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Applying Occupational Therapy Principles To An Adaptive Ski Program: Strategies For Education, Advocacy, And Development, Alyssa Klaver

Capstone Projects

Adaptive skiing is a subset of adaptive sports and recreation that refers to any modification to downhill ski equipment to allow people with disabilities to participate. Adaptive skiing falls into the realm of occupational therapy (OT) because of its focus on meaningful participation in leisure and sport occupation. The purpose of this doctoral capstone experience (DCE) was to use occupational therapy-based principles and knowledge to promote leadership and program development within an established adaptive ski program at the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) in Breckenridge, Colorado. Objectives addressed during this DCE include addressing burnout prevention for program staff, updating training …

The Impact Of Reminiscent Kits In Reducing Behaviors In Individuals With Dementia, Moriah Holloway

Capstone Projects

This capstone project explored the use of reminiscent kits, including robotic companion pets and hyper-realistic baby dolls, as a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce behavioral symptoms in individuals with dementia. This topic is highly relevant to occupational therapy, as it supports engagement, emotional regulation, and quality of life through meaningful, person-centered activity. The project addressed a gap in accessible, individualized interventions that can be adapted across varying cognitive levels in dementia care. The objective was to design a functional program that could be implemented by staff, focusing on residents in both high-functioning and advanced stages of dementia. Interventions were tailored based …

Development Of A Service-Learning Implementation Guide; Development Of An Articulation Pathway For Occupational Therapy Assistants To Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program, Mikayla E. Eshbach

Capstone Projects

This paper explores two initiatives within the Occupational Therapy Department at Western Michigan University (WMU): the implementation of service-learning and the development of an articulation pathway for Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) transitioning to the Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD).

The first part emphasizes service-learning as a beneficial tool for preparing students for clinical roles while enriching communities. A needs assessment identified the need for a standardized framework for long-term community engagement, resulting in a service-learning implementation guide tailored to the department. This guide aims to enhance communication with the Office of Community Engaged Learning and increase faculty awareness of available …

Enhancing Dementia Care: Learning Modules And Simulations For Assisted Living Facility Staff And Dominican Sisters, Emma Cole

Capstone Projects

Many nursing homes and assisted living facilities do not provide their staff with specialized training in dementia care, which can lead to decreased confidence and comfort when working in memory care units (Smythe et al, 2016). This capstone project aimed to enhance dementia care by developing recorded PowerPoint learning modules, handouts, and in-person simulation experiences focused on dementia education. To better understand the needs, preferences, and daily experiences of individuals with dementia, time was spent directly engaging with residents through meaningful activities and personal interactions. These experiences informed the development of the educational materials and ensured they were rooted in …

Enhancing Staff Training And Safety For Campers With Disabilities At An Accessible Outdoor Camp, Dalla Wong

Capstone Projects

There’s a practice gap surrounding training for young camp staff, such as counselors, on needs specific to safe transfers, ergonomic approaches, and inclusive participation. Public recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities are limited, and significant research is required. Initially, the literature review focused on establishing structured training materials, skill resources, and a manual for using adaptive equipment and safe lifting processes. The purpose of this capstone project was to address these gaps in research and clinical practice to ensure camper safety at an accessible camp for individuals with disabilities from an occupational therapy (OT) perspective. In this capstone experience, an …

Growing South Dakota (Spring 2025), College Of Agriculture, Food And Environmental Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

[Page] 2 Keeping South Dakota's food supply safe
[Page] 6 Controlling environmental listeria
[Page] 8 Inaugural 2+2 vet program class graduates
[Page] 10 Faculty honored for excellence
[Page] 12 New leader for agronomy, horticulture, plant science
[Page] 14 Students spend spring break in South Africa
[Page] 16 Hadacek offers advice to fellow graduates
[Page] 17 Park Interpretation and Management Club starts
[Page] 18 On the front lines with invasive species
[Page] 22 Director Karla Trautman retires
[Page] 24 Helping navigate precision ag
[Page] 26 Growing bigger, better beef
[Page] 28 Jackrabbits Then and Now

Going Non-Par: What Are Your Options?; With Sidebar: One Dentist’S Experience With Going Non-Par, Alan Laing Dds, Mba, Greg Maxson Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The article discusses the considerations for dental practices contemplating dropping insurance participation (going non-par). It emphasizes the importance of analyzing practice objectives, patient demographics, competition, and financial policies before making this decision. The transition to non-par status can impact patient relationships and requires a strong financial and collection policy. Ultimately, the decision should be based on a thorough understanding of the practice and its goals.

The sidebar presents supplementary content and includes a call for MDA members to share their experiences with non-participation in insurance plans and features Dr. Greg Maxson's personal account of going non-par. Dr. Maxson emphasizes that …

Changes In Household Composition And Their Effects On The Academic Achievement Of Orphans And Vulnerable Children Affected By Hiv In Rural Zambia, Mei Tan, Nan Li, Ackim Mungo, Philip E. Thumac, Elena L. Grigorenko

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

The African kinship system facilitates the movement of children and adults between households to mitigate hardship, yet few studies have documented membership changes in rural African households over time and addressed the effects of these household dynamics on the developmental outcomes of children. We used a household inventory instrument to document the number of changes in household membership experienced by 93 households in rural Zambia between two timepoints (∼2 years apart). We then used multilevel models to evaluate the effects of migration and household change on the academic learning of the children affected by HIV residing in these households, positing …

The Golden Age Of Water (1964-2025), Gerald Kauffman

Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education

Six decades ago, the golden age of water began in the United States when President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Water Resources Research Act (WRRA) of 1964. This led to the founding of the National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR) and Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR). Sixty years ago, these two water organizations formed to represent the 54 water research institutes at land grant universities (NIWR) authorized by the WRRA and the over 60 water research institutions of higher learning in North America (UCOWR). This paper traces the 60-year evolution of these associations that conduct water research locally, regionally, …

Cost Utility Of Specialist Physiotherapy For Functional Motor Disorder (Physio4fmd): Economic Analysis Of A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial, Jonathan Marsden

School of Health Professions

Background and ObjectivesFunctional motor disorder (FMD), a motor-dominant variant of functional neurologic disorder, is a disabling condition associated with high health and social care resource use and poor employment outcomes. Specialist physiotherapy presents a possible treatment option, but there is limited evidence for clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Physio4FMD is a multicenter randomized controlled trial of specialist physiotherapy for FMD compared with treatment as usual (TAU). The aim of the analysis was to conduct a randomized trial based on economic evaluation of specialist physiotherapy compared with TAU.MethodsEleven centers in England and Scotland randomized participants 1:1 to specialist physiotherapy or TAU (referral …

Eight Weeks Of High-Intensity Interval Training Alters The Tongue Microbiome And Impacts Nitrate And Nitrite Levels In Previously Sedentary Men, Annabel Simpson, Andrea M. Pilotto, Lorenza Brocca, Raffaele Mazzolari, Bob T. Rosier, Miguel Carda-Dieguez, Patricia Casas-Agustench, Raul Bescos, Simone Porcelli, Alex Mira, Chris Easton, Fiona L. Henriquez, Mia Burleigh

School of Health Professions

Nitric oxide (∗NO) is a key signalling molecule, produced enzymatically via ∗NO synthases (NOS) or following the stepwise reduction of nitrate to nitrite via oral bacteria. Exercise training upregulates NOS expression and improves systemic health, but its effect on oral health, and more particularly the oral microbiome, has not been investigated. We used an exercise training study design to investigate changes in the tongue dorsum microbiome, and in nitrate and nitrite levels in the saliva, plasma and muscle, before, during and after an exercise training period. Eleven untrained males (age 25 ± 5 years, mass 64.0 ± 11.2 kg, stature …

Medical Professionals' Perceptions Of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence, Falon M. Costigan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined whether medical professionals across different levels of expertise show differences in their perceptions of healthcare artificial intelligence (AI). Specifically, the researcher hypothesized that participants with more expertise and experience would have greater negative perceptions associated with AI in healthcare compared to participants with a lower expertise level. Participants completed a questionnaire evaluating their perceptions of healthcare AI across four components: long-term negative consequences of AI, need for AI safeguards, positive perceptions of AI, and AI control. Participants also completed demographic questions evaluating participants' age, sex, ethnicity, years working in a healthcare setting, medical …

Differences In Performance In Mental Rotation And Short-Term Free Recall In Gender Minorities, Katheryne Renee Wood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study examined mental rotation, short-term free recall, state anxiety, and gender expression through masculinity and femininity. This study addressed gaps in literature examining gender differences in gender minority groups by investigating gender differences in two tasks: mental rotation and short-term recall. Participants are categorized into four gender groups: cisgender men, cisgender women, non-binary, and binary transgender. In accordance with previous literature, it was hypothesized that men would outperform women in mental rotation, women would outperform men in short-term free recall performance, and that non-binary individuals would operate separately from other groups. Anxiety was recorded as a possible covariate, but …

Navigating Challenges: Public Community College Leadership In The Face Of Existential Crisis, Sarah Lynne Lupton-Houston

School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations

This study answers the question: "When faced with an existential crisis, indicated by declines in key performance indicators, how do public leaders make decisions?" The research uses the Garbage Can Model and Incrementalism combined theoretical framework to explore how public administrators navigate crises in complex, hierarchical, and bureaucratic structures where unpredictable challenges often demand adaptive responses. This study offers insights into decision-making processes that blend reactive, opportunistic choices with measured, gradual adjustments.

The findings from this research contribute to the field of public administration by examining the decision-making strategies used by leaders at public community colleges in Virginia during a …

The Magazine, Spring 2025, Morehead State University. Office Of Communications & Marketing.

Morehead State Alumni Association Publications

The Magazine of Morehead State University from spring of 2025.

Human-Aware Reinforcement Learning For Adaptive Human-Robot Teaming, Saurav Singh

Theses

The rise of Industry 5.0 has shifted robotic systems toward human-centric design, emphasizing collaboration between humans and machines. While collaborative robots (cobots) are equipped with sensors for safety, they typically overlook human internal states such as fatigue, stress, and workload—factors that significantly impact performance. This lack of awareness limits their ability to adapt and collaborate effectively, particularly in dynamic, real-time environments where human conditions fluctuate. This thesis introduces a novel framework that integrates human internal states into robot decision-making to enhance human-robot collaboration. This research leverages reinforcement learning (RL) to develop methods that enable robots to adapt their behavior based …

The Use Of Robotic Surveillance In The Uae In 2035: Balancing, Innovation, Regulation, And Privacy, Oasha Yousuf Almohier

Theses

This research explores the future of robotic surveillance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 2035, aiming to balance innovation, regulatory oversight, and privacy protection. It investigates the intersection of national security objectives, ethical AI governance, and public trust within the UAE’s rapidly advancing smart city and law enforcement environments. The focus areas include regulatory gaps in current AI laws, ethical concerns such as data privacy and algorithmic bias, and the societal perception of AI-powered surveillance systems. The background of this study stems from the UAE’s ambition to lead in AI deployment, especially within public security initiatives such as autonomous …

Detection And Quantitation Of A Drug And Pesticides In Food Products Of The Uae (Dates And Camel Milk) By Liquid Chromatographic Techniques, Afnan Wael Alanqar

Theses

In this thesis the detection and quantification of the traces of multi-residue pesticides in 26 date fruits samples as well as the presence of the anthelmintic drug thiabendazole in pasteurized commercial camel milk consumed in the United Arab Emirates is examined. The main objective of this thesis is two folds; first is to determine whether a selected 12 pesticides of 8 different chemical groups- in the case of date fruits- and the drug thiabendazole-in case of camel milk- exists in the randomly collected samples of corresponding matrices. Second, is to quantify these compounds and compare their amount to the established …

Performance Comparison Of Iot-Powered Indoor Hydroponic Systems And Outdoor Traditional Environment, Saleha Alharthi

Theses

Traditional agriculture faces challenges, including high water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and fluctuations in environmental conditions. The research aims to develop alternative sustainable solutions to address issues related to traditional farming. Hydroponics provides opportunities to grow different types of vegetables indoors, where conventional agriculture is challenging. This thesis presents a comparative study of soil-based and hydroponic arugula cultivation using the nutrient film technique (NFT). The proposed methodology focuses on maintaining high similarity in the implementation of components across systems to ensure fair comparison. This thesis utilized distinct approaches. The first approach compared an outdoor soil-based system with an indoor hydroponic …

Exploring Biostimulant Efficacy Under Limited Fertilizer And Water In Utah's Watermelon Production, Evan Christensen, Milena Maria Tomaz De Oliveira, Prakriti Nepal, Youping Sun

Plants, Soils, and Climate Faculty Publications

The western U.S. has recently experienced some of the driest conditions on record, and Utah has been in a multi-year drought (2019-2023) that affected the agricultural sector, including vegetable producers. While vegetables are not a primary agricultural crop in Utah, they are still an important part of the horticultural economy with 763 farms growing 6,138 acres. As the fourth largest acreage vegetable crop in Utah (almost 10% of the acreage) watermelon and related crops in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae (nearly 36% of total vegetable acreage) are important to vegetable growers. Watermelon is a water-intensive crop and requires an adequate supply …

Separation And Quantification Of Mycotoxins In Floral Tissue Of Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) Infected With Fusarium Graminearum, Isabelle A. Kagan, Henry S. Smith, Rachel R. Schendel, Nicole Gauthier

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: The fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum produces mycotoxins when it infects grains. This pathogen also infects hemp (Cannabis sativa L. containing less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol or THC). The presence of trichothecene mycotoxins like deoxynivalenol (DON) has not been reported in floral tissue of hemp infected with F. graminearum. The object of this study was to develop a method to extract three trichothecene mycotoxins—DON, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON), and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON)—from hemp floral tissue, and to quantify the mycotoxins by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet detection. Results: Standards of nivalenol (NIV), DON-3-glucoside (D3G), DON, 3-ADON, and 15-ADON were separated from each other …

Increasing Diversity In The Genetic Counseling Profession: Determining Effective Career Education Strategies For Underrepresented Youth, Bryel Marie Frasch

Theses and Dissertations

Genetic counseling is a professional career path that is lacking in diversity, and diversity in healthcare has been shown to improve health outcomes. Studies suggest student engagement as a way to increase diversity, as early knowledge of genetic counseling increases the likelihood of considering it as a career and is especially true for racial or ethnic minoritized students. This study focused on educating high school students underrepresented in genetic counseling about the career and exploring the effectiveness of two different types of education methods (video vs in-person) to give valuable information for future outreach efforts. Upward Bound and Federal TRIO …

Bridging Tradition And Interpretation: Overdotting In J.S. Bach's Keyboard Music And Recorded Practice, Jiamo Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract This dissertation presents a research and quantitative study about overdotting performance practice in Baroque music. Overdotting is a performance practice in the 17th and 18th century. It refers to playing dotted rhythms with exaggerated lengthening of the dotted note and shortening of the following note, beyond what is indicated in the notation. In this study, the dual evidence method is applied for cross-verifying recorded performances in the past century with published literature on performance practice of the interpretation of overdotted Baroque performance tradition in J.S. Bach’s solo keyboard work recorded since the early 20th century. The analysis focuses on …

Who’S On First, What’S On Second An Analysis Of Major League Baseball Fans And Multiple Points Of Attachment, Ryan W. Dastrup

Theses and Dissertations

Need to write

Hybrid Machine Learning And Comparison Error Minimization For Frequency Domain-Based Rapid State Estimation In Structures Subjected To High-Rate Boundary Change, James Scheppegrell

Theses and Dissertations

Dynamic forces and evolving structural boundary conditions pose challenges for various structural systems such as aircraft, orbital infrastructure, and energy harvesting devices. The design, evaluation, and functionality, of such systems can be aided through the collection and analysis of data. However, real-time decision-making for systems experiencing high-rate changes can pose unique challenges, if assessments are to be made accurately and rapidly enough to be relevant. In cases where the systems are well-defined and thoroughly understood, monitoring the frequency response can be instrumental in determining the state of structures subjected to high-rate structural boundary condition changes. This study focuses on investigating …

Investigation Of Shear Modulus And Material Damping Of A Lightly Cemented Silty Sand Representing Offshore Soil, Joshua Jeanjaquet

Theses and Dissertations

Offshore structures remain highly relevant, making the dynamic characterization of offshore soils critical. Since many offshore soils are cemented, understanding their response to dynamic loads is essential for developing accurate models that improve the reliability and cost-effectiveness of offshore structure designs. This study examines the impact of cement content on shear modulus, shear modulus reduction, shear wave velocity, and material damping of lightly cemented fine silty sand. A series of Resonant Column and Torsional Shear tests were conducted. The results were analyzed and compared to existing literature. The modified hyperbolic model was proposed to characterize the shear modulus and damping …

Exploring The Minuet: A Study In Piano Instruction Including Stylistic Concerns, Technical And Musical Challenges, And Pedagogical Analyses, Zhenyu Gao

Theses and Dissertations

The minuet, originating in 17th-century France, evolved from a courtly dance emblematic of aristocratic refinement into a significant form of instrumental music. Over the centuries, it has maintained its prominence in musical pedagogy and performance. This study provides a comprehensive exploration of the minuet’s historical development, tracing its Baroque significance in dance suites and individual keyboard repertoire to its transformation into a distinct movement during the Classical era. Furthermore, it examines the reinterpretation of the minuet within the contexts of Romantic and neoclassical compositions, including its enduring legacy in pedagogical collections, individual movements, and as a stylized dance form. This …

Trios For Oboe, Bassoon, And Piano By Underrepresented Composers: An Annotated Bibliography And Performance Guide, Alexandra Castro

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project is to highlight repertoire for the trio of oboe, bassoon, and piano, focusing on works by historically underrepresented composers, specifically women and people of color (including Black, Latinx, Indian, Asian, and Native American composers), as well as my performance suggestions and comments for each piece. By creating an annotated bibliography and providing performance insights for each piece, the author seeks to increase the visibility and accessibility of these compositions. This research reflects a broader effort to diversify classical music, promoting works that mirror our society’s diverse cultural landscape. As a first of its kind, this …

Understanding The Factors Influencing Movement Behaviors Among Dog Owners, Katherine Eileen Devivo

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates two key objectives: 1) to understand influences of physical activity among dog owners, and 2) to determine if there were differences in objectively measured physical activity levels and/or affect at times when dog owners are with their dogs compared to times when they are not with their dogs. To address the first objective, a qualitative study was conducted with 20 dog owners using semi-structured interviews, constant comparative methodology, grounded theory, and open coding. The findings revealed several key barriers to physical activity and dog walking such as physical health, seasons/weather, time/schedules, and dog specific limitations. Key facilitators …

The Double Bar-Line: A Qualitative And Quantitative Study Of Career Readiness For Historically Black College And University Voice Performance Majors, Brian L. Fenderson

Theses and Dissertations

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) play a crucial role in providing higher education opportunities for African American students, including those pursuing degrees in voice performance. In recent years, there has been a noticeable lack of performance opportunities and resources available to voice performance majors at HBCUs. This document aims to explore the challenges faced by HBCU voice performance majors who hoped to pursue a career in voice performance. Through a combination of literature review, qualitative interviews, and quantitative surveys, this study will examine the experience of voice performance majors from 1990 – present day. Interviews conducted will speak on …