Digital Commons Network^™

Positive Social Emotional Influences Experienced By College-Educated Black Men During Their K–12 Education In U.S. Public Schools, Lyzanethia Howard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although negative experiences and unfair factors in the K–12 educational experiences of Black males are well-researched, very little research is found on the positive contributions toward their educational success. As some Black males successfully complete K–12 schooling and advance to the college level, it is imperative to understand the factors that positively contributed to their educational advancement. Guided by Yosso’s theory of community cultural wealth, this basic qualitative study explored six aspects of cultural capital—the aspirational, familial, linguistic, resistant, navigational, and social capital—that contributed to the educational success and advancement of Black males during their journeys through the U.S. K–12 …

Annual Ghg Emissions In Co2e From Turfgrass Maintenance In Los Angeles County, Valerie Rountree, Michael Barnes, Martin S. Hoecker-Martinez, Nathan W. Strout

Cities and the Environment (CATE)

Maintaining turfgrass landscapes - including mowing, irrigation, and fertilization - is an under-recognized source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly carbon dioxide and nitrous oxides. The state of California has ambitious policies to reduce GHG emissions and improve local air quality, however, southern California continues to be one of the most polluted regions in the world; moreover, it is an arid region that relies heavily on imported water to meet diverse user needs. To better understand the significance of turfgrass maintenance as a source of GHG emissions, we calculate the total annual GHG emissions in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO_{2 …}

Exploring Physician Associates’ Perceptions Of Motivational Interviewing: A Phenomenological Study, Thaddeus Riley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Longer lifespans across the population are contributing to a rise in chronic illnesses that require ongoing treatment. This increase has furthered the need for evidence-based clinical tools to effectively treat long-term diseases. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based method used by physicians and other healthcare practitioners, including physician associates (PAs), to help patients facilitate health behavior changes. PAs are licensed, highly trained healthcare professionals who practice medicine across all specialties and settings. PAs focus on patient-centered, team-based care and play a key role in expanding access to healthcare and improving overall health outcomes (AAPA, 2023b). While MI’s efficacy has been …

Reducing Foreign Language Anxiety Through Cooperative Learning: Enhancing Speaking Skills For Bipa Learners, Mahira Mujahida Ani Mufti, Lilis Siti Sulistyaningsih, Mochamad Whilky Rifkiyanfi

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

Indonesia's economic and political development has sparked global interest, contributing to the increasing status of Indonesian as an international language. This has led to a growing number of learners in the BIPA (Bahasa Indonesia for Foreign Speakers) program. While many studies have focused on learning materials, media, models, and evaluation tools, research on foreign language anxiety in the BIPA context remains limited. This study investigates the effectiveness of cooperative strategies in reducing language anxiety and improving speaking skills among BIPA Level 1 students. Using a quantitative Single Subject Research (SSR) method with an A-B-A design, the study involved three purposively …

Cognitive Fatigue Assessment For Human-Robot Collaboration: Review & Open Challenges, Manizheh Zand, Sally Wood, Fatemeh Davoudi Kakhki, Maria Kyrarini

General Engineering

As Human Robot Collaboration (HRC) technologies continue to advance, robots are increasingly being deployed to assist in various settings, including manufacturing, healthcare, and home environments. A critical aspect of designing safe and adaptable HRC systems is the ability to assess and monitor an individual’s Cognitive Fatigue (CF) during interactions with robots. This is especially important in ensuring safe and effective environments, as fluctuations in CF can affect both performance and safety. Although prior research has explored cognitive workload and fatigue, a significant gap exists in understanding how to effectively measure and manage CF in real-time during HRC. This paper reviews …

The Effects Of Athletic Culture On Intersectional Identities In Higher Education​, Raniya Burkett

Psychology Summer Fellows

Athletic culture thrives on a basis of oneness that habituates spaces designed for athletes. Unfortunately, the concept of unity employed within athletic settings disregards intersecting identities that shape how many student-athletes navigate their lives, allowing biases to go unchecked and harmful rhetoric to permeate formerly safe environments. This project will investigate the experiences of student-athletes in higher education to uncover the environments curated by teams, individuals, coaches, and academic advisors. Moreover, focusing on institutions with dominant group demographics will help identify the pervasiveness of oppression and illuminate the stories of students who are often overlooked.

Tailoring Hiv/Aids Communication To The Cultural Contexts Of The Borana Pastoral Community In Ethiopia, Dano Olana, Sabihah Moola

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The HIV/AIDS health communication approach in sub-Saharan Africa has often overlooked sociocultural specificities. The current approach follows a generalist notion that does not consider the specific contextual domains accordingly. Similarly, the cultural appropriateness of HIV/AIDS health communication among the Borana pastoral community in Ethiopia is not clear. In this study, we aimed to explore whether HIV/AIDS communication among the Borana pastoral community was tailored to the cultural contexts of the community. A qualitative case study was used to unpack the cultural communication contexts for HIV/AIDS. We collected data using three methods, namely, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis …

Patient-Centered, Theory-Based, Online Intervention To Promote A Physically Active Lifestyle For People With Multiple Sclerosis: Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial, Chungyi Chiu, Vaishnavi Sridharan, Mojtaba Khaliji, Md Refat Uz Zaman Sajib, Xiaotian Gao, Kathleen Zackowski

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: People with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience life challenges due to the nature of disease progression. Although an active lifestyle has been shown effective for symptom and relapse management, most people with MS lead a sedentary lifestyle and do not reach the recommended physical activity (PA) guidelines.

Objective: This study aims to test the preliminary efficacy of a codeveloped, online self-management intervention based on the health action process approach (HAPA) adapted for people with MS to cultivate a physically active lifestyle.

Methods: The 8-week intervention program was developed using community-based participatory research based on the HAPA. The program includes increasing …

Effective Communication Strategies For Behavioral Health Leaders In A Telework Setting, Belinda Preston-Cash

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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Bridging The Mind And Body: Functional Neurologic Symptom Disorder Following Sexual Trauma In An Adolescent Girl, Ariel E. Sosa Gomez, Daniel Gutierrez

School of Medicine Publications

Functional neurologic symptom disorder (FNSD) is a multifaceted condition that can present with neurologic symptoms inconsistent with recognized neurological disease, often in the context of psychosocial stressors, though these are not required for diagnosis. We report the case of a 12-year-old Hispanic female who developed episodes of limb paralysis, motor unresponsiveness, and self-injurious behaviors following a history of sexual abuse by a family member. Despite the initial absence of depressive symptoms, the patient later met criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Her neurological symptoms lacked identifiable medical findings, following unremarkable results from comprehensive blood work, …

The Prevalence And Correlates Of Aberrant Opioid-Related Behaviours Among Patients With Sickle Cell Disease In Oman: A Cross-Sectional Study, Abdullah Al Abulsalam, Khawla Al Kindi, Abdullah Al Ghailani, Hamed Al Sinawi, Naser Al Balushi, Salam Al Kindi, Sathiya P. Murthi, Amal Al Fahdi, Mohammed Al Alawi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of aberrant opioid-related behaviours (AORB) among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) in Oman and identify associated risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman from June to December 2022. Patients with SCD aging 18–65 years old were included and clinically observed for more than 3 months. The Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) was used to evaluate AORB with scores of ≥9 indicating high risk. Demographic and clinical data were collected. The association between AORB and clinical-demographic variables was examined using the Chi-square test. …

“Rj Is About Learning How To Be Together”: A Qualitative Study Of School-Based Restorative Justice And Pandemic Recovery, Annmary S. Abdou, Ashley M. Mayworm

Education Faculty Articles and Research

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted educational landscapes by disrupting instructional modalities, widening equity gaps, and accelerating the mental health needs of students and educators. This qualitative study explores the perspectives of school-based restorative justice (RJ) practitioners as they navigated challenges and opportunities during the pandemic and reflected on its potential role in recovery efforts. Through a participatory action research (PAR) process, survey data were collected from RJ practitioners and leaders across diverse educational settings to examine (1) the impact of the pandemic on RJ implementation, (2) the priorities of educators in pandemic recovery, and (3) the role RJ can …

Stimulated Cytokine Production, Attachment, And Emotional Well-Being In Dementia Spousal Caregivers, Daniel L. Argueta, Sarah Roberts, Kelly N. Brice, E Lydia Wu-Chung, Vincent D. Lai, Jensine Paoletti-Hatcher, Bryan T. Denny, Charles Green, Samantha Henry, Multiple Additional Authors

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Proinflammatory cytokine production may be related to poor emotional adjustment in dementia spousal caregivers. People who display attachment insecurity may be at increased risk for adverse caregiving experiences and poor psychosocial outcomes.

Beyond The Surface: How Depth Alters Face Perception, Farid Pazhoohi, Jerry Wang, Keina Aoki, Alan Kingstone

School of Psychology

Research in face perception has predominantly utilized two-dimensional images, which does not fully capture the complexities of human perception as it operates in real-world settings. Previous studies have demonstrated that 3D objects elicit different neural and behavioral responses compared to their 2D counterparts, suggesting a more profound engagement with and processing of real-world objects and environments. Grounded in the understanding that human visual perception has evolved in three-dimensional environments, this research addressed a notable gap in the literature on facial perception. This study investigates the impact of presentation modality (2D vs. 3D) on the perception of facial attractiveness, dominance, and …

Machine Learning Modeling Approaches For Predicting The Extent Of Fatigue Damage In Polycrystalline Alloy Structures, Hassan Alqahtani

Yanbu Journal of Engineering and Science

Using predictions of crack-tip-opening-displacement (CTOD) to measure the extent of fatigue damage has provided the opportunity to prepare an efficient strategy for protecting mechanical structures from damage and developing a structural health monitoring system. The objective is to forecast non-measurable CTOD by using machine learning methods. In this paper, an optical metrology device, which is built by Alicona on a confocal microscope and hereafter referred to as Confocal Microscope, has been used to measure CTOD. However, two factors limit the usage of Alicona Apparatus: (i) the size of optical images, where a CTOD over 400 micrometers cannot be measured; and …

The Bond Of Peace: Restoring Souls In Worship Amid Culture War And Moral Suffering, Steve Yeagley

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

Jeremiah’s critique of war as false worship challenges popular Christianity’s support of American war culture. While primarily expressed as American militarism, war culture also manifests in the rhetoric of culture wars. Adding to the division and violence that the nation’s culture wars can fuel is their potential to inflict moral suffering. Emerging discourses of moral distress and injury suggest that, like wartime environments, culture wars may exact a spiritual toll. Unlike the militant liturgies of war culture, Christian worship can address this moral suffering. When acknowledged in worship through witness and lamentation, moral distress and injury offer a prophetic critique, …

Exploring Coaching Leadership Behaviours In Strength And Conditioning Coaching: Preferences Of Ncaa Division I And Ii Collegiate Student-Athletes Based On Task Variability, Severiano Tiberi, Jeremy Moody, Steve Cooper, George Jennings, Joseph I. Esformes

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

This study aimed to explore collegiate student-athletesˈ preferences of coaching leadership behaviours in strength and conditioning coaching and evaluate differences between the student-athletesˈ preferences of behaviours based on task variability. In total 145 National Collegiate Athletic Association student-athletes (closed sports athletes = 51, open sports athletes = 94) completed an electronic questionnaire involving the athletesˈ preference version of the Revised Leadership Scale for Strength and Conditioning. Results revealed that the most favoured behaviour was ˈtraining and instructionˈ, whilst the least favoured was ˈautocraticˈ. Similar results were observed for closed and open sports groups, though closed sports athletes preferred ˈtraining and …

Need Frustration And Poor Mental Health Among Collegiate Athletes: The Indirect Role Of Ruminative Thinking, Alanni N. Brown, Adrian J. Bravo, Stimulant Norms And Prevalence 2 (Snap2) Study Team

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

Vulnerability to negative mental health outcomes (i.e. anxiety and depression) among DI collegiate athletes may best be understood using Self Determination Theory (SDT) and the framework that need frustration impairs autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Need frustration may also relate to negative mental health symptoms via higher ruminative thinking, known to relate to both need frustration and poor mental health. The present study tested these two path models (i.e., SDT need frustration components [autonomy, relatedness, competency]-->rumination facets [problem-focused thoughts, counterfactual thinking, repetitive thinking, anticipatory thoughts]-->mental health problems (one for depression and one for anxiety as outcomes) among 341 collegiate …

Mentoring Of Para-Athletes And Its Impact On The Preparation Process For The 2020 Paralympic Games, Irina Perfilova, Joshua R. Pate, Robin Hardin

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

Many factors contribute to successful athletic performance, and athletes have reported that mentors have played a vital role in their athletic performance as well as their personal development. Mentoring relationships can have a transformative impact on people’s lives, and mentored athletes, either by peers or coaches, have higher levels of dedication, confidence, and individual performance. Having a mentor is critically important during unexpected challenges in life such as was the case with the extraordinary uncertainty for para-athletes during the postponement of the 2020 Paralympic Games. The purpose of this study was to explore how mentoring aided para-athletes’ navigating the challenges …

Development And Transition In Crisis: The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Division I College Athletes, Grace Kazmierski-Davie, Khalid Ballouli

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

The aim of this study is to explore how Division I college athletes made meaning of their experiences during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020. Though existing literature details various athlete transitions, there is limited knowledge about how athletes navigate unprecedented disruptions like a global pandemic. This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews to gather in-depth data. The study included a diverse sample of 19 college athletes, ranging from freshmen to seniors, representing various sports and academic levels. Findings revealed that athletes employed diverse strategies to maintain readiness and mental sharpness, reflecting both proactive and reactive coping mechanisms. …

Secure Coding Practices: An Auditor's Checklist For Enterprise Applications For Faang By Ramkumar Bharathan, Ramkumar Bharathan

Defensive Publications Series

This report serves as a comprehensive guide to critical secure coding practices, presented as an actionable checklist for developers and security teams operating within large-scale enterprise environments. It reflects the rigorous security standards and pragmatic approaches typically observed within leading technology organizations. The core objective is to foster a "shift-left" security paradigm, integrating robust security measures throughout the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) to proactively identify and mitigate risks rather than reacting to vulnerabilities post-deployment. The checklist systematically addresses key areas, including input validation, authentication, access control, cryptographic practices, error handling, logging, secure file management, and system configuration. For each practice, …

Mrs. Sen’S Sense Of Cooking In Jhumpa Lahiri’S Interpreter Of Maladies, Fatma Yalvaç, Meryem Ayan

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Mrs. Sen’s is one of the short stories in Jhumpa Lahiri’s short story collection Interpreter of Maladies (1999). In Mrs. Sen’s, Lahiri narrates the story of an Indian woman immigrating to a new country due to her husband’s occupation. Mrs. Sen has to leave her motherland and start a new life in a foreign country. She faces some difficulties in adapting to her new life away from India. For Mrs. Sen, the days, after moving to a foreign land, are surrounded by homesickness and loneliness. It can be observed that her reactions to these feelings are closely related to …

The Development And Psychometric Properties Of Climate Change Awareness Scale Among Higher Education Students, Şuay Nilhan Açikalin, Şefika Şule Erçeti̇n, Nihan Potas, Mehmet Sabir Çevik

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Higher education has a pragmatic and educational approach to mitigating climate change and solving environmental challenges by enhancing awareness. Therefore, the study aims to develop a scale in a survey model to measure higher education students' awareness of climate change. The study group comprises higher education students enrolled at Public Universities in Ankara during the 2023-2024 academic year. For data analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, convergent and divergent (discriminant) validity, item analysis, and reliability analysis were employed. The scale was rigorously validated through exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and other measures. As a result of the exploratory …

An Efficient Deepfake Detection System Using Convoreinautonet And Geofishernet, Azan Hamad Alkhorem

Yanbu Journal of Engineering and Science

This research proposes an efficient deepfake detection system using a hybrid optimization model and a new deep learning approach. This system is divided into two phases: (i) the training Phase and (ii) the detection Phase. The decision phase is the ultimate decision maker, wherein a new deep learning approach referred to as ConvoReinAutoNet(CRAN) is introduced by levering the layers of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL), and Autoencoders, respectively. The training phase is enriched with new feature fusion and a hybrid optimization-based optimal feature selection approach. The extracted temporal and texture features (newly introduced Improved Local Ternary Patterns …

Screening For Bullying In A Middle School Setting, Paige Bernau

Dissertations

Problem: Bullied youth are two and a half times more likely to experience depression and three times more likely to experience anxiety and suicidal ideation than their peers (Li et al., 2024). Schools represent a key access point for mental health support and treatment for youth (Duong et al., 2020). Despite this, schools typically do not have formal bullying screening integrated into student support services.

Methods: This program evaluation used a descriptive, observational design to evaluate a bullying screening program in a suburban middle-school. This program used the California Bullying Victimization Scale (CBVS) to assess for bullying victimization (BV) followed …

Implementation Of An Evidence-Based Postpartum Depression Screening Tool In A Level Iv Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Morgan A. Takacs

Dissertations

Problem: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects up to 40% of mothers with infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), yet many remain undiagnosed due to the absence of standardized screening protocols. Early identification and referral to Perinatal Behavioral Health Services (PBHS) is critical to support maternal well-being and improve neonatal outcomes.

Methods: This evidence-based quality improvement project utilized a descriptive and correlational design to evaluate the impact of implementing the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) for PPD screening among mothers of infants born ≤ 32 weeks’ gestation in a Level IV NICU. A convenience sample of 29 mothers received the …

Evaluation Of A Behavioral Response Team To Decrease Use Of Violent Restraint, Katherine Skrade

Dissertations

Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this Quality Improvement project was to evaluate the implementation of the Behavioral Assessment and Response Team (BART) and evaluate its effect on occurrence and duration of violent restraints on non-psychiatric floors in a pediatric hospital. This QI project also aimed to correlate the use of the Broset Violence Checklist (BVC) to the utilization of the BART as a means of predicting patient escalation, as well as to assess the effect of booster education on the BVC and BART on bedside staff confidence in utilization of these resources.

Methods: Data was collected across three time periods: …

Implementing A Standardized Protocol To Screen For Depression In A Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic, Catherine M. Karle

Dissertations

Problem: There is a lack of mental health screenings for depression taking place in outpatient gastrointestinal (GI) clinics. Outpatient gastrointestinal (GI) offices are not consistently screening patients for depression despite a rise in depression rates and the known adverse impact depression can have on the GI tract.

Methods: This Quality Improvement (QI) study used a descriptive research design guided by the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice (JHNEBP) Model. Its purpose was to implement a 10-week PHQ-2/PHQ-8 depression screening protocol at a large midwestern health center's gastroenterology outpatient clinic. The study used purposive sampling, including all GI outpatients aged 18+ with …

Implementation Of Quantitative Blood Loss To Detect Postpartum Hemorrhage After Vaginal Birth, Raven S. Simpson

Dissertations

Problem: In the U.S., postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is attributed to maternal morbidity and mortality, resulting in long-lasting effects of extended recoveries, surgical interventions, birth-related trauma, interruptions in mother-infant bonding, or death. Performing estimated blood loss (EBL) measurement methods postpartum is subjective and often associated with over- and underestimations of blood volume. The delay in recognition interferes with timely, efficient, and appropriate interventions, yielding a PPH (≥1000ml).

Methods: A quality improvement (QI) project was initiated with a descriptive, pre-implementation/post-implementation focus on a high-risk Labor and Delivery unit to explore the effects of Quantitative Blood Loss (QBL) measurements on the identification of …

Report Of The Special Rapporteur On The Implications For Human Rights Of The Environmentally Sound Management And Disposal Of Hazardous Substances And Wastes, Marcos Orellana - Military Activities And Toxics, Marcos Orellana

PEEL Faculty Scholarship

Implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes

Note by the Secretary-General

The Secretary-General has the honour to transmit to the General Assembly the report of the Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, Marcos Orellana, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 54/10.