Digital Commons Network^™

Pediatric Occupational Therapists’ Perception On How Nature-Based Play Affects Fine Motor Development, Abbi M. Rosenow

Human Development and Family Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study aimed to explore the benefits of nature-based pediatric occupational therapy and the influence of nature and nature-based play on fine motor development. It was hypothesized that nature and nature-based play would positively impact a child’s fine motor skills, and that nature-based occupational therapy would offer unique benefits to a child’s therapeutic experience. To examine these relationships, a survey was distributed to pediatric occupational therapists across the United States. The survey was designed to gather insights into how occupational therapy supports fine motor development, how nature-based play/therapy enhances these skills, and the perceived benefits of incorporating nature into therapeutic …

Visceral, Neural, And Immunotoxicity Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: A Mini Review, Pietro Martano, Samira Mahdi, Tong Zhou, Yasmin Barazandegan, Rebecca Iha, Hannah Do, Joel Burken, Paul Ki-Souk Nam, Qingbo Yang, Ruipu Mu

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have gained significant attention due to their widespread distribution in the environment and potential adverse health effects. While ingestion, especially through contaminated drinking water, is considered the primary route of human exposure, recent research suggests that other pathways, such as inhalation and dermal absorption, also play a significant role. This review provides a concise overview of the toxicological impacts of both legacy and emerging PFASs, such as GenX and perfluoro butane sulfonic acid (PFBS), with a particular focus on their effects on the liver, kidneys, and immune and nervous systems, based on findings from recent …

"I'Ll Leave The Back Porch Light On:" An Exploration Of The Legitimization Of Same-Gender Male Couple Members Through Marriage And Parenthood For Those With Adverse Coming Out Experiences, Devin S. Simpkins

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Reczek and Bosley-Smith (2022) identified several reasons why queer adult children reported feeling compelled to maintain relationships with their rejecting parents, and the strategies that they utilized to do so. The construct of legitimization exists within a heteronormative context, contributing to the theory that adherence to cis-heteronormative relational ideals allows same-gender couples to have a greater chance of being accepted by the dominant culture (Chevrette & Eguchi, 2020). Unintentional or deliberate aligning with idealized images of traditional (i.e., cisgender and heterosexual) couples or families is a means by which same-gender couples may seek this acceptance.

The present study sought to …

3,5-Dihydroxy-4-Isopropylstilbene (Tapinarof) Is A Partial Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Agonist In Fish, Conner A. Dicks

All Theses

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand activated transcription factor that is essential in regulating development, immune homeostasis, and drug and xenobiotic metabolism. Activation of the AHR by specific ligands results in its translocation to the nucleus where it induces a myriad of gene products, including cytochrome P450 (CYP) drug metabolizing enzymes (e.g., CYP1A1) and other components of the chemical defensome, as well as inflammatory control. Interestingly, the AHR can bind a wide variety of endogenous and xenobiotic ligands which are able to induce unique downstream effects dependent on cell type, inflammatory context, and ligand stability. The AHR is …

The Effect Of Strategic Awareness On Organizational Brilliance: An Analytical Research In Dhi Qar Oil Company, Sherouk Naeem Jabbar, Suheir Adel Hamed

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

The research deals with the impact of strategic awareness and its dimensions (Reframing, System Thinking, Reflecting, and Learning Orientation) on organizational Brilliance and its dimensions (Leadership Brilliance, Service Brilliance, and Knowledge Brilliance) of Dhi Qar Oil company. The research addresses the following question: “To what extent does strategic awareness affect the organizational brilliance of Dhi Qar Oil Company?”. The study followed the descriptive analytical approach to ensure the accuracy of the results and conclusions. The sample included the general manager and his assistants, directors of bodies, department managers, and division managers. Data were collected using a questionnaire distributed to 113 …

Examining The Correlation Between Special Education Eligibility And Socioeconomic Status In Rural Minnesota Public Schools, Lisa Schlosser

Education Doctorate Dissertations

The study examined the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and Special Education identification in rural Minnesota schools, focusing on Specific Learning Disabilities and Other Health Disabilities, to determine whether students from lower-income backgrounds are disproportionately identified for Special Education services. Data were collected from five rural Minnesota public schools, analyzing student-level demographic and eligibility data from the 2022–2023 school year. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and ratio calculations assessed the relationship between SES, indicated by free/reduced-price lunch eligibility, and Special Education identification rates. The results revealed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.84) between students qualifying for free/reduced-price lunch and …

Low Energy Ion Irradiation Effects In Electronic Devices And Materials, David C. Mccall

All Dissertations

The physics and engineering of ion-solid interactions are governed by the ion beam characteristics (flux, charge, energy) and target(s) in question. Here I present work on two projects related to the extraction of a high flux of low charge state Argon ions from a commercial plasma source and the irradiation of an engineered target, a transistor, with high charge state Argon ions.

An end-Hall ion source that produces a a high current plasma of ions and electrons in a rough vacuum environment is characterized. Using a Langmuir probe and multiple pressure measurements, the ion and electron content of the source …

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

Business Analytics Faculty Publications

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

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

Partition, Passport And The Documentary Life Of Belonging, Haimanti Roy

History Faculty Publications

As India and Pakistan emerged as two new nation-states after 1947, questions around nationality and citizenship animated official and public discourses. While there were constitutional and legal pronouncements to clarify these matters, this article suggests that particular documents governing mobility became central to how such issues were framed and understood. In particular, this article focuses on the Indian passport and similar documents of mobility control, such as the domicile certificate, permits, and so on, to examine how they worked singly and in conjunction to frame the documentary life of belonging. The article also focuses on particular mobile groups, Muslim minorities …

Right To Work Laws – The Effects On Unionization With A Theatrical Emphasis, Jade A. Randle

Political Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

A look at the impacts that right to work laws may have on theatrical unions.

Legislative Speech & Decorum, Sean J. Kealy

Buffalo Law Review

Decorum requires legislators to self-limit their free speech rights as citizens; things that may be said and done in the public square would violate legislative decorum rules. In 2023, two legislatures made headlines by using decorum rules to silence young legislators with minority views. In Tennessee, the House expelled two representatives after they walked into the House well and led protestors in the galleries in several chants demanding the House take up gun control legislation. In Montana, the House excluded a representative from the House Floor after she spoke against a bill to forbid minors access to gender affirming care. …

Whose Art Is It Anyway? Guidelines For Returning Cultural Property Removed Prior To World War Ii, Amy Bitterman

Buffalo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Regulating Algorithmic Accountability In Financial Advising: Rethinking The Sec’S Ai Proposal, Chen Wang

Buffalo Law Review

As artificial intelligence increasingly reshapes financial advising, the SEC has proposed new rules requiring brokerdealers and investment advisers to eliminate or neutralize conflicts of interest arising from AI use. This Article critically assesses the proposal’s scope, rationale, and feasibility, contending that its sweeping definitions and prescriptive mandates risk overregulation and conflict with the SEC’s longstanding disclosure-based regulatory approach. Drawing on case law, fiduciary duties, Regulation Best Interest, and existing antifraud provisions, this Article argues that the current legal framework, grounded in disclosure and informed consent, remains sufficient to manage AI related conflicts. It cautions against imposing categorical conflict elimination requirements …

Climbing Mount Laurel: Federal Land Use And Zoning Policy As The Bipartisan Solution To The Affordable Housing Crisis, Nina Stockman

Buffalo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Shale Investment Dashboard In Ohio Q1 And Q2 2024, Andrew R. Thomas, Mark Henning, Samuel Owusu-Agyemang

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

This report presents findings from an investigation into shale-related investment in Ohio, looking at up, mid, and downstream activities. The investment estimates are for January through June of 2024. The report also includes an estimate of cumulative investment into shale in Ohio from 2012 through June 2024. Prior biannual investments are included in previously posted reports that are available from Cleveland State University.

Comparative Analysis Of E-Government Adoption And Implementation In Selected Countries In Africa, The Americas, Europe, Asia, And Oceania., Anthony O. Emukah

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Alternative Therapeutics For Human Breast Cancer: Nutraceutical Underpinnings, In Vitro Metabolomic Profiling, Treatment Efficacy, And Contextual Ethical Implications, Aubrey A. Mattingly

All Dissertations

Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide, yet therapeutic equity is still lacking. Standard treatments including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and long-term hormone therapy. These approaches are often accompanied by significant side effects. While newer methods such as immunotherapy and targeted therapies have emerged, chemotherapy protocols and incorporation have remained largely unchanged in the past decades. In this context, nutraceuticals represent an alternative or adjuvant to therapy worthy of exploration. The reviewed literature highlights the anti-carcinogenic activity in selected nutraceuticals, marjoram, thyme and persimmon, considering their phytochemical constituents and secondary metabolites. Metabolomic profiling using the Biolog Phenotype Mammalian …

Coding Manual: Analyzing Semistructured Interview Data For Master Narratives, Jayson Seaman, Cindy Hartman, Andrew D. Coppens

Faculty Publications

This coding manual accompanies a methodological reorientation in narrative identity research, one that challenges the field’s prevailing “protagonist bias” — the assumption that first-person autobiographical accounts are the primary or most valid source for identifying cultural master narratives as psychological resources. While much psychological research has centered on how individuals narrate their own lives, this approach can obscure the ways that broader cultural narratives are circulated, reinforced, and contested through discourse beyond the self. This method provides researchers with a systematic approach for identifying how master narratives operate across multiple narrative levels, often outside of biographical storytelling.

Autonomous, Yet Anchored: Exploring The Interplay Of Self-Reliance And Personal Spirituality On Employee Outcomes, Alexander Schad

All Dissertations

The modern workplace increasingly requires employees to function autonomously while managing limited psychological resources, presenting a tension between the benefits of self-reliance and its potential costs to well-being. This dissertation examined how self-reliance simultaneously influences task persistence and emotional exhaustion, and explores whether personal spirituality moderates these relationships. Drawing on the Strength Model of Self-Control (SMSC), I develop and test a theoretical framework investigating the relationships between self-reliance, work overload, task persistence, emotional exhaustion, and workplace spirituality.

Through a time-lagged field study with 453 working professionals across three measurement waves, I found that self-reliance positively predicted task persistence, supporting the …

The Intersection Of Makeup And Recreation: A 21st Century Overview Of Makeup Participation And Its Recreational Benefits, Jason Morgan

All Dissertations

This dissertation critically reconceptualizes makeup participation as a legitimate, multidimensional form of recreation. Through a comprehensive rapid review using the SPIDER framework of 102 peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025, the research investigates whether and how makeup fulfills the psychological, affective, and symbolic criteria of meaningful leisure. Drawing on the Serious Leisure Perspective (SLP) and broader recreation theory, the study positions makeup not merely as aesthetic behavior or consumer habit, but as a sustained, emotionally generative practice embedded in identity, creativity, personal growth, and well-being.

Findings reveal that makeup is consistently linked to confidence-building, emotional regulation, self-expression, and psychological …

Validation Of Head Above And Head Submerged Hydrostatic Weighing Equations And Air Displacement Plethysmography, Axel M. Miller

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Traditional hydrostatic weighing (HW) involves full body submersion at residual volume (RV), which may be uncomfortable. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate a more comfortable way to perform this method. HW with the head above water (HW_HAW) was compared to the traditional method of HW with head below water (HW_HBW) and to another method that also measures density by displacement, air displacement plethysmography (ADP). Equivalence was tested by comparing the body fat percentage (BF%), body volume (Vb), and body density (Db) of 27 subjects (15 M, 12 F) between the three methods. Results …

Challenging The Gaze: A Feminist Interpretation Of The S.M.S. Mail Art Collection, Karissa A. Krievins

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

In the late 1960s, many people called for radical, immediate change to America’s political, societal, and cultural structures. The artistic practices of the time reflected the social and political realities of the moment and played a crucial role in advocating for change. The title of the 1968 S.M.S. (Shit Must Stop) subscription art portfolios was a bold and urgent call for action, challenging artists and audiences alike to confront the pressing injustices of the era and inspire a collective awakening to the necessity of transformative change across the United States. Despite a fifty-six-year gap, today we are …

Using Inquiry Classroom Experiences To Correct Student Misconceptions In Elementary Science: An Action Research Study, Hope A. Ellison

Master's Theses

Misconceptions in elementary science education can significantly hinder students' ability to construct accurate and lasting conceptual understandings. Grounded in the constructivist learning theory, this quasi-experimental study investigates how inquiry-based instruction influences the identification and correction of third-grade students’ misconceptions in science, specifically in the domains of energy, force, and matter. Using a pre- and post-test design, along with data derived from daily teacher field notes, the research was conducted with a sample of fifteen third-grade students at a public elementary school in Mississippi. The results, discussed in the methods section, revealed a statistically significant improvement in students’ conceptual understanding following …

Trust Across Difference In Radical Social Movement Organizations: The Case Of The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Kerstin Miller

Master's Theses

Social movement literature does not properly address trust between activists as a foundation of social movement organizations. This thesis aims to fill that gap by examining how trust within the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, a radical civil rights organization in the sixties, was built and broken over the course of the decade. I drew on first-hand accounts written by SNCC activists to find patterns in how they thought about trust building and trust breaking in their own organization. I found that trust was built primarily through sustained interaction between activists, and that trust in the organization led to activists being …

Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Studies Of Collagenase H Mutant, Colh-E416q, Madelyn Millsap

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Collagenase H (ColH) from Hathewaya histolytica plays a central role in collagen degradation through endopeptidase and carboxytripeptidase reactions. To better understand how its domain architecture supports these functions, we examined the solution structure of a catalytically inactive mutant, ColH-E416Q, using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The E416Q mutant is catalytically inactive because the glutamate residue at position 416, which normally functions as a general acid/base during catalysis, is replaced by glutamine—an amide that cannot donate or accept protons effectively, thus disabling the proton transfer steps essential for peptide bond hydrolysis. SAXS results indicate that the E416Q substitution leaves overall domain architecture …

Effect Of Marination And Storage Time On The Properties And Meat Quality Of Broiler Breast, Mayra Mabel Herrera Rivera

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract The poultry industry has implemented numerous methods, as marination and aging, to improve meat quality and satisfy consumer demands. Three experiments were developed to assess the effects of vacuum tumble marination and aging on the proteins of chicken breast. These experiments utilized 0.75 % sodium chloride, 0.45 % phosphate, and water in a marinade. In experiment one, 270 fillets were allocated into six treatment groups, each comprising 45 fillets. Six days of storage time were used, marinating and storing the fillets in each group at a temperature of 4°C. Following each day of storage period, the fillets underwent a …

Analysis Of The Scleroderma / Systemic Sclerosis Etiopathology Using The University Of California At Davis (Ucd)-Ssc Chicken Line, Angeline E. Rodriguez

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Scleroderma/Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a multifaceted autoimmune disorder affecting approximately 300,000 people in the United States. Main features include vasculitis, immune dysfunction (innate and adaptive), autoantibody production, perivascular leukocyte infiltration, and extensive tissue fibrosis. The University of California, Davis (UCD) SSc chicken line was shown to exhibit all clinical and biological manifestations of human SSc. One early and distinctive clinical sign in both humans and UCD-SSc chickens is Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP), characterized by decreased blood flow in extremities and skin lesions. RP-like lesions develop in combs of UCD-SSc chickens within one- to two-weeks post-hatch, progressing from erythema and edema to …

Host-Virus Interaction Dynamics Using Sulfolobus Spindle-Shaped Virus And Host Sulfolobales System, Yeasin Ahmed

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Sulfolobus Spindle-shaped virus (SSV) is among the most studied archaeal viruses, particularly in extreme environments. This virus predominantly infects multiple Crenarchaea from the Sulfolobaceae family. These hosts thrive in extreme environmental conditions, such as sulfuric hot springs, with a pH of 2 to 4 and a temperature of 76-80˚C. Sulfolobales exhibit a wide geographical distribution across volcanic hot springs. The Sulfolobus Spindle-shaped Virus (SSV), encompassing strains such as SSV1 and SSV8, employs a non-lytic replication strategy in hosts belonging to the order Sulfolobales. The SSV-Sulfolobales system can be cultured in liquid and gellan gum solid media. A comprehensive study …

Exercising Sovereignty In The Theater Of Court: How Performative Punishments Has Substitute Law Implementation In The Islamic Republic Of Iran, Nina Maziar

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Legality is a modern infrastructure, but when it is combined with the jurisprudence, which is very interpretive and subjective, an amorphous content is merged, which can be shaped for utilitarian purposes; and this is how the arbitrary legal system of Islamic Republic is staged. This unshaped legal system, courts/trials and penal codes, especially political charges are ambiguous contents, baffling the mindsets. This unclear setting is deterministically vague to scare the victim, and the audience with the stagecraft of the court. Sovereignty is defined both in the international affairs regarding the capability of one state ruling a country, but it …

Enhanced Point Cloud Generation From A Novel 360° Underwater Lidar, Olagoke E. Daramola

Dissertations

This dissertation presents novel algorithms to improve the mapping capabilities of a 360-degree underwater Pulsed Laser Line Scanner LiDAR (PLLS-360°). Due to its 360° field-of-view (FOV), the PLLS-360° is a compact full-waveform omnidirectional imager suitable for seafloor mapping, underwater asset inspection, object detection, ice-sheet mapping, and construction progress monitoring. The proposed methodology includes an improved waveform fitting technique for saturated waveform recovery, detection array response correction, radiometric corrections, and fusion of LiDAR and sonar bathymetric datasets. The first part of this dissertation assesses the LiDAR’s performance and describes how the data for this unique 360° FOV architecture is processed. The …