Digital Commons Network^™

Biomass Demineralization: A Critical Need For Future Biorefineries, Leoncio Santiago-Martínez, Styliani Avraamidou, Alejandro Ayala-Cortés, Ruth Azike, Santanu Bakshi, Chumki Banik, Ezra Bar Ziv, Fei Long, Rebecca Ong, Et Al.

Michigan Tech Publications

Biomass contains up to 14 essential elements that serve as nutrients for plant growth and development, including photosynthesis and enzyme functionalities. These elements in different chemical forms (e.g., minerals) constitute the inorganic fraction of biomass and can cause operational issues in thermal and biochemical biomass conversion technologies. In biomass gasification and pyrolysis processes, for instance, inorganics can cause fouling, tar formation, and corrosion. In catalytic and biochemical processes, inorganics can poison catalysts, alter biochemical pathways, and modify product yields and selectivity. This review provides an overview of the inorganic content in biomass feedstocks, the critical role inorganics play in plant …

The Role Of Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging In 30-Day Readmissions Among Acute St-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients, Britta Watson

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the largest contributor to deaths that result from cardiovascular disease. When CAD is left untreated, it can result in an acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). To treat coronary blockages caused by CAD, a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is performed. A PCI is a non-invasive procedure that uses coronary balloons and stents to open a narrowed or blocked coronary artery and restore blood flow.

An acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a major cause of early hospital readmissions. Technological …

Cognition And Mental Health: Addressing The Impact Of Traumatic Brain Injuries (Tbi) On Adults, Hannah E. Smith, Lesley Khan-Farooqi, Anne Mcdonnell, Mpa, Otr/L, Cbist

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project addresses cognitive and mental health challenges in adults with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). It developed evidence-based resources, including a clinician handbook and user-friendly survivor guidebook - using research, interviews, and observations. The materials were refined with expert feedback and support improved interventions, education, and quality of life for individuals with TBIs, and their caregivers.

Building Sport-Specific Conditioning For Rodeo Athletes, Morgan Hammond, Lillie Gorges, Emily Keene, Jamie Kerkviet, Justin L. Montney, Anthony Fox, Montana Heacock

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Building Sport-Specific Conditioning for Rodeo Athletes: A Mixed-Methods Needs Assessment

Approach

Background: Rodeo athletes face unique physical demands characterized by explosive strength, dynamic balance, and high injury risk across events such as bull riding, barrel racing, and roping. Despite these demands, collegiate rodeo programs often lack access to structured, evidence-based strength and conditioning resources. This project aimed to address this gap through development of a sport-specific training program. Methods: A mixed-methods needs assessment was conducted integrating qualitative interviews with coaches and athletes alongside quantitative systematic observation of practices. Qualitative data identified training philosophies, logistical constraints, and the importance of “rodeo …

Street-Level Bureaucrats In Public Higher Education: The Ethical Obligations To Support Psychologically At-Risk Students, Michael Turtz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

To fill the gap in the current literature, the purpose of this dissertation was to explain how and why Street-Level Bureaucrats (SLBs) in public higher education helped psychologically at-risk students during the pandemic. This qualitative study was intended to examine the role of SLBs in public higher education as it relates to their utilization of administrative discretion when advising psychologically at-risk students. In addition to administrative discretion, this dissertation also explored the role of ethical obligations and the use of a therapeutic lens when SLBs are faced with some of the most difficult situations for which they were not equipped …

The Student Movement Volume 110 Issue 20: April Showers, Analog Switching, And The Arisen Savior, Ysa Dennis, Addison Randall, Melanie Webb, Anna Pak, Megan Constantine, Ysabella Neves, Joey Carrion, Caleb Chung, Anna Rybachek, Maya Thomas, Aiko J. Ayala Rios

The Student Movement V. 110 (2025-2026)

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Connection Beyond The Classroom, Ysa Dennis

Passion Play Returns to AU, Addison Randall

Mailyn Iribar Prepares for Her Senior Recital, "Reflections", Addison Randall

Sharing God's Message: Watchmen Acappella to Perform at HPAC, Melanie Webb

HUMANS

Spotlight on the Center for Adventist Research, Anna Pak

Escape Rooms, Podcasts, and Shot Stories: How Kylene Cave Sparks Student Creativity, Megan Constantine

NEWS

Lights, Camera, Starstruck: AUSA Hosts 2026 Banquet, Ysabella Neves

IDEAS

Joyful Apocalyptism: Living Life at the End of the World, Joey Carrion

Bridging the Generational Gap, Caleb Chung

PULSE

Growing from the Inside: The Benefits of Having Dorm …

Romance Scam Reporting And Support: Help-Seeking Timing, Trust, And Escalation, Ld Herrera

Research & Publications

Built on social engineering and identity deception, romance scams often create financial loss and distress. For victims, it can be difficult to know where to go, what information is needed, and what outcomes are realistic. This paper reports results from an anonymous survey of people who were targeted by or experienced a romance scam (completed surveys: n=386), focusing on (1) when and whether victims first reach out for help, (2) perceived difficulty and confidence in navigating support, (3) how trust relates to expectations of assistance, and (4) how loss severity relates to transfer-method complexity. When help was sought, it was …

A 4-Dimensional Rubik’S Cube You Can Hold: How It’S Possible And The Math Behind It, Eric J. Moon

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This poster examines the physical 2x2x2x2, a hand-held realization of a 4-dimensional Rubik’s Cube invented by Melinda Green. Unlike most higher-dimensional twisty puzzles, which exist only as software simulations, this puzzle provides a physical model for exploring 4-dimensional rotation, symmetry, and solving methods. The poster introduces the structure of the puzzle, its canonical move system, and several algebraic ideas that help explain how scrambling and solving work.

From a mathematical perspective, the puzzle can be studied using group actions, commutators, conjugation, and combinatorial counting. In particular, the number of reachable states depends on corner permutations, corner orientations, parity restrictions, twist …

Protecting Gentle Giants: Sustainability Challenges In Whale Shark Ecotourism, Carlos A. Morales-Ramirez

Sustainability Research & Practice Seminar Presentations

Dr. Carlos A. Morales-Ramírez presents "Protecting Gentle Giants: Sustainability Challenges in Whale Shark Ecotourism."

Commonwealth Times 2026-04-08

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Implementing Positive Mental Health Promotion In An Under-Resourced School, Cameron M. Friedel, Angela Blackwell, Cat Daniel

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

The realities of under-resourced schools, while often described in terms of constraint, also present a meaningful opportunity for schools to intentionally promote positive mental health. By recognizing and building upon students’ existing strengths and adaptive capacities, school-based initiatives can transform everyday environments and routines into contexts that foster regulation, inclusion, and well-being for all students now and in the future. The integration of positive mental health within a school system impacts the behavior, social-emotional learning (SEL) skills, and academic development of all students. Given this information a digital toolkit was created as a targeted, occupational therapy (OT) informed solution for …

Democracy At Work And The Promise Of Dignity: Worker Cooperatives And The Experiences Of Workers Of Color, Isabella "Leila" Thomas

Undergraduate Theses

The United States faces profound wealth inequality which has also disproportionately disadvantaged people of color in terms of economic security. This study investigates how participation in worker cooperatives, which provide higher wages and greater worker benefits on average, impacts worker-members of color. The study draws on qualitative interviews with worker members from largely minority-led cooperatives. It explores how the key cooperative principles of democratic decision-making, autonomy, and community engagement can counteract marginalization. This paper fills significant gaps in research on workplace dynamics by applying Blustein & Allan (2025)'s recently formulated dignity-at-work framework to an alternative, democratized workplace model rather than …

Long-Term Assessment Of Cattail (Typha Spp.) Dynamics And Wetland Restoration In The Everglades Using Object-Based Landsat Time Series And Markov Modeling, Gideon Tandoh, Stephen Yankyera, Michael Sean Chenoweth

Research, Publications & Creative Work

Assessing long-term vegetation response to restoration requires spatially consistent monitoring approaches that capture both observed change and likely future trajectories. In the Florida Everglades, nutrient enrichment contributed to the expansion of cattail (Typha spp.) within Water Conservation Area 3A (WCA-3A), raising concerns about restoration effectiveness. This study integrates a multi-temporal Landsat time series (2004–2024), object-based image analysis (OBIA), support vector machine (SVM) classification, and Markov transition modeling to quantify and project vegetation change in WCA-3A. Object-based segmentation reduced classification fragmentation in heterogeneous marsh landscapes, while SVM improved separation among spectrally similar vegetation classes. Classification accuracies remained consistently high across sensors …

Perioperative Pressure Injury Prevention Education Program, Stephanie M. Reed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Pressure injuries (PIs) are localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue, usually over a bony prominence, resulting from sustained pressure including pressure associated from shear. Surgical patients are estimated to represent 42% of hospital acquired PIs. PIs result in poor patient outcomes, increase length of stay, add billions to heath care costs are no longer reimbursed by Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services. Prevention of PI is different in the perioperative setting due to the complexities of surgery. This project focused on developing, delivering, and evaluating a robust education program for perioperative staff on PI prevention in the perioperative setting. The …

Relationship Between Hepatitis B Virus Screening, Vaccination, And Spread In Sierra Leone, Muhammed Sarmodu Mansaray

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) presents a significant public health burden in Sierra Leone. Although the estimated prevalence was 8.7% in 2021, comprehensive statistical data has been limited in general. Programmatic interventions for HBV control such as systematic screening and vaccination have remained limited as well. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between screening and vaccination practices and HBV prevalence in Sierra Leone while controlling for age, sex, education and health care access. The theoretical framework incorporated the Integrated Screening Action model, which highlights screening as a critical disease prevention strategy, and the Social Ecological …

Succession Strategies For Family Business Owners, Sara Ann Neel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Family business succession remains a persistent challenge, as many family-owned enterprises fail to survive transitions in leadership and ownership. Family business owners and stakeholders are concerned with ineffective succession because failed transitions can threaten business longevity, family relationships, and the preservation of multigenerational wealth and legacy. Grounded in the family business three-circle model and stewardship theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore effective succession strategies used by some family business owners to improve succession outcomes. The participants were eight senior family business owners in Texas whose business revenues were between $3 million and $250 million. Data …

Sociodemographic Factors And Dating Violence Among Adolescents Living In Rural Southern U.S. Communities, Kiara Patricia Sims-Thrasher

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adolescent dating violence (ADV) is a significant public health issue that disproportionately affects youths in southern rural communities, yet these populations remain underrepresented in research. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to examine the association between ADV and sociodemographic factors (gender, race, age, and education level), alcohol consumption, and bullying among adolescents in Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi using data from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. Guided by the social-ecological model, binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess relationships between ADV victimization and the selected predictors. Results indicated that females had significantly higher odds of reporting …

Psychologists’ Preparedness And Self-Efficacy In Serving Grieving Hispanics During Covid-19, Janet Salinas Sanchez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health professionals working with Hispanic populations often face challenges in addressing grief, a culturally multifaceted experience influenced by traditions and familial and community practices. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine psychologists’ self-efficacy and preparedness in managing grief among Hispanic individuals who have been affected by COVID-19, address cultural factors in grief management, and identify demographic or professional factors that predict higher self-efficacy in working with Hispanic clients. Data were collected at a single point in time from eight psychologists who were actively working or had worked with Hispanic populations during COVID-19 to explore psychologists’ self-efficacy, preparedness, …

Daily Eastern News: April 08, 2026, Eastern Illinois University

Daily Eastern News: 2025-2026

No abstract provided.

Interprofessional Collaboration: A Functional Vestibular Screening Framework For Children With Hearing Loss, Corinne Marascio

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Introduction: The vestibular system is comprised of five organs located in the inner ear that support balance, coordination, and spatial awareness (Cleveland Clinic, 2024). Due to the proximity of the hearing and vestibular organs, children with hearing loss are at an increased risk for vestibular dysfunction (Cushing & Papsin, 2018; Kelly et al., 2021). Early recognition and treatment of vestibular disorders via vestibular rehabilitation therapy can support healthy development throughout childhood (Monshizadeh et al., 2022; Wrobel et al., 2020). While vestibular assessment falls within the audiological scope of practice, barriers preclude routine screening of vestibular deficits in pediatric patients with …

2023 Bpsou Stormwater Evaluation And Maintenance Report Annual Stormwater Report For Bpsou Stormwater Structures, Butte-Silver Bow Department Of Reclamation And Environmental Services

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

2023 Bpsou Stormwater Evaluation And Maintenance Report Annual Stormwater Report For Bpsou Stormwater Structures, Butte-Silver Bow Department Of Reclamation And Environmental Services

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Spartan Daily, April 8, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 166, Issue 30

University Recognizes Top Researchers, Scholars With Annual Awards, Clara Turnage

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi recognized nine outstanding faculty members Tuesday (April 7) at the second annual Chancellor's Awards for Research and Creative Scholarship.

Hollywood Has Learned Nothing From #Metoo, Clara Sarfati

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights and Social Justice (ERSJ) Blog

Following the surge of the #MeToo movement in 2017, which exposed widespread unsafe and discriminatory conditions for women in Hollywood, the industry underwent a fundamental shift in how its institutions addressed sexual misconduct and equal opportunity.  Now, with the rattles of the movement stabilizing, Hollywood is reemerging as an unsafe environment for women in entertainment.  One of the most high-profile cases of the 2020s, Lively v. Wayfarer Studios LLC, illustrates how legal frameworks and Hollywood culture continue to fall short on protecting female victims of sexual assault.  Moreover, it underscores how survivors are often still forced to navigate complex legal …

Rethinking Sustainable Development: Postcolonial Perspectives And Alternative Pathways To Progress, Lauren M. Pappalardo

Undergraduate Theses

Sustainable development, promoted as a universal model, does not reflect a neutral global goal as advertised, but rather, often reproduces longstanding colonial power relations through political projects, and should be reimagined to endorse a multifaceted approach through consideration of alternative worldviews and values, emphasizing context dependent processes and aspirations. Thus, what might context dependent constructions of sustainable development look like in implementation? How do various cosmologies which inspire Indigenous and economic driven worldviews fit into theories of global politics? This thesis offers an understanding of current global development issues and successes and offers suggestions for a more equitable approach to …

Cognitive And Mental Health Challenges: Addressing The Impact Of Traumatic Brain Injuries In Adults, Hannah E. Smith, Lesley Khan-Farooqi, Phd, Otd, Otr, Anne Mcdonnell, Mpa, Otr/L, Cbist

Student Capstone Papers

This capstone examined the challenges adults face following traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and explored interventions aimed at enhancing cognitive functioning and mental health. This capstone also aimed to reduce caregiver stress and burnout by expanding knowledge and resources focused on cognitive and mental health within the population. TBIs can result from a variety of causes, affecting cognitive abilities, mental health, and functional outcomes. This capstone shows evidence-based interventions designed to improve cognitive functioning, facilitate engagement in meaningful activities to improve mental health, and enhance overall quality of life for adults recovering from TBI. This also will demonstrate potential for occupational …

The Impact Of Social Isolation On Community College Students' Learning Modality Preferences, Melinda F. Walker

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Melinda F. Walker on April 8, 2026.

Archive Your Life: Protecting The Moments That Matter Most, Sarah E. Bull, Ryan Bernard

Faculty Open Access Works

How many photos and videos do you have on your personal device? Where do you store your digital documents? How do you save and select the materials that matter most to you? Get answers to these questions and practical advice on organizing and maintaining a personal archive in this session, led by Librarian Sarah Bull.

Strength In Numbers: Group Copyright Registration Of Online News Articles As A Weapon In The Battle Against Ai Infringement, Renee Farmer

Utah Law Review

Generative artificial intelligence companies and authors of the works used to create generative artificial intelligence systems are at war in the courts over whether and to what extent using copyrighted content to train generative AI models is fair use. In this fight, copyright protection remains an essential weapon for publishers to safeguard their content. However, U.S. copyright law has lagged behind the news industry’s integration of new technologies and mediums, with current procedures for staying abreast of copyright registration burdensome or infeasible. A new regulation from the U.S. Copyright Office, “Group Registrations of Updates to a News Website,” or 89 …