Digital Commons Network^™

Factors Associated With Stillbirth In Four Selected Hospital Maternity Units: An Unmatched Case-Control Study In Eswatini, Phetsile Thwala, Abednego Ongeso, Rose Maina, Benard Mutwiri

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: Stillbirth is a substantially under-recognized adverse pregnancy outcome that predominantly occurs in low-middle-income countries. In 2019, Eswatini’s stillbirth rate was 13.2 per 1,000 births, higher than global targets. However, there is limited research on stillbirths in Eswatini. This study analyzed factors associated with stillbirths among women giving birth in four selected hospitals.

Methods: A multi-center unmatched case-control study was conducted using secondary data sources from July 1 to December 31, 2021. Birth records of 268 stillbirths (cases) and 1,151 live births (controls) were selected using consecutive and systematic random sampling, respectively. A piloted data extraction tool was used to …

Cal Poly Semester Conversion Time Capsule, Maximus La Via, Matthieu Gol, Viki Sarmasi, Tuyetthuc Nguyen

Mechanical Engineering

As Cal Poly transitions from the quarter system to the semester system, aligning itself with the other California universities, the idea has been proposed to commemorate this moment in the history of the university with a time capsule. The time capsule will be on display on the first floor of the library for a few years and later moved into the library’s archive room for permanent storage. 50 years after the completion of the semester conversion project, the time capsule will be opened. This project aims to create a secure and aesthetic device capable of storing and protecting memorabilia from …

Clark Memorandum: Fall 2025, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Byu Law School Alumni Association, J. Reuben Clark Law Society

The Clark Memorandum

• Our Constitutional Anchor
• Divine Law
• The Courage of Our Convictions
• Our Call to Action

Building Focus: Using Relaxation Music To Support Students With Autism In The Classroom, Whitney Drewrey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the use of audio sensory input, specifically, relaxation music, as a strategy to reduce off-task behavior in elementary students with autism within the general education classroom. The aim was to minimize distractions and teacher redirections, thereby promoting a more inclusive and productive learning environment for all students. Guided by the principles of improvement science, the research employed a single-case design with three elementary students diagnosed with autism. Data were collected through momentary time sampling and mood inventories during independent classwork periods.

The central research question guiding this study was: What effect does relaxation music have on the …

The Absence Of Something: Addressing Underrepresented Lgbtqia+ Communities In Video Games Through Holistic Character Design Techniques, Lydia Myers

Master of Fine Arts in Digital Media Culminating Experience

This research identifies pain points and gaps in current LGBTQIA+ representation in the video games industry, and showcases the characters that I have created in response to those pain points. Despite the games industry representing LGBTQIA+ individuals often, certain communities under the umbrella are included less often, less accurately, and less respectfully than others. The goal of this research is to identify important considerations for respectfully portraying underrepresented queer communities in video games: specifically transgender, nonbinary, asexual, aromantic, and polyamorous communities, which are especially under-explored. My included characters were created via a holistic approach to character design. Despite my professional …

Methodologies For Generating Passive Income As A Digital Artist, Levi Stone

Master of Fine Arts in Digital Media Culminating Experience

This research provides an in-depth exploration of 3D workflow methodologies for digital merchants, how and why to implement them, and their correlation with passive income earnings. Digestible strategies regarding the development, packaging, marketing, and sale of assets for digital marketplaces are explored at length. Motivated by the state of the digital media industry, this research demonstrates that secondary income is possible through consistent, applied methodologies. Topics include environmental storytelling, the importance of being user friendly, material variance, and much more. The author demonstrates the impact of reframing your approach when designing products with the intention to sell, and explores the …

“For Whom The Bell Tolls”?* Is The Corporate Transparency Act Dead, And If Not, What Is Its Impact On Corporate Governance?, Kellen Ware

UC Law Business Journal

The Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA” or “the Act”) was enacted by Congress in 2021 to combat illicit financial activity through mandated beneficial ownership disclosure. While the current administration has opted not to enforce the CTA’s reporting requirements on domestic entities, the law remains in effect, and its future is uncertain amid ongoing constitutional litigation.

This Note argues that the CTA should be repealed, and state legislatures should refrain from mirroring the Act. The CTA creates undue burdens that threaten effective and efficient corporate governance in small businesses and many non-profits. This Note traces the contentious history of the CTA and …

Alaska Native Disparities In Alaska Jails And Prisons. An Exploratory Study And Descriptive Analysis, Brad A. Myrstol, Cheryl Jones, Rus'sel Sampson, Bri Moffat

AJiC Reports

This report presents an exploratory study of racial disparities in Alaska’s correctional system, combining a review of national research with an analysis of Alaska Department of Corrections (ADOC) booking data.

Nutritional Knowledge Of The Phenylketonuria Diet Among Healthcare Providers In Saudi Arabia, Nouf A. Alghamdi, Rouba K. Naaman

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is associated with detrimental impacts on factors contributing to the etiology of obesity, and metabolism disorders. Therefore, we hypothesized that physicians and dietitians demonstrate a sufficient level of nutritional knowledge of the PKU type diet. The aim of this study is to assess understanding of the PKU diet in relation to current guidelines among dietitians and metabolic physicians in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study involved 238 participants, primarily Saudi and non-Saudi dietitians and metabolic physicians working in Saudi Arabia, who asked to complete an electronic questionnaire assessing their nutritional knowledge of the PKU diet. The questionnaire …

Public Engagement In Small-Town Planning: A Case Study Of The Wellsville Trails And Active Transportation Plan, Tayli R. Hillyard

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This thesis presents a qualitative case study of public engagement in the Wellsville Trails and Active Transportation Plan, developed in Wellsville, Utah—a small municipality with limited staff and resources. Drawing from planning literature on effective community participation, the study evaluates outreach strategies based on their reach, feasibility, and replicability. Outreach strategies in the plan’s development included surveys, stakeholder meetings, a public open house, digital tools, and informal conversations. While early outreach efforts, such as the interest survey and personal invitations, generated meaningful input, the process fell short in sustaining engagement, reaching underrepresented groups, and maintaining consistent communication. The analysis highlights …

Identifying Barriers For Community Pharmacies As Vaccines For Children (Vfc) Providers In Rural Alabama: Opportunities For Solutions, Myra Bajwa

Honors Theses

Significant Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination disparities exist between rural and urban areas in the US. A primary contributor is low access to preventive care in rural areas. Among the most promising strategies to overcome this is increasing access through offering HPV vaccination in non-traditional, convenient health settings such as pharmacies. In rural areas, community pharmacies are trusted, convenient pillars of the community. In Alabama, community pharmacies are eligible for enrollment in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, a federally-funded program that provides free vaccines to children and adolescents under 18 years old who are uninsured, underinsured, American Indian, or Alaska …

Are People More Likely To See Actions As Intentional When They Are Forced To Make Their Decisions Quickly? A Replication And Extension Of Rosset (2008), Andrew Elmore

Honors Theses

Rosset (2008) reported evidence of an intentionality bias, which is a key prediction of a model of human cognition that suggests that people learn to override intentional attributions of behavior, a dual-process model of intention attribution. A model that hypothesizes that when people are deprived of the time to develop deliberate thought processes, their default explanation for actions is intentional, and that this default attribution has to be consciously overridden. Rosset’s main method of testing this was by providing test sentences to participants and placing them into two scenarios where they had different levels of time to process the sentences. …

Best Practice Recommendations For Anesthesia Providers In Preventing Postoperative Delirium In The Geriatric Population Undergoing Non-Cardiac Surgery, Ana Primeaux, Ashanti Reed

Doctoral Projects

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a significant and preventable complication in geriatric patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Such complication is associated with foreseeable consequences, such as prolonged hospitalization, long-term cognitive decline, increased morbidity and mortality, and increased costs. Despite the emerging awareness of evidence-based nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventional strategies, POD still represents a clinical challenge for anesthesia providers.

Currently, there is a lack of clinical guidelines to guide formalized education and evidence-based interventions on POD prevention across anesthesia practice settings. Consequently, there is a critical need to raise awareness that the lack of clinical guidelines and the high incidence of POD may …

Factors Shaping Data-Based Decision-Making: The Role Of Self-Efficacy, Anxiety, And School Culture In Mississippi’S State Tested Subjects, Cymone E. Bradford

Dissertations

This quantitative study examined the factors influencing Mississippi state-tested teachers’ engagement in data-based decision-making (DBDM). The purpose of the study was to explore how self-efficacy, anxiety, and school culture shape teachers’ experiences using data to guide instruction. A researcher-developed instrument measuring four constructs self-efficacy in data interpretation, anxiety related to DBDM, self-efficacy and engagement in DBDM, and school culture and DBDM was administered to Mississippi teachers of state-tested subjects. Descriptive statistics, a one-way ANOVA, correlation analysis, and multiple regression were used to analyze the data.

Results revealed significant differences in demographic characteristics of age and frequency of data use when …

Fungal Biodiversity, Microbial Communities, And Ecosystem Function In Non-Perennial Streams, Charles T. Bond

Dissertations

A global majority of steams are non-perennial, drying at some point in time and space. Despite the vital roles that fungi and other microbes play in stream ecosystems, most research on stream microbiomes comes from perennial (continuously flowing) streams. The present series of studies addresses this research gap by examining microbial community composition and function in non-perennial streams, with an emphasis on fungi. Chapter I reviews existing scientific literature on the ecological processes that shape microbiome structure and function in non-perennial streams and outlines the varieties of fungi that may live there. Chapter II uses rDNA metabarcoding to survey fungal …

Exploring Internship’S Role In Non-Virtual Social Capital Development: A Gen Z Student Perspective, Christina M. Galli

Dissertations

Gen Z students often complete internships as they prepare to enter the workforce (Maloni et al., 2019; Shtembari & Elgün, 2023). However, because the population relies heavily on digital technology to develop social relationships, Gen Z students may not have the social skills to develop non-virtual social capital (Fernandez et al., 2023; Henry & Shannon, 2023; Osorio & Madero, 2024). Existing research focuses on Gen Z individuals as students (Maloni et al., 2019; Pichler et al., 2021; Shtembari & Elgün, 2023). However, existing literature lacks specifications about Gen Z students’ strategies for gaining non-virtual social capital through internship experiences. This …

Institutional Sustainability In Ai Governance: Comparing Paths In The Eu, Japan, And Taiwan, Kuan-Wei Chen

Yearbook of Antitrust and Regulatory Studies

This article explores the concept of institutional sustainability in AI governance by comparing the approaches in the European Union, Japan, and Taiwan. It begins by arguing that the relationship between AI and sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns, encompassing the sustainability of governance institutions themselves. The article posits that institutional sustainability, referring to the capacity of governance frameworks to remain effective over time, is essential in the context of rapidly evolving and future-oriented AI governance. The analysis proceeds by examining the EU’s strategy of normative anchoring through legal codification, Japan’s agile governance model based on collaboration and coordination, and Taiwan’s digital …

Gandy Dancer 14.1 (Fall 2025), Gandy Dancer

Gandy Dancer Archives

No abstract provided.

Marsanywhere: Dataset And Cross-View Diffusion Model For Satellite-To-Ground View Synthesis With Mars Data, Benjamin T. Hinchliff

Master's Theses

Satellite-to-ground view synthesis aims to create a realistic ground view image from a corresponding satellite view image. This is a well-studied problem for street level imagery, with good results being achieved by using modern image synthesis techniques such as diffusion models. However, despite the public availability of satellite and ground level imagery on Mars, these techniques have yet to be applied to the domain due to difficulties in collating and processing the data into a usable form. We address this deficiency by creating a dataset consisting of ground view panorama imagery from the Perseverance rover, along with associated satellite view …

Why The Long Face? The Distribution And Niche Of The Imperiled Narrow-Faced Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys Venustus), Garrett L. Gimbel

Master's Theses

Distribution models provide a practical use case of connecting ecological niche theory with species’ occurrence and assemblages. By explicitly linking Hutchinson’s “niche space” with geographic space researchers can gain valuable information on a species’ niche characteristics and interactions, thereby informing conservation and management practices. The narrow-faced kangaroo rat (Dipodomys venustus) is a highly understudied kangaroo rat species endemic to the central coast of California and is an ideal species to explore niche theory in distribution modeling. Three subspecies are currently recognized: The Santa Cruz kangaroo rat (D. v. venustus), the elephant-eared kangaroo rat (D. v. …

Using Hydraulic And Hydrologic Modeling To Determine Scour At Toro Creek Under Climate Change Conditions, Gabriel E. Alaniz

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates bridge scour at the Toro Creek crossing of Highway 1 in Morro Bay, California, under present conditions and future climate conditions with more frequent extreme rainfall events. California infrastructure is becoming increasingly vulnerable to extreme storm events and increased intense precipitation events brought by climate change. This analysis focuses on the calculation of scour for both the northbound and southbound spans. Highway 1 plays a vital role in California’s coastal transportation infrastructure by carrying more than 20,000 vehicles daily (Caltrans, 2017). In this thesis, a hydrological model (HEC-HMS) is used to simulate runoff under present-day and …

The Edge Of The World: An Examination Of The Wild West In California, 1840-1880, Chloe J. Cushing

Master's Theses

“The Edge of the World” revolves around the history of the Wild West in California through the lens of Richard Maxwell Brown’s Western War of Incorporation theory. Rather than being a mythology sensationalized by Hollywood and literature, for the Golden State, the Wild West was a very real and tangible part of its early-American era, characterized by U.S. imperialism, high murder rates, anti-authoritarianism, and other rampant forms of chaos that affected the state for generations. By examining the conditions and effects of the late Mexican period, the Gold Rush, Confederate sympathizers, and the Southern Pacific Railroad, this thesis highlights the …

Impact Of Intravenous Drug Use On Neck Abscess Outcomes: 30-Day Readmission & 5-Year Survival Rates, Elliott Sina, Bryce Hambach, Eric Mastrolonardo, Sruti Tekumalla, Meghan Crippen, Richard A. Goldman

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: Injection drug use (IDU) is a known risk factor for neck abscesses, often requiring urgent surgical intervention by acute-care Otolaryngologists. However, data on the prevalence and long-term outcomes of IDU-related neck abscesses are limited. This study investigates differences in 30-day readmission rates and 5-year all-cause mortality between patients with and without a history of IDU hospitalized for neck abscesses.

METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study utilizing the TriNetX national clinical database. Patients hospitalized for neck abscesses (ICD-10: L02.11) were categorized into two cohorts: IDU (current/previous) and non-IDU. Demographics, 30-day readmission rates, and 5-year survival were analyzed. 1:1 Propensity …

The Moderating Effect Of Income Inequality On The Income–Emissions Relationship In G20 Countries, Zahra Rizky Fadilah, Budiasih Budiasih

Economics and Finance in Indonesia

This study analyzes the moderating effect of income inequality on the income–emissions relationship in the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) framework. Findings indicate that the relationship is inverted U-shaped in middle-income G20 countries, but monotonically increasing in high-income G20 countries. Interestingly, income inequality moderates this relationship only in the latter group. These findings suggest that middle-income G20 countries should focus on raising income per capita to mitigate environmental degradation, while their high-income counterparts need to prioritize reducing income inequality to effectively decouple income from emissions.

Supporting The Efficacy Of Admission Counselors When Working With Neurodivergent Students: A Study For An Equitable Review Process, Rose Llanos

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The focus of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of utilizing a universal design learning training module for college admission professionals to help assess student fit during the application review process. The conceptual framework in the research design followed that of the Universal Design of Learning (UDL) framework, which upholds the United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals (UN-SDG), specifically goal four of quality education and goal 10 of reduced inequalities. The hypothesis for using an equitable training module is that an improved understanding of working with diverse students will lead to more confident admission professionals holistically recommending an admission decision …

Structural Racism And Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Racially Diverse Men Transitioning Into Fatherhood: An Anti-Racist Approach To Ipv Prevention, Tiara C. Willie, Sabriya Linton, Leslie B. Adams, Nicole Overstreet, Shannon Whittaker, Theresa Faller, Deja Knight, Trace S. Kershaw

Psychology

Background: Young couples transitioning into parenthood are at elevated risk of experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV), in part, due to the social and economic stressors associated with this critical time. Interpersonal racial discrimination is a known risk factor for male-to-female IPV perpetration, however few studies have examined this relationship among men transitioning to fatherhood. Similarly, structural racism acknowledges how inequitable systems reinforce racial discrimination; yet, few studies have investigated whether structural racism relates to the discrimination-IPV perpetration association. This study examined relationships among structural racism, racial discrimination, stress, and IPV perpetration among racially diverse men transitioning into fatherhood. Methods: Using …

Enhancing Crna's Knowledge Of Radiation Safety Through Online Education, Angela Iledan, Madeline Pousson

Doctoral Projects

Although ionizing radiation is frequently used in anesthesia-related procedures, many CRNAs receive minimal training in radiation safety principles and protective measures. This knowledge gap increases the risk of cumulative radiation exposure for providers and patients. To address the issue, this doctoral project developed and implemented an online educational intervention designed to enhance CRNAs’ understanding of radiation safety, ultimately promoting safer practices in radiation-prone environments.

The doctoral project follows a QI and EBP approach that incorporated diverse adult learning styles to enhance engagement and knowledge retention of CRNAs. The online educational module was designed and delivered to CRNAs that currently practice …

Exploring Factors Informing The Choice Of Caesarean Sections Among Couples, And Healthcare Workers: A Case Of The Nairobi Hospital, Kenya, Mercy Mukubwa

MSc in Advanced Practice Midwifery

Background: A caesarean section (C/S) is a lifesaving procedure to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. It is associated with more risks compared to a vaginal birth. The rates of C/S have been on an upward trend globally and are expected to continue to rise further. C/S predisposes neonates to poor outcomes, some of which could be life-threatening compared to vaginal birth. Similarly, C/S mothers are at greater risk for serious complications.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the decision to undergo a caesarean section among couples and healthcare workers …

Lived Experiences Of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea And Vomiting Among Patients Diagnosed With Cancer At Machakos Level Five Hospital, Nancy Njeri Kamau

MSc in Advanced Practice Nursing

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remains one of the most prevalent and distressing adverse effects of cancer treatment, affecting a substantial proportion of patients and significantly compromising their physical functioning, nutritional status, treatment adherence, and overall quality of life. However, there is a paucity of localized evidence on the magnitude and functional burden of CINV among patients diagnosed with cancer receiving chemotherapy at county referral hospitals, such as Machakos Level 5 Hospital, hence the current study.

Aim of the study: The study aimed at exploring the lived experiences of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting among patients diagnosed with …

Opioids And Oblivion: Corporate Bankruptcy And The Erosion Of Accountability In Big Pharma, Ying Yuan

Washington Law Review

In June 2024, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Harrington v. Purdue Pharma that nonconsensual releases for nondebtors are unconstitutional. The decision marked a key development in mass tort litigation involving Purdue Pharma, the company at the center of the opioid crisis. The Sackler family sought to use Purdue’s bankruptcy proceedings to shield themselves from liability, but the Court’s ruling invalidated the use of nondebtor releases to protect third parties from claims without the full consent of affected parties. While the ruling strengthens creditor protections, it creates uncertainty regarding how mass tort bankruptcies can efficiently compensate victims, particularly in …