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Emotion Regulation As A Moderator Of The Association Between Stressful Life Events And Changes In Religiosity, Catharine Mann Apr 2026

Emotion Regulation As A Moderator Of The Association Between Stressful Life Events And Changes In Religiosity, Catharine Mann

Senior Theses

Previous research indicates that religion and spirituality can have a beneficial impact on the well-being of individuals, both promoting health and reducing poor mental and physical health outcomes. Religiosity often shifts across the lifespan, but some experiences can predict those changes. For example, stressful life events (SLEs; e.g., loss of a family member, serious illness) are often associated with a decrease in religiosity. Past research has shown that in adults, the experience of SLEs predicts less identification with previously held religious beliefs. This relation could be influenced by a number of factors, but many are likely related to the use …

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Internal Waves, Wind, And Biogeochemistry At The Head Of The Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon, Marisol C. Figueroa Apr 2026

Internal Waves, Wind, And Biogeochemistry At The Head Of The Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon, Marisol C. Figueroa

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Coastal submarine canyons are dynamic environments where internal waves, wind forcing, and complex bathymetry interact to regulate physical and biogeochemical variability. This study investigates how intra- and interannual variability in internal waves and upwelling-favorable winds influence cold-water mass intrusions and associated biogeochemical responses at the head of the Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon. Using a 2010--2021 time series of nearshore physical and chemical observations from the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories intake system, combined with local and offshore wind measurements, this work examines variability across seasonal to interannual timescales. Results show that semidiurnal M2 internal tides are the primary drivers of cold, …

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Redbird Impact, Vol. 9, No. 1 (Spring 2026), Center For Civic Engagement, Illinois State University Apr 2026

Redbird Impact, Vol. 9, No. 1 (Spring 2026), Center For Civic Engagement, Illinois State University

Redbird Impact

No abstract provided.

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Exploring Defamiliarization Techniques On Non-Player Characters, Sereen Hamideh Apr 2026

Exploring Defamiliarization Techniques On Non-Player Characters, Sereen Hamideh

Level Design Theses and Dissertations

This thesis topic explores the cross section between Non-Player Characters and poetic gameplay, a term coined by Dr. Alex Mitchell which is gameplay that is made deliberately strange or defamiliar to invoke reflection. The researcher used three defamiliarization techniques on a recurring Non-Player Character to test the effectiveness of each technique. The researcher created one level with two different, but nearly identical, quests for the game Starfield. One quest, “A Green Thumb,” contained no defamiliarization techniques, serving as a baseline, while the other quest, “A Blue Thumb,” incorporated three defamiliarization techniques. By analysing player feedback, the researcher aimed to explore …

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Influencing Player Tension Using Spatial Composition: Revisiting And Extending The Yuan–Wang Framework, Jiafan Lu Apr 2026

Influencing Player Tension Using Spatial Composition: Revisiting And Extending The Yuan–Wang Framework, Jiafan Lu

Level Design Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates how spatial composition in video game levels influences player tension and proposes a normalized quantitative formula based on existing spatial tension frameworks. The researcher independently created a single-player level and related quest in the video game Starfield. The quest, “Remnant of Tiangong” requires players to navigate a starstation containing a variety of spaces in a specific sequence. The researcher measured player tension through survey and biometric data and created a resulting tension curve. The researcher then compared the predicted tension curve to the resulting tension curve. The results show that the proposed formula accurately predicted players' …

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Implicit Learning: Exploring Safe Failure Zones Within The Teach–Reinforce–Master Framework, Hanyi Zhang Apr 2026

Implicit Learning: Exploring Safe Failure Zones Within The Teach–Reinforce–Master Framework, Hanyi Zhang

Level Design Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the use of the Teach–Reinforce–Master framework in video games. Specifically, the research explores whether players prefer to play through safe failure zones rather than unsafe zones in the reinforcement portion of a game-level tutorial. To test this hypothesis, the researcher created two levels for the game Half-Life 2. One level incorporates a series of best practices for safe failure zones, while the second level does not. The researcher explored whether implicit learning during the reinforcement stage in safe failure zones could be strengthened by implementing more optional paths, prohibiting the use of penalties, adding encouraging rewards, …

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Best Practices: Enhancing Ludonarrative Harmony Through Environmental Storytelling, Ryan "Ry" Mendenhall Apr 2026

Best Practices: Enhancing Ludonarrative Harmony Through Environmental Storytelling, Ryan "Ry" Mendenhall

Level Design Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the concept of ludonarrative and the possibility of enhancing the harmony between gameplay and story that may be achieved through environmental storytelling using an artifact built within The Witcher 3: REDkit.

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A Player Centered Design Method For Spatial Reuse, Franklin (Yuhao) Wu Apr 2026

A Player Centered Design Method For Spatial Reuse, Franklin (Yuhao) Wu

Level Design Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates spatial reuse in single-player level design through the lens of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), addressing two core challenges: excessive repetition and player disorientation. To resolve these challenges, five best practices are proposed: mixing new and reused content at a macro level, establishing clear spatial identities, varying gameplay upon revisits, altering flow within reused spaces, and leaving visible signs of player impact. These practices were applied in a custom-built quest level for Starfield and evaluated through playtesting combining behavioural observation and surveys. Results suggest that distinctive spatial identities and varied combat encounters were the most effective in creating meaningful …

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Repeated Environmental Object Association And Its Influence On Player Emotion And Decision-Making, Yongchen Wang Apr 2026

Repeated Environmental Object Association And Its Influence On Player Emotion And Decision-Making, Yongchen Wang

Level Design Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines whether repeated associations between neutral environmental objects and emotionally charged events can condition player emotion and influence in-game decision-making. The researcher developed a custom Dying Light single-player level called, “Conditional Illusion,” in which players explore a mansion and uncover narrative context through notes. Within the level, initially neutral objects, specifically a printer and a radio, were repeatedly paired with safe and horror events respectively, establishing patterned emotional associations. To evaluate the conditioning effect, the researcher recorded players’ facial emotional responses and gameplay footage during playtests, supplemented by post-playtest questionnaires. Results indicated that players consistently rated horror-paired spaces …

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Best Practices Of Using Embedded Narrative To Increase Emotional Impact In The Survival-Horror Genre: Post-Mortem, Peyton Walker Apr 2026

Best Practices Of Using Embedded Narrative To Increase Emotional Impact In The Survival-Horror Genre: Post-Mortem, Peyton Walker

Level Design Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study is to demonstrate the effect, specifically the emotional impact, embedded narrative practices have on players in survival-horror games. The researcher tested this through a constructed artifact level in Half-Life 2, where the player must collect resources and solve puzzles while being exposed to a collection of embedded narrative scenes. Mixed-methods data and analysis were conducted using multiple approaches, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data from participant survey responses, accompanied by facial recognition technology to assess potential emotions and engagement levels. Results revealed that most testers did feel an increased emotional response to embedded narrative …

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Best Practices Of Landmark In Level Design: Maintaining Player Motivation Using Denial And Reward, Ziyi Hua Apr 2026

Best Practices Of Landmark In Level Design: Maintaining Player Motivation Using Denial And Reward, Ziyi Hua

Level Design Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the integration of the Denial and Reward principle into landmark design to enhance player motivation and spatial navigation. By employing pre-arrival obstacles and proportional feedback upon reaching a goal, designers can create a curiosity-driven attraction loop. To demonstrate this, an artifact level was developed in the Skyrim Creation Kit, featuring a hierarchy of global, regional, and local landmarks within a semi-open environment. The level implements four best practices: hierarchy of landmarks; create effective denials; pacing denial–reward loops; and using visual conveyance, to pace the player’s journey and reinforce engagement.

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Systemic Design: Adopting A Mechanic And Emergent Uses, Kyle M. Aing Apr 2026

Systemic Design: Adopting A Mechanic And Emergent Uses, Kyle M. Aing

Level Design Theses and Dissertations

Video game designers can use a systems thinking approach to teach a new gameplay mechanic to players. When designers implement best practices of pacing and teaching, players are more likely to adopt and experiment with the mechanic. This methodology leads to a resilient mechanic system within a game and encourages emergent gameplay through the formation of intrinsic motivations.

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The Impact Of Abnormal Environmental Design On Player Tension In Horror Games, Jiawen Zhang Apr 2026

The Impact Of Abnormal Environmental Design On Player Tension In Horror Games, Jiawen Zhang

Level Design Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores how spatial design in video game levels can be used to generate player tension and sustain fear, in the absence of enemies or direct threats. For the spatial design, the researcher focused on impossible or abnormal environmental structures, such as looping corridors, non-Euclidean layouts, and disorienting transitions, and how they can evoke unease and emotional vulnerability in the player. To investigate the emotional impact of abnormal spatial design, the researcher created a horror, single-player level, “Echoes of Manor” in the game, Half-Life 2. The researcher aimed to maintain player engagement through constructed tension–release cycles and light puzzle …

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The Impact Of Counterfeit Luxury Bags On Brand Value And Consumer Perception, Mckenna Steinau Apr 2026

The Impact Of Counterfeit Luxury Bags On Brand Value And Consumer Perception, Mckenna Steinau

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

With the rise of technology and innovation in the 21st century, the luxury market, more specifically the luxury handbag market, is shifting due to a rise of counterfeit products. These counterfeits are no longer cheap knockoffs that are simple to tell they are fake, but rather are high quality “superfakes”. Superfakes give consumers access to the luxury appearance and persona without the full cost, which is where the appeal lies. This challenges leaders of the luxury handbag market, such as Chanel, Gucci, and Goyard, as it negatively affects their exclusivity, authenticity, and brand value. Since resale and counterfeits blur the …

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Reframing Risk And Resistance: Sexuality In The Fault In Our Stars, Megan Stiffler Apr 2026

Reframing Risk And Resistance: Sexuality In The Fault In Our Stars, Megan Stiffler

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Like many contemporary Young Adult (YA) novels, particularly of the YA romance genre, John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars (2012) explores the complexities of teenage sexuality. The narrative follows familiar genre conventions: sixteen-year-old Hazel Grace Lancaster’s routine life is disrupted when she meets seventeen-year-old Augustus (Gus) Waters. Their initial encounter is immediately charged with sexual attraction. Gus cannot seem to look away from her, while Hazel quickly addresses that he is “a hot boy” (Green 8-9). From this first meeting, the relationship develops much like a traditional YA romance, with their emotional connection and physical desires ultimately culminating in …

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Assessing Nutrition And Fitness-Related Knowledge Of Healthcare Professionals: Athletic Trainers, Physical Therapists, Physician Assistants, And Occupational Therapists, Delaney Porter Apr 2026

Assessing Nutrition And Fitness-Related Knowledge Of Healthcare Professionals: Athletic Trainers, Physical Therapists, Physician Assistants, And Occupational Therapists, Delaney Porter

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

In the United States, there is a prevalent obesity and overweight epidemic. Individuals who are obese and overweight often experience numerous comorbidities. These are manageable and often curable conditions through exercise and nutrition. Health care providers are the front line, qualified individuals recommending a healthy lifestyle to patients; however, we have such an extreme lack of healthy citizens. Healthcare education varies based on profession, and most educational models lack extensive nutrition or physical activity guideline emphasis. My research aims to identify the gaps in the knowledge of different health care providers, leading to such a large deficit in general health …

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A Double-Edged Sword? Liana Wood Decomposes Faster Than Tree Wood, Denis Mburu Njoroge, Aphrodis Munyaneza, Juan Zuo, Gbadamassi G. O. Dossa, Douglas Schaefer, Rhett D. Harrison, Stefan A. Schnitzer, J. Hans C. Cornelissen Apr 2026

A Double-Edged Sword? Liana Wood Decomposes Faster Than Tree Wood, Denis Mburu Njoroge, Aphrodis Munyaneza, Juan Zuo, Gbadamassi G. O. Dossa, Douglas Schaefer, Rhett D. Harrison, Stefan A. Schnitzer, J. Hans C. Cornelissen

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Lianas are increasing in many forests and show higher stem turnover rates and different chemical profiles compared with trees. However, liana deadwood decomposition dynamics have been overlooked. We redress this omission and hypothesize that liana wood decomposes faster than tree wood due to its larger vessels and higher nutrient content than trees, resulting in greater activity of both microbial and invertebrate decomposers. We tested this hypothesis in a common-garden decomposition experiment with deadwood of two size classes (2.5 and 4 cm diameter) belonging to 12 liana and 12 tree species in tropical China. Liana wood decomposed 28.6% faster than tree …

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Impact Of Self-Reported Anxiety On College Students’ Academic Performance And Physiological Responses, Rita Mitchell Apr 2026

Impact Of Self-Reported Anxiety On College Students’ Academic Performance And Physiological Responses, Rita Mitchell

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Going to college may seem like the next obvious step for some graduating high school students, while for other students, it is not part of their plan. Even though some high school students have their college experience planned and are prepared to start this journey, their experience can drastically change. A myriad of problems for the new and upcoming students can arise, with one of those problems being generalized anxiety. High school provides students with structured eight-hour days, lunch breaks, and teachers who make sure they attend class. College, on the other hand, does not provide students with these luxuries. …

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Examination Of Heart Rate Response To Performance Errors In Competitive Division Iii Field Hockey, Olivia Muir Apr 2026

Examination Of Heart Rate Response To Performance Errors In Competitive Division Iii Field Hockey, Olivia Muir

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

This research examines the relationship between heart rate and performance outcomes in competitive DIII field hockey match play. In particular, the research examines the players of the Lynchburg Field Hockey Team, with a focus on player errors. Real-time heart rate data were collected using Beyond PulseTM monitors and synchronized with game footage from the SpiideoTM platform. Player errors were then identified using Spiideo’sTM AI software, and the corresponding heart rate values were recorded, spanning from 3 seconds before and 3 seconds after the player error occurred. The maximum heart rate for each player was also calculated using the equation: HRmax …

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Weather And The Question Of Human Agency In Medieval Texts, Kaleigh Bennett Apr 2026

Weather And The Question Of Human Agency In Medieval Texts, Kaleigh Bennett

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

During the Middle Ages, humans and the weather were believed to have an inherently adversarial relationship. Understanding how people operate within the natural world is a difficult topic, and this especially holds true for a time that lacked modern scientific knowledge. While there is greater appreciation for how the weather is formed today, understanding of the weather during the medieval period was largely superstitious, especially during the early medieval period when pagan and Christian beliefs towards the environment began to overlap. According to Gillian Rudd’s essay “Being Green In Late Medieval English Literature” found within The Oxford Handbook of Ecocriticism …

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Increasing Breastfeeding Rates: The Role Of Targeted Maternal Education, Saige O. Adams Apr 2026

Increasing Breastfeeding Rates: The Role Of Targeted Maternal Education, Saige O. Adams

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

About 83.2% of infants receive breast milk when first born, and then at three months, this number drops to 69.2%, again at six months, it drops to 55.8% (CDC, 2024). It is also noted that Central Virginia lags behind this national average. Based on this data, it has been discovered that some families do not breastfeed for as long as they intended to because of some unforeseen challenges or struggles that they were not aware of, like discomfort, time management, and stress. There are some mothers who end up in early cessation of breastfeeding because they were not properly equipped …

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Unveiling Value In Plastic Waste: Synthesis Of 1,3-Dioxolan-4-Ones From Polylactic Acid And Polyoxymethylene To Enhance Plastic Biodegradation, Mi-Hyun Lee, Joohyun Park, Hyeongyeong Lee, Woo Yeon Cho, Semin Son, Pyung Cheon Lee, In-Hwan Lee, Hye-Young Jang Apr 2026

Unveiling Value In Plastic Waste: Synthesis Of 1,3-Dioxolan-4-Ones From Polylactic Acid And Polyoxymethylene To Enhance Plastic Biodegradation, Mi-Hyun Lee, Joohyun Park, Hyeongyeong Lee, Woo Yeon Cho, Semin Son, Pyung Cheon Lee, In-Hwan Lee, Hye-Young Jang

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Catalytic plastic upcycling protocols are essential for resolving the environmental and economic challenges associated with massive plastic production and disposal, as they convert complex waste streams into value-added chemicals. We report an efficient acid-catalyzed upcycling strategy for transforming poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and polyoxymethylene (POM) plastic waste. This innovative process directly yielding dioxolanones (DOXs) can be extended to use POM with various naturally abundant α-hydroxy acids. This work significantly expands the high-value chemical portfolio derivable from common plastic wastes. Incorporation of the synthesized DOXs into the poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) backbone results in materials with enhanced thermal stability and superior biodegradability. Critically, …

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Directory Of Landscape Professionals Trained In Ecological Landscaping For Water Quality Protection, Julia Peterson Apr 2026

Directory Of Landscape Professionals Trained In Ecological Landscaping For Water Quality Protection, Julia Peterson

UNH Cooperative Extension

The individuals and businesses listed have completed UNH Cooperative Extension training programs for professionals as indicated, and have agreed to be listed in the directory. Individuals looking for related products or services are encouraged to contact one or more of the professionals listed in your area.

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Nh Guide To 4-H Dog Shows, Extension Apr 2026

Nh Guide To 4-H Dog Shows, Extension

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

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Edith Dennison: Baseball’S Queen Of The North Shore, Sarah Wiggins Apr 2026

Edith Dennison: Baseball’S Queen Of The North Shore, Sarah Wiggins

Bridgewater Review

August, 1911. Over 1,200 spectators gathered to witness the local women’s baseball championship game between the Meadow Park and Little River baseball clubs. Edith Dennison took the mound for Meadow Park and delivered a display of dominant pitching from start to finish. Little River batters could not connect with her pitches until the fourth inning. By the fifth, Little River managed two runs, one due to a wild pitch from Dennison. The bases became loaded with two outs, but Dennison maintained control and ended Little River’s chances. By the end of the seven-inning bout, Dennison recorded 16 strikeouts. Her counterpart, …

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Materialism: What Do We Lose By Focusing On Having More?, Traidan C. Hier Apr 2026

Materialism: What Do We Lose By Focusing On Having More?, Traidan C. Hier

Augustana Center for the Study of Ethics Essay Contest

This paper seeks to grapple with how materialism impacts the world that we live in and the person holding that mindset. It also seeks a solution to materialism, offering a helpful perspective on how can we avoid a materialistic mindset.

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Deportation And Death: Examining The Second Trump Administration’S Immigration Policy Through The Lens Of Just War Theory, Finley W. Snyder Apr 2026

Deportation And Death: Examining The Second Trump Administration’S Immigration Policy Through The Lens Of Just War Theory, Finley W. Snyder

Augustana Center for the Study of Ethics Essay Contest

From day one of the second Trump administration, the White House has treated illegal immigration as an invasion, both rhetorically and, to a lesser extent, legally. The administration has not shied away from the use of force in this campaign, leading to the notable killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti along with countless acts of violence across the nation. This essay seeks to evaluate the ethics of the second Trump administration's immigration policy from within this "war" framing through the lens of just war theory. While there has been considerable attention to just war theory in the context of …

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Ethical Issues Of The Advancement Of Artificial Intelligence, Primo G. Moreno Apr 2026

Ethical Issues Of The Advancement Of Artificial Intelligence, Primo G. Moreno

Augustana Center for the Study of Ethics Essay Contest

Artificial intelligence has rapidly become integrated into our modern society, allowing for new streamlined methods to reign supreme. These methods raise concerns about control, privacy, and the shifting boundaries between human and machine decision-making. This paper examines how AI has developed, how it is currently being used, and the ethical dilemmas that arise as societies integrate it into systems such as healthcare, law enforcement, and businesses. Through the expansion of historical, technical, and philosophical perspectives, this paper argues that society must prioritize having set guidelines and systems for monitoring newly created AI systems. Without them, the implementation of AI models …

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Under The Bridge - Vol. 5 (Spring 2026), Trinity Christian College Apr 2026

Under The Bridge - Vol. 5 (Spring 2026), Trinity Christian College

Under the Bridge

This Home - Wasco - 1 / Do You Want A Tree? - Honey - 5 / The Heart of a Troll - Majewski - 8 / Memory Map - Cohen - 11 / Am I True To My Words? - Post - 18 / Lukewarm - Enriquez - 22 / Bottled Memories - Hoffman - 23 / Darkness to Dependance -  Santostefano - 25 / Amor Eterno - Zuno - 30 / Growth - Suchorabski - 31 / I bruise easily - Heyboer - 33 / Solo Christo - Jamrozik - 35 / Banished - Clausing and Parsley - …

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Navigating End-Of-Life Decisions: Cultural Considerations For Latine Patients, Michelle Carbajal Hernandez Apr 2026

Navigating End-Of-Life Decisions: Cultural Considerations For Latine Patients, Michelle Carbajal Hernandez

Honors Capstones

Healthcare professionals face many challenges when communicating terminal illness prognoses for individuals. This responsibility to address a terminal prognosis is further complicated when communicating with Latine patients who may face multiple barriers within the healthcare system and whose cultural preferences influence end-of-life care planning (Carrion, 2010). For example, Latines are less likely to enroll in end-of-life (EOL) care services (e.g., hospice) (Barragan-Carrillo et al., 2022). As well as engage in end-of-life care planning than White Non-Latines (Shen et al., 2016). To understand this hesitancy towards EOL care options, this literature review aims to explore how terminally ill Latine and …

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