Digital Commons Network^™

Paws And Practice: Overcoming Barriers To Mindfulness, Hazel Norris

2026 Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Activity - Documents & Media

With the rise in chronic illnesses, healthcare professionals have sought to improve habits and behaviors to extend longevity and quality of life. However, for many people, unhealthy habits, such as smoking or binge eating, may develop as a way of coping with life stressors, which can make behavior changes harder to implement. Recently, there has been an increase in new research on whether improving mindfulness could be used to combat this problem. If mindfulness does encourage more engagement in health-promoting behaviors while protecting against risky behaviors, mindfulness-based behavior interventions could be very valuable for improving the health of college students …

The Impact Of Legalized Sports Betting On Divorce, Alvaro Muniz-Fernandez, Brad Humphreys, Jane E. Ruseski

Economics Faculty Working Papers Series

This paper estimates the causal effect of legalization of sports betting on marital dissolution. We exploit the staggered legalization of sports betting in states following the Murphy v. NCAA (2018) Supreme Court as a source of exogenous variation, using a U.S. state-year panel from 2012 to 2023. Implementing a difference-in-differences design, we find that legalization increases both the flow and stock of divorces: the annual divorce rate and the share of divorced men rise by 0.107 and 0.276 percentage points, respectively. These effects accumulate gradually over the post-treatment period, consistent with a mechanism operating through the slow deterioration of household …

Earth Day 2026 - History, Emily Gomez

Library Display Posters

No abstract provided.

Policy Brief For Florida Ems Voices: What Agency Providers Told Us In 2025, Florida Center For Emergency Medical Services

Florida Center for Emergency Medical Services Research Reports

Executive Summary

The 2025 Annual Florida EMS Provider Survey provides a comprehensive overview of Florida's EMS system, covering workforce dynamics, resource allocation, medical direction, mental health programming, mobile integrated healthcare, and disaster preparedness. Conducted from April to May 2025, the survey reveals both system strengths and critical gaps requiring attention.

Key findings highlight regional variability across nearly all domains. While EMT positions remain relatively stable, persistent paramedic vacancies continue to challenge agencies statewide. Mental health and wellness programs are widespread but inconsistently implemented. Mobile Integrated Healthcare programs show promise but face funding sustainability challenges. Salary disparities across regions and experience …

Policy Brief For Training The Lifeline: Florida Ems Nremt Performance And Program Quality, Florida Center For Emergency Medical Services

Florida Center for Emergency Medical Services Research Reports

Executive Summary

Florida's emergency medical services system depends on a reliable pipeline of well- trained EMTs and paramedics. National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) first-attempt pass rates serve as a critical benchmark for program quality and workforce readiness. Florida has consistently underperformed relative to national averages, particularly at the paramedic level, raising concerns about the quality and consistency of EMS education statewide and its implications for workforce readiness and public safety.

In 2024, Florida's paramedic programs achieved a 59.9% first-attempt pass rate, nearly 18 percentage points below the national average of 77.9%. This gap represents more than a testing …

Training The Lifeline: Florida Ems Nremt Performance Review 2024, Michael Lozano Jr., Farina Klocksieben

Florida Center for Emergency Medical Services Research Reports

Executive Summary

Florida EMS Training Program Performance: 2025 Report on NREMT Outcomes

Why It Matters

Florida’s EMS system depends on a pipeline of well-prepared EMTs and Paramedics. NREMT
first-attempt pass rates are used as a national benchmark. Florida has long trailed national
averages, especially for paramedics, raising concerns about workforce readiness and public
safety.

Key Findings

EMT Programs (58 programs, 4,773 candidates in the 2024 cohort)

• 69.2% statewide pass rate (3,305 passed).
• Region 2 highest at 80.8%; Region 6 lowest at 63.9%.
• Slightly above the 3-year national average (67%) but below the 2024 national rate
  (77.0%).

Paramedic Programs (44 programs, …

Usa Libraries Newsletter - V. 1, No. 2 (Spring 2026), Usa Libraries

USA Libraries Newsletter

Library News

What’s new at USA Libraries?

USA Libraries Personnel News // Lorene Flanders

Welcome Zach Basler! // Marx Library

Spring Semester at the Marx Library // Kaitlyn Moody

Winter & Spring Semester at the Biomedical Library // Leesha Coleman

Spring Semester at the MCOB Library // Amia Baker

Marx Library Period Product Initiative // Kaitlyn Moody

Biomedical Library Team Tours College of Medicine Construction Site // Gail Kouame

Research Round-Up

Spotlighting library tips, tricks, and tools…

Demystifying the Archives: What to Expect on Your Tour! // Kaitlyn Moody

Graphic Medicine: Ripple Effects Review // Leesha Coleman

Now Showing: South …

Intermediates Or Intermedius? An Examination Of Lotic Sternotherus In Baldwin And Mobile Counties, Al, Peyton A. Wilson

Theses

The Southeastern United States is a biodiversity hotspot, and turtles are no exception to the rule. This is particularly true for the genus Sternotherus. Alabama is the only state home to all six species of Sternotherus, including the recently described Intermediate Musk Turtle (Sternotherus intermedius). It was thought that the Perdido River was the western boundary of Sternotherus intermedius; however, surveys in recent years produced questionable individuals in several small watersheds feeding into the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, bringing the species true range into question, as well as the question of if this species has hybridized with its congener, …

Fish Community Composition Across Marine Habitats Around St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Assessed Using Underwater Video, Maya L. Seesholtz

Theses

Coral reef ecosystems support highly diverse fish assemblages that are strongly influenced by habitat structure and environmental conditions. Understanding how fish communities vary across habitat types is critical for effective monitoring and management. This study evaluated habitat-associated patterns in reef fish assemblages around St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, using stationary underwater video data collected through the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) Caribbean.

A total of 37 video deployments were analyzed across coral (n=20), macroalgae (n= 9), and sand habitats (n=7), with seagrass (n=1) included for descriptive purposes only. Fish abundance was quantified using the MinCount metric, and taxon …

Predictors Of Filipino Life Satisfaction Using The Revised Filipino Satisfaction With Life Scale, Razel Bacuetes Milo, Patricia Calero, Maria Luisa Ramira, Kathleen Soon, Maria Fontimayor, Cynthia D. Connelly

School of Nursing and Health Science: Faculty Scholarship

Background: 

Mental health stigma serves as a significant barrier to seeking help, often leading to maladaptive coping strategies. Given these complexities, it is essential to validate the Satisfaction With Life Scale Revised (SWLS-R) within the Filipino context to assess its psychometric reliability, cultural relevance, and suitability for evaluating well-being and mental health outcomes among Filipinos.

Objective: 

The aims of this study were to evaluate the psychometric properties of the SWLS-R and describe the relationships and significant predictors of life satisfaction among Filipinos living in the United States.

Methods: 

A purposive sample of Filipino adults, fluent in both English and Filipino, …

Full Practice Authority For Advanced Practice Registered Nurses In Texas: A Policy Analysis, Carly Duncan, Mary Jean Schumann, Lori Bachelor, Jane Champion

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

A Qualitative Analysis Of Multi-Level Stakeholder Perspectives On Medicaid Reentry Policy Implementation For Justice-Involved Youth In New Mexico, Elizabeth Laferriere, Fran Buntman, Frances Laufer, Maria Keneally, J. Zoë Beckerman

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Association Between Cardiovascular Fitness And Strength Fitness Status Across Distinct Phenotypes In Exercising Women, Gianna Filippou, Jordyn Walters, Andrea Osorio, Felipe Cabello, Allie Chetta, Clara De Torres Ensenat, Karla Cordero-Ortega, Shery Kamel, Carmen P. Ortega-Santos

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Integrated Mortality Surveillance In The United States, Colombia, & Zambia: Facilitators, Barriers, & Lessons, Chinwe Lucia Ochu, Erin Nichols, Abdisalan Noor, Karen A. Mcdonnell

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Assessing Differences In Physician Assistant Program Admissions: Observing The Influence Of Demographic Characteristics On Likelihood Of Acceptance, Nicole Wen, Mary L. Warner

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Museum Health And Safety Requires Collaboration Between Environmental/Occupational Health And Museum/Conservation Sciences, David F. Goldsmith, Maria Fusco

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

3rd Place Contest Entry: "Examining Physicians’ Behaviors Regarding Buprenorphine Prescribing For Opioid Use Disorder", Khashayar Eshtiaghi

Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Library Research Prize

This is Khashayar Eshtiaghi's submission for the 2026 Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Research Prize, which won third place. It contains their essay on using library resources, a summary of their research project on physicians' behaviors regarding buprenorphine prescribing for opioid use disorde, and their bibliography.

Khashayar is a student in the Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy program at Chapman University. Their faculty mentor is Dr. Marc Fleming.

Exploring The Impact Of Cat Nutrition On Consumer Purchases: An Examination On Feline Microbiome, Health, And Owner Responses, Cassidy Curry

Honors College Theses

The gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome plays a critical role in feline health, influencing conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), kidney disease, and other digestive disorders. Diet is a major factor affecting microbial balance, yet many cat owners lack sufficient knowledge of feline nutrition. This may lead to suboptimal feeding practices that negatively impact microbiome stability. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between an owner’s nutritional knowledge and their pet food purchasing decisions. Specifically, it examined feeding schedule, food type and consistency, supplement use, and veterinary engagement. A 13- question survey was administered to 84 Murray State University Honors College …

Hqim Provides The Script. School Librarians Provide The Stage: School Librarians As Partners In High-Quality Instructional Materials Implementation In Arkansas, Ashley Cooksey

Faculty Publications - Teaching and Educational Leadership

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Team Payroll On Team Performance In Major League Baseball: Testing The Law Of Diminishing Returns, Naomi Mina Woerner

Theses & ETDs

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the relationship between team payroll and team performance measured by winning percentage in Major League Baseball over a 20-year sample period from 2005 to 2024, using a panel dataset including all 30 teams. Building on microeconomic production theory, this investigation is supported by the estimation of two model specifications, a log-linear and a quadratic specification, testing both the linear payroll effect and the impact of diminishing marginal returns through three models: a pooled OLS, a fixed effects model, and a random effects model, as well as a series of diagnostic tests. Additionally, …

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 40. A Comprehensive Bibliography Of Books And Booklets About Alfred Russel Wallace, George Beccaloni, Jasper H. Pol, Charles H. Smith Editor

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

This bibliography presents the most comprehensive listing to date of books and booklets on Alfred Russel Wallace’s life and work, in all languages and editions, while excluding AI-generated works and most print-on-demand titles. It is based on a list compiled in 2023, which was expanded through searches of online catalogues and other resources. Analysis of the 160 works reveals a marked increase in publications since the late twentieth century, substantial linguistic diversity, and the growing use of manuscript sources in scholarly studies, particularly following the online availability of Wallace’s correspondence via EPSILON.

Are Missourians Voting For Conservative Candidates And Liberal Policies? A Case For Ballot Measure Ticket Splitting, Kimberly L. Casey, Andrew Strunc

Missouri Policy Journal

Missouri voters have recently been observed engaging in a form of ticket splitting in which support for Republican candidates is accompanied by approval of liberal ballot measures. This study examines that phenomenon using data from the Northwest Policy and Civic Engagement Center’s exit poll of the 2024 general election, conducted in Maryville, Missouri. The data reveal a strong tendency among voters to support candidates from a single party, Democratic or Republican, yet split their votes on ballot measures aligned with opposing ideological positions. We define this behavior as Ballot Measure Ticket Splitting (BMTS): the act of casting a straight-ticket …

Abortion Policy Opinions: Results From 2022 And 2024 Election Day Exit Polls, Mariliz Kastberg-Leonard

Missouri Policy Journal

Missouri has approached abortion policy in a post-Dobbs world, in an interesting way. As one of the states with a trigger law in effect, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade (1973), abortions were banned in Missouri except in very few cases. Just two years later, a constitutional amendment, Amendment 3, was added to the 2024 general election ballot to restore the right to abortion. This paper explores the results of two exit polls administered on Election Day 2022 and 2024, asking voters in Maryville, Missouri, their opinions about abortion. The results show Maryville voters support abortion protections, in …

Framing Artificial Intelligence In Higher Education: A Narrative Policy Analysis Study Of Higher Education Institutions With Particular Reference To Missouri, Taylor D. Corlee

Missouri Policy Journal

This study examines how higher education institutions narratively frame students’ use of artificial intelligence through policy-related documents, focusing on how these stories shape AI policy and how they can guide Missouri-based research. Using the Narrative Policy Framework and directed content analysis, 59 documents from 12 US public universities were coded for characters, plots, and morals and analyzed with descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and difference-of-means tests. Findings reveal that institutions frame AI policy through narratives that cast faculty as guides, students as both capable and vulnerable, and AI as both tools and threat. For Missouri, recognizing how narratives shape AI governance …

Applying Andragogy In The Legal Field: Implications For Missouri Trial Courts, Grant Shostak, Somanita Kheang

Missouri Policy Journal

Adults involved in legal proceedings—such as jurors, attorneys, and judges—engage in cognitive and emotionally demanding learning processes. However, little research has examined how principles of adult learning theory are applied within the legal system. This article examines the potential of andragogy to inform and enhance the justice system, and improve juror efficacy in Missouri trial courts. Drawing on interdisciplinary research from both adult education and legal studies, this article demonstrates how andragogical principles can be used to support juror comprehension and efficacy, thereby leading to more fair outcomes. The findings reframe trial judges as facilitators of adult learning, highlighting opportunities …

Missouri Policy Journal -Volume 2, Issue 3 (2026) -Full Issue

Missouri Policy Journal

No abstract provided.

Considering Ai Adoption And Use: Promises And Paradox For Rural Education, Elizabeth Wargo, Juhee Kim, Jeff Simmons

The Rural Educator

This article explores the adoption and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within rural education, with a specific focus on the rural context of Idaho. While AI offers new possibilities for educational transformation, its implementation in rural schools presents unique paradoxes. Using a mixed-methods approach involving a statewide survey, working focus groups, and associated documents, this study investigates how AI can empower and challenge rural educational practices. Drawing on Rogers’s diffusion of innovations theory, we illuminate the AI opportunities and barriers perceived by rural education stakeholders. We conclude by discussing implications for advocacy, policy, practice, and research to ensure just and …

Evaluating A Research Experience For Teachers: Benefits And Challenges For Summer Stem Professional Development, Mark T. Felts, Darcy Tessman, Emily Simpson, Mark Nanny

The Rural Educator

This focus group study examined the participant motivation for and potential impact of the Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program on rural STEM educators. Due to geographic isolation and low wages in rural areas, STEM teachers often engage in summer work, which provides practical, real-world applications of STEM principles and enhances instructional methods during the school year. By fostering university partnerships and providing summer research opportunities, RET aligns with the National Rural Research Agenda’s (NREA) priorities of enhancing community relationships and bolstering teacher preparation, recruitment, and retention. Findings indicate that participation in RET boosts teachers’ curricular skills, professional networks, and …

Outdoor Learning In Rural Schools: Lessons From A Positive Outlier Case Study, Lauren E. Jacobs, Christiaan G. Abildso, Adam J. Daigneault, Jessica E. Leahy, Christopher J. Nightingale

The Rural Educator

This study explored the barriers and facilitators to outdoor learning and outdoor activities in a small K–12 case school in rural Maine. The case school was a positive outlier (PO), providing significant outdoor learning and activity opportunities to all students during the school day. Outdoor learning and outdoor pursuits in school settings can increase student physical activity, provide opportunities for students to reap the mental and emotional benefits from time in nature, and help them make important connections to local culture. The positive outlier methodological approach sought to uncover reasons for the case school’s PO status and find practical strategies …

Grow Your Own Special Education Teachers: Lessons Learned, Jerrie L. Brooks

The Rural Educator

The special education teacher shortage is felt across the US. To address this challenge, 50 states and Washington, DC, currently have some type of grow-your-own (GYO) program. These programs often are an alternate route to licensure, preparing candidates who do not have an undergraduate degree in education to become teachers. The goal of GYO programs is to prepare teachers from the community for the community, with a focus on addressing the teacher shortage and increasing the diversity of the teacher workforce. The rural institution of higher education described in this article has implemented a GYO program for seven years. Through …