Digital Commons Network^™

A Quantitative Analysis Of The Relationship Between Mentoring And Professional Development Outcomes Of Public Senior High School Teachers In Ghana’S Central Region, Frank Ayim

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study examined the relationship between mentoring and teacher professional development among public senior high school teachers in Ghana’s Central Region. Although mentoring is widely promoted as a strategy for strengthening instructional quality, limited empirical research has investigated how specific dimensions of mentoring influence in-service secondary teachers within Sub-Saharan African contexts. Grounded in social cognitive theory and adult learning theory, this study addressed that gap by differentiating among structural participation in mentoring, duration of mentoring involvement, and mentorship participation intensity. A correlational research design was employed using validated instruments measuring mentoring engagement, instructional effectiveness, and classroom management. Data were …

An Analogue Of Carmichael Numbers, Or Six For Infinity, J.D. Phillips

Journal Articles

We find all non-negative integers n such that congruence modulo n is stable under exponentiation by positive integers, i.e. we show, that n = 1, 2, 6, 42, 1806 are the only numbers for which the condition a ≡n b and c ≡n d imply that a c ≡n b d , a, b, c, d ∈ N is satisfied. We also show in what sense this condition is close to the conditions for Carmichael numbers.

“Legendary Comebacks”:The Refiguring Of Iliad 2’S Thersites, Steven A. Heil

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

“Legendary Comebacks”: the Refiguring of Iliad 2’s Thersites

Cultivating Holistic And Mindful Rest Practices: A Workbook, Cecelia V. Murray

Mindfulness Theses

In a cultural moment that conflates productivity with self-worth, rest is often undervalued or seen as indulgent. This thesis explores mindfulness as a means of reframing rest as an essential human right and a cornerstone of holistic wellness. Drawing on Bill Hettler’s Six Dimensions of Wellness (i.e. physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and occupational wellness), this project situates mindful rest as a multidimensional practice that supports balance across body, mind, and spirit. This work also highlights the social, structural, and psychological barriers that affect individuals’ access to rest. It argues that while mindfulness alone cannot resolve systemic inequities, it can …

Mindfulness And Psychedelics: Rethinking The Fifth Precept, Ernesto Londono

Mindfulness Studies Theses

The fields of psychedelics and mindfulness have a long history of cross-pollination in the United States that dates to the counterculture movement in the 1960s. As the use of these mind-altering compounds in therapeutic and spiritual contexts has become less stigmatized and more popular in recent years, psychedelic retreats and therapies are once again drawing people who also value contemplative practices. This paper explores the historic and contemporary tension people with overlapping interests in mindfulness and psychedelics have faced as they interpreted the Fifth Precept, the Buddhist guideline that advises people to abstain from intoxicants. Taking stock of the history …

What Truly Drives Graduate Earnings?, Aiden Akbarov

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2026

The goal of my project, Predicting the Paycheck: What Factors Truly Influence Graduate Earnings?, was to see if we could actually predict a college graduate's starting salary using data instead of just guessing. I used a dataset of 172 majors from the American Community Survey to look at how a student's field of study, the gender balance of their major, and the current job market all impact their first paycheck. I wanted to create a tool that helps students understand the financial reality of their degree before they even graduate.

To get my results, I used a Multiple Linear Regression …

Examining Any Differences Between Genders’ Activity Levels During Recess, Kara M. Wells

2026 Honors Symposium

Physical activity in children is significant for all aspects of their development, including cognitive, physical, emotional, and social aspects. Recess is important for children to be given a designated time to exercise and get physical activity. For some children, recess is the only time they get to exercise in a day. This study aims to examine differences in activity levels between genders at Leverett Elementary School. It is important to know if there is a disparity between boys and girls at recess, so that educators, parents, and administrators can work to bridge any gaps and ensure that all kids are …

Skeletal Muscle Mass And Gait Speed In Patients With Lung Cancer: A Pilot Study, Riley K. Russo, Abigail Schmitt

2026 Honors Symposium

Skeletal Muscle Mass and Gait Speed in Patients with Lung Cancer: A Pilot Study

Russo, R. & Schmitt, A.C.: The MOVE Lab, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR

Background: Lung Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths in the United States, and Arkansas has one of the highest rates of lung cancer in the nation. Many patients with lung cancer experience cancer cachexia, fatigue, reduced strength, and mobility, all which negatively affect a patient’s life. Gait can be used as an essential indicator of underlying health challenges; specifically gait speed has been defined as the “sixth vital sign” for …

Becoming An Effective Literacy Educator: A Qualitative Study In Elementary Education, Lillian Petry

2026 Honors Symposium

Background: This thesis explores the personal journey of one childhood education teacher candidate becoming an effective teacher through both childhood experiences and formal preparation through an elementary teacher preparation program within a R1 University in the Southeastern United States. Arkansas continues to face literacy challenges making it significant to understand how future teachers can be better prepared to face the diverse needs of students in the classroom. Purpose: This research was based on the question: How do pre-service teachers’ childhood reading experiences, combined with their literacy instruction during teacher preparation, contribute to their development as effective literacy educators? Existing research …

A Review Of Mobility And Gait Changes In Patients With Prostate Cancer: Disease Stage, Symptom, And Treatment-Related Influences, Lauren Hathorn, Abigail Schmitt Dr

2026 Honors Symposium

Background: This review examines the impact of prostate cancer symptoms, progression, and treatments on patients’ gait and mobility. Prostate cancer is the leading cancer diagnosis for men in the United States, with an increase in incidents in the last decade. Prostate cancer, its progression, and its various symptoms and treatments have both physical and functional consequences that often cause changes in patients’ mobility and gait. Some studies have found gait to be a predictor of functional decline and mortality. Given that functional decline and mortality are also consequences of cancer progression and cancer treatments, gait analysis could offer a non-invasive …

Exploring The Impact Of Age On Traumatic Brain Injury Cause And Recovery In Arkansas: A Retrospective Review, Abby Jones, Steven Wheeler, Jessica Danley

2026 Honors Symposium

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) remain a major public health concern, and increasing evidence goes to show the significance of the effect of age in quality of care, diagnosis, and recovery outcomes. In rural states, such as Arkansas, where research has shown a lack of resources and higher fatality rates among TBI patients, healthcare professionals can become better informed and equipped as a result of research efforts to uncover the effects of age on cause and recovery for inpatient TBI individuals in the early stages (Daugherty et al., 2022). Current research and prior evidence suggests that older individuals are more likely …

Texas’S Attempt To Compete With Delaware, Robert A. Ragazzo

Fordham Journal of Corporate & Financial Law

Delaware derives substantial economic benefits from attracting incorporation business. Other states have sought to receive a share of these economic benefits. Texas is among them. Part I of this article will consider Texas’s attempt to copy Delaware’s enabling philosophy. It will conclude that, although the Texas courts have not always shared Delaware’s enabling view, the Texas legislature has historically done its best to place Texas on a par with Delaware in terms of its enabling philosophy of corporate governance. In recent times, the Texas legislature has actually outdone the Delaware legislature in creating a pro-managerial corporate environment. Part II of …

Improving Feeding Outcomes: Occupation-Based Feeding Interventions From Nicu To Outpatient Pediatrics, Bailey Ciardelli

OTD Capstones

A researcher from an entry-level doctorate program examined gaps in feeding and sensory-based care for premature infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and outpatient pediatric feeding setting. The Improving Feeding Outcomes project aimed to improve feeding readiness, sensory regulation, and caregiver confidence through the development of occupation-based, family-centered interventions. This report evaluates the implementation of evidence-based resources, including caregiver education handouts, a NICU staff training presentation, a caregiver tummy time group, and a standardized infant feeding assessment tool integrated into outpatient pediatric therapy practice. These interventions were designed to address gaps in OT-led infant feeding and sensory care, …

Mmpi-3 Indicators Of Suicidal Ideation And Behavior In Post-9/11 Veterans, Alec Rothman

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Suicide remains a serious concern among post-9/11 U.S. military veterans, highlighting the need for effective tools to identify those at risk. This study examined whether the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3), a commonly used psychological test, can help assess suicide risk in this population.

I analyzed responses from 189 post-9/11 veterans, a group largely reflective of the current veteran population, who completed the MMPI-3 and other measures looking at their mental health and history of suicidal thoughts or attempts. I focused on the MMPI-3’s Suicidal/Death Ideation (SUI) scale, along with other MMPI-3 scales that measure internalizing symptoms (such as depression …

Beyond The Game: Educating Youth Coaches In Sport Psychology And Psychological Skills Training, John Wygant

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

This paper presents the development of a manualized program designed to train youth sport coaches to implement a psychological skills training (PST) program that enhances both athletic performance and mental health. Rooted in sport psychology and coaching expertise, this program introduces a novel approach to addressing youth mental health challenges through upstream intervention. With many young athletes facing mental health struggles and traditional efforts in schools and communities showing limited success, this program equips coaches to teach essential psychological skills such as goal setting, adaptive thinking, confidence, and emotional regulation. By integrating these skills into sports practices and presenting them …

Court-Mandated Parenting Intervention: A Parenting Program To Reduce Conflict And Increase Positive Coping Skills For High-Conflict Parents In Family Court, Joshua T. Metcalf

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

The number of children in the United States whose parents have either separated or divorced has continued to increase over time. While some parents are able to effectively co-parent their children after separation or divorce, others may be unwilling or unable to effectively do so. Parents who ineffectively co-parent their children, often referred to as high conflict co-parents, can often over utilize family court resources to solve disputes and to make co-parenting decisions. In the literature review presented, current co-parenting resources often utilized by family courts are explored and research regarding current co-parenting interventions is discussed. Additionally, key components of …

Bragging Rights: How Women Candidates Use Endorsements In Strategic Messages, Eva Carter, Tyhlar Holliway

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

This research analyzes the methods and terminology employed by men and women candidates when they talk about their political endorsements in strategic campaign communication. While existing literature addresses topics such as educating uninformed voters, the influence of endorsements in political campaigns, messaging ethics, celebrity endorsements, and the correlation between money and endorsements, analyses of gender differences in the use and types of endorsements remain underdeveloped. We argue that women candidates, due to the unique vulnerabilities they face in campaigns (Bauer 2015; Lazarus and Steigerwaltz 2018), will be more likely than men to highlight their endorsements in campaign ads. We record …

Two-Level Anterior Cervical Spine Intervention: A Comparative Analysis Of Existing Techniques, Philip Prakash Ratnasamy

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Background/Scientific Premise: There is growing utilization of surgical intervention for two-level degenerative cervical spine pathology. Multiple treatment options exist. The gold standard remains two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), in which the degenerative or herniated cervical discs are removed through an anterior approach to decompress neural elements, followed by fusion of the two involved interspaces to restore stability and alignment. More recently, cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) has emerged as a viable treatment option for two-level cervical spine pathology, in which the surgeon removes the diseased intervertebral discs and replaces them with artificial discs to reconstruct the segments following decompress …

Level Of Evidence And Cost Considerations In United States Clinical Practice Guidelines, 2019-2023, Omar Qureshi

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

BackgroundClinicians rely on clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) to fulfill a dual mandate: practicing evidence-based medicine and ensuring cost-conscious stewardship of resources. However, it remains unclear whether modern CPGs provide the guidance necessary to meet these goals. Specifically, the extent to which recommendation strengths align with evidence quality and the prevalence of cost-related guidance within U.S. medical society CPGs remains unknown.

Research Aimsa) To examine the distribution of SOR and LOE ratings for recommendations offered by United States medical societies through CPGs and evaluate concordance between SOR and LOE ratings for CPG recommendations. Additionally, assess whether there are recommendation-level, guideline-level, or …

Automated Cerebral Autoregulation Monitoring With Machine Learning, Matteo Rosati

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Background - Current methods of identifying patients in the neurological intensive care unit (NeuroICU) with disrupted cerebral autoregulation rely on statistical methods that require significant time to produce predictions. There is a need for faster algorithms that can minimize the secondary damage caused by disrupted autoregulation in these patients.

Research Aims - We aim to develop a machine learning (ML) model that determines whether a patient is outside optimal autoregulatory limits using continuously recordable and minimally invasive physiologic data gathered in the NeuroICU.

Hypothesis - We hypothesize we can use ML techinques to ingest physiologic data in short time windows …

The Spectrum Of Cutaneous And Systemic Manifestations Associated With Anti-Pm/Scl, Sabrina Maariyah Saeed

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Anti-PM/Scl is a rare anti-nuclear autoantibody first identified in patients with polymyositis and the scleroderma/myositis overlap syndrome. Due to its low prevalence, the clinical manifestations associated with anti-PM/Scl remain incompletely understood. This study aims to further delineate the phenotype associated with anti-PM/Scl. Anti-PM/Scl positive patients treated at Yale New Haven Health Systems between 2012 and 2024 were retrospectively identified. Chart review was conducted to characterize demographics, skin findings, and extracutaneous manifestations associated with the antibody. Anti-PM/Scl was detected in 64 of the 2867 patients tested. Fifty-seven of these patients met inclusion criteria (i.e. sufficient availability of medical records and age …

Disparities In Utilization Of Glp-1 Receptor Agonists And Sglt2 Inhibitors Across Social Determinants Of Health: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Nisarg Shah

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Background: SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) significantly reduce cardiovascular and metabolic risk in type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Yet real-world utilization remains inconsistent, and emerging evidence suggests that social determinants of health (SDOH) may contribute to unequal access and prescribing.Research Aims: The extent and drivers of these disparities have not been systematically characterized, so we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether SDOH—socioeconomic status (SES), insurance status, education, geography, and neighborhood deprivation index (NDI)—and demographic factors—race and sex—are associated with differential utilization of SGLT2i or GLP-1RA. Question: To what extent are SES, insurance …

“Treatment Not Tents:" The Medicalization Of Homelessness In California’S 2022-2025 Legislative Agenda, Elana R. Straus

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Modern homelessness emerged in the 1980s due to political choices that cut the social safety net and decreased the availability of affordable housing. Medicalized views of homelessness that frame homelessness as driven by individual pathology, particularly mental illness and addiction, emerged in research, media, and politics at this time. Homelessness has persisted since and remains particularly high in regions, including California, where the housing markets are most constrained. In this context, California advanced multiple legislative changes between 2022 and 2025 that increased pathways to involuntary treatment and criminal-legal control over people experiencing homelessness. In this thesis, I demonstrate how legislators …

What You See Is What You Learn: National Variation In Emergency Medicine Residency Environments, Carlisle Topping

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Background: The evolution of Emergency Medicine (EM) residency programs over the past two decades has been marked by significant growth and changes in clinical practice environments. Concerns have emerged regarding whether recently founded programs, non-teaching status programs, and for-profit institutions provide adequate training for EM residents. This study evaluates EM training programs using clinical education outcomes such as clinical volumes, acuity exposure, and board pass rates based on key program characteristics including founding year, teaching status, hospital ownership, and program duration.Methods: We conducted an observational analysis of linked datasets encompassing EM residency data from the Accreditation Counsil for Graduate Medical …

Comparison Of Clinical Outcomes By Tube Type And Size Following Percutaneous Radiologic Gastrostomy: A 10-Year Retrospective Study, Diane Zhao

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

PurposeTo compare the complication rate and time to the first reintervention of pull-type and push-type gastrostomy tubes placed under radiologic fluoroscopy guidance in adults. Materials and Methods During a 10-year period (2012-2022), 2341 adult patients underwent percutaneous radiological gastrostomy at our institution, and their charts were reviewed. 896 (39%) procedures were done with the push method, and 1393 (61%) were done with the pull method. Results Rates of significant hemorrhage at the surgical site, leakage at the site, and malplacement of the g-tube were not found to be statistically different between the two groups. However, push g-tubes were significantly more …

The Strength Of Association Between Surrogate Markers And Clinical Outcomes Used By The Fda For Chronic Disease Indications, Samuel Yoon

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has traditionally required the use of clinical outcome measures as clinical trial endpoints to support the approval of new drugs. However, clinical outcome trials are typically large, lengthy, and expensive. To expedite this process, Congress has enacted several regulatory programs to facilitate FDA approval of new drugs on the basis of surrogate markers, endpoints that are reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit, as trial endpoints. However, the evidence demonstrating the validity and reliability is mixed, creating uncertainty for patients and physicians about the true clinical benefits of new drugs approved on the basis …

Measles Vaccine Hesitancy Improvement Bundle To Improve Vaccination Rates In A Rural Outpatient Clinic, Ramie Malone

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Introduction

Despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations to vaccinate children against measles, a decline in measles vaccination rates has been observed at a rural family medicine clinic. While numerous factors contribute to the decline in vaccination rates—including parental doubts about the necessity of vaccination, concerns about vaccine side effects, and insufficient education—the latter remains a fundamental underlying cause of suboptimal vaccination coverage.

Objectives

This project focused on surveying, educating, and boosting parents' confidence in measles vaccines for children under five to raise the measles vaccination rate.

Methods

This project used a pre- and post-intervention bundle over an …

Reducing 30-Day Readmission Rates In Patients With Heart Failure, Charles Mccoy

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Abstract

Globally, heart failure affects approximately 54 million individuals and has reached pandemic levels, contributing to elevated 30-day readmission rates (Sa et al., 2024). Background: In the United States, 30-day readmission rates range from 18% to 20%, with similar rates across all states. The current rate was documented as 29% at the study setting hospital. Objective: Implement a Quality Improvement project based on education, evidence-based order sets, and referral to palliative care to reduce 30-day readmission rates among adults with heart failure. Methods: Nursing staff completed education specific to heart failure, and patients received the American Heart Association Self-Check assessment. …

Ask, Advise, And Act: A Smoking Cessation Bundle For Cancer Patients, Crystal Tencate

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Smoking is the number one cause of preventable illness and death in the United States. For patients undergoing cancer treatment, continued tobacco use poses serious risks. In surgical oncology, smoking is associated with poorer treatment outcomes, increased postoperative complications, delayed wound healing, and higher mortality. For patients requiring reconstructive surgery, smoking-related complications can be devastating, sometimes resulting in significant wound complications or loss of the reconstruction. Despite these well-established risks, smoking cessation interventions are not consistently integrated into clinical practice.

To address this gap, a quality improvement project was implemented to strengthen smoking cessation efforts among advanced practice providers (APPs) …

Nursing Bundle To Improve Quality Metrics For Postoperative Patients, Kristine G. Coronado

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Postoperative pulmonary complications and inconsistent implementation of preventive nursing interventions remain significant challenges on acute care surgical units. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to reduce postoperative respiratory failure, hospital readmissions, and length of stay while improving nursing compliance with evidence-based interventions. A nursing care bundle, RISE—Respiratory therapy (structured, nurse-guided incentive spirometry), Incentivize movement (early ambulation), Sit up (head-of-bed elevation ≥30 degrees), and Eliminate germs (twice-daily oral care)—was implemented on an acute care surgical ward in South Texas. Nursing compliance with the preventative measures and patient outcomes were compared between pre- and post-implementation cohorts. Following implementation, nursing compliance …