Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluating Metamitron Efficacy For Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus Palmeri) Management In Sugarbeet Across The Central High Plains, Abraham Akuoko

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Herbicide-resistant (HR) Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) is regarded as one of the most prominent weeds within sugarbeet fields across the Central High Plains, with limited chemical control options. Although a few herbicides are available, their use is restrictive due to crop injury concerns and can only be applied at or after the 2–4 true leaf (TL) growth stage, which will provide no control for already emerged weeds. However, Palmer amaranth often emerges between sugarbeet planting and the 2 TL sugarbeet growth stage. Consequently, as of 2023, there were no herbicide options to control Palmer amaranth in sugarbeet …

Realism, Truth, And Commitment: An Exposition And Critique Of Michael Devitt's Constitutive Account Of Realism, Samuel Elias Hobbs

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Michael Devitt argues in Realism and Truth that positive semantic issues are not constitutive of realism concerning the mostly impersonal external world. This is motivated by his second maxim which prescribes that the metaphysical (ontological) issue of realism is to be (sharply) distinguished from any (positive) semantic issue. Devitt’s argument is that his view of realism, entitled ‘Realism’, doesn’t entail and isn’t entailed by any doctrine of truth.

This dissertation presents a critique of the argument indicated above and, thereby, Devitt’s second maxim. I present Devitt’s account of Realism and his overview of theories of truth. I next present Devitt’s …

Recovery And Characterization Of Moraxella Species From Bovine Specimens, Laura G. Leger

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The family Moraxellaceae is made up of a diverse group of 24 named species that fall into three phylogenetic groups. While most Moraxella spp. act as commensal respiratory and/or ocular flora of mammals, some are associated with disease. One of these diseases, infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), has significant welfare and economic impacts to both cattle and cattle producers. Moraxella bovis is the only experimentally determined cause of IBK, however, an association of Moraxella bovoculi with disease has been proposed. Currently, available vaccines do not have high levels of efficacy in the field. Culture based methods are the gold standard for …

Amplifying Mother Leaders’ Voices: A Feminist Inquiry Into Gender Inequity In Higher Education Leadership, Katherine Bard

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Women now comprise more than half of mid- and upper-level administrators in higher education, yet they remain underrepresented in the most senior leadership roles. For mothers in leadership, this underrepresentation is compounded by gendered structures, expectations, and norms that shape their personal and professional lives in distinct ways. While scholarship has examined working motherhood broadly and gender inequity in higher education separately, little research has focused on how mother leaders experience and interpret gender inequity in higher education leadership. This study sought to address that gap by exploring the lived experiences of ten mother leaders working at research-intensive (R1) universities …

The Motivation And Influence Behind The Decisions Of High School Students To Participate In The National Ffa Organization, Taylor A. Nielsen

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Today, high school students are increasingly engaged in extracurricular activities, navigating a diverse range of options for which clubs and organizations to join during their secondary education. This poses a challenge for students and for Career and Technical Student Organizations as they work to recruit talented students. High school students have several influences and pressures on their time, including peers, family, and teachers. These influences often recognize how organizations such as FFA can be pivotal in shaping students’ personal and professional development. We wanted to explore the motivations and influences guiding high school students’ decisions to join and actively participate …

The Graphic Shift: Leveraging Superhero Graphica To Un-Ban Critical Conversations In The Secondary English Language Arts Classroom, Avery Clason

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis investigates the challenges that books are receiving during an era of social and political turmoil based on their content. Understanding why these books are polarizing for most readers and the general public is in direct connection with finding different books that can harbor the same conversations about dense topics and cultivating connections between students, the text, the world, and themselves. While there has been a search to find alternate books that are not considered "political flashpoints,” there has been limited research into the use of superhero graphica in the ELA classroom, especially in connection to utilizing this genre …

Embodied Encounters With Plankton: Ground Truth Methods As Sites For Human-Ocean Entanglement, Clarissa Chevalier

Study of Women, Gender, & Sexuality: Faculty Publications

This article examines shifting methods of plankton research within contemporary oceanography through direct participatory engagement on a ten-day research cruise off the Santa Lucia Escarp- ment in February 2025. As a feminist visual science studies researcher, I reflect on how seasick- ness, sensory immersion, and embodied participation shaped my experience of plankton sampling and reveal the entanglement of oceanographic knowledge with its contexts. While remote sensing technologies – such as satellites, digital twins, and remotely operated vehicles – are increasingly shaping oceanography and producing intensified modes of ocean quantification, I argue that tactile, physical sampling methods remain indispensable in plankton …

Innovating Leadership Development In Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Multimodal Approach, Thompson Hollingsworth Forbes Iii, Alexis Spence

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Leadership development in undergraduate nursing students is essential for preparing future nurses for entry into practice (ANA, 2021). This study aimed to examine the impact of an active learning approach on leadership development among senior nursing students. A quality improvement methodology was used to analyze the outcomes of a leadership course implemented in an undergraduate nursing curriculum. Pre- and post-course surveys were administered to 874 senior nursing students from 2017 to 2023 to assess their knowledge and experience with various leadership topics and skills. The pre-course survey revealed low baseline knowledge and comfort levels for most leadership concepts, with only …

Reflection On Experiences With Primary Care Providers To Improve Patient-Centered Care, Deanna Jan Emory, Thomas Kippenbrock

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality emphasized the assessment of the patients’ experiences along with other factors such as effectiveness and safety of care when demonstrating health care quality. To accurately gauge the patient’s experience, health care institutions must ask patients whether events in a healthcare setting occurred and how frequently they are with providers and the credentials of those providers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate Medicaid recipients’ experiences with their respective primary care providers using responses from the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) database.

Methods: The study was …

Service-Learning In Nurse And Midwifery Education: Building Capacity In The Americas, Adelais Markaki, Deborah Bowers, Emily Patton, Lisa Theus

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: Service-learning (SL) integrates purposeful and immersive community-based experiences into the curriculum while addressing health disparities.^1,2 Growing evidence from North America shows that academic service-learning nursing partnerships can lead to impactful change.³ Yet, the need to integrate SL into the curriculum must be informed by country-specific, regional evidence.

Purpose: To train in and promote integration of SL by nurse and midwife educators in alignment with the Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery⁴ for developing clinically competent and culturally-sensitive practitioners equipped to provide population-targeted services.

Objective: Identify evidence from the Americas region on service-learning integration and best …

Parents’ Awareness Of Antimicrobial Resistance: A Qualitative Study Utilizing The Health Belief Model, Aaron Lapuz Alejandro, Mieghan Bruce, Cheryl Leo

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Objective: This study aimed to determine local factors that promote or prevent parents’ responsible use of antibiotics for their children in Perth, Western Australia.

Methods: The Health Belief Model was used to guide this study. Four focus group discussions were conducted, with 26 participants. Participants were recruited purposively through a parent group organisation. The Framework Method was utilised to analyse the data.

Results: Participants agreed that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious health problem. However, participants admitted that they lacked awareness of AMR, inhibiting their ability to assess the risks of developing AMR infections among their children. …

Closing The Gap: Educational Research On Secondary Traumatic Stress In The Healthcare Workplace, Natalie Noel Tracy

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Secondary traumatic stress (STS) is a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) like phenomenon characterized by biological, emotional, and psychosocial symptoms resulting from direct exposure to someone’s traumatic experience frequently occurring in caring-based work environment. First defined in 1995 by Charles Figley, STS is classified using the same categories as PTSD: Avoidance, hyperarousal, and intrusion. Avoidance consists of numbness to or lack of participation in usual interests and avoidance of triggers that serve as reminders of the indirect trauma experienced. Hyperarousal occurs when a person becomes highly alert or has a “fight or flight” response to a triggering experience related to a …

The Transformative Impact Of Stakeholder Engagement In Assessment Planning, Kathleen M. Williamson, Sharon F. Beasley

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Stakeholder engagement is a cornerstone of robust evaluation and decision-making processes, playing a critical role in shaping the direction and effectiveness of assessment initiatives in a nursing education program. This presentation explores the multifaceted contributions of stakeholders in assessment planning, emphasizing their ability to provide diverse perspectives, align goals with organizational and community needs, and ensure the relevance and inclusivity of evaluation frameworks.

Through active involvement, stakeholders help assessments transcend mere data collection, adding layers of context and meaning that enhance depth, accuracy, and validity. By leveraging their unique insights, organizations can achieve outcomes that are not only informed and …

Gastropod Assemblage And Biofilm Abundance On Rocky Shores Of Southern Antique, Panay, Philippines, Mia Jane D. Geneblaza, Karen A. Villarta-Lane

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The gastropod assemblage and biofilm abundance, measured as chlorophyll a levels, were examined at 3 rocky shore sites in southern Antique, Panay, Philippines, in February 2024 to address significant gaps in current knowledge and help better understand the ecological dynamics of rocky intertidal zones. A total of 14 families comprising 22 genera and 31 species were identified from the area. The family Littorinidae was the most speciesrich, comprising 9 species. Among these, the scabra periwinkle Littoraria scabra (Philippi 1846) was the most abundant, comprising on average 50.17% of the total abundance across sites. Other identified gastropod families included Muricidae (5 …

Movement Of The Different Larval Stages Of Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia Furnacalis (Guenée), On Conventional Corn Hybrid Under Field Caged Conditions, Merdelyn T. Caasi-Lit, Mark Bryan A. Lontoc, Victor V. Alpuerto, Abigail P. De Leon, Jenifer Bigkas-Naungayan, John David C. Cortez, Edwin A. Benigno

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Larval dispersal is crucial in pest population establishment in crop fields. The movement of Ostrinia furnacalis (ACB) larvae within corn plots was observed to determine which factors affect larval dispersal in the field. Conventional corn plots (3 rows, 0.70 m apart x 9 plants, 0.20 m apart) were artificially infested with different combinations of larval age and pest density. The distributions of larvae were recorded through destructive sampling at 4, 8, 12, and 16 days after infestation (DAI). The behavior of ACB from the time the hatching larvae break open the egg mass shell to ballooning to start actual movement …

Evaluating A Blood Warming Device For Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusions To Decrease Hypothermia In Very Preterm Infants: A Randomised Control Trial Protocol, Kayla C. Everhart Phd, Rn, Michael D. Wirth Msph, Phd, Face, Victor N. Iskersky, Robin B. Dail Phd, Rn, Faan

Publications

Background: This protocol describes a study to test a commercial blood warming device in warming blood transfusions to prevent hypothermia associated with packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions in very preterm infants. Objectives: Very preterm infants receiving blood transfusions warmed by a commercial blood warmer will have less central body hypothermia post transfusion (abdominal temperatures < 36.5°C) and/or a higher mean abdominal temperature for the hour after the transfusion is complete compared to those receiving blood transfusions by standard of care. This trial has been registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (trial number NCT05170633). Methods: In this trial, which is funded by The Gerber Foundation and adhered to the SPIRIT2013 checklist, 140 very preterm infants with an order to receive PRBCs will be randomised into a standard of care group to receive one PRBC transfusion over 3 h with blood in a syringe at room temperature or into the intervention group to receive one PRBC transfusion over 3 h using a Hotline® Blood and Fluid Warmer. Abdominal skin temperatures will be measured every minute through a blood transfusion using a skin thermistor and datalogger. Data analysis: Descriptive statistics will be computed for each group to compare demographics and all infant pre-, during, and post-transfusion body temperatures. A student t-test will be used to compare the groups on mean post-transfusion temperatures as a primary outcome variable. To examine thermal change over time between the two groups, linear mixed models with a random intercept will be utilised. Results: This trial began in January 2022, in a South Carolina neonatal intensive care unit and is ongoing. Discussion: This RCT will determine if warming PRBC transfusions will prevent hypothermia in preterm infants during and after blood transfusions. Results from this trial will be used to design national standards for blood transfusions in preterm infants to decrease morbidity and mortality.

A Phenomenological Study Into The Experiences Of Introverted Teachers, Bambi A. Hamel

All NMU Master's Theses

Behavior management has long been a challenge for teachers in general, but there has been a lack of research on behavior management through the lens of personality type, such as introversion. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the strengths and skills of introverted teachers to facilitate positive behaviors in their classrooms, as well as challenges they encountered. In a semi-structured interview, five teachers from a school district in the Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan were presented with a specific set of questions (See Appendix C) targeting their experiences in behavior management as introverted teachers. The results highlighted the teachers’ unique traits …

The Effect Of Simulation On Nurses’ Confidence With Providing Post-Fetal Death Support To Bereaved Parents, Monique Scholine, Shannon Zalewski, Erin M. Franklin, Sandria Jamieson, Janelle Diaz, Donna Davis, Kristi Vargo, Nicole Adokou, Kettia Antoine, Natalie Bermudez

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Introduction: Fetal death (FD) affects one in 10 women worldwide and is associated with negative sequelae such as complicated grief. The negative effects of FD may potentially be mitigated through provision of bereavement support (BS) by trained healthcare workers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of simulation on registered nurses’ (RN) confidence in providing BS following FD.

Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study conducted within a South Florida community hospital. Nurses were recruited via email/flyers. Participation in the study entailed attending a post-FD simulation session, and completion of the Perinatal Bereavement Care Confidence Scale (PBCCS) …

Valorisasi Wayang Kulit: Tambal Sulam Pengalaman Pengrajin Wayang Kulit Dan Liyan Di Desa Wisata Wayang Sidowarno, Yayuk Windarti

Antropologi Indonesia

The emergence of Sidowarno Wayang Tourism Village indicates a significant transformation in the traditional art of wayang kulit (shadow puppetry). Wayang artisans in Sidowarno offer wayang kulit as an educational process packaged within a tourism village. However, as they adapt to the needs of others, the values embedded in wayang kulit undergo changes. This article addresses several questions, including: how do the roles of wayang kulit artisans in Butuh Village, Sidowarno contribute to the development of the wayang tourism village? How does the presence of other actors shape and transform the values of wayang kulit? Furthermore, how does …

Upright-Net+: Enhanced Learning Of Upright Orientation For 3d Point Clouds, Xufang Pang, Feng Li, Hongjie Zhuang, Ning Ding, Xiaopin Zhong, Shengfeng He, Wenxi Liu, Bo Jiang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Automatic 3D shape analysis is heavily influenced by the pose of input 3D models, as the continuous nature of pose space introduces complexities that usually exceed the encoding capacities of standard deep learning frameworks. To tackle this challenge, we present Upright-Net+, an enhancement of our previous model, Upright-Net, specifically developed for estimating upright orientation in 3D point clouds. Our approach is grounded in the design principle that ”form ever follows function,” treating the natural base of an object as a functional structure that stabilizes it in its typical pose, influenced by physical laws and geometric properties. We reformulate the continuous …

Dendrimer Gel Nanoparticles With Dual-Targeting Of Upar And Ribonucleotide Reductase R2 Influence Necrosis, Apoptosis, And Cell Cycle Arrest In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Hsin Yin Chuang, Yue-Wern Huang, Hu Yang

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype with limited treatment options due to the absence of estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptors. We previously developed highly adaptable polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer-based gel nanoparticles (GDP-uPA/GTI) with dual-targeting capabilities against urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and ribonucleotide reductase R2 (R2) to achieve selective antitumor effects. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms of GDP-uPA/GTI-induced tumor inhibition. In vivo, GDP-uPA/GTI significantly downregulated R2 expression and activated caspase 8 and caspase 3, indicating caspase-dependent apoptosis. Histological evaluation of major organs revealed no observable toxicity. …

Catalytic Synthesis Of Iron-Doped Graphitic Aerogels From Poly(Phloroglucinol-Terephthalaldehyde – Urethane) Precursors, Stephen Yaw Owusu, Rushi U. Soni, Chariklia Sotiriou-Leventis

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

We report a new class of graphitic carbon aerogel precursors based on iron oxide-doped poly(phloroglucinol-terephthalaldehyde–urethane) (T-POL/PU-FeOx) networks. The hybrid polymeric network incorporates a rigid aromatic triisocyanate, tris(4-isocyanatophenyl)methane, which reacts in situ with the hydroxyl groups of phloroglucinol to form a polyurethane-containing framework. Monolithic aerogels derived from this system undergo catalytic graphitization at significantly reduced temperatures (800–1500 °C) compared to conventional graphitization (2500–3300 °C). An oxidative ring fusion aromatization step (240 °C, air) prior to pyrolysis enhanced the degree of graphitization. The resulting graphitic aerogels were characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, TEM, SEM, XPS, and N₂ sorption porosimetry. Compared to …

Towards Inclusive Digital Futures Of Cultural Heritage: Insights From A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Unesco Dialogues, Shiqing Huang, Keng Siau, Xiaoting Chen

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Digital technologies are shaping many aspects of cultural heritage, but very little research has examined the implications of digital transformation. Drawing on concepts from Fairclough’s three-dimensional critical discourse analysis, this research examines the discourse using seven online dialogues (available on the UNESCO website) between 18 professionals who have different backgrounds and cultures to identify social practices related to the digital transformation of cultural heritage. We identify four digital transformation discourse types in professional dialogues: documentation, management, interpretation, and interaction. We also identify seven main groups: memory institutions including libraries, archives, and museums (LAMs), governments, international organizations, art and creative supporters, …

Bone Void Filler Materials For Augmentation In Comminuted Fractures: A Comprehensive Review, S. Sina Mohammadi, Sunjeev S. Phull, B. Sonny Bal, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Comminuted fractures, characterized by multiple bone fragments, present significant challenges in orthopedic surgery. Effective treatment often requires augmentation techniques to enhance fixation stability and promote bone regeneration. This review explores the application of bone void filler materials, including autografts, allografts, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and synthetic bone substitutes such as calcium phosphate ceramics and bioactive glass, in managing comminuted fractures. Autografts are the gold standard due to their superior osteogenic potential but are limited by donor site morbidity and availability. Allografts mitigate these issues but face concerns regarding immunogenicity and reduced biological activity. PMMA, widely used for structural augmentation, provides immediate …

Resolving The Energy Efficiency Paradox: Leveraging Benefits For Saudi Arabia’S Building Sector, Fateh Belaïd, Mahelet G. Fikru

Economics Faculty Research & Creative Works

This article examines the economics of energy efficiency in Saudi Arabia's building sector, centering on the "energy efficiency paradox," the observed under adoption of cost-effective technologies despite their clear benefits—such as reducing energy use and associated emissions. We show that a mix of market barriers and behavioral biases—including split incentives, informational gaps, and the value-action gap—constrains adoption of energy-efficient solutions. Recent modeling suggests that improved air-conditioning labels could save up to 80 TWh of electricity annually, though rebound effects may erode some of these gains. Our analysis shows that tackling market failures is necessary but not enough. Strong building codes …

The Power Of Partnership: A Systematic Review Of Interorganizational Collaboration Among Victim Service Organizations, Mackenzie E. Allred

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Victim service organizations inhabit an organizational niche composed of other, adjacent organizations such as hospitals, shelters, police, and prosecutors. Effectively serving victims entails building and maintaining relationships with these adjacent organizations. Limited research has sought to discuss the role of interorganizational collaboration in the context of victim service organizations. I investigate this topic by conducting a systematic literature review on the existing research focused on interorganizational collaboration among victim service organizations. With data gathered from this review, I explore the nature and extent of interorganizational collaboration and its potential impact on victim service organizations. I close with recommendations for future …

Assessing The Effects Of Leaderboards On Motivation And Math Achievement Of 5th And 6th Grade Students, Michele Alfieri

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Traditional teacher-led instructional methods are increasingly disconnected with the learning preferences of students raised in digital environments. These learners often require information to be delivered more rapidly and engagingly, prompting educators to incorporate strategies such as gamification to maintain student motivation and interest. Gamification, which involves integrating game design elements into non-game settings, has been shown to enhance engagement. A common feature of gamification is the use of leaderboards, which are visual displays that show individual and peer performance rankings. While leaderboards can foster motivation through competition, their effect on student morale and achievement outcomes is mixed. The purpose of …

Live And Let Fly: Assessing Threats To California Condors, Molly Astell

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) are a critically endangered species that face threats, both anthropogenic and natural, that slow recovery of their population. The leading causes of death of condors are lead toxicosis, predation, trauma, fire, and collision and electrocution at power lines. As a long-lived and slow-maturing species, each death is consequential and understanding when and where threats occur can greatly benefit management and mitigation. Although the focus of extensive mitigation efforts, lead toxicosis remains the leading cause of death for condors. There has been less effort dedicated to addressing the second-leading anthropogenic threat, interactions with power lines. Such efforts …

Leveraging Disparate Wildland Fire Datasets To Address Longstanding Fire Management Questions, Kendra Fallon

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

While wildfire season is perceived as occurring in the warm months, and expanding, wildfire management is a year-long process. Juxtaposed to wildfire seasons are the reactive seasons of mitigating for post-fire effects, namely first-order effects of potential hydrological impacts in burn footprints, and the proactive implementation of fuels treatments to modify fire behavior to lessen the reactive workload. In this dissertation, I focus on answering lingering questions that are critical to the management of the shoulder seasons of wildfire season. To assist in resource allocation and identification of post-hydrological risks, I present a model identifying the major drivers of soil …

Interconnection Among Germanic Peoples In The Roman Late Republican And Early Imperial Eras: From Historical And Archaeological Sources, Krystian Fichat

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This thesis evaluates the cultural interactions between the Germanic peoples and neighboring societies during the Roman Late Republican and Early Imperial Eras. Roman authors traditionally portrayed the Germani as isolated barbarians and through ethnocentric and propagandistic writings, misrepresenting the Germanic people on a large scale. By combining an analysis of historical sources, such as Roman histories and ethnographies, the examination of connection through polytheistic religious practice in Western Europe and in Rome, archaeological evidence of Germanic trade and craft, and the study of settlements common to Celtic and Germanic peoples, this research demonstrates that the Germani were actively participating in …