Digital Commons Network^™

Brandon Price V. Associated Press

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Elected Sheriffs’ Election Process And How It Affects Their Behavior, Brian James Ardoin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Scholars have widely examined how electoral pressures influence the behavior of judges and prosecutors; however, less attention has been given to how elections affect law enforcement leaders. This quantitative study examined whether sheriff election cycles in Louisiana were associated with changes in law enforcement behavior. Louisiana parish sheriffs occupy a unique role as both elected officials and chief law enforcement executives, which may create incentives that influence enforcement priorities. Using secondary arrest data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reporting program, this study analyzed parish-level arrest patterns from 2009 through 2019 to determine whether deputies’ arrest behavior differed …

The Effect Of Burnout On Intention To Resign Among Adult Protective Services Investigators, Derek Frank Wachter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adult Protective Services (APS) workers play a crucial role in providing care, support, and services to older and adult clients with special needs. There was a lack of empirical data on the long-term retention of APS investigators and on how burnout affects their intentions to resign. Departments consistently rely on a cycle of using newer, less experienced investigators who may not know about community and state services or department policies and procedures to connect clients. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between personal, work-related, and client-related burnout and APS investigators’ intention to resign. Data …

Performance-Based Budgeting Implementation Strategies For Improving Financial Performance, Waleed Ibrahim Alsyaegh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The lack of effective strategies for allocating organizational financial resources can lead to adverse business outcomes. Business managers are concerned about the ineffective allocation of financial resources, as it can impede financial performance and sustainability.Grounded in stakeholder theory, the purpose of this qualitative single-case study was to explore the performance-based budgeting strategies that business managers use to sustain financial profitability. The participants were 10 business managers who oversee subsidiaries that successfully implemented performance-based budgeting.Data were collected through semistructured interviews and the review of organization documents. Through thematic analysis, four themes were identified: (a) traditional versus contemporary budgeting; (b) importance of …

Women Veterans’ Experiences Applying For Veterans Affairs Compensation For Military Sexual Trauma-Related Ptsd, Bridget Strong

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Military sexual trauma (MST)—sexual harassment or assault during military service—is more common among women and is a leading cause of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Veterans Affairs (VA) disability for MST-related PTSD offers financial support, free healthcare, and validation, but women face barriers and uneven access to supports (veteran service organizations, trained advocates, trauma-informed clinicians), reducing their chances of favorable decisions. In this generic qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 purposively sampled women veterans representing diverse service eras, branches, and adjudication outcomes. Analysis was guided by feminist theory to shift focus from individual blame to structural factors, including how …

A Continuous Viral Vaccine Biomanufacturing Platform Utilizing Multiple Bioreactor Configurations, Justin Sargunas, Bradley Priem, Dylan Carman, Taravat Sarvari, Natalie Nold, Vaishali Sharma, Andrew Pekosz, Caryn Heldt, Michael Betenbaugh

Michigan Tech Publications

Scalable, continuous biomanufacturing processes have grown in importance to meet demand for smaller bioreactor sizes, lowered production costs, and improved quality attribute consistency. The Sf9/recombinant baculovirus (rBV) expression system demonstrates promise for virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine and gene therapy production. Here, we present a continuous rBV platform integrating an infection plug flow reactor (PFR) between stirred tank growth (gCSTR) and production (pCSTR) bioreactors. Cell expansion in the gCSTR included a ramp-up stage followed by continuous growth, reaching a steady state of 5×10 cells/mL and >90% viability. Péclet number-fit tracer studies confirmed near-ideal plug flow in the PFR, yielding a 10 …

Environmental Dna Barcoding For Non-Model Organisms: Challenges And Outcomes Of Developing Barcodes For Freshwater Mussels, Nicholas Duellman

Longwood Senior Theses

Freshwater mussels are a keystone species providing crucial ecosystem services and river composition resiliency. Globally, they remain one of the most imperiled invertebrate groups, facing threats of water quality declines and urban development. Traditional field sampling can often be laborious and ineffective in surveying rare species’ distributions. Anecdotal evidence suggests the presence of freshwater mussels within the Appomattox River; the specifics of population sizes and suitable habitat remains an open question. Environmental DNA (eDNA) usage in conservation ecology has increased dramatically within the past two decades, being a far less invasive and cost-demanding option than traditional surveys. In an effort …

Exploring Lgbtq+ Legal History Through Cured: Screening And Discussion, Jennifer Bancamper

NYLS Community News

No abstract provided.

Preserving The Untold Stories: Leveraging Emerging Technologies (Ai And Machine Learning) For Archiving Hidden Histories Of Children And Families Impacted By The Little Rock School Integration Crisis, Oluseyi Noah Adebanjo

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis challenges the dominant narrative of the Little Rock School Integration Crisis by recovering the hidden histories of families and siblings who made integration possible but have been systematically overlooked by historians. While existing scholarship focuses on the Little Rock Nine as individual heroes, this research demonstrates that integration was fundamentally a family crisis requiring collective decision-making, economic sacrifice, and multigenerational support networks. Through close reading of published memoirs, newspaper clippings, school board minutes, and original oral history interviews with Phyllis Brown and Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton, this study reveals how approximately 200 eligible families were systematically reduced to …

A Cross-Sectional Study To Explore Healthcare Providers’ Wellness: Current Challenges & Gut Health, Linda Liu, Simi Joseph

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: Healthcare provider well-being is essential for high-quality patient care. However, stress, burnout, and demanding work environments negatively impact physical and mental health, including gut health. The gut-brain axis underscores the link between gastrointestinal function, stress, and well-being, yet limited research has explored gut health among healthcare professionals.

Purpose: This study assessed the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms among healthcare providers and examined associations with stress levels, clinical environment, and quality of life in acute and outpatient settings.

Framework: Guided by the Biopsychosocial Model, this research explored how biological, psychological, and social factors influence the well-being and gut health of healthcare …

Systematic Review Of Multi-Level Determinants And Equity Implications Of Mode Of Birth In The U.S., Abdul-Manaf Mutaru, Cynthia Nicole Lebron, Wonsuk Yoo, Alexa Parra, Lunthita Duthely, Thomas Mike O'Shea, Hudson P. Santos Jr.

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: Giving birth by surgical operation (cesarean birth) is linked to complications such as postpartum infection, rehospitalization, and respiratory issues in newborns. However, the cesarean rate remains high, accounting for 32.4% of all births in the United States (U.S.). Understanding the impact of factors beyond the individual level is crucial for developing interventions to reduce preventable cesarean births and promote health equity.

Purpose/Aim: This systematic review synthesized evidence from U.S.-based studies to identify factors beyond the maternal level that are associated with mode of birth (vaginal or cesarean).

Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and CINAHL for studies …

Disparities In Policing Through The Lens Of Indigenous Communities In Michigan: A Research Proposal, Abigail Ruddle

Honors Theses

This study examines the historical and contemporary factors shaping relationships between Indigenous communities and law enforcement in the United States, with a specific focus on tribal nations in Michigan. Using a historical framework that includes treaty-making, forced removal, and evolving legal decisions, this research examines the use of treaties and diplomacy to initiate new socio-political structures in Native American communities. Similarly, the emergence of policing in the United States impacted the relationship between law enforcement and Indigenous communities by creating hostility and distrust. The existing literature highlights themes of police violence and the paradoxical nature of over-policing and under-policing in …

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (Acl) Injuries In Female Athletes: Implications For Prevention And Rehabilitation, Natalie Amm

Honors Theses

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common lower limb injuries and pose significant physical, psychological, and long-term functional challenges for athletes. Additionally, research has suggested that females are up to eight times more likely to experience an ACL injury than their male counterparts. This increased risk is multifactorial with risks including anatomical structure, neuromuscular control, strength deficits, and hormonal fluctuations. However, the elevated risk of ACL injuries in female athletes may not solely be caused by biological differences, but also due to training programs and sports being designed around male athletes. This pushes us to change the …

April 24, 2026 Minutes, Swosu Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Gender Bias And The Adhd Diagnosis Gap, Ashlee Depass

Student Publications and Presentations

Public conversations often question whether Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) receives too many diagnoses. At the same time, many girls and women report years of struggling without recognition or support. This contrast suggests that the issue may not simply be how often clinicians diagnose ADHD, but how they recognize it and whose symptoms prompt evaluation. ADHD does not present identically across individuals. Boys frequently display hyperactive or disruptive behaviors that draw attention in school and clinical settings. Girls more commonly experience inattentiveness, emotional intensity, or internal distress that may not disrupt others in obvious ways. When adults interpret these behaviors differently, they …

Undergraduate Research Conference Experience, Deniz Kuester, Alanna Lecher, Patrick J. Cooper, Melissa Lehman

Student Publications and Presentations

This study explores the perceived experience and personal growth from students who participated in the 2025 Florida Undergraduate Research Conference. The study is focused on students’ qualitative descriptions of the expectations they had regarding presenting their work and engaging in conference activities. In a short-term longitudinal design, participants (N = 353) completed a survey examining their overall feelings about the FURC conference. Specifically, we asked about expected benefits and concerns prior to attending the conference; next, we asked about experienced benefits and surprises after the conclusion of the conference. For example, one open question was, "What benefits do you expect …

Policy, Information, And Decision Making In An Actively Managed Portfolio, Anthony Lawrence Patterson

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Draft Uniform Federal Policyquality Assurance Project Plan Addendum, Hydrogeologic, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Lisa Mensch V. Pyramid Healthcare Inc

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Public Policy Design In Georgia Child Support And Fatherhood, Troy Gathers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child support policy in the United States has been widely studied as a method to ensure financial responsibility; however, existing research has identified concerns regarding enforcement practices and their disproportionate impact on African American noncustodial fathers in Georgia. Limited qualitative research examined how Georgia fathers experience and interprets these policies, creating a gap in understanding how policy implementation influences paternal engagement. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how African American noncustodial fathers in Georgia perceived the child support process and to explore how modernization of enforcement policies might improve paternal engagement. Guided by policy feedback theory, this …

Investigating The Relationship Amongst Nursing Students’ Academic Self-Efficacy And Mindfulness, Joshua Josey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Undergraduate nursing education presents ongoing challenges related to student stress and persistence, and the COVID-19 pandemic further complicated these existing challenges for many students and programs. In this quantitative, correlational, cross-sectional study, the relationships among state mindfulness, trait mindfulness, and academic self-efficacy in undergraduate nursing students were examined and whether state and trait mindfulness predicted academic self-efficacy was tested. Participants were recruited through nursing student Facebook groups and completed an anonymous SurveyMonkey questionnaire that included the State Mindfulness Scale, the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the Academic Behavioral Confidence Scale, and demographic items. Data were collected over 6 weeks ending August …

Exploring Leadership Strategies And Personnel Integration Practices During The Post- Merger Phase Influence The Success Of Mergers And Acquisitions, Rebekah Dumas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have been widely used as a growth strategy; however, many organizations fail to achieve their desired outcomes. This ongoing risk is a major concern for business leaders because ineffective post-merger personnel integration can disrupt workforce stability, reduce productivity, and hinder organizational performance. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to explore the strategies business leaders used to integrate personnel during post-merger transitions. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with eight business leaders from global corporations who had successfully executed mergers and acquisitions, along with a review of publicly available …

Exploring The Experiences Of Faculty Members Educating Students Virtually Post-Covid-19, Raven Ashley Richardson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted higher education, requiring institutions to rapidly transition to virtual learning environments and leaving faculty to manage increased workloads, stress, and challenges related to instructional quality and student engagement. The problem in this study is traditional faculty continue to experience these challenges in the post pandemic academic landscape, with implications for faculty wellbeing and student success. The purpose of this qualitative generic study was to explore experiences of traditional college faculty members educating students while transitioning from in-person to virtual learning environments post-COVID-19. Guided by the ecological systems theory, multilevel influences on faculty experiences were examined. …

Exploring Lived Experiences And Perceived Quality Of Life In Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease Engaging In Rock Steady Boxing: A Qualitative Study, Emma Norman

Capstone Projects

It is well established that exercise provides numerous benefits to the general population, including improved physical functioning, fall prevention, and better sleep (National Institute on Aging, 2025). For individuals living with Parkinson’s Disease, the benefits of exercise are especially meaningful as exercise plays a key role in managing symptoms. Regular exercise plays a critical role in managing both motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, contributing to improved quality of life and independence (Ellis & Rochester, 2018). A group fitness program for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, called Rock Steady Boxing, has demonstrated positive quantitative outcomes, including improved balance, strength, and …

Development Of Purposeful Movement Breaks And Sensory Pathways To Enhance Student Engagement And Participation, Ashlyn Houck

Capstone Projects

Children in school settings frequently spend extended periods seated in classrooms, which can make it difficult to meet their sensory and movement needs throughout the school day. When these needs are unmet, students may demonstrate behaviors that disrupt learning and limit participation in classroom activities. This capstone project addressed the need for sensory and movement opportunities within the school environment. Objectives included establishing a baseline of teacher knowledge related to the sensory systems, implementing movement breaks within daily classroom routines, and introducing sensory opportunities in hallways to support smoother transitions. The project was implemented with second- and third-grade classrooms. Outcomes …

Sexuality And Intimacy: Education On Ot Approach, Abby Stritzinger

Capstone Projects

Providing proper education on sexuality and intimacy is important for increasing comfort when addressing sex and intimacy with individuals in the professional field.  “Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled” (WHO, 2006a). Creating occupational therapists (OTs) that are comfortable addressing this topic is extremely important for the OT profession to continue to maintain its holistic, client-centered …

Expanding Nbcot® Exam Readiness Resources In An Entry-Level Otd Program, Thahiyatul Sarah

Capstone Projects

The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) exam is a critical requirement for entry-level occupational therapy (OT) practice in the United States; however, many students face challenges in effectively preparing for its clinical reasoning demands. This literature review examines existing research on NBCOT® exam preparation strategies to inform the development of a comprehensive exam content guide and resources tailored for OT graduate students. Existing barriers, including gaps in curriculum alignment, limited access to effective study tools, and high levels of student stress, highlight the need for more structured and accessible preparation methods. By examining key themes such as …

Simple Guide To Using Generative Artificial Intelligence Writing Tools In Research & Scholarship At Unh, Julie Simpson, Patricia Condon, Bonnie Brown, William C. Clyde, James J. Connell, Ramonda Kindle, Jennifer Miksis-Olds, Christopher Neefus, Jennifer O’Brien, Theresa Oehmke, Shantel Palacio, Allyson Ryder, Nathan A. Schwadron, John E. Sparrow, Xueting Sun, Engin Taze, May-Win Thein, Anita R. Tucker, Karen T. Van Gundy, James Wible

Integrity in Research and Scholarship

While Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies have existed for years, the recent arrival of widespread generative AI writing tools such as ChatGPT has provoked varied reactions in the scholarly community worldwide. Undoubtedly easy access to such tools may help to level the scholarly playing field for certain groups, particularly those with limited writing skills or proficiency with English as the primary language for written and oral communication of research and scholarship. There are, however, concerns about these tools, including, but not limited to, the accuracy, consistency, and bias of the information generated, appropriate acknowledgement of source material, and the tools’ lack …

Neutrosophic Πgγ* Closed Sets In Neutrosophic Topological Spaces, K. Sakthivel, A. Gomathi

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This paper introduces and investigate the notion of Neutrosophic πgγ* closed sets within the framework of Neutrosophic topological spaces. The study begins defining Neutrosophic πgγ* closed sets and proceeds to investigate their fundamental properties and characterizations. Special attention is given to examining how these sets interrelate with and extend existing classes of Neutrosophic closed sets. By establishing inclusion relations and comparative hierarchies, the paper highlights the significance of Neutrosophic πgγ* closed sets in broadening the structural understanding of Neutrosophic topologies. Furthermore, several illustrative examples are provided to demonstrate the distinctive features of these sets and to clarify their role in …

The Α-Discounting (Α-Dmcdm) As An Extension Of Ahp, Topsis, Vikor, Promethee, And Weighted Sum, Florentin Smarandache

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This paper presents a comprehensive study of the α-Discounting Multi-Criteria Decision Making (α-D MCDM) method, an extension of the classical Multi-Criteria Decision Making framework designed to address inconsistencies and complex preference structures in decision analysis. Traditional methods such as the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and related MCDM techniques perform effectively when decision makers provide consistent pairwise comparisons; however, real-world decision problems frequently involve inconsistent, n-wise, interval-valued, or non-linear preference relations that exceed the capabilities of classical approaches. The proposed α-D MCDM method introduces a global discounting parameter α, which transforms inconsistent systems of preference equations into solvable algebraic models while …