Digital Commons Network^™

Black Dandelion: Convergent Voice™, Semaj Brown

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

No abstract provided.

Pedagogical Empathy As Instructor Self-Care: Struggles, Structures, And Support, Colleen J. Hart

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

Building from interviews with writing instructors at an urban R1 institution, this article identifies the struggles between balancing empathetic teaching practice—a practice that seeks to understand and address another’s needs in the classroom—with practicing self-care. In proposing a feminist pedagogical empathy, this article investigates how empathetic teaching practices, such as flexibility and transparency, and empathetic course policies can offer benefits to both instructors and students. Ultimately, I argue that empathetic teaching practice can function as self-care for instructors, rather than be considered additional labor or diminished as lenient or unrigorous, upholds rigor by clearly defining expectations for students while also …

Revitalizing Literary Engagement: Innovative Approaches To Teaching Willa Cather In High School English Classes, Sarah Hoyt, Phu Vu

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

This study explores methods to enhance student engagement and interest in high school English literature classes, focusing on the analysis of Willa Cather's novels. It addresses the challenge of motivating students to engage deeply with full-length novels, crucial for cultural and literary education. Employing a qualitative approach and triangulated data sources, the study reveals significant improvements in student engagement, comprehension, and literary analysis. Additionally, students demonstrated a heightened ability to connect with the themes and characters in the prose.

Reimagining Positionality In Curriculum: Unlocking Consciousness Beyond Hegemonic Boundaries, Haniyeh Kheirkhah Abkenari

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

This paper examines the interplay between hegemonic systems, curriculum, and individual consciousness in diverse life contexts. It underscores the need for critical thinking skills and self-examination to challenge hegemonic ideologies embedded within curriculum materials. The paper emphasizes the potential for curriculum to shape and influence consciousness, yet it also highlights the autonomy of consciousness to critically engage with curriculum content. Positionality and identity are explored, illustrating how they impact an individual's social role and their ability to promote social justice.

Through the Currere as a autoethnography research method, the paper offers a comprehensive reflection on the author's experiences as an …

Labor, Leisure, And Law, Aneil Kovvali, Jonathan S. Masur

Articles

Americans work harder than their counterparts in many other advanced economies. While many predicted that technological progress would eventually make work obsolete, Americans continue to pull long hours. Although stories of worker burnout and “quiet quitting” suggest that this situation is not a good fit for everyone, any problems are largely invisible to the conceptual frameworks that dominate the analysis of law. These frameworks normally assume the goal of maximizing production and often treat the human preference for leisure as a problem to be solved. This Article analyzes the problem of overwork. In doing so, it surfaces legal and policy …

Bridging The Gap: Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Trio Student Support Services In Promoting Retention, Persistence, And Graduation At Boise State University, Ryan Brevik

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the effectiveness of TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) programs at Boise State University in promoting academic success of first-generation college students, students from financially limited backgrounds, and students with documented disabilities. Using a quantitative, quasi-experimental design, a secondary data analysis was completed to compare fall-to-fall retention rates, four-year graduation rates, and six-year graduation rates between TRIO SSS participants and a matched comparison group of non-participants with similar demographic and academic characteristics. Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Appreciative Advising, self-efficacy theory, sense of belonging, student involvement theory, and student persistence models, this study adds to the existing …

Hiring Practices And Superintendent Turnover In Rural Idaho: Examining Factors That Influence Leadership Stability, Scott Frank

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive multi-case study examines superintendent turnover and hiring practices in rural Idaho school districts to identify factors influencing leadership stability. The study addresses the central research question: What factors influence the hiring process of district superintendents in high- and low-turnover school districts? Using semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and a comparative examination of two districts—one with high superintendent turnover and one with low turnover—this research explores the structural and governance factors shaping retention.

Findings indicate that low-turnover districts develop internal leadership pipelines, promote certified staff to administrative roles, and systematically engage community stakeholders in hiring decisions. These practices foster leadership …

Failure Study Of Silicon Gated Field Emitter Arrays: Experiment And Simulation, Rushmita Bhattacharjee

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Silicon-based Gated Field Emitter Arrays (Si-GFEAs) are among the most well-developed field emitters. They are being actively explored for vacuum transistors and microwave vacuum electron devices due to their high-frequency performance, radiation resistance, and thermal stability up to 400 °C. However, their long-term reliability is limited by sudden failure events, resulting in cathodic vacuum arcs. This dissertation presents a combined experimental and simulation-based investigation into arc initiation mechanisms in Si-GFEAs. Different device arrays were tested under normal operation in vacuum at 10^-7 Torr with gate voltages of 50-70 V and emission currents from tens of nA to tens of µA. …

If Alcohol Consumption Were Eliminated, Which Us Counties Would Still Experience High Rates Of Breast Cancer Among Women?, Hina Javed

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Background

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in the United States, accounting for roughly one-third of all newly diagnosed female cancers (American Cancer Society, 2024). The risk factors for breast cancer include both non-modifiable and modifiable factors. Non-modifiable factors include age at menarche, early menstrual cycles and late menopause. Modifiable factors include smoking, diabetes, obesity and environmental factors such as air pollution. The interplay between lifestyle factors and environmental exposures in cancer development has long been debated. While alcohol consumption is widely recognized as a major breast cancer risk factor, the role of environmental exposure such as …

Preparing Pre-Service Teachers For Writing Instruction: Best-Practices And Insights Into Self-Efficacy, Lindsey Wiggins

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Many pre-service teachers (PSTs) report feeling under-prepared to teach writing, a challenge often linked to limited attention to writing instruction in teacher preparation programs (TPPs). While writing methods courses offer opportunities to build PSTs’ self-efficacy and pedagogical skill, questions remain about how to best structure these experiences and measure their impact. This three-article dissertation examines how PSTs develop self-efficacy for writing and writing instruction during teacher preparation and how those beliefs relate to instructional practices.

In Study I, I conducted a systematic literature review to examine how researchers measure the effects of effective writing and writing instruction interventions with elementary …

Engineering Properties And Stress-Strain Behavior Of Bcsa Concrete: Flexural Design Parameters, Strain Measurement Methods, And Models, Gabriel R. Johnson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Belitic calcium sulfoaluminate (BCSA) cement concrete has gained popularity due to advantages over portland cement (PC), including, its fast-setting, high early strength gain, high durability, and reduced global warming potential. Though primarily used for pavement repair, it has good potential for structural applications. Building codes like ACI 318:19 permit alternative cement materials like BCSA cement if they can be shown to have adequate and predictable structural, durability, and fire performance comparable to PC concrete. This study evaluates the structural and mechanical behavior of BCSA cement concrete, measuring standard engineering properties and comparing results to PC concrete and code prediction equations. …

Farmers’ Perceptions About Drivers Of Poverty: A Case Study Of Cocoa Farmers In Ghana, Felix Agyei Boamah

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Cocoa farmers in Ghana face numerous challenges that undermine their incomes and living standards, including high labor costs, fluctuating cocoa prices, high cost and limited access to inputs, lack of credit, illegal mining, weather risks, small farm sizes, outdated farming and drying technologies, and inadequate extension services. These issues reduce productivity, lower incomes, and perpetuate poverty. This study examined farmers’ perceptions about the importance of these challenges and assessed possible differences across regions and farm households’ socioeconomic status. In the summer of 2024, data were collected from 400 cocoa farmers in major cocoa-producing areas of Ghana’s Eastern and Ashanti regions. …

The Role Of Managerial Support In Influencing The Attitudes Of Highly Educated Millennials In Serbia, Dimitrije Gasic, Vladimir Dzenopoljac, Mladen Cudanov, Jozsef Poor, Nemanja Berber

All Works

This study explores the influence of managerial support on the attitudes of highly educated (BSc, MSc, and PhD) millennials in Serbia, focusing on job satisfaction, turnover intention, and job stress. Understanding this relationship is crucial for enhancing employee retention and organisational efficiency given the evolving workplace dynamics. Managerial support, encompassing emotional, instrumental, and informational assistance, is hypothesised to positively impact job satisfaction while reducing turnover intention and job stress. Data were collected through an online survey from 367 respondents in two waves (the first wave in January 2024 and the second in July 2024) and analysed using partial least squares …

A Systematic Review Of School-Based Behavioral Interventions And The Symbolic Labor Of Inclusion For Children With Chronic Illness, Efthymia Efthymiou, Dimitra V. Katsarou, Maria Sofologi, Kalliopi Megari, Soultana Papadopoulou, Evangelos Mantsos, Salma Daiban

All Works

Background: Chronic illness affects children’s health and disrupts the spatial and temporal aspects of schooling by complicating attendance, interrupting learning routines, and exposing institutional rigidity. While many educational systems treat chronicity as an exception to be managed, this review reconceptualizes it as a pedagogical and symbolic challenge to normative assumptions about inclusion, care, and participation. Objective: To systematically examine how school-based behavioral and psychosocial interventions support children and adolescents with chronic health conditions (CHCs) in inclusive educational settings and to analyze what these interventions reveal about institutional practices of care and recognition. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we conducted a …

Greening The Virtual: An Interdisciplinary Narrative Review On The Environmental Sustainability Of The Metaverse, Mousa Al-Kfairy

All Works

As the Metaverse continues to evolve as a transformative digital ecosystem, its environmental implications remain insufficiently examined within academic discourse. Despite growing interest in its technological and societal impacts, there is a lack of comprehensive evaluations that synthesize existing knowledge on its sustainability potential. This interdisciplinary narrative review addresses this gap by critically exploring how Metaverse technologies intersect with environmental sustainability across key sectors, including education, healthcare, tourism, e-commerce, manufacturing, and urban development. Employing a narrative review methodology informed by a systematic selection of scholarly and industry sources, the study consolidates current practices, emerging opportunities, and notable trade-offs. While the …

Trends In The Use Of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners Among Female University Students In The United Arab Emirates, Dalia Haroun, Aseel Ehsanallah, Wafa Mubarak

All Works

Objective: This study aimed to explore the consumption patterns of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) among female university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in the context of rising health awareness. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to April 2023 among female university students in the UAE. A total of 192 participants aged 18 and above were recruited through convenience sampling. A structured, self-administered online questionnaire was used to collect data on NNS consumption, motivations for use, physical activity, dietary habits, and self-reported height and weight. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and categorized using the World Health Organization …

From Waste To Solution: Modeling And Characterization Of Grape Seed Bio-Waste For Phosphate Removal From Wastewater, Abeer Al-Bsoul, Zakaria Al-Qodah, Muhammad Tawalbeh, Khalid Bani-Melhem, Khalideh Al Bkoor Alrawashdeh, Mohammad Hailat, Ahmed A. Al-Taani, Eid Gul

All Works

In this study, particles of ground grape seeds were utilized to adsorb phosphate ions from a prepared solution, aiming to reduce phosphate concentration. Through a series of adsorption experiments, the effects of the adsorbent concentration, initial phosphate ion concentration, temperature, and pH on the phosphate ion uptake were studied. The removal efficiency of the phosphate ion decreased from 77 to 61% as a 25 to 45 °C increment in temperature was observed, which indicated the exothermicity in the adsorption process. The phosphate ion movement onto the adsorbent surface that exhibited the highest uptake value favored a neutral reaction environment with …

Properties Of A Class Of Analytic Functions Associated With Exponentially Convex Functions, K. R. Karthikeyan, Elangho Umadevi, G. Thirupathi, Dharmaraj Mohankumar

All Works

Studies in univalent function theory comprising the exponential of differential characterizations are rarely considered. The prominent study in this direction is the study of so-called α-exponentially convex functions. Here we study a class of analytic functions which satisfy an analytic characterization influenced by the definition of the multiplicative derivative and α-exponentially convex functions. Integral representation and coefficient inequalities of the defined function class are the main results of the paper.

An Evidence-Based Report On Digital Inclusion In Cornwall: -, Katharine Willis

School of Art, Design and Architecture

This report establishes Cornwall’s first comprehensive baseline on digital inclusion, combining quantitative survey data with qualitative insights to reveal the scale, nature, and geography of digital exclusion across the county. Cornwall faces a dual challenge of ensuring equitable digital skills and addressing infrastructure and affordability barriers. While overall digital use is high, significant groups remain excluded, particularly older adults, low-income households, those without qualifications, and residents in rural or deprived areas. These challenges pose risks not only to individuals’ access to services and opportunities but also to Cornwall’s social and economic resilience.

Trust In Healthcare Ai Can’T Just Be Designed – It Must Be Felt By Clinicians And Patients, Adriana Banozic-Tang, Heng Wang

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Trust in healthcare AI currently over-relies on system design, not lived medical realities.Continuous feedback loops are necessary to embed trust in healthcare AI that is responsive to clinician and patient needs.Initiatives in South-East Asia show how trust in technology can be extended from policy to practice.

Artificial Intelligence Integration And Teachers' Self-Efficacy In Physics Classrooms, Fouad Yehya, Areej Elsayary, Ghadah Al Murshidi, Ahmed Al Zaabi

All Works

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), in its vision 2021 and the UAE centennial 2071 plan, highlights the essential role of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology in shaping a knowledge-based, future-ready society. This study explores the integration of AI in physics classrooms, focusing on secondary education in the UAE. It also investigates the perceptions and self-efficacy of physics teachers regarding the use of AI tools in classroom settings. A qualitative research design was employed to gather in-depth insights from 15 physics teachers across schools in Sharjah, assessing their confidence and readiness for AI integration through the lens of the attitude and …

Youth Attitudes Towards The Effects Of Social Media Addiction A Study On University Students In The United Arab Emirates, Fokiya Akhtar, Fawzia Abdulla Alali

All Works

Objectives: This study aims to understand youth’s attitudes toward the effects of social media usage and its risk factors. It also investigates the impact of social media addiction on youth, and determines the mediating factors in this relationship, such as ‘FOMO’ (fear of missing out) and nocturnal social media usage. Methods :For the purpose of this research, 327 university students were surveyed using the Social Media Addiction Scale, the FOMO Scale, the Nocturnal Social Media Use Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Index Scale. Results: The results reveal statistically significant correlations between high social media usage and adverse effects on mental …

Psilocybin And Death Anxiety: A Dual-Mechanism Approach To Existential Distress, Annabelle Swain

University Honors Theses

This literature review looks at how psilocybin, the active compound in "magic mushrooms," can help people deal with death anxiety; the deep fear of dying or losing control that shows up in lots of mental health struggles. While traditional treatments like SSRIs and talk therapy work for some people, they don't always get to the root of the problem. Psilocybin works differently. It changes brain activity, especially in networks tied to repetitive, self-focused thinking, as well as creates powerful, emotional experiences that help people rethink how they see life and death. This paper covers recent research showing how one or …

Cucurbit Plant Defenses Against Aboveground Or Belowground Insect Herbivores Are Distinct And Shaped By Eco-Evolutionary Factors, Morgan N. Thompson, Emily M. Russavage, Jeremy G. Garces, B. Jack Bradford, Danielle Merrell, Charles P.-C. Suh, Anjel M. Helms

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Plant defense strategies against insect herbivores are classified broadly as resistance or tolerance. Resistance deters insect growth or feeding, while tolerance mitigates negative effects of herbivory on plant fitness. Plant investment into resistance or tolerance strategies likely falls along a continuum that has been shaped by eco-evolutionary factors, such as plant domestication or coexistence histories with herbivores. Relatively little is known about how general defense strategies differ against aboveground foliar herbivores and belowground root herbivores. In the current study, we investigated defense strategies of plant species in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) against aboveground squash bug (Anasa tristis) or …

Link Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Parenting Styles Of African American Fathers, Tatianna P. Johnson

Dissertations

African American fathers may be more susceptible than fathers of other races to having a negative parenting style due to their high levels of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). ACEs are traumatic experiences during childhood that can affect a person’s mental and physical health, income and adult parenting style. African American adults tend to have experienced multiple levels of ACEs at a higher rate than White and Asian adults (Maguire-Jack et al., 2021). ACEs can lead to adults experiencing higher levels of alcoholism, depression, health-related issues, mental illness, substance use, and academic problems. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to …

The Impact Of Culture And Language On Internal Communication And Patient Care In Small To Medium-Sized Black Immigrant-Owned Healthcare Practices In Texas., Chisom Nwosu

Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study explored how cultural competency in small to medium-sized Black immigrant-owned healthcare practices in Texas affects internal communication and patient care. Through semi-structured interviews with nine clinical and administrative leaders in Dallas and Houston, five themes emerged: culturally competent leadership, intentional communication structures, language and interpretation practices, patient-centered cultural sensitivity, and the use of technology for adaptation. Findings suggest that culturally aware leadership and inclusive communication strategies foster team cohesion and improve patient trust and care. Participants reported adapting workflows to meet religious, language, and communication needs through human and technological tools. The study underscores embedding cultural …

Mathematical Modeling Of Effects Of Tumor Location On Lung Function., Lamargaret Temukisa Johnson

Master of Engineering Theses

Lung cancer has the highest rates of incidence and mortality of all cancers. Most lung cancer tumors are Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC patients with lesions in the upper lobes are found to have better prognosis compared to those with lesions in the middle and lower lobes. Previous studies have suggested various causes for this discrepancy at both the organ-scale and tissue-scale. To model NSCLC growth in different locations within the lung, an organ scale lung model and tissue scale tumor model were coupled through the tissue pressure, and oxygen and carbon dioxide partial pressures. The coupling was used …

Leaning Into The Messiness Of Authentic Engagement: Fostering Reciprocity In Foundation Strategy, Learning, And Evaluation, Sonia Taddy-Sandino, Jennifer Ho, Kim Ammann Howard, Clare Nolan

The Foundation Review

Over the last several years, numerous foundations have endeavored to forge deeper relationships with grantees and challenge the status quo in strategy development and evaluation design. Encouraged by efforts such as the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project and the Equitable Evaluation Initiative, some funders are seeking to redefine how they engage grantees and field partners by navigating the nuances of power dynamics, mutual interests, and genuine collaboration. While there are encouraging signs of progress, there are also plenty of examples of foundation and nonprofit leaders getting stuck or reverting to the modus operandi. Competing agendas, the lack of sustained political will, and …

Birth Outcomes In The Hispanic Population In The United States: Trends, Variation, And Determinants (2011–2021), Yanchao Yang

Business Analytics Faculty Publications

Background: Cesarean section (C-section) is the most common surgical procedure in the United States, yet its use varies widely across regions and institutions. Although clinical risk factors are central to delivery decisions, geographic context, health system capacity, and local practice patterns may also influence C-section use. Understanding both the determinants and predictability of C-section delivery is important for improving obstetric quality and equity.

Objective: This study aims to document geographic variation in C-section use across the United States, identify maternal and county-level factors associated with C-section delivery, and evaluate the predictive performance of machine learning models across clinically defined risk …

The Relationship Between Total Serum Cholesterol And Hypertensive Outcomes Among Women 50-60 Years Old: Findings From The Framingham Heart Study, Sierra Smith

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Objective: To assess whether total serum cholesterol (TSC) among middle-aged women is associated with subsequent hypertension while accounting for potential confounders.

Methods: A sample of 853 adults who identify as women, aged 50-60, from the Framingham Heart Study 1948-1972 cohort was selected for this study. Participants' TSC was measured at baseline, and they were followed for 24 years for cardiovascular disease outcomes or death. The outcome of interest in this study was hypertension. A multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between TSC and hypertension while controlling for age, glucose, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure.

Results: Compared to …