Digital Commons Network^™

Human Trafficking: An Examination Of Policies And The Impact Of Trafficking On Victims, Hannah Lyons

Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science

Human trafficking is a pervasive and complex global issue that involves the exploitation of individuals. While there is also the trafficking of objects, this study solely focuses on sexual exploitation and forced labor of humans. This paper defines trafficking and examines the impact that trafficking has on victims’ physical and mental health. This paper also examines the intersection of human trafficking and policies designed to combat it, focusing on the effectiveness of legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms. By analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of current anti-trafficking laws and initiatives, the paper explores how policies can be improved to better address …

How Protests From 1913 To 1920 Led To The Ratification Of The 19th Amendment, Margaret Stell

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Parallel Paths:, Jacob Jones

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Observing The Prevalence Of Wolbachia Found In Tick Species From The Central Virginia Region, Madison Hoover

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Research has found that ticks are considered the second highest global vector of disease. Ticks can serve as a vector for pathogens such as Rickettsia rickettsii (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever), Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme Disease), Borrelia miyamotoi (B. miyamotoi disease) and Borrelia hermsii (tick-borne relapsing fever). Tick species such as Dermacentor variabilis (American Dog ticks), Amblyomma maculatum (Gulf Coast ticks), Amblyomma americanum (Lone Star ticks), Ixodes scapulari (Black legged ticks), and Ixodes affinis can be found within the southeastern Virginia region. Arthropod hosts that possess Wolbachia can have their reproduction negatively impacted through methods such as Parthenogenesis, Male Killing, Feminization, and …

Analyzing The Effectiveness Of Dance Movements In Enhancing Activities Of Daily Living For Geriatric Patients And Relevant Implications For Nursing Care, Rachel Bruce

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Within the healthcare industry, the geriatric population holds a unique set of patient-care needs due to a myriad of physical and cognitive challenges that are not present in other subcategories of the population (Cremer et al., 2023). The presentation of these challenges can negatively impact a patient’s quality of life and their overall independence, which in turn decreases their overall quality of life (Cremer et al., 2023). One specific challenge healthcare providers must consider when caring for elderly patients is the reduced range of mobility typically associated with growing older (Machacova et al., 2015; Hartigan, 2007; Sinoff & Ore, 1997; …

The Relationship Between Lynchburg Area Ob-Gyn Physician Exercise Recommendations, Physical Activity Status, And Depression In Postpartum Women., Mckenzie Brundage

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Introduction: Postpartum depression (PPD) significantly impacts maternal well-being and infant care, necessitating effective and accessible interventions. This study examines the role of physical activity as a potential therapeutic modality for PPD, focusing on whether OB-GYNs in the Lynchburg, VA area provide exercise recommendations to pregnant and postpartum patients, and how these recommendations relate to postpartum activity levels and mood. We hypothesize that OB-GYN recommendations on exercise will lead to a positive correlation between regular physical activity and reduced PPD symptoms, supporting the integration of exercise into standard postpartum care protocols. Methods: Data was collected through an anonymous Google-Form administered to …

Leading Through Crisis: San Diego County Schools' Response To The Social Emotional Needs Of All Students, Johana Bielma

Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented school closures, forcing administrators to take decisive action to radically change the educational system. The imperative to switch to remote learning transformed the dynamics of teaching and learning, leading to both immediate and long-term academic and social emotional consequences for all stakeholders. When schools reopened, administrators faced the challenge of reintegrating students into in-person learning while addressing the pandemic’s lasting effects on academics, mental health, and school safety. While academic regression was evident, the extent of students’ emotional struggles was less anticipated. Many students exhibited increased irritability and mental health issues such as depression …

Determining Diagnostic Criteria To Define Infant Swallowing Through Dyad Interviews With Experts, Evon Youkhana

Speech and Hearing Sciences ETDs

INTRODUCTION: With the increasing incidence of pediatric dysphagia, understanding what constitutes normal swallowing is essential to identifying aberrant swallowing. The purpose of this investigation is to understand how expert clinicians define swallowing disorders in infants and young children through a qualitative analysis of clinical decision-making processes.

METHODS: Data collection occurred in two phases. Phase I consisted of an online survey, which gathered demographic information and expert opinions on pediatric feeding and swallowing assessments. Phase II consisted of two dyad interviews to discuss key clinical and instrumental components important in determining the presence or absence of swallowing problems in infants and …

Immigrants’ Inhumanity To Immigrants: The Failings Of Modern Us Immigration Policies Through The Lens Of Mauritanian Asylum Seekers, Karuna Kayembe

Senior Theses

By analyzing firsthand accounts of Mauritanian migrants gathered at The Migrant Center of St. Francis Church of Assisi, this paper explores the systemic inequities of U.S. immigration law and enforcement, particularly its impact on African migrants. The research argues that these lived experiences expose the disconnect between official narratives of welcoming migrants and the harsh realities of the immigration system, making a case for a more humane and equitable framework. This will be accomplished by first setting the scene on Mauritania and the culture and history that backs up how the migrants act and why they chose America to emigrate. …

Effects Of Iron Nutrients In Sub-Arctic Horticulture, Susan A. Woods

Interdisciplinary Studies

When managing iron (Fe) nutrients in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) hydroponic systems at sub-arctic regions between latitudes 50 to 70 degrees north, it is important to understand how plants regulate Fe to maintain Fe homeostasis, which is important for the production of Fe proteins and photosynthesis processes. The research objectives of this study are as follows: 1) determine Fe nutrients that promote yearly cycles of high-quality crops, 2) examine the regulation of Fe between plant roots and vegetation, and 3) explore whether seasonal adjustments in Fe nutrients can promote Fe homeostasis and the production of high-quality crops. This study considers …

Music Therapy For Premature Infants In Neonatal Care: A Literature Review, Yu-Tzu Li

Expressive Therapies Theses

For both babies and their families, premature birth is a life-altering event that often brings out a complicated web of physiological and emotional challenges. In recent decades, music therapy has gained recognition as a support system for the smallest and most vulnerable patients in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), where they receive specialized care. This literature review explores how music therapy supports the development and emotional well-being of premature infants while also supporting the parents in navigating the emotional difficulties, engaging with their babies, and being more secure in the NICU environment. According to current research, this paper collects and …

Dance/Movement Therapy Interventions That Can Address And Decrease Impacts Of Developmental Prosopagnosia: A Literature Review, Caitlin Rivenbark

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review explores dance/movement therapy (DMT) as a treatment modality for developmental prosopagnosia (DP) or face blindness. Research on DP causes and assessments are limited, as well as research on treatments and supportive management. In order to conceptualize how DMT might support people with DP, this paper focuses on mitigating the impacts of having the condition by exploring treatments for conditions with similar impacts including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD). The interventions included were pharmacotherapy, behavioral contingencies, mainstream therapies, and alternative therapies including DMT and drama therapy (DT). The various …

Hope-Centered Art Therapy Exploring The Emergence Of Relational Narratives In Nurturing Resilience In Children, Niloofar Ojani

Expressive Therapies Theses

This review examines the importance of hope and resilience in art therapy interventions for children by synthesizing current research on how art therapy can foster hope. The data were collected by reviewing published peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, reflective writing, and artmaking—arts-based research methods. The beginning sections delve deeply into the definition of hope and resilience in the context of adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs. Art therapy acts as a creative medium for fostering these qualities. It is discussed that creative expression contributes to emotional regulation, utilizes therapeutic intra- and inter-relationships as a source of hope, and connects the child with …

Undergraduate Commencement Exercises Program, May 17, 2025

Bryant University Commencements

No abstract provided.

Rethinking Resource Exploitation: Shared Capitalist Motivations In Ghana’S Gold Mining Sector, Benedicta Donkor

Senior Theses

The relationship between Chinese involvement in Ghana's gold mining sector and its impact on sovereignty, development, and resource governance has ignited significant debate. While neo-colonial frameworks often dominate discussions, this thesis argues that such perspectives oversimplify the complex dynamics at play. Instead, Chinese involvement is better understood as mutual capitalist exploitation, where both Chinese and Ghanaian actors are driven by shared profit motives within a global capitalist system. This mutual exploitation is enabled by weak governance, regulatory gaps, and systemic corruption, creating a permissive environment for resource exploitation at the expense of societal and environmental well-being. The thesis critically examines …

Modeling The Effects Of Socioeconomic And Environmental Factors On Child Malnutrition And Contamination Risk Using Generalized Estimating Equations, Samuel Amoateng

Mathematics and Statistics

Malnutrition and environmental contamination remain critical public health problems among children under five years old, particularly in developing environments. This paper investigates the sociodemographic, environmental, and behavioral factors that influence the risk of contamination and child malnutrition using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) in order to adjust correlations across repeated observations. Two multivariate binary response variables were taken into consideration: SWUbinary comprised of three binary indicators of whether the child was stunted, wasted, or underweight; and RTbinary comprised of two binary indicators of contamination exposure based on the presence of Relative Light Unit (RLU) and Total Coliform Analysis (TCA) contamination in …

Addressing Socioeconomic Disparities In The Treatment Of Antimicrobial-Resistant Infections: The Role Of Pharmacists In Mitigating Barriers, Arin Wade, Danielle Egbujor, Anna Spalvieri, Owen Fox, Marisa Petrunich, Joshua Honaker, Samantha Mccord, Kasie Landin

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Antimicrobial resistance is an escalating global threat driven by inappropriate antibiotic use and shaped by socioeconomic disparities. Social determinants of health, including limited healthcare access, poverty, low health literacy, and environmental conditions, contribute to higher rates of resistant infections and poorer treatment outcomes in underserved populations. Barriers such as pharmacy deserts, self-medication, and inadequate stewardship infrastructure amplify these risks. Pharmacists, as accessible and highly trained healthcare professionals, play a critical role in combating antimicrobial resistance by optimizing antibiotic use, delivering culturally competent education, and leading antimicrobial stewardship programs across settings. Community and clinical pharmacists are especially well positioned to bridge …

Sex, Skulls, And Selection: An Exploration Of Blakely Island's Deer Population And Their Ecology Through Genetic Sex Differentiation Of Juvenile Crania, Blair P. Graves

Honors Projects

As an isolated landmass with no natural predators, Blakely Island serves as an effective study site for the study of evolutionary factors relating to insular populations of large mammals. A disparity in the adult sex ratio of local deer has been observed, but the demographics of juveniles must still be ascertained through genetic methods. This study aims to further research concerning the development of a replicable and non-toxic procedure through which undergraduate students can identify the sex of numerous juvenile deer crania. Specifically, differing decalcification lengths, DNA extraction kit methods, and amelogenin primer sets were evaluated for relative success in …

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

UND Commencement Programs

UND Spring Commencement program from May 17, 2025.

Collective Action In Marine Mammal Co-Management: Relationships As Tools Of Cooperation, Joseph E. Ransdell-Green

Arctic and Northern Studies

Collective action has great importance in solving many socio-ecological issues because the sustainable management of natural resources requires that different people and institutions cooperate with one another to contribute to a collective good. Over the past sixty years, two general theories of collective action have formed. These theories continue to influence debates about what factors drive collective action. In the 1960s, first-generation collective action scholars proposed that laws from centralized governments or privatization were needed to combat collective action problems such as overpopulation and overexploitation of resources. Second- generation scholars argue that groups can self-organize to solve collective action problems. …

Prevalence, Factors And Impact Of Migraine On Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study In The United Arab Emirates, Syyeda Maleha Jeelani, Shatha Al Sharbatti

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of migraines among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), identify associated factors and evaluate their impact on quality of life (QoL) and work performance. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2022 and included nurses and doctors across 4 healthcare settings in the UAE. Migraine prevalence was assessed using the Migraine Screen Questionnaire, while its impact on social support and work function was evaluated through the Migraine Disability Assessment, the Oslo Social Support Scale and the Headache Impact Test. Data were analysed using Chi-square tests, binary …

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 …

Potential Association Between The Incidence Of Breast Cancer In Female Iraqi Patients And The Rs861539 Polymorphism, Vitamin D, And Antioxidant Vitamins, Iqbal Hanash Dhefer

Baghdad Science Journal

Breast cancer is the main cause of mortality for females. Variations in DNA repair capacity and consequent hereditary predisposition to certain malignancies may be attributed to polymorphisms in DNA repair genes. There have been few and inconclusive studies on the relationship between blood levels of vitamins and minerals and food and the genesis of breast cancer. We explored correlations between polymorphisms (rs861539) and vitamin D. In addition, the effects of vitamins D, E, C, and iron on breast cancer were examined. The study population consisted of thirty healthy normal persons and sixty breast cancer patients. For the purpose of estimating …

Evaluation Of Dpp4, Tnf, And Lipid Profile Levels As Early Indicators In Infertility Among Iraqi Women, Kadhim K. Ghudhaib, Fayhaa M. Khaleel, Farah E. Ali

Baghdad Science Journal

Infertility is one of the problems facing women and men. Obesity, lipid level disorders, and insulin resistance are among the risk factors that cause infertility, in addition to other relevant factors. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of obesity and lipids imbalance, together with studying the relationship for each dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) and tumor necrosis factor–α (TNF-α) infertile women compared to healthy women, to determine the possibility that they are being diagnostic and indicative factors of the disease. The study included 50 participants, age range (15–34) years, who attended Kamal Al-Samarai Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq. …

Perceptions Of Faculty On Trauma-Informed Practices At The American University In Cairo, Marwa M. Emara

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Trauma-informed education is gaining momentum in higher education as a framework that seeks to create learning environments that are safe, inclusive, and responsive to the emotional and psychological needs of students—particularly those who have experienced trauma. This qualitative study, situated at the American University in Cairo (AUC), explores how faculty perceive, understand, and implement trauma-informed practices in a diverse university context that includes refugee and displaced students. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with seventeen faculty members from various disciplines and incorporating an autoethnographic reflection. An expert interview was conducted with Dr. Mays Imad, a leading scholar in trauma-informed …

A Novel Approach To Competency-Based Education For Pediatric Nurse Practitioners: Bringing Clarity To Competencies, Kristina L. Banks, Carol L. Savrin

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: Guidance for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) competency-based education (CBE) is provided by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (“Essentials”). The 2021 AACN Essentials update prompted a significant shift from traditional to (CBE)for Nurse Practitioner (NP) faculty. NONPF has responded, updating its NP Role Core Competencies and domains to be congruent with the AACN 2021 Essentials, but NONPF's population-specific competencies remain unchanged since 2013. Methods: Two PNP faculty conducted a multistep crosswalk between the NONPF 2013 population-based competencies for Primary and …

Analysis Of The Selenomethionine Content Of Food And Effect Of Food Processing, Julia Peter

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

This research project aims to extract selenomethionine from various food products and examine the effect of food processing on the selenium content, as it is an essential micronutrient in the human diet.

Response Of Aquatic Invertebrates To Environmental Stressors, Gabrielle Vilela

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

Studying the levels at which aquatic invertebrates resist, show no difference, or become stressed by differing environmental factors.

University Of Nebraska At Omaha Commencement: May 2025, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Care For Psychiatric Patients Boarding In The Emergency Department, Abby Ford

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

Psychiatric boarding in the emergency department has become a common phenomenon in emergency departments throughout the United States. The purpose of this DNP Scholarly Project was to create a quality improvement project to enhance the care that psychiatric patients receive while they are boarding in the emergency department (ED). This quality improvement project consisted of an educational PowerPoint module for ED nursing staff and the dissemination of a care plan that nursing staff utilized while caring for psychiatric patients in this specific ED. The target population for this scholarly project was emergency department nursing personnel in a 40-bed metropolitan ED. …