Digital Commons Network^™

Science Of Reading Professional Development: The Perceptions Of Secondary Teachers In Arkansas, Teresa R. Moka

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

ABSTRACT SCIENCE OF READING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE PERCEPTIONS OF SECONDARY TEACHERS IN ARKANSAS

Teresa R. Moka

The study addresses the critical issue of low literacy proficiency among secondary students in Arkansas, where National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data reveals declining reading scores. Despite scientific consensus on reading instruction, many teachers lack professional development in evidence-based reading strategies, particularly at the secondary level. Although Arkansas secondary teachers have received initial Science of Reading (SoR) professional development from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the perceptions of secondary teachers regarding SoR professional development is not well documented. The purpose …

Empowering Voices: The Impact Of Collective Storytelling Within College Support Programs, Sara Rock

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The Torero Renaissance Scholars Program (TRSP) supports undergraduate and graduate students who have experienced foster care, homelessness, or who are emancipated minors or in legal guardianship. My action research aimed to explore and improve TRSP practices related to sharing personal narratives, community building, and fostering mutual understanding between students, campus, and community partners. Using an action research model focused on community engagement, I conducted three research cycles involving narrative inquiry-based individual interviews and surveys to evaluate group activities. Findings revealed a tension around sharing personal stories and highlighted the importance of self-authorship and holistic mentorship. Interviews showed students prioritize resources …

Spring Commencement, 2025, Marshall University

Marshall University Commencement

Program for the Commencement of Marshall University, Saturday, May 10, 2025 held at the Mountain Health Arena in Huntington, West Virginia.

The Dark Side Of Global Supply Chains, Megan Soong

Sustainable Supply Chain Management

This article highlights the unfair supply chain practices many companies succumb to in order to increase their profits. Touching on the clothing industry, electronics, and food corporations, many big name brands hide their lack of pay, e-waste, and deforestation related operations in order to protect their name and image.

Online Multimedia Education Effect On Breast Health Knowledge And Self-Efficacy, Brooke D. Hancock, Elizabeth Frankle, Jennifer Cera, Leeza Struwe, Mackenzie Koch

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Objective: To evaluate comprehension and retention of breast health and BSE by providing evidence-based education via a website. The researchers aimed to measure knowledge of breast health, self-efficacy of performing breast health promotion, and usability of the interventional website.

Design: A single group efficacy trial was used.

Setting: The study was conducted in two outpatient clinics in Nebraska that provided well women health care.

Participants: A convenience sample of 100 women were enrolled

Methods: Breast health knowledge was assessed with the Breast Health Assessment (BHA) and consisted of 3 subscales. The Champions Health Belief Model Scale (CHBM) assessed BSE self-efficacy …

Implementation Of An Adolescent Women’S Health And Wellness Education Program, Lauren Acker, Laynee Conner, Jennifer Cera

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Objectives: The goal of this research study was to provide scientific evidence supporting the importance and effectiveness of implementing a women’s health and wellness education course and its effect on (1) adolescent knowledge of sexual health and hygiene, (2) self-efficacy in menstrual management, and (3) self-empowerment in managing their own reproductive health.

Design: This was a mixed methods pilot study utilizing a pre/post-test single intervention efficacy trial. Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained.

Setting: The setting included two different sites including one outpatient ambulatory obstetrics/gynecology clinic and one community outreach center. Both sites were located within a midwestern metropolitan …

An Autoethnography Of My Experience Navigating The United States Educational System As An Immigrant: Intercultural Communication Challenges And Cultural Asynchronization, Anuti Ngangana

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to share experiences as an immigrant student and answer the following question: What does my personal life history reveal about the importance of intercultural communication in the U.S. educational system? Immigrants leave their countries of origin and migrate to the United States for various reasons. Many are traumatized when they enter the country due to civil unrest in their native countries. Immigrants arrive with their children, who join a school system that is generally unprepared to meet their needs. In order to document immigrant experiences, the researcher utilized an autoethnographic approach using counter-storytelling from …

University Of Mississippi 172nd Commencement, Class Of 2025, University Of Mississippi, Glenn F. Boyce, Noel E. Wilkin, A. J. Brown

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Covid-19 And Related Adverse Neurological Complications, Hannah A. Wasson

Honors Thesis

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the world drastically, and its impact was monumental. COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, was the virus responsible for causing such mayhem. This contagious virus can enter the body via different routes, live on surfaces for hours, and be transmitted through the air, increasing infection risk. Once it enters the body, it can trick the body into replicating the virus. From this reaction within the body, signs and symptoms follow. While the name indicates a respiratory illness, the virus can inflict injury on other parts of the body. Due to the organ systems …

Fifty-Ninth Commencement (Undergraduate), Sacred Heart University

Commencement Programs

Program for undergraduate ceremonies, May 10, 2025.

Yoga Therapy For Psychological Safety In Healthcare Staff, Kristen Fabiszewski

Doctoral Projects

Establishing a culture of psychological safety is a necessary foundation for creating a High Reliability Organization. Healthcare professionals must practice emotional self-regulation to maintain equanimity and facilitate positive communications with their colleagues. This can be exceptionally challenging when increasing numbers of healthcare professionals are experiencing burnout. Using the framework of Polyvagal Theory, yoga practices have been demonstrated to support emotional self-regulation and reduce symptoms of burnout. The purpose of this project was to implement yoga therapy to increase the perception of psychological safety in healthcare staff. Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System (VALBHS) staff invited to attend one 45minute yoga …

The Rural Cancer Paradox: When Poverty Outweighs Policy In Mississippi And Andalusia, 2010-2025, Elizabeth Hurst

Honors Theses

This thesis examines how regional economic histories and national healthcare policies interact to shape cancer care delivery in Mississippi (United States) and Andalusia (Spain)—two regions with parallel histories of agricultural dominance followed by economic decline, yet operating under fundamentally different healthcare systems. Through comparative policy analysis focused on the Affordable Care Act (2010) and Spain's Royal Decree Law 16/2012, this research challenges conventional fixation on healthcare system type as the primary determinant of patient outcomes. Instead, it reveals a “rural cancer paradox” where historically impoverished regions face similar barriers to effective cancer care despite their contrasting funding models. The research …

Digital Eye Strain In College Students: The Impact Of Academic Majors And Study Habits On Visual Health, Jennica L. Pitts

Honors Thesis

Digital eye strain (DES) has recently grown to become a significant concern among the college student community, particularly with the increased reliance on electronic and screen-based devices for academic and recreational purposes. This study aims to explore potential correlations between a university student's academic major, study habits, and screen-based behaviors, as well as any symptoms they may experience digital eye strain (as well as any other potential contributing factors) In total 81 college students chose to participate in an online survey (through Qualatrics) which assessed their academic majors, GPA, status in the honors program, screen usage, DES symptoms experienced, any …

Influencer Or Fake, It Is All One In The Same On Tiktok, Martina Nicholson

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

How brands market their product has changed with the rise of social media. TikTok has become one of the largest platforms for brands to find consumer bases. This is because TikTok is a source of entertainment that has been able to co-opt marketing movements that introduce the aspect of brand and viewer relationship based on identity. When a viewer is able to establish an identity with the brand, they become an active consumer. Brands are able to do this through the influencers, which has become the new norm within marketing strategy. Influencers are people who are able to gain a …

Exploring The Landscape Of Animal Advocacy In Egypt: Insights Into Stray, Wildlife, And Farmed Animal Rights, Yara Moussa, Wasseem Emam

General - Animal Protection

This article examines the landscape of animal advocacy in Egypt, a nascent and growing field in one of Africa’s largest economies and most densely populated countries. It focuses on three types of animal advocacy: 1) stray animal welfare, 2) wildlife conservation, and 3) farmed animal welfare. The paper critically analyses current practices and trends in each of these areas, highlighting the main challenges and opportunities facing the growth of the movement. Our research draws on insights from interviews with active animal welfare organizations, situating their practical experiences, daily operational struggles, as well as instances of success, within Egypt’s wider socio-economic …

Our Obsession With Serial Killers: A Jeffrey Dahmer Media Analysis, Aysia Jo Hall

Honors Thesis

Social media platforms have developed a new form of true crime media. This paper aims to discuss media portrayals of Jeffrey Dahmer on the Netflix series “Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” YouTube, and other forms of new true crime media, while specifically analyzing videos from TikTok. The goal is to demonstrate why this type of media is created, explain why society chooses to view this type of media, and signify what changes have been made across true crime media to satisfy society’s needs of entertainment. By viewing TikTok’s about Dahmer and his case, three portrayal elements are found …

Relationship Between Prodigiosin Production And Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis Metabolite Concentration, Nautica Ek Hagg

Honors Thesis

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a pathogenic fungus that has been causing extirpations of amphibian species across the globe. The microbiome on the skin of amphibians is known to be a key factor in infection dynamics. It has been established that one species of cutaneous bacteria, Serratia marcescens, and a secondary metabolite with antifungal properties it produces, prodigiosin, has shown a promising ability to decrease the growth of Bd. However, when Serratia marcescens is grown in the same media with added metabolites produced by Bd, there is an observed decrease in the production of the bacteria’s protective metabolite, prodigiosin. This experiment …

Functional Electrical Stimulation For Foot Drop: A Narrative Review, Garrett R. Watson

Honors Thesis

Foot drop (FD) is a neuromuscular impairment that limits ankle dorsiflexion during walking. It often leads to unsafe gait patterns, increases the risk of falls, and reduces independence. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has emerged as a promising rehabilitation tool that activates muscles or nerves to improve foot clearance and support motor recovery. Unlike passive devices such as ankle-foot orthoses, FES promotes active neuromuscular engagement and may foster long-term improvements through neuroplastic adaptation. This narrative review examines the causes and clinical consequences of FD and evaluates the role of FES in restoring functional mobility. Key topics include FES technologies, stimulation parameters, …

The Complexities Of Hiring In A Remote Landscape: Examining The Role Of Remote Work Opportunities For Individuals With Criminal Records, Sivasubbarayan Srinivasan

Dissertations

This study examined how employer risk perceptions, beliefs in rehabilitation, and support for second-chance employment influence hiring decisions regarding individuals with criminal records, while also evaluating whether remote work moderates these relationships. Prior research has extensively explored employer attitudes toward ex-offenders in traditional, in-office environments; however, limited attention has been given to how remote work arrangements may alter perceived risk or hiring willingness. Given the expansion of remote and hybrid work models in the United States, understanding whether physical workplace separation reduces stigma or perceived liability is both theoretically and practically significant.

The study collected survey data from 605 hiring …

Is Syria Truly On The Path To Democracy?, William Ulterino

Opinion Matters: Student Analyses of World News

This op-ed assesses the plausibility that Syria’s new government will usher in the first true democracy for an Islamic nation in the Middle East.

Japan And Its Hesitation In Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage, Morgan R. Lewellen

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Japan is the only state in the G7 that has not legalized same-sex marriages despite increasing support of LGBTQ+ rights and norms for respecting human rights. While some local governments and constitutional courts have made progress with recognizing same-sex partnerships and deeming the ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, the Japanese national government has not enacted comprehensive pro-LGBTQ+ policy. Instead, the Diet (Japan’s legislative body) passed the “LGBT Understanding and Enhancement Bill” in 2023, which is a law that fails to legally recognize same-sex marriage or provide protections. This project aims to explore Japan’s hesitancy by examining politics, culture, history, and …

Program Evaluation Of The Behavioral Interventions Monitoring Assessment System-2 For High School Students In Rural Nebraska, Laura Burnett, Lakin Braman

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Behavioral and mental health issues among adolescents in rural areas often go unrecognized due to limited access to screening and intervention. This study evaluated the efficacy of the BIMAS- 2 tool in identifying at-risk high school students in a rural Nebraska high school. Methods: A retrospective cohort program evaluation was conducted over two years with 263 students in grades 9-12. The BIMAS-2 assessment was administered electronically each semester, followed by in-person mental health interviews. Descriptive statistics and Pearson chi-square tests assessed the tool’s sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value. Results: The BIMAS-2 demonstrated high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (96.15%), with a …

Reducing Stigma Towards Alcohol Use Disorder (Aud): A Parasocial Contact Approach, Prah Haider

Honors Thesis

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by loss of control over alcohol intake, compulsive alcohol use and a negative emotional state when not drinking, which can follow a chronic, relapsing course (Carvalho et al., 2019). AUD ranks among the most prevalent mental disorders globally. According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 28.8 million adults ages 18 and older (11.2% in this age group) had AUD in 2021 (NIH, 2024). My proposal seeks to create a novel approach to addressing stigma through creating the illusion of a relationship between a television viewer and a mediated on-screen persona. …

Behavior Analysts’ Training And Practices Regarding Cultural Diversity: A Replication And Extension, Tania M. Valdez-Nuguid

Theses & Dissertations

Culturally responsive care, which involves adapting assessment and treatment methods to reflect the culture of individuals served (Sue & Torino, 2005), is crucial for client success, especially for minoritized and marginalized groups. This study replicated and extended Beaulieu et al. (2019) by surveying behavior analysts on their training, perceived competence, and practices in culturally responsive care. We extended Beaulieu et al. (2019) by including open-ended questions regarding culturally responsive practices and barriers faced in delivering culturally responsive care and offering the survey in Spanish. Participants reported feeling skilled and comfortable providing culturally responsive care, with increased training across various modalities. …

The Art Of Dreaming: A Surrealist Approach To Dream Analysis, Shelby Wright

Honors Thesis

Over the past two years, I created a series of paintings to explore the meaning of my nightmares. This study analyzes the themes and symbols in these dreams through the psychological frameworks of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Freud’s causal approach focuses on repressed desires, while Jung’s method relies on mythological symbols and archetypes in the collective unconscious. Drawing on the ideas of André Breton and the Surrealist movement, I examine how art can bridge dreams and waking life. By painting my dreams, I aim to better understand my unconscious and invite viewers to question their perception of reality. This …

India Must Rethink, Ishrat Husain Dr.

Faculty Research - Newspaper and Magazine Articles

The April 22 Pahalgam incident has evoked a hysterical reaction from India, which has attacked Pakistani and Azad Kashmir cities killing innocent civilians, including children, and damaging the Neelum-Jhelum hydel works. Within five minutes of the Pahalgam attack, Indian media started pointing fingers at Pakistan alleging it had enabled the terrorist attack. Two weeks later, India attacked without providing a shred of evidence of Pakistan’s alleged involvement. The purpose of this article is to urge Indian policymakers to avoid prolonging their actions as the political, social and economic costs for their own country are substantial, and instead, examine their policy …

Navigating Lipid Nanoparticle Design: From Microfluidic Optimization For Rna Delivery In Pancreatic Cancer To Extended-Release Formulations For Hiv-1 Therapy., Farhana Islam

Theses & Dissertations

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as a powerful platform for the delivery of RNA and small-molecule therapeutics, enabling improved drug stability, biodistribution, and cellular uptake. This study explores the formulation and optimization of LNPs for two distinct therapeutic applications: (1) mRNA-based therapy for pancreatic cancer (PC) and (2) extended-action fostemsavir (FTR) delivery for HIV-1 treatment. For PC therapy, a library of 48 mRNA-LNP formulations was developed for intraperitoneal (IP) administration in an orthotopic pancreatic tumor mouse model. Using microfluidic assembly, LNPs were engineered with varying lipid compositions and characterized based on size, zeta potential, and cytotoxicity. Biodistribution and mRNA expression …

Multi-Modal Mri For The Pre-Clinical Evaluation Of Hiv-Linked Changes In The Central Nervous System, Gabriel Gauthier

Theses & Dissertations

Though the inception of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has fundamentally changed the life expectancy of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients, accessibility and outcomes vary enormously along demographic lines. Even for people living with HIV (PLWH) with perfect access and adherence to anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs), modern treatment plans are fundamentally unable to secure complete viral remission for patients. The cause of this perpetual infection is the persistence of viral reservoirs in the central nervous system (CNS), hidden beyond the reach of modern ARVs, leaving patients to deal with lifelong medication side-effects and risks of developing HIV-associated neurodegenerative disorders (HAND). Despite improving outcomes …

Apolipoprotein E4, Tauopathy, And Brain Injury: Molecular Insights Into Alzheimer's Disease Pathology, Nashanthea J. Roland

Theses & Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the world’s leading cause of dementia, characterized by progressive atrophy of the hippocampal and cortical brain regions, synapse damage and loss, and a buildup of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of β-amyloid peptides and hyperphosphorylated tau, respectively. While age is the most significant risk factor for developing AD, apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) is the strongest genetic risk factor for AD. Although it is known that APOE4 influences tau pathology, the molecular mechanisms by which APOE4 drives AD pathogenesis and progression remain unclear. In addition to intrinsic contributions to AD, there are many extrinsic factors that can …

Region-Specific Brain Targets Drive Circuit Formation And Maturation Of Human Retinal Ganglion Cells, Kang-Chieh Huang, Han-Yin Jeng, Qudrat Abdulwahab, Victoria R Cuevas, Eyad Shihabeddin, Claire Young, Melody Hernandez, Jason S Meyer, Nicholas M Tran, Melanie A Samuel

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Human vision relies on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), and their connectivity with distinct brain regions enables higher order visual processing. RGCs vary considerably between species, and small model organisms display distinct RGC innervation patterns from that in humans. There is thus a need for robust models of human RGC circuit formation that preserves innervation specificity. Here, we developed an in vitro microfluidics eye-to-brain connectivity model using human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived RGCs to assess brain region-specific connectivity features. We find that cultured human RGCs segregate their dendrites and axons and display axonal features that align with that of their in …