Digital Commons Network^™

Feeding Missoula: Food Insecurity In Rural Children And Youth, Chani Brammer, Braelee Cheeks, Jordin Holland, Rayne Mccollough, Laurel Palmer, Therese Solomon

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

In Montana, approximately one in seven children live in a food-insecure household, with rural Montanans in particular facing significant barriers. Existing needs-based food assistance programs, such as SNAP and WIC, have structural weaknesses: SNAP benefits are often not sufficient to last through the month, and those eligible for these programs face a confusing application process, shame and stigma, and logistical hurdles, such as limited transportation.

“Feeding Missoula” began with an evaluation of how current food assistance programs met or failed to meet the needs of rural youth. Our methodology integrated a comprehensive review of existing literature and structured interviews with …

Toxic Torts Are In Your Blood: An Examination Of Pfas And Tort Liability, Aiden M. Holden

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are a group of chemicals widely manufactured for industrial and commercial applications in the past decade due to their remarkable stability. Despite the “useful” nature of PFAS in various applications, they represent one of the most profound environmental and public health crises of the modern era. The chemical stability of PFAS has made them almost completely resistant to natural degradation, earning them the moniker “forever chemicals.” PFAS forever haunt our plant, contaminating the soil, water, and the blood of approximately 95% of the United States population. As the scale of corporate malfeasance by chemical …

Characterizing Immune Perturbations In Peripheral Blood Following The East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment, Sheridan B. Wagner, Hami Hemati, Siva Gandhapudi, Timothy J. Hilbert, Candace J. Brancato, Erin N. Haynes, Ilhem Messaoudi

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Background: The East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment on February 3rd, 2023, resulted in the exposure of residents and the surrounding area to numerous hazardous chemicals, which included known acute irritants and human carcinogens. Despite evacuation and cleanup, both residents and responders reported high occurrences of symptoms associated with exposure in the months following, such as eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, headaches, and fatigue. The long-term health consequences for residents remain uncertain.

Objective: To assess the potential for immune perturbations resulting from the exposure, we performed a broad investigation of circulating immune cells and mediators from residents of East Palestine, OH, …

Combinatorial Immunotherapy Drives Exhaustion In Tumor Antigen–Specific Cd8+ T Cells Within The Mouse Renal Tumor Microenvironment, Holly R. Stephens, Elizabeth Elkins, Jing Li, Zoey N. Swalley, Henry Nnaemeka Ogbonna, Pia Muri, Zachary Roberts, Francesca R. Dempsey, Md Akkas Ali, Md Hasanul Banna Siam, Richard Kirkman, Jianqing Zhang, Sunil Sudarshan, Daniel J. Tyrrell, Hubert M. Tse, Daniel L. Smith Jr, Lyse A. Norian

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Immunotherapies have greatly improved outcomes for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), yet response rates remain suboptimal and the factors promoting therapy resistance versus sensitivity are incompletely understood. Currently, no preclinical model of orthotopic renal cancer exists that permits evaluation of tumor antigen–specific (TAS) CD8⁺ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). To address this deficiency, we developed a mouse renal cancer model that permits tracking of adoptively transferred TAS CD8⁺ T cells. Renca-LUC tumor cells were transduced to express tumor ERK (tERK), a model antigen expressing a one-amino-acid change from wild-type ERK, resulting in recognition by tERK/H-2K^d-specific DUC Thy1.1 …

The Etiology Of Sexual Pain In American Christian Women: Associations Of Sexual Debut, Maternal Teachings On Sex, And Abuse History With Pain Severity, Joanna Sawatsky, Lori Mize, Keith Gregoire, Arielle Hodges, Rebecca Lindenbach, Shelia Gregoire

Faculty Publications - Department of Communication and Cinematic Arts

Background: Sexual pain (SP) affects a significant proportion of women, with lifetime prevalence ranging from 7% to 46%, but is poorly understood. While conservative religious affiliation has been identified as a potential risk factor since the 1970s, the mechanisms underpinning this association remain insufficiently characterized.

Aim: To investigate the etiological factors contributing to SP among Christian women in the United States who attended church frequently in adolescence, with a focus on the roles of sexual debut timing, maternal explanations of sex and abuse history. The study also explores variation in SP presentation by severity, distinguishing cases by the presence or …

Bridging Evidence To Practice: Development Of An Evidence- Based Occupational Therapy Protocol For Early Rehabilitation Of Adults With Disorders Of Consciousness, Jessie D. Brian

OTD Capstones

Patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) following critical illness often experience prolonged hospitalization, delayed functional recovery, and limited access to early rehabilitation services. In acute care settings, occupational therapy (OT) plays a critical role in sensory stimulation, positioning, caregiver education, and the promotion of arousal and participation; however, interventions are often delayed or inconsistently implemented. A retrospective review of patient data at Concord Hospital identified low rates of early OT involvement among mechanically ventilated patients with OT orders, highlighting a gap in standardized rehabilitation practices for this medically complex population. The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop …

Seeing Success Through Functional Vision: Screening, Education, And Intervention Within Mtss For Kindergarten Students, Falynne Marie Rzezuski

OTD Capstones

Visual skills are essential for participation in early academic tasks including reading, writing, classroom engagement, and learning. However, functional vision difficulties often go unrecognized in kindergarten students, potentially affecting their academic performance and ability to learn within educational settings. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop and pilot a functional vision screening tool and program using a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework for kindergarten students. A literature review informed the development of the project, including the creation of the functional visual screening tool, integration within MTSS, Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions, and educational resources for educators …

Tiktok, The First Amendment, And Regulating Speech On The Internet, Marriah Binek

Roger Williams University Law Review

No abstract provided.

Volume 31, Issue , Summer 2026

Roger Williams University Law Review

No abstract provided.

A New Middle Ground: The Continuous Treatment Doctrine As A Solution To Rhode Island’S Incomplete Tort Reform, Justin Edward Keyes

Roger Williams University Law Review

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Efficacy Of Homeland Security Task Forces (Hstf) Per Executive Order 14159, Robert J. Hehl, Stella Difronzo, Maribel Ramirez, Treyson Carino, Samuel Zwiener

CJC 450 - Criminal Justice and Criminology Capstone

This Capstone Research Assessment (CRA) will assess the efficacy of Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) operations in Rhode Island as mandated under Presidential Executive Order 14159 (January 20, 2025), Section 6(b), Protecting the American People Against Invasion. Through review of national data, interviews of HSTF Rhode Island partner agency members, government and peer reviewed journals, and open-source reporting, this assessment will examine the efficacy of the HSTF mission including interagency coordination, resource allocation, and enforcement effectiveness. Furthermore, this CRA will assess the extent to which HSTF units have achieved intended objectives and identify operational and environmental limitations impacting overall success. …

Znf16 Is A Nucleolar-Associated Protein That Regulates Expression Of Rdna And Cancer-Associated Genes, Chelsea L. George, Laura A. Espinoza Quevedo, Jason Paratore, Matthew J. Alcaraz, Arlene P. Levario, Yasir Rahmatallah, Galina V. Glazko, Nathan S. Reyna, Laura Diaz-Martinez

Biology Faculty Scholarship

ZNF16 (also known as HZF1 and KOX9) is a multi-C2H2 zinc finger protein first identified via its expression in human T-cells and shown to have a role in blood cell differentiation. ZNF16 was later shown to be ubiquitously expressed in a variety of fetal and adult tissues, suggesting a broader function. In this study, we confirm the ubiquitous expression of ZNF16 in a variety of cancer and non-cancer cell lines and show that ZNF16 depletion reduces cell viability in all cell lines tested. Furthermore, we show that ZNF16 localizes to the nucleolus in a transcription-dependent manner, interacts with the intergenic …

Continuous Improvement In Action: Kaizen-Inspired Onboarding For Healthcare Employees, Darin Challacombe, Amanda Wilkinson, Cori Gaeger

Psychology Faculty Publications

Kaizen is a Japanese word which translates to change or improvement, and it is the cornerstone of several process improvement systems. In the learning and development (L&D) space, we are always seeking ways to improve and become more efficient and effective. This case study updates a previous one from two years ago. Through the kaizen of our onboarding and training program, we have seen an increase in employee longevity after completing our five-day new hire onboarding program. This improved program integrated a flipped classroom design and inclusion of multiple learning management system (LMS)-based courses, among other changes. We also gave …

Trump Accounts: New Irs Guidance On A New Retirement Account For Children, Heath Mcconnell, Michelle Freeman

Faculty Open Access Works

Excerpt: 

Among the changes made by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was the creation of a new type of account called the “Trump account.” In simple terms, these accounts are designed to allow individuals under age 18 to begin saving for retirement, typically through contributions made by their parents or other eligible contributors. This article will begin with a discussion of the underlying reasons for creating these accounts and their enactment as part of the OBBBA. Following that, it will discuss the rules relating to these accounts from both the OBBBA’s statutory language as well as recently published …

Ai And The Illusion Of Knowledge? How Ai-Assisted Searching Affects Confidence And Curiosity, Kara E. Dudley

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

With the rising worldwide adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), there is a pressing need to investigate how AI affects human cognitive abilities. Prior research has looked at how using the Internet to search for answers to questions leads to overconfidence in one’s explanatory abilities. In the present set of studies, we examine how using AI to search for answers affects an individual’s confidence in their explanatory abilities, as well as their curiosity about answers to questions. The first study consisted of 223 college students from the University of New Hampshire, while the second study consisted of 290 participants from the …

Evaluating The Healthfulness Of The University Of New Hampshire’S Food Environment Using The Healthy Campus Environmental Audit (Hcea), Margo Kamis

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Evaluating the Healthfulness of the University of New Hampshire’s Food Environment Using the Healthy Campus Environmental Audit (HCEA)

Interactions Between Red Foxes And Coyotes Across Urban And Wild Habitats, Caroline E. Savage, Taylor S. Readyhough, Remington J. Moll, Jonathon D. Cepek

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Dens are critical to the life history of many mammal species, particularly when raising young. Excavating a den is energetically costly, so several species can use existing dens, and multiple species may inhabit the same den complex simultaneously. However, the extent of den sharing among urban mammals is understudied. Between March 2021, and June 2023, we used camera traps to monitor a multi-species den site in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. We documented den visitation and use by at least 11 mammal species, including red fox, coyote, raccoon, woodchuck, and Virginia opossum. Coyotes and red foxes both exhibited scent-marking at the den …

From Franco To Vox: Historical Memory And The Politics Of Immigration In Spain (2026), Abby Fitzwater

International Studies Undergraduate Honors Theses

Spain’s transition to democracy following the death of Francisco Franco in 1975 prioritized political stability and national reconciliation through the “Pacto del Olvido” (“Pact of Forgetting”), limited public confrontation with the authoritarian legacies of Francoism. This paper examines how unresolved historical memory and nationalist narratives continue to shape contemporary immigration discourse in Spain, particularly through the rise of the far-right political party VOX. Drawing on scholarship surrounding nationalism, historical memory, immigration, and right-wing populism, this study argues that elements of Francoist nationalism persist within contemporary political discourse through narratives emphasizing national unity, cultural cohesion, and territorial defense. Using qualitative discourse …

How Have Trump-Era Immigration And Visa Policies Affected International Students From The 75 Restricted Countries At Minnesota State University, Mankato, Ameer Wazwaz

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Trump era immigration and visa policies have created a restrictive environment that disproportionately burdens international students from countries subject to United States travel restrictions and heightened vetting regimes. These policies operate through nationality-based entry restrictions, discretionary denials, extended administrative processing, and intensified screening. At Minnesota State University, Mankato, students from restricted countries face delayed arrivals, visa denials, disrupted reentry after travel, and uncertainty regarding immigration compliance, potentially reducing enrollment rates, increasing dropout risk, intensifying psychological stress, and weakening institutional trust.

This study employed a mixed methods of explanatory case study design centered on Minnesota State University, Mankato. Data sources included …

The Relationship Of State/Trait Anxiety And Performance In High School Athletics, Jason Dzierwa

Master of Education in Applied Human Development Graduate Projects

The relationship between anxiety and sport performance has been investigated since the early 1900s when Yerkes & Dodson coined Yerkes-Dodson Law, which stated that there was an inverted “U” shape between arousal and performance (Gill et al., 2025, p. 158). Although this research was originally conducted using an animal model, it was eventually applied to human contexts, including athletic performance. According to this law, athletes must have a moderate level of arousal in order to perform at their best, while having too little or too much arousal will negatively influence athletic performance. Because anxiety often includes physiological (i.e., somatic) and …

The Importance And Development Of Team Record Keeping Practices: The Development Of Record Keeping Practices For Bowling Green Men's Rugby, Fitzpatrick Metzger

Master of Education in Applied Human Development Graduate Projects

If you participated in team sports, do you know the history of the teams you played for? It is fair to assume that athletes who play at the top collegiate level have greater knowledge of the team’s history for which they play. These high-level collegiate teams have the funding and resources necessary to document their team’s history properly. Club and Varsity sports indeed have separate budgets and resources available. Throughout the sports industry, it is well known that each university provides its athletic department with differing annual budgets, which are dependent on many different factors. Based on the Proposed Fiscal …

Sense Of Belonging In Black Female Student Athletes At Predominantly White Institutions (Pwis), Danai Hardges

Master of Education in Applied Human Development Graduate Projects

Where do I belong? This is a question most people ask themselves when placed in new environments. This is a common experience for marginalized individuals. Feelings of belonging can have an intense impact on how an individual interprets their experiences within a setting. Looking at the individual differences that influence an individual’s sense of belonging is important in understanding their experiences. This concept has been explored with intercollegiate athletes in the past. There is a plethora of research grasping an understanding of the difference in realities for student-athletes versus non-student athletes, female athletes versus male athletes, and Black student-athletes versus …

Reinforcement Learning-Enabled Control And Design Of Rigid-Link Robotic Fish: A Comprehensive Review, Nhat Dinh, Darion Vosbein, Yuehua Wang, Qingsong Cui

Faculty Publications

With the rising demand for maritime surveys of infrastructure, energy resources, and environmental conditions, autonomous robotic fish have emerged as a promising solution with their biomimetic propulsion, agile motion, efficiency, and capacity for underwater inspection, monitoring, data collection, and exploration tasks in complex aquatic environments. Inspired by fish spines, rigid-link fish robots (RLFRs), a category of robotic fish, are widely utilized in robotics research and applications. Their rigid, actuated joints enable them to reproduce the undulatory locomotion and high maneuverability of biological fishes, while the modular nature of rigid links between joints makes them cost-effective and easy to assemble. This …

Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes (T2dm) In A Rural County In Texas: A Diabetes Intervention Bundle, Roxanne Morales

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains a significant public health concern, particularly in rural and underserved communities where patients often face barriers to effective self-management. This quality improvement (QI) project evaluated the impact of a diabetes intervention bundle consisting of individualized diabetes education, biweekly support phone calls, and digital self-monitoring tools on glycemic control, body weight, diabetes knowledge, medication adherence, diet compliance, and physical activity. The project was implemented over an eight-week period in a rural family medicine clinic and included 18 adults with uncontrolled T2DM (HgbA1c >7%). Participant outcomes were evaluated using pre- and post-intervention clinical measures, the Diabetes …

Fulbright Project In Iceland In The Summer Of 2026, Irina Filina

Nebraska Academy of Sciences: Programs and Proceedings

This upcoming Fulbright project is inspired by an ongoing debate in the scientific community about the tectonic origin of Iceland. A long-standing theory of Iceland’s formation by excessive magmatism at the Mid-Atlantic spreading center over the well-known hot spot (i.e., oceanic crustal affinity) was recently challenged by the alternative hypothesis that the Icelandic crust is continental in nature and is being stretched and gradually modified by magmatic processes. Based on this hypothesis, a new sunken continent, Icelandia, has been proposed. One of the foundations for the proposed Icelandia is the presence of felsic lavas (indicative of continental flavor in the …

Analyzing The Impact Of Sunscreen Pollutants On The Development Of Lytechinus Variegatus, Christina M. Lillenas, Chesney J. Anderson, Ann M. Buchmann

Nebraska Academy of Sciences: Programs and Proceedings

Lytechinus variegatus or the variegated sea urchin is found in shallow, tropical waters. Lytechinus variegatus can be found in sandy reef beds, and sea grass, covered in algae and debris to protect itself from the UV rays and predators. Sea urchins play a crucial role in coral reef ecosystems. Sea urchins follow an omnivore diet, feeding on algae and phytoplankton. In coral reef ecosystems, sea urchins eat unwanted algae, allowing coral reefs to continue growing and thriving. Without the presence of sea urchins in coral reef communities, algae can negatively affect the growth and success of coral reefs. Sunscreen serves …

Evaluating The Relationship Between Body Composition And Bmi In Rotc Air Force Cadets, Joseba Iparraguirre

Master of Education in Applied Human Development Graduate Projects

Body mass index (BMI) is commonly used to categorize weight status and screen for obesity-related health risk; however, BMI does not distinguish between fat mass and fat-free mass and may misclassify physically trained individuals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between BMI and percent body fat in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets at Bowling Green State University and to examine sex differences in BMI and adiposity. Eighteen cadets (11 males, 7 females; ages 18–23) completed anthropometric assessment for BMI calculation and body composition assessment using air displacement plethysmography (Bod Pod). A Pearson product–moment correlation indicated …

Increasing Oral-Gut Axis Health Literacy In Underserved Communities With Community-Involved, Pantry-Accessible Nutrition Education: A Conceptual Framework And Program, Audrey Kho, Yinon Gankin, Polina Pine

Chemistry: Faculty Publications and Other Works

In metropolitan U.S. areas, health inequities caused by socioeconomic disparity continue to influence oral health, nutritional status, and the risk of chronic diseases. Diets heavy in added sugars and poor in fiber and vital micronutrients are especially harmful to the oral–gut axis, which connects diet, microbial balance, inflammation, and systemic and neurological health. Due to institutional hurdles to health literacy, limited access to preventive health education, and food poverty, these eating habits are more common among low-income individuals. Only 36% of low-income parents in Chicago report being in good health, compared to 75% of parents with better incomes, underscoring the …

Advancing Ethical Innovation In Human–Ai Collaboration: Trust And Legitimacy In Technology-Mediated Teams, Sanket Ramchandra Patole

Human Resource Development Theses and Dissertations

Human Resource Development (HRD) confronts a central paradox in the digital age. The technologies designed to broaden access to learning and collaboration often reproduce the same social hierarchies that HRD seeks to challenge. Artificial intelligence (AI), digital collaboration platforms, and algorithmic management are widespread features of organizational life. Yet these systems do not generate inclusive outcomes for all workers. Women of Color (WoC), situated at the intersection of racialized, gendered, and technological structures, experience digital transformation as both possibility and constraint. They encounter opaque decision systems, diminished authority in virtual teams, and digitally-mediated microaggressions, while also developing new capacities for …

Parents’ Discursive Constructions Of Digital Play During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Rebekah Willett, Jacqueline Kociubuk

Graduate School of Library and Information Studies Faculty Publications

This article analyzes parents’ discursive constructions of their children’s digital free play during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on interviews in the United States with 21 parents who had children ages four to 11, the article first identifies characteristics of play that are evident in parents’ descriptions of their children’s digital play. These characteristics indicate parents’ shifting understanding of digital play under the conditions of the pandemic, particularly ways digital play responded to the social and emotional needs of their children. The analytic discussion which follows complicates two dominant discourses parents employ: digital play as social and safe, and digital play …