Digital Commons Network^™

Integration Between Bioinformatics Algorithms And Neutrosophic Theory, Romany M. Farag, Mahmoud Y. Shams, Dalia A. Aldawody, Huda E. Khalid, Hazem M. El-Bakry, Ahmed A. Salama

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This paper presents a neutrosophic inference model for bioinformatics. The model is used to develop a system for accurate comparisons of human nucleic acids, where the new nucleic acid is compared to a database of old nucleic acids. The comparisons are analyzed in terms of accuracy, certainty, uncertainty, neutrality, and bias. The proposed system achieves good results and provides a reliable standard for future comparisons. It highlights the potential of neutrosophic inference models in bioinformatics applications. Data mining and bioinformatics play a crucial role in computational biology, with applications in scientific research and industrial development. Biological analysts rely on specialized …

Humans Of Nyls: Spring 2024 Collection, Student Bar Association

NYLS Community News

No abstract provided.

Prevalence And Risk Factors Of Hikikomori In Young Adults In The Middle East, Harshil Paresh Shah

Theses

Hikikomori, a form of severe social withdrawal that can occur without the presence of any other psychological disorder, was once thought to be a Japanese culture-bound phenomena. However, studies have emerged from several parts of the world showing that this may be a global issue. Extant literature suggests associations between hikikomori and behavioral addictions such as gaming addiction and Problematic Social Media Use (PSMU). Since there is a relative paucity of research examining this phenomenon in the Middle Eastern context, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of hikikomori in young adults of the Middle East. It …

If We Could Talk To The Animals, How Should We Discuss Their Legal Rights?, Andrew W. Torrance, Bill Tomlinson

Fordham Law Review

The intricate tapestry of animal communication has long fascinated humanity, with the sophisticated linguistics of cetaceans holding a special place of intrigue due to the cetaceans’ significant brain size and apparent intelligence. This Essay explores the legal implications of the recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), specifically machine learning and neural networks, that have made significant strides in deciphering sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) communication. We view the ability of a being to communicate as one—but not the only—potential pathway to qualify for legal rights. As such, we investigate the possibility that the ability to communicate should trigger legal …

The First Religious Charter School: A Viable Option For School Choice Or Prohibited Under The State Action Doctrine And Religion Clauses?, Julia Clementi

Fordham Law Review

After the First Amendment’s Religion Clauses were ratified, church and state became increasingly divorced from one another, as practicing religion became a private activity on which the government could not encroach. This separation, however, was slow, and much credit is owed to the U.S. Supreme Court for its efforts to disentangle the two. One particular area in which the Supreme Court exercised its influence was the U.S. education system; the Court invoked the Religion Clauses and neutrality principles to rid public schools of religious influences and ensure that private religious schools could partake in government programs that were available to …

Investigating Parental Roles In Developing Preschool-Aged Children’S Emergent Literacy In English, Their Second Language, Through Storybook Reading In A Sample Of Kuwaiti Homes, Fajr M. Alkouz

Dissertations

Using a convergent mixed methods design, this study explored home emergent literacy environments actualized by six mothers of young preschool-aged children living in Kuwait. It investigated the role of these Kuwaiti mothers in developing their bilingual preschool-aged children’s print knowledge, oral language, and phonological awareness, as three areas associated with Emergent Literacy (EL). In particular, the study explored the influence of parental storybook reading on the development of bilingual children’s EL skills in English, their Second Language (L2). Employing purposive sampling, this case study obtained statistical quantitative results from parents who responded to a questionnaire about their home literacy experiences …

The Impact Of Modernization On Mating Strategies In Iran: A Comparison Across Cities Versus Small Towns, Saeed Koohgard, Kai Lin Lynn Tan, Norman P. Li, Marzie Hashemi

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

The mating market in Iran has shown an increased rate of relationship formation. In such relationships, the most important pillar is physical attractiveness. We adopt an evolutionary perspective to understand this trend. Through comparing districts with different levels of modernization, this study explores the effects of modernization on mate preferences in Iran. We propose that rapid modernization reduces the preference for long-term relationships and has led to a rise in short-term mating strategies. We predict that the rise of short-term mating strategies will be reflected in higher frequencies of relationships and prioritizing physical attraction in mateseeking in modern versus non-modern …

How Transformational Leadership Improves Instructional Practices: The Mediating Role Of Teachers’ Change-Oriented Organizational Citizenship And Appreciation, Mariam Mohamed Alhammadi

Dissertations

Enhancing educational outcomes in the education system of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hinges on improving teaching and learning practices. This study investigates the influence of transformational leadership approaches on instructional practices within science classrooms while examining the potential mediating effects of enhanced change-oriented organizational citizenship behaviors and heightened organizational appreciation, in the cultural context of the UAE public school system. Data are gathered from 297 teachers in UAE government schools through survey instruments featuring modified existing organizational context scales and scales inspired by the PISA, 2015 cycle’s teacher and student questionnaires. The collected data are analyzed using SmartPLS software …

The Jonestown Appeal: A Rhetorical Analysis Of Jim Jones’ “The Death Tapes”, Lindsey E. Wright

Senior Honors Theses

Through the view of the Aristotelian analysis, this research identified how Jim Jones utilized rhetoric to persuade a large group of people. Pre-existing literature in the fields of psychology and communication have closely studied Jones’ manipulation tactics in both his speeches and interactions with his audiences. In addition to his persuasive tone, this study explored and evaluated the appeals of logos, pathos, and ethos tailored in Jim Jones’ final speech, Q042, now commonly coined, “The Death Tapes.” The methodology employed in this study meticulously examined the artifact by listening exclusively through the tapes for each appeal and the impacts of …

Humanitarian Aid Worker Retention: Is General Motivation Theory Enough?, Gabriella Lee

Senior Honors Theses

In the socially impactful realm of humanitarian business, job dissatisfaction has led to high turnover and low retention, causing many organizations to struggle and sometimes fail. To increase motivation and satisfaction, the differences between general motivation theories and common humanitarian motivations should be analyzed. These analyses can then be applied to increase retention. While most general motivation theories like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs point to internal or personal needs being met, humanitarian employees are mainly motivated altruistically. Therefore, this research will demonstrate that altruistic motivations have a greater role in humanitarian retention than traditional motivation theories. Existing human resource policies …

The Influence Of Texting On Perceived Warmth: The Role Of Punctuation And Emoji, Elizabeth Mathews

Senior Honors Theses

Technology Mediated Communication (TMC) has become an essential part of interpersonal communication. Punctuation and emoji are major vessels of nonverbal communication in texting. The impact of punctuation and emoji use on perceptions of warmth was tested with 291 residential undergraduate students at Liberty University who were at least 18 years old. Through an online questionnaire, participants read a series of text messages with a randomly assigned condition of having either punctuation and emoji, punctuation and no emoji, no punctuation and emoji, or no punctuation and no emoji. Results indicated a significant main effect for the presence of emoji on perceived …

Nursing Care Regarding Social Determinants Of Health For Breastfeeding In Mothers And Infants, Natalie Jefson

Senior Honors Theses

Breastfeeding is incredibly important to the health and well-being of the mother-infant dyad. Because of this, there are both world-wide and national recommendations and guidelines for breastfeeding in the United States. Although many women choose to initiate breastfeeding, the percentage of women who continue breastfeeding for the recommended duration does not meet the Healthy People goal for the United States. Many factors influence this early breastfeeding cessation, including physical and socioeconomic barriers. Certain populations face increased barriers to reaching these goals related to social determinants of health which can and should be addressed by nurses through preventive measures and education.

The Development Of A Social Media Strategy For The Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights, Natalie Ritter

Senior Honors Theses

In this thesis, an examination is conducted on the design, development, process, and execution of a social media strategy for the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights, a junior hockey team composed of 16-20 year old players based in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The strategy takes into consideration not only the extraordinary role that social media can play in the success of a team’s overall development and marketing plan, but also the team’s specific mission and objectives as well as the intricacies that come with media within the sports industry. An in-depth literature review discusses the importance of a social media strategy and how an …

Christian Code Of Silence: The Church’S Current Response To Clergy Sexual Misconduct And Potential Improvements Utilizing Principles Of Restorative Justice, Skya Lau

Senior Honors Theses

The prevalent and pervasive issue of clergy sexual misconduct within the Christian church has been perpetuated under a code of silence through the use of perverted Scripture to support its tactics. By departing from biblically aligned principles, and silencing the victims and protecting the offenders, the church’s current response has detrimental effects, calling into question the moral standing of the church. However, by practically implementing the principles of community, accountability, and forgiveness found in restorative justice and interpreting them through a biblical lens, the church can begin to improve their response. In dismantling the code of silence, the church can …

Mindfulness And Teacher Stress, Burnout, And Depression Among K-12 Teachers, Macy Woods

Senior Honors Theses

Across school districts, teachers face high stress levels, inhibiting their ability to engage effectively with and teach students. Teachers can learn and utilize effective strategies to offset the difficulties of the profession. School districts often encourage and provide stress-reduction training for teachers; a new stress-reduction technique is known as mindfulness. Mindfulness is a cognitive skill that encourages internal and external awareness of emotions, feelings, and surroundings; it presents to be a beneficial strategy for increasing well-being in many professions. The present study, conducted among K-12 teachers in East Tennessee, will investigate the relationship between teacher mindfulness and each factor of …

The Perception Of Children As Reliable Eyewitnesses, Shelby Mcdonald

Psychology Student Papers and Posters

Eyewitness accounts have been integral to the criminal justice system. However, given that not every criminal case has forensic evidence that is available or admissible, the reliance on eyewitness accounts conjures questions about believability. This is an important area of research because the over-belief of witnesses may lead to wrongful convictions, yet under-belief may leave the victim without justice. The current study investigated how child-witness age, race, role as a witness (bystander versus victim), and the gender of the juror influenced the perception of child eyewitnesses through the lens of the Witness Credibility Model. Participants were presented with the testimony …

Adolescent Marijuana Use And The Contribution To The Development Of Schizophrenia, Jocelyn Spandikow

Psychology Student Papers and Posters

Schizophrenia is an often debilitating mental condition that has become a popular topic of psychological research in recent years. Current research examines the correlation between drug use, genetics, and environment on the development of schizophrenia. Research looks at the structure of the brain in individuals with and without schizophrenia. However, research has failed to look at the specific correlation between marijuana use in adolescent youth and the developmental impact on the brain, including in the development of schizophrenia. The legalization of many recreational drugs, including marijuana, has come to fruition in recent years. This has raised concerns over adolescent access …

Adhd And Lifetime Behavior: The Relationship Between Adhd And Negative Behavioral Patterns, Mattie F. Harris

Psychology Student Papers and Posters

Despite more recent recognition, those with ADHD are till often left behind by their peers as they enter a world that is not built to accommodate them. They’re often left with less preparation for their entrance into adulthood which may lead to behavioral issues as they grow older. The current study examined neurotypical individuals as well as those diagnosed with ADHD and their behavioral issues in their adult life under the guidance of Agnew’s General Strain Theory (2002). Agnew’s theory posits that relationships that put strain on individuals may lead to these same individuals committing negative, and often criminal, behaviors. …

A Poetics Of Handel’S Operas, By Nathan Link, Jonathan Rhodes Lee

Music Faculty Research

Textbooks and program notes summarize the relationship between story and music in opera seria with tidy bullet points: recitatives = action; arias = reflection; ensembles sometimes contribute to a story’s progression, while instrumental pieces typically do not. Nathan Link’s A Poetics of Handel’s Operas dismisses such generalizations as caricatures, going so far as to assert that opera seria is “easily among the most complex forms of storytelling yet devised” (p. 7). The author turns to narratological theory, with occasional forays into opera studies and cinema studies (including film music scholarship), to explain the “semantic decoding” (p. 2) that audiences must …

Addressing Nevada’S Teacher Shortage, Elizabeth Hofschulte Collins

National Institute for the Advancement of Education (NIAE)

Teacher shortages are a pervasive problem across the nation. Multiple strategies have been proposed to address this issue. Teacher shortages impact student achievement and learning in addition to organization culture (Castro, 2023; Ronfeldt et al., 2013; Sorensen & Ladd, 2020), making it an important issue (Ingersoll, 2003). While teacher shortages are a national problem, each teacher labor market is different. Consequently, different strategies will be more suitable for different labor markets. Nevada’s teacher shortage is present across P-12 levels of education and in many content areas. Early childhood education is the only area that does not report a teacher shortage …

The Feasibility And Acceptability Of A Diabetes Survival Skills Intervention For Persons Transitioning From Prison To The Community, Louise Reagan, Rick A. Laguerre, Sarah Todd, Colleen Gallagher

Management Faculty Research and Publications

Community evidenced-based diabetes self-management education (DSME) models have not been examined for feasibility, acceptability, or effectiveness among persons transitioning from prison to the community to independent diabetes self-management (DSM). In a non-equivalent control group design with repeated measures, we examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effect of a 6-week, 1-h per week Diabetes Survival Skills (DSS) intervention on diabetes knowledge, distress, self-efficacy, and outcome expectancy for transitioning incarcerated males. Of the 92 participants (84% T2D, 83% using insulin, 40% Black, 20% White, 30% Latino, 66% high school or less, mean age 47.3 years, 84% length of incarceration ≤4 years ), …

Acute Coronary Syndrome Patterns In The Young: Risk Factor Profile And In-Hospital Outcomes In A Tertiary Referral Hospital In Kenya, Nadeem Kassam, Mzee Ngunga, Mohamed Varwani, Miriam Msunza, Jeilan Mohamed

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Introduction: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) accounts for coronary artery disease (CAD) –related morbidity and mortality. There has been growing concern about the rising incidence of ACS among young individuals globally both in developed and developing countries, including Sub-Saharan Africa. This group’s phenotypic characteristics; risk factors and clinical outcomes are not well described. contextual and regional studies are necessary to understand the magnitude of ACS among young Individuals and help highlight challenges and opportunities for improved ACS outcomes in the region. The study aimed to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of young individuals hospitalized with ACS and report on in-hospital …

From Authenticity To Abandonment: A Case Study On The Decline Of Bereal, Blake Bollinger

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Predicting Antibiotic Resistance In Recreational Areas, Daniela Azevedo

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Emotions As Effects Of Anomie In Baton Rouge’S 311 Flooding And Drainage Service Requests, Amie Ćemalović

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

“Just One Simple Question: How Do We Protect Her?” The Role Of State Governments In Preventing Female Murders By Intimate Partners, Chesani Askew

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Does A Reduction In Receiving Assistance With Daily Activities Among Older Adults In Mexico Indicate An Increase In Unmet Needs Or A Decrease In Needs For Care?, Brian Downer, Rafael Samper-Ternent, Philip Cantu, Matthew Miller, Rebeca Wong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVES: The percentage of older adults in Mexico with difficulty completing activities of daily living (ADL) who receive assistance from family appears to be decreasing. We compared 2 birth cohorts of older adults in Mexico to investigate whether this trend reflects an increase in unmet caregiving needs or a decrease in the need for care.

METHODS: We selected Mexican Health and Aging Study participants aged 60-76 in 2001 (n = 4,805) and 2018 (n = 6,494). ADL tasks were dressing, walking, bathing, getting in and out of bed, and toileting. Participants who reported difficulty with an ADL were asked if …

The Dementia Care Study (D-Care): Recruitment Strategies And Demographic Characteristics Of Participants In A Pragmatic Randomized Trial Of Dementia Care, Mia Yang, Rafael Samper-Ternent, Elena Volpi, Aval-Na'ree Green, Maya Lichtenstein, Katy Araujo, Pamela Borek, Peter Charpentier, James Dziura, Thomas M Gill, Rebecca Galloway, Erich J Greene, Kristin Lenoir, Peter Peduzzi, Can Meng, Jordan Reese, Amy Shelton, Eleni A Skokos, Jenny Summapund, Erin Unger, David B Reuben, Jeff D Williamson, Alan B Stevens

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Pragmatic research studies that include diverse dyads of persons living with dementia (PLWD) and their family caregivers are rare.

METHODS: Community-dwelling dyads were recruited for a pragmatic clinical trial evaluating three approaches to dementia care. Four clinical trial sites used shared and site-specific recruitment strategies to enroll health system patients.

RESULTS: Electronic health record (EHR) queries of patients with a diagnosis of dementia and engagement of their clinicians were the main recruitment strategies. A total of 2176 dyads were enrolled, with 80% recruited after the onset of the pandemic. PLWD had a mean age of 80.6 years (SD 8.5), …

Differential Effects Of Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Regimens On Diabetes Distress And Depressive Symptoms In The Glycemia Reduction Approaches In Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness Study (Grade), Jeffrey S Gonzalez, Ionut Bebu, Heidi Krause-Steinrauf, Claire J Hoogendoorn, Gladys Crespo-Ramos, Caroline Presley, Aanand D Naik, Shihchen Kuo, Mary L Johnson, Deborah Wexler, Jill P Crandall, Anne E Bantle, Valerie Arends, Andrea L Cherrington

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: We evaluated whether adding basal insulin to metformin in adults with early type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) would increase emotional distress relative to other treatments.

Research design and methods: The Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness Study (GRADE) of adults with T2DM of < 10 years' duration, HbA1c 6.8-8.5%, and taking metformin monotherapy randomly assigned participants to add insulin glargine U-100, sulfonylurea glimepiride, the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist liraglutide, or the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor sitagliptin. The Emotional Distress Substudy enrolled 1,739 GRADE participants (mean [SD] age 58.0 [10.2] years, 32% female, 56% non-Hispanic White, 18% non-Hispanic Black, 17% Hispanic) and assessed diabetes distress and depressive symptoms every 6 months. Analyses examined differences at 1 year and over the 3-year follow-up.

Results: Across treatments, diabetes distress (-0.24, P < 0.0001) and depressive symptoms (-0.67, P < 0.0001) decreased over 1 year. Diabetes distress was lower at 1 year for the glargine group than for the other groups combined (-0.10, P = 0.002). Diabetes distress was also lower for liraglutide than for glimepiride or sitagliptin (-0.10, P = 0.008). Over the 3-year follow-up, there were no significant group differences in total diabetes distress; interpersonal diabetes distress remained lower for those assigned to liraglutide. No significant differences were observed for depressive symptoms.

Conclusions: Contrary to expectations, this randomized trial found no evidence for a deleterious effect of basal insulin on emotional distress. Glargine lowered diabetes distress modestly at 1 year rather than increasing it. Liraglutide also reduced diabetes distress at 1 year. Results can inform treatment decisions for adults …

Does Emotional Distress Predict Worse Glycemic Control Over Time? Results From The Glycemia Reduction Approaches In Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness Study (Grade), Andrea L Cherrington, Ionut Bebu, Heidi Krause-Steinrauf, Claire J Hoogendoorn, Gladys Crespo-Ramos, Caroline Presley, Aanand D Naik, Ashok Balasubramanyam, Michaela R Gramzinski, Tina Killean, Valerie L Arends, Jeffrey S Gonzalez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: To evaluate whether baseline levels of depressive symptoms and diabetes-specific distress are associated with glycemic control in Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness Study (GRADE), a large randomized controlled trial comparing the metabolic effects of four common glucose-lowering medications when combined with metformin in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Research design and methods: The primary and secondary outcomes were defined as an HbA1c value ≥7%, subsequently confirmed, and an HbA1c value >7.5%, subsequently confirmed, respectively. Separate Cox proportional hazards models assessed the association between baseline levels of each exposure of interest (depressive symptoms measured with …