Digital Commons Network^™

Effect Of Ginseng On Obesity And Neurogenesis, Hayden L. Withers, Claudia A. Grillo, Lawrence P. Reagan, Natalia Maciejewska, Sai V. Nallu, Jennifer L. Woodruff

Senior Theses

Obesity and major depressive disorder are two conditions with high comorbidity as well as overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms, including neuroinflammation, metabolic/endocrine dysfunction, and impaired hippocampal neurogenesis. Panax ginseng, a medicinal herb, is known to demonstrate anti-inflammatory and metabolic regulatory properties. Ginseng has demonstrated its effective antidepressant-like effects within preclinical studies, but its potential to restore neurogenesis in the context of obesity-induced depression is not clear. Within this study, male Sprague-Dawley rats were tested in either a high fat diet (HFD) or control diet (Cont) for 12 weeks and then was treated subsequently with daily intraperitoneal injections of either ginseng or saline …

Developing A Coding System To Record Orofacial Movements For Misophonia With Verification From Physiology Data, Rachel P. Sellers

Senior Theses

My thesis aims to develop and evaluate a facial coding system that can quantify facial movements in the context of misophonia. The system uses binary coding to individually quantify and identify each orofacial movement that occurs independent of other movements or artifacts that could interfere with coding data. The system can be used across multiple coders with statistically significant reliability into how orofacial movements are interpreted. The psychophysiological verification study used electromyography to examine the muscle potentiation of the corrugator supercilii and zygomaticus major muscles to map observable facial movement to underlying muscle potentiation. This facial coding system can be …

Breaking The Cycle: Implementing Journal-Based Emotional Regulation Workshops At South Carolina’S Department Of Juvenile Justice, Sarah Hobson

Senior Theses

Incarcerated youth experience disproportionately high rates of trauma exposure, estimated at 70% to 90%, which significantly impacts emotional regulation and behavior, keeping them in a cycle of repeated offense and increased recidivism rates (Branson et al., 2017). Despite the prevalence of these psychological needs, juvenile justice systems often lack consistent, trauma-informed programming that addresses the underlying causes of delinquent behavior. This study examines the implementation and impact of a structured, eight-week trauma-informed journaling intervention conducted as a pilot program within the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. This program was implemented among a small cohort of participants at the Juvenile …

Elementary School Problem Solving Team Members' Beliefs And Perceptions For Rti Implementation, Tammi Cost

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The purpose of this explanatory mixed-methods study was to examine the beliefs, perceptions, and self-reported skills of elementary school Problem Solving Team members regarding the implementation of Response to Intervention (RTI) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in a large urban school district in the Southeastern United States. The study explored the extent to which educators had reached consensus around the essential components of these frameworks and whether they perceived themselves as prepared to implement data- based problem-solving practices that support academic and behavioral intervention systems. The research was guided by four questions addressing beliefs about the effectiveness of RTI …

Morning Meditation: Productivity And Stress In Educators, Harnels Maurice Michell

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This study examined whether a brief, consistent morning meditation practice could meaningfully influence educators' daily experiences in private schools across South Florida. Teachers often carry a heavy combination of cognitive load, emotional labor, and time pressure, which can erode both productivity and well-being. To explore whether mindfulness could offer practical support in these areas, a 30-day intervention was implemented in which educators engaged in a 15-minute guided meditation each morning before the start of their workday. The purpose of the study was to determine whether this routine produced measurable changes in perceived stress and daily productivity.

Thirty-four educators began the …

Effective Support Services For Black-African International Students, Amy V. Rutledge

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Currently, 1.5 million F-1 and M-1 students are enrolled in U.S. institutions of higher education (IHEs; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 2025). Although support services for international students are improving, substantial gaps remain in helping these students transition to the next phase of life (Weiner & Ghazarian, 2024). This transcendental phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of six recently graduated Black African international students (BAISs) to identify effective support services for graduate programs, licensure, or legal employment. Participants were recruited through snowball sampling for interviews, which were analyzed using descriptive coding (yielding 61 codes) and thematic analysis (producing six themes). …

Empowering Mothers: Occupational Therapy Video Series For Postpartum Depression, Brenda J. Ramos

Student Capstone Papers

The purpose of this research is to highlight the importance of maternal mental health and the use of self-regulation techniques to improve PPD. OTs can use self-regulation techniques as an intervention to assist mothers feel regulated and get through day-to-day tasks.

Restricting Phones And Reaching Students: How Ab 235 Could Restore Adolescent Mental Health And Focus In The Classroom, Brynne Suder

University of the Pacific Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Social-Emotional Learning Instruction On Intermediate Grade Levels, Leah Frances Davis

Dissertations

The study, The Impact of Social-emotional Learning on Intermediate Grade Levels, examined the perceived impact of social-emotional learning on the five core CASEL competencies. This included: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The study was a mixed methods design using qualitative research methods of surveys and interviews to analyze the teachers’ perceptions on the impact of social-emotional learning. Quantitative analysis reviewed attendance and discipline data to determine the impact of social-emotional learning on these factors. Teachers’ perceptions, coupled with and compared to the quantitative component of change in discipline infractions and daily attendance, offer great insight into …

Perspectives Of Classroom Teachers On The Foundational Reading Needs Of Fourth Through Sixth Grade Students, Deliska Burton-Cooley

Dissertations

Reading proficiency is a critical foundation for academic success; however, many students enter the upper elementary grades without the foundational literacy skills necessary to access grade level content. Teachers in grades four through six are increasingly responsible for addressing persistent reading gaps while simultaneously meeting instructional expectations aligned with grade-level standards. The problem addressed in this qualitative descriptive study was the limited research examining how upper elementary teachers identify and respond to foundational reading needs when such gaps persist beyond the primary grades. The purpose of this study was to examine upper-elementary teachers’ perspectives on identifying and addressing foundational reading …

Gamification And Serious Games In Undergraduate Nursing Education For Disaster Preparedness In The United States, Jacob Fast

Dissertations

Disaster preparedness is a critical component of undergraduate nursing education, yet traditional instructional approaches often inadequately prepare students for the complexity and uncertainty of real-world emergencies. Emerging literature suggests that gamification and serious games may enhance engagement and applied learning; however, limited research has examined their integration within nursing curricula from the perspective of faculty responsible for instructional design. This convergent mixed-methods study investigated the extent of integration, perceived effectiveness, and practical utility of gamification and serious games in undergraduate nursing education for disaster preparedness. Quantitative data were collected through a national survey of faculty teaching in CCNE- and ACEN-accredited …

Columns Spring 2026, Southern Adventist University

Alumni Newsletter

The Spring 2026 issue of Columns features articles about Southern's new mission statement, living memoirs, and a new student led ministries.

Cc Magazine Spring 2026, Connecticut College

Alumni News/Connecticut College Magazine

No abstract provided.

Cc Magazine Spring 2026, Connecticut College

Alumni News/Connecticut College Magazine

No abstract provided.

Nh Ece Data Collection Efforts Running Inventory, Jess Carson, Evan England, Tyrus Parker

New Hampshire Early Care and Education Research Consortium

Updated April 2026!

The NH ECE Research Consortium maintains an inventory of current and complete NH ECE-relevant data collection efforts. Included are surveys, interviews, focus groups, needs assessments, and other ways people in the field collect information. The inventory strengthens public access for data users, improves awareness and coordination among researchers, and minimizes duplication.

Law Over Water: Piracy And The Yemen Civil War, Case Western Reserve University School Of Law

Yemen Accountability Project (YAP)

"The Yemen Accountability Project (YAP) is proud to announce the publication of its seventh white paper, Piracy and the Yemen Civil War. Piracy is a crime of such gravity that it has been recognized as jus cogens—a peremptory norm of customary international law subject to universal jurisdiction, with states holding both the right and the obligation to prosecute pirates wherever they are found. Despite this universal prohibition, YAP has documented instances of piracy and associated violations of international humanitarian and human rights law committed by parties to the Yemen Civil War, including hostage taking, torture, arbitrary detention, and the potential …

Using Exit Polls To Enhance Undergraduate Student Research Understanding, Corey Lang, Sarah Leclair, Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz

Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Working Papers

We examine the effect of participating in a survey of constituents on student attitudes toward research and civic engagement and student confidence in several “soft skills”. Each student was trained in human subjects research and survey procedures and spent between four and six hours conducting an in-person survey at a location appropriate for the survey's target. We explore the effects of student outcomes through analyzing qualitative post survey experience reflection papers in one class, and a comparison of pre and post poll responses to an assessment in another. The results suggest that participation in the activity was correlated with an …

Improving Student Behavior Through Physical Activity Breaks, Raymond Duve

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Students struggle to remain on-task throughout long periods of time in class. This results in off-task behaviors and a lack of focus. As a result, this keeps students from maximizing their achievement. Research has shown that classroom activity breaks can help reduce off-task behaviors and improve on-task behaviors for students. This inquiry-based research study aims to find out if classroom activity breaks can improve on-task behaviors, classroom enjoyment for the students, and student behavior. The study used a quantitative approach via a student survey, a tally chart, and behavior log. The findings showed that students had fewer off-task behaviors and …

Teaching Behavioral Expectations Explicitly And Its Effect On Classroom Behavior In Elementary Classrooms, Jasmine Leigh Spann

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This inquiry-based capstone project examined the impact of explicitly teaching behavioral expectations on student behavior and overall classroom functioning in an elementary classroom. The study was conducted in a third-grade classroom with 17 participating students over a six-week period. The identified problem was the loss of instructional time due to frequent minor disruptions, inconsistent transitions, and unclear behavioral expectations. The intervention focused on proactively teaching, modeling, practicing, and consistently reinforcing classroom expectations. Data was collected using quantitative behavior tracking logs, including the frequency of minor disruptions, major incidents, teacher redirections, and instructional time lost. Findings indicated a consistent decrease in …

Playing The Hermès Game: Quota Bags, Antitrust Law, And The Limits Of Consumer Protection In Luxury Markets, Madeleine Chou

William & Mary Business Law Review

Luxury fashion retail has become a behemoth of an industry. Through acquisitions and strong brand recognition, some brands have developed significant market power in the luxury retail space. Chief among these brands is Hermès, a luxury leather retail boutique known for its highly sought after quota bags, like the Birkin and the Kelly. Quota bags are handbags that can generally only be bought by customers who have developed a substantial purchase history and relationship with the brand. Through this sales model, Hermès has created what plaintiffs have alleged to be an antitrust tying scheme, in which the purchase of one …

Influencing Player Tension Using Spatial Composition: Revisiting And Extending The Yuan–Wang Framework, Jiafan Lu

Level Design Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates how spatial composition in video game levels influences player tension and proposes a normalized quantitative formula based on existing spatial tension frameworks. The researcher independently created a single-player level and related quest in the video game Starfield. The quest, “Remnant of Tiangong” requires players to navigate a starstation containing a variety of spaces in a specific sequence. The researcher measured player tension through survey and biometric data and created a resulting tension curve. The researcher then compared the predicted tension curve to the resulting tension curve. The results show that the proposed formula accurately predicted players' …

Best Practices: Encouraging Player Use Of Verticality In Level Design, Hangtao Lin

Level Design Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores how design strategies influence player engagement with vertical spaces in combat-focused level design. The researcher applied strategies such as enemy density, cover placement, supply placement, and ranged enemy pressure to encourage players to move upward during combat. To examine this, the researcher created a custom single-player level in Dying Light using the developer tools to test multiple vertical routes and compare player behaviour across different spatial conditions. The researcher recorded player navigation patterns and spatial choices to evaluate how these strategies guided vertical engagement. The results indicate that all four strategies successfully encouraged vertical engagement, with cover …

To Work Or Not To Work? Lessons From Older Adults In Maine, Kimberly Snow, Mary Lou Ciolfi, Sarah Currie, Catherine Taylor

All Cutler Institute Publications

Work in later life is currently widely discussed for myriad reasons including that  many older adults want or need to work well past typical retirement age; employers  want and need the expertise, experience, and reliability of older workers; social and  health benefits often accompany later life work; anti-ageism awareness is  heightening the visibility and value of older workers; and economists and  demographers cite the importance of a dependable workforce that includes older  adults. The topic of later life work intersects with several other disciplines in social  science, business, health, technology, communications, and data collection - among  others - presenting opportunities …

Csbs Kudos, Spring 2026, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Social And Behavioral Sciences.

CSBS Kudos

Contents:

--- Faculty Accolades
--- Retirements - Ken Atkinson, Gregory Bruess, Todd Evans, Mark Grey, James Hall, Wallace Hettle, Mary Losch
--- Promotions - Disa Cornish, Tyler O'Brien, Jayme Renfro, Eran Hanke, Kyle Endres
--- In Memoriam - Mary Louise Franken, John Johnson, Susan Welch, Charlotte C. Wells
--- $1.22 million grant to UNI’s Center for Civic Education
--- University of Northern Iowa receives $2.4 million grant to launch Humanities Hub
--- UNI announces restructuring to strengthen humanities and public service education
--- UNI launches online non-thesis Master of Arts in Geography
--- UNI teacher education program continues to boast …

Trialoguing About Engaging With Communication And Language In Relation To Mathematics And Its Education, David Pimm, Jenni Ingram, Núria Planas

The Mathematics Enthusiast

This is our introduction to the series of eight articles in the first part of the double special issue on the challenges of ‘Engaging with communication and language in relation to mathematics and its education’. In the current article, we think together about ‘communication’ and ‘language’ in relation to mathematics and its education, by turning to reflections and examples from our decades of work as researchers and teacher educators, and in response to the articles in this first part. Following the preamble, most reflections are presented in the form of a fresh trialogue, through which we share some perspectives and …

Equals In The Wild: How Mathematical Equality Is Talked About In Lessons, Robert Ward-Penny, Jenni Ingram, Kirstin Erath, Elizabeth Kimber, Núria Planas

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Equality is a nuanced concept in mathematics, and the equals sign is used and interpreted in different ways. During professional development in language-responsive teaching, a group of teachers discussed the use of ‘equals’ in algebra lessons. This article considers how three of these teachers went on to invoke equality in their classroom interactions when teaching other topics. The cases observed suggest constructive resonances between conceptions of ‘equals’ and geometric relationships, and include examples of teachers balancing precision with fluency. We argue that attention to language in one mathematical topic may extend helpfully to other topics, but this is not automatic.

Genre-Based Socialization Practices In Teaching And Learning Of Geometric Proof In Language Diverse Classrooms, Rabih El Mouhayar, Richard Barwell

The Mathematics Enthusiast

The present study reports on analysis of how two teachers in Lebanon, and their students navigated the learning and teaching of geometric proof in English, in a context in which Lebanese Arabic is the language of home and wider society. One of the teachers taught in a public school, the other in a private school. The study focuses on language socialization practices in the two grade-seven classrooms, in relation to the specific genre of geometric proof. The focus is not directly on proving as a cognitive process; rather, the study explores the interactional process of interpreting and constructing geometric proofs …

Bridging Theory And Practice: A Criminal Justice Course Collection, Penny Geyer

Open Educational Resources

Dr. Penny Geyer compiled a full reading list, course calendar, set of weekly discussion questions, in-class experiential exercises, a death penalty case-study module, and a final paper assignment into a single, organized course packet that can be easily accessed, revised and remixed by other instructors teaching theory-to-practice criminal justice courses.

The Role Of Institutes Of Higher Learning In Deepening Social Impact, Steve Loh, Janna Wong

Asian Management Insights

Institutes of higher learning do more than generate knowledge. At their best, they connect partners, evidence, policy and capability to make social impact more credible, cumulative and durable. 

Effects Of Ndbi With Just-In-Time Programming Of Vsds On Communication Of Children With Asd, Jenna M. Rogers

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a prominent neurological and developmental disability that often requires communication support, such as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Visual Scene Displays (VSDs) are an AAC support that directly immerses in the user’s life, using images from real environments the user has or may experience. Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) is an evidence-based approach to early intervention that targets social communication during naturalistic routines, including those who rely on AAC support to communicate. Despite recent research indicating that combining NDBI and AAC is a promising approach (Pope et al., 2024), no studies to date have examined …