Digital Commons Network^™

The Moderating Role Of Perceived Resource Abundance In The Links Between Self-Compassion, Self-Coldness, Coping Strategies, And Mental Health, Evan E. Ozmat

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Undergraduate students increasingly present to college counseling centers with pre-existing mental health concerns, including depression and suicidal ideation, emphasizing the urgent need for effective interventions and a deeper understanding of contributing factors. Self-compassion—responding kindly to oneself amid suffering—and its theorized counterpart, self-coldness—characterized by self-judgment and isolation—have emerged as key constructs influencing mental health. The two-factor model of self-compassion, grounded in Gilbert’s (2005a) Theory of Social Mentalities (TSM), posits that self-compassion and self-coldness are distinct unipolar continua shaped by evolved safeness and threat-defense systems that regulate social behaviors and mental health outcomes. The present study examines the mediating role of prosocial …

Mindfulness And Anxiety Symptoms: The Role Of Cognitive Reappraisal In Community Adults, Calla L. Pritulsky

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition worldwide and contributes to substantial societal costs, personal distress, and impairment (World Health Organization, 2023). Given its high prevalence, low treatment utilization, and modest response rates, identifying protective factors to inform prevention efforts is critical (Mamede et al., 2022; Mendelson & Eaton, 2018). Mindfulness, or the ability to nonjudgmentally pay attention to the present moment, comprises five key facets: observing, describing, acting with awareness, nonjudging, and nonreactivity (Baer et al., 2006b). Although mindfulness is inversely associated with anxiety, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear (Desrosiers et al., 2013). Cognitive reappraisal, defined …

Evaluating Measurement Models Of Problematization: Connections With Identity Empowerment And Community Connectedness, Angel Long

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Consistent with Liberation theory, problematization is the process of creating critical reflection, a means by which critical consciousness occurs. It is a method for understanding issues faced by oppressed populations, while centering the perspective of these populations. Within Liberation spaces, problematization is critical for fostering critical consciousness, disrupting oppression, and promoting strength. However, problematization is a theoretical concept frame from narrative responses and lived experiences of marginalized individuals. There are few resources highlighting depictions of problematizing/critical consciousness and cultural strengths captured by measures of BIPOC community functioning. Therefore, there is a need to empirically evaluate major tenets of the concept …

Turning To The Sacred: The Role Of Religious/Spiritual Coping In Psychological Outcomes Of Childhood Interpersonal Trauma, Vanessa S. Tomasik

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are widespread and associated with significant and lasting psychological consequences, including posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and dissociation. Much of the existing literature has focused on adult trauma or narrowly examined childhood abuse and neglect, with comparatively limited attention given to other forms of childhood adversity such as witnessing intimate partner violence, parental separation, or household dysfunction. As a result, the differential psychological impact of distinct types of ACE exposure (i.e., maltreatment vs. household dysfunction) remains insufficiently understood. Emerging literature on coping identifies religious and spiritual (R/S) coping as an important factor in trauma adaptation. Positive R/S …

Effects Of Varying Biochar Concentrations On The Growth Of Lactuca Sativa (Newham Bibb Lettuce), Lauren Holler

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The objective of this research experiment was to investigate the effectiveness of using biochar in potting soil in terms of plant growth and soil quality. This experiment was carried out using varying amounts (0%, 5%, 10%, and 20%) of biochar in the soil to see its effect on seed germination, plant growth, and soil quality such as pH, water retention, and soil temperature. The aim of the experiment was to identify whether biochar can be used in soil to promote healthier and stronger plants. There were four treatments which included 0% (Control), 5% (Treatment 1), 10% (Treatment 2), and 20% …

The Role Of Probiotics In Metabolic Syndrome: A Clinical Review, Ariel Rios

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

BACKGROUND

           Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. First-line treatment consists of lifestyle modifications, followed by guideline-directed pharmacologic therapy. Growing evidence suggests that modulation of the gut microbiota through probiotic supplementation may improve metabolic outcomes, although its clinical role remains uncertain. This clinical review evaluates whether the use of probiotics, specifically Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, may serve as adjunctive therapy for metabolic syndrome.

METHODS

          PubMed was searched using terms including “metabolic syndrome” and “probiotics,” yielding 195 articles. Abstracts and full texts were screened to identify randomized …

Incidence Of Breast Cancer In Menopausal And Post-Menopausal Women With The Use Of Different Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapies, Morgan L. Moorer

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is a widely used treatment for common symptoms that women experience through menopause and post-menopause, such as hot flashes, mood changes, sleep disturbances, low libido, night sweats, and weight fluctuations. The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate the association between MHT use and breast cancer risk.

Methods: A search was conducted through PubMed using the following key terms: “estrogen”, “progesterone”, “breast cancer”, and “menopause”. After filters were applied, the search was narrowed down to 33 final results. Of those results, 3 total articles were utilized in this literature review.

Results: Two articles directly …

The Effects Of Non-Pharmacologic Interventions On Glycemic Control In Type 1 Diabetes And Anxiety: A Clinical Review, Samuel Merr

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) carries significant psychological burden, including elevated rates of anxiety and diabetes-related distress. Both of these have been linked to worse glycemic control and outcomes. The purpose of this clinical review is to evaluate the current evidence on whether non-pharmacologic interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based interventions (MBI), are associated with meaningful reductions in HbA1c in adults with T1D and elevated anxiety.

Methods: PubMed was searched using key terms including “type 1 diabetes,” “anxiety,” “non-pharmacologic interventions,” and “glycemic control,” with MeSH terms and Boolean operators applied. …

Biologic Therapies Versus Methotrexate In Psoriatic Arthritis Management: A Literature Review, Yisel Ramos

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can cause progressive joint damage, functional impairment, and reduced quality of life. Methotrexate (MTX) is commonly used as a systemic therapy, while biologic therapies target specific inflammatory pathways. This review evaluated the efficacy and safety of biologic therapies compared with MTX in adults with PsA.

Methods: A PubMed/MEDLINE search identified studies evaluating biologic therapies and MTX in adults with PsA. Four publications were included based on methodological quality, clinical relevance, and applicability to the PICO question. Outcomes included joint symptoms, disease activity, physical function, radiographic progression, and adverse …

Prescribing Prevention: The Impact Of Non-Pharmacological Intervention Versus Medication On Maternal Mortality, Sheris Cox

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), including preeclampsia, are one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the world. The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate the effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions, including supervised exercise, Mediterranean dietary patterns, and mindfulness-based therapies, in reducing and preventing HDPs and maternal mortality overall. A review of the current literature was conducted using PubMed, with a final search using the terms “preeclampsia,” “exercise,” “stress reduction,” and “maternal mortality.” With the use of certain filters applied to the search, results were condensed to 10 articles for review. Of the articles reviewed, it was found …

Efficacy Of Sglt2 Inhibitors In The Management Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Paige N. Curtis-Campbell

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), recently proposed to be termed polyendocrine metabolic syndrome (PMOS), is a complex multifactorial disorder commonly associated with obesity, hyperandrogenism, infertility, and insulin resistance. First-line treatments for metabolic characteristics include lifestyle modifications and metformin; however, metabolic abnormalities may persist. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors represent a potential therapeutic agent due to their effects on insulin resistance, glucose metabolism, and body weight.

Methods: A literature search of PubMed identified studies examining SGLT2 inhibitors in women with PCOS compared to metformin, standard therapies, or placebo. The search was restricted to randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and meta-analyses available …

Effect Of Intramedullary Nailing Vs Plate Fixation On Bone Union Time In Distal Tibial Fractures, Madeline Wasmund

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Distal tibia fractures are complex fractures due to the intricate anatomy and minimal soft-tissue protection. There are currently two techniques that are mainstays for repairing a distal tibia fracture: intramedullary nailing and plate fixation. This study explores the bone union time between these two different techniques. PubMed was searched with a specific search strategy using the terms “intramedullary rod”, “plate/screw fixation”, “tibial fractures”, and “time to bone union.” Filters were applied to find articles that were most relevant, which resulted in 4 articles, each of which was appraised. Three articles were systematic reviews/meta-analyses comparing intramedullary nail fixation and plate fixation …

Catheter Directed Thrombolysis Vs Anticoagulant Therapy For The Management Of Pulmonary Embolisms, Kelsey A. Strawser

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that develops within a blood vessel and travels to the lungs, leading to a blockage of blood flow where it can cause life threatening complications.¹ Currently, there is not one standard treatment for pulmonary embolisms. Treatment depends on the size and location of the emboli, as well as the risk it has to the patients’ health.⁹ While systemic anticoagulation is one of the most common treatment methods for pulmonary embolisms, catheter directed thrombolysis rapidly dissolves the clot, which can lead to quicker symptom relief and decreased strain on the heart.^{11 …}

Clomiphene Vs Letrozole For Fertility In Women With Pcos., Lauren Weissenberger

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition associated with ovulatory dysfunction and infertility in women. The purpose of this review is to analyze the efficacy of clomiphene versus letrozole in ovulation induction, pregnancy rate, and live birth rate in women with PCOS.

Methods: PubMed was searched strategically using key terms “polycystic ovary syndrome”, “clomiphene”, and “letrozole”. The following filters were applied: randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, free full text, English language, and publication dates restricted to the last five years. Results narrowed down to three relevant, quality articles for review.

Results: One article was an RCT comparing clomiphene …

Orthosis Versus Surgical Repair Outcomes Of Developmental Dysplasia Of The Hip In Children, Avery G. Hays

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction:

            Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is one of the most common orthopedic malformations in children. Late detection of DDH can lead to more invasive treatment, higher risk of treatment related complications, and long-term sequelae like early onset osteoarthritis. The purpose of this clinical review is to analyze current treatments for DDH and provide a rationale for individualized treatment decisions and future implications.

Methods:

            A PubMed search was preformed using a specific strategy with key terms “developmental dysplasia of the hip,” “orthosis,” “surgical reduction,” and “complications.” Boolean operators and filters were used to narrow the results to 6 relevant, …

Restrictive Fluid Resuscitation With Early Vasopressor Initiation Vs Liberal Fluid Resuscitation In Adults With Septic Shock: A Review Of Mortality And Clinical Outcomes, Gabriel Locke

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction

Septic shock is a life-threatening medical emergency characterized by profound hypotension, impaired organ perfusion, and significant risk of mortality. While large fluid resuscitation has been considered the commonplace, emerging evidence of increased adverse outcomes has prompted further investigation into restrictive fluid strategies in combination with early vasopressor use.

Methods

PubMed was searched with key terms “septic shock”, “vasopressors”, “norepinephrine”, “restrictive fluid resuscitation”, “liberal fluid resuscitation”, and “mortality”. Operators and filters were implemented such as randomized control trial, systematic reviews, meta-analyses published between 2021 and 2026. After applying these filters. Of the 39 results, 4 articles were selected based on …

Lifestyle Modifications Versus Antihypertensive Therapy: Efficacy In Blood Pressure Control Among Adults With Hypertension, Alexander J. Butler

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Hypertension is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease and preventable deaths in the United States. Pharmacological treatment remains the standard of care despite challenges such as cost, adherence, and side effects. The purpose of this article is to discover the effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatment in comparison to pharmacological treatment for reducing blood pressure in patients with hypertension. PubMed was searched using key terms such as “HTN,” “antihypertensive,” “antihypertensive agents,” “exercise,” “physical activity,” and “running.” Operators and filters were used to narrow results down to 31 where 4 quality articles were selected for review. Non-pharmacological treatment/lifestyle changes produced reductions …

A Policy Analysis Of Accountability And Governance In Journalism By Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Egypt, Amira Ahmed Salama

Theses and Dissertations

The growing use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and AI-assisted tools in journalism raises governance questions concerning accountability, human oversight, transparency, verification, editorial responsibility, and implementation. In Egypt, these issues arise within an emerging but fragmented governance environment that includes national AI guidance, media regulation, professional self-regulation, and developing newsroom practices. This study examines how these arrangements can be integrated into a coherent national sector-specific policy framework for GenAI and AI-assisted journalism.

The study adopts a qualitative methodology combining a descriptive qualitative document analysis with stakeholder semi-structured interviews. Four governance instruments were analyzed: the Council of Europe’s Guidelines on the …

Grievability Of The Abject As Narrated By Exiles, Sylvia Azmy

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes two novels: Inaam Kachachi’s Sawaqi al-Qulub (2005) and Shady Lewis’s ʿAla Khatt Grinitsh (2019), to understand the relationships between figures of migration, as the exile narrates his encounters with refugees. It uses Julia Kristeva’s Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection (1980) and Judith Butler’s Frames of War: When Is Life Grievable? (2009) as theoretical frameworks to examine the deaths of refugees and their corpses (utmost of abjection) in the two novels. Scholars have argued that the literature of forced migration is becoming more inclusive than migration narratives, a term that has focused on student travelers, exilic …

The Power Of The Mind: Exploring The Perceived Benefits Of Spiritual Meditation For Children's Loss And Grief, Shefali Bhalla

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Grief and loss can significantly affect children’s emotional, cognitive, and social development, yet many existing interventions remain difficult to access due to stigma, cost, and limited cultural fit. Meditation has shown promise as a low-cost and adaptable strategy for supporting emotional regulation, but little is known about how children themselves perceive its usefulness in grief-related contexts. The present study explored children’s beliefs about the usefulness of spiritual meditation as a coping strategy across grief, interpersonal conflict, and positive emotional vignettes. Fourteen children between the ages of 8 and 13 participated in individual Zoom sessions in which they listened to three …

Endogenous Light In The Brain: Investigating Sources, Propagation, And State-Dependent Emission, Emre Cicek

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Ultraweak photon emission (UPE), and by extension light, has long been thought to be a modality of communication in nature. Prior studies have already identified that UPE can depend on cell type and can be used to discern between malignant and benign cells. However, besides theoretical models, not much effort has been made to identify possible biological structures that would allow for light to be used as a method of communication in the human body. According to the framework set by Shannon’s Information Theory, for communication to be possible at minimum a transmitter, a transmission channel, and a receiver are …

Time Series Mediation Analysis With Non-Linear And Machine Learning Methods, Timothy Marsh

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Non-linearity in mediation analysis has been primarily studied in the context of binary variables which encode a treatment and control, estimating a `direct` and `indirect` effect of a covariate (a.k.a. treatment) X on a response Y, with a third variable M (the `mediator`) that is affected by X and in turn affects Y. The focus of mediation analysis in general is to quantify the overall effect of X on Y, including the effect through M. This presentation will focus on one or more continuous treatments and apply non-linear methods, including splines and machine learning models, to mediation analysis in a …

Sediment Redox-Driven Iron Flux And Phytoplankton Community Responses: Implications For Cyanobacterial Suppression And Functional Stability Across Boreal Lakes, Julia K. Kozak

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Freshwater eutrophication contributes towards the development of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs), but nutrient availability alone does not fully explain variation in phytoplankton community composition or physiological performance. While phosphorus (P) availability has been known to regulate phytoplanktonic biomass, iron (Fe) is an important micronutrient supporting Fe-heavy processes within cyanobacteria (i.e., nitrogen fixation and photosynthetic electron transport). Sediment Fe availability in freshwater ecosystems is regulated by reduction oxidation (redox) conditions at the sediment-water interface (SWI), where nitrate (NO₃^-) has been found to maintain oxidizing conditions and prevent the reduction of Fe(III) to more readily bioavailable soluble Fe(II), …

Integrating Landsat And Ecostress To Explore The Value Of Additional Thermal Infrared Satellite Observations For Field-Scale Evapotranspiration Mapping, Hui Liu, Yun Yang, Martha C. Anderson, Feng Gao, Christopher R. Hain, John M. Volk, Zoe Amie Pierrat, Kerry Cawse-Nicholson, Forrest S. Melton, Christine M. Lee, Adam J. Purdy, Weina Duan, Tian Li, Jiaxin Wang

AES Faculty Publications and Presentations

Landsat has provided an indispensable foundation for field-scale evapotranspiration (ET) mapping but is constrained by its overpass temporal frequency. Although integrating additional thermal data offers a pathway to bridge this gap, the magnitude of improvement varies across observation characteristics and surface context and remains less understood. Here, ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) is used as an additional thermal source on top of the Landsat baseline to evaluate the value of more frequent thermal observations for improving field-scale ET time series. We implemented a Google Earth Engine -based Disaggregated Atmosphere-Land Exchange Inverse + Data Mining Sharpener framework …

Toward Mapping Multiphase Multicomponent Mixtures With Neural Networks, Kristen L. Hallas, Melissa De Jesus, Christine J. Wu, Jianzhi Li, Jason Bernstein, Philip C. Myint

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Equation of state (EOS) tables are commonly used in hydrodynamic simulations of high-pressure, high-temperature phenomena in fields like planetary science, astrophysics, and high-energy-density science. However, generating and storing EOS tables for multiphase, multicomponent mixtures over a wide range of pressures and temperatures is computationally infeasible due to their memory-intensive nature. To address this issue, we have developed a neural network-based machine learning model to predict new EOS tables for binary mixtures. In particular, a deep feedforward neural network trained on a set of ten EOS tables at particular mixture compositions is able to predict nine new (hold-out) EOS tables at …

Diagnostic Delays In Endometriosis Among Reproductive-Aged Women: An Evidence-Based Primary Care Policy Proposal, Francis P. Ronayne

Capstones

No abstract provided.

Sustainable – Low-Cost - Upgrade Of Activated Sludge Process For Nitrogen And Phosphorus (N&P) Removal From Wastewater, Abanoub N. Basta

Theses and Dissertations

Many municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in developing countries were designed primarily for organic matter and suspended solids removal and therefore face increasing difficulty in meeting modern nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) discharge requirements. Conventional biological nutrient removal upgrades commonly require additional reactor volume, recirculation systems, aeration energy, and capital investment. Accordingly, sustainable retrofit strategies that improve nutrient removal within existing treatment footprints are increasingly needed, particularly in water-scarce and land-constrained regions.

This study investigated the integration of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) into the aeration stage of an activated sludge process as a hybrid nature-based enhancement for nitrogen and phosphorus …

Trends In The Utilization Of Metaverse Technology In Media Content Production:A Second-Level Study Of The Arab Experience, Amal Nabil Badr, Tarek Ismail Mohamed, Nassereldin Abdel Qadir Osman

Journal of Arts and Social Sciences

The research problem is defined through a main question: How did Arab studies discuss the interactions of the Arab media experience with metaverse technology and supporting tools, the limits and levels of current and future use of this technology in Arab media institutions, and how did the quantitative and qualitative trends in these studies reflect the applied aspect in using metaverse technology and related tools in media content industry? The research relies on the secondary analysis methodology of the results reached by studies that dealt with the analysis of A sample of (30 studies) from 2015 until 2023. The results …

Nourishing Births: A Program Evaluation Proposal For Community-Based Nutrition Education, Food Access, And Garden Engagement Among Black Birthing People, Naa Deedei-Vera Hammond

Master's Projects and Capstones

Black birthing people in the United States continue to experience unequal maternal health outcomes, shaped in part by racism and barriers to nutritious food, culturally relevant health education, and supportive community spaces. While prenatal nutrition education and food assistance programs can provide important resources, information alone cannot address the challenges many people face when trying to access healthy and affordable food during pregnancy. The Nourishing Births Initiative is a proposed community-based maternal health program designed to respond to these needs by bringing together prenatal nutrition education, help connecting to food resources, community gardening, and peer support for Black birthing people …

Impact Of Implementing Standard Wound Care Guidelines For Patients In The Home Care Setting On Patient Outcomes, Raymond Anthony Flores Jr

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Wound care is among the most significant public health concerns, affecting millions of people worldwide. Most individuals with wounds end up self-managing their condition from their homes due to being discharged early from the hospital, owing to various reasons, and the costs associated with health care. Although home wound management offers convenience and lower costs for patients, it is also associated with substantial challenges, including limited access to and use of appropriate care protocols, wound management tools, and sufficient education on the topic, as well as limited professional advice. These limitations contribute to poor outcomes, including slow healing rates, infections, …