Digital Commons Network^™

A Single Session Of Acceptance And Commitment Therapy In A Group Format To Promote Health-Related Behavior Change In Nutrition And Sleep: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Thi Anh Tran

Dissertations

Nutrition and sleep are important health-related behaviors for which only a small percentage of the population meet recommended guidelines. To impact population-health it is important to develop focused, flexible, efficient, and efficacious interventions. This study examined the efficacy of a 60-minute Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention in a group presentation format to initiate change in nutrition and sleep related behaviors in college students. Thirty-two collegians (M age = 18.55 [.85], 66% female, 34% Hispanic, 25% white) were randomized to receive ACT focusing on nutrition (n = 18 participants across 4 groups) or sleep (n = 14 participants across 3 …

Aars Online: A Collaborative Database On The Structure, Function, And Evolution Of The Aminoacyl-Trna Synthetases, Jordan Douglas, Haissi Cui, John J. Perona, Oscar Vargas-Rodriguez, Henna Tyynismaa, Claudia Alvarez Carreno, Jiqiang Ling, Lluis Ribas De Pouplana, Xiang-Lei Yang, Multiple Additional Authors

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS) are a large group of enzymes that implement the genetic code in all known biological systems. They attach amino acids to their cognate tRNAs, moonlight in various translational and non-translational activities beyond aminoacylation, and are linked to many genetic disorders. The aaRS have a subtle ontology characterized by structural and functional idiosyncrasies that vary from organism to organism, and protein to protein. Across the tree of life, the 22 coded amino acids are handled by 16 evolutionary families of Class I aaRS and 21 families of Class II aaRS. We introduce AARS Online, an interactive Wikipedia-like …

(R2098) Dynamic Analysis Of Stochastic Leslie-Gower Biological Predator-Prey Model With Prey Cannibalism, Sada Nand Prasad, Itendra Kumar Universiry Of Delhi, India, Pawan Kumar

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

In this paper, we study the dynamical analysis of a stochastic Leslie–Gower biological predator– prey model. Earlier, the Leslie–Gower model was studied in the context of biological systems, including cases involving cannibalism. In our model, we investigate the dynamic properties of a stochastic Leslie–Gower predator–prey ecological system using the stability of invariant measures on invariant sets, where the invariant measures are shown to be ergodic. We also conduct a threshold analysis to study the stochastic persistence and extinction of species. Stochastic bifurcation is also examined. The theoretical results are supported by numerical simulations and examples. Intra-species competition is considered and …

(R2116) The Novel Garima Distribution Properties And Nuclear Data Application, Murat Aygün, Ayşe Metin Karakaş

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

This research introduces a new two-parameter Marshall-Olkin Garima distribution model. The novel model has many sub-models that are useful in modeling real-life data, such as the extended Garima distribution, exponentiated Garima distribution, exponential distribution, Lindley distribution, Kumaraswamy Garima distribution, and normal distribution. The proposed model demonstrates a high level of suitability in modeling both reliability and survival data. It is flexible in accommodating various failures. The quantile function, density shapes, hazard rate functions, and order statistics are a few of the statistical features that have been explored. Maximum likelihood estimation methods were employed to estimate the parameters. Using five data …

(R2102) Chaos Measure In A Discrete Sir Epidemic Model With Constant Recovery, Sonia Aneja, Itendra Kumar, Sada Nand Prasad

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

A discrete SIR epidemic model with constant recovery and bilinear incidence rate is investigated for emergence of regular and chaotic behaviour in the context of non linear dynamics and different viable settings. The Euler’s discretization method is employed to transform the continuous epidemic model into discrete model which has been used as the study model. Attention is paid to various bifurcation plots obtained by varying certain system parameters while keeping other parameters constant. Bifurcations indicate regular evolution followed by chaos. Regular and chaotic attractors have been drawn in the process. As part of chaos measure, numerical studies are extended to …

Assessing The Short-Term Outcomes Of Erase And Replace: A Series Of Health & Wellness Activities, Gabriela Murza, Christina Pay, Eva Timothy, Melanie Dabb, Cris Meier

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Utah State University Extension faculty addressed Utah's high rate of poor mental health with activities that improved participants’ connections, confidence, and abilities. These efforts positively impacted adults' mental health and quality of life and offered an additional resource to address self-care needs while encouraging connection and skill-building.

Leadership Ways Of The Three Fires Anishinaabek, Grace Boda

Dissertations

Leadership has often been viewed through a narrow lens that primarily reflects Western perspectives, while Indigenous knowledge has been overlooked, marginalized, or excluded, perpetuating colonial systems. This study aims to restore Indigenous knowledge within the Three Fires Anishinaabek community and to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of leadership. Employing an Indigenous research methodology, the study centers relational and wholistic ways of knowing. This approach adheres to Indigenous ethics of relational accountability and utilizes a collaborative strategy for knowledge gathering (data collection) through conversational interviews.

As knowledge contributors (participants), members of the Three Fires Anishinaabek community engaged in discussions that …

From Pages To Pixels: Library Workers’ Perceptions Of Power In The Digital Era, Sean Gaffney

Dissertations

This work explores how library workers experience power during the era of digital transformation. As libraries transition from traditional knowledge repositories to dynamic, technology-driven information centers, power structures within these institutions are undergoing significant change. Despite the extensive implementation of digital transformation initiatives, there is a critical gap in understanding how digitalization is impacting employees’ experiences of power within the library context.

Drawing on French and Raven’s Bases of Social Power model, this study investigates how digital tools, platforms, and processes influence how power is perceived among library workers and its distribution and sources. A qualitative survey study was conducted …

Volume 44, Number 4, December 2024 Olac Newsletter, Laura Kane Mcelfresh, Michael Herrick, Alex Whelan, Tanesa King, Nerissa Lindsey, Lisa Romano, Janelle Zetty, Morris Levy, Jan Mayo, Bobby Bothmann, Tomeka L. Jackson, Thumy Webb, Nurhak Tuncer, Katherine Manifold, Michelle Cronquist, Amanda Mack, Michelle E. Colquitt, Carla Davis Cunningham, Meghan Croll, Chelsea Gizzi, Christine Baker, Ann Kardos, Ellen Wright, Beth Fogler, Amy Pennington, Tina Marie Maes

OLAC Newsletters

Digitized December 2024 issue of the OLAC Newsletter.

Enhancing Assessment And Feedback In Game Design Programs: Leveraging Generative Ai For Efficient And Meaningful Evaluation, James Hutson, Ben Fulcher, Jay Ratican

Faculty Scholarship

The integration of generative AI tools in game design education offers promising ways to streamline the grading, assessment, and feedback processes that are typically labor-intensive. In game design programs, faculty often deal with varied file formats, including 3D models, executable prototypes, videos, and complex game design documents. Traditional methods of assessment and feedback, primarily text-based, struggle to provide timely and actionable insights for students. Furthermore, only a small percentage of top students consistently review and apply feedback, leading to inefficiencies. This article explores how generative AI tools can augment these processes by automating aspects of grading, generating more personalized and …

Exploring The Therapeutic Benefits Of Dance In The Academic Schedule: The Effects On Stress Among High School Students, Amanda Polanowski

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the minds of dance students about the stress they experienced as a result of their academic schedules and extracurriculars. The following research questions informed this study:

Q1 Does incorporating dance into the academic schedule lower stress in high school students?

Q2 In what mental state are students before and after taking dance class?

Q3 Does dance provide mental health benefits for high school students?

Student stress was evaluated before the study using a questionnaire as well as before and after each dance class through surveys. Eighteen students participated in a …

I Belong Here: How Culturally Responsive Learning Builds Community And Acceptance In The Dance Classroom Of A Public School System, Britteny Dorothy Hyslip

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to gauge the impact of culturally responsive educational practices on a public school dance class through evaluations of students taking part in the class. This study aimed to see how a dance course written with culturally responsive learning practices positively impacts public school students from a behavioral and social-emotional aspect. Two essential questions were used in this thesis study.

Q1 Why is the diversity of dance important in a diverse school district?

Q2 How can the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education scale for culturally responsive learning be reframed for performing arts education …

Exploring Audience Perceptions Of Elementary School Dance Curriculum: Utilizing Informance To Investigate Beliefs Regarding The Presentation Of Student Learning In Dance, Michaela Summers

Master's Theses

The goal of this thesis was to gain insight into the perceptions and expectations of audiences in relation to elementary school dance education curriculum and its representation through showcases or displays, particularly within the context of viewing an informance. The researcher developed three research questions to guide the study:

Q1 What are audience perceptions of elementary school dance education pedagogy and curriculum?

Q2 What methods do audiences expect to be implemented in an elementary school dance performance?

Q3 Can utilizing informances affect audience perceptions of elementary school dance education, thus changing their expectations for dance performance methods?

Thirty-eight audience members …

Psychological Impacts Of Competitive Dance: Understanding Mental Health And Team Dynamics Among Young Dancers, Gloria E. Brunner

Master's Theses

The purpose of the research was to investigate deeply into the psychological aspects of competitive dance and its influence on the mental well-being of young dancers. Competitive dance has grown significantly in popularity, fueled by reality television shows and social media platforms, creating a high-pressure environment for participants. This research investigated the unique stressors faced by young dancers including performance anxiety, body image concerns, and burnout, while also identifying coping strategies and the positive personal development fostered through dance.

To uncover more information about the positive and negative effects of competition dance, the researcher focused the study on the following …

They Can't Know I Wanna Kiss Robots: Stigma And Audience Segregation In Fanfiction, Micah Arrow Callin

Master's Theses

Fanfiction writers have long faced public stigma, which emerged with the rise of fandom and, according to recent claims, may be lessening as fandom identities gain wider acceptance. However, the practice of fanfiction writers intentionally segregating their audiences remains a deeply embedded aspect of fandom culture, with limited understanding of its underlying motivations. The purpose of this study was to analyze the audience segregation employed by online fanfiction authors in order to understand why they choose to segregate their audiences, and specifically to determine the influence of social stigma on these choices, answering these main questions: Is there segregation between …

Exploring The Impact Of Dance Arts Integration On General Education Teaching Practices: Insights Into Classroom Environment, Planning, Instruction, And Assessment, Sara Kessler-Kennon

Master's Theses

The purpose of this research study was to explore the impact of dance arts integration facilitation on teaching practices by emphasizing classroom environment, planning, instruction, and assessment. The researcher created the following four essential questions to guide the study:

Q1 How does incorporating movement-based arts integration alter classroom environment, student behavior, student engagement, and inclusivity of students with various abilities and diverse backgrounds?

Q2 How does incorporating movement-based arts integration impact the general educators' planning time, process, style, and understanding? Does the general educator feel as though they can effectively incorporate movement-based arts integration without collaborating with a dance educator? …

Analyzing The Influence Of Faculty Diversity On Dance Education In Texas High Schools: A Case Study Of Representation In Dance Programs, Aransas Lazo

Master's Theses

The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between cultural diversity among high school dance instructors and its subsequent impact on students' experiences in high school dance education. The researcher used two types of instrumentation to collect the data: semi-structured interview questions and an online survey. The semi-structured interview questions were researcher-developed and open-ended, allowing the eight participants to provide detailed responses regarding their experiences as a dance instructor, cultural diversity, Texas Education Association (TEA) standards, and the requirements for their dance program. The survey questions asked Yes/No/Unsure questions that involved such questions related to faculty diversity, cultural …

Body Positivity Via Costuming Performances In Grades Nine Through Twelve Dance, Kacey Valentine O'Keeffe

Master's Theses

This thesis explored the impact of body image and self-esteem on high school dancers and the pivotal role of dance educators in fostering a positive environment during concert preparations. The purpose of this research study was to determine if there was a correlation between promotion of health and wellness from dance educators and body positivity among high school dancers. The following research questions were addressed in this study:

Q1 What positively contributes to a dancers’ self-esteem and body image?

Q2 What is an effective solution for costume fitting methods to be used by dance educators while keeping their dancers’ safety …

Empowering Educators: Examining Social-Emotional Learning Professional Development In Advancing Knowledge And Skills, Jessica Ann Ryan

Theses & Dissertations

This cross-sectional quantitative survey methodology study examined teachers’ knowledge and skills of social-emotional learning after participating in professional development. CASEL’s (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) theoretical framework of the five core competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making (2024) guided the research. The literature review analyzed studies conducted related to social-emotional learning (SEL) and professional development. It focused on the themes of SEL policy and legislation, teachers’ perception of SEL, the impact of SEL on students, methodology, potential barriers to SEL, professional development, teaching experience, and gaps in the research that pertain to teachers’ …

A Proposed Instrument To Determine Mobility Eligibility Criteria And Levels For Mechanically Ventilated Patients In The Intensive Care Unit, Keira Gabrielle Miller

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

Immobility is a problem among mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit. Early mobility has been shown to benefit mechanically ventilated patient outcomes by minimizing hospital stays and costs, decreasing the risk of infection, and improving muscle strength to lead to a better quality of life. No inclusive checklists exist to evaluate patients progressing to varying levels of mobility based on specific criteria such as hemodynamics, neurological function, and disease acuity. This gap was identified after a current and comprehensive literature review on early mobilization among mechanically ventilated patients. The purpose of this project was to combine a comprehensive …

Incorporating The Pcl-5 Self Assessment Tool In The Treatment Of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Using Virtual Reality Therapy, Janette Sanchez

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background. Post-traumatic stress disorder occurs when individuals experience a traumatic event causing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and cognitive difficulties (Sadock et al., 2017). Failure to assess changes in post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms can result in ineffective treatments (Department of Veterans Affairs & Department of Defense, 2023). Purpose. Implement the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 screening tool as part of an outpatient clinic’s virtual reality exposure therapy protocol evaluating patients’ perceived effectiveness of virtual reality exposure therapy in post-traumatic stress disorder management. Methods. All staff and providers were educated on the use of the PCL-5 screening tool. Patients were …

Extreme Poverty, Social Justice, And Human Rights: Rawls, Sen, And Wresinski, Quentin Wodon

Vincentian Studies

This paper explores the thought on extreme poverty and social justice of Father Joseph Wresinski (1917–1988), a Catholic priest who devoted his life to working with the very poor. To situate Wresinski within debates on social justice, comparisons are made with John Rawls and Armataya Sen. The focus is on the identification of the least advantaged and of who is responsible for implementing social justice. For Rawls, the least advantaged can be defined through their endowment of primary goods, and social justice is to be implemented through a society’s core institutions. For Sen, the aim is to expand capabilities, with …

Becoming A Poor Church For The Poor: The Vincentian Charism, An Invitation To The Church’S Bold Reform Today, Dominique Iyolo

Vincentian Studies

Dominique Iyolo explains how the Vincentian charism anticipated and is reflected in Pope Francis’s Evangelii Gaudium, and how it is being put into practice for the service of the poor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Madagascar. Iyolo discusses the theology behind the preferential option for the poor and also describes how their suffering is caused by a spiritual poverty of the rest of the world.

Frédéric Ozanam’S Lay Vision Of Reform: The Transformation Of His Church And His World, Raymond L. Sickinger

Vincentian Studies

Ahead of his time, Frédéric Ozanam believed that the laity should play an essential role in what he termed the regeneration of the Church, which would lead to the regeneration of society. This would “occur only if Catholic laypersons understood that they had an obligation to transform themselves and then to use their talents to better their Church and their world.” Transformation was to touch all the religious, social, economic, and political aspects of life. In this spirit, he founded the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul: “the transformation of the individual members, and thereby the transformation of the society …

Ways Of Knowing: Laywomen In Early Vincentian Practices Of Reform, Alison Forrestal

Vincentian Studies

Alison Forrestal examines the role of laywomen of various social classes in early Vincentian service. Although the concept of a lay vocation had not been formulated in the seventeenth century, the service that laywomen, whether married or single, provided to society rendered their state valuable and holy in its own right. This was an important facet of the Catholic Reformation. Early Vincentian efforts were innovative for the time, allowing women to organize and perform the administrative work for their own service. Women also gave religious instruction to the poor, which was unusual, and their own spirituality and devotional activities were …

Thermal Modeling Of Cooling Time Of Submarine Dacite Lapilli Tuff: Brothers Volcano, Kermadec Arc, Kyler Byrd

Master's Theses

Little is known about submarine volcanoes' eruptive histories and styles, even though they are essential to developing island arc systems and represent the second largest volcanic systems on Earth. Scientific drilling allows for the opportunity to study these systems. This study focused on two drill sites on Brothers volcano from IODP Expedition 376: Site U1528, located on the resurgent cone, and Site U1530, located on the caldera rim. Expedition researchers analyzed samples for clast radius, density, thermal conductivity, and specific heat. This data was then entered into the heat transfer equation of a sphere to create a cooling curve model …

Investigating Nekton Response To Changing Salinities In The Mississippi Sound: An Experimental And Statistical Approach, Adam Murray

Master's Theses

The Mississippi Sound provides nursery habitats for many coastal species and is recognized for its commercial fisheries. Previous freshening events linked to the Bonnet Carré Spillway, a Mississippi River flood diversion structure, proved catastrophic for oyster populations in the Mississippi Sound, but effects on mobile fish and shellfish species are not well-defined. The planned Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion (MBSD), an initiative to combat wetland loss, is also forecasted to lower salinities in the region, increasing the need to better understand responses of commercially and ecologically important species to freshening events. The objective of this study was to characterize effects of salinity …

Geomorphic Assessment And Flow Modeling Of Pearl Darter (Percina Aurora) Habitat In The Pascagoula River Watershed, Malia Davidson

Master's Theses

Freshwater ecosystems are complex ecosystems driven by hydrologic, geomorphic, and biological processes. Considering both abiotic and biotic factors is important to understanding resident species habitat. Geomorphology is a known, but often neglected factor in habitat assessment for freshwater fishes. A crucial feature commonly seen in alluvial stream systems are sandbars, which are dynamic and variable sediment structures that are known to have many associated species. One such species is the Pearl Darter, Percina aurora, a federally threatened species that only resides in the Pascagoula River watershed. Despite its status, habitat preference remains unclear. To fill this knowledge gap, I …

A Study Of The Ceramics At The Ebert Canebrake Site (1mc25), Andrew Patterson

Master's Theses

The Ebert Canebrake site is a small multi-component village in Macon County, Alabama. The primary focus of this thesis is to explain the presence of two distinct ceramic traditions on-site during the Mississippi period (AD 1000-1450). Local Shine II ceramics are typified by sand tempering and are related to the Lamar culture of eastern Georgia and western Alabama. Big Eddy phase ceramics are typified by shell tempering and Moundville-like designs from the Black Warrior River Valley in western Alabama. The temporal and spatial relationship of these materials on site is examined through an artifact analysis based upon stratified samples recovered …

Fight At The Museum: An Ethnographic Study Investigating Staff And Volunteers At Wwii Museums And Memorials, Miranda Noland

Master's Theses

Museums are places where events of the past can be explained, appreciated, and understood. While efforts are often taken to provide a neutral position in the presentation of complicated and emotional historical events, there may exist external pressure to present a more overtly nationalist narrative to please a particular audience or group of funders (Fujitani 1997). This creates a conflict of interest with respect to fair, accurate, and/or honest representation (White 1997b) for museum staff to navigate.

The goal of this thesis is to investigate stories that museums are permitted to tell within the context of Japanese and American narratives …