Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Kinesthetic Attunement On Parents And Their Children With Autism: An Exploration, Ritu Shree

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This study explored the impact of kinesthetic attunement as experienced through dance movement therapy (DMT) with parent-child dyads on parental stress, children’s adaptive skills and joint attention. A qualitative reflective account of parents was also studied to understand the depth of parents’ experience of dance movement therapy with their children with autism. The research emphasized the importance of collective parent-child dance therapy sessions, that especially focused on attunement and connection that built its way up from sensory-motor, social-communicative, and relational play and engagement.

A total of six parent-child dyads participated in the study that lasted over eight DMT sessions. Parents …

Assessing The Efficiency Of Methotrexate (Mtx) As An Antiviral Drug Against Gammaherpes Virus Replication, Yennifer A. Gaspar Garcia

Honors Projects

It is estimated that ~15% of all cancers are caused by oncogenic virus infections. Two of the top seven cancer-causing human viruses are members of the gammaherpesvirus family: Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and Kaposi’s Sarcoma Herpesvirus (KSHV). Our lab uses Murine Herpesvirus 68 (MHV-68), a mouse gammaherpesvirus with shares significant genetic homology to KSHV and EBV, as a model system to understand how gammaherpesviruses alter the metabolism of their host during lytic infection to promote their replication. We recently metabolically profiled MHV-68 infected host cells at various time points during the lytic infectious cycle. Our data showed nucleotide metabolism is …

Imperial Fabrication Of Ethnic Cleansing: Czarist Through Soviet Russian Practices And Policies Responsibility In The Ethnic Cleansing Of Georgians In Abkhazia., George Kane

Senior Theses

This thesis explores the direct correlation and connection between Goergia’s struggles against Russian imperialism and the ethnic cleansing of Georgians from Abkhazia that resulted from the 1990s Georgian-Abkhaz Conflict. After examining the historical and cultural ties of the Abkhaz as one of the many Georgian nationalities, this thesis examines the concerted effort by Czarist and Soviet Russia to separate the two identities in order to further imperial ambitions in the Caucasus region. This targeted separation over decades, along with direct Russian military support during the conflict, would then result in an ethnic cleansing taking place perpetrated by the Abkhaz against …

The Politics Of Perspective: A Comparative Analysis Of The Framing Of Political Violence In German Media Coverage Of Immigration Prior To The 2024 State Elections, Jillian Klostermann

Senior Theses

This study examines the role of German media in framing politically motivated violence and immigration in the lead-up to the 2024 state elections, focusing on three outlets: Thüringer Allgemeine, Die Zeit, and TAZ. Through comparative content analysis of coverage on key incidents, the research highlights how political leanings and editorial choices shape public discourse and influence societal attitudes. Findings reveal stark contrasts in local and national reporting, with local outlets reinforcing confirmation biases and national outlets offering broader narratives. The analysis underscores the critical impact of framing, from emotional appeals to policy-oriented discourse, on public perception and political outcomes. This …

Visibility Without Justice: The Wayuu’S Paradox Of Resistance Amid Marginalization And Systemic Violence, Courtney Kren

Senior Theses

The Wayuu, Colombia’s largest Indigenous group, endure systemic marginalization and various forms of structural, direct, and slow violence, which is compounded by preexisting vulnerabilities such as water scarcity, malnutrition, and displacement in La Guajira, a border region situated between Colombia and Venezuela. These challenges are worsened by state neglect, inaction, and environmental degradation caused by El Cerrejón, Latin America’s largest open-pit coal mine. Despite awareness of their suffering, both the Colombian state and Glencore, the company that owns El Cerrejón, perpetuate these harms, with the state hiding behind protective legal frameworks intended to protect and uphold the Wayuu’s rights but, …

Digital Voices Of The Arab Spring: Mainstream Media, Social Media, And Narrative In Egypt's Tahrir Square Protests, Sofia Nogueira Sanca

Senior Theses

This thesis questions and examines the dynamics between social media activism and mainstream media coverage during the Tahrir Square protests of the Arab Spring, focusing on how these platforms collectively shaped the global narrative and challenged the Mubarak regime's control over information. How exactly did these two types of media coverage work in tandem to contribute to the revolution's success? Through qualitative textual analysis of the events of January and February of 2011, it analyzes the tweets from activist Gigi Ibrahim alongside reports from The New York Times and Al Jazeera English to identify recurring themes, including corruption and suppression, …

“Stories That Are Silenced For Way Too Long” Silence On Sexual Violence During The Holocaust And The Importance Of Accurate Depiction Of It, Adele Blokh

Senior Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to explore and analyze the depiction of sexual violence during the Holocaust in scholarly research literature. Until recently, the topic of sexual violence during the Holocaust has been underrepresented or even silenced altogether. Although the Holocaust has been widely studied, due to the immense trauma and the stigmatization of sexual violence as a social taboo, sexual violence during the Holocaust has not been widely discussed, leaving a gap - sexual violence - in our collective memory of the Holocaust. This paper seeks to identify gaps in the representation of sexual violence in existing scholarship, …

Evaluating The Opportunities And Limitations Of Social Enterprises In Addressing Period Poverty In Rural India, Abigael Hartlieb

Senior Theses

Social enterprises play a significant role in advancing social justice and global health by employing innovative strategies to address health disparities within underserved communities. Period poverty, defined as the lack of access to feminine hygiene products, represents a global health challenge. Social enterprises have emerged as a tool to combat this issue in several countries, including India, but face barriers in widespread implementation in rural areas. This study evaluates the opportunities and limitations social enterprises have in combating period poverty in rural India with a focus on Goonj, a New-Delhi based social enterprise dedicated to bridging the gaps of resources …

“Gray Areas In The Land Of The Setting Sun”: Unresolved Legacies, Contested Identities, And Economic Stakes In The Western Sahara Stalemate, Driss Zaim-Sassi

Senior Theses

While colonialism across the globe has mostly been dismantled following World War II, nations across the globe continue to deal with unresolved colonial legacies and resource-driven conflicts. As a result, we continue to see regional instability affecting vulnerable regions. Understanding the stalemate in the Western Sahara conflict highlights the complex interplay between history, identity, and economic motives, emphasizing the critical need for nuanced approaches in conflict resolution and diplomacy. My research investigates the roles of key factors that sustain the diplomatic stalemate in the Western Sahara conflict through an in-depth analysis of Morocco’s territorial claims, the ideological differences around identity …

What Are The Key Government And Economic Factors That Influence The Adaptation Of Western Human Rights Norms In China, India, And Turkey?, Carlota Rahola Funallet

Senior Theses

I.Abstract The adaptation of global human rights norms poses a significant challenge in diverse political and cultural contexts. In China, India, and Turkey, government policies, economic priorities, and cultural dynamics uniquely shape how these norms are engaged. China’s centralized governance prioritizes economic stability and collective rights, often at the expense of individual freedoms. In India, a democratic values and constitutional protections align with Western ideals, but caste and gender inequalities persist as systemic barriers. Turkey’s dynamic approach, influenced by secularism, religious tensions, and EU aspirations, reveals the impact of both external pressures and domestic political shifts. These case studies illustrate …

2025 Ursinus College Commencement Progam, Ursinus College

Ursinus College Commencement Programs

This Ursinus College Commencement program from 2025 contains the list of speakers, honors, awards and order of events for the day.

Teachers And Caregivers Knowledge And Attitude About Child Rights And Child Protection In Muscat, Oman, Muna Al Saadoon, Yahya Al Hinai, Alrumaitha A. Alsabri, N.S. Al Qutaiti, Syed Rizvi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is a pervasive public health problem that transcends geographical, religious, economic and ethnic boundaries. It can result in both short- and long-term negative consequences and unhealthy lifestyles among victims. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness and attitudes of teachers and caregivers of Grade 1–4 children regarding child rights and their knowledge of the available child protection services in Oman. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined self-reported knowledge and attitudes regarding child rights and child protection services in the Muscat governorate, Oman, from September to December 2017. Of the 50 eligible schools that offered Grades …

Spring Commencement: May 17, 2025, University Of North Dakota

UND Commencement Programs

UND Spring Commencement program from May 17, 2025.

Dancing With God: Jewish Prayer Through The Lens Of Dance/Movement Therapy, Lizzie Janssen

Expressive Therapies Theses

This Capstone Thesis literature review explores movement in Jewish prayer within the context of the Kestenberg Movement Profile. Jewish prayer, specifically the amidah, features swaying movements called shokeling that serve as an embodied component of conversation with God. Prayer movements and postures enhance the prayer experience, as described in Hasidic thought.The Kestenberg Movement Profile is a form of movement analysis that observes how movements can indicate a sense of connection and serve as an expression of needs.These observations suggest that using Authentic Movement in a Dance/Movement Therapy session may increase clients’ awareness of a their sense of attachment toward …

Women In The Traditional Gender System Through Sexualized And Inappropriate Performances In The Modern Advertisements, Ruoning Xia

Communication ETDs

This study examined the body and gender identity performances and narratives of women in different Chinese advertisements, and deconstructed the motivation and representation of humiliation, sexual harassment, and gender offside toward women in public spaces. The study takes feminism, patriarchal capitalism, and rhetorical criticism to analyze the situation of Chinese women’s identity and gender in the traditional gender system, as well as the status of women’s situations with patriarchy and capitalism discourses. Through the analysis of the advertisements, the study criticized the gender (mis)representation of women’s gender identity and bodies among women's identities, bodies, and patriarchy, and deconstructs the gender …

Organizing In The Hybrid Media System: Local And International Organizing In The Metoo Movement, Jenna Dole

Sociology ETDs

Movements today are operating in a hybrid media system, in which activists negotiate the use of traditional and social media. Although most of what we know of the MeToo movement comes from studies of the #MeToo campaign and online organizing, the movement has its foundations in local organizing and in the wake of the viral campaign additional local organizing efforts took place. Using semi-structured interviews with leaders of a local MeToo organizing group and Facebook posts from this local group and a large, international MeToo Facebook group, this study explores the role of local organizing coming out of an international, …

From The Sea To The Classroom: Harmful Algal Blooms, Northern Sea Otters, And Engaging Curriculum, Emily Mailman

Biological Sciences

Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) consist of a myriad of phytoplankton that can produce multiple potentially lethal biotoxins, which are ingested by shellfish as they consume algae in their diet. HAB events can occur when sunlight, nutrients, temperature, and turbidity conditions combine optimally. These bloom events are expected to increase as ocean temperatures continue to rise. The present study takes a multifaceted approach to evaluate the concentrations of paralytic shellfish toxins (PST), in northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni), and provides a curriculum for students in grades 9-12 to support student’s conceptualization of microscopic phytoplankton and their roles in coastal ecosystems. …

Green Logistics: A Brief Look At Cutting Carbon In Global Supply Chains, Maria F. Navarro

Sustainable Supply Chain Management

This chapter looks at how companies are making their supply chains more eco-friendly by using green logistics. It explains how businesses are trying to lower their carbon footprint by improving things like transportation, packaging, and warehouse operations. Some of the main strategies include using electric trucks, planning better delivery routes, and using less energy in storage. It also talks about how new technologies like AI and automation can help make logistics both smarter and more sustainable. Overall, the chapter shows that being environmentally responsible is becoming more important for companies around the world.

E-Cigarette Or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury: A Comprehensive Review, Mohammad Asim Amjad, Daniel Ocazionez Trujillo, Rosa M Estrada-Y-Martin, Sujith V Cherian

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

E-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) is a critical and potentially fatal form of lung injury that gained considerable public health concern in 2019. The use of e-cigarettes and vaping products is causally associated with EVALI, a condition characterized by a constellation of respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. This comprehensive narrative literature review explores the complexities of EVALI, including its association with the structure and composition of e-cigarettes and its epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical and radiological manifestations, management strategies, and public health implications. Moreover, it uncovers the long-term repercussions of EVALI and underscores …

A Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Immunosensor For Cortisol Detection, Pritu Sarkar, Ali Ashraf, Ahmed Hasnain Jalal, Fahmida Alam, Nazmul Islam

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

In this research, an interdigitated gear-shaped working electrode is presented for cortisol sensing. Overall, the sensor was designed in a three-electrode system and was fabricated using direct laser scribing. A synthesized conductive ink based on graphene and polyaniline was further employed to enhance the electrochemical performance of the sensor. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were employed for physicochemical characterization of the laser-induced graphene (LIG) sensor. Cortisol, a biomarker essential in detecting stress, was detected both in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH = 7.4) and human serum within a linear range of 100 ng/mL to 100 µg/mL. …

Functional Analysis Of Pathogenic Variants In Lamb1-Related Leukoencephalopathy Reveals Genotype-Phenotype Correlations And Suggests Its Role In Glial Cells, Rei Yasuda, Hirokazu Hashimoto, Mikiko Oka, Jung-Wan Mok, Marium Waqar, Brigitte Dauwalder, Oguz Kanca, Toshiki Mizuno, Shinya Yamamoto

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Laminin B1 (LAMB1) is one of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins that make up the basement membrane. Early frameshift, late frameshift, and missense variants in LAMB1 have been reported to cause rare monogenic neurological disorders that are collectively known as LAMB1-related leukoencephalopathy. Although there is some genotype-phenotype correlation, functional consequences of pathogenic LAMB1 variants are largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to elucidate function of the fly ortholog of this gene (LanB1) in the nervous system and to further study the functional consequences of the LAMB1 variants using Drosophila melanogaster. We found that the LanB1 gene is expressed on …

Evidence-Based Human Clinical Trials On Antidiabetic Herbal 6 Remedies Commonly Used In The Middle East, Shihab Al-Makhmari, Abir Al-Aufi, Saleh Al-Kindi, Maha Al Riyami, Hussein Sakr, Mohamed-Rachid Boulassel, Khalid M Abu Khadra, Rahma Al-Haddabi, Ammar Boudaka, Jumana Saleh

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent metabolic disorder with significant health and economic impacts. This review examined Middle Eastern herbs as alternative T2DM treatments in human randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses. A comprehensive PubMed search was conducted for human randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses on black seed (Nigella sativa), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) and curcumin (Curcuma longa), with at least 6 human studies per herb. The results revealed that N. sativa and fenugreek improved glycaemic control and lipid profiles, while ginger regulated carbohydrate …

Prevalence Of Urine Culture Contamination In A Primary Care Outpatient Setting In Muscat, Oman: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study, Rahma Al Hadhrami, Asma A. Al Salmani, Abeer Al Houdar, Janit Francinilla, Abeer Albalushi, Buthaina Al Maskari

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of urine culture contamination, determine related factors and identify the most prevalent uropathogens among samples collected from outpatients attending a primary healthcare setting in Muscat, Oman. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to July 2023 at the primary health clinic of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. All urine cultures requested by physicians for ambulatory outpatients who attended the clinic during the study period were included. Collected urine samples underwent microbiological analysis, with positive cultures defined as significant growth of ≥10⁵ colony forming unit (CFU)/mL. Samples exhibiting …

Fostering Critical Thinking In The World Language Classroom, Madeline Sossi-Jones

Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education

In education, the lack of critical thinking (CT) in students has become increasingly evident in classrooms of all contents. There are a multitude of factors that have contributed to this issue over the last ten years, so just one is not solely to blame. This study examines the prevalence of a CT deficit in world language classrooms. Data from Integrated Performance Assessments (IPAs) and classroom observations proposed a need for students to increase their CT skills in the Spanish language. The study consisted of 21 students in a Spanish 2 course in grades 9-12 throughout 6 weeks. The research analyzed …

A Theology Of Hope For Missing Persons And Lost Causes, Joelle Yanko

Salubritas: International Journal of Spirit-Empowered Counseling

This paper explores how unresolved tragedies—particularly missing person cases and lost causes—serve as profound reflections of the human condition and reveal the necessity of Christian eschatological hope. Missing person cases touch the deepest questions of the human soul and reveal a deep, universal longing for justice and resolution—longings that cannot be fully met within the bounds of this present life. Drawing from theological reflection, the paper argues that both suffering and miraculous resolution ultimately point toward a greater hope found in the Christian vision of union with God. This future-oriented hope, grounded in the resurrection of Christ, invites believers to …

Exploring Biblical Language In Trauma Processing, Kathy B. Hoppe

Salubritas: International Journal of Spirit-Empowered Counseling

Clients may often find themselves struggling with accessing traumatic experiences in therapy, thereby developing an avoidance of trauma that impedes healing. Strategies for reducing trauma processing may be difficult to identify effectively. This project suggests several means by which therapists can utilize the language of scripture, including scriptural narrative, metaphor, and poetry, as a therapeutic intervention with conservative Christian clients who are pursuing trauma processing. The proposed approach assists clients in explaining their traumatic events in a secure setting, hence preventing the common hyperarousal symptoms that are upsetting. The treatment can enhance the effectiveness of evidence-based practices. It incorporates several …

Walking In Promise, Living In Reality: Exploring The Mental Health Implications Of The Pentecostal Discourse Of Divine Calling, Robert D. Mcbain

Salubritas: International Journal of Spirit-Empowered Counseling

Pentecostalism places a strong emphasis on the discourse of divine calling, where individuals believe they are purposefully created, guided, and empowered by God to fulfill a specific mission. This sense of calling profoundly shapes Pentecostals’ sense of identity and purpose. Using Grounded Theory, this study analyzes open, in-depth interviews with Pentecostals in the U.S. to explore the impact of the Pentecostal discourse of divine calling on their mental health. The metaphor of ‘walking in’ one’s calling emerges as the central theme used by participants to explain the interaction between their perception of divine calling, their lived realities, and their mental …

Sirex Nigricornis (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) Oviposition Preference And Development In Relation To Host Age, And A Novel Live-Trapping System For Wood-Borers, Jessica A. Hartshorn, Larry D. Galligan, Ace J.W. Lynn-Miller, Fred M. Stephen

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Sirex nigricornis F. (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) is a pine-inhabiting woodwasp native to eastern North America. A non-native congener, S. noctilio F., was discovered along the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario in New York in 2004 and its current distribution now includes seven northeastern states, Ontario, and Quebec. Its discovery led to a sharp increase in research focusing on S. noctilio as well as S. nigricornis. Research on these two species, and their associates, requires efficient methods for field collection and laboratory rearing. Success of these programs relies on successful collection of, and oviposition by, live females in artificial conditions. Moisture content …

Examining The Therapeutic Potential Of Somatostatin: A Paracrine Potentiator Of Islet Calcium Pulsatility, Ben Stiadle

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

Somatostatin has been demonstrated to induce oscillatory calcium patterns in pancreatic islets, prompting an investigation as to whether exogeneous application of the hormone can prevent or reverse deleterious adaptations to elevated glucose

Public Concerns On The Rehabilitation Of Boko Haram Insurgents In Nigeria, Dolapo Oyedokun

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

The study aims to analyze how Nigerians react the government’s rehabilitation and reintegration of Boko Haram insurgents into the community