Digital Commons Network^™

Effects Of Probiotic Supplementation On Symptoms In Teenagers Ages 13-18 With Inflammatory Skin Conditions, Katelyn S. Walker, Jessica Rosen, Matilde Belfiore

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 are particularly susceptible to inflammatory skin disorders such as acne vulgaris and atopic dermatitis, which can have a detrimental effect on their physical and mental health. Emerging evidence highlights the importance of the gut-skin axis, indicating that the makeup of the gut microbiota affects both skin health and systemic inflammation. Adolescent-specific research is still limited even though probiotic supplementation, especially Lactobacillus strains, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory, animal, and small clinical studies.

The purpose of this experimental study is to determine whether oral probiotic supplementation improves inflammatory skin condition symptoms in …

Agenda (4-17-2026), California State University, San Bernardino - Associated Students, Incorporated

Associated Students, Incorporated records

No abstract provided.

Loyal Sons: German-Jewish Patriotic Assimilation In Modern Germany, Yitzi Dear

History Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

The modern history of Germany’s Jews developed through two contemporaneous and parallel transformations across the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries: first, the development of the German national identity and creation of the German state; second, the gradual emancipation of Germany’s Jews and their integration into society. As a result of these two simultaneous developments, the majority of German Jews increasingly defined themselves through their German nature and connection to the state. Assimilation became not only a path to survival but also a sincere expression of ideological and cultural conviction.

Amid the social, political, and economic crises of the Weimar Republic, a …

Subversive Speculative Theology In Women's Stories From The Mormon Home Literature Movement, Rachel Meibos Helps

Theses and Dissertations

In the 1910s, Mormon women used sentimental speculative fiction published in official Relief Society Magazine to engage theological questions often reserved for male ecclesiastical authority. This paper examines three short stories: Edna Coray's "A Quitter–Almost." (1918), Lucy May Green's "A Whiff of Ether" (1919), and Laura Jenkins's "Beyond the Portals" (1916), each of which depicts a woman's encounter with the spirit world at the moment of death or near-death. Drawing on the Mormon Home Literature movement and the broader tradition of sentimental fiction as political and moral discourse, I argue that these authors used narrative to fill gaps in official …

Analysis Of Factors Enabling Organisational Governance Maturity For The Technical Audit Function In Tanzania, George C. Haule

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The study aimed to identify key factors contributing to Organisational Governance Maturity (OGM) of the Technical Audit Functions (TAF) in Tanzania.  The study employed a sequential approach as a research design.  The first step was to collect and analyse literature studies to identify factors enabling the OGM of the TAF.  Next, a questionnaire was administered to one hundred twenty-eight (128) respondents from seven (7) TAFs to rank the key enabling factors that were identified from the literature that influence the OGM of TAF in Tanzania.  Using data from a questionnaire administered to 128 respondents, a two-step strategy was employed to …

Are You Deaf-Smart? : Deaf School-Based Mental-Health And Assessment Resource Toolkit, Rachel Shaffer, Moss Maclean

Annual Student Research Day

This project aims to increase awareness, promote best practices, and encourage partnership and information sharing in relation to working with Deaf people as psychologists. This project leads to a resource library for psychologists.

Anxiety Within Romantic Relationships, Brooklyn Hintze

ScholarsArchive Data

I studied the affects of social anxiety, dating anxiety, and appearance anxiety on individuals, specifically pertaining to romantic and dating relationships. I also studied literature on treatments and interventions for these anxieties.

Why Don’T Young People Vote?, Mia Diaz

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

This presentation explores the causes of young people's lower voter turnout compared to older adults, a crucial problem for democratic representation. The gap is caused by several important issues, which will be discussed. First, getting information about voting is frequently a major obstacle. Young voters may find it difficult to learn about candidates, policy, and the voting process, which could cause them to lose interest and not cast a ballot. Second, poor civic education in schools and colleges, and complicated voter registration procedures. These obstacles can include complicated registration paperwork and difficult deadlines to meet, particularly for first-time voters. Another …

The Bridge Between Home And School: Assessing The Impacts Of No-Homework Policies On Primary School Students, Kate Castillo Galeote

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

The subject of having homework in primary school education has been an ongoing debate sparking interests amongst school administration, parents, and students. Homework serves as the foundation of learning to many children and the skills they develop. It has also been known to be an extension to the school day, providing at home practice to further develop skills. Primary school institutions are now shifting towards a no homework environment, disrupting many skills and habits during a child's development. Through analyzing academic works related to the effectiveness of homework in primary school institutions, I find a consensus among works that demonstrate …

The Quiet Crisis Of Elder Abuse: Evidence And Implications, Vidhani Goel, Nataliyah Tahir, Joshua Khorsandi, Sheila Janofsky

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

Elder abuse is a critical public health issue affecting older adults globally, with significant physical, psychological, and social consequences. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced widespread disruptions- including social isolation, economic instability, and reduced access to healthcare and support services- that may have intensified vulnerability to abuse. However, evidence examining how patterns of elder abuse evolved across different phases of the pandemic remains fragmented. This scoping review aimed to systematically map the extent, range, and nature of existing literature on elder abuse across pre-pandemic, during-pandemic, and post-pandemic periods, with a focus on prevalence, risk and protective factors, and reporting patterns. A comprehensive …

Culturally-Responsive Schooling Of Native American Students: A Case-Study Of Oklahoma’S U.S. History Curriculum, Lorelani Riley Ladislao

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

For generations, formal schooling has been utilized as a tool for colonization and assimilation, resulting in lasting negative impacts on Native Americans. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (2020), Oklahoma public schools serve the second largest proportion of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students in the United States, making this context critical for understanding how contemporary education practices are impacting Native students. Scholarly literature posits that culturally responsive schooling enhances academic outcomes and helps combat historical injustices in marginalized communities. In alignment, the Diné Institute for Navajo Nation Educators (DINÉ) created a tool for assessing cultural responsiveness …

Strategies Higher Education Leaders Use To Improve Job Satisfaction Among Administrative Staff, Jerrod Jaquii Pass

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Organizational change initiatives in higher education often lead to decreased job satisfaction among administrative staff. Higher education leaders are concerned with maintaining employee job satisfaction during such periods because disengagement among administrative staff can reduce performance and increase turnover. The purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies higher education leaders use to improve administrative staff job satisfaction during organizational change. Lewin’s change management theory served as the foundation for the capstone research project. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of six higher education leaders in the United States who had implemented change initiatives …

Examination Of The Hiring Process: Bias In Selection, Conor Johanson

Honors Theses

Racial discrimination in the hiring process remains a persistent problem despite decades of anti-discrimination legislation and widespread bias-awareness training. The present study examined whether resume quality and candidate race jointly influence hiring evaluations among human resource professionals, a population with formal training in equitable selection practices. Using a 2 × 2 between-subjects design, 129 HR professionals recruited through Prolific were randomly assigned to evaluate a high- or low-quality resume attributed to either a Black or White candidate. Participant evaluations were assessed across warmth-related and competence-related dimensions derived from the Stereotype Content Model, with Aversive Racism Theory guiding predictions about when …

Patient Perception Of Pain Following Extraction And Bone Graft With Or Without Preemptive Ibuprofen: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Samah Rady

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Objective: The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to investigate the effects of preemptive analgesia on postoperative pain following extraction and ridge preservation and to evaluate the association between dental care-related fear and anxiety, health literacy, fear of pain, and pain catastrophizing with post-operative pain and swelling perception as well as Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Materials and Methods: Ibuprofen 600mg (test; n=9) or placebo (n=13) were randomly given one hour prior to extraction and ridge preservation. Preoperatively, patients completed the following questionnaires: Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), Oral health-related quality of life (OHIP-14), Fear of Pain (FPQ-III), Pain …

Dementia De-Escalation Staff Education Program, Gretchan Edwards

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), including agitation and aggression, present significant challenges in acute care settings and contribute to increased staff injury risk and inconsistent patient care. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to evaluate the impact of a structured dementia de-escalation education program on staff knowledge, confidence, and perceived ability to manage dementia-related behaviors. The guiding PICOT question asked: In acute care staff, how does participation in a structured de-escalation training program that incorporates environmental modifications and organizational support, compared with no formal de-escalation training, affect staff knowledge, confidence, and perceived impact …

Health Awareness And Relative Energy Deficiency In Ultra-Endurance Female Athletes, Myshel Rodenbeck

Doctorate in Kinesiology

Ultra-endurance (UE) participation among female athletes has increased substantially, yet research examining health awareness and physiological risk in this population remains limited. Excessive training combined with inadequate energy intake places ultra-endurance female athletes at elevated risk for the Female Athlete Triad (FAT) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), both driven primarily by chronic low energy availability (LEA) and associated with menstrual dysfunction, impaired bone health, metabolic disturbances, and reduced performance.

This mixed-methods, cross-sectional study examined awareness of overall health, fueling behaviors, menstrual health, and recognition of FAT and RED-S among ultra-endurance female athletes over 25 years of age. Participants …

Education To Increase Students’ Knowledge, Perceptions, And Interest In Occupational Therapy, Brooke Hineman

Capstone Projects

In response to the declining program fill rates across all levels of occupational therapy (OT) education, this Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE) aimed to promote the field through development of informational resources and delivery of educational sessions for high school and undergraduate students. The primary objective was to foster deeper understanding, accurate perceptions, and career interest among participants. A thorough literature review and needs assessment exploring current OT knowledge, promotion efforts, student characteristics, and underrepresented groups revealed a need for intentional education to address gaps in student knowledge regarding the field of OT among all students, especially those without exposure to …

Advocacy, Outreach, And Expansion Of The Michigan Occupational Therapy Association Mental Health Special Interest Section, Isabel Evola

Capstone Projects

The history of occupational therapy (OT) is rooted in supporting mental health, emerging in the United States during World War I. Over time, the practice of OT has evolved in its scope and emerging specialties. The role of OT in mental health is underutilized and misunderstood by professional organizations. However, OT remains a vital service in supporting mental health in psychiatric and non-psychiatric settings. The focus of this doctoral capstone experience (DCE) was to address this gap by advocating for the presence and understanding of OT in mental health through the expansion of the Michigan Occupational Therapy Association (MiOTA) Mental …

Strengthening Leadership And Expanding Engagement: Enhancing Volunteer, Participant, And Donor Involvement In Michigan Victory Games, Abbey Smith

Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone experience (DCE) addressed organizational development and community engagement within the Michigan Disability Sports Alliance (MiDSA), an adaptive sports nonprofit serving individuals with physical disabilities. The project is relevant to occupational therapy (OT) through its focus on promoting participation, health, and inclusion in meaningful occupations such as sport. A key gap identified was the lack of structured resources to support leadership, inconsistent outreach methods, and limited strategies to reduce barriers for participants, volunteers, and donors.

The objectives of this DCE included developing a centralized data management portal, creating a standardized community outreach presentation, establishing clear board role frameworks, …

Our Stories: Black Parents’ Experiences At K-12 Predominantly White Institutions, Jason Thompson

Dissertations

Black parents of Black children attending K–12 predominantly White institutions (PWIs) often experience stress as they navigate school environments where they may be perceived as uninterested, combative, or “token” members of the school community. These deficit-based perceptions can cause Black parents to limit school interactions, question whether their perspectives will be valued, and develop distrust toward school personnel. Although research has examined Black students’ experiences in PWIs, fewer qualitative studies have centered on Black parents’ stories. Capturing these experiences in parents’ own words helps challenge harmful stereotypes and offers schools, especially school counselors, deeper insight into strengthening relationships with Black …

Divergent Paths Towards Belonging: A Comparative Analysis Of Latina/O/E Domestic And International Student Experiences At A Pwi, Sebastian Lema, Rita Kagaju

25th Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2026)

In this study, we examine how undergraduate international students from Latin America and domestic Latina/o/e students experience belonging and inclusion at a Predominantly White Institution (PWI). While existing research highlights systemic barriers and microaggressions faced by domestic Latina/o/e students, we address a critical gap by exploring the distinct challenges faced by international Latin American students. We ask how these groups’ experiences of inclusion, microaggressions, and support systems differ within a PWI context. Using qualitative interviews with 55 students (40 domestic, 15 international), we employed grounded theory to analyze themes such as classroom dynamics, feelings of inclusion/belonging, and institutional support. Our …

Hope College Abstracts: 25th Annual Celebration Of Undergraduate Research And Creative Activity, Hope College

25th Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2026)

The 25th Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity was held on April 17, 2026 in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse at Hope College and featured student-faculty collaborative research projects. This program is a record reflective of those projects between the 2025-2026 academic year.

Effect Of Peppermint Oil Inhalation On Swim Performance In D3 Swimmers, Brynn Conklin, Ashlea Swingewood, Brianna Johnson, Katie Eggleston, Miriam Czaja

25th Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2026)

Peppermint essential oil has long been a topic of research for its effects on exercise performance. Although there are mixed results within the current body of literature, some studies propose that it allows for bronchodilation and increased alertness which lead to performance improvements. The purpose of this research was to determine if peppermint oil inhalation has an effect on time to completion, heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory reserve volume in one second (FEV1) during a 100-yd swim in D3 swimmers. A group of twenty D3 swimmers (M=12, F=8) volunteered to …

The Storied Life: Biblical Metanarrative And The Human Experience, Samantha Jones

25th Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2026)

The storytelling animal. This eclectic title was coined by Alasdair MacIntyre in his famous philosophical work After Virtue. Notice MacIntyre does not call man “the working animal who also tells stories,” nor the “rule following animal who enjoys the trivial pursuit of narrative.” He calls man the storytelling animal because he has discovered that stories are not the just one characteristic of the human experience, they are so much more. To be a human is to be a storyteller, and to be a storyteller is to be human. This claim is not specific to philosophers like MacIntyre, but is an …

Developmental Underpinnings Of The Other Race Effect Using Fmri, Aquilla Denise Copeland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

It is well established that perceptual experience with own-race faces is associated with faster and more accurate recognition of own-race compared to other-race faces — a phenomenon known as the other-race effect (ORE). Previous fMRI research has shown that adults generally exhibit more robust face-sensitive responses than children in the core face-processing areas, especially to own-race versus other-race faces. Although much is known about the neural underpinnings of the ORE in adults, little is known about this phenomenon in children. The present experiment aimed to examine face-sensitive fusiform and occipital regions in 8- to 10-year-olds and adults as they engaged …

Evaluating Measurement Invariance Frameworks: A Comparison Of Mg-Cfa, Alignment Optimization, & Bayesian Approximate Measurement Invariance Using The Brigham Young University Counseling And Psychological Services Client Satisfaction Survey, Heidi Lula Lindsey

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers must establish measurement invariance (MI) before comparing latent constructs across groups to ensure construct validity. However, traditional multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MG-CFA) may impose overly strict equality constraints in applied settings. Alternative MI frameworks are less familiar to researchers, which limits their use. This study compares MG-CFA, alignment optimization (AO), and Bayesian approximate measurement invariance (BAMI) using archival data from the Brigham Young University Counseling and Psychological Services Client Satisfaction Survey (N = 1,278). Participants completed an exit survey after receiving individual (n = 1,063), couple (n = 83), or group (n = 132) therapy, answering 16 five-point Likert …

Agentic Hallucination Risk Scoring For Medical Llms Via Uncertainty Quantification And Clinical Knowledge Injection, Mayank Kapadia, Mohammad Masum

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Large Language Models (LLMs) have witnessed significant adoption across numerous domains since 2020, but their proclivity to hallucinate creates unacceptable dangers in high-risk environments like healthcare, where wrong outputs can directly jeopardize human safety. While present systems focus on pre-generation mitigation strategies, they cannot ensure the safety of individual outputs during inference. We provide a post hoc Hallucination Risk Scoring (HRS) methodology that intercepts questionable outputs before they reach patients via an agentic pipeline. Given a medical question, a domain-specific LLM generates an initial response from which five complimentary uncertainty signals are computed, which are then separated into a decision …

Assessing Readiness, Perceptions, And Behaviors Of Midlife Adults To Adopt A Dietary Pattern Associated With Cognitive Benefits, Meghan E. Sullivan

Theses

Objective:  To explore the barriers and facilitators for following a brain-healthy dietary pattern by assessing readiness, cognitive dietary adherence, eating competence, quality of life, and health beliefs in midlife adults. Design: Quantitative cross-sectional online survey. Participants: Adults aged 30-60 years (N=189) recruited through social media, flyers, email, and text. Main outcome measures: Readiness to adopt a brain-healthy dietary pattern, eating competence, health beliefs, quality of life, and dietary adherence to a brain-healthy pattern such as the MIND diet. Analysis: Descriptive statistics, ANOVAs, Chi-Square, and correlations were conducted to explore associations among readiness, eating competence, health beliefs, quality of life, and …

Poor Peer Relations During Early Adolescence Amplify Bidirectional Pathways Between Body Dissatisfaction And Alcohol Misuse, Molly Selover

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

The current study focuses on the growth of body dissatisfaction and alcohol misuse, and factors that amplify their interplay. Participants were 221 sixth- and seventh-grade students (118 girls, 103 boys; ages 10–13) attending a public school in Florida. Self-reports and peer nominations were collected at three time points across the course of a school year. Results from parallel process growth models indicated that higher self-reported body dissatisfaction at the beginning of the school year predicted increases in self-reported alcohol misuse across the academic year. Conversely, higher initial alcohol misuse predicted increases in body dissatisfaction. Follow-up analyses revealed that loneliness, low …

Enhancing The Well-Being Of Refugees With Disabilities Through Equitable Access To Essential Services: A Participatory Qualitative Study In The United States, Mustafa Rfat

Brown School Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Access to services for refugees with disabilities (RwDs) is critically important for improving their well-being and enhancing their integration. This population often faces prolonged exclusion that begins in their country of origin and often continues to worsen during displacement, leading to accumulated disparities. Because the United States (U.S.) refugee program is structured around rapid employment, refugees who do not fit the fast-track employment criteria are often left behind. RwDs are often considered unemployable, which automatically shifts resources and services away from them. Abandoning RwDs during the critical period of resettlement puts them at heightened risk of increased and long-term exclusion. …