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Freshwater Turtle Assemblages And Densities In Agricultural Ditches And Aquaculture Ponds Of Eastern Arkansas, Andrhea D. Massey, John D. Willson, Brett A. Degregorio

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Mississippi Alluvial Plain (MAP) of Arkansas is a landscape where many wetlands have been altered for use as aquaculture ponds or agricultural ditches. Commercial harvest of freshwater turtles within the MAP is not restricted or limited, with reported harvest numbers for 2019 alone exceeding 4000 for spiny softshell turtles (Apalone spinifera) and 39,000 for red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). Herein, we attempt to provide baseline estimates of freshwater turtle densities and community composition in aquaculture ponds and agricultural ditches of eastern Arkansas, the habitat types most frequently trapped by commercial harvesters. We used a capture-mark-recapture approach over 3 summers …

Breaking The Silence With Routine Genitourinary Syndrome Of Menopause Screening: A Quality Improvement Project, Ashley R. Noel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Affecting upwards of 87% of women in post menopause, genitourinary syndrome of menopause is greatly under-diagnosed, and consequently, under-treated. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause refers to health conditions impacted by hypoestrogenic state experienced in menopause. Common symptoms of GSM include vaginal dryness, irritation, clitoral or labial atrophy, dyspareunia, decreased libido, anorgasmia, dysuria, recurrent UTI, urinary incontinence (Kaufman et al., 2025). Despite the burdensome consequences of GSM, women are unlikely to vocalize their symptoms and seek treatment. Additionally, societal beliefs of shame surrounding sexual health impede patients and clinicians from addressing GSM specifically (Mili et al., 2021). As a result, the North …

Enhancing Provider Knowledge And Implementation Of Medication For Opioid Use Disorder (Moud) To Improve Treatment Outcomes: A Quality Improvement Project., Motunrayo Abigael Ibraheem

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This quality improvement project sought to enhance healthcare providers' knowledge and attitudes toward Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) at Galt Ocean Rehab Center to improve treatment outcomes for patients with opioid use disorder. Despite evidence supporting the efficacy of MOUD, significant knowledge gaps and stigmatizing attitudes among providers create barriers to optimal care. Sixteen healthcare providers participated in a comprehensive educational intervention grounded in Jean Watson's Theory of Transpersonal Caring and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Model for Improvement. The intervention consisted of a 4-hour workshop, six weekly reinforcement sessions, and the implementation of standardized buprenorphine management protocols. Pre- …

Enhancing Td Screening With The Aims Scale: A Quality Improvement Project, Dionne Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a persistent, often irreversible movement disorder associated with long-term use of dopamine receptor–blocking agents. Early identification is critical to prevent progression and minimize functional impairment; however, routine TD screening remains inconsistent in many clinical settings despite the availability of the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), the evidence-based gold-standard tool. This quality improvement project aimed to enhance TD screening in an outpatient psychiatric setting through an educational intervention designed to improve provider knowledge of risk factors, diagnostic criteria, and screening guidelines. Data were collected retrospectively and prospectively from patient encounters, with 33 pre-intervention and 35 post-interventions. AIMS …

Microfluidic Investigation Of Green Carbon Capture, Storage, And Utilization Using Waste Concrete And Seawater, Abhishek Ratanpara

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology has emerged as a primary engineering pathway to mitigate global warming and climate instability. For carbon capture, amine-based absorption and stripping are widely used due to their high capture efficiency and retrofit compatibility. However, these systems generate toxic wastewater, consume large volumes of freshwater, and require significant regeneration energy. For carbon utilization and storage, deep saline aquifers and carbon dioxide (CO2)- assisted enhanced oil recovery (EOR) have been proven to be feasible options at the industrial scale; however, concerns remain about long-term subsurface storage integrity and limited efficiency in carbonate reservoirs containing more …

Teaching Firearms Law: One Big Opportunity And Three Pedagogical Challenges, Joseph Blocher, Jacob D. Charles, Darrell A.H. Miller

William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal

The U.S. Supreme Court’s groundbreaking 2008 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller ushered in a new era for the Second Amendment: one in which the right to keep and bear arms, long dormant as a matter of practical impact and even “embarrassing” as a matter of legal scholarship, vaulted into the front ranks of constitutional law. The Court itself has only revisited the Amendment a few times since then—albeit once by revolutionizing the doctrine. Meanwhile, lower courts have issued thousands of decisions giving shape to the right, while scholars have generated work that is increasingly deep, diverse, and challenging. …

Intellectual Integrity, Collaboration, And The Market, Mark Tushnet

William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal

My reflections are those of someone who co-edited/co-authored two casebooks that were commercially and intellectually successful and one that was intellectually but not commercially successful. I start with the assumption that people decide to do a casebook because they find that existing materials don’t do some things they think ought to be done in the course (and do some things that aren’t really necessary for teaching purposes). That is, doing a casebook is at the outset an intellectual project.

Executing that project runs up against some constraints almost immediately. A simple one is that you might well think that you …

Generational Impact: How U.S. Government Generative A.I. Use Reinvigorates Copyright-Based Takings Concerns, Sophia Tully

William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal

This Note argues (1) that the unique character of government copyright infringement supports a copyright holder’s use of the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment, as opposed to reliance on the Copyright Act for downstream Gen A.I. suits; (2) that Gen A.I. developers may wage similar claims once asserting authorship rights and copyright over their outputs; and (3) that the viability of federal government copyright infringement as a regulatory taking could change the way legal actors deal with copyrighted material. More modestly assessed, an answer on whether the Takings Clause protects copyrights would offer much needed guideposts as intellectual property …

Prostitution In Video Games: Stigma, Violence And Male Pleasure, Laura Aguilera-Ávila, Lara Escobar Hernández

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

Prostitution has traditionally been framed in society as a space significantly determined by patriarchal hierarchies, in addition to being affected on many occasions by stigmatisation and violence. The representation of prostitution and of those who practice it in the media is a topic of special interest, since the discourses and messages disseminated by the media play a fundamental role in socialisation. Video games are not exempt from this debate: with millions of players worldwide and a special reach among young people, they are among the most influential media outlets today. This qualitative research analyses a series of titles, both AAA …

Exiting Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Jeanne L. Allert, Sherri L. Wyatt

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

This study presents one of the largest qualitative samples of exited female survivors of commercial sexual exploitation in the United States to date. One hundred and eighty-nine female survivors participated in a national survey. The participants described their motivations for exiting commercial sexual exploitation, the pathways they followed, the forces that hindered their exit and increased their recidivism, and the assistance they received that ensured a permanent exit. Some of the findings challenge popular narratives on recidivism rates and what keeps women in exploitation, revealing complex relational, behavioral, economic, and systemic influences. Participants spoke about the unanticipated value of incarceration, …

Feature Extraction From Railroad Bearing Onboard Vibration Sensors Using Machine Learning Models, Diego Cantu

Theses and Dissertations

The University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) has developed an algorithm capable of identifying defective railroad bearings, determining damaged component(s) within, and quantifying severity of the defects. The defect-detection algorithm requires the operating speed as an input, which is not readily available in field operation of onboard sensors. Therefore, onboard sensors deployed in rail revenue service must rely on Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to obtain speed, which can be power-intensive and susceptible to signal interference. This study covers the development of a vibration-based model that extracts operating speed from wireless sensor data to enable fully autonomous onboard diagnostics. Signal …

Cosmetic Surgery And Physiological Disorder: You Should Talk To Someone About Your Unwinding Anxiety, Mona Muzammil, Washain Muzammil

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Chemistry)

Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health condition in which you can't stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance — a flaw that appears minor or can't be seen by others. But you may feel so embarrassed, ashamed and anxious that you may avoid many social situations.

When you have body dysmorphic disorder, you intensely focus on your appearance and body image, repeatedly checking the mirror, grooming or seeking reassurance, sometimes for many hours each day. Your perceived flaw and the repetitive behaviors cause you significant distress and impact your ability to function in …

Factors Influencing Teacher Professional Autonomy And Career Satisfaction: The Effects Of Unrealistic Professional Expectations Surrounding Student-Centered And Technology Implementation Tropes, Karla Gabriela Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

The research problem is to investigate to what extent unrealistic professional expectations stemming from a predominant emphasis on the tropes of student-centeredness and technology integration impact teachers’ experiences of professional autonomy and career satisfaction. The purpose of this study is to find out what factors impact teacher autonomy and career satisfaction while also considering how teachers can be effectively supported to improve these areas. Utilizing a narrative inquiry approach, this qualitative study will be held in the Rio Grande Valley and will analyze interviews of both current teachers and teachers who have recently left the profession. Therefore, this study will …

Influence Of Peer-Led Team Learning In Students’ Chemistry Self-Efficacy, And Academic Achievement In General Chemistry Courses, Hector Leal

Theses and Dissertations

One of the most perplexing issues facing peer cooperative learning is dealing with student motivation and goal orientation. Sometimes the students who could most benefit from the positive effects of peer learning are the ones least likely to participate due to fear of exposing their academic weaknesses to others or even to themselves (Arendale, 2020). Exploring the complexity of student motivation is being carefully studied amongst elementary and secondary education student populations. However, this important construct is often ignored in the study of postsecondary education in general, and the provision of learning assistance, particularly at the college level. My purpose …

Cyberbullying And Mental Health Issues Among University Students, Brandi N. Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

According to the CDC (2024), bullying can lead to social and emotional distress, self-harm, and death. Bullying can also increase the risk for depression, anxiety, and poor academic achievement. The increased use of social media and the rise in cyberbullying (CB) and related mental health concerns among emerging adults is highly disconcerting, especially given their propensity for mental health problems. The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of young university students’ perceptions about CB victimization and whether CB affects their mental health. A cross-sectional research design was used to conduct the study. In this study the number …

Decolonizing The Whitexican: Reclaiming Identity Through Nahuatl And Mesoamerican Motifs, Laia Ivanna Vite Cano

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the intersection of art, linguistics, and ideography through the lens of personal and cultural heritage rooted in the Huasteca region of Central Mexico. Drawing inspiration from familial connections to the pueblos of Huazalingo and Huejutla in Hidalgo, Mexico, the research examines the cultural complexities of bicultural and binational experiences. It is grounded in the theoretical framework of Nepantla, a concept introduced by Gloria Anzaldúa to describe the unseen space of the border life as one of existing between worlds, identities, and cultures. Included and essential to this work is the Coyolxauhqui Imperative, which informs the process of …

Computational Expressions Of Void Reactions In Extended Chemical Reaction Network Models, Aiden J. Massie

Theses and Dissertations

Chemical Reaction Networks (CRNs) are a system of abstraction of real-world chemical dynamics. Each CRN system is defined as a pair of molecular species and reaction rules, which consume a set of reactant species and create a new set of product species. In this paper, we investigate the simple class of void reactions, which cannot create new species and are computationally weak with small-enough sizes in basic CRNs. Here, we study their computational expression in more powerful extended CRN models. Specifically, we consider the Step CRN model, in which new species are added into the system through a sequence of …

Interactive Effects Of Nutrient Loading And Hyposalinityon The Physiological Responses Of The Red Macroalga Gracilaria Tikvahiae, Donavuan Vincent Salazar

Theses and Dissertations

Coastal macroalgae face anthropogenic stressors such as nutrient enrichment from nitrogen fertilizers and reduced salinity linked to flooding. The physiological impacts of these combined stressors remain unclear. This study examined interactive effects of nitrogen loading and hyposalinity on Gracilaria tikvahiae through a 9‑day laboratory experiment. Samples experienced declining salinity (35–0 ppt) with nitrate or ammonia enrichment (120 µmol/L). Measurements included primary production, respiration, biomass, nitrate uptake, and chlorophyll‑a. Hyposalinity significantly reduced physiological performance, with gross primary production declining over 100%, chlorophyll‑a content 25–45% lower, biomass loss, and reduced nitrogen uptake. Nitrogen enrichment failed to mitigate the adverse impacts under hyposaline …

Modern Water And Sediment Transport Patterns In Alluvial Ridge Basins Of The Rio Grande Delta, South Texas, Usa, Waqid Nabi

Theses and Dissertations

Alluvial ridge (AR) basins are shallow, marine-influenced depressions within river deltas, yet their flow and sediment dynamics remain poorly understood. This study examines hydrodynamics and sediment transport patterns in the Bahia Grande Complex, which are AR basins of the Rio Grande Delta, using tilt current meters, water-level and turbidity loggers, and suspended and bed-sediment sampling. The AR basins function as wind-dominated, microtidal environments, where pre-existing basin geometry and hydrodynamic forcings control water flow and sediment distribution patterns. Seasonal wind patterns and storms modulate water levels and flow connectivity. Substrate patterns reflect frequent resuspension in the shallow northern basin, maintaining coarse …

Design And Evaluation Of Gamified Kahoot Modules For Improving Engagement And Conceptual Understanding Of Introductory Physics Students, Yaritza Villarreal

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the effectiveness of gamified learning modules in enhancing the engagement and conceptual understanding of introductory physics students. The first phase of this study focused on the design and development of gamified learning modules for selected topics in introductory physics. The modules were developed by integrating principles of Backward Design, following an escape-room theme with interactive scenarios, and incorporating classic game elements (e.g., points and leaderboards).

The second phase examined the effectiveness of the gamified Kahoot modules using a pretest-posttest control-group design. Sixty-eight (68) students were equally randomly assigned to the control and experimental groups. The experimental group …

Precision-Weighted Federated Learning, Jonatan Reyes, Lisa Di Jorio, Cecile Low-Kam, Marta Kersten-Oertel

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Federated learning (FL) using the federated averaging (FedAvg) algorithm has shown great advantages for large-scale applications that rely on collaborative learning, especially when the training data is either unbalanced or inaccessible due to privacy constraints. We hypothesize that FedAvg underestimates the full extent of heterogeneity of data when the aggregation is performed. We propose Precision-Weighted Federated Learning (PW) a novel algorithm that takes into account the second raw moment (uncentered variance) of the stochastic gradient when computing the weighted average of the parameters of independent models trained in a FL setting. With PW, we address the communication and statistical challenges …

Gradient-Based Model Shortcut Detection For Time Series Classification, Salomon Ibarra, Frida Cantu, Kaixiong Zhou, Li Zhang

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Deep learning models have attracted lots of research attention in time series classification (TSC) task in the past two decades. Recently, deep neural networks (DNN) have surpassed classical distance-based methods and achieved state-of-the-art performance. Despite their promising performance, deep neural networks (DNNs) have been shown to rely on spurious correlations present in the training data, which can hinder generalization. For instance, a model might incorrectly associate the presence of grass with the label "cat" if the training set have majority of cats lying in grassy backgrounds. However, the shortcut behavior of DNNs in time series remain under-explored. Most existing shortcut …

Nursing Students’ Attitudes Regarding Technical Standards For Entrance Into A Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Program, Jordyn Cook

Honors Theses

Admission into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program requires students to meet specific criteria including a non-negotiable set of technical standards. Technical standards encompass physical abilities including twisting, bending, and handling objects of varying weights (Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science, n.d.). While physical capabilities may hold significance in bedside nursing, the American Nurses Association does not establish specific physical qualifications (American Nurses Association, 2010). Due to admission criteria and technical standards, individuals with disabilities are rarely found among career nurses and nursing students (Leslie & Miller, 2020).

This study aims to determine nursing students’ attitudes towards …

Formative Assessment Of All Through Independent Curriculum-Based On Lks At Mts Miftahussa’Adah Mijen Semarang, Siti Rodliyah, Inayah Inayah, Pakuamudin Muhammad, Waesama-Ae Waemamu

Al-Arabi: Journal of Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language

This study examines the implementation of formative assessment in Arabic language learning and the role of Student Worksheets (LKS) as an evaluation tool that supports active learning at MTs Miftahussa'adah, Semarang City. The approach used is an explanatory qualitative. Data collection techniques include observation, interviews, questionnaires, and documentation with data analysis of the Miles and Huberman model. The results showed that formative assessment was implemented through collaborative activities, language skills practice (maharah), and immediate feedback. The worksheet is used as the main means of assessment. However, problems were still found in the aspects of language comprehensibility and appearance. Although 100% …

Tathbīqu Ṭarīqati At-Ta‘Allumi Al-Mumti‘ Bi-Istikhdāmi Wasīlati Biṭāqāti Ad-Domīnū Fī Māddati Al-Lughah Al-‘Arabiyyah Li-Zīyādati Dāfi‘Iyyati Wa Fahmi Aṭ-Ṭullāb, Nur Imana Khofiyani Sasmi, Ainur Rofiq, Mohammad Baihaqi

Al-Arabi: Journal of Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language

This research aims to determine how effectively the joyful learning strategy, incorporating domino cards as a learning tool, enhances students’ motivation and understanding in Arabic language instruction. The study utilized a quantitative method with a quasi-experimental approach, specifically adopting a one-group pretest-posttest design, and involved 31 eighth-grade students from MTsN 2 in Surabaya. Data were obtained through both pretest and posttest evaluations, as well as through observation during the learning process. The statistical results demonstrated a marked improvement in student achievement, with the average score increasing from 29.42 in the pretest to 74.74 in the posttest. The Paired Sample T-Test …

Spatial–Temporal Evolution Of The Box Springs Plutonic Complex, Riverside, Ca, Mateo Ospino Díaz

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The mechanisms of pluton emplacement into continental crust have long been debated in igneous geology, with early models emphasizing forceful processes such as ballooning, later contrasted by alternative emplacement mechanisms including diapirism, incremental assembly, stoping and, emplacement by sheets and dikes. These contrasting perspectives highlight the complexity of the construction of mid-crustal intrusions and the need for case studies that integrate multiple datasets. The Box Springs Plutonic Complex (BSPC) in the northern Peninsular Ranges Batholith (PRB) preserves structural, textural, and compositional features that record its emplacement and internal construction. Although its lithology, structure, and geochemistry have been described, an integrated …

Prophylactic Effect Of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Monotherapy In Preventing Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Ikbal Andrian Malau, Cheng-Ho Chang, Wei-Jen Chen, Wen-Chun Liu, Halliru Zailani, Hsien-Feng Liao, Jane Pei-Chen Chang, Wei-Che Chiu, Kuan-Pin Su

BioMedicine

Background: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have demonstrated efficacy as adjunctive treatment for MDD. In fact, fewer studies assessed the prophylactic properties of n-3 PUFAs as monotherapy on the recurrence of MDD.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the prophylactic effect of n-3 PUFAs monotherapy against recurrent MDD.

Methods: We conducted a 6-month randomized controlled trial to assess the prophylactic effect of n-3 in preventing recurrent MDD. We assigned 60 remitted MDD patients to the n-3 group (n = 30) and placebo (n = 30). Furthermore, we assessed the difference in depression severity and MDD recurrence based on the …

Tai Chi For Cardiovascular Wellness: Integrating An Ancient Practice Into Modern Therapeutic Approaches, Chun-Han Cheng, Wen-Rui Hao, Huan-Yuan Chen, Po-Yuan Chen, Ju-Chi Liu, Tzu-Hurng Cheng

BioMedicine

Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese martial art characterized by gentle, fluid movements and deep breathing, has gained increasing recognition for its cardiovascular health benefits. This study investigated the integration of Tai Chi into contemporary cardiovascular health practices, focusing on its physiological and psychological effects. The slow, controlled movements characteristic of Tai Chi contribute to enhanced cardiovascular fitness, decreased blood pressure, and improved vascular function, while simultaneously alleviating stress and fostering emotional well-being. Through a review of clinical studies and trials, this study underscores the efficacy of Tai Chi in cardiovascular rehabilitation programs and its accessibility as a community-based intervention. Additionally, …

Circadian Rhythms And Neuroendocrine Dysregulation In Adhd: Therapeutic Insights From Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Ayesha Zafar Iqbal, Patricia Marest Suwindi, Sunny Yin-Shan Chen, Lindsay Liang-Tien Cho, Kuan-Pin Su, Jane Pei-Chen Chang

BioMedicine

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition often accompanied by circadian rhythm disturbances, particularly delayed sleep phase. These involve superchiasmatic nucleus (SCN) dysregulation, altered melatonin secretion, and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity, which may be exacerbated by artificial light exposure. Genetic studies further implicate circadian mechanisms, linking ADHD with polymorphisms in clock genes such as PER and CLOCK.

Nutraceuticals, particularly omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), have been proposed as modulators of circadian rhythms. N-3 PUFAs are essential for brain health and may influence melatonin synthesis and sleep–wake regulation. Preclinical and clinical findings suggest that supplementation can improve cognitive …

The Integrative Role Of Melatonin In Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review Of Evidence From Circadian Biology, Lifestyle Medicine, And Psychoneuroimmunology, Ho Bao Chau Le, Kollawat Somsri, Thansita Bhunyakarnjanarat, Nattiya Hirankarn, Asada Leelahavanichkul

BioMedicine

Melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland, is known for regulating circadian rhythms and has emerging therapeutic potential in psychiatric disorders. This systematic review examines evidence from clinical and preclinical studies to assess melatonin’s efficacy in the following conditions: depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Beyond its role in circadian regulation, melatonin exhibits antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, which intersect with nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and psychoneuroimmunology (PNI).

The review finds that melatonin improves sleep quality, restores circadian balance, and modulates stress-related neuroimmune pathways. It also supports neuroplasticity and reduces oxidative stress, contributing to resilience against psychosocial and environmental stressors. …