Digital Commons Network^™

Primate Social Behavior And Embodied Action, Maria Elbon

Master's Theses

The evolutionary origins of uniquely human cognitive processes remain poorly understood. Comparative analysis between humans and great apes can help identify derived characteristics and extrapolate ecological conditions leading to the evolution of specifically human cognitive abilities. It has been posited that the relatively large brain size of primates, in relation to body size, evolved in response to increasing social complexity and the accompanying cognitive demands placed on gregarious organisms that need to maintain cohesive, functional groups. Studies examining primate social behavior and cognition have focused on foundational abilities and cognitive capacities that are theorized to act as progenitors to uniquely …

Essays On Censorship And Public Opinion In Authoritarian Regimes, Zirui Yang

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Conventional wisdom has long regarded censorship as a top-down, repressive tool for authoritarian governments to suppress political criticism and maintain regime stability, and therefore unpopular among the public. This dissertation proposes a novel normalization theory and presents various pieces of empirical evidence to challenge these conventional understandings of censorship and public opinion in authoritarian regimes. In the first chapter, I introduce the normalization theory and claim that the Chinese public does not necessarily perceive online censorship as repressive but as a normal part of Internet governance. Drawing from around 28 million censored posts on social media and two survey experiments, …

Inferring Mind Wandering From Perceptual Decision Making, Cathy Zhang

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

People need to sustain focused attention to achieve goals. Yet, attention often lapses, as minds wander towards task-unrelated thoughts. The conventional way to study temporal dynamics in mental states is through intermittent thought probes, which explicitly ask if thoughts are task-related. However, probes are rare and interrupt behavior. We designed a novel paradigm aiming to infer mind wandering (MW) from performance alone. On each trial, participants see a random dot kinematogram with varying evidence and indicate the coherent direction. Importantly, responses are repetitive: 90% of trials exhibit the same direction. To validate our task, participants respond to occasional thought probes. …

Towards A Remote Patient Monitoring Platform For Comprehensive Risk Evaluations For People With Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Gozde Cay, M G Finco, Jason Garcia, Jill L Mcnitt-Gray, David G Armstrong, Bijan Najafi

Center on Aging Staff Publications

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) significantly affect the lives of patients and increase the risk of hospital stays and amputation. We suggest a remote monitoring platform for better DFU care. This system uses digital health metrics (scaled from 0 to 10, where higher scores indicate a greater risk of slow healing) to provide a comprehensive overview through a visual interface. The platform features smart offloading devices that capture behavioral metrics such as offloading adherence, daily steps, and cadence. Coupled with remotely measurable frailty and phenotypic metrics, it offers an in-depth patient profile. Additional demographic data, characteristics of the wound, and clinical …

Visual Deprivation During Mouse Critical Period Reorganizes Network-Level Functional Connectivity, Siyu Chen, Rachel M Rahn, Annie R Bice, Seana H Gaines, Jonah A Padawer-Curry, Keith B Hengen, Joseph D Dougherty, Joseph P Culver

2020-Current year OA Pubs

A classic example of experience-dependent plasticity is ocular dominance (OD) shift, in which the responsiveness of neurons in the visual cortex is profoundly altered following monocular deprivation (MD). It has been postulated that OD shifts also modify global neural networks, but such effects have never been demonstrated. Here, we use wide-field fluorescence optical imaging (WFOI) to characterize calcium-based resting-state functional connectivity during acute (3 d) MD in female and male mice with genetically encoded calcium indicators (

A Holistic Approach To Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treatment And Management, Roshni R. Patel, Hannah Kruse, Julienne Ryland, L. Michael Waters Jr

Research Day

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), also known as pseudotumor cerebri or benign intracranial hypertension, is a neurological condition characterized by elevated intracranial pressure, leading to headache, tinnitus, and transient visual loss. There is currently no clearly outlined pathophysiology; however, IIH predominantly impacts reproductive-aged women who are overweight or obese. The prevalence of IIH is estimated to be approximately 1 in 100,000 individuals. In young females with obesity, the rate increases to 20 out of every 100,000. Beyond its neurological implications, IIH can give rise to psychiatric manifestations over time. The initial presentation of IIH, especially for those experiencing it for the …

Teaching Legal Issues In Arts Management To Non-Lawyers, Kristi Arth

Faculty Scholarship Symposium

Teaching Legal Issues in Arts Management to Non-Lawyers

This presentation will provide an overview of the pedagogical framework developed by Prof. Arth for her textbook, "Legal Issues for Arts Organizations: A Practical Guide" (Routledge 2024), which is set for publication on April 29, 2024 and available here: https://www.routledge.com/Legal-Issues-for-Arts-Organizations-A-Practical-Guide/Arth/p/book/9780367771133. The book is designed to make legal concepts approachable by and for non-lawyer audiences. The book’s main objectives include: providing an overview of the American legal system, teaching a systematic process for identifying legal issues, training administrators to read and understand contracts, conveying practical advice for working with professional lawyers, and …

Cultural Responsiveness And Inclusion Tool For Health-Related Simulation, Beth F. Hallmark, Taryn Mccoy

Faculty Scholarship Symposium

The Cultural Responsiveness and Inclusion Evaluation Tool for Health-Related Simulation is a comprehensive instrument our team designed to evaluate effectiveness of culturally responsive teaching within simulation scenarios. This tool seeks to evaluate how the inclusion of diverse patient scenarios and culturally congruent information enhances the learner experience in health-related simulations. This tool was developed in conjunction with faculty from Bangalore Baptist Hospital Rebekah Ann Naylor Institute of Nursing, a leading nursing school in India and key partner of Belmont University. Through co-creation and co-development of this tool, we were able to create common definitions related to cultural congruence, psychological safety, …

Relationship Identification Between Triggers And Electrophysiological Changes In The Brain And The Overall Human Physiology During Migraines, Dominic Sandell

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This research aims to reinforce that migraines have environmental triggers, establish that migraines cause changes in the brain’s electronics and the body’s overall electrophysiology, and define the relationship between the changes and the triggers. The hypothesis is that there is a relationship between environmental triggers and specific electrophysiological changes in the brain and the overall human electrophysiology. The population will be the young adults of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and the sample size will be determined using the aforementioned gender split between female and male as well as the Sample Size for Known Population equation. Throughout the study, the participants will …

Using Advocacy Exercises To Promote Academic Identity And Ownership, Timothy Schoenfeld

Faculty Scholarship Symposium

In the sciences and mathematics, having a strong STEM-related skillset and personal STEM identity are both important for fostering long-term persistence in STEM-related vocational fields. Science and math courses are routinely designed to build the skillset of students but creating a positive STEM identity is more difficult, particularly for underrepresented groups. Across the semester of a pilot neuroscience course, students engaged in daily and semester-long exercises in learning about and practicing advocacy as a way to build positive identities in science. At the beginning and end of the semester, students took the Persistence in the Sciences (PITS) survey, measuring student …

Quantifying Impact Of Robot Perception Accuracy At Landmarks In Decision-Making During Complex Situations, Sheuli Paul, Steven Liu, Akram Alghanmi, Veton Kepuska, Marius Silaghi

Florida Conference on Recent Advances in Robotics

Perception and decision making is contextual. Landmarks are components of the environment associated with high perception and localization accuracy and their presence can significantly impact agent beliefs and decisions. Our research focuses on integrating state-of-the-art sensing technologies to enhance human decision-making. The perception model incorporates multi-sensor fusion, utilizing LiDAR, cameras, and inertial sensors to create a dynamic representation of the environment. Object recognition and tracking algorithms further enable the robot to interpret the scene providing valuable insights for informed decision-making. This effort involves a novel perception model tailored for mobile robots, emphasizing its role in assisting humans during decision-making processes. …

Unveiling Paradoxes: The Unforeseen Impact Of Content Moderation Policies In E-Commerce, Brandon Holle, Hang Nguyen, Suman Basuroy

Faculty Scholarship Symposium

In the dynamic digital marketplace, content moderation policies, specifically those addressing 'review bomb' removal, are designed to improve customer experience, nurture consumer trust, and enhance firm performance. However, our comprehensive research, comprising three studies utilizing real-world field data analyzed through regression discontinuity-in-time design and experimental investigations, reveals a surprisingly striking paradox. In contrast to their intended benefits, these policies yield an unexpected adverse impact on user behavior, the e-commerce platform, and listed product performance, resulting in a significant 27.25% drop in total users for products on the e-commerce platform. Drawing from expectancy disconfirmation theory, we uncover the mechanism underpinning this …

Pausing For More: Help Your Students Avoid Burnout With 1 Classroom Presentation, Sara E. Wigal

Faculty Scholarship Symposium

Undergraduate students suffer under increasing stressors despite enhanced on-campus wellness offerings at many institutions. In this presentation, participants will learn that a replicable innovative 60-minute in-classroom intervention can help measurably increase student mindfulness and sense of classroom belonging, which in turn are proven burnout-avoidance mechanisms. Learn how students who are taught to practice mindfulness paired with productivity skills can better connect with faculty in the classroom for a healthier college experience conducive to learning.

Delicious Monsters, Holly Dameron

Lorgnette: Quarterly Review of Children's and Young Adults' Books

No abstract provided.

Democratic Education As Expressed In Practice: An Integrative Literature Review, Rachel L. Wadham, Lynnette Christensen, Heather Leary

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Despite a strong theoretical foundation, teachers’ pedagogical practices that represent the principles of democratic educational theory are not holistically understood. This qualitative integrative literature review provides a more complete view of the practices used by those who define themselves as democratic educators. By analyzing and integrating existing literature on classroom practice this review discusses four pedagogical approaches that engage democratic educational practices including inquiry, artistic, oral, and student-centered methods.

Advocate Health Care Annual Report, 2006, Advocate Health - Midwest

Historical Documents - Combined

Advocate Health Care, Oak Brook, IL: Annual report for Advocate Health Care titled "Impact". Includes data, statistics, and development plans for eight legacy hospitals and out-patient centers.

For more information about this year, see Advocate Health Care Community Benefits Journal, 2006.

Advocate Health Care Community Benefits Journal, 2006, Advocate Health - Midwest

Historical Documents - Combined

Advocate Health Care, Oak Brook, IL: Community Benefits Journal for Advocate Health Care titled, "Impact". Includes data, statistics, and development plans for eight legacy hospitals and out-patient centers.

For more information about this year see: Advocate Health Care Annual Report, 2006.

Beyond Gravity: Exploring The Use Of Augmented Reality Devices For Enhanced Astronaut Performance, Karis Cooks, Michelle Aros

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Astronauts are beginning to use Augmented Reality to enhance their daily tasks through the use of mobile devices, headsets, and glasses. This study reports on a comparative analysis between the XREAL Air AR Smart Glasses, the Meta Quest 3, and a smart tablet, for a variety of tasks involving video streaming and viewing of complex schematics. While all three devices allow users to view a virtual screen along with their physical environment, it is not known how they compare in user preference, comfort, and readability. The study places considerable emphasis on conducting usability tests tailored to astronaut performance (i.e. observing …

Analysis Of Health Promoting Lifestyle And Associated Factors Among Collegiate Aviation Pilots, Bill Deng Pan

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The schedule and expectations required of collegiate aviation flight students can make it difficult for them to practice a health-promoting lifestyle. There are currently many discussions in the aviation industry about pilots’ mental health, fatigue, and stress management. It is important to analyze these factors in a Part 141 collegiate environment, which for many pilots, is where they begin their pilot careers. A non-experimental survey methodology will be used to assess Part 141 collegiate aviation students’ health promoting lifestyle/behaviors across six areas: health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, and stress management. The research team will utilize the …

Abetting Assimilation: Competing Narratives In Sister Inez Hilger’S Together With The Ainu: A Vanishing People, Mark Spangler

CSB and SJU Distinguished Thesis

No abstract provided.

Academic Senate - Minutes, 5/7/2024, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

The Long-Term Effects Of The Negative Stereotypes On Black Women, Ashley L. Mock

Counselor Education Capstones

Black women have historically faced unique experiences in the United States since the era of slavery. The capstone paper is focused on understanding the long-term effects of negative stereotypes when it comes to Black women. The research explores the complex elements surrounding the experiences of Black women, mainly focusing on historical contexts, prevalent stereotypes such as the strong Black woman schema, and the intersecting challenges of gendered racial discrimination. The research delves into the influence of family dynamics in shaping these stereotypes and examines how intersectionality influences Black women’s identity. Furthermore, the research investigates the complicated relationship between negative stereotypes …

Chronic Stress-Induced Neuroinflammation: Relevance Of Rodent Models To Human Disease., Abigail G White, Elias Elias, Andrea Orozco, Shivon A Robinson, Melissa T Manners

College of Science & Mathematics Departmental Research

The brain is the central organ of adaptation to stress because it perceives and determines threats that induce behavioral, physiological, and molecular responses. In humans, chronic stress manifests as an enduring consistent feeling of pressure and being overwhelmed for an extended duration. This can result in a persistent proinflammatory response in the peripheral and central nervous system (CNS), resulting in cellular, physiological, and behavioral effects. Compounding stressors may increase the risk of chronic-stress-induced inflammation, which can yield serious health consequences, including mental health disorders. This review summarizes the current knowledge surrounding the neuroinflammatory response in rodent models of chronic stress-a …

Causal Inference In Ethnographic Research: Refining Explanations With Abductive Logic, Strength Of Evidence Assessments, And Graphical Models, Jeffrey G. Snodgrass, H. J. François Dengah Ii, Seth I. Sagstetter, Katya Xinyi Zhao

Sociology and Anthropology Faculty Publications

In their classic accounts, anthropological ethnographers developed causal arguments for how specific sociocultural structures and processes shaped human thought, behavior, and experience in particular settings. Despite this history, many contemporary ethnographers avoid establishing in their work direct causal relationships between key variables in the way that, for example, quantitative research relying on experimental or longitudinal data might. As a result, ethnographers in anthropology and other fields have not advanced understandings of how to derive causal explanations from their data, which contrasts with a vibrant “causal revolution” unfolding in the broader social and behavioral sciences. Given this gap in understanding, we …

Anxiety Overview And How To Help Your Child, Maggie Mckay, Meghan Kanya

Parent-ish Podcast

Meghan Kanya, PhD, discusses an overview of anxiety, including causes, signs your child may be struggling, and how you as a parent can help.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

The State Of Mental Health In The Mountain West, 2023, Ayda Atici, Freddy Nie, Jesse M. Fager-Larsen, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Health

This fact sheet examines the state of mental health for both youth and adults and availability of mental health care in the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The data are retrieved from Mental Health America’s (MHA) 2023 report, The State of Mental Health in America.

Faculty Senate Minutes 2024-05-07 - B, The University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Faculty Senate Minutes 2024-05-07 - A, The University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Fort Hays State University Faculty Senate Minutes, May 7, 2024, Fhsu Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate

No abstract provided.

Rethinking Shelter: Designing A Home For Atlanta's Homeless Families And Youth, Maddi Dutton

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Homelessness is a devastating experience, and its impacts are suffered by Atlanta’s families and youth who find themselves without stable housing. Family homelessness often results in the separation of families, leading to unaccompanied youth living on the streets or in uncomfortable shelters. Existing shelters do not provide family accommodations. They offer basic services and mostly lack a sense of community and personalized private spaces that are essential for fostering a sense of dignity. As emphasized in House as a Mirror of Self by Clare Cooper Marcus, humans need a ‘home’ not just a dwelling. A physical space becomes a home …