Digital Commons Network^™

Implementation Of An Institution-Specific Checklist To Improve Compliance With Discharge Round Completion In A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Lee A. Lawson

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Effective discharge planning for premature infants in the NICU requires collaboration and coordination among multidisciplinary interprofessional (IP) teams. Ineffective communication during care transitions is a well-documented contributor to adverse patient outcomes, including prolonged hospitalization.

PICOT: For multidisciplinary, interprofessional teams in the NICU (P), how does the introduction of an institution-specific discharge checklist (I), compared to the current unit discharge process (C), affect multidisciplinary, interprofessional team compliance with completing weekly discharge rounds (O) within 6 weeks (T)?

Evidence: The reviewed literature supported the use of a discharge checklist tool to facilitate effective team communication and care coordination with parents …

Aged 539 Graduate Internship Report- Bear Creek High School Agriculture Department, Fatima E. Castellanos

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This report provides an evaluation of the Bear Creek High School Agriculture Program. The analysis highlights both program strengths and areas requiring further development, including SAE participation, pathway coherence, and student retention. Overall, the findings demonstrate that intentional planning and strong community partnerships contribute significantly to the program’s effectiveness and continued growth.

The Effectiveness Of A Chronic Care Management Program On Hospitalization Rates And Quality Of Life In Chronic Kidney Disease Patients, Sophie Burris

Doctoral Projects

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a progressive condition that distinctively affects underserved rural communities due to limited access to healthcare, provider shortages, and transportation barriers. Chronic Care Management (CCM) has emerged as a patient-centered, initiative-taking approach that emphasizes care coordination and self-management support. The purpose of this doctoral project was to evaluate the impact of implementing a CCM program in Caucasian females over the age of 40 with CKD residing in an underserved rural community post hospitalization. The Chronic Care Model (CCM) is the framework that guides the doctoral project which compared outcomes in patients enrolled in a CCM program …

Point-Of-Care Gastric Ultrasound For Preoperative Assessment Of Gastric Contents: An Objective Structured Clinical Examination, Joshua Mann, Michael Sykes

Doctoral Projects

Pulmonary aspiration remains a leading cause of anesthesia-related mortality. The current nil per os (NPO) guidelines are proving unreliable in the presence of delayed gastric emptying due to comorbidities and the increasing use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. Gastric point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) use provides a non-invasive, evidence-based, and cost-effective approach to assess gastric content and volume directly. However, limited formal training exists for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and this lack of training contributes to the lack of its utilization. This doctoral project evaluated the effectiveness of an educational intervention that incorporated a didactic lecture as well as a hands-on …

Perma Well-Being Model And Profiler: Arabic Translation And Validation Among The Saudi Adult Population, Ebtesam Abdullah Alzeiby, Aljawharh Ibrahim Alsukah, Nourah Abdulrhman Algadheeb, Ali Faris Alamri, Monira Abdulrahman Almeqren, Uzma Zaidi

College of Nursing Faculty Publications

Background/Objective: Psychological scales hold significant importance, measuring cultural sensitivity, experiences, values, and emotional expressions while controlling individuals’ biases regarding certain cultures. Arabic is used in a widespread, predominantly Middle Eastern and North African region, but it has diverse expressive variations. Therefore, the value of translating and validating scales lies in their compatibility with cultural norms. This study focuses on measuring the psychometric properties and factorial structure of the widely used PERMA-Profiler to assess the general well-being of the Saudi adult population.
Methods: Using stratified sampling, (N = 2927) Saudi adults were recruited via various electronic and social media.
Results: The …

Subculture And Identity As An Escape From The Societal Norms Of Power Imbalance And Authoritative Abuse, Sarah Goldberg

Bachelor of Fine Arts Theses

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Forgiveness In Health And Healthcare: Perspectives From Graduate Nursing Students And Faculty At A Private Faith-Based University In The United State[S], Rachel A. Joseph, Shanna W. Akers, Jichan J. Kim

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Behind Closed Doors, Beyond The Cell: Supporting Children Of Incarcerated Parents, Averi R. Amaro

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

This study examines the overlooked population of children affected by parental incarceration and evaluates intervention programs designed to support them. Grounded in Labeling Theory (Becker, 1963), Self-Fulfilling Prophecy (Merton, 1948), and the Restorative Justice framework (Zehr, 2002), this study explores how stigma, expectation, and repair shape the outcomes for the youth affected by parental incarceration. Drawing from qualitative and quantitative research, it analyzes the emotional, social, and educational effects of incarceration on families, identifying protective factors such as attachment, mentoring, and community support that mitigate delinquency risks. Program evaluations of Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, Parenting Inside Out, Project Avary, and …

Factors Associated With Emergency Hospitalization Of Kidney Disease Patients In A National Hospital Kenya., Dorcus Miyombe

MSc in Advanced Practice Nursing

Introduction: Emergency hospitalizations among End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) is a major global health burden, with low- and middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), experiencing the highest rates of morbidity and mortality. Limited resource, economic burden, and insufficient health infrastructure were the main challenges. Emergency hospitalizations at Kenyatta National Hospital remains high due to systemic gaps and poor continuity of care. Prerenal, intrarenal, post-renal injuries, as well as any combination of these, are the primary causes of ESKD. There are stipulated guidelines for ESKD patients’ management however, realization of these goals has not been achieved leading to hospitalization KDIGO …

Predictors Of Complications Among Adult Patients Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetis Mellitus At Thika Level Five Hospital, Kenya, Bernard Wambua Mbithi

MSc in Advanced Practice Nursing

Introduction: Despite advances in the management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), anecdotal reports from Thika Level Five Hospital indicate that patients still present with diabetes mellitus-associated complications. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the predictors of complications among adult patients diagnosed with T2DM in the hospital.

Methodology: Analytical cross-sectional design was utilized in this research. To select the respondents, purposive sampling was used to recruit six nurse managers and their deputies (making a total of 12 nurses), while 294 patients in the clinic were recruited using systematic sampling. Purposive sampling was also used to recruit 15 patients …

Hurricanes And Human Health In Louisiana: Insights From Hurricanes Laura, Delta, And Ida, Shobha Kumari Yadav, Robert V. Rohli, M. E. Betsy Garrison, Elisabeth Ponce-Garcia, Nazla Bushra, Charleen Mcneill

Faculty Publications

Louisiana is one of the most disaster-prone states, with hurricanes ranking among the most destructive hazards. Hurricanes impede sustainability by straining hospital infrastructure, overwhelming emergency departments, and disrupting continuity of care. Louisiana’s healthcare system, characterized by high uninsured rates, limited rural access, and notable racial and socioeconomic disparities, is particularly vulnerable during disasters. This research explores trends of mental and respiratory health in Louisiana surrounding Hurricanes Laura (2020), Delta (2020), and Ida (2021). Analysis reveals a substantial increase in admissions after landfall of all three storms, with mental health conditions showing a larger surge than respiratory ones in already-vulnerable communities. …

Grand Theft Identity: The Privacy Costs Of Digitalization, Kenny Phua, Chishen Wei, Gloria Yang Yu

Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics

We study whether greater digital engagement increases the risk of identity theft by exploiting bank branch closures as a shock that shifts economic activity online. Using a quasi-natural experiment, we find causal evidence that branch closures increase identity theft, particularly in more vulnerable communities. Exposed consumers spend more time on mobile apps and shift their expenditures from offline to online channels. Adversarial activities associated with identity theft, such as unwanted calls and phishing attempts, increase after branch closures. Overall, our evidence suggests that digitalization offers consumer benefits, but also imposes hidden privacy costs.

The Banner - V. 160, No. 10 - (December 2025), Christian Reformed Church In North America

The Banner

No abstract provided.

An Introduction To The Ai Special Issue And A Modern Framework For Ai In Sport Management, Jun Woo Kim, Vitaly Ford

Journal of Applied Sport Management

This paper introduces the special issue while also exploring the theoretical foundations and practical applications of AI in sport management, guided by Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach (Russell & Norvig, 2021). The manuscript examines AI’s evolution from rule-based systems to large language models (LLM)–driven intelligent agents and classifies the technology into five major subfields—machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, reinforcement learning, and AI agency. Using real-world sport industry examples and recent academic research, this paper presents a modern taxonomy of AI’s role in sport management, articulates managerial implications, and outlines future research directions necessary for sustainable and ethical integration …

An Autoethnography: How Professional Organizations Serve As Professional Development For Secondary Journalism Teachers, Mark R. Hilburn

Educational Leadership Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

The purpose of this autoethnography is to provide analysis and explain the importance of professional development experiences for secondary teachers, especially for those that are singletons in a school, district, or community.

Autoethnography is a qualitive research method in which the researcher is also the subject of the study. In autoethnography, the researcher uses autobiographical stories to analyze and interpret their lived experiences with the purpose of extending sociological understanding. It reflects the interconnectivity of self, others, and culture (Hamdan, 2012).

Effective professional development is typically long-term, collegial, supported by leadership, and context-specific (Richardson, 2003; Sparks, 2002), and essential for …

An Analysis Of Face Synthesis Methods And Their Influence On Human Perception, Maha Habib Almaimani

All Dissertations

Synthetic faces (e.g., computer-generated characters) have been increasingly utilized across various fields, including entertainment, healthcare, and education. Perceptual studies are often conducted to understand how synthetic faces are perceived by humans, aiming to enhance both quality and user experience in these domains. Over the years, numerous methods have been developed to create synthetic faces, ranging from traditional techniques such as image composites, Active Appearance Models, and 3D Morphable Models to more recent machine-learning-based frameworks like Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and Variational Autoencoders (VAEs).

Despite the growing adoption of synthetic face generation and the variety of algorithms available for their creation, …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Lack Of Contractual Protections In Female Dominated Opportunities: Collegiate Competitive Dancers And Cheerleaders Compared To Ncaa Student-Athletes And National Pageant Organization Titleholders Compared To Employees/Independent Contractors, Abigail Church

Michigan Journal of Gender & Law

The lack of contractual protections and regulations throughout female-dominated opportunities is abundantly clear in the collegiate competitive dance & cheer and the national pageant organization titleholders. Collegiate competitive dancers and cheerleaders have no standardized contractual requirements regarding their commitment to an academic institution or their engagement in NIL opportunities. Their NCAA recognized student-athlete counterparts, on the other hand, have extensive regulations and protections in place for both categories of contracts. In the pageant industry, pageant titleholders have no protection against the all-too-common procedural and substantive unconscionability of their service agreements, which can be found in confidentiality and arbitration clauses. In …

Health Care Civil Rights: Addressing The American Maternal Mortality Disparity Through Health, Law, And Policy, Victoria Pedri

Michigan Journal of Gender & Law

The United States is facing a pressing issue in maternal health, standing out as uniquely dangerous among similarly situated nations, with significant disparities in maternal mortality rates, particularly affecting Black American pregnant people. This paper, “Health Care Civil Rights: Addressing the American Maternal Mortality Disparity Through Health, Law, and Policy,” argues that by addressing the root cause of the Black Maternal Mortality Disparity (BMMD)—structural racism—and implementing rigorous, enforced standards of care, the United States can ensure safer childbirth experiences for Black pregnant people. Utilizing intersectional and anti-racist frameworks, the analysis identifies inferior medical care, particularly in diagnosing and treating preventable …

Program Development And Evaluation & Clinical Skills Of A Comprehensive Screening Tool For The Pediatric Population, Keegan S. Lepkowski

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

This capstone project focused on occupational therapy screening tools for the pediatric population within the areas of specialization of program development and evaluation and clinical skills. The literature revealed that there is a lack of recognition of the intent, knowledge, and access to screening and how it fits within the overall evaluation process. To address this gap, this capstone project aimed to create a positively perceived comprehensive screening tool for occupational therapy clinicians to utilize for the early identification of developmental delays within preschool-aged children. This capstone project also aimed to organize a screening program in coordination with local schools/daycare …

Leadership Development Programs For Elected Officials: Measuring The Impact Of Extension On County Leadership Capacity, Nathan Palardy, Matthew Sowcik

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Although Extension-led leadership development programs for elected officials are widespread, few evaluations assess their effectiveness. This study uses 2 years of survey data to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate several programs for Florida county commissioners, focusing on reaction, knowledge transfer, and behavior change. Results indicate high satisfaction with the program content and quality and substantial improvement in leadership competencies. Commissioners reported frequent application of the skills taught and cited networking opportunities as a key benefit. Findings suggest that Extension-led programs can strengthen local governments by enhancing the leadership capabilities of elected officials and offering insights to guide the design of similar …

Enhancing Youth Learning Outcomes Of Travel Programs Through Storytelling, Gary Ellis, Parisa Paymard, Dottie Goebel, Darlene Locke, William F. Zanolini, Emily Catalan, Kelley Ranly

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

We conducted two studies to evaluate strategies that Extension educators may use to enrich youth travel program experiences. Study 1 evaluated the effects of telling stories about attractions before site visits on youth experiences and learning outcomes on site. Seventeen youth in a 4-H program designed to promote cultural understanding visited eight attractions in Costa Rica. The evening before visiting three sites, youth were told a fictional or cross-fictional story about the sites. The stories elicited imaginary travel to the site (narrative transportation). After visiting the sites, the youth reported the extent to which they felt like they were in …

Referral Strategies For Recruitment And Engagement Of Community Adults Into Online Extension Health Programs, Cheryl L. Eschbach, Dawn A. Contreras, Holly B. Tiret

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This article shares details behind building organizational capacity to establish program referrals for statewide recruitment of community adults into Cooperative Extension’s online health programs. This study explores the role of intentional recruitment strategies (active and passive) to increase participant program enrollment into health education and shares examples from one state that has created a trained workforce that offers ongoing research- and evidence-based programs. After many years of trying paper, phone, and electronic medical record methods to increase program reach, Michigan State University Extension tried an electronic referral process via a QR code and web link, accompanied by program marketing, to …

Teaching Leadership In The Context Of Crisis: Connecting Organizational Leadership And Crisis Competencies In A Faculty Leadership Education Program, Caitlin Lunzmann, Nicole Lamee Perez Stedman, Matthew Sowcik

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This research focused on enhancing leadership instruction in colleges of agriculture. A multi-institutional research team initiated a program to teach agricultural and natural resource faculty how to create leadership-oriented case studies for undergraduates. Forty faculty members participated in an online training academy centered on Bolman and Deal’s Organizational Frames and case study writing. Following the academy, these faculty members participated in field experiences in the southeastern U.S. to gather data on natural disasters, which they used to write case studies about leadership in agriculture. Though the program focused on organizational leadership, it also discussed leadership in the context of natural …

Reviving Civil Discourse: A Leadership Imperative In The Age Of Polarization, Katie Herritage

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

This paper examines the current erosion of civil discourse as a pressing leadership challenge in an era defined by polarization and distrust. Civil discourse, the respectful and constructive exchange of ideas, underpins democratic societies yet is increasingly undermined by hostile rhetoric and deepening societal divides. Drawing on servant-leadership and relational leadership theory, this study explores how leaders can counteract this decline by fostering trust, empathy, and open dialogue. The discussion is grounded in the philosophical contributions of bell hooks, Friedrich Nietzsche, Viktor Frankl, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr., whose ideas illuminate pathways for revitalizing civil discourse through compassion, …

Dei And The Servant-Leader, Carmen Dela Cruz

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

After the June 2023 Supreme Court decision eliminating race as a consideration in college admissions, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in higher education became a target. As a result of the Supreme Court’s decision, some states began closing or renaming their DEI offices even before President Trump’s reelection. Since President Trump began his second term, his administration has made dismantling DEI initiatives a top priority. So, now is a crucial time to continue the work of civil rights and social justice in the United States. It is essential that we have leaders that are willing to carry out DEI …

Wofford Today Winter 2025, Wofford College. Office Of Marketing And Communications

Wofford Today

No abstract provided.

Volume 109, Number 2 (2025)

Judicature

No abstract provided.

Sb 12 - Inspection Of Public Records, Tessa B. Walter, Avary L. Sadler

Georgia State University Law Review

The Act adds the definition of ‘custodian’ for the purposes of public records requests to make clear that a custodian is the agency that has control over such public records. Further, the Act states that all requests for public records must be made to a custodian. As a result, when an individual submits a public records request, the request goes to the government entity rather than directly to the business from whom the record is requested. This diverges from the previous statute which allowed public records requests to be sent directly to private Businesses.

Response: Foreign Affairs Prosecutions And Cybercrime, Mailyn Fidler

Law Faculty Scholarship

A response to Professor Steven Koh's new article on how the U.S. makes global criminal justice policy. Prof. Fidler examines what a decade of cybercrime indictments reveals about America's approach to prosecuting foreign hackers. Three things stand out: * Beyond Attribution - These indictments aren't just about naming and shaming, or about the typical dimensions of criminal alw. They're sophisticated foreign policy tools that coordinate and moderate international sanctions and global norms. * Intertwined with Cooperation - The indictments alternately create space for and slow the tempo of international cooperation on this issue, according to U.S. interests. * Power Projection …

Additive Manufacturing Of Carbons From Commodity Polyolefins, Paul Smith

Dissertations

Though tremendous progress has been made engineering carbon materials across length-scales from the molecular to the macroscopic, on-demand macro-structural control of carbons is still developing. Many carbon materials like graphene, carbon nanotubes, activated carbons, and carbon fibers have powder or fiber form factors. Recent research has pioneered on-demand carbon production through additive manufacturing (AM) via 1) extrusion and post-processing of highly filled carbon slurries, or 2) printing and pyrolysis of polymeric carbon precursors such as polyimides, acrylated polyethylene glycol, and phenolics. While groundbreaking, most methods face challenges with adoption due to costly/complex materials and manufacturing processes, and large dimensional changes …