Digital Commons Network^™

What's That Smell?: The Effects Of Odors On Visual Reaction Times, Daniel I. Telles Orellana, Lily Smith, Elle Thompson, Ezra Koenigsberg

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Smell has long been known to be an advantageous evolutionary advantage to humans, aiding in threat detection as well as identifying potential sources of food (Brandt & Hubert, 2025). Furthermore, contemporary research additionally suggests that olfaction can regulate visual attention and help redirect cognitive and perceptual processes upon the identification of salient stimuli (Horberg et al., 2020). This indicates that both vision and olfaction can be involved in attentional capture under the correct circumstances (Fallon et al., 2020). This being said, the relationship between olfaction and maintaining visual attention is still widely unknown. The purpose of the present study is …

Anxiety, Cognitive Load, And Simulation Effectiveness In Pre-Licensure Bsn Students, Brittany Behrens

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High-fidelity simulation experiences are an integral component of pre-licensure nursing curricula, providing students with realistic, controlled environments to develop clinical judgement skills. While these simulations enhance learning, they can increase anxiety and cognitive load, potentially impairing students’ ability to process information and derive meaningful outcomes. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine the relationships among pre-simulation anxiety, cognitive load, and perceived simulation effectiveness in pre-licensure BSN students. Data were collected from 90 participants using the shortened Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Cognitive Load Measurement–Naïve Rating Questionnaire, and the Simulation Effectiveness Tool–Modified (SET-M). Pearson correlation analyses indicated …

Touch, Surprise, And Arousal: Heart Rate And Skin Conductance Responses To Texture., Kristie Stephens, Anna Supe, Zoe Blythe

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Previous research has shown that sensory experiences, especially touch, can impact physiological arousal, including changes in heart rate and skin conductance. Textures that are unfamiliar or unexpected may trigger a stronger autonomic response due to uncertainty. However, it is less understood about how different types of textures impact these physiological responses. This study aims to examine how different textures affect physiological responses in participants. Participants will place their hand into a divided box containing different textures while heart rate and skin conductance are recorded. We hypothesize that unexpected textures, such as a phantom hand, will lead to greater increases in …

The Epigenetic Effects Of Prenatal Diabetes On The Developing Vascular System- A Gsea Analysis, Daniel I. Telles Orellana

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Prenatal diabetes is a critical medical condition that extensively affects neonatal patients and their families. Numerous previous studies have suggested impairments in vascular development, size, and diversification; however, the molecular and gene regulatory mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for identifying potential therapeutic targets and improving treatment strategies. This study combined experimental zebrafish phenotypic analysis with re-analysis of publicly available RNA-seq data to investigate the effects of elevated glucose on embryonic vascular development. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were exposed to increasing glucose concentrations (1–3%) during early developmental stages. High glucose exposure showed …

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation As An Adjuvant For Nonfluent Aphasia: A Proof-Of-Concept Study, Lynsey M. Keator, Lisa Johnson, Roger Newman-Norlund, Kyler Spell, Samaneh Nemati, Leigh Ann Spell, Dirk B. Den Ouden, Christopher Rorden, Julius Fridriksson

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Articles and Research

Effective rehabilitation tools are essential for improving language outcomes in chronic aphasia. Speech entrainment is a behavioral treatment that has shown promise in enhancing speech output in nonfluent aphasia, potentially by acting as an external mechanism to synchronize anterior and posterior language regions in the left hemisphere. Transcranial alternating current stimulation has been hypothesized to enhance functional connectivity between brain regions by amplifying endogenous oscillations. This proof-of-concept study explored whether high-definition tACS (HD-tACS) could improve speech fluency in nonfluent aphasia when paired with speech entrainment. In a double-blind, pseudorandomized study, 1 mA of HD-tACS at 7 Hz was applied to …

Human Services Administrators’ Perceptions Of Youth In Acute Crisis Needs, Carey Alvord

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a lack of acute crisis services for youth in the United States. In San Luis Obispo County, California, there are no designated facilities with crisis stabilization services near family homes for children in acute crisis. Grounded in Stroul et al.’s system of care approach for children and families, the purpose of this qualitative force field analysis study was to explore human service administrators’ perceptions of the services youth in acute crisis need to stabilize within San Luis Obispo County. Directors at youth human services county departments and nonprofits were contacted to help recruit a purposeful sample of 11 …

Language Development In Military-Affiliated Children: The Role Of Parental Absence, Jenna K. Walton

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Jenna K. Walton on March 23, 2026.

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation As An Adjuvant For Nonfluent Aphasia: A Proof-Of-Concept Study, Lynsey M. Keator, Lisa Johnson, Roger Newman-Norlund Ph.D., Kyler Spell, Samaneh Nemati, Leigh Ann Spell, Dirk B. Den Ouden, Chris Rorden, Julius Fridriksson Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Effective rehabilitation tools are essential for improving language outcomes in chronic aphasia. Speech entrainment is a behavioral treatment that has shown promise in enhancing speech output in nonfluent aphasia, potentially by acting as an external mechanism to synchronize anterior and posterior language regions in the left hemisphere. Transcranial alternating current stimulation has been hypothesized to enhance functional connectivity between brain regions by amplifying endogenous oscillations. This proof-of-concept study explored whether high-definition tACS (HD-tACS) could improve speech fluency in nonfluent aphasia when paired with speech entrainment. In a double-blind, pseudorandomized study, 1 mA of HD-tACS at 7 Hz was applied to …

Autistic Traits And Mind Wandering: A Correlational Study Of Themes, Intentionality, And Temporal Focus, Leilani Forby, Farid Pazhoohi, Alan Kingstone

School of Psychology

There is abundant research on the nature and content of mind wandering (MW) in neurotypical individuals, yet little research in these areas on individuals high in autistic traits. The current study explored the relationship between autistic traits and several aspects of MW: themes, intentionality, temporal dimensions, and attitudes towards MW. A total of 1,477 participants completed measures of autistic traits, MW, and stress. Autistic trait level was positively correlated with the MW theme of guilt and fear of failure (GFF), spontaneous MW (MW-S), poor attentional control (PAC), and stress, and negatively correlated with appreciation for MW’s benefits. Participants were then …

Underreporting Of Campus Crimes: A Study On Students' Preference For Peer Reporting Over Official Channels, Vanessa White

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Underreporting of campus crime remains a persistent challenge in higher education, with many students choosing to disclose incidents to peers rather than formal institutional channels. This qualitative phenomenological study was an exploration of the social and psychological factors influencing college students’ preference for peer-based disclosure over official reporting mechanisms, with particular attention to peer influence, social norms, and institutional trust. Guided by bystander intervention theory and victim precipitation theory, data were collected through an anonymous, open-ended online survey completed by 13 individuals who had attended traditional, in-person colleges or universities within the past 5 years. Thematic analysis was used to …

Associations Between Reported Use Of Nutritional Labels And Calorie Intake In Us Adults: Findings From Nhanes 2017–2020, Ariana M. Chao, Nancy Greene, Alexandra Paul, Paule V. Joseph

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Objective: Caloric information is commonly displayed on nutritional fact labels and food menus. Yet evidence is limited on whether label use is associated with a reduced-calorie diet. This study examined the associations between the use of caloric information on nutritional facts and menu labels and daily caloric intake. Methods: We used data from adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2020 to conduct a cross-sectional study. Calorie label use on nutritional labels and menus was assessed using the Flexible Consumer Behavior Survey telephone interview. Caloric intake was evaluated using the mean of two 24-h diet recalls implemented …

Exploring And Identifying The Challenges And Successes Of Reintegration Experiences Of Bipoc Female Veterans, Ruby Screen

JWU Dissertations & Theses

The reintegration experiences of BIPOC female veterans remain underrepresented in scholarship and policy discourse, despite evidence of race, gender, and veteran status intersect to shape post-service outcomes (Fox, 2019; Hunt & Aggad, 2024). Existing research has largely centered on male or non-minoritized veterans, limiting understanding of how structural inequities influence employment, healthcare access, community integration, and psychological well-being for BIPOC women (Lawrence et al., 2021). This gap constrains the development of culturally responsive policies and support systems. Guided by intersectionality theory (Crenshaw, 1989) and reintegration frameworks (Sayer et al., 2011), this primarily quantitative study, supplemented with open-ended survey responses, examined …

Impostor Phenomenon And Its Implications For Business-To-Business Sales Professionals, Charlene Decesare

JWU Dissertations & Theses

Many high-performing professionals experience persistent self-doubt and fear being exposed as incompetent despite clear evidence of their success. Defined as Impostor Phenomenon (IP) by Clance and Imes in 1978, this dynamic has been studied for nearly five decades, primarily in academic and healthcare settings. IP often manifests as fear, anxiety, and misattribution of success, along with behaviors such as overpreparation, procrastination, and reluctance to seek help. Business-to-business (B2B) sales roles are complex, highly evaluative, and among the hardest positions to fill. However, empirical examination of IP in commercial roles has been limited.

Impostor experiences have increasingly …

But Their Emails! Investigating Ideological Language Signatures In Presidential Campaign Emails And Text Messages, Jordan L. Thompson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Although emails and text messages are important means of connecting voters with political candidates, the content of political campaign emails and text messages is understudied. The purpose of these studies is to identify linguistic patterns in candidate emails and texts from the 2024 US presidential election (Study 1) and to determine which linguistic styles are most convincing to readers (Study 2). I examined the linguistic trends in campaign emails and text messages using Linguistic Inquiry Word Count, random forests, and Structural Topic Modeling. Democratic messages had higher LIWC dictionary scores for cognitive processes and word count, providing potential evidence for …

Role Congruence Meets Feminist Identity: Disaggregating Causes Of The Double Bind On Women Political Candidates, Sarah Shair-Rosenfield, Melody E. Valdini, Jeanette Morehouse Mendez, Tracy Osborn

Politics and Global Affairs Faculty Publications and Presentations

Studies in social psychology and political science have noted the negative impact of the “double bind” facing women leaders and candidates, which suggests that women must demonstrate both masculine and feminine attributes in order to achieve the same success as men can achieve by demonstrating only masculine attributes. Less attention has focused on how feminist identity conditions these evaluations. We focus on whether individuals’ evaluations of men and women are affected by (1) the gendered attributes associated with a candidate and (2) feminist identity. Using data from an original survey experiment in the US, we investigate the relationship between respondents’ …

Disability, Inclusion And Language-In-Education Policy In The Global South: The Colombian Context, Rosa Dene David, Kimberley Brown

Applied Linguistics Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper calls for a shift related to English language-in-education policy and inclusive education initiatives in Colombia to ensure that English language learners with disabilities receive equitable and inclusive classroom instruction that is context-appropriate. We call for English language initiatives and policies to draw from theories and practices from both the Global South and the Global North in order to teach towards inclusive education. Trends in both English language teaching and inclusive education have drawn upon the Global North for solutions, which cannot be systemised to fit one international standard. Instead, using the Colombian context as an example, the present …

Making Sense Of The Body: Cognitive Science, Disability, And Embodiment, Cheyne L. Joslin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project is to analyze different methodological approaches in the philosophy of cognitive science, with the goal of determining their usefulness for explaining and understanding bodily awareness and skill-acquisition over time. The examples of skill-acquisition are limited to motor control, impaired by various kinds of disability—but then acquired over time, via technological or rehabilitative means. These phenomena of motor learning are then viewed through the lens of two competing theoretical approaches in cognitive science: neuromechanical cognitive science, and radical enactivist cognitive science.

The strengths of the neuromechanical framework are found in its historical pedigree, and in the …

Navigating Reintegration: A Qualitative Exploration Of The Challenges And Success Factors For Women Offenders In Society, Arabella Grace A. Velasquez, Beatrice Gabrielle Z. Dyquiangco, Vylet Xummer E. Pimpinio, Tamachi Agnesia Varent, Lander James Luke T. Villanueva, Alfonso B. Astudillo Iii

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

This study explores the different challenges and success factors women ex-offenders face during their reintegration into society after being incarcerated. With the help of 11 women on parole and probation in Baguio City from interviews, the researchers were able to examine their experiences and perspectives. A qualitative research design with descriptive phenomenology was used to gather in-depth insights through face-to-face interviews. Participants were selected through purposive sampling with the assistance of the local Chief Probation and Parole Officer. Data were collected through voice recordings and observations, then transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Superordinate themes emerged, namely Reintegration Struggles and …

Shades And Shapes: Intersectional Perspectives On Filipino Women’S Skin Color And Body Build, Aliah Jazz G. Alonte, Kelly Nyle M. Baligod, Mi Tang, Yuzhu Zhao, Liezl R. Astudillo

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

This study examines how Filipino women evaluate physical attractiveness, likeability, and social competence based on variations in skin color and body build, traits shaped by colonial legacies and reinforced by contemporary media. A 2×2 factorial experimental design was used, involving 180 female college students (ages 18–24), who rated target images that varied by skin color (light vs. dark) and body build (slim vs. large). While neither skin color nor body build alone had a significant main effect on perceptions of attractiveness, a significant interaction emerged: slim, dark-skinned individuals were rated more attractive than their light-skinned counterparts, whereas light-skinned individuals were …

Navigating Ambiguity: An In-Depth Exploration Of Situationships In Contemporary Romantic Relationships, Shiywonee Khanalee D.J. Delizo, Yonah Adamae R. Dapliyan, Hildebrand Tridant A. Ban-Eg, Calvine Audric F. Canlas, Eliecea Red Yusingco, Neil Ivan D. Tong, Alfonso B. Astudillo Iii

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

This qualitative study examined the phenomenon of situationships, which is defined as a romantic involvement that lacks clear commitment, boundaries, and labels. Situationships have surfaced in the context of modern dating culture with the rise of dating apps, in which people may display behaviors typical of couples but are contradictory to their traditional definitions of romantic relationships. This study explored the characteristics that define situationships, how people manage their inherent ambiguity, and why individuals prefer situationships over traditional established relationships. The data was gathered through in-depth interviews with 12 participants and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis of their experiences. The …

Love Across Borders: A Qualitative Exploration Of Cultural Dynamics In The Romantic Relationships Of Foreign Students And Their Filipino Partners, Charlene Lorraine P. Jandoc, Katrizza Tabangcura Pingil, Frances Niña Gaffud Co, Gabrielle Malig Dayoan, Simon Sebastian Tampoc Hiyadan, Rhiezhan Ghael Espiritu Jamorabon, Alfonso B. Astudillo Iii

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Globalization has significantly impacted education in the Philippines, notably with the influx of international students coming into the country for educational opportunities. This phenomenon has led to numerous studies examining the various aspects of their experiences, such as their cultural adaptation processes, academic difficulties, and economic contributions. However, their interpersonal relationships, particularly their more intimate connections, have been largely overlooked. This study aims to probe into this, focusing on the dynamics, navigation strategies, and external influences that shape these relationships. Utilizing both online and face-to-face interviews, as well as online surveys, the experiences of nine (9) intercultural couples, each of …

Beyond Sunday: The Lived Experience Of Gen Z Practicing Christians In The 21st Century, John Ramzel Dylan C. Galido, Isabel Anne M. Alano

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

This study investigates the lived experiences of Generation Z practicing Christians in the 21st century, examining how they sustain their faith amid secularization, technological advancements, and shifting societal norms. Employing a phenomenological approach, in-depth semi-structured interviews with 5 Gen Z Practicing Christians revealed key themes: (1) their faith is characterized by a dynamic, personal relationship with God, nurtured through daily practices rather than rigid rituals; (2) they actively negotiate tensions between biblical values and secular culture, often prioritizing divine principles over societal expectations; (3) familial teachings and faith-based communities play foundational roles in shaping their spiritual identity; (4) personal struggles, …

Beyond The Swipe: Understanding Observers’ Perceptions Of The Motivations And Behaviors Of Online Dating Users, Sarah Maxine A. Lucero, Maria Nicole C. Moreno, Calvine Felice T. Santiago, Liezl Astudillo

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

This study explores how observers—individuals who observe but do not engage in online dating—perceive the motivations and behaviors of dating app users. While research has extensively explored the experiences of active users, a notable gap exists in understanding the perspectives of those who remain outside these digital spaces. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), it captured how observers constructed meaning around online relationships within the Philippine cultural context. Interviews with 11 young adults elicited that observers generally perceive online dating as convenience-driven and less genuine than conventional relationships. Notably, participants compared app-based connections to culturally established rituals such as “panliligaw,” or …

Beyond The Dark Hours: A Qualitative Exploration Of The Experiences And Coping Strategies Of Graveyard Shift Workers, Jerelie Robert Muyalde Alcause, Rhuss Maico Mangahas Bartolome, Jayvee Ysulan Bagaporo, Salvador Franz Niño Vargas Aquino, Ian Patrick P. Aquino, Arbee Ray Tokyas Akit, Alfonso B. Astudillo Iii

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Graveyard shifts are often correlated with poor working hours and may lead to a reduced level of cognitive and emotional function. Current studies focus on the physical effects of this schedule but often overlook the unique challenges of maintaining a work-life balance under such conditions. Through in-depth interviews, this study explores the psychological and emotional impact of long-term graveyard shifts, along with the coping mechanisms workers use to balance their work and personal lives. The findings of this study reveal that graveyard shift workers commonly experience social isolation, often distancing themselves from friends and family. Emotionally, they report feelings of …

A Multiple Narrative Case Study Of Young Filipino Leaders In Faith-Based Youth Organizations, Julianna Mariey M. De Vera, Maria Karmela G. Dizon, Elise Maegan P. Paragua, Mia N. Villanueva, Belle Beatrix Alemania

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Given the scarcity of studies on leadership beyond Roman Catholicism in the Philippine context, this study explores the lived experiences, motivations, and beliefs of youth leaders from diverse religious backgrounds, including Born Again Christianity, Buddhism, Iglesia ni Cristo, Protestantism, and Islam. Using a multiple-case narrative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted among eight youth leaders from various Faith-Based Youth Organizations and analyzed using Reissman’s Narrative Approach (2005). Findings show that leadership in FBYOs is driven by various spiritual, social, personal, and familial factors, with the most dominant being spiritual commitment, social responsibility, personal growth, and familial influence. These roles have been …

Civil Status, Single: The Emotional Experiences And Transformations Of Single Teenage Filipino Mothers Across Generations In Their Transition To Adulthood, Ana Sofia V. Collado, Gabrielle Lumongsod, Ramona Motos, Ysabel Ronquillo, Susan Grace Tana Neri

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Single teenage mothers in the Philippines face unique emotional and psychological challenges as they transition from adolescence to adulthood. These challenges often stem from societal stigma, guilt, and the loss of personal aspirations, which negatively affect their mental health and self-identity. Guided by Intersectionality theory, this study explores the emotional experiences of single teenage Filipino mothers, aiming to understand how early motherhood influences their emotional well-being, identity formation, and personal growth. Six Filipino women, aged 18 to 55, were purposively selected to provide a diverse range of generational perspectives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data were analyzed using Braun …

To Ban Or Not To Ban? Should Youth Social Media Use Be Regulated?, Leena Hilaly

Opinion Matters: Student Analyses of World News

This piece discusses Australia's recent social media youth ban and the negative implications of implementing sweeping government legislation on privacy, personal liberties, and state power.

Adapting A Behavioral Intervention For Caregivers Of Children With Down Syndrome Or Fragile X Syndrome: A Pilot Study Of Rubi-Dd., Allison D. Blackburn, Walker S. Mckinney Ph.D., Allison M. Birnschein, Anna J. Esbensen, Shelley Mckinley, Hilary Rosselot, Emily K. Hoffman, Craig Erickson, Rebecca Shaffer

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Challenging behaviors, including noncompliance, aggression, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, are common among individuals with Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and Down Syndrome (DS). To identify treatment needs specific to these populations, we conducted focus groups with caregivers and educators and used their input to adapt an evidence-based caregiver training program originally designed for caregivers of autistic children (i.e., The Research Units in Behavioral Intervention; RUBI). We then completed a feasibility trial in which five families of children with FXS and four families of children with DS completed a nine-session caregiver training program targeting behavioral principles, syndrome-specific information, and visual supports tailored to …

Key Elements Of Mission-Based Urban Agriculture In The United States Aimed At Addressing The Social Determinants Of Health, Jordan Losavio

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Urban agriculture (UA) in the United States (U.S.) is increasingly positioned as a multi-domain strategy for addressing social determinants of health (SDOH), yet evidence is fragmented and often focused on participant outcomes rather than the organizational and environmental conditions that determine whether those benefits can be sustained, expanded, or maintained over time. This dissertation uses an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design to clarify (1) what SDOH outcomes are associated with UA in the peer-reviewed literature, (2) which internal and external factors leaders perceive as driving UA organizational success or failure, and (3) which factors predict comparative organizational functioning across a national …

Henri Nouwen: Theologian, Caregiver - How Do His Writings Support Informal Caregivers?, Dr. Julie Yonker

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

•Analyze the Impact and Visibility of Informal Caregivers   •Evaluate Henri Nouwen’s Theological Framework for Caregiving   •Develop Practical Support Strategies for Faith Communities