Digital Commons Network^™

Modeling Natureserve Subnational Conservation Status Ranks For Tennessee Vascular Plants, Julia H. Prins

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Conservation status ranks measure the potential risk of extinction for species at the global, national, and subnational levels, taking into account rarity, threats, and population trends. This study used the NatureServe system to generate provisionary subnational conservation status ranks (s-ranks) for the vascular flora of Tennessee using five methods: (1) assigning an s-rank based on surrounding state s-ranks, (2) assigning an s-rank based on the percentage of counties with an occurrence record, (3) using FME to calculate criteria and assign an s-rank, (4) using RareCat to calculate criteria and assign an s-rank, and (5) using ArcGIS Pro to calculate criteria …

Differences In Experiences Among Lgbtq+ And Non-Lgbtq+ Faculty On University Campuses, John M. Diclementi

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Researchers have found LGBTQ+ college students report discrimination based on their sexuality (Kosciw et al., 2022; Tetreault et al., 2013); however, there is little research into how discrimination on campus impacts LGBTQ+ faculty and staff. I addressed this gap through a survey that analyzes differences in LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ faculty and staff on perceived organizational support, burnout, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and turnover intentions. Through conducting a series of Independent Samples t-tests, I found that LGBTQ+ faculty and staff report significantly lower perceived organizational support, higher levels of burnout, lower levels of job satisfaction, lower levels of organizational commitment, and …

Advancing Approaches To Multi-Target Multi-Camera Tracking: Graph-Based Features, Language Integration, Privacy Preservation, And Large Language Agent Frameworks, Tuan Thanh Nguyen Mr

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Multi-target multi-camera tracking (MTMCT) is a cornerstone of intelligent transportation systems (ITS), enabling comprehensive monitoring and analysis of vehicle movements across distributed camera networks. Although significant progress has been made, fundamental challenges persist in data association, real-time processing, preservation of privacy, and natural-language user interaction. First, we propose a graph-based model that leverages similarity algorithms to enhance cross-camera object association. Our framework achieves state-of-the-art performance with an IDF1 score of 0.8166 on the CityFlow dataset for offline tracking while maintaining real-time capability at 14 FPS for online scenarios. Next, we present LaMMOn, an end-to-end framework integrating language models with graph …

Whose Line Is It Anyway: Exploring How To Utilize Narrative Voice In Nonfiction, Brandalyn Joy Shropshire

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The craft paper explores the functionality of narrative voice in nonfiction and examines how to utilize voice to master sculpting storytelling to resonate with readers. The paper seeks to view narrative voice in terms of a vessel for the reader to explore, to drive the scene, and to guide the action and how each one works within the narrative. Through original work, I examine my relationship with my mother and grandmother, tracing how societal expectations and racialized pressures shaped their lives and, ultimately, my own. As an African American woman, I navigate themes of racism, the significance of appearance, and …

Increasing Accessibility And Enhancing Value Of Two University Small Vertebrate Collections Through Digitization And Online Database Publication, Chloe Smotherman

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Natural history collections (NHCs) are widely considered to be an exceptionally valuable resource and a critical foundation for research. Of the thousands of collections maintained today, the majority are considered small with a local or taxonomic focus. Collaboration among smaller NHCs through online publication contributes a largely underutilized resource for collections-based research. Past digitization efforts have resulted in the mobilization of collections data that enhance their preexisting value without significant additional costs. With this project I digitized and published the mammal collection (2,525 records) and, separately, the ornithology collection (403 records). Upon publication these records are the only mammal and …

Ai-Driven Smart Cities: Digital Twin Simulation, V2x Communication, And Ev Infrastructure Optimization, Seyedmehdi Khaleghian

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

As urbanization accelerates, cities face mounting challenges in transportation efficiency, safety, and sustainability. This dissertation explores the integration of Digital Twin (DT) technology, Connected Vehicle Communication (C-V2X), and Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure optimization to advance smart city mobility solutions. The research presents a comprehensive framework leveraging real-time data analytics, machine learning, and simulation technologies to enhance urban transportation systems. The first component focuses on Digital Twin-driven traffic simulation, which enables scenario testing, predictive modeling, and real-time decision-making. A key contribution is the calibration of traffic simulation models using real-world speed data, facilitating optimized traffic management, transit planning, and road safety …

Exploring Community Violence, Anxiety And Substance Use Among Black Adults, Berri Rawls

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The impact of community violence on Black individuals, remains a concern. Despite statistics showing the disproportionate rates of violence among Black individuals, there is a gap in understanding its effects on Black adults. This current study examined how the perception of community violence influences anxiety levels among Black adults. It is suggested that heightened anxiety, stemming from exposure to violence, contributes to maladaptive coping, such as substance use, as individuals attempt to alleviate distress. Among a sample of 202 black adults, we found that higher exposure to community violence (ECV) had a relationship with increased substance use (SU) and anxiety. …

Mathematical Model For Tripledemic Disease (Covid-19, Rsv, And Influenza), Foster Opoku

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The concurrent circulation of COVID-19, Influenza (Flu), and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), collectively termed the ”Tripledemic,” poses substantial public health challenges due to their overlapping transmission patterns and compounded healthcare demands. The discovery of COVID-19 vaccines such as Moderna (mRNA-1273, Spikevax) and Johnson & Johnson’s, among other vaccines, has reduced COVID-19 cases but has not completely eradicated the disease. In the 2022-2023 season, the world witnessed a ”tripledemic” of Flu, COVID-19, and RSV. We propose Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered (SIR) and SusceptibleExposed-Infectious-Recovered (SEIR) mathematical models to estimate transmission rates, compute the basic reproduction number, forecast infections, and analyze seasonal variations and comparative transmission …

Microplastics In Urban Environments: Distribution, Fate, And Transport, Mithu Chanda

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Microplastics (MPs) have become a growing environmental concern, particularly in urban areas where anthropogenic activities intensify their presence in ecosystems. This research investigates MPs’ distribution, fate, and transport in urban environments, focusing on stormwater retention (SWR) ponds, bioretention systems (BRS), and saturated porous media. Field studies analyzed MPs in freshwater sediments of SWR ponds across residential, educational, and mixed urban land-use types, identifying distinct contamination patterns. Vertical distribution analyses in bioretention media highlighted the potential of BRS as a green infrastructure for retaining MPs. Laboratory experiments further explored MPs’ transport and retention in saturated porous media, examining the effects of …

Assessing A Police Department's Reliance On The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (Nibin) To Solve Shooting Cases: Can Nibin Increase Shooting Clearance Rates?, James Stephen Abbott

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Often, police response to shooting incidents lacks the investigative leads needed for successful follow-up and prosecution. This may result from a lack of surveillance video or witnesses investigators rely on to solve such cases quickly. To overcome these obstacles, law enforcement has turned to forensic science to provide police with the information and clues to be successful. Ballistic evidence is one such tool that can provide police with detailed information regarding linked shooting cases that can help identify possible new witnesses, surveillance videos, potential suspects and criminal groups, motive, and account for the number of firearms used at the scene. …

The Relationship Of Family Characteristics Of At-Risk Children In Rural West Tennessee And Select Measures Of Success Over A Period Of 10 Years, Kelly Ann Maupin

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore differences in a program funded in rural West Tennessee. The Promethean Foundation is a program that provides childcare tuition support to at-risk children. While the program has been in existence for 20 years, the study focused on 10 years from 2009 through 2019. The program staff reviewed the perceptions of staff and family members during the qualifying process. The study was also to investigate the level of achievement measured in children by age five and nine years considering the length of time enrolled in an early childhood program. To explore differences, children …

Person-Centered Preemployment Transition Services: Student And Parent Involvement, Tiffany Ramsey

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in 2014, changed the way state operated vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs provide services to students with disabilities. WIOA did this with the introduction of the provision of preemployment transition services to students with a disability aged 14-22 and allowed for the provision of services to both potentially eligible students and eligible students with an IPE. This study explored the associations of preemployment transition services in relation to the number of days from eligibility to VR case closure with an exit reason of competitive integrated employment outcome. The quantitative results of …

Assessing The Doctoral Capstone As A High-Impact Practice In Occupational Therapy Education, Erin Melhorn

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess the doctoral capstone as a high-impact practice in occupational therapy education. By analyzing the perceptions of Occupational Therapy Doctorate graduates, site mentors, and faculty mentors, using the eight key indicators of a high-impact practice the researcher sought to understand the value and impact of the doctoral capstone experience. A single case study design was used to survey graduates, faculty mentors, and site mentors who participated in the doctoral capstone from 2017-2024. Using a generic qualitative research approach to investigate the research questions, the researcher utilized both survey questionnaire data and interview data …

Optimizing Inpatient And Emergency Care For Pediatric Healthcare For Patients With Disabilities And/Or Diverse Health Needs, Ellagrace Brunton

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Abstract

A researcher from an entry-level doctorate program examined the barriers to equitable healthcare access and experiences in emergency and inpatient settings for pediatric patients with diverse health needs, including intellectual and developmental disabilities, social-emotional challenges, and complex medical histories. The Optimizing Pediatric Healthcare project aimed to enhance the healthcare experience for individuals with disabilities and their support systems by emphasizing the importance of continuing education, collaboration, and inclusivity. This report evaluates the implementation of evidence-based resources, such as continuing education modules for healthcare providers. These modules were developed to address disparities pertaining to sensory strategies, trauma-informed care approaches, and …

The Effectiveness Of Cannabis And Its Impact On Daily Activities, Brooke Mazzarelli

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Mental and physical health struggles have become increasingly prominent for individuals in all phases of life to various degrees. These struggles negatively impact a person's ability to effectively complete preferred daily tasks and occupations, specifically if untreated. Current literature indicates that although there are multiple prescription medications to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, chronic pain, and sleep issues, these medications come with a long list of short-term and long-term side effects and can also be expensive and unaffordable without insurance, especially when considering that these four symptoms are often identified as comorbidities. These factors highlight why there is an increased need …

Supporting Care Partners Of Individuals Impacted By Mental Illness Through An Occupational Therapy Lens, Chelsea A. Monpas

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Care partners of individuals with mental illness experience impacts on daily life from stress, stigma, changes in role and routines, and occupational imbalance. Addressing these needs falls within the scope of occupational therapy (OT); however, it has not been widely implemented with care partners. The purpose of this research study was to develop and implement a support program for care partners of individuals with mental illness through an OT perspective. The program was designed using literature supported interventions, collaboration with mental health practitioners and health care providers, and participant reported needs to support and increase occupational balance for care partner …

The Impact Of Learning Environment Modifications On Physical And Mental Health, Marley J. Nissenbaum

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

University students are at heightened risk of chronic pain and mental health challenges due to academic stress, poor sleep, and inadequate ergonomics in classroom settings. Musculoskeletal pain is especially common among students in healthcare fields, including occupational therapy, where the demands of the profession increase the importance of proper body mechanics. Despite being taught ergonomic principles, many students lack access to ergonomically appropriate learning environments. This study aims to explore how ergonomic modifications and education affect the physical and mental well-being of occupational therapy graduate students. A four-week randomized control trial was conducted with 19 students from Western New England …

Unlimbited Wellness ©: Exploring Prosthetic Use: Navigating The Journey Of Embodiment Through Occupational Therapy Intervention, Jordyn A. Robertson

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

This doctoral capstone project explores prosthetic abandonment and embodiment with the goal of enhancing prosthetic acceptance through education, advocacy, and psychosocial support. The student researcher implemented a series of educational modules within Unlimbited Wellness©, a telehealth program founded by Dr. Debra Latour, in collaboration with Handspring Clinical Services. The researcher delivered these modules through structured focus groups using an occupational therapy framework, designed to support individuals with upper limb absence (ULA). The researcher included participants over the age of eighteen years of age, with any level of ULA currently using prosthesis, or who are currently in the process …

Tracking Love, Marking Milestones: The Hidden Struggle Of Caregiver Mental Health, Kehinde Olasehinde

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Caregivers play a critical role in monitoring and tracking their child's developmental milestones, often seeking reassurance that their child is progressing appropriately for their age. However, the process of developmental tracking can present emotional challenges and contribute to caregiver stress and anxiety. This doctoral experiential project aims to assess the accuracy with which caregivers track developmental milestones and explore the mental health implications of this process. The primary objective is to identify gaps in caregiver knowledge and recognize the challenges they face in understanding and monitoring child development. A secondary goal is to promote awareness of the importance of caregiver …

Holistic Healing: Advancing Psychosocial Cancer Care Through Occupational Therapy, Emily N. Labrie

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

In 2025, an estimated 2,041,910 cancer diagnoses will be given in the United States (American Cancer Society, 2025). With continued developments in cancer research, this increased number of diagnoses also leads to a growing number of cancer survivors. In the depths of traditional Western approaches to cancer care, however, the person behind the diagnosis often remains unaddressed. This doctoral experiential capstone project focused on the integration of occupational therapy within the Cancer House of Hope, a nonprofit community organization in West Springfield, Massachusetts supporting individuals living with and beyond cancer. The project aimed to increase psychosocial support for individuals along …

Bridging Health And Function: Integrating Occupational Therapy Into An Urgent Care Campus Health Center, Brooke L. Mckeon

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

As the field of occupational therapy (OT) continues to grow, its potential impact in emerging practice areas is often underrecognized, particularly in primary and urgent care settings. Traditionally rooted in hospital and rehabilitation environments, occupational therapy remains underutilized in outpatient and preventative care, despite its well-established benefits. This is especially evident in university health centers, where increasing health concerns among college students, faculty, and staff have created a growing need for holistic and accessible support services. Occupational therapy's unique role supports health promotion, rehabilitation, and injury prevention in ways that complement and enhance medical care. Integrating occupational therapy into primary …

Checkmate: Corner Crossing And Opening Up Public Land In The United States, Ryan M. Jones

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

No abstract provided.

The Shifting Landscape Of Harm: Investigating The Phenomenon Of Concept Creep In Harm Perception, Jefferson Sherwood

Dissertations

Concept creep, the gradual semantic expansion of harm-related concepts (Haslam et al., 2020), is a phenomenon garnering increasing attention in the field of psychology and is examined in the context of shifting perceptions of what is considered harmful. While what is considered harmful has shifted throughout generations, why these shifts happen and what motivates society to accept these broadening definitions has yet to be explained. Up to this point individual differences such as activism, risk, empathy, stressful life events, and dark triad personality have yet to be investigated as potential contributors to the expansion of harm-related concepts. Thus, this group …

The Examination Of Teacher Mentorship Design For Mentees, Cagla Cobek

Dissertations

Teacher stress has been documented as a problem for today’s educators. Improving teachers’ well-being through mentorship programs is promising in the literature. Therefore, this study examined a daily check-in mentorship program for teachers experiencing moderate stress. The researchers examined the changes in mentees’ daily stress levels, perceived stress, sense of self-efficacy, and use of proactive classroom management strategies. Mentees and mentors were also asked to complete ratings of the social validity of the mentorship program. Three mentees and mentor dyads working in an elementary and middle school in a Southeastern school district in the USA participated. A nonconcurrent Multiple Baseline …

Calliope Liv Steadfast 2025, Calliope

Calliope

No abstract provided.

Cotton/Soybean Insect Newsletter, May 1, 2025, Jeremy K. Greene

Clemson University Cotton/Soybean Insect Newsletter

No abstract provided.

2025 Commencement Program, Columbia College Chicago

Commencement Programs

The commencement program of the 2025 Columbia College Chicago graduation ceremonies.

Learning Through Relationship, Eileen L. Lamble

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

A brief compilation of growth and learning through the 10 core competencies of social work.

The Effect Of Hiv-1 Infection Associated Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide (Lps) On Human Oral Keratinocytes: Implications For Promoting Chronic Inflammation, Md Shafayat Jamil

Theses and Dissertations

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) remains a major global health concern, affecting approximately 39 million people worldwide, with 500,000 new infections reported in 2022. While combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) has significantly reduced viral replication, HIV-1 infection is linked to various comorbidities, including oral dysbiosis and accelerated aging. Immune dysregulation in HIV-1–infected individuals promotes the proliferation of pathogenic gram-negative bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis, a key contributor to periodontal disease. P. gingivalis secretes lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which adversely affects human oral keratinocytes (HOK), the first line of defense against microbial threats in the oral cavity. HOK recognize LPS as a threat, …

Drug-Target Binding Affinity Prediction With Graph-Based Models: The Impact Of 3d Structural Information, Angel Antonio Peredo

Theses and Dissertations

Drug–target affinity (DTA) prediction is a critical step in accelerating drug discovery and reducing its associated costs. Existing computational approaches often employ one-dimensional protein sequences or two-dimensional molecular graphs, which can overlook important three-dimensional (3D) structural features. The present study investigates whether incorporating 3D information of both proteins and ligands can yield more meaningful representations for binding affinity prediction. Specifically, Graph Transformers (GT) are utilized, and the integration of Equivariant Graph Neural Networks (EGNN) is explored to preserve and leverage spatial information during learning.

Using the CrossDocked2020 dataset, which provides protein structures in Protein Data Bank (PDB) format, proteins and …