Digital Commons Network^™

The Strong Black Woman Schema, Wellness Outcomes, And Mental Health Interventions: An Integrative Systematic Review, Breanna Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Black women have a unique sociocultural and historical context that impacts their health. Research indicates that the Strong Black Woman schema (SBWS) can serve as a coping strategy for the specific array of stressors faced by Black women. The primary aim of this integrative systematic review was to explore the associations between Strong Black Woman schema and wellness/health outcomes, and to review the available or emerging SBWS-related interventions targeting wellness and mental health for Black women. This review posed the questions: (1) What health/wellness outcomes have been identified or hypothesized to be related to the SBWS? (2) What relationships between …

Differences In The Neurological Functioning Of Females And Males During The Human Sexual Response Cycle: A Quantitative Systematic Review, Zachary Larson

Theses and Dissertations

The psychology field recognizes differences between females and males. Yet, there is a lack of research examining neurobiological sex differences, and a sophisticated understanding of neurobiological contributors that explain these sex differences related to sexuality is lacking. An integrative systematic review of the literature examined differences in the neurological functioning between females and males during the human sexual response cycle (SRC). This study investigated sex differences and commonalities in regional neural activation during the four stages of the human SRC (i.e., excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution). The main result of this study is that the differences between females and males …

A Phenomenological Study Of Teachers' Perception Of Professional Development Sessions Focused On Artificial Intelligence: Utilizing The Tpack Framework To Address The Professional Development Needs Of Teachers, Xuanyi Chen

Theses and Dissertations

AI-enabled educational tools have great potential for enhancing learning and teaching, yet there is a notable lack of study on AI-focused professional development for K-12 teachers. This phenomenological study employed the TPACK framework to examine teachers' incorporation of AI and engagement in professional development activities. The use of a social constructivism framework explored teachers' views on knowledge, learning, and motivation. Data were collected from 12 K-12 teachers across various districts in a large metropolitan area who attended AI professional development sessions in their own context and from that experience created AI artifacts. Primary data included (a) semistructured interviews, (b) professional …

Best Practices For Coaching Secondary School Teachers To Provide Social And Emotional Learning Support To Students, Vailet Yarijanian

Theses and Dissertations

Consequential to the COVID-19 global pandemic, widespread school closures ensued, profoundly affecting secondary school students' academic, social, and psychological well-being. Simultaneously, the academic year of 2020-2021 witnessed a notable surge in the departure of public school teachers, with nearly half opting to resign. This exodus was primarily attributed to the heightened stress associated with virtual instruction and the inadequate provision of mental health resources for educators and students. This dissertation sought to elucidate best practices for instructional coaches collaborating with secondary school teachers to develop a comprehensive toolkit for instilling social and emotional learning competencies within classroom environments. The contagious …

The Ethics Of Brain-Machine Interfaces, Devon J. Lynn

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Brain Machine Interfaces (BMI) are a rapidly developing technology that raise unique ethical issues that demand review. They have demonstrated impressive restorative potential, particularly for individuals living with epilepsy, and those who are locked in. Although BMIs have the potential to provide significant benefit to millions of users, further advancement of the technology should proceed cautiously, according to the guidelines outlined in this paper. Failure to adhere to ethical guidelines could lead to severe privacy concerns, and would violate moral principles of beneficence, virtue ethics, care ethics, and utilitarianism. Despite the moral risks, BMIs hold promise for reshaping future healthcare …

Spatial Distribution And Significance Of Burdens To Environmental Justice In Parramore, Florida: An Urban Resilience Perspective, Lex Tracton

Honors Undergraduate Theses

In response to climate change, economic instability, and rapid urbanization, the notion of urban resilience has gained prominence in city planning and governance. Urban resilience is the ability of a system to adapt to new baseline conditions developing as a result of disturbances. This study is focused on one of urban resilience’s sub-tenets, ecological resilience. Ecological resilience is the ability of a system to sustain ecosystem services following a disturbance (i.e. droughts, flooding, heat waves). The health of the environment prior to a disturbance informs post-disturbance ecological resilience. An already stressed and unbalanced system, or an ecosystem with degraded health, …

Madness As Epistemic Advantage: The Relevance Of Standpoint Epistemology To The Evolution Of Mental Health Care, Aven E. Kazmier

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The intent of this thesis is to examine the potential epistemic advantage possessed by those with lived experience of mental illness. The frequent lack of conceptual alignment between the perspectives of individuals with lived experience and the biomedical model of mental illness has often resulted in epistemic injustice—lived experiential knowledge tends to be devalued and excluded from larger discussions about mental health. I propose that by occupying a marginalized social location and critically engaging with one’s social position, psychopathologized individuals may achieve a standpoint that allows a deeper comprehension of the systems of power that affect the mental health care …

Linguistic Gender Differences In English Among Saudi Medical Students In Online Courses, Ala Mohammed Alshahrani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research explores gender differences in language use among Saudi medical students in online courses. Employing purposive sampling, the study, aims to comprehend the influence of gender on language patterns and communication styles in online education. Data collection involves online interviews with five teachers and survey questionnaires administered to twenty actively enrolled Saudi medical students. The interviews provide insights into language use patterns in the online learning environment, while surveys offer a broader perspective on student language use. Thematic analysis unveils recurring themes: “courses developed,” “reasons for online courses,” “interaction among male and female students in online courses,” “comfort …

Elucidating The Mechanisms Of Myosin Ii Force Feedback And Coordination In Actomyosin Ensembles, Omayma Alazzam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation delves into the dynamics of myosin II motors within actomyosin networks, emphasizing their crucial role in muscle functionality and the broader implications for cardiovascular health. Given the critical involvement of myosin II in conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and heart failure, this research presented here is important for understanding such diseases at the molecular level. Through the use of fluorescence microscopy and optical tweezers, the study reveals novel insights into how myosin II generates force and coordinates within myosin ensembles—a key to grasping the mechanics of muscle contraction. Specifically, this work aimed to unravel the mechanisms of …

Effects Of Music-Induced Arousal On Spatial Cognition, April Marie Joyner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Arousal is known to influence the manner in which spatial stimuli are processed and remembered. Although music is considered a spatial stimulus, the relationship between music-induced arousal through music listening and spatial ability remains understudied. This study was designed to determine whether arousal induced by musical stimuli differentially impacts memory performance on a map learning task created to measure spatial memory. Participants were exposed to two different pieces of music selected to induce either high or low arousal or were exposed to a control condition in which music was not presented. Participants listened to music or completed multiplication problems prior …

Effects Of Multiple Stressors On Pseudomonas Fluorescens Over Short And Long Timescales, Parisa Burchfield

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Stressors are ubiquitous factors in biological systems that result in deviations from an organism's optimal physiological state, potentially causing fitness decreases. Stressors can be biotic (e.g., predators, parasites, competitors) or abiotic (e.g., pH changes, temperature, environmental toxins). Persistent stress can lead to population declines unless organisms respond through mechanisms such as evolutionary adaptation. Experimental evolution with microorganisms, particularly bacteria, is a powerful method for studying these phenomena due to their short generation times, large populations, as well as the ability to control their environment, and freeze and revive populations. Bacteria-phage systems, such as Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 and its lytic phage …

Water Insecurity In K-12 Schools In The U.S.: Understanding State Laws, Drinking Water Violations, And Lived Experiences, Shannon O'Donnell Fitzgerald

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Access to safe, reliable drinking water is essential for children's health, development, and academic success. This study examines water insecurity in U.S. K-12 schools, focusing on state policies, county-level violations, associated outcomes, and school staff experiences.

Methods: This mixed-methods study utilized secondary data analysis, mapping, regression analyses, and primary data collection. Secondary data from state sources were used to examine the presence of state legislation and Department of Education and Department of Health policies on school drinking water across the United States, examine associations between state legislation and policies with county drinking water violations, and investigate relationships between water …

Glycopolymeric Nanoparticles Enrich Less Immunogenic Protein Corona And Improve Tumor Delivery Compared To Pegylated Nanoparticles, Kenneth Ryan Hulugalla

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nanoparticles (NPs) offer significant promise as drug delivery vehicles; however, their in vivo efficacy is often hindered by the formation of a protein corona (PC), which influences key physiological responses such as blood circulation time, biodistribution, cellular uptake, and intracellular localization. Understanding NP-PC interactions is crucial for optimizing NP design for biomedical applications. Traditional approaches have utilized hydrophilic polymer coatings like polyethylene glycol (PEG) to resist protein adsorption, but glycopolymer-coated nanoparticles have emerged as superior alternatives due to their biocompatibility and ability to reduce the adsorption of highly immunogenic proteins. In this study, we synthesized and characterized glycopolymer-based poly[2(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate-b-poly(methacrylamidoglucopyranose) …

Structural And Binding Studies Of Marine Glycans With Potential Therapeutic Use, Hoda Alsayed Mohamed Ahmed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a comprehensive analysis of various marine-derived polysaccharides, focusing on their structures and binding properties. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR), distinct marine polysaccharides were structurally characterized, and their interactions with various biological targets were evaluated. The initial study explores a glucan isolated from Marcia hiantina, a bivalve mollusk, and its biological activity. Detailed structural analysis via NMR and chromatography techniques revealed a branched glucose-based polysaccharide with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Further studies on the red alga Botryocladia occidentalis identified three sulfated galactans in its cell wall. Through NMR, we characterized the least …

Advancing College Access: A Correlational Inquiry On College Credit Attainment Among Low-Income High School Students, John Dixon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A college degree is vital for individuals to access lucrative, fulfilling careers. College access opportunities have existed for decades in K-12 education. In 2024, millions of high school students have access to advanced coursework, exposing them to college-level rigor with the potential to earn college credits (Jagesic et al., 2022). Students from historically marginalized communities do not participate in college courses in high schools at rates similar to White, affluent students. Furthermore, participation in these college opportunities does not always give students college credits. My quantitative, nonexperimental research study aimed to determine the extent of the relationship between the types …

A Longitudinal Study Of Mississippi’S Achievement Scores And School Ratings Based On Principal Preparation, Brittaney Boyd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The role of the principal is complex, and there are many ways principals might potentially influence classroom instruction and student learning (Allensworth & Hart, 2018). Over the last decade, the principal’s effectiveness has been evaluated based on student achievement.

The purpose of this quantitative study, A Longitudinal Study of Mississippi’s Achievement Scores and School Ratings Based on Principal Preparation is to determine whether a significant difference exists between Mississippi’s alternate and traditional route principal preparation graduates based on academic successes for the 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023 school terms, whether a significant difference exists among the different Institutions of Higher …

Applying Dynamics And Geophysical Methods To Hawaiian Volcanic Terrains And Lava Flows, Brody K. Conner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Presented here is the culmination of research spurred by a month-long field expedition to the windward side of the Big Island of Hawai’i during July and August 2023. During this expedition, two ground-penetrating radar units, a Mala GX 160 MHz antenna and a Crossover 1760 dual frequency antenna, were used to survey the basaltic, volcanic landscapes of Mauna Loa and Kīlauea. Post-eruptive digital elevation models of the Ahu’ailā’au (2018 Lower Puna) Eruption and Quantum Geographic Information Systems were used in tandem with GPR Insights software to provide a thorough picture of the surface and subsurface lava flows from Ahu’ailā’au. Using …

What Mediation Romantics Can Learn From The Model T (Or Maybe The Chevrolet Trax), Nancy A. Welsh

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

When mediation was reintroduced to the U.S. in the 1970s, it was infused with a democracy-and-self-determination-enhancing, social justice ethos. As the process has been very successfully institutionalized, however, these ambitions have been scaled backalthough, at least arguably, certain "mediative elements" have actually been adopted (or coopted) by other procedural innovations. Perhaps it is time for those of us frustrated with the evolution of mediation to reconcile ourselves to the reality and value of a "basic" model of mediation designed for the sole purpose of getting parties from dispute to settlement-in much the same way that the basic model of a …

Benzene Exposure In Reproductive Biology: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Placental Response And Molecular Mechanisms In Trophoblast Function, Anthony Maxwell

Wayne State University Dissertations

The increase in environmental challenges and exposure to pollutants like benzene poses pressing concerns for reproductive health. This dissertation investigates the impact of benzene exposure during gestation on placental function, a key determinant for fetal development and pregnancy outcomes. Our work establishes that benzene exposure during pregnancy induces maternal immune activation, leading to increased rates of fetal resorptions, compromised fetal growth, and abnormal placental development. Intriguingly, we identify a sexual dimorphic response in male and female placentas to benzene exposure, attributable to inherent differences between male and female placental biology. On a molecular level, benzene is metabolized into hydroquinone in …

Development Of Advanced Multi-Nozzle Multi-Material 3d Printing, Mohammed Al Ali

Wayne State University Dissertations

Extrusion-based 3D printing methods, such as Direct Ink Writing, are extensively utilized across sectors like biomedical, energy, and electronics, employing a diverse range of materials. However, the lengthy printing times associated with single-nozzle systems limit their application in complex mass production and rapid prototyping. While multi-nozzle systems have attempted to address this issue, they often result in costly, and bulky setups with limited material options. This research introduces a novel multi-nozzle multi-material system that allows for simultaneous 3D printing using bent nozzles. The system is cost-effective, simple in design, and capable of printing a wide range of materials. Its universal …

Natural Selection On Feralization Genes Contributed To The Invasive Spread Of Wild Pigs Throughout The United States, Niek W. G. Barmentlo, Patrick G. Meirmans, William H. Stiver, Joseph G. Yarkovich, Blake E. Mccann, Antoinette J. Piaggio, Dominic Wright, Timothy J. Smyser, Mirte Bosse

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Despite a long presence in the contiguous United States (US), the distribution of invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa × domesticus) has expanded rapidly since the 1980s, suggesting a more recent evolutionary shift towards greater invasiveness. Contemporary populations of wild pigs represent exoferal hybrid descendants of domestic pigs and European wild boar, with such hybridization expected to enrich genetic diversity and increase the adaptive potential of populations. Our objective was to characterize how genetic enrichment through hybridization increases the invasiveness of populations by identifying signals of selection and the ancestral origins of selected loci. Our study focused on invasive …

Influence Of Habitat And Baiting Strategy On Oral Rabies Vaccine Bait Uptake By Raccoons In The Southeastern United States, Jacob E. Hill, Madison L. Miller, Richard B. Chipman, Amy T. Gilbert, James C. Beasley, Guha Dharmarajan, Olin E. Rhodea

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

terrestrial wildlife species. However, there is currently a limited understanding of how different baiting strategies influence raccoon (Procyon lotor) uptake of ORV baits in non-agricultural habitats in the Southeastern United States, which may hinder the refinement of ORV management for raccoons in this region. Using a combination of new and existing data, we investigated the role of baited area (0.16 vs 3 km²), bait density (75 versus 150 baits/km²) and season (spring versus fall) on placebo ORV bait uptake by raccoons in four rural, non-agricultural habitats in the southeastern United States (bottomland hardwood forest, …

Prevalence Of Avian Influenza Virus In Atypical Wild Birds Host Groups During An Outbreak Of Highly Pathogenic Strain Ea/Am H5n1, Jourdan M. Ringenberg, Kelsey Weir, Lee Humberg, Carl Voglewede, Mitch Oswald, J. Jeffrey Root, Krista Dilione, Even Casey, Michael Milleson, Timothy Linder, Juliann Lenoch

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The global outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Eurasian lineage goose/Guangdong clade 2.3.4.4b virus that was detected in North America in 2021 is the largest in history and has significantly impacted wild bird populations and domestic poultry across the continent. Synanthropic birds may play an important role in transmitting the virus laterally to other wild bird species and domestic poultry. Understanding the dynamics of HPAI in atypical, or nonreservoir, wild bird hosts may help inform management decisions and potential risk factors to both wild and domestic bird populations. Following the confirmation of infections of HPAI H5N1 in domestic …

Evaluation Of Mitigation Translocation As A Management Tool To Reduce Conflicts Between Humans And American Kestrels, Brian E. Washburn

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Raptor‐aircraft collisions (bird strikes) pose a serious safety risk to civil aircraft. Even smaller raptors, such as American kestrels (Falco sparverius), can be problematic within airport environments. Given widespread declines in kestrel populations, public interest, logistical and financial constraints, and other factors, managing kestrels at airports presents some unique challenges. I conducted a study to determine which biological (e.g., age and sex of the bird) and logistical factors (e.g., month and translocation distance) might influence the return of American kestrels live‐captured and translocated from 42 civil airports and military airbases within the contiguous USA during 2016–2021. American kestrels …

Discovery Of A Novel Invasive Rodent Species On Wake Atoll With A Desert Southwest Usa Origin, Antoinette J. Piaggio, Eric Lanners, Daniel R. Taylor, Aaron B. Shiels, Marjorie Matocq, John Eisemann

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Invasive species, particularly omnivorous rodents, have damaged island ecosystems around the world. The unique flora and fauna of island systems have typically not evolved with omnivorous rodents and are heavily impacted by their introduction. Wake Atoll of the southern Pacific Ocean is a 707-hectare coral island complex of three islands managed by the United States Department of Defense (DoD). DoD restricts civilian access to the atoll but aircraft and seacraft regularly visit the island to transport military equipment and to sustain the year-round military and contractor personnel stationed on the atoll. Wake Atoll had been invaded by Rattus rattus complex …

Efficacy Of Gonacon Fertility Control Against Prairie Dogs And Potential For Uses On Other Rodent Species, Aaron B. Shiels, Emily W. Ruell, Jason E. Bruemmer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Use of a contraceptive (i.e., fertility control) is attractive for rodent management where lethal control is unwanted. Although population reduction is generally unachievable with small-scale, short-term contraceptive use, reduced juvenile recruitment is achievable. The injectable immunocontraceptive vaccine GonaCon (active ingredient: gonadotropin releasing hormone [GnRH]) was registered in 2022 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for controlling fertility of female prairie dogs (Cynomys, a type of ground squirrel) in urban/suburban settings. Here we: 1) describe past research, including a replicated field study in Colorado (GonaCon treatment vs. control sites) testing efficacy of GonaCon in prairie dogs, which …

Agricultural And Ecological Resources Safeguarded By The Prevention Of Wild Pig Population Expansion, Colin Jareb, Kim M. Pepin, Ryan S. Miller, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Sophie C. Mckee

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are one of the most destructive invasive species in the United States, known for causing extensive damage to agricultural commodities, natural resources, and property, and for transmitting diseases to livestock. Following the establishment of the National Feral Swine Damage Management Program (NFSDMP) in 2014, the expansion of wild pig populations has been successfully slowed. This paper combines two modeling approaches across eight separate models to characterize the expansion of wild pig populations in the absence of intervention by the NFSDMP and forecasts the value of a subset of resources safeguarded from the threat of …

Proceedings Of The Ninth Annual Indiana Stem Education Conference: Resourcing Stem Education, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan, S. Selcen Guzey

Indiana STEM Education Conference

The Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Indiana STEM Education Conference are edited by the Center for Advancing the Teaching and Learning of STEM (CATALYST, https://www.education.purdue.edu/catalyst/) at Purdue University. The theme for the 2024 conference is Resourcing STEM Education. This year’s Indiana STEM Education Conference provides opportunities to learn about effective STEM education strategies, curriculum, and resources to engage students in integrated STEM learning opportunities and address the recently updated Indiana Academic Standards for Science and Computer Science, Indiana Academic Standards for Mathematics, and Indiana Academic Standards for Integrated STEM (https://www.in.gov/doe/students/indiana-academic-standards/).

Oral Rabies Vaccination Of Raccoons (Procyon Lotor) Across A Development Intensity Gradient In Burlington, Vermont, Usa, 2015–2017, Emily M. Beasley, Kathleen M. Nelson, Dennis Slate, Amy T. Gilbert, Frederick E. Pogmore, Richard B. Chipman, Amy J. Davis

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Management of the raccoon rabies virus variant in North America is conducted primarily using oral rabies vaccination (ORV). When a sufficient proportion of the population is vaccinated (60%), rabies transmission can be eliminated. To date, ORV programs have successfully controlled and eliminated raccoon rabies in rural areas, but there has been less success in urban areas. We studied the proportions of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies (RVNA) in a raccoon (Procyon lotor) population during a 3-year ORV trial in developed areas of Burlington, Vermont, United States. We used a modified N-mixture model to estimate raccoon abundance, RVNA seroprevalence, and …

Distribution And Prevalence Of Antibodies To Trichinella Spp. And Toxoplasma Gondii In Wild Pigs (Sus Scrofa) In The United States, Christopher A. Cleveland, Ellen Haynes, Katherine C. Callaghan, Alinde Fojtik, Sarah Coker, Emily Doub, Vienna R. Brown, Ania A. Majewska, Michael J. Yabsley

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are a reservoir for over 100 viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens that are transmissible to humans, livestock, domestic animals, and wildlife in North America. Numerous historical local surveys and results from a nation-wide survey (2006–2010) indicated that wild pigs in the United States act as reservoirs for Trichinella spp. and Toxoplasma gondii, two zoonotic pathogens of importance for human and animal health. Since that time, wild pig populations have expanded and increased in density in many areas. Population expansion of wild pigs creates opportunities for the introduction of pathogens to new areas …