) and self-regulation are essential components of childhood development that support participation in daily activities, social interactions, and overall well-being. While SEL is commonly addressed in school-based settings, there is a gap in the carryover of these skills into the home environment; where caregiver understanding and implementation play a critical role. This doctoral experiential capstone project, From Feelings to Function: An Occupational Therapy Perspective on All Things Regulation, aimed to address this gap through the development and implementation of a caregiver-focused educational program in an outpatient pediatric mental health setting.

The project involved the creation of online modules …

Bcaas Newsletter Spring 2026, Bcaas

BCAAS Newsletter

No abstract provided.

2026 (Spring) Ensi Informer Magazine, Morehead State University. Engineering Sciences Department

ENSI Informer Magazine Archive

The ENSI Informer Magazine published in the spring of 2026.

Exploring The Professional Quality Of Life Of Female Collegiate Head Coaches., Jennifer Marie Boa

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

Before Title IX passed in 1972, most female college sports teams were coached by women. Today, only 42% of head coaches are women, even though participation in women’s collegiate sports has increased by 637% since 1971. This study explored the factors influencing the professional quality of life of female college coaches. Variables considered in this study included parenting and work, organizational culture, women’s role in the workforce, unique issues faced by female collegiate coaches, and professional quality of life. The study used a mixed-methods cross-sectional design and purposive sampling, resulting in 107 valid responses. The results indicate that respondents felt …

Vol 71 #2, Rebecca Chavez

MPLA Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Relationship Between Professional Discipline And Perceptions Of Team Functioning Within Hospital-Based Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Teams., Nikki Roth

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

Abstract

Assessing the Relationship Between Professional Discipline and Perceptions of Team Functioning Within Hospital-based Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Teams

Nicolle Roth

04/03/2026

The multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach, professionals from various disciplines collaborating to solve a problem, has been used for decades in both child welfare and medicine. Benefits of the multidisciplinary approach have been documented through studies in both in the field of child abuse and the medical field and include improved outcomes, shortened intervention timelines, and economic advantages. Although multidisciplinary teamwork has been shown to be effective, not all professionals have the same level of skill in working within a …

Role Of Succinate Dehydrogenase In Age-Related Th17 Inflammation, Evelyn Ocegueda, Gabrielle Chase, Michaella Niceforo, Aida Javidan, Lydia Gugliuzza, Jingting Yu, Rachel Y. Kang, Ava Lankowski, Olivia Stefanik, Kailey Leclerc, Yolander Valentine, Micah J. Drummond, Jude T. Deeney, Josephine S. Modica-Napolitano, Elizabeth A. Proctor, Hatice Hasturk, Barbara S. Nikolajczyk, Leena P. Bharath

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Age-related cellular changes negatively impact CD4⁺ T cell function. Our prior work showed that mitochondrial complex II (succinate dehydrogenase [SDH]) expression was upregulated in T cells from older (O) adults (60–80 years old). T cells from older adults also produced higher amounts of cytokines generally considered proinflammatory, such as Th17 cytokines IL-17A/F and IL-21, and the Th-17-supportive cytokine IL-6, compared to T cells from younger (Y) adults (25–40 years old). The objective of our study is to evaluate whether hyperactivation of SDH is required for the induction of proinflammatory cytokines and the mechanistic link between SDH and Th17 cytokine …

Decarceration & Voting Rights Advocacy, Sophie E. Trudgeon

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Portfolio detailing my MSW practicum placement at Catalyst MT under the Justice Initiative and the growth that accompanied it.

Msw Portfolio: Grounded In Perpetuity And Well-Being Of The Future Generation, Silver A. Little Eagle

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

The MSW Portfolio, Grounded in Perpetuity and Well-being of the Future Generation, by Silver Little Eagle (Northern Cheyenne), is an Advanced Integral Practice portfolio submitted in partial fulfillment of the Master of Social Work degree at the University of Montana. Integrating the core competencies outlined by the University of Montana School of Social Work and the Council on Social Work Education, this portfolio draws on the author's identity as an Indigenous social work practitioner, as a citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, as a Tsé-tsėhéstaestse naa Só'taeo'o woman, as an eldest sister raised by her grandmothers, and as a Youth …

Evolving Humanity: Educational Leadership And Research In A Technological Age, Winona State University, Matthew G. Howard, Kari J. Johns, Peter Johnson, Kateri J. Johnson, Kelly Muller, Kate Glogowski, Niesha Conley, Sara Welch, Kristin E. Brendt, Cody B. Henrichs, Lance Davis, Kate Macdonald, Jody Shong, Oscar Uribe Mardones, Stacy L. Schilling, Allison R. Grainger, Kristen Fenlason, David E. Kline, Rachel Nihart, Rebecca R. Simataa, Steven M. Baule

Education Doctorate Books

The essays in this book are selected from Winona State University (WSU) doctoral students as part of the 2025 summer  WSU Doctoral Residency course. The residency course is a core portion of the WSU Education Doctorate Program.

Quote from the back of the book:

Our Doctoral students and doctoral graduate faculty are community members sharing experiences, asking questions, exploring our world, celebrating successes, and learning from missteps. We build and reconstruct our community as we learn, but never forgetting the end goal. We are together on this journey. This is the exciting part of learning. - Rhea Walker, Professor, WSU …

The Original Meaning And Understanding Of The Investigative Power Of The Grand Jury In The Constitution Of Alaska, Savannah Shoffner, Richard W. Garnett

Journal Articles

The investigatory, or reporting, power of grand juries refers to the body’s ability to issue statements on wide-ranging matters of public policy, generally aimed at exposing “inefficiency, neglect, or criminal or quasi-criminal conduct” by government officials. Grand jurors may propose an investigation themselves or respond to a request from a citizen. The reports produced by these investigations need not be tied to a specific indictment to be released.

Text, history, and tradition reveal that the grand jury has been understood as an intermediary between the government and the people, empowered to make public statements on the people’s behalf and entrusted …

Embodied Horror: Women And Medical Authority In Video Games, Jocilynn Denise Colombo

Comparative Literature M.A. Essays

Through a critical analysis of interactive horror, this paper argues that video games can function as ethical diagnostic narratives that uniquely expose systemic failures surrounding women’s bodies and medical authority. Focusing on Silent Hill 3 (2003) and Alice: Madness Returns (2011), I examine how these games render harm legible through player participation. By requiring players to move characters through hostile environments and make decisions within systems that simultaneously grant and restrict control, these games foster identification and complicity by positioning players directly within the structures they critique.

While feminist horror scholarship—notably from Julia Kristeva and Barbara Creed—has explored societal anxieties …

Wood Lands: Forest As Site Of National Memory In Germany And Italy, Clarissa Melendez

Comparative Literature M.A. Essays

Arguing that the rich symbolic associations of trees become a medium to synthesize shared identity during a country’s formative moments, this paper theorizes the image of the forest as a site of national memory. By tracking representations of the natural landscape during nation-building to representations that attempt to recover and reclaim dignity postwar, this paper lays bare the potential of the national symbol to transform as history progresses. The paper’s author reads three genres–fairy tales, a novel, and a work of public art–from three authors–the Brothers Grimm, Italo Calvino, and Joseph Beuys–across time to interrogate the role of the forest …

Generative Ai In Enterprises: Optimizing Applications With Large Language Models, Donghao Huang

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

This dissertation investigates how to deploy Large Language Models (LLMs) effectively in enterprise settings, where accuracy, reliability, cost, privacy, and operational constraints often matter more than benchmark performance alone. Drawing on seventeen peer-reviewed publications (eleven published and six accepted for publication), the work develops and validates optimization strategies across three connected themes: retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), agentic AI for workflow automation, and deployment guidelines for real-world enterprise environments.

First, we study RAG optimization through systematic evaluation of open and proprietary models, highlighting conditions under which efficient open-weight models can match or exceed proprietary alternatives. To address a pervasive failure mode in …

Pitch Perfect: From Neural Perspective To Behavioural Outcomes—Live, Online, And Brochure, Randy Sison De Guzman

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Business presentations have long been a cornerstone of persuasion in business-to-business (B2B) markets. Yet, the rapid shift to virtual communication in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has left managers to grapple with a pressing question: Do online presentations measure up to traditional in-person meetings, or can asynchronous formats like brochure-only communication truly take the place of real-time pitching? While this question has clear relevance for everyday business practice, there is still relatively little empirical research to guide these decisions.

This dissertation draws on the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) to suggest that the way information is delivered shapes how people …

The Impact Of Brand Authenticity And Innovation On Stakeholder Behaviours, Jacky Xu

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

This study employs a dual-perspective questionnaire survey, collecting data separately from corporate employees and brand consumers, and uses multiple regression analysis to test the hypotheses. The findings reveal the following: (1) both brand authenticity and innovation have significant positive effects on employee brand citizenship behaviour and consumer purchase intention; (2) brand commitment plays a negatively moderating role in these relationships, such that when stakeholders’ commitment levels are relatively low, the positive effects of brand authenticity and brand innovation on behaviour are stronger, whereas under conditions of high commitment, these effects are weakened, reflecting a substitution effect between emotional attachment and …

Enhancing Market Acceptance Of Sports Rehabilitation Services: A Perspective Of Public Health Literacy And Information Acquisition, Na Li

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

This article takes public health literacy as its point of departure, constructs a theoretical model of “Health Literacy–Health Information Acquisition–Market Acceptance”, and introduces rehabilitation experience and service accessibility as moderating variables, in order to systematically examine the formation pathways and underlying mechanisms of market acceptance in the sports rehabilitation service sector.

This study adopts a combination of questionnaire survey and empirical analysis, collecting data from public samples across multiple regions and conducting statistical tests. The findings indicate that, Firstly, public health literacy has a statistically significant positive influence on the market acceptance of sports rehabilitation services. As the level of …

Steer For The Deep Waters Only: Exploring Student Value Creation Through Dialogue And Art, Amy Weatherford

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

With a focus on transformation within what educational philosopher and Buddhist leader Daisaku Ikeda termed the life-sized paradigm, this interpretive qualitative study drew heavily upon arts-based research practices to explore how dialogue with, through, and about art shaped student value creation and the development of global citizenship dispositions in an online graduate course. This study sought to address the need to explore curricular structures and pedagogical practices which center our humanity and cultivate epistemologies missed or minimized by traditional teaching methods. As this study focused on the activities of a particular class, purposeful sampling was used to recruit seven participants. …

Technostress, Worker Wellbeing, And Ethics: An Integrative Review, Mackenzie Moreno

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Rapid advances in workplace technologies have led to increasing concerns about technostress and its implications for worker health and wellbeing. While the technostress literature has at times addressed psychological and physiological wellbeing outcomes, these outcomes have not been examined consistently, and explicit integration of ethics is largely absent. This integrative review addresses these gaps by synthesizing empirical findings on how technostress impacts worker health and wellbeing, and by examining the extent to which ethical considerations are integrated into the extant literature. Drawing on these findings, the review proposes a theoretical model of technostress mechanisms. Finally, it summarizes organizational recommendations for …

Explainable Artificial Intelligence In The Image Domain And Its Applications To The Medical Field, Mirtha Lucas

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

This dissertation investigates the development of Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) methods for deep learning models in the image domain, with a particular focus on medical imaging applications. Although neural networks achieve high predictive performance, their lack of interpretability limits their adoption in critical domains such as healthcare, where transparency and trust are essential. This work addresses this challenge by proposing novel approaches that improve the interpretability and reliability of model predictions.   A primary contribution is the introduction of Riemann–Stieltjes Integrated Grad-CAM (RSI Grad-CAM), a gradient-based attribution method that generates more relevant and spatially localized saliency maps. The method is evaluated …

Silent Or Silenced? A Systematic Review Of Deaf And Hoh Workers In Io Psychology Research, Lora Bishop

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) workers report routinely missing workplace information that hearing colleagues receive through informal and ambient channels, as well as constrained participation in environments where communication norms treat hearing as the default. Despite over a century of research, this literature remains largely outside flagship industrial-organizational (IO) psychology journals. This dissertation conducts an integrative systematic review of 48 empirical studies published between 1919 and 2025, examining workplace outcomes and methodological patterns, the theoretical frameworks deployed, sampling and reporting practices, and the framing and identity-language conventions through which the literature engages DHH workers. The review appears predominantly in WORK and …