Digital Commons Network^™

The Lived Experiences Of The Flint Water Crisis And Its Psychological Effects, Joe W. Glenn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Flint, Michigan, water crisis of 2014, with lead contamination of drinking water, adversely affected predominantly Black, socioeconomically disadvantaged residents. However, no research has investigated residents’ experiences, especially their trust in local and state government leaders. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of the Flint water crisis and its psychological effects. Rawls’s theory of justice provided the framework for the study. Three research questions guided this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study. Information from eight Flint residents was collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis followed Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological steps. Five strong themes emerged: understanding individual perceptions, views …

Residual Effects Of Childhood Sexual Victimization On Black Caribbean Immigrants’ Adult Functionality, Sophia Elaine Profit

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood sexual victimization is associated with long-term psychological, emotional, and functional challenges that may persist into adulthood. Despite a growing body of literature on childhood trauma, limited research has explored its residual effects on adult functionality among Black Caribbean immigrants. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the residual effects of childhood sexual victimization on adult functionality among Black Caribbean immigrants. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit 9 participants through social media platforms. Rational choice theory served as the conceptual framework to examine how trauma-related and sociocultural factors shaped participants' decision-making processes. Data were collected …

Association Between Occupational Stress, Sleep Quality, And Premature Ejaculation Among Indonesian Information Technology Workers, Muhammad Faisal Ratman, Suryo Wibowo, Muhammad Ilyas, Retno Asti Werdhani, Dewi Yunia Fitriani

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Introduction Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common sexual dysfunction that significantly impacts quality of life. Occupational stress and poor sleep quality are hypothesized as risk factors, particularly among Information and Technology (IT) workers who experience unique occupational stressors. This study aimed to evaluate the proportion of PE, examine the influence of occupational stress and sleep quality on PE, and determine whether sleep quality mediates the relationship between occupational stress and PE among Indonesian IT workers.

Methods This cross-sectional study involved 89 married male IT workers who completed online questionnaires, including the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), Perceived Occupational Stress (POS) …

The Role Of Rhyme In Children’S Word Learning, Tengwen Fan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Rhyme increases the phonological similarity of phrases individuals hear and enhances recall from working memory. The present study explores whether rhyme aids word learning in children and examines the underlying neural mechanisms through which rhyme facilitates word learning. Thirty-four children between 6 and 8 years old completed a word learning task where they were exposed to 15 nonwords (NWs), four times each, in the sentence-final position as their EEG was recorded. Participants were randomly assigned to either a Rhyme or No-Rhyme group, where the NWs rhymed or did not rhyme with a prime real word in the sentence, respectively, during …

Perceived Level Of Preparedness For A Terrorist Event Between State, Local And Tribal Law Enforcement Officers, Herbert Henderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In this quantitative cross-sectional study, differences in perceived preparedness among state, local, and tribal law upon Kingdon’s multiple streams approach and Baumgartner and Jones’ punctuated equilibrium theory to explain administrative changes in law enforcement following the September 11, 2001, attacks. Data were collected from 53 full-time police officers across state, local and tribal agencies using a web-based survey instrument measuring enforcement officers in a northern border region were examined. Officers’ perceived preparedness to identify, prevent, and respond to future terrorist threats were evaluated. Whether perceived preparedness differed by agency type and whether officers with military experience or advanced homeland security …

Llm-Enabled Open-Source Systems In The Wild: An Empirical Study Of Vulnerabilities In Github Security Advisories, Fariha Tanjim Shifat, Hariswar Baburaj, Ce Zhou, Jaydeb Sarker, Mia Mohammad Imran

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly embedded in open-source software (OSS) ecosystems, creating complex interactions among natural language prompts, probabilistic model outputs, and execution-capable components. However, it remains unclear whether traditional vulnerability disclosure frameworks adequately capture these model-mediated risks. To investigate this, we analyze 295 GitHub Security Advisories published between January 2025 and January 2026 that reference LLM-related components, and we manually annotate a sample of 100 advisories using the OWASP Top 10 for LLM Applications 2025.We find no evidence of new implementation-level weakness classes specific to LLM systems. Most advisories map to established CWEs, particularly injection and deserialization weaknesses. …

Strengthening Local Culture-Based Speech Acts Use To Mediate Ecological Sustainability: A New Insight From Congko Lokap Ritual In Manggarai, Indonesia, Karolus Budiman Jama, Sebastianus Menggo

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Ritual speech acts strengthen language and culture by articulating meaning, function, and the role of utterances as a cohesive channel connecting humans, culture, nature, and spirituality. Previous studies have paid limited attention to the types and values of speech acts rooted in indigenous wisdom as mechanisms for promoting ecological sustainability and forest conservation. This study aims to examine the types and values of speech acts in the Congko Lokap ritual from the perspective of the Manggarai community to alleviate sustainable environmental damage in Indonesia. A phenomenological approach with a descriptive qualitative design was employed. Data were collected through interviews, observations, …

Improving Cancer Diagnosis And Patient Outcomes With Deep Learning Models, Mariana Arriz-Jorquiera

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Cancer care depends on timely and reliable decisions, from detection and diagnosis to treatment planning and patient monitoring. These decisions are often made under uncertainty because medical images and healthcare data may be noisy, incomplete, or difficult to interpret. In breast cancer imaging, ultrasound is widely used because it is safe, accessible, and complementary to other imaging modalities. However, variations in image quality, acquisition conditions, and noise can obscure lesion boundaries and texture, affecting human interpretation and artificial intelligence reliability. This dissertation develops deep learning, image-analysis, and optimization methods to improve healthcare decisions under imperfect information. Its primary focus is …

Principals' Perceived Leadership Training For Inclusive K-12 Education, Lettie E. Webster

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adequate training and professional development enhance school principals’ effectiveness in leading inclusive K-12 schools. The problem addressed in this study was the gap in the literature on K-12 principals’ perceptions of the essential elements of preparation and ongoing professional development needed for effective leadership in inclusive educational settings. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore K-12 school principals’ perceptions of essential components of preparation for effective leadership and the role of ongoing professional development in enhancing their effectiveness as leaders in inclusive educational settings. Beard’s engaged school leadership theory served as the conceptual framework. For this basic qualitative …

Measuring Change In Domains Of Health-Related Quality Of Life And Well-Being In Black Or African American Adolescent Football Athletes From Rural Communities Across A Single Football Season, Jessica Wallace, Justin E. Karr, Danae Delfin Talley, Eric Ingram, Claire Brewer, Trevor Anesi, Mary Margaret Williamson, Zachary Y. Kerr, Tamaria Hibbler, Douglas Terry, Aaron Yengo-Kahn

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Physical activity and team sport participation in adolescence are associated with positive health outcomes, stronger social skills, and improved mental health. However, negative health consequences are frequently associated with contact/collision sports like football. The objective of this study was to examine any change in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and pediatric well-being among adolescent males after participating in a single season of football. Method: A cross-sectional study design was utilized in a high school football setting. Participants included Black/African American adolescent male football players (n = 83) from five schools within rural Alabama. Pediatric HRQoL and well-being measures were …

Beyond Immersion: A Stage-Based Framework For Cross-Modal Immersive Technologies In Medical Education, Christopher M. Ahmad, Ambrose Loc T. Ngo, Rae-Anne Kastle, Lance Rufino, Shantanu Amin, Brent Evan, Melissa Zolnierz

Student Publications

Background

Immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and point-of-care ultrasound are increasingly used in medical education, yet most studies evaluate these tools in isolation. As a result, the relationships among immersive experience, cognitive workload, technical performance, and downstream diagnostic assessment remain poorly understood. This exploratory secondary analysis applied the Immersive Learning Engagement-Performance (ILEP) conceptual framework to a staged multimodal dataset to examine whether selected immersive psychological variables were associated with downstream Extension Proficiency Composite and exploratory distal diagnostic performance.

Methods

This theory-informed secondary analysis used participant-level data from a prospective staged protocol involving VR, AR, and …

Injuries In Children Undergoing Subspecialty Abuse Evaluations Because Of Intimate Partner Violence., M Katherine Henry, Gunjan Tiyyagura, Joanne N. Wood, Jan Leonard, Kristine A. Campbell, Daniel M. Lindberg, Angela N. Bachim, Farah W. Brink, Lori D. Frasier, Nancy S. Harper, Claire Hickey, Natalie Laub, John D. Melville, Hannah Sahud, Philip V. Scribano

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Intimate partner violence (IPV) and child physical abuse often co-occur, but the frequency and risk factors for abusive injuries in IPV-exposed children remain unknown. Our objectives were to (1) determine frequency of skeletal surveys (SSs) and neuroimaging use because of IPV and their diagnostic value in children aged less than 24 months evaluated by a child abuse pediatrics specialist (CAP) and (2) identify factors associated with performance of and findings on SS and neuroimaging.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of children aged less than 24 months undergoing CAP consultations because of IPV exposure from February 2021 …

Optimising Professional Support For Doctors Who Experience Work Performance Issues: A Realist Evaluation, Nicola Brennan, Ellie Reynolds, Tristan Price, Geoff Wong, Jennifer Cleland, Helen Lloyd, Lyndsey Withers, Thomas Gale

Peninsula Medical School

Background The optimal performance of doctors is critical to delivering high-quality, safe healthcare. However, 6–12% of doctors may experience challenges that impact their work performance. In many countries, including the UK, there is variation in the practice and quality of professional support services between different types of organisations. The aims of our study were (1) to identify why, how, in what contexts and for whom professional support works, (2) to develop a guide for healthcare organisations to use to optimise professional support.Methods We carried out a realist evaluation consistent with Realist And Meta-narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards (RAMESES) II standards. …

Cooperation, Collaboration, And Community In Horror And Suspense Games, Rachel Kerr, Monica Evans, Cameron Irby, Cheri Tang

ELO (un)supervised 2026

Cooperation has been a staple in video and analog games since their inception. From couch co-op to social deduction games, there are few games that cannot be enjoyed cooperatively in some way. Even games that are not inherently cooperative can be played collaboratively, from single-player games enjoyed by multiple people in the same room to PvP games where players opt for teamwork despite explicitly competitive mechanics. In horror and suspense games, cooperation tends to form strong communicative bonds between players. The four papers in this panel examine how communities form in and around horror and suspense games, and how those …

Open The Case, Detective! A Story-Driven Game Approach To Combat Human Trafficking In Hospitality, Aili Wu, Wei Wei, Lu Zhang

ICHRIE Research Reports

Executive Summary: Human trafficking is a pervasive global crime that significantly impacts the hospitality industry, with several major hotel chains facing lawsuits for human trafficking negligence. As a highly sensitive issue that is often misunderstood, it poses challenges for hospitality businesses to effectively educate their customers. Meanwhile, existing interventions remain limited and largely rely on passive methods, highlighting the need for interactive interventions to help individuals respond effectively. This research addresses these challenges by proposing and testing a story-driven detective game as an interactive alternative. In the game, hospitality customers play the role of a detective investigating a trafficking case …

Designing Menus That Welcome Everyone: How Inclusive Menu Cues Drive Customer Behavior For Diners With Dietary Restrictions, Cortney Norris, Lisa Slevitch, Matthew Bauman, Soyoung Park, Seung Hyun Lee

ICHRIE Research Reports

Millions of consumers navigate dietary restrictions every time they eat out, whether due to food allergies, religious practices, or lifestyle choices such as veganism. Yet most restaurant menus do little to acknowledge these needs. This report summarizes findings from a three-phase study that explored which menu design features most effectively communicate inclusivity to diners with dietary restrictions and how those features influence emotions, attitudes, and likelihood of choosing a restaurant. The results offer restaurant operators concrete, evidence-based strategies for making their menus more welcoming and, in doing so, expanding their customer base.

The Role Of Perceived Academic And Peer Support In Mitigating Imposter Syndrome Among Adhd Students, Eden Morley Dr

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Background: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in higher education is associated with significant executive functioning deficits and performance inconsistencies. These challenges, alongside heightened rejection sensitivity, may predispose students to the Imposter Phenomenon (IP)—the persistent belief that one’s success is undeserved. While social and academic supports are known to buffer psychological distress, their specific role in mitigating IP within the ADHD student population remains under-researched.

Objectives: This study investigated the severity of IP among undergraduate students with ADHD and examined the protective roles of Perceived Social Support (PSS) and Perceived Academic Support (PAS), while exploring gender as a potential moderator.

Methodology: A cross-sectional …

Publications Relating To Mississippi, Unknown Authors

Journal of Mississippi History

No abstract provided.

The State Of The Child In Tennessee 2023, Tennessee. Commission On Children And Youth.

The State of the Child in Tennessee

No abstract provided.

Kids Count The State Of The Child In Tennessee 2019 Policy And Issue Guide, Tennessee. Commission On Children And Youth.

The State of the Child in Tennessee

No abstract provided.

Health Disparities, Early Intervention, And Neurodevelopmental Outcomes In Preterm Infants, Samantha Dora Pescatore

ETD Collection

Preterm infants are at a higher risk for a variety of health complications due to their underdeveloped organ systems and neurological systems. While the survival of preterm infants has greatly improved due to the advances of modern medicine, these infants are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental delays when compared to full term infants due to risk factors that accompany preterm birth, such as low birth weight, brain immaturity, nutritional challenges, and more (Behrman & Butler., 2007; Chung et al., 2020; Rubens et al., 2014; Song, I. G., 2022;). Research suggests that early intervention services can influence the development, health, education, …

Climate Anxiety And Nurses’ Awareness, Motivation, And Behaviors In Addressing Climate-Related Health Risks, Sarah Kaplan

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Climate anxiety, the emotional distress associated with awareness of climate change and its consequences, is an emerging mental health concern that may influence how nurses perceive and respond to climate-related health risks. Climate change is largely driven by emissions of greenhouse gases which radiate and absorb heat. Human-caused climate change is leading to higher average global temperatures and increasing risk to health through poor air quality, changes in vector borne diseases, extreme weather events, and exacerbation and development of physical and mental illnesses. This study contributes to nursing science by examining climate anxiety and climate related health practices among …

The Perceived Professional Impact Of Exposure To Stress Experienced By Mental Health Therapists During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Bianca J. Reaves

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

COVID-19 changed the methods in which therapy was traditionally delivered. Mental health therapists switched from in-person to virtual sessions during the pandemic. There was a gap in research related to stress levels of mental health therapists in the telehealth field. Adaptations were made by mental health therapists to provide services and as a result virtual platforms were used to connect with the community served. This qualitative research study was an exploration of mental health therapists perceived responses to stress or burnout in relation to a global pandemic. The theoretical foundation used to assess perceived stress is the Stress Theory. The …

Leadership Characteristics Driving Positive Patient Experience Outcomes In Behavioral Healthcare Organizations, Sophia Iovenitti

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Patient experience is a key indicator of healthcare quality and performance; however, limited evidence exists regarding the specific leadership characteristics that influence patient experience outcomes in behavioral healthcare. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the leadership characteristics associated with positive patient experience outcomes, examine how leadership behaviors influence patient perceptions, and identify leadership development strategies to enhance patient experience. The study was guided by the Baldrige excellence framework and the Beryl Institute’s definition of patient experience. Data were collected through semi structured interviews with executive and operational leaders and triangulated with organizational artifacts, including aggregated patient …

Assessing Current Non-Pharmacologic Pain Management Practices For Sickle Cell Disease In Adults, Shreya Kolipaka, Michelle Axe, Charmaine Wright, Stephanie Guarino

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

OBJECTIVES: Both acute and chronic pain caused by sickle cell disease (SCD) is often managed with opioid therapy despite limited evidence for long-term efficacy. Adequately managing SCD pain requires a comprehensive approach, incorporating both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. In other conditions, peer-mentored group programs are effective in managing chronic pain; however, their role in SCD is not yet described. Our objective is to understand patients' current pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic SCD management practices as well as further exploring perspectives of pain related to SCD.

METHODS: Participants were interviewed using semi-structured format. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed. Descriptive statistics and pain management modality …

July 2026 Graduate Council Minutes, University Of Nebraska At Kearney Graduate Council

Graduate Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

Gnsi Decision Brief: Is $1.7 Billion Enough? Breaking Down The Economic Effects Of Ukraine’S Cyber War, Tom Johansmeyer

GNSI Decision Briefs

Ukraine’s claims of causing Russia more than $1.72 billion in economic harm may have been intended to tout success, but the impact really reveals the limitations of offensive cyber operations outside a narrow collection of mission sets. By comparing that total to past cyber event economic losses, the shortcomings of cyber operations as a form of direct action become clear.

The Effect Of Part-Time Vs Full-Time Integrated Clinical Education On Student Physical Therapists’ Self-Efficacy And Clinical Reasoning, William J. Buchala

Student Dissertations

Integrated clinical education (ICE) varies across Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs, particularly in the use of part-time and full-time clinical experiences. Limited research has examined relationships between ICE structure, self-efficacy, and clinical reasoning. The purpose of this quantitative ex post facto study was to examine relationships between part-time and full-time ICE models and self-efficacy and self-assessed clinical reasoning in DPT students. Survey responses were collected from DPT students who had participated in ICE experiences. Self-efficacy was measured using the Physical Therapist Self-Efficacy Scale, and self-assessed clinical reasoning was measured using the Self-Assessment of Clinical Reflection and Reasoning Scale. Independent-samples …

Period-Proofing Your Data, Sofia Makepeace

Washington Journal of Law, Technology & Arts

Menstrual cycle tracking apps and their accompanying wearables, collectively known as FemTech, promise women health insights in a healthcare system that often fails to treat problems that primarily affect women. FemTech lets users map their cycles, recognize symptoms, experience non-hormonal birth control, and contribute to long-overdue research on conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, and perimenopause. But after Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the same datasets that empower users have also become valuable in criminalizing abortion-related crimes. Because most FemTech privacy policies fall outside HIPAA, intimate logs of bleeding, sex, mood, and biometric signals can now be criminal evidence in …

Stacking The Deck: Ai, Jury Selection, And The New Batson Problem, Alexandria Serra

Washington Journal of Law, Technology & Arts

Generative artificial intelligence has infiltrated jury selection right under our noses. What began as a passive data mining experiment has evolved into AI-powered jury selection tools that profile potential jurors by scoring, ranking, and recommending which citizens to exclude from jury service. Although these tools promise objectivity, they risk encoding the same racial and gender biases that Batson v. Kentucky sought to eliminate. Courtroom AI is here to stay. But when lawyers delegate peremptory strikes to statistical models trained on biased data, Batson becomes obsolete. No court can detect algorithmic bias that lacks discernible intent. No judge can analyze whether …