Digital Commons Network^™

Reimagining Human-Nonhuman Friendships Through Feminist Animal Studies: An Exploration Of Sunny And Della’S Cross-Species Friendship In Nnedi Okorafor’S The Nsibidi Scripts Series, Akshitha Javahar

Online Midwinter Seminar (OMS)

No abstract provided.

“Her Hair Was Held A Marvel Unmatched”: The Significance Of Long, Blonde Hair In Tolkien’S Imagination, Sara Brown

Online Midwinter Seminar (OMS)

No abstract provided.

Transgressive Body, Open Mind, And Perceptive Spirit For Nurturing Soul: A Reflection On Teaching To Transgress, Akie F. Wenk

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

In this reflection essay, I discuss my journey into the liberatory pedagogy bell hooks champions. As a foreign-born Japanese woman, who speaks English as her second language, being in the classroom itself can be seen as a transgressive act. Positioning myself as an educator who strives to creates an environment that is liberatory for me and my students, I discuss my specific experience and relationship to theories surrounding critical feminist pedagogy and how I practice these theories in my own classroom.

Keynote: Still Perilous, Still Fair: Perspectives On The Legacy, Or How (Not)Éowyn And (Not) Galadriel Made The Magic Work, Leslie Donovan, Janet Brennan Croft

Online Midwinter Seminar (OMS)

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Virtual Group Coaching’S Impact On Self-Determination In Spinal Cord Injury, Alana Scalzo, Ms, Otr/L

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Introduction: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a lifelong condition that requires effort and adjustment for managing physical, psychological, and social well-being to have the ability to engage in meaningful activities. As people living with SCI have higher rates of isolation and social disconnect, it is important to study group level approaches for addressing mental health.

Objectives: To determine the impact of virtual group coaching to enhance occupational performance, satisfaction, self-efficacy and relationship closeness in people living with SCI.

Methods: A quasi-experimental single-group pre/post-test design was used. Adults with SCI were recruited through online flyers, social media, newsletters, support groups, clinics, …

Correlation Measures In Metagenomic Data: The Blessing Of Dimensionality, Alessandro Fuschi, Alessandra Merlotti, Thi Dong Binh Tran, Hoan Nguyen, George M. Weinstock

Faculty Research 2025

Microbiome analysis has revolutionized our understanding of various biological processes, spanning human health and epidemiology (including antimicrobial resistance and hor- izontal gene transfer), as well as environmental and agricultural studies. At the heart of microbiome analysis lies the characterization of microbial communities through the quantification of microbial taxa and their dynamics. In the study of bacterial abundances, it is becoming more relevant to consider their relationship, to embed these data in the framework of network theory, allowing characterization of features like node relevance, pathways, and community structure. In this study, we address the primary biases encoun- tered in reconstructing networks …

The Efficacy Of Virtual Group Coaching On The Self-Determination Of People With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Janine E. Rajauski, Ms, Otr/L

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

INTRODUCTION
The Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) are a family of 13 genetic connective tissue disorders that affect negatively physical and psychosocial health which in turns have been found to decrease their quality of life and self-determination (Baeza-Velasco et al., 2019; Bennet et al., 2021; Estrella & Fraizer, 2024; Tinkle et al., 2017; Palomo-Toucedo et al., 2020). Limited supports and services, including occupational therapy, are available for those with EDS (Estrella & Frazier, 2024; McDonald et al., 2023; Reychler et al., 2021). Those with EDS have requested better services to support their self-determination (Estrella & Frazier, 2024). Coaching has shown positive impacts …

Caregiver Attitudes Of Risky Outdoor Play For Toddlers With Developmental Delays And Disabilities In St. Louis, Missouri: A Socio-Ecological Perspective, Emily Korte-Stroff, Ot/L

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Abstract: Risky outdoor play fosters autonomy, emotional regulation, and resilience in early childhood, yet caregivers of toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities often face unique barriers to supporting such play. Limited research has examined how caregivers perceive the factors shaping these decisions, particularly in the United States context. This mixed-methods cross-sectional study explored how caregivers in the St. Louis, Missouri metropolitan area perceive the socio-ecological factors shaping their attitudes toward risky outdoor play for children aged 13 to 47 months with developmental delays or disabilities. The project sought to first explore caregivers' perceptions of how interpersonal and individual factors, shape …

Enhanced Nanomechanical, Tribological And Electrical Properties Of Ni-Cr Coatings Via Max Phase Reinforcement And Metallic Interlayers, Mohammad Ashikul Alam

Theses and Dissertations

Nickel-Chromium (Ni-Cr) coatings are widely used in industrial applications due to their resistance to oxidation, thermal stability, and adjustable electrical and mechanical properties. However, achieving improved multifunctional performance across various use cases ranging from extreme tribological environments to microscale device integration remains a significant challenge. This thesis explores two complementary strategies for enhancing the performance of Ni-Cr coatings in both thick and thin film configurations, aiming to address limitations in wear resistance, durability, adhesion, and electrical conductivity. For thick coatings, Ni-Cr was reinforced with Ti3SiC2 MAX phase particles and processed using selective laser sintering (SLS) with optimized parameters. The addition …

Beyond The Individual: Community Socioecological Correlates Of Mass Shootings In A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Barbara (Basia) E. Lopez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mass shootings represent an urgent and persistent threat to public safety in the United States, yet most research has focused on individual-level characteristics, leaving community-level socioecological conditions comparatively underexamined. This study addressed this gap in knowledge through an examination of the statistical correlations between community-level characteristics and mass shooting incidence using Ostrom’s social-ecological systems theory as a guiding framework. A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed using secondary data from The Violence Project, the U.S. Census Bureau, Neighborhood Atlas National Data Archive, and publicly available law enforcement and policy records. Multiple regression analysis was performed to test both main and interaction …

Staff Education To Same Day Surgery Nurses, Katherine Lutman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The aim of this doctor of nursing practice staff education project was to provide a staff education program to the same day surgery staff at the practicum site on the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) evidence-based approach to surgical care to improve patient outcomes. ERAS includes multiple modalities designed to optimize a patient’s condition before, during, and after surgery. When implemented correctly, ERAS can reduce the need for narcotics, shorten recovery time, and improve surgical outcomes. The practice gap identified was that the only ERAS modality being actively implemented and tracked was nutrition in colorectal surgical patients and that the …

Lived Experiences Of Police Officers With Vicarious Sexual Trauma, Resiliency, And Departmental Support, Joseph Schreiner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative study involved addressing lived experiences of police officers who investigate sex crimes. Vicarious sexual trauma experienced by officers can lead to both short- and long-term issues for these individuals, particularly if they are left unaddressed. The constructivist self-development and resiliency theories were used to examine these experiences. Specifically, this study involved investigating how police officers perceived vicarious sexual trauma and viewed the accessibility and practicality of mental health and wellness resources provided by their departments. It was guided by two research questions, which were addressed through 12 semistructured interviews, which were thematically analyzed and interpreted. Five themes emerged …

Coloring Outside The Lines: Factors Facilitating Divergent Thinking, Michelle Baca Reinke

Master's Theses

Divergent thinking involves producing a multitude of unique and diverse ideas. The ability to “color outside the lines” is crucial to business, education, and social domains. The flexibility, originality, and fluency dimensions of divergent thinking are commonly assessed using the Alternative Uses Task, which involves generating uses for common objects. Prior research suggests that high identification (first-person perspective) with schema-inconsistent experiences increases flexibility, while semantic density (degree of conceptual associations) impacts originality and fluency inversely. However, their combined effects across multiple divergent thinking dimensions remain unexplored. The present research investigated the interactive effects of identification (high, low), schema consistency (consistent, …

How People With Borderline Personality Disorder Experience Addiction During The Process Of Treatment, Michael Paul Onesto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explored the lived experience of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and substance use as a maladaptive coping mechanism during recovery, raising the question of whether recovery itself fosters comorbidity. The study was grounded on several theories, including Linehan’s biosocial model, the Cox and Klinger alcohol motivation model, the affect regulation model, and the self-medication hypothesis. These theories argue that substance use arises from emotional vulnerability, invalidating environment, and affect regulation efforts. The study employed a phenomenological qualitative approach to guide data collection and analysis. Interviews from 20 BPD patients and mental health care providers were completed. The thematic analysis …

The Treatment Experiences Of Female Domestic Violence Offenders Who Have Completed Court-Mandated Counseling Programs, Chelsea S. King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic violence is a significant societal problem. However, aspects of domestic violence (DV) perpetrated by women are often overlooked or inadequately addressed in existing counseling and intervention programs, leaving counselor educators ill-equipped to effectively train counselors to treat this specific population. The research question addressed the treatment experiences of female DV offenders who completed court-mandated counseling programs. Given the limited current research on female domestic violence offender treatment, Heidegger’s hermeneutic phenomenological methodology was employed to further understand the perspectives of participants, potentially identifying areas of improvement and addressing the needs of female program participants. Semistructured interviews were completed with six …

The Lived Experience Of The Orgasm Gap In U.S. Cisgender Women In Heterosexual Relationships, Alina Beverly Vergara-Hegi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Women are not orgasming as often as men in heterosexual sexual encounters. Research has confirmed that sociocultural influences, gender differences, sexual perceptions, sexual miseducation, and relationship dynamics contribute to women’s negative sexual experiences. What has been missing is a better understanding of the experience of the orgasm gap and the role of gender ideology in women’s sexual experiences. This study explored the lived experience of the orgasm gap and gender ideology in nine cisgender women in long-term heterosexual relationships. Critical feminist theory was used as the lens to explore the meaning of sexual inequities in intimate long-term relationships. Using interpretative …

Effectiveness Of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy For Generalized-Anxiety Disorders In Adolescents: A Systematic Review Using Pico Framework, Rajwa D. Suryanto, Prodio E. Gaharani, Salam Salsabila, Calista Aziz, Fitri A. Khaerani, Salsabila Athaya, Lulu A. Setyowati, Elisya Kartadikaria, Muhammad I. Djamaluddin, Renata B. Soewahju, Dian A. Pitaloka

Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Research

A number of teenagers experience various levels of mental disorders, ranging from mild stress to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 264 million people suffer from anxiety disorders, including GAD, and this condition is a significant leading cause of suicide incidents, ranking sixth among serious mental health issues. From a societal perspective, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has the advantage of cost-effectiveness by minimizing the use of medications and enhancing productivity in education for adolescents receiving CBT. This study aims to conduct a systematic review of the existing literature on GAD in adolescents, using the …

Identification Of Drug Related Problems (Drps) Based On Drug And Dosage Selection In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients, Dhani Wijaya, Fathia F. Rahmadanita, Ria R. Atmaja, Sadli Syarifuddin, Roihatul Mutiah, Atiqoh N. Habibah, Fika S. Nafisah

Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Research

Pharmacological therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus involves more than one type of drug, this increases the potential for Drug Associated Problems (DRPs) in terms of selecting the type and dose of the drug. This study aimed to determine the treatment profile and identify the occurrence of DRPs based on drug selection and dosage in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This descriptive observational study was conducted in October 2022 in the medical record room of one general hospital in Batu, East Java. The study sample was obtained by total sampling using 36 medical records of inpatients with type 2 …

The Unseen Struggle: Poems From The Abyss, Victor Ihechiluru Unachukwu

All ETDs from UAB

The Unseen Struggle: Poems from The Abyss is a collection of seventy poems. The poems cracked into the experiences of Nigerians—enduring social, political, and environmental oppression. Socially, ethnic divisions and limited education restrict opportunity; politically, corruption and repression silence dissent; environmentally, resource exploitation devastates livelihoods. Through poetry, I constructed a fictionalized Imo and Abia State, rendering these struggles visceral without requiring the reader’s physical presence. Drawing on personal experience, I employed sensory, auditory, and visual imagery to immerse readers in the systems that dictate and constrain Nigerian life. As a Nigerian living in America, I intertwine real events with familial …

Staff Education To Enhance The Use Of Alternatives To Restrictive Interventions When Managing Aggressive Behaviors, Anthony Obinna Madu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This is a DNP staff education project executive summary aimed at increasing staff knowledge on the use of alternatives to restrictive interventions when managing aggressive behaviors in an inpatient psychiatric unit.

Relationship Between Processing Speed And Perceptual Reasoning Index Scores In Contact Vs Noncontact Child Sex Offenders, Mylena Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child sexual offending remains a critical societal issue with complex psychological and behavioral underpinnings. Although prior research has emphasized recidivism and risk assessment, there is limited information regarding neurocognitive functioning and its potential role in terms of differentiating contact versus noncontact offender subtypes. This quantitative cross-sectional study involved examining whether cognitive functioning, measured using the Processing Speed Index (PSI) and Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI) via the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale predicted offender subtype among 90 adult males who completed psychosexual evaluations. Additionally, the study involved testing whether age moderated the relationship between cognitive indices and offender subtype classification. Guided by …

The Experience Of Living With Infertility Among Women Of Color, Claudia Calvario

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Infertility affects individuals across all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds; however, the lived experiences of women of color navigating infertility remain underrepresented in research, health care, and policy. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was to explore the lived experiences of infertility among women of color. The specific aims of the study were to (a) understand the significance of cultural values in shaping these experiences, with a focus on cultural norms surrounding motherhood and fertility, and (b) gain insight on the ways in which women of color seek assistance. The conceptual framework integrated the biopsychosocial model, stress and …

Impact Of Firefighters' Work Schedule On Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Wellbeing And Safety In Firefighters: Protocol For The Swift Study, A Multidisciplinary Prospective And Cross-Sectional Study, Walaa F. Abdelmoaty, Shelby L. Watkins, Aanuoluwakiitan Ayeni, David A. Hurtado, Andrew W. Mchill, Jeremy J. Biggs, Kurt T. Hegmann, Steven A. Shea, Todd Bodner, Nicole P. Bowles

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Firefighters face frequent physical and psychosocial stressors, increasing their risk for hypertension. Rising call volumes with a stable workforce have heightened occupational burdens. To meet their occupational demands while increasing time off-duty, fire departments across the country have switched from a 24 hours on 48 hours off (termed ‘24/48’) work schedule to one that increases the number of consecutive days off (eg, 1 day on, 3 days off, 2 days on, 3 days off (termed ‘1/3/2/3’) or 48 hours on 96 hours off (termed ‘48/96’)). However, these schedule changes come at the expense of increasing time on-duty, which may have …

Development Of A Clinical Practice Guideline For Trauma-Informed Care In Interprofessional Health Care Settings, Ngwi Rita Etiendem

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Developing a standardized Clinical Practice Guideline for Trauma Informed Care was a central objective of this Doctor of Nursing project. This project followed an evidence-based, collaborative, and structured methodology that prioritized interdisciplinary input, organizational alignment, and rigorous appraisal using the AGREE II instrument.

Strategies To Reduce Waiting Times In A Hospital Emergency Department, Gillian Denise Browne-Farrell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Leaders of the emergency departments (EDs) globally, especially in the United States face persistent challenges addressing staffing issues in the ED and increased wait times. The purpose and review question for this integrative review was to investigate strategies and best practices to decrease waiting times in a hospital ED. The Theory of Constraints framework served as the theoretical foundation for this review. An examination of the literature published within the past five years identified 101 relevant articles. From these articles, 30 empirical and non-empirical articles were selected for further analysis using the Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice model and six major …

Relationship Between Doctor Communication And Patient Satisfaction In Inpatient Units In California, Sandra Viehoever

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Effective doctor communication is an important determinant of patient satisfaction in inpatient units. The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey measures patient satisfaction and influences reimbursement rates under the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program. The purpose of this retrospective quasi-experimental quantitative study was to examine the possible relationship between doctor communication and patient satisfaction in inpatient units in California. The Donabedian framework provided the theoretical framework to examine possible relationships between the variables. Publicly available data were collected from 290 hospitals in California that participated in the HCAHPS survey between July 2022 and June 2023. Results of …

The Challenges Faced By Postrelease Offenders In Rural Mississippi, Whitney Starks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Reintegration after incarceration has long been a subject of scholarly inquiry, particularly regarding barriers to employment, housing, and mental health services. However, limited research addresses the reintegration experiences of postrelease offenders in rural regions, where access to essential resources is often restricted. This qualitative single case study is an exploration of the challenges and service needs of formerly incarcerated individuals living in rural Mississippi. Using purposive and snowball sampling, six participants were selected based on residency in rural counties, a nonviolent criminal history, and at least one year of successful community reentry. The conceptual framework was guided by the assess, …

Prediction Of Collegial Relationships And Teachers’ Commitment To Stay In A Compulsory Swedish School, Chermaine Clunie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was the high annual teacher turnover rate of 30% in a Swedish compulsory school, which significantly exceeded national averages. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between the quality of collegial relationships, as measured by emotional support, task-related support, and feedback from colleagues which are subscales of the workplace social support (WSS) scale, and Swedish teachers’ commitment to stay in their current teaching positions in a Swedish compulsory school, measured on a continuous scale, using a 5 point Likert scale. The study was grounded in Blau’s social exchange theory, which …

Sex, Stress And Hormones : The Role Of Modifiable Risk Factors In The Kinetics Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Hannah Marie Edwards

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease hallmarked by the presence of amyloid- plaques and tau tangles in the brain. The process of the disease begins decades prior to the onset of symptoms and is thought to be driven first by a buildup of amyloid- peptide in the extracellular space, triggering a cascade of pathology and symptomology culminating in loss of cerebral volume and cognitive impairment. Women are diagnosed with AD at a rate 2/3 higher than their male counterparts, even when controlling for age. While most driving factors of the disease are thought to be genetic, roughly 40% of …

Mississippi Libraries Volume 87, Number 1 And 2

Mississippi Libraries

Complete issue of Vol. 87, Nos. 1 and 2 of Mississippi Libraries