Digital Commons Network^™

Montserrat Developments Impacting Local Coral Reefs, Emma I. Bartholomew

2025 Symposium

Montserrat is a small island in the Caribbean, and over half of the island is in the exclusion zone because of the active volcano, Soufrière Hills. In that half was the old capital, Plymouth, which has since been abandoned, and its old port. The old port was getting less reliable and accessible, so they decided to build a new port in Little Bay, closer to the seat of government in Brades. This study explored how the addition of the new port impacted the corals in that area. We explored several different bays and recorded the diversity and health of the …

Transforming Leadership Behaviors And Thriving Through The Storm In A High Reliability Organization, Rajveer Kaur, Jiji Andrews, Kambree Baxter

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

The structural inequities have affected critical care nurses, health care worker’s health and well-being (Durrah et al, 2022; Wells, S., 2024). Prioritizing nurse wellbeing has been formed to improve psychologically safe work environments associated with positively decreasing barriers in patient outcomes within the workforce (Wells, S., 2024). Authentic leaders developed patient advocacy, trusting relationships with their employees to increase the access to proper nursing services to enhance the ability to thrive at work ( Alhalal et al, 2024a; Durrah et al, 2022). Authentic leadership tool was introduced to design interventions and policies specifically for nurse manager’s authentic leadership style to …

A Warm Welcome: Creating A Welcoming Environment For Nursing Student Clinicals Using A 3t Approach, Jeanine E. Gangeness, Sarah Heim, Linnea Benike

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: Establishing a welcoming clinical learning environment for nursing students is important as it has been shown to positively impact student learning, sense of security and belonging, recruitment, and development of professional caring behaviors. The first clinical day is often riddled with anxiety for nursing students. Clinical units today have higher acuity patients, staff nurses with fewer years of experience, and rapid adoption of new technologies and processes when compared to the past. These factors necessitate a renewed approach to how nursing students are introduced to clinical care. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to explore the impact …

Stand Up! [Book Review], Amanda Harrison

Disability in LIS (DisLIS)

Tori Sharp’s graphic novel Stand Up! follows best friends Clay and Kyle as they navigate the end of middle school, the school play, first crushes, and their podcast. This feel-good story offers an affirming and relatable escape for LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse middle-grade readers.

Work-Life Balance Strategies For Nurse Faculty To Reduce Burnout, Jacqueline Williams, Joely Goodman, Sarah Ball, Trevor Woodward, Christine Young, Elizabeth Flott, Kara Morgan

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) (2022), nurse faculty vacancy rates continue to increase, threatening the ability to educate future healthcare professionals (Darnell et al., 2020; Gazza, 2022). Due to the shortage of qualified educators, faculty in academia are expected to fulfill multiple roles, thus increasing workload demands (Singh et al., 2019). With increased workload expectations, faculty require frequent adaptation to maintain a healthy work-life balance (Poole & Spies, 2021; Singh et al., 2019).

Previous research in academia has found correlations between work-life balance and emotional exhaustion, well-being, job retention, educator burnout, and job satisfaction using …

Social Capital In The Workplace For New Graduate Nurses: Maximizing Recruitment And Retention, Faye Ari Inumerables, Jennifer Emilie Mannino, Lisa A. Lumley, Kenya Williams, Pamela Watters, Fadjana Joseph, Kimberly Campbell-Taylor, Jennifer Hahl, Kathy Leistner, Mary Stevenson

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: Given the widespread nursing shortages, prioritizing nurse recruitment and retention efforts is essential. Understanding the impact of new graduates' initial experiences on their decision to accept and remain in their roles is essential for educators, recruiters, and healthcare system administrators to gain valuable insights. Purpose: This study aimed to examine a national sample of new graduate nurses’ first job experiences through the lens of social capital. Theoretical Framework: Social capital (Bourdieu, 1986; Coleman, 1988; Putnam, 1994) asserts that social relationships create valuable networks that serve as resources to their members, extending reciprocal benefits for individuals and the organization, building …

Reshaping Workplace Well-Being: The Journey To Human Connection, Heike Doody, P. Ann Blaney

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

As healthcare continues to evolve in post-Covid environment, nurse leaders face increasing challenges with guiding teams, improving engagement, and promoting overall wellbeing. Increasing work engagement is an important indicator of workforce sustainability and wellbeing (Schaufeli, 2021). Leaders foster a culture of wellbeing, safety, and support for employees in healthcare organizations with a human connection. The purpose was to reengage direct care nurses to implement wellbeing standards and reestablish the human connection among staff by utilizing engaging leadership concepts.

Faced with lack of council engagement, leaders from the Healthy Work Environment Council (HWEC) shifted their leadership style from transitional to engaging …

Rear Leg-Derived Moment Contributes To Resistance Against Hip Extension In Bulgarian Split Squats, Hiroshi Arakawa, Hikaru Nakashima, Xuanrui Li, Michiya Tanimoto

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(7): 881-894, 2025. The Bulgarian split squat (BSS) is a unilateral exercise that emphasizes hip extension more than knee extension, compared to other squat variations. This study aimed to (1) empirically verify the existence of the rear leg-derived moment (M_RL)—a theoretically plausible but previously untested external resistive hip moment acting against the net hip extension moment (M_HE) of the front leg—and (2) examine how stance width and forward trunk-leaning angles affect M_RL during the BSS. Nine trained male participants performed bodyweight BSS under two stance conditions (wide and narrow) and …

16-Week Physical Transition From Professional Mma To Tactical Firefighting: A Case Study, Cole D. Smeester, Gabriel J. Sanders, Corey Peacock, Jose Antonio

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Firefighters, whose occupation involves intense physical, mental, and environmental demands, must be physically and mentally prepared to perform job-specific tasks effectively and safely. Nearly half of all injuries sustained on and off the fireground are musculoskeletal, highlighting issues in the preparation and maintenance strategies for work preparedness among firefighters. This case study examines the effectiveness of a 16-week conventional, conjugate strength and conditioning model on a fire recruit transitioning from a career as a professional MMA fighter. Specific data metrics were used to assess increases in firefighter-specific performance (i.e., EPAT time and body composition). After the 16-week program, the participant …

An Introduction To History Of Medicine, Mary E. Horton, Adan Rios

History of Medicine Seminar

Monthly Monday Seminars at Noon for the Academic Year:

• Attendance at seven sessions required for credit
• Includes Special Speakers as part of the TMC History of Medicine Society sponsored by Houston Methodist Hospital
• Spring merge with Baylor Medical College medical student elective
• Additional activities available:
  • Scavenger Hunt at the TMC Library Archives
  • Houston Methodist Hospital Lectures (Sponsored by the TMC History of Medicine Society)
  • Rice University Lectures
  • Baylor Medical College seminars

Exploring Effective Weight Loss Interventions Among Three Fqhc-Based Clinical Programs In Central And Southern Illinois, Patrick Bruch, Oluwaseun Adeleke, Mia Lambert, Taylor Sutton, Georgia Luckey, Rebecca M. Hoffman Md,Msph

SIU Journal of Medical Science Scholarly Works

Background: Obesity affects 1 in 3 United States adults is associated with several chronic diseases. Disparities in obesity are seen in many vulnerable populations such as low-income groups, racial and ethnic minorities, and rural residents. Although primary care is often presented as a solution to the obesity crisis, management of obesity is complex and numerous challenges in helping patients achieve weight loss are still present. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended in 2018 that primary care providers screen for obesity and offer obese patients to intensive, multicomponent behavioral obesity treatment. However, there is little research involving primary care physicians …

Idmatch Bike Fitting Enhances Power Output In Recreational Cyclists: A Pilot Study, Evan T. Hoyt, Gregory N. Ruegsegger

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(2): 864-880, 2025. Optimizing bike position is essential for enhancing cycling performance, improving comfort, and reducing injury risk. This study examined the acute effects of a bike fit using the idmatch^® system on power output, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and discomfort in recreational cyclists. Twelve participants (10 males, 2 females; 37.0 ± 9.4 years) underwent an idmatch system bike fit, which employs three-dimensional motion capture to optimize rider position. Cyclists completed a six-second peak power test (PPT6) and a 20-minute functional threshold power (FTP) test before and after the fit. Performance metrics (power, …

Examining The Self-Care Practices And Needs Of Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Vicki Renee Voskuil, Ellie Marion, Hannah Peirce, Erika Frost

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Nursing students are taught to promote self-care for patients, but they often neglect their own self-care.1 Stress, combined with lack of effective coping strategies, can lead to burnout and health problems among nursing students.2 Interventions designed to improve self-care practices of nursing students are needed to reduce stress and improve well-being.3 The purpose of this study was to examine the self-care practices and needs of baccalaureate nursing students to inform a curricular intervention. This study used a cross-sectional descriptive survey design involving baccalaureate nursing students (N=112) at a liberal arts college in the Midwestern United States. Self-care practices were examined …

Empowering Nurses To Drive Healthy Work Environments: Addressing Burnout And Well-Being, Maggie Mccright

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Nurses face challenges of burnout, staffing shortages, and high turnover, impacting mental health and job satisfaction. This session offers evidence-based strategies to foster positive practice environments. Attendees will explore assessing mental wellness, integrating well-being into strategic plans, and addressing compassion fatigue. Additionally, a new program aimed to close existing gaps in organizations’ well-being programs will be introduced.

Fostering Wellness In Nursing: Insights From Mental Health Bulletin Boards, Christina Marie Lightner, Kelly A. Wolgast, Khalid Almasloukh, Amy Criscitello

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

The College of Nursing promotes a wellness culture to address growing mental health challenges among nursing students and professionals (Lipson et al., 2022). Grounded in the 12 dimensions of wellness (Gawlik et al., 2024), these initiatives foster resilience, support healthy lifestyle behaviors, and create a nurturing environment for the nursing community. Mental health and wellness interventions play a crucial role in improving the well-being of college students, including nursing students (Melnyk et al., 2020).
This presentation outlines the development and thematic analysis of Mental Health Bulletin Boards (MHBBs), designed to engage nursing students and professionals in self-care and resilience-building practices. …

System For Generating Immersive Experiences Via An Ai Pipeline And Sensory Protocol, Gaurav Umeshkumar Gupta

Defensive Publications Series

Current virtual reality (VR) content creation is complex, and the resulting sensory feedback from haptic devices relies on proprietary, pre-programmed effects. This limits the availability of personalized, deeply immersive experiences and creates a fragmented hardware ecosystem. The disclosed technology describes a method for generating multi-sensory VR experiences from user prompts. It uses an artificial intelligence pipeline to generate a narrative, visual assets, and a corresponding synchronized sensory track. A key component is an open communication protocol that enables standardized communication between any VR content and various haptic hardware devices. This approach facilitates the on-demand creation of cohesive and immersive experiences, …

The State Of Nursing Student Mental Health And Wellness Support As Perceived By Nursing Faculty, Catherine A. Stubin

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Nursing education has consistently been associated with stress, anxiety, and depression among students (Fauzi et al., 2020; Milić et al., 2019). Demanding course loads, rigorous examinations, and continued pressure to attain a high-grade point average result in greater stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among nursing students (Kim et al., 2021). Identifying key traits and manifestations of negative mental health wellness, as well as resilience-building strategies and supportive behaviors to assist students, are critical. Nursing faculty must have the knowledge to identify when symptoms are overwhelming, as well as provide necessary support, before students experience unhealthy symptoms and academic failure (Kells …

Living The Healthy Nurse Definition: Development And Personal Stories, Holly Carpenter

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

This session will describe how a national nurses association developed and updated the definition of a healthy nurse. The need for the updated definition as well as the methodology behind the development will be explored. Inspiring true-life stories of nurses exemplifying the new definition will be highlighted.

Perspectives On Poetry, Sabrina Grossman

Language Study as a Gateway to the Humanities

No abstract provided.

Proceedings Of The 2025 Berry Summer Thesis Institute, University Of Dayton. University Honors Program, Dorian Borbonus, Nicholas J. Canfield, Triet M. Cao, Thomas Crossman, Jeffrey Huettemann, Aung Myat Khaung, Chase Kinder, Elizabeth Krahe, Anh Duc Nguyen, Quynh Anh Nguyen, Anna M. Petre, Kayden G. Rothery, Anna M. Schmitz, Rachel Zeller

Proceedings of the Berry Summer Thesis Institute (2013-Present)

Thanks to a gift from the Berry Family Foundation and the Berry family, the University Honors Program launched the Berry Summer Thesis Institute in 2012. The institute introduces students in the University Honors Program to intensive research, scholarship opportunities and professional development. Each student pursues a 12-week summer thesis research project under the guidance of a UD faculty mentor. This contains the product of the students' research.

Personality As A Moderator Of The Relationship Between Casual Sex Behavior And Psychopathology, Dean J. Harris

Theses and Graduate Projects

Prior research has evaluated the impact of casual sex on mental health outcomes; however, there is a lack of research on the possible moderating effects of personality traits on this relationship. Thus, the purpose of this study was to clarify whether personality traits -specifically extraversion and neuroticism- are protective or risk factors for symptoms of anxiety and depression among individuals who engage in casual sexual behaviors, particularly in college-aged individuals. Using a cross-sectional design, 108 participants who met survey criteria completed self-report measures assessing casual sex behavior, the PHQ-9, the GAD-7, the International Big-Five Mini- Markers, and demographic questions. Moderation …

A Comprehensive Review On Gamification In Neurocybersecurity, Ms. Kritika

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The research investigates gamification methods as it applies to the emerging interdisciplinary domain that brings together cybersecurity with neuroscience and psychology. Neurocybersecurity implements neural concepts to protect digital systems from security threats while targeting the human vulnerabilities that present as the strongest points of attack. Several researchers have examined gamification techniques which incorporate game design elements to enhance cybersecurity training outcomes by improving user participation and knowledge retention and user conduct compliance. The research incorporates Self-Determination Theory along with Cognitive Load Theory to explain the design principles for efficient gamified interventions. The implementation of both cognitive performance improvement and neuroplasticity …

Mechanisms Behind The Cross And Fusion Of Gas Migration And Storage Zones Under The Influence Of The Mining Height Of Fully Mechanized Mining Faces, Zhao Pengxiang, Guo Xu, Wang Chao, Li Shugang, Zhuo Risheng, Chang Zechen, Lei Wen

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The mining height of coal seams along fully mechanized mining faces significantly influences the formation and evolution of fractures in the overburden, as well as the characteristics of gas migration and storage zones. Investigating the influential patterns under varying mining heights will provide guidance for the arrangement of gas extraction boreholes, thus enhancing gas extraction efficiency. Methods This study investigated mining face 203 in the Tianchi Coal Mine in Heshun County, Shanxi Province. By integrating methods such as physical simulation experiments with similar materials, theoretical analysis, and engineering verification, this study systematically examined the developmental characteristics of fractures in …

Fractures And Their Macro-Mesoscopic Mechanical Evolution Pattern In Coals In The Benxi Formation, Ordos Basin, Zhu Boxu, Yang Xu, Li Gaoren, Li Gao, Feng Jiaxin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective This study aims to determine the relationship between multi-scale fracture characteristics and the mechanical behavior of deep coals, thereby helping gain further insights into the mechanisms behind the macro-mesoscopic damage and failure of the coals and providing a scientific basis for the stability assessment and mechanical modeling of deep coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs. To this end, it is necessary to examine the differences in the coals’ mechanical properties under varying scales. Methods This study conducted uniaxial and triaxial mechanical tests, nanoindentation experiments, and CT scanning of the No. 8 coal seam in the Benxi Formation within the Ordos Basin. …

Mechanisms Underlying Responses Of Pore Structures In Continental Oil Shale To Microwave Pyrolysis, Lyu Pengrui, Yuan Shihao, Geng Jishi, Li Delu, Zhang Huiyuan, Ge Zhenlong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Methods Microwave pyrolysis technology holds great potential to achieve clean energy conversion and efficient energy utilization of oil shale resources. This study investigated oil shale in the Triassic Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin. Through microwave pyrolysis experiments under different power values (600 W, 800 W, and 1000 W) conducted using a microwave equipment monitoring system, this study tested the gas products generated during pyrolysis. Using the nitrogen adsorption method, this study compared and analyzed the pore structure characteristics between the original oil shale and samples after microwave heating under different power values. Additionally, the mechanisms behind damage to oil …

Spatiotemporal Evolution Pattern Of The Inertial Horizontal Displacement Of Mining Overburden And A Surface Prediction Model Considering Inertial Horizontal Displacement, Chen Yuanfei, Wang Lei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Substantial measured data indicate that the along-strike horizontal displacement of the surface tends to be nonzero in the central part of the mining-affected zone. This phenomenon deviates from traditional understanding, leading to systematic deviations in the predicted results of the traditional prediction model for horizontal displacement. Methods This study investigated mining face 1414 of the Guqiao Coal Mine in the Huainan mining area, Anhui Province. Using measured data and numerical simulation methods, this study explored the spatiotemporal evolution of the horizontal displacement within the mining overburden and of the surface. Then, it analyzed the sources, patterns, and distribution characteristics …

Deterioration And Instability Mechanisms Of Water-Rich And Weakly Cemented Open-Pit Slopes, Wang Ming, Wu Zhang, Xu Changyou, Zhao Fu, Meng Xiangchun, Shi Bin, Liu Jingyu, Xu Yongchao, Wang Jingwei, Zhao Lichun

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background During the mining of an open-pit mine, denudated layers contain loose Neogene and Quaternary aeolian, alluvial, and diluvial deposits, facilitating water storage and conduction. This is prone to cause slope degradation and instability, severely threatening mining safety. Methods Based on results from field surveys and laboratory experiments, this study systematically analyzed the impacts of groundwater on the weak layer along a slope of an open-pit mine in the Huolinhe Coalfield, Inner Mongolia, focusing on its softening effect on mudstones. By establishing a mechanical model for unconsolidated strata, this study derived an equation for calculating the seepage force in the …

A Design Method For Timeliness Optimization Of The Round-Trip Actuating Mechanisms Of Rescue Vehicle-Mounted Drilling Rigs, Cao Chao, Mao Bingquan, Zhang Zhonghai, Chang Renqi, Zhao Jiyun, Han Jing, Huang Di

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective In the field of mine accident rescue, creating vertical rescue channels through surface drilling operations using a rescue vehicle-mounted drilling rig (RVMDR) proves the most effective. However, the limitation of the vehicle’s load capacity necessitates balancing the driving speeds and stability of the round-trip actuating mechanisms. Furthermore, establishing an optimization design and configuration system of parameters to maximize the operational capacities of these actuating mechanisms plays a key role in ensuring rescue efficiency. Methods By establishing a multiple spatiotemporal planning model for the round-trip actuating mechanisms of the RVMDR, this study determined the value ranges and design processes of …

Usa V. James Perrin

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Western District of Pennsylvania

August Kreis, Iv V. James Alercia

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania