Digital Commons Network^™

Abuse Beyond Title Ix: Advancing Laws And Policies To Combat Coaching Abuse In Intercollegiate Athletics, Katie Jean

Penn State Law Review (2003 - Present)

No abstract provided.

Aging-Associated Mechanisms Of Atrial Fibrillation Progression And Their Therapeutic Potential, Shuai Zhao, Aaron M Johnston, Chi Him Kendrick Yiu, Lucia M Moreira, Svetlana Reilly, Xander H T Wehrens

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia, with a particularly high prevalence in the elderly. As the global aging population rapidly expands, it is increasingly important to examine how alterations to the aging heart contribute to an increased AF susceptibility. This work critically reviews the key molecular mechanisms that may underpin the complex association between aging and AF. Moreover, we identify emerging novel opportunities for therapeutic intervention that may be able to prevent and/or improve the current treatment paradigms for age-related AF. This review contributes to a holistic understanding of the intricate relationship between aging and AF.

Proceeding Toward The Maximum Of Solar Cycle 25 With A Radiation Environment Similar To The Previous Cycle, Fatemeh Rahmanifard, Morgan L. Macleod, Wouter C. De Wet, Andrew P. Jordan, Jody K. Wilson, Harlan E. Spence, Nathan A. Schwadron

Faculty Publications

The Sun exhibited lower-than-average activity levels, including a weak maximum and a prolonged minimum in the solar cycle (SC) 24. Thiswas following a 60-year trend of weakening solar activity, leading to speculations that we could be moving into another secular minimum scenario like the Dalton or the Gleissberg periods. During such periods, the fluxes of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) increase significantly, introducing radiation hazards for long-term crewed space explorations. In our previous work, we predicted the level of solar activity, and thus, the radiation environment for SC25 will be similar to SC24. In this paper, we show that, to date, …

The Long Road Of Drug Development For Endometriosis – Pains, Gains, And Hopes, Zian Liao, Diana Monsivais, Martin M Matzuk

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Endometriosis, defined by the growth of endometrial tissues outside of the uterine cavity, is a global health burden for ∼200 million women. Patients with endometriosis usually present with chronic pain and are often diagnosed with infertility. The pathogenesis of endometriosis is still an open question; however, tissue stemness and immunological and genetic factors have been extensively discussed in the establishment of endometriotic lesions. Current treatments for endometriosis can be categorized into pharmacological management of hormone levels and surgical removal of the lesions. Both approaches have limited efficacy, with recurrences often encountered; thus, there is no complete cure for the disease …

Compact Solar-Powered Plasma Water Generator: Enhanced Germination Of Aged Seed With The Corona Dielectric Barrier Discharger, Yiting Xiao, Yang Tian, Haizheng Xiong, Ainong Shi, Jun Zhu

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Seed aging adversely affects agricultural productivity by reducing germination rates and seedling vigor, leading to significant costs for seed banks and companies due to the need for frequent seed renewals. This study demonstrated the use of plasma-activated water (PAW), generated by a solar-powered corona dielectric barrier discharger, to enhance germination rates of spinach seeds that had been stored at 4 °C for 23 years. Treating seeds with PAW at 17 kV for 15 min improved germination (by 135%) and seedling growth compared to untreated seeds. Through detailed analysis, beneficial PAW properties for seed development were identified, and a molecular mechanism …

Not-So-Special Solicitude, Katherine Mims Crocker

Faculty Scholarship

In a high-profile case last term about state standing to sue in federal court, Justice Gorsuch deemed it “hard not to wonder why” the majority said “nothing about ‘special solicitude.’” The silence was indeed surprising, for in a landmark decision several years earlier, the Supreme Court had declared that states were “entitled to special solicitude”—presumably meaning some sort of preferential treatment—“in [the] standing analysis.” And since then, commentators had depicted the concept as permitting opportunistic states to wage ideological crusades in courts across the country, especially through administrative-law attacks on federal-government defendants.

But what if “special solicitude” is not so …

Reconceptualizing Property Law's Background Principles In Takings Law, Timothy M. Mulvaney

Faculty Scholarship

Both libertarians and progressives celebrated the result in Tyler v. Hennepin County. This Article asserts that this unified celebration has overshadowed the extent to which the Supreme Court’s reasoning calls into question even our most foundational assumptions about the meaning of property and the takings protections the constitution affords to it. Followed to its literal end, Tyler remarkably suggests that owners may well need to ground their expectations in the property laws endorsed by a majority of states rather than in the laws of their own state.

Suspicious that the Court intended such a revolutionary upheaval of the state variations …

Families’ Experiences Accessing Care After Genomic Sequencing In The Pediatric Cancer Context: “It’S Just Been A Big Juggle”, Blake Vuocolo, Amanda M Gutierrez, Jill O Robinson, Alva M Recinos, Lauren R Desrosiers, Mary A Majumder, Juan Carlos Bernini, Jonathan Gill, Timothy Griffin, Gail E Tomlinson, Kelly Vallance, Amy L Mcguire, D Williams Parsons, Sharon E Plon, Sarah Scollon

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Access to genomic sequencing (GS) and resulting recommendations have not been well described in pediatric oncology. GS results may provide a cancer predisposition syndrome (CPS) diagnosis that warrants screening and specialist visits beyond cancer treatment, including testing or surveillance for family members. The Texas KidsCanSeq (KCS) Study evaluated implementation of GS in a diverse pediatric oncology population. We conducted semi-structured interviews (n = 20) to explore experiences of KCS patients' families around learning about a CPS diagnosis and following up on recommended care. We used qualitative content analysis to develop themes and subthemes across families' descriptions of their experiences accessing …

Exploring Fibroblast Interactions On Nanocrystalline Surfaces In Physiological Environments Through A Phenomenological Lens, R D K Misra, Aladin M Boriek

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The cytological behaviour and functional dynamics (adhesion, spreading, synthesis of proteins) of fibroblasts when interacting with biomedical surfaces are intricately influenced by the inherent nature of surface (nanocrystalline or microcrystalline), where the nanocrystalline (NC) surface is preferred in relation to the microcrystalline (MC) surface. This preference is a direct consequence of the distinct differences in physical and chemical characteristics between NC and MC surfaces, which include crystal boundary bio-physical attributes, electron work function, surface energy, and charge carrier density. The observed variances in cytological behaviour at the interfaces of NC and MC bio-surfaces can be attributed to these fundamental differences, …

Anomaly Detection Using Unsupervised Machine Learning Algorithms: A Simulation Study, Edmund F. Agyemang

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of five prominent unsupervised machine learning anomaly detection algorithms: One-Class Support Vector Machine (One-Class SVM), One-Class SVM with Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD), Isolation Forest (iForest), Local Outlier Factor (LOF), and Robust Covariance (Elliptic Envelope). Through systematic analysis on a synthetically simulated dataset, the study assessed each algorithm’s predictive performance using accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score specifically for outlier detection. The evaluation reveals that One-Class SVM, Isolation Forest, and Robust Covariance are more effective in identifying outliers in the synthetic simulated dataset, with Isolation Forest slightly outperforming the other algorithms in terms of balancing …

Retinal Ganglion Cell Circuits And Glial Interactions In Humans And Mice, Kang-Chieh Huang, Mohamed Tawfik, Melanie A Samuel

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the brain's gateway for vision, and their degeneration underlies several blinding diseases. RGCs interact with other neuronal cell types, microglia, and astrocytes in the retina and in the brain. Much knowledge has been gained about RGCs and glia from mice and other model organisms, often with the assumption that certain aspects of their biology may be conserved in humans. However, RGCs vary considerably between species, which could affect how they interact with their neuronal and glial partners. This review details which RGC and glial features are conserved between mice, humans, and primates, and which differ. …

Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial Of Caresteps: A Supportive Care Intervention For The Family Caregivers Of Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer, Maria L Rangel, Kathrin Milbury, Karen Kayser, Robert Taylor Ripley, Elizabeth Kvale, Hoda Badr

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: Patients with advanced lung cancer (LC) face significant physical, psychological, and functional challenges, increasing their reliance on caregivers for practical and emotional support. This study evaluates the efficacy of CareSTEPS (Self-Care, Stress management, Symptom management, Effective communication, Problem-solving, and Social support), a 6-week telephone-delivered intervention designed to improve psychological functioning (depression and anxiety symptoms) and reduce caregiver burden among family caregivers of patients with advanced LC.

Methods: In this multisite, open-label, parallel-group randomized controlled trial, 174 caregivers (74.1% female individuals, 40.2% from a racial or ethnic minority group) of patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC or extensive-stage SCLC …

Factors Impacting Ehr Implementation: A Case Study In Belize, Jessica Y. Resendiz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Electronic health record systems are a tool used throughout healthcare organizations to provide safe and efficient patient care. They are used to record and retrieve patient information related to health history, diagnostics, and treatment plans. Electronic health records have become increasingly integrated into healthcare practice and are demonstrative of safe and quality care. Healthcare organizations that do not have electronic health record systems in place jeopardize safe and efficient patient care. In addition, access and financial means to implement electronic health record systems in developing countries are challenging as resources are often restricted. This project aims to identify factors that …

Organizational Toxicity: Exploring Factors That Cultivate Toxicity In Air Force Maintenance Organizations And Their Impact On Enlisted Airmen, Bryan Keith Wong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Workplace toxicity negatively impacts organizations and harms employees within those organizations. However, each organization is subject to various influences and contexts, and understanding toxicity within specific contexts provides practitioners with the knowledge of its origin, influential factors, and how to respond. The U.S. Air Force is rich in culture and subcultures; it is also subject to toxicity, which is affected by several military-unique factors. Yet, toxicity in the military has been primarily explored through the leadership lens with limited insights into other influential elements, such as followers and the workplace environment. Additionally, little attention has been placed on the effects …

Implementation Of A Transition-Of-Care Model For Adult Ischemic Stroke Survivors, Megan Akacsos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The lasting physical and cognitive deficits associated with the complexities of newly acquired

disabilities resulting from an acute ischemic stroke (AIS) may lead to hospital readmissions. The

participating healthcare facility on the U.S. West Coast reported a hospital readmission rate for

AIS survivors of 24.29% within 30 days of discharge. This doctoral nursing project aimed to

determine if implementing the Comprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services (COMPASS) model

would reduce 30-day readmission rates compared to no standardized transition-of-care model in

adult AIS survivors over 30 days. Implementing the COMPASS model in this patient population

was expected to better educate and support stroke …

On Representations Of The Super-Yangian Of The Queer Lie Superalgebra, Elena Poletaeva

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Let Q(n) be the queer Lie superalgebra. We determine conditions under which two 1-dimensional modules over the super-Yangian of Q(n) can be extended nontrivially. We describe the dual modules of the simple finite-dimensional modules over YQ(1) . We use these results to describe blocks in the subcategory of finite-dimensional YQ(1) -modules admitting the zero generalized central character.

Modelling Tinnitus Functional Index Reduction Using Supervised Machine Learning Algorithms, Edmund F. Agyemang

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

This study aims to model the reduction in the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) utilizing supervised machine learning algorithms, focusing primarily on Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Ridge, and Lasso regressions. Our analysis highlighted Group, ISI, and SWLS as significant predictors of TFI reduction, identified through the best subset selection and confirmed by both forward and backward selection criteria in the OLS regression. Notably, the shrinkage methods, Ridge and Lasso regressions, demonstrated superior performance compared to OLS and KNN, with the Ridge regression presenting the smallest test mean square error (MSE) of 318.30. This finding establishes the Ridge regression …

On The Lagrange And Hermite Quadrature Formula, Shuxia Li, Yonghong Chen

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

This paper builds on the error analysis method for Newton-Cotes quadrature formulas developed by D. R. Hayes and L. Rubin in 1970, which utilizes Lagrange interpolation polynomials. By adopting and extending their approach, this work derives the error estimate for Hermite interpolation quadrature. Specifically, we construct a polynomial P(x) analogous to the scaling function A(x) used by Hayes and Rubin, and prove its non-negativity over the interval. This allows us to establish a precise error formula for Hermite interpolation quadrature. The results provide a novel application of Hayes and Rubin's methodology, offering new insights …

Proactive And Reactive Sibling Aggression And Their Mediating Effects On The Relationship Between Exposure To Parental Violence And Adulthood Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration, Ayleen Flores, Ruby Charak

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

It is generally understood that individuals who experience exposure to parental violence (EPV) during childhood may come to perpetrate violence, but not all will. Research has shown that individuals who experience EPV can model maladaptive modes of problem-solving that can later be seen in sibling relationships as aggression. This can lead to a heightened risk of adulthood intimate partner violence perpetration (IPV). This study aimed to examine the mediating role of proactive and reactive sibling aggression in the associations of three forms of childhood EPV—violence directed from mother-to-father, father-to-mother, bidirectional—and perpetration of sexual and physical IPV types during adulthood. Participants …

Vol 69 #6, Melanie Argo

MPLA Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Engaging Families In School-Based Physical Activity Promotion, Veronica Becerra

Dissertations

This dissertation explored how schools promote and engage families in physical activity (PA) opportunities through two studies conducted in a Mountain West state. Study one explored strategies schools used to engage families in PA. Study two examined how a purposefully selected K-8 school developed family-school partnerships to support PA engagement through Epstein’s (2010) Six Types of Involvement framework.

Study one used a collective case study design guided by the following research questions:

• Q1.1 What strategies do schools implement to promote and engage families in physical activity programming?
• Q1.1a What tactics do schools use to implement these strategies?
• Q1.2 What are …

Study Of Yoga Intervention To Reduce Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Public School Educators, Leslie Marie Hillen

Dissertations

A problem in education was the great amount of stress teachers were under. Secondary Traumatic Stress “is the emotional duress that results when an individual hears about the first-hand trauma experiences of another” (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, n.d.). When teachers feel they cannot work or are overwhelmed with the demands of education, this can be attributed to Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) (Caringi et al., 2015). Many teachers felt there was not enough support from the administration, as they not only deliver curriculum, but they also worried about the students’ mental health, home lives, hunger, and how to support …

Twentieth-Century Chinese Piano Sonatas: An Exploration Of Selected Works By Ding Shande, Guo Zurong, And Chu Wanghua, Qingrui Li

Dissertations

At the turn of the nineteenth to twentieth century, with the arrival of the piano and the increasing cultural exchange between China and the West, China has experienced more than one hundred years of exploration and experimentation, gradually shaping a uniquely Chinese piano culture. The piano sonata, as a classic European genre imported to China, has evolved into an “experimental art form.” Its complex and organized structure and broad space for expression become an outlet for Chinese composers in the twentieth century to experiment with technical means and explore instrumental aesthetics, while also exhibiting a unique style of artistic expression …

University Students With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Sex Differences In Identification And Diagnosis, Lisa Mickelson

Dissertations

University students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) face several risk factors and challenges compared to peers without ADHD that can impede their academic success and graduation. It is important to identify and diagnose ADHD prior to entering postsecondary settings to provide students with the best academic trajectory. This is particularly true as the number of students enrolled at universities with ADHD increases. Historically, ADHD has been considered a disorder with a childhood onset. However, past research primarily focused on males. More recent studies suggest females have a different ADHD etiological presentation than males, and that onset is more likely to occur …

Patterns Of Cannabis Use And Impacts On Communication And Relationship Satisfaction, Johni Mitchell

Dissertations

This dissertation looked at patterns of cannabis use and impacts on communication and relationship satisfaction in couples that have been co-habitating for at least a year. A sample of 299 individual participants aged 21-69 were split into groups to look at concordant (where both partners either used or abstained from cannabis use) and discordant (where one partner used and the other abstained) relationship dynamics. The research revealed significant differences in communication and relationship satisfaction across these groups. Individuals in concordantabstaining partnerships reported higher levels of communication and relationship satisfaction compared to concordant-using couples. The lowest satisfaction levels were observed in …

Lennie Tristano’S Pedagogical Model In Jazz Education: A Critical Analysis Of Pertinent Components From The 1950s For Current Classroom Implementation, Robert Ngobi

Dissertations

Lennie Tristano's pedagogical model, established in the mid-20th century, transformed jazz education by focusing on ear training through singing with solos and melodic development based on a systematic, individualized approach to teaching and learning. This dissertation explores Tristano's model through the lens of educational psychology and cognitive science. While it does not profoundly explore either field, it highlights aspects relevant to Tristano's pedagogical strategies. The study addresses the following research questions: (1) What are the specific components of Tristano's model, and how did they reshape the jazz educational landscape of the 1950s? (2) How can these components be adapted to …

(Re)Birth Of The Cool: A Culturally Sustaining & Community Responsive Pedagogical Framework For Music Education, Mario Yuzo Nieto

Dissertations

This qualitative research study sought to illuminate how culturally sustaining, community responsive educational frameworks of pedagogy and leadership (Duncan-Andrade, 2022) can serve to increase recruitment, enrollment, retention, graduation, and overall satisfaction rates for ethnically minoritized student populations majoring or seeking degrees in fields of music in institutions of higher education. To investigate this question, a collective portraiture case study (Lawrence-Lightfoot & Davis, 1997; Stake, 1995) that compared music departments of two different universities located in a localized state, was conducted to analyze both the need for and effectiveness of such a framework. The data were collected by way of this …

Exploring The Motivations And Aspirations Of High School Senior Latinas: A Phenomenological Constructivist Study Of Advancement Via Individual Determination And Non-Advancement Via Individual Determination Student Experiences, Marina Rodriguez

Dissertations

While student support programs aim to offer guidance on college information and resources, not all student support programs offer a class curriculum targeted toward college and career readiness. The Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program offers AVID as an elective class in a student’s academic schedule. Similar programs that support students include the Migrant Education Program, TRIO, and Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. The purpose of this study was to establish a greater understanding of the motives and aspirations to attend a higher education institution of Latina high school seniors who have participated in an AVID program …

After The Bullets: Managing A Mass Shooting Resource Center Explored Through Autoethnography, Karen Allene Schweihs

Dissertations

The rate of mass shootings has more than doubled over the past 10 years in the United States (Gun Violence Archive, 2024). The focus of this study was a thorough exploration of my personal experiences in designing a response center after a mass shooting occurred in Boulder, Colorado. This study utilized a qualitative narrative inquiry form of research methodology called autoethnography. Autoethnography has been utilized to capture more than the raw data collected, but to offer a more expansive and detailed description of a unique experience. The following research questions were studied:

• Q1 What might I learn about my own …

Physicochemical Property Effects On Immune Modulating Polymeric Nanoparticles: Potential Applications In Spinal Cord Injury, Daniel J. Kolpek, Jaechang Kim, Hisham Mohammed, John C. Gensel, Jonghyuck Park

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Nanoparticles (NPs) offer promising potential as therapeutic agents for inflammation-related diseases, owing to their capabilities in drug delivery and immune modulation. In preclinical studies focusing on spinal cord injury (SCI), polymeric NPs have demonstrated the ability to reprogram innate immune cells. This reprogramming results in redirecting immune cells away from the injury site, downregulating pro-inflammatory signaling, and promoting a regenerative environment post-injury. However, to fully understand the mechanisms driving these effects and maximize therapeutic efficacy, it is crucial to assess NP interactions with innate immune cells. This review examines how the physicochemical properties of polymeric NPs influence their modulation of …