Digital Commons Network^™

Framing The War On Terror: Media Narratives And U.S. Foreign Policy After 9/11, Neva Essex

History and Political Science | Senior Theses

The media plays an essential role in developing an informed public and the shaping of information. Foreign policy and the coverage of the U.S. movements abroad drastically changed with the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This paper seeks to examine the ways in which media coverage of presidential rhetoric in regard to the U.S. response to terrorism changed over the course of the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations. With the use of qualitative narrative analysis of print news media sources and official statements made from the White House, this paper will identify the patterns and changes which occurred over the …

Teacher Mental Health And Student Success: Examining The Impact Of Educator Well-Being On Classroom Outcomes, Caleb Stiles

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between teacher mental health and student success through a review of current and foundational research. The purpose of the study was to explore how teacher stress, burnout, and emotional well-being influence student outcomes across academic, behavioral, and social-emotional domains. The literature revealed that teacher burnout negatively affects instructional quality, classroom climate, and teacher-student relationships, all of which are essential to student achievement and engagement. Research also showed that teachers with higher self-efficacy and stronger emotional regulation skills are better equipped to manage stress and create supportive learning environments. Organizational factors such as leadership support, workload …

Predators And Precedents: Grizzly Bears, Joe Pickett, And The Law Of Delisting, Temple Stoellinger, Kelly Dunning, David Willms, Arthur Middleton, Bethany Aragon

Wyoming Law Review

When a grizzly bear kills a fisherman in C.J. Box’s Three-Inch Teeth, the attack occurs in Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains—territory where bears “weren’t supposed to be.” This fictional scenario reflects a real dilemma: grizzly bears have recovered so successfully that they now roam beyond designated recovery zones, yet federal delisting efforts have repeatedly failed, caught between contested science and competing narratives about connectivity requirements, ESA policies, federal authority, state and local control, and the prospects for coexistence with apex other predators.

This Article examines how popular culture, legal frameworks, and conservation science intersect to shape wildlife policy. Box’s novel— mixing …

Exploring The Effects Of Voluntary Wheel Running On Inhibitory Control, Ava Prieto

Honors Theses and Capstones

Inhibitory control, a central component of executive function, is the ability to suppress unwanted actions in response to a stimulus (Verbruggen et al., 2014; Verbruggen et al., 2019) and is one of the best indicators of executive task management as well as the ability to prevent unwanted prepotent responses. This capacity is essential for goal specific behavior and for responding flexibly to challenges. The present study examined the effects of voluntary wheel running on inhibitory control in two cohorts of Long-Evans rats using a rodent variant of the canonical stop-signal task. We found that rats with access to an active …

Evaluating The Use Of Precision Technology To Understand Differences Between Ketotic And Non-Ketotic Jersey Cows, Emily Kathryn Palermo

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Tmem116 Crispr-Mediated Knockout Prevents Proper Lens Regeneration In Iberian-Ribbed Newts, Damien T. Mann

Honors Theses and Capstones

Eye diseases like cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and glaucoma are widespread and detrimental conditions affecting many people across the globe. While there are reliable and successful treatments for those with cataracts that can reverse vision impediments, others like glaucoma and AMD have limited treatment options. Additionally, eye damage resulting from these conditions is commonly irreversible, establishing a need for new treatment options. The Iberian-ribbed newt, Pleurodeles waltl, is a salamander species primarily studied for their amazing regenerative capabilities. Particularly, these newts are capable of de novo lens regeneration after a complete resection, providing a unique opportunity to study regeneration …

Faith, Formation, And Formalization: Entrepreneurship Development Among Women In Ghana, Patricia Adams-Williams

Doctor of Ministry

The problem addressed in this study is the absence of a unified, faith-centered framework that equips single mothers in Ghana to build sustainable livelihoods while strengthening their spiritual identity. Although Ghanaian women demonstrate remarkable resilience and entrepreneurial drive, many remain confined to informal markets without access to business training, mentorship, or systems that connect their work to their calling. This dissertation argues that integrating spiritual formation with entrepreneurship training creates a pathway for lasting transformation. The thesis of this study is that Kingdom-centered entrepreneurship, rooted in biblical identity and supported by communal mentorship, empowers women to move from survival to …

Anuran Occupancy Of Created Wetlands Within Reforested Legacy Surface Mines In Kentucky And West Virginia, Jillian C. Newman, Steve Price, Jacquelyn C. Guzy, Joshua Castle, John J. Cox, Jeffery L. Larkin, Christopher D. Barton

Forestry and Natural Resources Faculty Publications

Restoration of habitat is an important component of wildlife management. Surface coal mining has altered forest cover in the Central Appalachians, and most reclamation activities on previously mined lands result in non-native grasslands or shrub lands. The Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA), which emphasizes non-native vegetation removal, soil decompaction, planting of native trees and shrubs, and, in some cases, wetland creation represents an alternative to grassland-based reclamation that may promote forest-associated wildlife on legacy surface mines. We used automated recording units to evaluate the response of anurans to created wetlands and the FRA in Kentucky and West Virginia, USA. We used …

Male Disposability, Law, And Feminism, Edward Cantu

Faculty Works

This article explores scientific evidence that societies care more about the welfare and safety of females than that of males, and that this dynamic of "male disposability" is deeply entrenched in culture, and thus in law. The recognition and integration of male disposability theory would mean an evolutionary leap in modern theorizing about gender and the law, but it is ignored. Why? Feminist theory dominates current academic gender discourse. Far from appreciating the explanatory power of male disposability theory, feminist theorists are often invested in theorizing gendered problems in ways that mischannel compassion away from men and toward women. The …

Microglial Apoe Across Alzheimer’S Disease-Relevant Pathologies, Georgia Nolt

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

APOE exists as three common alleles (APOE2, APOE3, APOE4) that encode their corresponding protein isoforms (apoE2, apoE3, apoE4). Despite differing by only one or two single-amino acid substitutions, each APOE allele confers a distinct AD risk profile with APOE4 increasing risk by 28% and APOE2 decreasing risk by 14% compared to the most commonly expressed APOE3 allele. While traditionally considered “neutral,” APOE3 still accounts for ~36% of AD cases while APOE4 contributes ~57%, indicating that the majority of AD cases would not occur in the absence of the APOE3 and APOE4 alleles. Microglia, the resident phagocytic immune cells …

Bi+ Cismale Experiences With Straight Cismale Friends, Taylor M. Hardock

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Minority Stress Theory (2006) posits that individuals with a marginalized sexual identity have unique challenges and stressors. Bisexual+, or bi+, individuals have particular stressors related to not holding a monosexual identity, including specific mental health challenges. Research has shown that friendship can have many positive benefits on individuals, though the literature looking at friendship among bi+ identifying people is very limited. This qualitative study investigates the experiences of friendship between bi+ and straight cis men, especially as they may relate to minority stress and experiences of resilience and community belongingness. A thematic analysis was utilized to understand the personal experiences …

2025-2026 Lynn University Common Data Set, Lynn University

Lynn University Common Data Set

2025-2026 Lynn University Common Data Set (CDS), prepared by Lynn University Office of Institutional Research, Planning and Assessment (AY2526).

Hypoxic Stem Cells From Apical Papilla-Derived Exosomes Enhance Dental Pulp Stem Cells Migration And Differentiation Via Mitochondrial Activation, Deyan Yuan, Rui Tao, Bi Yin, Meng Gu

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose Stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) play critical roles in dental tissue regeneration. Although intercellular communication through exosomes is known to influence stem cell regulation, the effects of exosomes derived from hypoxic SCAPs on the migration and odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs have not been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate SCAPs derived exosomes mediated modulation of DPSCs biological functions under hypoxic conditions. Materials and methods Exosomes were obtained from SCAPs cultured under normoxic or hypoxic conditions. DPSCs were treated with these exosomes, and their migration capacity was evaluated using scratch and transwell assays. …

Evaluation Of Gpt-4o And Gemini Advanced On The Korean National Dental Licensing Examination: Accuracy, Consistency, And Question Generation, Eun Sun Song, Ga Hyeon Kim, Seung-Pyo Lee

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose Large language models (LLMs), such as GPT-4o and Gemini Advanced, have performed strongly on global medical examinations. However, their capabilities in non-English, dentistry-specific licensing contexts remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to compare the performance, consistency, and question-generation abilities of GPT-4o and Gemini Advanced in the Korean National Dental Licensing Examination (KNDLE). Materials and methods This study used 1,401 text-based KNDLE questions from 2019 to 2023 in Korean. Each model responded to the questions in three separate runs. Accuracy and consistency were compared with human answers. The models generated new questions in four subject areas and attempted to solve …

Biofunctionalized 3d-Printed Gelatin-Alginate Scaffolds With Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic Acid (Rgd) Peptides For Enhanced In Vitro Osteogenesis, Ting-Yi Renn, You-Ru Ma, Chia-Chen Hsu, Eisner Salamanca, Hiroshi Egusa, Ying-Sui Sun, Chun-Pin Lin, Wei-Jen Chang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose Alveolar bone defects are difficult to treat due to ongoing resorption and limitations of conventional grafts. Tissue engineering strategies, particularly 3D hydrogel-based scaffolds, offer promising alternatives by mimicking the extracellular matrix and supporting cell-driven regeneration. This study aimed to incorporating arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptides into 3D-printed gelatin-alginate hydrogels to enhances their bioactivity and osteogenic potential for effective alveolar bone repair. Materials and methods The physical characterization of RGD peptides-grafted 3D-printed gelatin-alginate scaffolds was conducted using morphological observation, elemental composition analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and assessments of swelling and degradation behavior. Biological performance was examined in vitro through cell …

The Presence Of Thyroid Autoantibodies Is Not Associated With Anemia, Hematinic Deficiencies, And Hyperhomocysteinemia In Oral Lichen Planus Patients, Yi-Pang Lee, Yu-Hsueh Wu, Julia Yu-Fong Chang, Yi-Ping Wang, Andy Sun, Chun-Pin Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Our previous study found that 144 of 588 oral lichen planus (OLP) patients have thyroglobulin antibody (TGA) and/or thyroid microsomal antibodies (TMA) but do not have gastric parietal cell antibody (GPCA, designated as thyroid autoantibodies-positive OLP or TA⁺OLP patients). To test the role of thyroid autoantibodies in causing microcytosis, anemia, hematinic deficiencies, and hyperhomocysteinemia in OLP patients, this study assessed whether 144 TA⁺OLP patients had significantly higher frequencies of microcytosis, anemia, hematinic deficiencies, and hyperhomocysteinemia than 588 healthy control subjects (HCSs) or 305 TGA/TMA/GPCA-negative (Abs^–) OLP patients (designated as Abs^–OLP patients). …

Dupilumab For The Treatment Of Prurigo Nodularis, Iain Noel Encarnacion, Noelle Desir, Simona A. Alomary, Nicole Baker

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic, intensely pruritic dermatosis driven by neural and immune dysregulation, with historically limited FDA-approved treatment options. In September 2022, dupilumab became the first FDA-approved therapy for PN. To review the clinical efficacy of dupilumab in PN, with emphasis on pivotal clinical trials, real-world evidence, and safety profile. We examined mechanistic studies of dupilumab, early case reports and series, phase 3 LIBERTY-PN PRIME and PRIME2 randomized trials, real world observational studies, and safety data. Dupilumab, a human monoclonal antibody targeting IL-4Rα, suppresses type 2 inflammation. In PRIME (n = 151) and PRIME2 (n = 160), dupilumab …

Teaching Primary And Secondary Computing: A Comparative Study Of Classroom Practices And Resources In The Uk And Ireland, Robert Whyte, Diana Kirby, Elizabeth Cole, Tom Crick, Nicola Looker, Keith Quille, Sue Sentance

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Background and Context: As more K–12 teachers are required to teach computing, there is a need to understand how it is enacted in classrooms. In addition, many non-specialists are teaching computing for the first time. Objective: We set out to better understand how computing is currently being taught across five jurisdictions in the UK and Ireland. The aim of the study was to understand CS teaching practices, including the use of certain approaches and resources in the computing classroom. Method: We analysed survey data from 475 primary and secondary teachers across a number of relevant categories: teachers’ use of CS …

Virtual Screening Of Phytochemicals From Medicinal Plants As Promising Pde5 Inhibitors Against Erectile Dysfunction, Farouk Boudou, Alaeddine Berkane, Amal Belakredar, Ahcene Keziz, Huda Alsaeedi, Brian A. Murray, Mikhael Bechelany, Ahmed Barhoum

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

This study evaluates bioactive phytochemicals from Algerian medicinal plants as potential phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) using an integrated in silico approach. A total of 76 compounds from 48 plant species were screened for drug-likeness using SwissADME. Overall, 72% of the compounds complied with Lipinski's Rule of Five, indicating favorable oral bioavailability, while toxicity prediction identified 29 non-toxic candidates. Molecular docking was validated by redocking the co-crystallized PDE5 ligand (RMSD = 0.264 Å). Ellagic acid (−9.4 kcal·mol⁻¹), rosmarinic acid (−9.2 kcal·mol⁻¹), salvinorin A (−9.2 kcal·mol⁻¹), and catechin (−9.0 kcal·mol …

Alignment Of The Planetary Health Diet With Pregnancy Dietary Guidelines: Insights From Two Cohorts, Aoife Davis, Sophie Callanan, Gillian A. Corbett, Eileen C. O’Brien, Alexander Douglass, Fionnuala M. Mcauliffe

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

The Planetary Health Diet (PHD) is a mostly plant-based diet that aims to optimise human health whilst minimising the environmental impact of food production. Limited data exists on whether the PHD fulfils key nutritional requirements during pregnancy. This research aimed to examine the PHD in early pregnancy and how it aligns with daily nutrient intake and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) dietary guidelines. Pregnant women (n=678) from two Irish cohorts (ROLO and MicrobeMom) were analysed. Dietary intakes in early pregnancy were determined using a 3-day food diary and used to calculate PHD Index (PHDI) scores. Women were dichotomised by the …

Challenges And Prospects Of Polymeric Biomaterials In Immune Engineering: A Review, Boyka Andonova Lilova, Desislav Dinev, Probal Basu

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Immune engineering is a vast and rapidly developing field with a strong focus on polymeric materials. The importance of these biomaterials in immune engineering revolves around their ability to provide bioactive molecules to the target site, which influences the immune system. Their functional performance depends on various structural and functional properties of the biomaterial, which are also influenced by the host immune microenvironment. This work focuses on the current state of the art, the attributes of polymer-based biomaterials, and their limitations in immune engineering applications. This review not only elaborates on the advantages of polymeric biomaterials in immune engineering but …

Editorial: Harnessing Of Soil Microbiome For Sustainable Agriculture: Harnessing Of Soil Microbiome For Sustainable Agriculture, Debasis Mitra, Marika Pellegrini, Leonard Koolman

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

No abstract provided.

Shining Light On Infection Control: Tio2–Graphene Hybrids As Next-Gen Germicidal Platforms, Mirela Petruta Suchea, Petronela Pascariu, Ioan Valentin Tudose, Maria Orfanou, George Kenanakis, Emmanouel Koudoumas, Stefan Bucur, Ryan Walden, Keerthi M. Nair, Christopher Golden, Mary Heneghan, Suresh C. Pillai, Finn Purcell-Milton, Declan Mccormack

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

The development of next-generation germicidal platforms is a critical response to rising microbial resistance and the global demand for sustainable disinfection technologies. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of hybrid materials based on pure and doped titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and graphene, focusing on their synergistic potential for enhanced germicidal applications. The paper begins with a brief overview of the structural, optical, and electronic properties of TiO₂ and graphene relevant to photocatalysis and antimicrobial activity. Recent advances in TiO₂ bandgap engineering-via doping and nanostructuring-are discussed in connection with improved UV and visible light–driven photocatalytic performance. In parallel, …

Orthokeratinized Odontogenic Cyst Of The Mandible - A Case Report, Hung-Pin Lin, Chun-Pin Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Investigating Sex Differences In The Regulation Of Conditioned Morphine Reward By Orexin, Farzana Akter Koly

Psychology Theses

Strong activation of the brain’s reward circuitry by morphine and morphine-associated cues drives the progression toward morphine abuse. Additionally, orexin neurons in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) are activated in response to cues paired with morphine reward. The orexin system, particularly the orexin-1 receptor (OX1R) regulates reward-seeking behavior through its activation. Despite the well-established role of orexins in reward-related behaviors, the specific contribution of OX1R in morphine-associated reward remains unclear. Furthermore, while sex differences in drug reward and reward-related behaviors are well documented, they remain unexplored in the regulation of morphine-associated reward by orexins. To address this gap, the present study …

Characterizing Gut Microbial Communities And Symbiont-Mediated Detoxification In Herbivorous Insects, Rachel C. Vargas

Biology Dissertations

Insect gut bacteria are vital contributors to host physiology, yet the broader prevalence and fitness implications of symbiont-mediated detoxification remain poorly understood. This thesis investigates these dynamics across three research chapters. Chapter 1 uses 16S rRNA sequencing to characterize how grasshopper gut microbial communities vary across species, dietary breadths, and gastrointestinal segments. Chapter 2 evaluates the detoxification capacity of over 150 bacterial isolates from diverse herbivores against the plant allelochemicals phenethyl isothiocyanate, rutin, and chlorogenic acid to determine if host dietary specialization predicts microbial metabolic ability. Finally, Chapter 3 employs fitness bioassays to test whether inoculating generalist herbivores with detoxifying …

The Bleeding Edge Of Misogyny: How Gender-Based Harassment And Infrastructural Neglect Shape Menstrual Distress, Mackenzie J. Miller

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Despite growing attention to menstrual health, organizational research has largely overlooked how workplace conditions shape menstrual experiences. Dominant perspectives frame menstruation as an individual issue that negatively affects work, neglecting how features of the work environment – such as gender-based harassment and access to menstrual-related infrastructure – contribute to menstrual distress. Addressing this gap, this dissertation adopts a bidirectional perspective, examining how social and material workplace conditions shape menstrual distress, defined as the extent to which menstrual symptoms interfere with daily functioning. Drawing on the transactional model of stress and objectification theory, I hypothesized that gender-based harassment would predict menstrual …

Data-Driven Methodologies For Mapping Cultural Heritage: The Case Of The National Coal Heritage Area, West Virginia, Usa, Hossain Mohammad Nahyan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objective of this dissertation was to develop a comprehensive, data-driven spatial framework for characterizing the complex cultural landscape of the National Coal Heritage Area (NCHA) in West Virginia. By transitioning away from traditional, heuristic spatial mapping, this research integrates advanced spatial statistics, machine learning, and GIS-based methodologies to objectively quantify the physical, visual, and cultural dimensions of the post-mining environment. The research is structured around three interconnected empirical studies, each addressing a specific scale of the Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) framework to support heritage conservation and sustainable spatial planning. The first paper focused on landform classification, developing an automated …

Navigating Family, Culture, And Well-Being: A Qualitative Study Of First-Generation Adult Children Of Middle Eastern Immigrants In The United States, Ramona Amely

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences of first-generation adult children of Middle Eastern immigrant parents/caregivers living in the United States. This was a phenomenological study with reflexive thematic analysis. Participants (N=10) were interviewed via Zoom, and transcripts were analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA). The results included four themes: (1) Migration Contact and Cultural Formation, (2) Bicultural Identity Development, (3) Family System Adaptation, and (4) Emotional Socialization and Psychological Impact. This study highlights how first-generation adult children of Middle Eastern immigrants navigate complex, interwoven processes of bicultural identity development, family adaptation, and emotional socialization shaped …

Low Energy Availability And Dietary Factors In High School Runners, Natalie E. Allik

All Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

LOW ENERGY AVAILABILITY AND DIETARY FACTORS IN HIGH SCHOOL RUNNERS

By

Natalie Elizabeth Allik

June 2026

Context: Low energy availability (LEA) is associated with adverse health and performance outcomes in athletes and may be particularly concerning during adolescence when growth and bone development are ongoing. Although inadequate carbohydrate (CHO) intake has been proposed as a contributor to LEA, limited research has examined this relationship in adolescent endurance athletes. Objective: To examine dietary intake, bone mineral density (BMD), and eating disorder (ED) risk in adolescent distance runners with and without LEA. Methods: Eighteen adolescent distance runners (15.7 ± 1.2 years; …