Digital Commons Network^™

Neural Associations Between Fingerspelling, Print, And Signs: An Erp Priming Study With Deaf Readers, Brittany Lee, Sofia E. Ortega, Priscilla M. Martinez, Katherine J. Midgley, Phillip J. Holcomb, Karen Emmorey

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Articles and Research

Fingerspelling is a leading predictor of reading ability for deaf people who use a signed language, but few neuroimaging studies have examined how it supports reading. We used event-related potentials to investigate how fingerspelled words prime printed words. Twenty-four skilled deaf adult readers completed a Go/No-Go task while viewing printed English word targets following related and unrelated primes in one of three conditions: printed English words, American Sign Language (ASL) signs, and fingerspelled words. N400 priming effects were strong across all three conditions. Early N400 effects were similar for printed word primes and fingerspelled word primes, suggesting shared orthographic representations. …

Introduction To Sociology: Socialization, Dr. Marcia Morrison Ph.D.

Open Educational Resources

Abstract

This paper offers a comprehensive examination of socialization and identity development through a comparative lens, focusing on American, Chinese, and Japanese cultures. It explores how distinct cultural values—individualism, loyalty, and cooperation—shape personal and collective identities from childhood through old age. Utilizing the life course perspective, the analysis considers how factors such as generation, socioeconomic status, race, and gender influence the trajectory of human development. The evolution of childhood is traced across historical and cultural contexts, highlighting shifting perceptions, the impact of industrialization on children's roles, and the persistent influence of class and ethnicity on access to education and well-being. …

Staff Education Project: Staff Education To Improve Nurses’ Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, And Motivation In Supporting Medication Adherence, Giovanna Happy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication nonadherence among individuals with psychiatric disorders remains a significant barrier to recovery, ranging from 40% to 60%. Contributing factors include fear of side effects, stigma, cognitive limitations, and complex regimens. This staff education project addressed challenges through the implementation of a structured, evidence-based intervention to improve adherence-supportive practices among 14 outpatient psychiatric nurses. A preimplementation needs assessment revealed inconsistent application of adherence strategies and low staff confidence. The project’s objective was to evaluate whether a structured education program could improve nurses’ knowledge by 15%, confidence by 15%, and willingness by 3.5 points on a Likert scale to promote medication …

An Action Research Study On Ai Video Vs. Written Feedback: Enhancing Undergraduate Academic Writing And Critical Thinking, Sandra Baroudi, Nida Mubeen, Suha Karaki

All Works

This action research explores how AI-assisted feedback formats influence students’ academic writing and critical thinking, a gap particularly relevant in the digital learning landscape. This study involved 40 undergraduate Emirati students divided into two groups, receiving either AI-generated video or written feedback across three assignments. Using a quantitative design, data were gathered using standardized critical thinking and academic writing skills rubrics. Additionally, students completed post-surveys to capture their perceptions, engagement levels and use of AI tools in the learning process. Results showed written feedback significantly improvemed critical thinking (M = 2.80, SD = 0.75) compared to video feedback (M = …

Plant-Based And Plant-Predominant Diets Among Healthcare Students: A Systematic Review, Raman Abbaspour, Sarah Weisbrodt, Samal Nauhria, Madeline Chan, Ali Kasim Rawji, Parham Bokaei Jazi, Sabyasachi Maity

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

This systematic review explores the effects of vegetarian diets on the physical and mental well-being of health sciences students, a demographic known for high academic and psychological stress. We conducted a comprehensive search across major databases, adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and identified 22 relevant studies. Our findings suggest that vegetarian diets are associated with lower incidences of chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease and obesity and promote better cardiovascular and metabolic health outcomes compared to non-vegetarian diets. Notably, vegetarian students could display lower systolic blood pressure and waist circumferences. Contrary to …

Big Five Personality Traits As Predictors Of Funeral Directors’ Job Satisfaction, Teresa Busick

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

By 2037, annual deaths in the United States are expected to exceed 3.6 million, over 1 million more than in 2015. At the same time, the funeral service industry faces a serious staffing problem, with about 50% of funeral directors leaving the profession within 2 years. These combined challenges highlight the need to understand what contributes to job satisfaction and helps to retain these workers in this essential field. This quantitative correlational study examined whether the Big Five personality traits predict job satisfaction among funeral directors. Thus, the Big Five model of personality traits was used to guide the study. …

The Jury Is In: A Comparison Of Perceptions Of Criminal Responsibility Evaluations Completed In Person Vs. Using Videoconferencing Technology, Thomas Ryan Eddy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Perceived expert witness credibility is one of many factors that can impact juror decision making behaviors. In cases where the insanity defense has been raised, an expert witness assess the defendant, and may later testify about the defendant’s criminal responsibility (CR). The use of videoconferencing (VC) software to complete forensic mental health assessments has increased. Yet, research examining how jurors perceive the practice of a videoconferenced forensic mental health assessment remains unclear. The present study addressed the dearth in the literature by examining whether the source of assessment (in-person vs. VC) used to conduct a criminal responsibility evaluation impacted perceptions …

Feeling Underqualified And Out Of My League: Motivational And Affective Paths To Adaptive And Maladaptive Behaviors, Gamze Koseoglu, Sejin Keem, Aysegul Karaeminogullari, Berrin Erdogan, Talya N. Bauer, Eyup Burak Sancak

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study explored the motivational and affective implications of perceived underqualification, specifically examining how it leads to increased levels of envy and help-seeking behaviors. We predicted that envy and help seeking behaviors would in turn indirectly relate to interpersonal deviance and task performance. We further hypothesized that two psychological resources, hope and self-efficacy, would moderate the relationships between perceived underqualification, envy, and help seeking. We tested our model with a sample of 149 medical school students who were undergoing a clinical rotation as well as their rotation coordinators at a university hospital located in northwestern Turkey. Data collection spanned four …

Factors Associated With Falls Among Nursing Home Residents, Dorsenia Hendrix

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Falls in nursing home facilities are prevalent, and numbers continue to rise as residents grow older and antipsychotic (AP) medications are prescribed more frequently. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate whether frequency of falls was related to the use of AP medications. Data (N=100) were collected from 2020 incident reports, investigation sheets, and patient charts generated by the State Department of Public Health regarding resident falls and the use of AP medications in a nursing home Facility located in the Southern United States. Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) was used to understand specific behavior patterns such as personal, …

Experiences Of Managing And Living With Autoimmune Addison’S Disease In The Younger And Newly Diagnosed Adults: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Mathew Horodner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a lack of knowledge regarding the experiences of managing and living with autoimmune Addison’s disease (AD) in the younger and newly diagnosed adults. AD research usually focuses on biological or medication studies. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the lived experiences of the younger and newly diagnosed adults living with autoimmune AD. Consisting of the complex integration of biological, psychological, and social factors, Engel’s biopsychosocial model served as the study’s conceptual framework. I conducted this study to include the experiences of managing and living with autoimmune AD in the younger (18–35) and newly diagnosed …

Strategies Used By Public Relations And Communications Executives To Implement Ethical Use Standards For Ai, Karl Bateson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Public relations and communications (PR&C) executives’ ineffective artificial intelligence (AI) strategies to develop and apply ethical frameworks for AI implementation can negatively impact organizations’ brand reputation. Grounded in AI4People and stakeholder theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to identify and explore the effective AI strategies PR&C executives used to develop and apply ethical frameworks for AI implementation while maintaining their organizations’ brand reputations. The participants were six PR&C executives who used effective strategies to develop and apply ethical frameworks for AI implementation while maintaining their organization’s brand reputation. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, public websites, …

Supporting Patients With Advanced Cancer And Their Spouses In Parenting Minor Children: Results Of A Randomized Controlled Trial, Kathrin Milbury, Sujin Ann-Yi, Meagan S Whisenant, Morgan Jones, Yisheng Li, Victoria Necroto, Sania D Yousuf, Mariana Chavez-Macgregor, Larrisa Meyers, Eduardo Bruera

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Patients with advanced cancer and their spousal caregivers who parent minor children report unmet parenting concerns and increased psychological distress. Seeking to address these important supportive care needs, this RCT examined the feasibility, acceptability, and initial evidence for the efficacy of a novel psychosocial intervention.

Patients and methods: Patients with a metastatic solid malignancy and their spouses completed self-reported validated assessments of psychological symptoms and cancer-related parenting outcomes and were then randomized to the parent support intervention or a usual care (UC) group. Both groups were reassessed 6 and 12 weeks later. Dyads randomized to the counselor-led intervention attended …

An Interview With Anthony Viola, Anthony Viola, John Van Kirk

Critical Humanities

Anthony Viola interviewed by John Van Kirk

On The Edge Of The Abyss: Cultural Responses To Extractivism In The Andes, Jack Martinez Arias

Critical Humanities

This work examines the contemporary cultural productions of Cerro de Pasco, a city in constant destruction due to an ever-expanding open pit mine that has grown to over a mile wide since the 1950s. Drawing on Latin American environmental humanities and discursive analysis, I conduct a close reading of poems, stories, performances, and audiovisual works by local artists responding to this largely overlooked apocalyptic scenario. By analyzing narrative strategies such as repetition and irony, I identify recurring themes and establish common concerns related to extractivism, urban extinction, illness, and death. This study seeks to understand how these cultural productions envision …

Imposter Syndrome And Degree Completion Among Marginalized Graduate Students, Ryan A. Finner

2025 Symposium

Imposter Syndrome is a mindset that troubles many graduate students across various countries, degree programs, ethnicities, sexualities and genders. The term Imposter Syndrome refers to the feeling of being a fraud, despite achieving success and the persistent fear of being exposed as unqualified or undeserving. While this phenomenon affects many, it can appear much worse in marginalized populations, this is due to the lack of resources, support and representation of minorities in professional and higher education environments. This research focuses on marginalized graduate students and aims to figure out what key factors are leading to incomplete or delayed degree completion. …

Blood Flow Occlusion Superimposed On Low-Volume, Low-Intensity Knee Extensions Does Not Evoke Hypoalgesia: A Pilot Study, Sophie-Jayne Morgan, Jenny Zhang, Neil Lemay, Neda Khaledi, Saied J. Aboodarda

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 9, 2025. Exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) is a transient decrease in pain perception that can be observed following various tasks, including low-intensity and high-intensity exercise. The application of blood flow occlusion (BFO) can help enhance exercise adaptations while being able to exercise at a low intensity, which has important implications for clinical and rehabilitative settings. Through descending inhibitory pathways, BFO-induced pain can potentially alleviate exercise-induced pain. This study aimed to assess whether the superimposition of BFO – and its associated augmented perceived responses – during low-intensity, low-volume resistance exercise could …

A Comparison Of Measured Versus Estimated Metabolic Equivalents (Mets) During The Farmer's Carry And Sled Push Exercises On A Commercially Available Step Mill, Colin Miller, Ethan Remotigue, Shane Hammer, J. Jay Dawes, Taylor K. Dinyer-Mcneely

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 8, 2025. The Stairmaster 10G ergometer allows users to perform non-traditional movements such as the sled push and farmer’s carry, which involve substantial upper and lower body contributions. Standard MET calculations for stair stepping do not account for this increase upper-body workload, so there is potential for error when aiming to determine exercise intensity based exclusively on estimated METs. The primary purpose of this study is to compare the metabolic and physiological effects of two training modes on the Stairmaster 10G ergometer, specifically evaluating the accuracy of MET values …

Secrecy, Privacy And The Right To Information

Communication Research Trends

George Orwell's 1984 is the vision of the ultimate totalitarian state. The citizens ruled by Big Brother surrender all control over their lives, their personal privacy is abolished, and government surveillance is ubiquitous and inescapable. Meanwhile, impenetrable secrecy protects and enhances the power of the rulers and their agents.

Many people find disturbing echoes of Orwell's nightmare in present-day democratic societies. They point to growing control of all aspects of everyday life by governments and large corporations, to the storage of more and more sensitive personal information in ever larger data banks, and to continuing 'Watergate type' revelations of abuse …

Wrapped In The American Flag: Liberal Activism And Queer Political Organizing Post-1940s, Sam Markley

IdeaFest

By analyzing the United States Lavender Scare and immigration policy of the 1950s, this paper attempts to shed light on how the distinction between “American” and “Un-American” remains at the center of Queer rights advocacy. The heightened fear over the survival of the nation, along with the view of Queer immigrants as threats to the nation, was used to tighten immigration restrictions. This restriction, however, is complicated by existing prejudices against racial minorities and women. Queer rights groups began to rise to prominence during this time and mobilize against claims that they were anti-American or subversive deviants, working through the …

The Role Of Cultural Humility In Enhancing Successful Intercultural Relationships, Felix Enyan

Research Papers

In the 21^st century, it is easy to locate a large group of population in U.S America. For society to thrive, a good intercultural relationship is a fundamental building block for societal advancement. However, individuals inherit cultural biases that discourages healthy intercultural relationships. Concepts like cultural humility aid in addressing the status quo. Cultural humility encourages lifelong learning and self-criticism of one’s view thereby acknowledging inherent bias. To remedy the status quo, cultural humility is introduced to intercultural communicators and individuals engaging in intercultural relationships.

Introduction To Sociology: Sociology - An Introduction, Dr. Marcia Morrison Ph.D.

Open Educational Resources

This comprehensive overview explores the foundational concepts, historical evolution, and seminal theorists of sociology, tracing its origins from the transformative revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries to its modern-day significance. Central themes include the sociological imagination of C. Wright Mills, the complex interplay between individual experience and societal structure, and the pivotal roles of social structure, action, functional integration, power, and culture in shaping human relations. The discussion highlights the lasting contributions of early sociologists such as Auguste Comte, Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, Max Weber, and George Herbert Mead, examining how their theories continue to inform contemporary …

Introduction To Sociology: Interaction And Social Structure, Dr. Marcia Morrison Ph.D.

Open Educational Resources

Abstract

This paper explores the intricate interplay between micro- and macro-sociological perspectives on social interaction, identity, and structure. Through an examination of theoretical approaches such as symbolic interactionism, dramaturgy, and social exchange, it highlights how individuals construct and perform identities within complex webs of social expectations—particularly shaped by factors like race, status, and role dynamics. The discussion extends to the function of social networks in influencing opportunities, notably in the context of employment, underscoring the nuanced role of weak ties. The analysis further delves into the significance of social status, distinguishing between ascribed, achieved, master, and salient statuses, and examines …

Using Remote Behavioral Skills Training To Teach Staff To Implement Augmented Competing Stimulus Assessments, Tanvi Pendharkar

Doctoral Dissertations - College of Arts and Sciences

Despite a growing number of Board Certified Behavior Analysts^®(BCBA), there are many geographic regions without access to behavior analytic services. Remote training methods that can be implemented without face-to-face contact allow for behavior analytic services to reach areas without local BCBAs to provide services. One such method with promise for remote application is behavioral skills training (BST). BST consists of instructions, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. BST has been used to train behavior-analytic service providers to implement a variety of procedures, but BST has yet to be used to teach clinicians how to conduct augmented competing stimulus assessments (A-CSA). …

Usa V. Ronell Moses, Jr.

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Effects Of Self-Monitoring On Teachers’ Behavior-Specific Praise And Students’ Behavior In A Center-Based Classroom, Samantha Walsh

Theses

The current study explores the effects of self-monitoring on teachers' use of behavior-specific praise (BSP) and its impact on student behavior in a center-based classroom. Self-monitoring, a cost-effective and time-efficient intervention, has been proven effective in previous research for enhancing educator performance. However, previous studies have often combined self-monitoring with other interventions, leaving a gap in understanding its effects in isolation. This study aims to replicate the work of Justus et al. (2023) by examining the impact of self-monitoring on paraprofessionals in a center-based classroom with students aged 6-10. Using a multiple baseline design across participants, three paraprofessionals were trained …

Examining The Association Between The Timing Of The First Antenatal Check; Number Of Antenatal Care (Anc) Visits During Pregnancy With Maternal Mortality In Nigeria, Kanayo Omonoju

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Maternal mortality is growing at an alarming rate in Nigeria, ranking the second highest Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) globally. This cross-sectional study examined the association between the timing of the first antenatal check and the number of Antenatal Care (ANC) visits during pregnancy and its impact on maternal mortality using the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2018 among a study population of women 15 - 49 years old. The theoretical framework for this study was grounded in the socioecological model. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine if there are relationships between timing of first antenatal check, the number …

The Association Between Dietary Behavior Change And The Health Of Adult African Immigrants In The United States, Seyoum Abebe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African immigrants represent one of the fastest-growing immigrant populations in the United States; yet, their health outcomes related to Type II diabetes remain understudied compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Grounded in the theoretical framework of the Health Belief Model, the purpose of this quantitative non-experimental study was to examine the relationship between dietary behavior changes and the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes among African immigrants aged 20–80 residing in the United States. The research questions examined the association between getting meals prepared away from home and awareness of MyPlate nutritional guidelines, recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, …

Introduction To Sociology: The Family, Dr. Marcia Morrison Ph.D.

Open Educational Resources

Abstract

This paper explores the evolving landscape of modern family structures, analyzing their diverse forms, core functions, and the challenges they face within contemporary society. Drawing on recent research and theoretical frameworks, it examines the transformation of parenthood—especially single fatherhood—the shifting definitions of family and kinship, and the influence of family structure on emotional security, socialization, and reproductive roles. The discussion highlights the rise of dual-career households, increased grandparental involvement, the complexities of blended and single-parent families, as well as the growing acceptance of cohabitation and child-free couples. Special attention is given to persistent social problems, such as the cycles …

Introduction To Sociology: Sex And Gender, Dr. Marcia Morrison Ph.D.

Open Educational Resources

Abstract

This paper explores the complex interplay between sex and gender, focusing on how societal structures, historical contexts, and cultural norms shape gender roles and expectations. Drawing on the works of influential theorists such as Margaret Mead and researchers like Maccoby and Jacklin, the discussion distinguishes between biological sex differences and socially constructed gender distinctions. The analysis highlights the pervasive influence of gender socialization through agents such as family, peers, educational institutions, and media, which collectively reinforce stereotypes and stratify opportunities for individuals. The evolution of gender stratification is traced from the post-World War II era to the present, documenting …

Our Ethical Duty: Assessing The Competencies Of Counselors-In-Training For Counseling With Transgender And Gender Expansive Clients, Deanna N. Cor, M. N. Saltis, Megan Doughty Shaine, Lauren Streeter

Counselor Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

Counselors report a lack of competence in working with transgender and gender expansive (TGE) individuals. TGE people report a lack of competent and affirming care. This study used the Gender Identity Counselor Competency Scale- Revised (GICCS-R) to understand self-reported competence and training levels in working with this population. Participants were 90 masters-level counselors in training who had at least started practicum in CACREP-accredited programs. Hierarchical linear regression was utilized to determine factors that predict competence including identities and training levels. Results highlight a lack of perceived competence in skill-based training. Counselor education programs must focus on improving TGE affirmative skills.