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How Pentecostals Living In The United States Experience, Interpret, And Respond To Depression, Robert Mcbain

College of Theology and Ministry Dissertations, Projects, & Theses

The prevalence of depression in society underscores the need for awareness and support, particularly within Pentecostal communities, where depression remains underexplored. While studies suggest how the Christian context shapes depression, the literature lacks depth about the relationship between Pentecostalism and depression. This gap risks fostering misconceptions, marginalizing sufferers, and allowing dominant voices to impose stigmatizing interpretations that discourage external help and reinforce unrealistic norms. These repercussions emphasize the need to research the relationship between Pentecostalism and depression to address stigma, create supportive environments, and ensure that sufferers retain ownership of their mental health narratives. This dissertation contributes to this need …

Arden 2025, Elizabeth Woods, Maddie Ginter

The Arden

An amalgamation of creative student works. Items contained include, but are not limited to, art, photography, short stories, prose, poetry, and other avenues of creative composition.

Reproductive Costs In Female, Island-Dwelling Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Adamanteus), Emily R. Gray

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus; EDBs) are a declining species endemic to the Southeastern Coastal Plain. Reproduction is costly for females, which are ovoviviparous, slow to mature, reproduce infrequently, and are often emaciated after parturition. Yet, we have a limited understanding of the trade-offs associated with their reproductive biology. Thus, I had three objectives: 1) assess reproduction-associated water stress and determine how female EDBs respond to altered water budgets in situ (Chapter 1), 2) evaluate the interactive effects of body condition and rainfall on female hydration, with a special focus on musculature as a condition index (Chapter 1), …

Should Medical Assisted Suicide Be Legalised Worldwide? A Critical Examination Of Ethical Justifications And Challenges In Contemporary Healthcare, Eleanor Roy, Amir Arshia Emam Jomeh

Journal of Health Ethics

The legalisation of medical assisted suicide (MAS) is a complex ethical issue at the intersection of autonomy, non-maleficence, and justice. This paper critically examines whether MAS should be legalised worldwide, evaluating ethical justifications, regulatory challenges, and societal risks. A primary argument in favour of MAS is patient autonomy, allowing individuals to make informed end-of-life decisions, particularly in cases of terminal illness and intractable suffering. MAS is also framed as a harm-reduction strategy, preventing patients from resorting to unsafe methods of suicide.

However, ethical concerns regarding coercion, socioeconomic disparities, and the "slippery slope" effect present significant opposition. Case studies from jurisdictions …

2025-2026 Operating Budget, Morehead State University. Budget & Financial Planning Office.

Morehead State University Operating Budgets Archive

2025-2026 Operating Budget of Morehead State University.

Bigger Meristem, Higher Yield? The Roles Of Rel2 And Relk In Maize Meristem Function And Yield Enhancement, Janlo M. Robil, Thu M. Tran

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Measuring Spatial And Temporal Variation In Species Composition Of Ephemeral Pond Amphibian Assemblages Using Metabarcoding, Elizabeth Strasko

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Amphibian populations worldwide face severe threats, heightening the need for reliable monitoring methods. In this thesis, I explored and tested environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding protocols to survey amphibian assemblages in ephemeral ponds of the the Green River Preserve in central Kentucky, USA. First, I evaluated whether the commonly used mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene could effectively capture species-level variation in local amphibians for eDNA metabarcoding. Extensive primer design and testing revealed significant challenges in amplifying fragmented eDNA from water samples. In a second study, I applied a metabarcoding approach using the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA (12S) gene …

A Phylogeographic Study Of The Kentucky Endemic Cave Beetle Neaphaenops Tellkampfii Erichson (1844), Mahamad Miya

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Cave beetles are an excellent group to study evolutionary history and speciation by isolation within cave habitats. However, they are underrepresented in such studies, particularly in North America, one of the hotspots of cave biodiversity where beetles account for a significant proportion. The present research addresses this issue by focusing on the Kentucky endemic cave beetle, Neaphaenops tellkampfii, a species hypothesized to comprise four subspecies. Based on allozyme data, previous studies have noted high genetic variation within and high similarity among local populations of this beetle, suggesting complex evolutionary dynamics. In this regard, this study aims to elucidate the evolutionary …

Labor And Environment Entwined: A Radical Green New Deal And Just Transition In Applachia, Anne Marie Lofaso, Nicholas F. Stump

Faculty Articles and Other Publications

In this Article, Professor Lofaso and Professor Stump propose a genuinely transformative Green New Deal and Just Transition in Appalachia. The Article opens by tracing the long history of the Appalachian labor and environmental movements. Next, the Article interrogates the common contention that the Appalachian environmental and labor movements are opposed. While this contention has substantial truth, more complex forces have been at work in the region. Fossil fuel industry elites, for instance, have wielded exaggerated “jobs versus environment” rhetoric to maximize profits and quash emergent solidarities among local workers, residents, and activists.

This Article contends that a key solution …

Pushing Boundaries, Paula A. Monopoli

Faculty Scholarship

This essay was originally published in Balkinization as part of an online symposium and it is reprinted with permission. The essay engages with Julie Suk's book, After Misogyny: How the Law Fails Women and What to Do About It. It suggests that feminist legal scholars have been considering their intellectual options in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. In After Misogyny, Professor Suk offers a conceptual path forward in a post-Dobbs world. Suk’s trenchant analysis of the failure of law to render substantive gender equality and her …

One Horse Power: The Environmental Consequences Of Horseback Riding Trails In Protected Areas And National Parks, Briana Kupic

Hospitality Graduate Student Scholarship

Horseback riding is one of the traditional forms of recreation in national parks and protected areas, and can give visitors a special chance to explore these beautiful natural areas from a different perspective. However, the activity has raised concerns for its perceived effects on the environment. This paper synthesizes and reviews secondary literature on the environmental effects of horseback riding, and identifies four broad themes: disturbance to wildlife, degradation of water quality, loss of vegetation, and soil erosion. The evidence indicates that equines have the potential to inflict far greater trail damage and ecological impact than other trail participants, including …

Bailey Rodgers-Beth Balkite '65, Bailey Rodgers, Beth Balkite

Alumni Oral History Project

No abstract provided.

Mutations In The Pms1 Gene Associating With Ovarian Cancer, Elaine Vanterpool, Erin Hough

Student Posters

The female reproductive system contains two ovaries on each side of the uterus, producing eggs and hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Ovarian cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the ovaries grow and divide uncontrollably, destroying healthy body tissue. Common symptoms of ovarian cancer include weight loss, fatigue, discomfort in the pelvic area, or changes in bowel habits. The goal of this research is to understand and identify the pathogenicity of the PMS1 gene in ovarian cancer and factors associated specifically with the mutation.

The Influence Of Mef2c Variants On Autism Development, Elaine Vanterpool, Maya O’Reilly

Student Posters

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects how people communicate, interact, and behave, with about 1 in 54 children in the U.S. being diagnosed. This study looks at the MEF2C gene and its possible link to ASD.

Anxiety In College Students: The Impact Of An Educational Prevention Program, Jessica K. Pippin

DNP Projects

Anxiety affects millions of people in the United States. There is an increase in the numbers of college aged and young people with symptoms of anxiety. The signs and symptoms of anxiety can manifest itself in many ways. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing practice (DNP) project was to determine if college aged students were aware of the symptoms, causes, and coping mechanisms related to anxiety. Online and in person educational sessions were offered on the campus of Mississippi University for Women (MUW). The participants participated in a pretest before the educational material was offered. The posttest was used …

Providers' Perceptions On Early Alzheimer’S Screening In Patients With Metabolic Syndrome, Sharika James, Brittany Higgins, Kelli Stewart, Bernesha Mclemore, Jessica Koon

MSN Research Projects

The healthcare system currently lacks a standardized approach for screening and identifying potential links between hormonal fluctuations and Alzheimer’s in younger populations. This gap in guidelines leads to a primarily reactive rather than proactive stance, as screenings like the AD8 tool are often only considered in response to advanced symptoms or at older ages (Tolea & Galvin, 2013). The progression of early Alzheimer's disease is generally considered irreversible. This is due to the neurodegenerative nature of the condition, where damage to brain cells, particularly in areas related to memory and cognition, is progressive and cannot be undone. According to the …

The Impact Of Coral Degradation On Coastal Communities In Southeast Asia, Paige Smith

Ballard Brief

Coral reefs across the globe are in decline, but reefs in Southeast Asia are among some of the most threatened in the world. Climate change, triggered by fossil fuel emissions, raises sea water temperatures and lowers the ocean’s pH, contributing to coral bleaching and inhibiting coral growth. Local threats also particularly affect reefs in Southeast Asia, such as destructive fishing techniques and marine and inland sources of pollution. Coastal communities in Southeast Asia are especially vulnerable to the degradation of coral reefs due to economic reliance on these reefs and their proximity to them. Declining coral reefs can damage the …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of People With Adverse Childhood Experiences Who Have Graduated From College And Broken The Cycle Of Generational Poverty, Darlene Denmark-Brown

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as defined by Drs. Felitti and Anda are prevalent in the general population of the United States. These childhood traumas have a profound and lasting impact on emotional, psychological, and social development, often disrupting academic trajectories and life outcomes. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of six college graduates in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who endured high levels of ACEs yet succeeded in overcoming adversity to achieve academic and personal success. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and resilience theory (Garmezy & Streitman, 1974), semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine the effects of …

Winter 2025, Seattle University

Seattle University Magazine

No abstract provided.

Cold Case File: Gilgo Beach Murder, Julie Gallo

Spectrum

No abstract provided.

Does Digital Screen Exposure Have An Impact On The Ocular Health Of Children And Adolescents?, Hannah Brodt

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The increasing prevalence of digital screens among children and adolescents raises significant concerns regarding their ocular health. This paper reviews current evidence linking screen time to visual health issues, particularly myopia (nearsightedness), dry eye syndrome, and digital eye strain. Through a comprehensive literature review of observational studies, the analysis identifies a strong correlation between excessive screen time and the exacerbation of myopia and dry eye disease, particularly in younger populations. The findings highlight the importance of balanced screen time and suggest that early exposure to screens may significantly increase the risk of developing myopia. Further research is also recommended to …

Which Of The Environmental Aspects Affecting The Gut Microbiome Of The Neonate Has The Largest Lifelong Impact?, Roza Heershzon

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The development of new DNA sequencing techniques has led to new discoveries on the gut microbiome’s critical influence on metabolic processes and immune development. Therefore, understanding the most influential factors in the development of the gut microbiome during early infancy, which impacts the individual’s long-term health, is vital. This paper explores how environmental factors, including delivery method and nutrition, shape the gut microbiome’s devel- opment in early life. In addition, it discusses their long-term health implications. The paper highlights how the mode of delivery significantly affects initial microbial colonization. Vaginal births promote a microbial community that is rich in beneficial …

Risk Factors Of Covid-19 Mortality, Ellie Wolff

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

This paper investigates the relationship between key health demographics and COVID-19 mortality while focusing on identifying both physiological and genetic factors that contribute to variations in mortality rates. Specifically, it examines how pre-existing conditions—such as sex, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity—interact with COVID-19 pathophysiology to influence patient outcomes. While previous research has highlighted demographic disparities in hospital mortality rates, this study aims to establish a causal, mechanistic link between these health factors and COVID-19 severity. Methods to extract and analyze data included literature review using existing studies such as peer-reviewed articles and reports from PubMed, CDC, etc. By analyzing …

Impact Of Physical Intimate Partner Violence Victimization On Jamaican Women’S Mental Health: The Moderating Effects Of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Kerry A. Lee, Sharon Rose Priestley, Kevin K. Hylton

Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research Faculty Research and Scholarship

Purpose: Few studies have examined the relationship between IPV victimization and mental health outcomes and the moderating role of ACEs in this relationship among Jamaican women. Using trauma theory to undergird this study, we examined the relationship between physical IPV victimization and depressive symptoms and anxiety while accounting for the moderating effects of ACEs on these relationships among Jamaican women.

Methods: Univariate and ordinary least squares regression (OLS) analyses were performed using data from the 2016 National Women’s Health Survey, a nationally representative sample of Jamaican women aged 15 to 64.

Results: Experience of physical IPV victimization was found …

Evaluating Distractions Of Undergraduate Students During Guided And Unguided Study Sessions, Roni Peleg

Masters Theses

In this study, we explore an intervention strategy aimed at decreasing distractions while studying. The participant was a third-year undergraduate psychology student with a concentration in neuroscience who did not have a personal structured study system. The researcher measured the percent of intervals in which a distraction occurred using interval recording during baseline and intervention phases. During the intervention phase, the participant was introduced to the productivity method referred to as the Pomodoro Ⓡ Technique. Using a reversal design, data were analyzed based on levels of distraction during baseline and intervention phases. The goal of this study was to evaluate …

Factors Associated With Std Hospital Admissions In South Carolina Hospitals (2020-2024), Darrell Holmes, Dennis Besong

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Transformative Experiences, Anticipatory Regret, And Informed Consent, Elizabeth Lanphier, Shannon Fyfe

Scholarly Articles

Regret risk is not consistently part of information sharing within informed consent. Yet two kinds of decisions that often invoke concerns about future regret, abortion and sterilization, raise considerations for the role of regret in clinical decision-making and informed consent, particularly regarding decisions about potentially transformative experiences. We distinguish between first-personal and second-personal anticipatory regret and argue that first-personal anticipatory regret can play a productive role, but second-personal anticipatory regret can function in ways that are pernicious. Introducing second-personal anticipatory regret into medical informed consent processes is, we argue, not only not required for informed medical decision-making, but impermissible within …

State Legislatures And Trans* Genocide (?) In The United States, Shannon Fyfe

Scholarly Articles

Certain state legislatures in the United States have targeted trans* people and other members of the queer community through an onslaught of legislative efforts since early 2020. Many of these efforts have targeted trans* youth specifically, by banning or limiting their access to gender-affirming care. As I have shown, gender-affirming care is necessary health care for trans* youth and is crucial for their mental and physical health and well-being. Some have argued that these legislative efforts targeting trans* youth are genocidal, that they are intentionally aimed at destroying the trans* community. I agree that the harm experienced by the trans* …

Persistent Symptoms In Endoscopic Remission: Social Determinants & Non-Medical Interventions In Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Hang Phuong Nguyen

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) are chronic gastrointestinal disorders, namely Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), affecting ~1.6 million people in the U.S. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding may persist even when endoscopic and histologic findings appear normal (i.e., endoscopic-histologic remission). However, the prevalence of GI symptoms despite endoscopic-histologic mucosal healing remains unclear. Additionally, there is limited research on the impact of non-clinical factors, such as social determinants of health (SDOH), on persistent GI symptoms in patients with endoscopic remission. SDOH refers to conditions in environments—including, but not limited to, housing, transportation, neighborhoods, income, …

Website Accessibility Of Largest Health Insurers In Medicare Advantage Market, Alicia Stephan

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Website accessibility is essential to ensure equitable healthcare access, especially for individuals with disabilities. This study evaluated the accessibility of health insurance websites for the ten largest Medicare Advantage insurers by market share. Using three free, publicly available automated accessibility checkers—WAVE, Axe-Core, and Skilltide—we systematically identified five URLs per insurer based on specific webpage keywords. These tools adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1 Level AA, the technical standard referenced in the most recent U.S. legislation.A total of 1,223 accessibility errors were identified across 50 webpages, with Skilltide detecting the most errors (588), followed by WAVE (502) …