Digital Commons Network^™

Calibrated Simulations For Dynamic Focusing Of Ultrasound Through The Temporal Window, Ehsan Dadgar-Kiani, Vibha Hebbale, Malachy W. Newman, Grace Attalla, John L. Alvarez, Suraya Dunsford, Kevin A. Caulfield, Cameron H. Good, Andrew D. Krystal, Leo P. Sugrue, Joline M. Fan, Elsa Fouragnan, Charles F. Caskey, Samuel Pichardo, Kim Butts Pauly, Keith R. Murphy

School of Psychology

Focused ultrasound can be delivered through the temporal window to modulate heterogeneously located brain areas. Acoustic simulations allow for safety assessments when dynamically targeting brain structures, but the mismatch between simulation and measured focal pressure can vary across the steerable range due to mechanically inaccurate assumptions made about the skull and transducer. Here, we describe efficient methods for simulation-measurement calibration using axisymmetric projections and sparse sampling across a 3D steerable subspace encompassing deep brain targets across 157 subjects. To address the simulation-reality mismatch in skull transmission, we used the measured and predicted pressure values through eight human temporal window fragments …

Frailty As A Framework To Understand Tuberculosis Severity, Recovery, And Sequelae, Yoscelina Estrella Martinez-Lopez, Benjamin W. Black, Jessica Lee, Brian J. Buta, Lisa Y. Armitige, William A. Fountain, Rafael Samper, Aanand D. Naik, Joanne Turner, Blanca I. Restrepo

School of Medicine Publications

Tuberculosis (TB) causes profound systemic illness, and many survivors experience long-term sequelae associated with disability and premature mortality. Current TB severity indicators capture isolated aspects of disease and may not reflect the integrated physiological impact of infection on the host. Frailty, a multidimensional syndrome characterized by reduced physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors, predicts adverse outcomes and guides clinical management in geriatrics. We propose frailty as an integrative framework for understanding the systemic effects of TB across the life course, encompassing disease severity, recovery, and long-term sequelae. We discuss biological mechanisms through which Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection may erode physiological …

A Middle School Reading Intervention Framework, Ryan Patrick Eder

Masters Projects

Middle school students face increasing literacy demands as they transition from learning to read toward reading to learn content knowledge in science, social studies, and other subjects. However, reading intervention frameworks found in most elementary and middle schools may not fully meet the growing cognitive, academic, and affective needs of middle school students. The purpose of this project is to present a schoolwide reading intervention framework designed for middle school students. Drawing from current research, the proposed framework integrates daily, teacher-assisted intervention and enrichment with data-driven identification of students’ specific literacy growth points using rigorous, grade-level informational texts to provide …

Self-State Shifts During Nonsuicidal Self-Injury: Associations With Trauma History And The Functions Of Self-Harm, Katie E. Callahan

Dissertations, 2020-current

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a clinically significant behavior associated with substantial psychological distress and elevated suicide risk. Despite considerable research on the emotional triggers and functional implications of NSSI, the internal relational states activated during self-harm remain poorly understood. This study examined shifts in self-directed relational patterns during NSSI episodes using the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB) model and Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy (IRT) theory. A cross-sectional secondary data analysis was conducted with 125 participants who reported current or past NSSI. Residualized change scores were computed to index shifts in self-state between general and NSSI conditions. Measures included the SASB-based …

Fall Risk In Community-Dwelling Adults: A Comparison Of English And Spanish-Speaking Individuals, Jesus D. Gomez

Dissertations, 2020-current

Falls are a leading cause of injury-related mortality among middle-aged and older adults. Although vestibular dysfunction, hearing loss, behavioral factors, and social determinants of health have been associated with increased fall risk, few studies have examined these relationships. Furthermore, limited research in audiology and vestibular science has investigated fall-risk vulnerability among Spanish-speaking individuals.

This study aimed to: (1) estimate the prevalence of fall risk among community-dwelling adults and compare prevalence between English-speaking and Spanish-speaking participants; (2) assess the prevalence of previously undiagnosed benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and compare prevalence between language groups; and (3) develop predictive models of fall …

African American Gold Star Mothers: Race, Black Motherhood, Loyalism And European Superiority In The First World War, Giovanni Nickolette Gibbs

Masters Theses, 2020-current

This thesis examines the US government’s pilgrimages for Gold Star Mothers of the First World War. It focuses on the Jim-Crowing of black Gold Star Mothers. Through the analysis of archival records, letters, telegrams, newspaper articles, poems, and secondary literature, the thesis explores how two domineering forces, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the federal government of the United States of America, captured dissension when seeking to send black Gold Star Mothers on segregated pilgrimages to Europe. The War Department’s announcement that the widows’ pilgrimages to Europe in the 1930s would be segregated caused a great …

Teaching Phonics And Phonemic Awareness To Grow Reading, Brianna N. Wildey

Masters Projects

Research has revealed important information about students reading proficiently, yet most students in public schools throughout the country are reading below their grade level. As proficient readers, early elementary students need to know how to read the words on the page and understand what they mean. Students cannot read for knowledge or fun if they don’t know what the words are on the page. Two theoretical frameworks have informed this project to improve student reading. One is Orthographic Mapping Theory and the other is Alphabetic Phase Theory. This project explores the background of teaching reading, both past and present. Students …

Building Culturally Informed Classrooms Through Professional Learning, Samantha Grimm

Masters Projects

Black Americans remain disadvantaged within today’s current education system. Teachers are not always equipped with equitable resources and teaching practices to effectively teach literacy to historically marginalized groups, where cultural differences are complex. When teachers utilize a culturally informed pedagogy that values students’ cultural identities, personal and academic achievement are enhanced. Culturally informed instruction builds upon previous research by Gloria Ladson-Billings, Geneva Gay, and Gholdy Muhammad. This project is designed to support teachers when working alongside culturally diverse students. The resources created in this project are intended to create positive and equitable learning experiences for Black students. These students deserve …

The Parkinson's Pathway: Enhancing Knowledge And Care Management In Skilled Nursing, Kaitlyn Chau

Master's Projects and Capstones

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is commonly diagnosed among the older population, contributing to high utilization of skilled nursing facility (SNF) services. Objective: SNF A’s current onboarding and training program for staff discussed general geriatric topics but failed to include structured PD-specific education. This may lead to gaps in competence, confidence, and workflow related to PD care and management, resulting in low quality of patient care, poor health outcomes, and decreased safety and satisfaction. Aim: The project aimed to establish and incorporate a structured PD-specialized education program within a SNF located in Northern California, to increase employees’ self-reported confidence, competence, …

Cultivating Civility: A Multicomponent Approach To Reducing Workplace Incivility In An Assisted Living Facility, Sanam Bral, Kaylyn Chang, Catherine Dinh, Sanjil Kumar, Truc Mai Moon

Master's Projects and Capstones

Workplace incivility remains a common challenge in healthcare, negatively affecting communication, staff well-being, and the quality and safety of resident care. Baseline survey findings from a faith-based assisted living facility in Southern California identified concerns related to workplace incivility, psychological safety, and gaps in staff knowledge of available reporting resources. This project aimed to reduce workplace incivility by improving staff knowledge and recognition of uncivil behaviors, with a target of at least 90% staff training attendance among nursing, assistive nursing, and medical technicians, and 80% attendee-reported high confidence level (agree or strongly agree) in recognizing incivility and understanding reporting options. …

Fireready Oc: Developing A Public Health Protocol For Wildland-Urban Interface (Wui) Fire Events In Orange County, Christian Andre O. Gequillo, Allyson Hayakawa, Selin Erdogan, Natalie Albarran

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective/Problem: Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) fires expose communities to a greater number of hazardous pollutants than traditional wildfires and can pose significant health risks; however, Orange County does not have a standardized public health protocol to address WUI fires. A review of the literature identified the need for standardized WUI fire guidance that is focused on improved preparedness and response. Aim: The FireReady OC quality improvement project aimed to develop an evidence-based public health protocol to improve Orange County’s public health preparedness and response for WUI fire events from 0% to 10% during the 12-week period from May 27, 2026, to …

Food For Thought: Building Confidence In Healthy Food Choices Among Seniors In A Residential Facility Through Nutrition Education, Amy Rodríguez

Master's Projects and Capstones

This quality improvement project evaluated the effectiveness of a 10-week nutrition education program designed to improve nutrition knowledge and confidence among independently living older adults residing in a low-income senior housing community. Aim By August 10, 2026, this project aimed to increase average nutrition knowledge and confidence scores related to selecting nutritious foods and preparing healthy meals by 20% among senior housing facility residents. Methods A microsystem assessment, literature review, SWOT analysis, fishbone diagram, and GANTT chart were completed to guide project development and implementation. Weekly nutrition education workshops were conducted over a 10-week period and included presentations, group discussions, …

Breaking The Silence: Standardizing Routine Intimate Partner Violence Screening At A Community Clinic Serving The Latinx Community, Victoria M. Hall

Master's Projects and Capstones

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects the Latinx population disproportionately due to socioeconomic status, cultural stigma, and language barriers. However, routine screening remains inconsistent and unstandardized at a local community clinic in San Francisco’s Mission District, despite evidence-based practices recommending it. The gap in IPV screenings across the Adult, Teens, and Women’s clinics resulted in only 1.6% of patients being screened in July 2025 and 4.1% in June 2026. This quality improvement project aimed to address low screening rates by standardizing IPV screening through a printed bilingual screener, a 60-minute staff in-service on IPV and the new screening protocol, and by …

Beyond The Tremor: Building Interdisciplinary Confidence In Parkinson's Disease Management Through Structured Education, Roya Oreo

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Objective: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is commonly seen in skilled nursing facilities (SNF). Gaps in knowledge among clinical staff regarding PD-specific care have resulted in negative outcomes such as delayed medication administration, unmet activities of daily living (ADL) needs, restricted mobility, and dissatisfaction with care from residents and family members. At a 55-bed SNF in Northern California, clinical staff self-reported 60% confidence in their ability to care for and manage residents with PD. This reflects a need for structured, evidence-based education, specific to Parkinson’s Disease. Aim: This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to increase the …

Steady Steps: Building Confidence In Parkinson’S Disease Care, Jerlyn T. Nicdao

Master's Projects and Capstones

Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder that greatly impacts one’s quality of life due to its worsening progression and impact on cognitive and physical functions. Objective: The purpose of this quality improvement project is to strengthen staff confidence and competence in caring for residents with Parkinson’s disease (PD) living in a skilled nursing facility. Aim: Clinical nurse leader (CNL) students aim to increase staff confidence and competence in PD care from 60% to 75% over a six-week period, from June 18, 2026, to July 30, 2026. Method: A total of thirteen interdisciplinary staff members (e.g. registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, …

The Transformation Of Russia’S Foreign Policy Strategy (2022–2025): From Confrontation To Multilateral Normative Leadership, Shafiya Nurkhalisa, Sugeng Riyanto

Jurnal Politik

This study aims to explain the transformation of Russia's foreign policy strategy in the 2022–2025 period from a confrontational-defensive orientation to a strategy oriented towards multilateral normative leadership. Using a qualitative descriptive-explanatory approach with a single case study, this study explores the relationship between systemic pressures due to global sanctions, the re-articulation of strategy in the Foreign Policy Concept 2023, and Russia's involvement in multilateral institutions such as BRICS+, SCO, and G20. The research data are sourced from official documents, collective declarations of multilateral forums, and independent economic reports from the IMF, World Bank, CREA, and Bruegel. The results show …

The Nexus Between Social Media Use And Mental Health Among Tertiary Students, Claretah Makuvire, Pinias Chikuvadze, Sekai Kamba

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

This study examines the connection between social media use and mental health among tertiary education students. The study was motivated by growing concerns about psychological well-being in digitally-connected educational environments and the need for evidence-based interventions in Zimbabwean contexts. The researchers used a mixed-methods case study design, and the participants consisted of 85 students from Seke Teachers College. The researchers employed questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and observations to generate data. The research revealed that students use social media intensively. Usage averaged 6.45 hours daily with 100% WhatsApp penetration. The data revealed that 67.1% of participants experienced depressive symptoms, …

The Educational Experiences Of College Students Who Were Formerly Involved In The Juvenile Justice System, Nicole-Jasmin T. Clark

Doctoral Dissertations

In the United States, juvenile offending, reentry, and recidivism continue to be serious concerns for public and institutional policy making. Due to historical and current policies of both the education and juvenile justice system, youth of color (YOC) and youth with disabilities and diagnosed with mental health disorders have been overly disciplined by schools and disproportionately adjudicated by the juvenile justice system. In their annual Statistical Briefing Book, The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has consistently reported YOC, particularly Black youth, are arrested, adjudicated, and detained at much higher rates when compared to their white peers. Research …

The Implicit And Explicit Representation Of Men And Women In The Discourse Of Selected Arabic Novels: Love’S Second Carbon Dioxide — A Pragmatic-Cognitive Approach, Sarah Bint Yousef Bin Saleh Al-Kulaib

UB Journal for Humanities

This study seeks to clarify and analyze the explicit and implicit strategic structures in two types of discourse—male discourse and female discourse—through the lens of pragmatics and cognitive linguistics. It examines concepts such as implicature, context, presupposition, shared knowledge, and the principles governing discourse (the Cooperative Principle and the Politeness Principle), all of which contribute to identifying the explicit and implicit strategies employed in both forms of discourse. The study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach in an attempt to answer the following questions:

1. What are the concepts of the explicit and the implicit in pragmatics and cognitive linguistics?

2. What …

Community School Hubs: A Path To Literacy For English Learners And Families, Elizabeth Ortiz-Wright

The Reading Professor

This qualitative narrative study examined the perceptions of community school hub members and Hispanic English learner parents at an elementary school in a suburban district. Eighty-four percent of the students at the study site were economically disadvantaged. The inquiry drew on sociocultural theory and Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory to explore how these hubs support families. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and field observations and analyzed using Quirkos software. The findings demonstrate the overall value of community school hubs in addressing basic needs, increasing the potential for academic success. However, a significant lack of clarity exists; many parents were unaware …

Beyond The Deficit Lens: Black Family Literacy As Social, Cultural, And Historical Practice: Implications For Literacy Teacher Education, Tasean D. Baldwin

The Reading Professor

Literacy education in the United States has long centered on standardized English and formal classroom instruction. While intended as a universal benchmark, this approach systematically overlooks and delegitimizes the rich literacy history and traditions rooted in Black families and communities. Through the application of frameworks such as New Literacy Studies, Gee's Theory of Discourse Communities, Yosso's Community  Cultural Wealth model, and Critical Race Theory, this article reframes Black family literacy through a social, cultural, and historical lens. It is forged and perpetuated by resistance to racial oppression, through the intergenerational exchange of knowledge, and oral traditions within the community. This …

Beyond Screening: Using Multiple Sources Of Evidence To Inform Early Literacy Instruction, Cheryl Kahn

The Reading Professor

Educators today collect more literacy data than at any previous point in history, yet many students continue to experience reading difficulties that are identified far later than they should be. This article argues that the problem is not a lack of information but a failure to integrate available evidence to prompt timely instructional action. Drawing on research in reading development, early identification of reading difficulties, teacher knowledge, assessment literacy, instructional decision-making, and responsive literacy instruction, this article proposes the Multiple Sources of Evidence Framework to strengthen early literacy decision-making. Rather than relying on any single assessment or screening result, the …

Beyond The Label: Investigating The Relationship Between Ell Placement And Teacher Expectations For Academic Rigor, Bruce A. Torff, Audrey Figueroa Murphy

The Reading Professor

Urban teachers (N=142) completed a survey assessing how placement of English learners in common pedagogical settings that vary in ESL models (self-contained, pull-out, push-in, bilingual, and dual language) was associated with teachers' beliefs about rigor of curriculum. Teachers significantly favored low-Critical Thinking (CT) curricular activities over high-CT ones consistent with "rigor gap" research showing that teachers tend to view ELLs in need of low-CT curriculum. Beliefs consistent with the rigor gap also emerged within the ELL population, based on placements. Teachers preferred curriculum tilted toward low-CT instruction for students with the greatest challenges--those given the most ESL-sequestered placements (self-contained and …

Greenovation As A Strategic Leverage For Sustainable Competitive Advantage, Amiya Kumar Mohapatra, Anil Kumar, Yiğit Kazançoğlu

Management Dynamics

Greenovation is the new currency of the global economy which focuses on ‘green and innovation’ that generates environmental benefits through reduced resource consumption, lower carbon emissions, and improved ecological performance aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Greenovation focuses on long-term value creation by integrating environmental externalities, resource circularity, and multi-stakeholder governance and accountability structures. Greenovation integrated with corporate strategies can provide greater strategic competitive advantages which is also termed as green competitive advantage. By systematically integrating product and process improvements through Greenovation, firms can attain competitive advantage for long-term value creation for both internal and external stakeholders. It is imperative …

Bim-Safety Integration In The Nigerian Construction Industry Using The Unified Theory Of Acceptance And Use Of Technology (Utaut) Model, Ranti T. Adebiyi, Ganiyu Amuda-Yusuf, Olubola Babalola, Nurudeen A. Bello, Aminat D. Amuda, Kaosarat A. Olowookere

Engineering and Technology Journal

Health and Safety (H&S) challenges are a significant concern in the Nigerian construction industry, largely due to the lack of a reliable national accident database and the persistence of a fatalistic safety culture. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a transformative digital framework that enables visual hazard identification and proactive risk simulation; however, its use in site safety management remains limited and inconsistent. This study investigates the behavioural, social, and structural determinants influencing the adoption of BIM-based H&S practices among construction professionals, utilising the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). A hypothetical multi-level design was used to model …

Demographic And Clinical Characteristics Of Frequent Users Of Emergency Medical Services In Türkiye ​, Burak Bekgöz, İshak Şan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Overuse of emergency medical services (EMS), particularly unnecessary ambulance requests, places considerable strain on limited healthcare resources and can delay responses to urgent cases. The present study analyzes the demographic characteristics, diagnoses, urgency, and hospital transfer status of frequent users of EMS in Türkiye.

Materials and methods: Included in the study were 41,113 patients who requested EMS four or more times within a year (defined as frequent users for the purpose of the study), excluding interhospital transfers. Data were accessed from the Emergency Medical Services Automation System (ASOS) database, which contains details of patient demographics, diagnoses, triage codes, reasons …

Comparing Age Of Obesity Onset, Concerns About Weight And Body Shape, And Quality Of Life In Individuals Seeking Bariatric Surgery ​, Vi̇ldan Çakir Kardeş, Özge Saraçli, Nuray Atasoy, Levent Ati̇k, Si̇bel Kahraman Gi̇rgeç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study explored the relationship between concerns about weight and body shape and quality of life in bariatric surgery candidates with morbid obesity regarding the onset of the weight problem in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood.

Materials and methods: We included 453 patients who applied to our center for preoperative bariatric surgery assessment between January 2010 and April 2019. We reviewed the sociodemographic information, psychiatric diagnoses, and results of the Body Shape Questionnaire-34, Quality of Life Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory of all patients.

Results: Concerns about weight and body shape were increased in women (p < 0.001), unemployed patients (p = 0.001), those with a comorbid psychiatric disorder (p < 0.001), and those with childhood- or adolescent-onset of weight problems (r = –0.170; p < 0.001). Concerns about weight and body shape had a relationship with the vitality (r = –0.434), mental health (r = –0.464), social functioning (r = –0.418), pain (r = –0.307), and general health (r = –0.352) subscale scores of quality of life. Physical functioning was higher (p = 0.037) in patients with childhood- or adolescent-onset obesity compared to patients with adult-onset obesity, while mental health was higher (p = 0.001) in the latter group. Individuals with childhood- or adolescent-onset obesity inquired about bariatric surgery options at an earlier age (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: …

Beyond Individual Willingness: Family Veto, Legal Knowledge, And The Dynamics Of Organ Donation In Türkiye ​, Hasan Gi̇ray Ankara, Hakan Değerli̇, Semi̇h Baş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim was to understand the factors underlying the dynamics of organ donation behavior by focusing on three different aspects. Three models were tested in this regard, namely (i) individual willingness for the donation of one’s own organs, (ii) willingness to approve organ donation for close relatives, and (iii) a family veto gap.

Materials and methods: A national-level adult sample from the Eurobarometer 72.3 survey (collected in 2009) conducted in Türkiye was utilized. Standard and penalized logistic regression models were employed to conduct the analyses.

Results: The results show that discussing organ donation with family members and being aware …

Vitamin D Deficiency, Depression Severity, And Suicide Risk: Evidence From Patients With Major Depressive Disorder ​, Eli̇f Küçük, Feri̇de Uysal, Seda Şenkardeş Kandemi̇r, Özgür Özkalayci, Canay Pamukçu, Ni̇hal Taşteki̇n, Meri̇h Altintaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric condition characterized by depressive symptoms and suicide-related clinical features. Vitamin D status has been investigated as a potential clinical correlate of depression and suicidal ideation, but the direction and specificity of these associations remain uncertain. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations among serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, depressive symptom severity, suicidal ideation, and suicide-related cognitive–affective dimensions in adults diagnosed with MDD.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included 97 adults aged 18–65 years who were diagnosed with MDD according to DSM-5 criteria. Depressive symptom severity and suicide-related outcomes were …

Clinical Facilitators Report The Impact Of Workplace Violence On Nursing Students' Education, Hila A. Dafny

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Violence is well-documented in the nursing profession and is compounded by an increasing incidence of workplace violence towards nursing students. Poor clinical experiences where violence is witnessed or experienced have long-term consequences for both the student and the profession.

Aim: This study aimed to ascertain the perceptions of clinical facilitators regarding the impact of workplace violence on nursing students during their clinical placements.

Methods: Phenomenology-guided qualitative research methods were used in this study. Eleven clinical facilitators employed in various South Australian healthcare settings were interviewed, and the qualitative data were transcribed and thematically analysed manually, assisted by NVivo 12 …