Digital Commons Network^™

Development And Evaluation Of The Sex Positivity Inventory For Counselors, M. Ashley Burks, Jennifer Gerlach, Joshua C. Watson

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

The purpose of the study was to clarify the definition of sex positivity and identify sex-positive attitudes, knowledge, and skills through the development and evaluation of the Sex Positivity Inventory for Counselors (SPI-C). The exploratory factor analysis supported a six-factor, 34-item scale, accounting for 32.9% of the variance within the study. The SPI-C had an excellent internal consistency of 0.96 and consisted of the following factors: 1) Procedural Sex Positivity, 2) Comfortability with Sexuality, 3) Perceived Sex Positivity, 4) Fundamental Sex Education, 5) Sexological Worldview, and 6) Unconditional Positive Sexual Regard. Implications for practice, counselor education, and supervision are discussed.

A (Mini) Mathematics Research Experience In A Math Teachers’ Circle Session, Michelle Manes, Linda Venenciano, Seanyelle Yagi

Journal of Math Circles

We describe a single Math Teachers’ Circle session during which a group of teachers collectively engaged in a “mini mathematics research experience.” This provides a model for providing research experiences for mathematics teachers through content-based professional development programs. We conjecture that these experiences will have many of the same benefits as research experiences for teachers in lab sciences.

From Collision To Coexistence: Data-Driven Approaches To Reducing Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Intakes, Alice Anastos

Honors Projects

This project investigates the primary anthropogenic drivers of wildlife admissions at Lake Erie Nature and Science Center using a quantitative analysis of 10,172 intake records from the WILD-ONe database. Window collisions were by far the leading cause of admission, accounting for 54% of all intakes. Orphaning represented 12%, followed by vehicle collisions (5%) and domestic cat attacks (4%). By integrating findings from current wildlife rehabilitation research, this study identifies evidence-based strategies, such as bird-safe window treatments, public education on natural animal behavior, and targeted urban planning, that can substantially reduce preventable injuries. These results underscore the need for context-specific outreach …

Signal Processing Of Ecologically Significant Signals For Transient Bedload Characterization, Nathan R. Sjullie, Quinn B. Morgan, David Burnett

PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal

When rivers achieve a great enough flow rate, sediment along their riverbed becomes mobilized and transported downstream. This process is known as bedload transport. As bedload transport initiates, micro-collisions of various sediments and gravel generate underwater acoustic signals that can be detected by hydrophones. While there is extensive research on underwater acoustic theory and surrogate methods for monitoring bedload transport, there is a lack of heuristic work that analyzes collected bedload samples in conjunction with underwater acoustic recordings. The aim of this work is to complete an analysis on collected bedload samples and the simultaneous underwater acoustic recordings via signal …

The Role Of Sustainability In Family And Consumer Science Curricula, Emily Hill

Honors Theses

As climate change intensifies and global food systems face growing environmental pressures, there is an increasing need to prepare younger generations to respond to these challenges. Sustainability education is increasingly recognized as essential for helping students understand the connection between human actions, environmental resilience, and their overall well-being. This form of education already has a foundation in the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) curriculum. This study examines the effects of integrating sustainability lessons into secondary Family and Consumer Sciences food and nutrition courses in a rural Michigan high school. It was hypothesized that if students participate in sustainability presentations and …

Periodontal Precision: Diagnostic Skills And Confidence Of Dentists In Asian Countries In Applying The 2017 Efp/Aap Periodontal Disease Classification- A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study, Kamran Ali, Priti Charde, Daniel Zahra, Ewen Mccoll, Tayeb Al Hadeethi, Nader Hamdan

Peninsula Dental School

Background: The classification of periodontal disease published in 2017 by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) and American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), provides a framework for diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic skills and self-perceived confidence of dentists and dental students based in Asian countries in the use of this classification. Methods: A cross-sectional analytic study design was employed. An online questionnaire encompassing four periodontitis cases was used for data collection. A total of 500 participants were invited to provide a diagnosis and rate their confidence for each case. Results: Responses were provided …

Environmental Risk Assessment Of Textile Waste From Bio-Engineered Fibers In The Fashion Industry, Aayush Pankaj Agarwal, Harshit Soral, Irmak Aktan, Karol Montserrat Gonzalez Saad, Maria Daniela Saa Espinosa, Sheetal Suhas Dhanuka, Yi Yang

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

The global fashion industry generates over 92 million tons of textile waste annually, a figure projected to increase significantly by 2030. Bio-engineered fibers, including bacterial cellulose, mycelium-based leather, and recombinant protein textiles emerge as sustainable alternatives to conventional fibers. Despite their promise, recent evidence suggests that these fibers may pose environmental risks at the end-of-life stage, such as incomplete biodegradation in landfills, microfiber shedding, and chemical leaching from dyes and coatings. The purpose of this study is to examine how these risks are represented through scientific literature, corporate sustainability reports, and policy frameworks, and to identify strategies for integrating risk …

Influence Of Lunar Light On Vertical Distributions Of Myctophid, Hygophum Taaningi, Meta Hughes

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Hygophum taaningi (Myctophidae) likely undertakes lunar vertical migration (LVM), an asynchronous migration, but there is a lack of literature supporting this behavior in the northern Gulf of Mexico basin. The aim of this study was to assess how effective modeled lunar phase and lunar light intensity are at predicting standardized counts of H. taaningi in the northern Gulf. The R package moonlit was used to provide retroactive calculations of lunar phase and lunar light intensity for standardized count data from the Offshore Nekton Sampling and Analysis Program (ONSAP). A generalized additive model (GAM) was used to investigate the relationship between …

Welcoming Spaces: Parent Leadership And Early Literacy As Community-Based Co-Regulation Supports, Lauren S. Dake

Masters Projects

Many young children exhibit challenging behavior in early childhood settings, often as a response to high levels of stress in their home and community environments. This applied master’s project presents Welcoming Spaces, a parent-led initiative developed to support children’s emotional development, caregiver well-being, and early literacy through informal, community-based experiences. In response to concerns about rising dysregulation and reduced access to supportive environments, the project offers portable play areas hosted by parents at events such as school functions, library gatherings, and local festivals. These spaces include calming sensory activities and opportunities for shared reading, while also providing caregivers with …

Evaluating Remotely Sensed Spectral Indices To Quantify Seagrass In Support Of Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management In A Marine Protected Area Of Western Australia, Nick Konzewitsch, Lara Mist, Scott N. Evans

Fisheries Research Articles

Highlights

• Four spectral indices were identified as important for the quantification of seagrass within and adjacent to the MSC-certified Western Australia Enhanced Greenlip Abalone Fishery. The Normalised Difference Aquatic Vegetation Index (NDAVI) and Depth Invariant Index of the blue and green bands were the most important indices.
• Similar seagrass cover and distribution were observed inside and outside of the fishery area of operation.

• The use of indices from free satellite products via Google Earth Engine workflows and automatic image annotation provides a rapidly repeatable method to support …

U-Glide Program Fall 2025, Unf Office Of Undergraduate Research, Unf Graduate School

Undergraduate – Graduate Learning, Inquiry, and Distinctive Experimentation (U-GLIDE) Symposium Programs

No abstract provided.

A Literture Review Of Relative Pose Estimation Using Visual Data, Jamie Jarut Roberson

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Outcomes After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction And Repair In Nonthrowing Athletes, William L. Johns, Neel K. Patel, Benjamin Miltenberg, Ryan W. Paul, Adeeb J. Hanna, Michael C. Ciccotti, Steven B. Cohen, Michael G. Ciccotti, Christopher C. Dodson

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Surgical management of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears in nonthrowing athletes is less commonly performed, and the outcomes of that management have not been thoroughly described.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical outcomes of surgical management of UCL injury in nonthrowing athletes.

STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on all patients who underwent UCL reconstruction or repair across a 10-year period (2010-2020), with nonthrowing athletes who had >2-year follow-up being specifically identified. Demographic variables such as age, sport participation, concomitant procedures, and graft type, as well as postoperative outcomes such as complications, …

Sharks On The Move: Investigating The Link Between Climate Change And Rising Shark-Human Encounters, Keira E.B. Blakey

USF St. Petersburg campus Honors Program Theses (Undergraduate)

Sharks have long captivated the public imagination, evoking fascination and fear through enduring myths and media portrayals of negative interactions with humans. In recent years, an increase in shark sightings and attacks along the U.S. coastline has prompted scientific inquiry and public concern. This literature review explores the relationship between rising global temperatures and the frequency of shark attacks, focusing on how climate change affects shark behavior, migration patterns, and habitat distribution. Sharks move into warmer waters as ocean temperatures rise, altering migration routes and prolonging active seasons. This increases the likelihood of shark-human encounters, particularly in coastal regions that …

Biodiversity Performance Of Living Wall Systems In Urban Environments: A Uk Case Study Of Plant Selection And Substrate Effects On Multi-Taxa Communities, Paul Henry Lunt, James Buckley, Suzanne Mitchell, Gabriel Thomas, Elek Churella, Thomas Richard Murphy

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Urban densification threatens biodiversity, yet conventional greenspace expansion is constrained by limited land availability. Living wall systems (LWS) offer potential biodiversity enhancement through vertical green infrastructure, though their ecological value remains underexplored. This study evaluated the biodiversity performance of three LWS in Plymouth, UK, using multi-taxa surveys to assess invertebrate communities, bird assemblages, and bat activity. A scoping review of 2638 publications revealed limited research on LWS biodiversity, with only 27% of biodiversity-focused papers referencing specific species. Field surveys employed standardised protocols including flower-visiting pollinator observations, spider assessments, soil invertebrate extraction using Tullgren funnels, acoustic bird monitoring, and bat emergence …

Unveiling The Genomic Blueprint Of Two Pantoea Agglomerans Phages: Lia And Yaegar As Emerging Members Of The Chaseviridae Family, Leslie M. Ewool

Theses and Dissertations

Bacteriophages represent an essential component of microbial ecosystems and a promising resource for biocontrol. This study presents a comprehensive comparative genomic and evolutionary characterization of two novel bacteriophages that infect Pantoea agglomerans, Lia and Yaegar, belonging to the Loessnervirus genus within the Chaseviridae family. Both Lia and Yaegar possess double-stranded DNA genomes of approximately 54 kb with 44.4% GC content and 82 predicted open reading frames (ORFs). Functional annotation revealed distinct modules for replication, structural assembly, and lysis, but no genes associated with lysogeny, antibiotic resistance, or virulence. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis indicated over 96% similarity between Lia, Yaegar, …

Pregnancy Intention And Maternal Morbidity In Oklahoma And Mississippi: A Moderation Analysis Of Abortion Restriction Policies, Vicki Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

More than half of all pregnancies are unintended (mistimed or unwanted), and women with unplanned pregnancies may face economic hardships for families and additional health consequences if they have pre-existing medical conditions. This quantitative study was conducted to examine the relationship between pregnancy intention levels and severe acute maternal morbidity, specifically chorioamnionitis, among women who gave birth in Oklahoma and Mississippi in 2022. Using secondary data (N=1939) from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System Automated Research Files and state-level abortion policy data from the Guttmacher Institute, this study employed Bronfenbrenner’s social ecological model framework to investigate the relationship between pregnancy …

Dinaciclib Improves Treatment Response In Chemoresistant Hepatoblastoma, Brian T Hickner, Andres F Espinoza, Rohit K Srivastava, Roma H Patel, Priyanka Rao, Nicholas A O'Brien, Kalyani R Patel, Andrew A Badachhape, Abhishek Kona, Dolores H López-Terrada, Sarah E Woodfield, Sanjeev A Vasudevan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Chemoresistant hepatoblastoma (HB) is associated with poor outcomes. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are potential therapeutic targets because of their critical role in cell growth and chemoresistance. To evaluate the efficacy of CDK inhibition, HB cell lines were treated with dinaciclib and evaluated with cytotoxic, cell-death reversal, and immunoblotting assays. A HB patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model was treated with placebo, vincristine + irinotecan (VI), dinaciclib, or VI + dinaciclib to evaluate tumor growth and response to therapy. We found that dinaciclib had a marked effect on HB cell viability, induced PARP cleavage, and decreased CDK9 protein expression in vitro. Overexpression of CDK9 …

Functional Vs Anatomical Cortico-Striatal Connectivity In The Macaque Brain, Wei Tang, Megan E Monko, Zoe Liu, Ana M G Manea, Fernando A Ortega, Damyan Hart, Jason Zhou, Jan Zimmermann, Sarah R Heilbronner

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The cerebral cortex provides the main input to the striatum, constituting the first step in cortico-basal ganglia loops. Decades of careful anatomical tract-tracing research have established the exquisite topography of each cortical region's projection to the striatum in nonhuman primates. In parallel, neuroimaging research has demonstrated the relationship between cortico-striatal resting-state functional connectivity and specific cognitive, behavioral, psychiatric, and neurological states in humans. However, still unclear is the extent to which functional connectivity recapitulates the specific topographies of cortico-striatal anatomical connectivity. Here, we combined datasets of cortico-striatal anatomical and functional connectivity in macaques to determine the degree of overlap between …

Increased Intermembrane Space [Ca2+] Drives Mitochondrial Structural Damage In Cpvt, Shanna Hamilton, Radmila Terentyeva, Roland Veress, Fruzsina Perger, Zuzana Nichtova, Mark Bannister, Jinxi Wang, Sage Quiggle, Rachel Battershell, Matthew Gorr, Sandor Györke, Bum-Rak Choi, Christopher George, Andriy Belevych, György Csordás, Dmitry Terentyev

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial dysfunction caused by abnormally high RyR2 (ryanodine receptor) activity is a common finding in cardiovascular diseases. Mechanisms linking RyR2 gain of function with mitochondrial remodeling remain elusive. We hypothesized that RyR2 hyperactivity in cardiac disease increases [Ca 2+ ] in the mitochondrial intermembrane space (IMS) and activates the Ca 2+ -sensitive protease calpain, driving remodeling of mitochondrial cristae architecture through cleavage of structural protein OPA1 (optic atrophy protein 1).

METHODS: We generated a highly arrhythmogenic rat model of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, induced by RyR2 gain-of-function mutation S2236L(Ser2336Leu)(+/-) . We created a new biosensor to measure IMS-[Ca2+ ] …

Instructional Designers’ Perceptions On Generative Ai Integration In Higher Education, Alison Mclaughlin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through this study is that the rapid evolution of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools has created challenges for online higher education instructional designers, who must evolve pedagogically and continually evaluate and refine the balance between the use of generative AI tools and human development. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of online higher education instructional designers on what challenges and successes they are experiencing in integrating rapidly evolving generative AI tools in course design and development, and how these experiences have shaped their current perceptions about teaching and learning. Guided by …

Behçet's Disease Unraveled: Insights Into Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, And Management, Mansour Alghamdi, Stephen Lindsey

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Behçet's disease is a rare and recurrent multisystem inflammatory disorder, primarily distinguished by systemic vasculitis that affects veins and arteries of various sizes. Clinically, Behçet's disease is characterized by the presence of recurrent oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions, and uveitis. The prevalence of this condition is significantly elevated along the historical Silk Road, particularly in Turkey; however, epidemiological data indicate variations across different regions and ethnic groups. The diagnosis of Behçet's disease is typically established during the third decade of life, with a more severe prognosis noted when the onset occurs before the age of 25. This review aims …

Human Evil (In The Weird), Lucas Ethridge

University Honors Theses

This paper examines a trending doom in speculative fiction: the post-human age. Many modern works have started to look past human civilization as humans surrender all hope and faith in a climate-doomed world. Honing in on core concepts in Weird fiction, this paper explores human merit through Old and New Weird. A good part spends time establishing the canon, looking at similar patterns across age, philosophy, war and genre. The chief question asks if humankind was ever worth saving.

Radiation-Induced Brachial Plexopathy: Current Understanding, Diagnosis, And Treatment Options, Alex G. Lambi, Tomas Holly, Ryan E. Tomlinson, Mary F. Barbe

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Radiation-induced brachial plexopathy (RIBP) is a gruesome complication of cancers treated with radiation therapy around the lung and chest wall, head and neck, and breast and axilla. It can occur in an early-onset (transient) or a late-onset (chronic) fashion. The diagnosis involves exclusion of a compressive neoplastic process, either new or recurrent, and relies largely on patient symptomatology without well-validated, objective scoring systems. Treatment options remain limited as no major advances have been made to prevent or halt disease progression. This article reviews the background incidence, pathophysiology, and diagnosis of RIBP. In addition to surgical treatment options, nonsurgical modalities, often …

Effect Of Various Lactobacillus Probiotic Strains On Oral Antihypertensive Drug Response: A Systematic Review, Khoirunnisa Ramadhani, Keri Lestari

Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Research

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and the effectiveness of antihypertensive therapy can be influenced by metabolic and systemic inflammatory factors associated with gut microbiota conditions. Probiotic strains from the genus Lactobacillus have been reported to modulate antihypertensive effects through complex biological mechanisms. This article evaluates experimental evidence from seven in vivo studies on the influence of Lactobacillus strains on the response to antihypertensive drugs, including pharmacodynamic mechanisms and drug–probiotic interactions. The combination of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum with amlodipine enhanced nitric oxide production, increased eNOS expression, reduced IL-6 levels, and improved drug bioavailability, leading to greater blood pressure …

Chemical Profile Of Earthworm Flour With Kasgot Media Enriched With Cow Blood And Date Pulp, Ikrima Ahdavia, Imra Atun Helmi, Hidayati Nufus, Muhammad Farid, Ahmad Sjahriza

Chimica et Natura Acta

Fish meal is used as an ideal protein source for feed with a high level of digestibility but its limited and costly. This study explores earthworm flour as an alternative protein source, cultivated in kasgot (maggot residue) media enriched with organic waste. The novelty of this research lies in using maggot residue as the living medium for earthworms, enhancing the nutritional value of the earthworm flour, making it more beneficial and suitable as an additive protein feed ingredient. The kasgot medium was formulated by mixing boiled cow blood with date pulp fermented with EM4 probiotics in three different ratios: 2:1 …

Heart-Centered Discernment In Leadership: Pope Francis’S Teachings In Dilexit Nos, Jessica Christie Ludescher Imanaka

Journal of Management for Global Sustainability

This paper articulates the central teachings of Pope Francis’s final encyclical, Dilexit Nos, and explains how these teachings can guide business leadership. Dilexit Nos offers spiritual guidance “on the human and divine love of the Heart of Jesus Christ.” This spiritual encyclical concludes with a reminder about the importance of the love of Christ for the work to which the social encyclicals Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti call us. Pope Leo XIV recently clarified the import of Dilexit Nos for our love for the poor in an apostolic exhortation, Dilexi Te, which Francis had been writing prior to his death. …

Urgent Radiotherapy For Superior Vena Cava Syndrome In Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report, Arpeet Patel, Nilanjan Haldar, Ida Micaily, Michael Greenberg, Evan Nardone, John A. Lippert, Christopher Fundakowski, Adam C. Mueller

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is a life-threatening complication of thoracic malignancies, requiring rapid management in the setting of airway compromise or hemodynamic instability. We present a 59-year-old male with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who developed superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) due to compression from a large mediastinal mass identified as metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. His declining respiratory status progressed rapidly, necessitating intensive care. After extensive multidisciplinary collaboration, the patient was determined fit for inpatient radiation therapy and 10 fractions of 300 cGy external beam radiotherapy to the obstructing lesion was planned. However, the patient was unable to lay …

Moderators Of A Mhealth Intervention For Adolescent Physical Activity: Intervention Refinement Study., Christopher C. Cushing, Adrian Ortega, David A. Fedele, Calissa J. Leslie-Miller, Jordan A. Carlson, Ann M. Davis, Joshua M. Smyth

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: An adaptive text messaging intervention to promote adolescent physical activity has demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy in a recent proof-of-concept study. To inform future intervention development, a secondary analysis of the data examined how physical activity is influenced by mood, environment, and physical feelings of energy and fatigue.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to understand how both macro- and microtemporal variables (eg, psychological and environmental variables at both levels) influence the efficacy of a brief mobile health intervention (ie, NUDGE) for physical activity.

METHODS: Using a matched control design, we evaluated the effect of daily positive and negative affect, …

Anti-Inflammatory Actions Of Trigonella Foenum-Graecum L. In Acute And Chronic Inflammation: Insights From Preclinical Studies, Angel Christella, Dzava P. F. Ismail, Eli Halimah

Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Research

Chronic inflammation is a major factor in various degenerative diseases. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is often the main choice, but long-term side effects such as gastrointestinal irritation and nephrotoxicity limit their use. Therefore, natural alternatives such as Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) have attracted attention due to their bioactive compound contents with anti-inflammatory properties. This narrative review was conducted through a systematic search of articles from the last 10 years in PubMed and Scopus. Keywords used a combination of MeSH and free terms related to fenugreek and anti-inflammatory agents. In vitro and in vivo studies evaluating the anti-inflammatory effects …