Digital Commons Network^™

The 2025 Sc Teacher Working Conditions Survey, Ruiqin Gao, Angela Starrett, Brian Cartiff, Svetlana Dmitrieva

Reports

The SC Teacher Working Conditions Survey (SCTWCS) was developed to better understand teachers’ experiences in their schools and the factors that infl uence their workplace satisfaction and career decisions. SC TEACHER designed the SCTWCS to include 10 areas of working conditions—six resources and four demands—with job satisfaction and intent to stay in the profession as outcomes. For novice teachers, three areas of mentor support (mentor instructional support, mentor non-instructional support, and proximity) are also included.

In the 2025 administration, 54 of the state’s 72 traditional school districts (75%) participated, along with f i ve of the six specialty schools and …

Neural Representations Of Valence And Arousal In Kung Fury, Jason A. Davis

Cognitive Science Senior Theses

Emotions are a core component of human experience and behavior, yet after decades of scientific research, it is still difficult to uncover the neural substrates related to emotion. Recent advances in neuroscience have examined how we interpret emotional signals from static images of facial expressions, but less work has sought to understand how the brain constructs our emotional experiences (Chen, 2020). To investigate such idiosyncratic experiences across participants, we employed naturalistic stimuli to model the real-time, reliable changes in activity that correspond to changes in emotional experience. A primary element of emotional experience is core affect, defined as the mental …

Navigating The Transition: Experiences Of Former Collegiate Softball Athletes, Breanna Alleen Bryant

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to explore the different ways former female collegiate athletes transitioned out of playing their sport. Through qualitative interviews, the research aimed to understand the challenges these athletes faced, such as loss of identity, emotional distress, the absence of structure and support after leaving their teams. It also examined how unprepared these athletes were while going through the transition. The participants in this research study are all former division three college softball players who have just graduated college or have been out for a maximum of ten years. The most significant findings were these …

Se Quema: Burnout In Undergraduate Latiné Students, Shirley Victoria Celi-Landeo

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past five years, Latiné students have contributed most of the nation’s increase in college degrees earned. But even with more people enrolling in college, undergraduate retention remains a concern, raising critical questions about equity in higher education (The Pell Institute, 2023). This thesis examines burnout among Latiné undergraduates, who face financial strain, familial responsibilities, and lack of representation in resources, contributing to their underrepresentation in graduation rates. The study emphasizes the need to understand and address these stressors to support the success of Latiné students, who are under-represented in graduation rates compared to their counterparts (Excelencia in Education, …

Childhood Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Comprehensive Review Of Disease, Diagnosis, And Therapeutic Management, Daniyal Raza, Farhan Mohiuddin, Muhammad Haris Khan, Maheen Fawad, Syed Musa Raza

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects both adults and children, although the symptoms differ significantly between these groups. While adults typically experience heartburn and regurgitation, children may present with more subtle signs, such as failure to thrive, chronic cough, wheezing, and Sandifer syndrome. Diagnosing GERD in children necessitates a multifaceted approach due to the diverse symptomatology and challenges in communication. Clinical assessment serves as the cornerstone of diagnosis, supported by tools like pH monitoring, esophageal impedance testing, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Imaging studies, such as barium swallow, can also provide valuable insights into anatomical abnormalities and the extent of reflux. Treatment …

Boys In A Box: A Mixed Methods Study Examining The Masculinity Of Boys In A Private School, Shavar Ryan Bernier

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

My name is Shavar Bernier, and the title of my thesis is Boys in a box: mixed methods study examining boys' masculinity in a private boarding school. I wrote the paper with guidance from my advisors and readers at Dartmouth, Mary Turco, Andrew Garrod, and Douglas Moody.

This mixed-methods study examined masculinity and how it was displayed at a private boarding school in Watertown, Connecticut. The purpose of the study was to use the experiences of students and teaching faculty to understand how masculinity was evident on Taft’s campus. The study participants consisted of 15 former students and forty-five teaching …

Teamwork And Artificial Intelligence (Ai) : Examining The Effects Of Teammate Identity, Deception, And Ai Literacy On Team Dynamics And Performance In Human-Human Vs. Human-Ai Teams, Jenna Korentsides

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be integrated into collaborative work environments, understanding how humans interact with AI teammates is increasingly important. This study examined how people’s beliefs about who they are working with (whether a teammate is human or AI) can influence teamwork outcomes. Specifically, we explored how perceived teammate identity affects task performance and team experience, with a focus on trust and communication as potential mediators, and AI literacy (familiarity and comfort with AI) as a moderator. Participants completed a series of timed, collaborative problem-solving tasks using a bomb defusal simulation. Each participant worked with both a human …

Couples And Pornography: A Dyadic Latent Profile Analysis Of Romantic Partners And Pornography Use, Michelle E. Haddock Edwards

Theses and Dissertations

Research on the outcomes of pornography use for romantic couples has been extensive yet inconclusive. Studies have examined pornography use in a wide variety of contexts, leading to a wide variety of outcomes and well-being. The current study uses latent profile analysis to account for many contextual factors at once, dyadic data to examine the perspective of both partners simultaneously, and a range of individual and relational well-being outcomes to understand how different relational pornography use patterns lead to well-being. Results provided evidence for six unique profiles of couples based on pornography use patterns (personal use frequency, perceived partner use …

New Student Orientation Programs: Understanding The Perceptions And Experiences Of First-Generation Community College Students, April J. Catching

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines first-generation community college students' perceptions of New Student Orientation programs. The research questions focus on specific aspects of students' experiences and transitions to gain an understanding of their perspectives. The objective is to see if there is a connection between what researchers ascertain are the most valuable experiences for new students and what students feel and perceive while enrolled in their first semester of college. Qualitative data was collected to provide targeted insights for improving orientation programs and practices. The research questions focused on understanding specific aspects of students’ orientation experiences and their impact on their college …

Effect Of Olympic Weightlifting Training On Power Output And Landing Forces In Adolescent Female Athletes: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Emily Neff

Doctorate in Kinesiology

To examine whether a periodized, eight-week strength and conditioning (S&C) program incorporating Olympic Weightlifting (OWL) improves vertical jump height and reduces peak landing forces in adolescent female athletes. Despite the proven benefits of neuromuscular training (NMT), (Nessler et al., 2017; Mattu et al., 2022), access to high-skill S&C remains limited for this population (Sommi et al., 2018; Parsons et al., 2021). Twenty-four adolescent female athletes were divided into a training group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 9). The training group completed two one-hour sessions weekly for eight weeks. Pre- and post- intervention testing assessed vertical jump …

Establishing A "Duty To Not Destroy": Using Fiduciary Duty To Hold Settler-Colonial States Responsible For Cultural And Linguistic Harms Committed Against Indigenous Students At Government-Run Boarding Schools, Kristina Mclaughlin

Minnesota Journal of International Law, Vols. 28:2 onward (2019-present)

No abstract provided.

Support Beyond Services: Examining The Role Of Neighbor Relationships, Housing Staff, And Place In Mental Health Recovery, Kenna Estell Dickard

Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation explores the role of non-clinical support for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). Through three interconnected manuscripts, this dissertation highlights the importance of housing staff support, places in the community, and neighbor relationships in fostering recovery for individuals with SMI. The first manuscript analyzes how housing staff support influences residents' well-being through an ecological lens. This study found that staff support is associated with reduced loneliness, higher residential satisfaction, and increased sense of community. This study also considers the role of self-determination as a moderator, demonstrating the importance of resident agency in maximizing well-being outcomes. The second manuscript …

Reproductive Rights At Work: The Role Of Organizations In Menstrual Support, Emily Julia Ready

Dissertations and Theses

Painful menstrual symptoms affect up to 90% of people with uteruses globally. These symptoms can result in lost productivity at work and absenteeism for working individuals. Normative work structures have not been designed with accessibility and inclusivity for those with uteruses in mind. Therefore, women and those with uteruses have often had to work through barriers with no accommodations or systematic change. Currently, there is no published research in the United States on the nuances of the relationship between menstruation and work with the intention of exploring effective solutions. There has been discussion related to menstrual supportive policies, but there …

Community Perspectives On Cancer And Cancer Research: Findings From Listening Sessions With Diverse Groups In Philadelphia, Karen Glanz, Emma A. Soliva, Krista Scheffey, Yawei Song, Charnita Zeigler-Johnson, Evelyn T. González, Thierry Fortune, Nilsa Graciani, Amy E. Leader

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Listening sessions are useful for understanding community perspectives on cancer disparities. The Philadelphia Communities Conquering Cancer (PC3) coalition conducted listening sessions to identify community priorities for cancer prevention and control research among diverse communities in Philadelphia.

METHODS: Guided by a Stakeholder Advisory Committee, PC3 partnered with community-based organizations to conduct 8 listening sessions with diverse communities (including Black, Hispanic, Asian, Russian, LGBTQ + , and veterans) to learn about perceptions of cancer, research priorities, and training and communication preferences. Sessions were facilitated by community members or PC3 members in the primary language of participants. Sessions were audio recorded, transcribed, …

The Love With A Thousand Faces: Heroism As Embodied Love In Action, Scott T. Allison

Heroism Science

In this article, I argue that heroism is, at its core, embodied love in action -- a morally charged, physically grounded expression of care enacted through selfless deeds, courage, and commitment to others. Rather than reducing love to sentiment or an abstract ideal, I emphasize its embodied dimensions: love as a lived, relational force that motivates people to act bravely and altruistically, often at great personal cost. Drawing on psychological research in empathy, attachment, and prosocial motivation, I show how love undergirds moral courage by activating deep emotional bonds and transforming them into action-oriented commitments that transcend fear and self-interest. …

Effects Of Consuming Short-Form Videos On Young Adults’ Fine Motor Skills, Dragon Tanaghon Chew, Jerome Gabriel Gay, Hien Than, Zhi Qin Ko

Introduction to Research Methods RSCH 202

The composition of short-form video (SFV) consumption can affect cognitive abilities, including motor skills. This study addresses a potential concern due to the lack of data. By presenting two experimental designs, the study explores the impact of SFV consumption on the motor skills of young adults. The first experiment employs a between-subjects design, where 60 participants are randomly assigned to two groups, with one group exposed to 30 minutes of SFV content. The second experiment adopts a cross-sectional design based on self-reported historical SFV consumption, where motor skill is compared between groups with low (< 3 hours/day) and high (≥3 hours/day) SFV consumption. Typing performance is used as an indicator of motor skill for the first experiment and finger tapping test is used in the second. The results will compare pre- and post-intervention performance. The findings would enhance practical understanding and illustrate the relationship between social media and motor skills.

Key words: Short-form video, motor …

Strange Bedfellows: Guardians For Fetuses And Future Generations, Celia Parry

Pace Environmental Law Review

In the 1970s, savvy anti-abortion lawyers began employing “fetal guardians” as a procedural mechanism to restrict abortion access. In Juliana v. United States, arguably the most important climate lawsuit from the past ten years, a “guardian for future generations” acted as a plaintiff. These forms of legal guardianship resemble each other because they both rely on property law precedent, invoke creative interpretations of guardianship, and represent future interests. This connection also presents a predicament for climate litigators and anti-abortion litigators, who don’t typically share the same agenda. To date, this intersection between fetal and future generation guardianship has not received …

Factors Associated With Applying To Graduate/Professional Degrees For Students Engaged In Undergraduate Research Experiences At Minority Serving Institutions, Lourdes E. Echegoyen, Kala M. Mehta, Karsten Hueffer, Jacob D. Kagey, Thomas E. Keller, Kathleen M. Morgan, Stephen B. Aley, Chi-Ah Chun, Payam Sheikhattari, Amy Wagler

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction:

This study investigates the impact of undergraduate research experiences on applications to graduate and professional programs, particularly for underrepresented minority students at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

Methods:

The study analyzes data collected at 10 MSIs participating in the NIH BUILD program to understand the relationship between research participation (in formal programs vs. informal research), student demographics, science self-efficacy, GPA, and application to advanced degree programs.

Results:

Results indicate that undergraduate research participation, especially in formal programs for extended periods of time, positively influences applications to graduate/professional programs, with similar outcomes observed across underrepresented minority and non-minority students.Discussion

Findings indicate …

Ecocentric Environmental Justice: Why We Should Go There And How We Can Get There, Jillian R. Houle

Pace Environmental Law Review

Environmental justice is necessary. It forces us to grapple with the fact that environmental burdens and benefits have been disproportionately divvied up across arbitrary race- and income-based lines, asks “what are you going to do about it?”, and offers solutions and answers to the problems it identifies. Everyone benefits from environmental justice. At the same time, environmental protection is necessary. Not only does environmental protection, by definition, protect the biotic and abiotic components of the natural world, but it further serves to protect humans, who unequivocally rely on the natural environment to sustain their collective life. Everything – living and …

A Psychometric Investigation Of The Distress Tolerance Scale Short Form (Dts-Sf): Reliability, Validity, And Factor Structure In A Trauma-Exposed Sample, Brianna M. Byllesby, Ruby Charak, Ines Cano-Gonzalez, Nicole M. Christ

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Perceived emotional distress tolerance refers to one’s perceived capacity to tolerate negative emotional states, and this construct is commonly identified as a transdiagnostic development and maintenance factor of psychopathology. The Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) is a commonly used self-report measure of emotional distress tolerance, and recently an abbreviated version, the Distress Tolerance Scale-Short Form (DTS-SF), was developed. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the DTS-SF in a large sample (N = 1099) of emerging adults. Our findings demonstrated that the DTS-SF had adequate internal reliability and was strongly associated with the DTS total score. Similarly, the DTS-SF …

Current Situation Of The Use Of Neutrosophy To Improve Medical Decision Making And Preventive Healthcare In Ecuador, Franklin Parrales-Bravo, Lorenzo Cevallos-Torres, Leonel Vasquez-Cevallos, Zulemma Bazurto-Blacio, Diana Minda-Gilces, Víctor Gómez-Rodríguez, Rosangela Caicedo-Quiroz, Pedro García-Arias

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study systematically examines the applications of neutrosophic logic in Ecuadorian medicine, focusing on its role in improving medical decision making and preventive healthcare. By conducting a structured literature review selected articles, the research highlights how neutrosophic methods—such as Single-Valued Neutrosophic Sets (SVNS) and Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps (NCMs)—address uncertainty, indeterminacy, and contradictions inherent in clinical and public health data. Key contributions include improved diagnostic accuracy in maternal health, risk assessment for chronic diseases, and ethical decision making in telemedicine, demonstrating neutrosophic logic’s superiority over traditional binary approaches. The findings advocate for a broader implementation of neutrosophic frameworks in Ecuador’s healthcare …

A Neutrosophic Approach To Evaluating Self-Perceived Professional Competency In Dentistry Students And Graduates, Frederick Zevallos- Velasquez, Yessika Madelaine Abarca Arias, Juvita Dina Soto Hilario, Jairo Rafael Vidaurre Urrelo, Alejandro Chávez Paredes, Katia Medina-Calderon

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This article addresses a key issue in dental education: how recent graduates and final-year students at the Faculty of Dentistry of the National University of San Marcos (UNMSM) perceive their readiness for professional practice. The study explores these self-assessments amid uncertainty, especially due to disruptions in clinical training during health restrictions. Traditional methods often overlook the ambiguity present in human perceptions during crises. To fill this gap, the study applies neutrosophic Z numbers, a method that captures degrees of certainty, indeterminacy, and contradiction in responses. Five competency dimensions were evaluated, revealing overall confidence in professional preparation but significant uncertainty in …

Sensory Marketing Analysis: Exploring Uncertainty And Contradiction In Consumer Decision-Making. A Multineutrosophic Analysis With Aras, Eluard Alexander Mendoza Zenozain, Rosa María Criollo Delgado, Julio César Vidal Rischmoller

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Sensory marketing studies how visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory stimuli influence consumer decisions, a complex process characterized by contradictions and uncertainties. Previous research has mainly explored individual senses, leaving a gap regarding the multisensory interactions and their inherent ambiguity. This study addresses this issue by proposing a novel methodological approach combining Multineutrosophic Analysis with the Additive Ratio Assessment (ARAS) method. The proposed framework captures the subjective complexity of sensory experiences, quantifying contradictions and uncertainties typically overlooked by traditional models. Findings indicate that visual stimuli initially dominate consumer attraction but lose strength when conflicting sensations, such as unpleasant smells or …

Intercultural Dialogue In The Meeting On Neutrosophy And Latin American Worldviews: A Perspective From The Náhuat Indigenous Chair Of The Technological University Of El Salvador, Morena Guadalupe Magaña

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This article presents a reflective analysis of the intercultural forum held during the Meeting on Neutrosophy and Latin American Worldviews, focusing on the contribution of the Náhuat Indigenous Chair at the Technological University of El Salvador. Drawing on philosophical and decolonial frameworks, it explores how the revitalization of the Náhuat language serves as both an act of cultural resistance and an epistemological statement. The Chair's initiatives—including teacher training, language certification, and community-based educational projects—are examined as concrete expressions of intercultural commitment. These efforts are contextualized within a broader critique of historical erasure, media manipulation, and social forgetting that have affected …

Neutrosophic Causal Analysis Of Gamification Strategies For Promoting Reading Habits In Eighth-Grade Students, Roger Martinez Isaac, Gladis Narciza Vargas Azuero, María Narcisa Carrillo Suárez, Elsy Rodríguez Revelo

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study explores the connection between gamification elements and the development of reading habits among eighth-grade students through neutrosophic set theory and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). This investigation is different from previous ones because most studies focused on gamification fail to embrace the uncertainty and complexity of real life when it comes to generalizability. As a result, a neutrosophic framework was established for this study. To this end, 15 individuals answered a neutrosophic Likert scale questionnaire which resulted in a conglomerate of ratings that depicts their opinion on the gamified elements, technology use, and feedback loop systems afforded to …

Neutrosophic Psychology Of Teachers: Addressing Perceptions Of Uncertainty And Motivation In The Implementation Of Thinking Strategies, Edward David Ticona Ponce, Adán Humberto Estela Estela, Manuel Cesar Vildoso Villega, Pierre Sean Rojas Padilla, Virgilio Vildoso Gonzales, Hortencio Flores Flores, Carlos Fretel Martínez

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study addresses a key challenge in contemporary education: teachers' psychological resistance to implementing critical thinking strategies, a problem compounded by ambivalent perceptions, indeterminate motivations, and a lack of tools to measure these complexities. Although previous research has explored pedagogical barriers, little has examined the subjective and inconsistent dimension of teachers' attitudes, leaving a gap in our understanding of how uncertainty affects the adoption of educational innovations. To address this, the article proposes a framework based on Neutrosophic Psychology, which quantifies contradictions in teachers' beliefs (such as the coexistence of genuine motivation and external pressures) using neutrosophic numbers, applying adaptive …

Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps To Analyze Barriers And Opportunities In The Development Of Critical Thinking Through Inquiry Strategies In Public Universities, Betsy Maryetta Quispe Baca, Adán Humberto Estela Estela, Vladímir Bendezú Pérez, Yessika Madelaine Abarca Arias, Manuel Cesar Vildoso Villegas, Pierre Sean Rojas Padilla, Juvita Dina Soto

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

The effective implementation of inquiry strategies in higher education is hampered by multiple interconnected fac-tors, from institutional constraints to pedagogical barriers, creating a complex scenario that traditional analysis methods fail to fully capture. This problem takes on particular relevance in the current context, where the devel-opment of critical thinking has become a fundamental competency for facing the challenges of constantly changing societies. While numerous studies on active pedagogies exist, there remains a notable lack of approaches that can adequately manage the ambiguity, contradictions, and uncertainty inherent in real-life educational systems. To ad-dress this limitation, this research proposes an innovative analytical …

Neutrosophic Evaluation Of Conventional And Non-Conventional Resources In Higher Education, Walter Cente Pérez, Hortencio Flores Flores, Manuel Cesar Vildoso Villegas, Adán Humberto Estela Estela, Carlos Fretel Martínez, Virgilio Vildoso Gonzales, Eli Carrillo Vásquez

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Evaluating the effectiveness of teaching resources in higher education faces the challenge of inherent subjectivi-ty and ambiguity in pedagogical processes. Existing studies often oversimplify the complexity of the educa-tional phenomenon. This research proposes an innovative model combining neutrosophic theory with mul-ticriteria decision-making methods (specifically SVNLOWAD-TOPSIS) to simultaneously assess truth, falsity, and indeterminacy in resource effectiveness. The methodological framework, acknowledging the plithogenic nature of educational processes, uses a mixed-method design integrating expert perceptions synthesized via neutrosophic operators. A case study evaluating four resource types—traditional classes, online platforms, vir-tual simulations, and Project-Based Learning (PBL)—demonstrated that PBL is the most effective, followed by …

Modeling Barriers And Facilitators Of Access To Sport Through Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps., Carlos Alcívar-Trejo, Karem González-Palma, Fidel Márquez-Sánchez, Fátima Campos-Cárdenas, Adriana María Estupiñán Sera

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study's objective was to assess barriers and facilitators to access to sport utilizing neutrosophic cognitive maps to identify variables contributing to sports participation. Therefore, a qualitative neutrosophic theory ap-proach was taken—this approach allows for mapping of such relationships even in uncertain situations. Data col-lection efforts consisted of expert interviews and surveys of current and former athletes, which were analyzed to create cognitive maps representing interdependent positional relationships of variables such as resources, moti-vation, and governmental resources. Among the major results are that the most prominent barriers are lack of adequate resources, fiscal resources, and socioeconomic equity while the most …

Exploring Emotional Dimensions In Educational Data: A Neutrosophic Sentiment Analysis Approach., Joffre Paladines Rodríguez, Adrián Del Pozo Biscarra, Felix Tamayo

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study contributes to the literature by trying to understand which emotions translate to transcription in the classroom from the perspective of emotional impact on academic achievement in digital environments. This is specific to the chosen sample population from Instituto Superior Tecnológico Guayaquil, which operates within the Google Classroom environment. The importance of such a study is essential in twenty-first-century life be-cause relative emotions—positive or negative, from constructs like motivation, anxiety, or frustration—are in-tegral to positioning and learning processes in digital teaching environments which excessively appear in to-day's higher education curriculum. Yet the state-of-the-art does not highlight such a systematic …