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Black Women’S Experiences Accessing Health Care And Law Enforcement After Intimate Partner Violence: A Qualitative Pilot Study, Kaylen M. Moore, Linda M. Wesp, Jeneile Luebke, Peninnah M. Kako

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background:

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health issue impacting millions of people each year. Black women constitute 14% of the US population but alarmingly comprise 31% of homicides resulting from IPV. African American women survivors of IPV experience intersecting impacts of racism, sexism, and historical mistrust. This research aimed to raise awareness about their experiences of violence and perceptions of institutional support.

Objective:

This study sought to explore African American women’s experiences with IPV and navigation of health care and law enforcement after experiences of violence.

Method:

Critical ethnography was used as an approach for this qualitative …

Experimental Measurement Demonstration Of Initial And Steady-State Heights Of A Co2 Vertical Jet Fountain In Still Air, Brock Mcrae

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Atmospheric releases of heavier-than-air gases pose acute near-field hazards in low wind, yet the near-source behavior of vertical dense-gas jets in still air is sparsely documented. This thesis demonstrates a repeatable laboratory method for measuring the initial and steady-state rise heights of a carbon dioxide (CO₂) jet issued vertically from a floor nozzle in the CHRC ultra-low-speed wind tunnel under still-air conditions. Controlled mixtures (pure CO₂, 50/50 CO₂-air, 25/75 CO₂-air) were released at four flow rates (75, 100, 125, 150 LPM) with five repeats per condition. A fixed camera and tape-measure scale enabled video extraction of jet height using Kinovea …

Calibration And Validation Of Cyclic Stretching Platform For Stiffness Testing Of Engineered Heart Tissue, Jillian Welsh

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Cardiac fibrosis (CF) is a major contributor to the high mortality rate of heart failure which affects over 23 million people worldwide. CF involves cardiac fibroblasts depositing extracellular matrix, made primarily of collagen type I, which stiffens the heart walls over time. As testing new drugs for CF is deterred by the high cost and time required for animal and clinical trials, this research helps to solve the problem by providing an in vitro platform to study fibrosis.

The work involved creating tissues containing human cardiac fibroblast (HCFB) cells. Spring testing was conducted to determine the force applied by the …

Unraveling Nucleation Mechanisms In Membrane Distillation: A Molecular Dynamics And Enhanced Sampling Approach, Nazanin Abbasi

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Membrane distillation offers a promising route for desalination but remains limited by salt scaling, where mineral crystals nucleate and grow in concentrated brines. To inform strategies that mitigate scaling, this thesis investigates homogeneous nucleation in supersaturated aqueous NaCl solutions using molecular dynamics and enhanced sampling techniques. Several collective variables (CVs) are tested to capture the early stages of ion aggregation and crystal formation, including ion–ion coordination number, dehydration, and bond orientational order parameters Q₄ and Q₆. Enhanced sampling techniques, such as metadynamics and umbrella sampling, are employed to overcome the high free energy barriers associated with the formation of critical …

Balancing Act: Examining The Relationship Between Organizational Culture And Burnout Within Graduate Medical Education Program Coordinators, Michael Conrad

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study examined the lived experience of working as a graduate medical education (GME) program coordinator to determine how organizational culture impacts their burnout. The study was guided by the Job Demand-Resource Theory and the Conservation of Resources theory. When job demands outweigh job resources for an individual for a long period of time, it can result in burnout. Job resources can be used to buffer against demands and promote job growth, engagement, and learning. It is this concept which leads individuals to protect their resources when needed and to strive to develop new resources. Data was collected through …

Examining Administrator And Teacher Perceptions Of Integrating Technology In The Classroom, Tracy E. Rampy

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of PK-12 administrator and teacher perceptions of required skills and abilities to integrate technology in the classroom. Examining the happenings in the PK-12 technology ecosystem will provide insight into the knowledge and skills preservice teachers need to use technology in the classroom and inform the teacher preparation program of ways to address technology integration in preservice experiences. This study uses a phenomenological research design to explore participants’ experiences collected through an online survey questionnaire, individual interviews, and focus group interviews.

A Phenomenological Exploration Of Black International Graduate Students’ Experiences In Building A Sense Of Belonging And Community At A Predominantly White Southern University, Hilda Solange George

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Black international graduate students’ experiences navigating and developing a sense of belonging and community at higher educational institutions in the United States and particularly at predominantly white institutions have received minimal attention in scholarly inquiries, despite their cultural, intellectual, and financial contributions to host institutions and the country. To fill this gap in the existing literature, this hermeneutical phenomenological study aimed to gain a nuanced and in-depth understanding of Black international graduate students' perceptions of their sense of belonging and community at a predominantly white southern university (PWSU) in the United States. Guided by the research questions and the Black …

Supporting At-Risk Students Through Alternative Education: A Case Study On Reintegration, Behavior, And Stakeholder Perceptions At Sharpie Academy, Bryan O'Neal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a mixed-methods case study examining the effectiveness of Sharpie Academy, an alternative education program within the Chalkboard Champions School District. The study investigated three central research questions: (1) How does participation in the alternative learning environment at Sharpie Academy influence students' behavior upon reintegration into the traditional education setting? (2) What are the perceptions of parents, teachers, and community members regarding the program's outcomes? (3) How do these perceptions influence stakeholder support for the academy? Data was collected from 121 participants, including 43 students and 78 adult stakeholders, using participant observation, semi-structured interviews, surveys, and document analysis. …

The Post-Chevron Law Of Deference For Investor-State Arbitration, Won L. Kidane

Faculty Publications

In Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, the United States Supreme Court clarified the “law of deference” built “on the foundation laid in Chevron.” The American conception of the law of deference, long solidified as the Chevron doctrine, has had extraordinary resonance, having been cited in at least 18,000 cases and 22,000 publications over a period of forty years.

The Court’s overruling of the two-step Chevron analysis for the resolution of statutory ambiguity is the most obvious outcome and is likely to attract the most attention. There is, however, an obscure aspect of the Court’s overruling of Chevron: the clarification of …

Synthesis Of Phenyl-Substituted Zinc Dipyrrin Photosensitizer For Carbon Dioxide Reduction, Stephen Ankomah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The release of CO₂ from fossil fuel combustion drives the need for its conversion into more sustainable options like CO and CH₄ via photocatalytic reduction. This process requires a catalyst, sensitizer, and electron donor. Zinc dipyrrin-based complexes are promising photosensitizers, offering an alternative to expensive, rare-metal-based systems. Most first-row transition metal dipyrrin compounds have short excited-state lifetimes due to rapid nonradiative decay, but Zn(II) dipyrrin complexes stand out. With a d¹⁰ configuration, they lack deactivating ligand field states and can access long-lived triplet states through a charge-separated intermediate. A phenyl-substituted Zn(II) dipyrrin complex was synthesized and studied using NMR to …

Divergent Responses Of Branched-Chain And Straight-Chain Lipid Membranes To Butanol Stress Revealed By All-Atom Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Joshua Olaf Aggrey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Membrane integrity under chemical stress is critical to cellular survival and industrial microbial bioproduction, yet the molecular basis of bilayer resilience remains poorly understood. Using all-atom molecular dynamics simulation, we compare the effect of increasing concentrations of 1‑butanol on membranes composed of straight-chain (1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, DPPC) and branched-chain (1-anteiso-palmitoyl-2-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, APPC) lipids, which differ in the point of attachment of a single methyl group. In the absence of butanol, both membranes exhibit well-ordered architectures consistent with experimental benchmarks; however, under increasing solvent stress, their behaviors diverge markedly. DPPC membranes display gradual thinning, modest area per lipid …

Exploring The Impacts Of Medical Invalidation On Postpartum Parents With Pcos, Shalini Venkat

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) face an increased risk of poor perinatal health, yet little is known about whether negative healthcare experiences contribute toward these outcomes. Patients with PCOS have reported experiencing invalidation by healthcare providers; however, the effects of these encounters in postpartum populations remain unclear. Using data from an online survey, the current study investigated whether PCOS status moderated the relationships between invalidating communication by healthcare providers, pregnancy and birth complications, postpartum depression, and postpartum anxiety. While experiences of invalidating communication by healthcare providers predicted worse perinatal health, those with PCOS solely experienced an increased risk of …

Summer Melt: The Transition Of Rural Students To Post-Secondary Schools, Niquan Alston

Dissertations

Rural high-achieving students face unique challenges as they prepare to transition to college. While many graduate with aspirations for higher education, a significant number fail to transition to college in the fall due to barriers that arise between high school graduation and college enrollment. Rural schools, particularly those serving low-income populations, frequently lack the resources, counseling, and exposure opportunities that help students navigate the transition from high school to postsecondary education. These circumstances leave students to manage financial barriers, incomplete paperwork, limited support, and the pressures of balancing family and community responsibilities. Their lived experiences shape the way they respond …

Immersive Learning In Action: A Qualitative Case Study Of High School Teachers’ Experiences With Prisms Learning In Science And Mathematics, Hilary A. Cassidy

Dissertations

The use of virtual reality (VR) in the secondary STEM educational space is increasing as costs to access VR technology decrease. There is a current lack of research supporting the efficacy of virtual reality use in the secondary space to improve student success criteria, particularly for specific VR-based instructional products like Prisms. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of Prisms VR curriculum from the teacher perspective, with specific attention to student engagement, conceptual understanding, and instructional practices. The goal of the study was to contribute to existing research about the paradigm shift toward active student participation …

Cosmetic Surgery And Physiological Disorder: You Should Talk To Someone About Your Unwinding Anxiety, Mona Muzammil, Washain Muzammil

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Chemistry)

Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health condition in which you can't stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance — a flaw that appears minor or can't be seen by others. But you may feel so embarrassed, ashamed and anxious that you may avoid many social situations.

When you have body dysmorphic disorder, you intensely focus on your appearance and body image, repeatedly checking the mirror, grooming or seeking reassurance, sometimes for many hours each day. Your perceived flaw and the repetitive behaviors cause you significant distress and impact your ability to function in …

Dentistry And The Law: Miscellaneous Questions About Dental Records, Daniel Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This column addresses the legal requirements surrounding dental records. Dentists must furnish copies of records to patients or those acting on their behalf (with signed consent), but the original records should always be retained by the treating dentist. Patient information regarding care and treatment is confidential and privileged; disclosure requires written patient consent unless specific legal exceptions apply, such as court orders, defense of a claim, or HIPAA compliance for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. Dentists must also obtain a signed release from the patient (or guardian for minors) before displaying "before and after" photos for commercial use to avoid …

The New Professional: The Legacy Of Women In Dentistry, And Your Place In It, Amrita Patel Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Women now constitute over half of dental graduates, transforming the profession’s culture and leadership. While women hold a majority of seats on the MDA Board of Trustees, wage disparities, underrepresentation in certain specialties, and work-life balance pressures remain challenges. The author emphasizes that the legacy of women in dentistry is an active, evolving force. New professionals have the opportunity and responsibility to advance this legacy by engaging in mentorship, advocating for fair workplace policies, pursuing ownership, and serving as role models. This ensures the profession is defined by opportunities rather than barriers.

Aku Research 2025, Office Of Research And Graduate Studies

Office of Research and Graduate Studies Archives

• With dementia surging, BMI seeks tools for prevention
• The past, present and future of teaching in Pakistan
• Transforming educations with evidence
• Research influences national teacher development programme
• Redefining the migrant experience
• Study finds women are underrepresented in East Africa’s media
• Study identifies targets for treating drug-resistant tuberculosis
• Addressing extreme heat’s impacts on the vulnerable
• Colorectal cancer detection gets an AI boost
• Addressing the quiet crisis of women’s mental health
• The pandemic was especially hard for female health workers
• Advancing reproductive health in Pakistan
• A push for advanced practice nursing and midwifery
• Major study yields essential data on maternal health
• Saving …

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Un-Imagining The Anglo Southwest And The Impossibility Of Trans-Scription, Lynnette M. Maphies

Art & Art History ETDs

This thesis is an interrogation of the Anglo Southwest as a problematic and persistent regional and national construct. I propose that the Anglo Southwest emerged at a pivotal moment in the late nineteenth century during which Americanist approaches to geography, anthropology, and the arts, were being shaped to define the region and determine the production and distribution of knowledge. This resulted in an Anglo view of the Southwest as uninhabited, silent, and imaginary, which omitted the actuality of silencing Native voices, cultural appropriation, and the taking of resources and land. Army surgeon and amateur ethnographer Washington Matthews (1843–1905) serves as …

A Joint Mindfulness And Growth Mindset Intervention For Reducing Math Anxiety For Pre-Service Elementary Teachers, Evan Czysz

Dissertations

Pre-service elementary teachers (PSTs) have often exhibited high levels of math anxiety, which can negatively influence their confidence, learning, and future teaching in mathematical settings. The purpose of this phenomenological case study was to understand the influences an intervention focused on growth mindset and mindfulness-based practices has on preservice elementary school teachers’ perceptions of mathematics at a mid-sized university in the Rocky Mountain Region of the United States, and sought to answer the following questions: Q1 Does a joint mindfulness-based and growth mindset intervention impact pre-service teachers’ levels of math anxiety? Q2 What were pre-service elementary teachers’ experiences with a …

Making Meaning Of The Dissertation Process: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Study Exploring Counselor Education Students’ Experiences And Beliefs About The Traditional Dissertation Process, Brianne Dixon

Dissertations

The traditional dissertation is a cornerstone of doctoral education yet is a process that is surprisingly under-researched. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was to explore the lived experiences of doctoral students in counselor education and supervision (CES) programs with the dissertation process. More specifically, this study sought to understand the meaning seven doctoral students made of the process and this study explored counselor educator doctoral students’ beliefs about the traditional dissertation process after they completed the dissertation This study explored three research questions. Q1 What were the lived experiences of Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) doctoral …

Preschool-To-Kindergarten Transition For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Kristin Claire Duncan

Dissertations

The transition from preschool to kindergarten leads to changes for students and their families regarding services, providers, and environments. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how primary caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) perceived the transition from preschool to inclusive kindergarten. This study focused on the concerns, barriers, and experiences caregivers encountered throughout the transition process. By understanding caregivers’ perspectives, the study aimed to identify ways to improve kindergarten transition practices for future families. Based on existing literature, areas in need of investigation included the following: (a) how success of preschool-to-kindergarten transition impacts changes to …

The Coping Of Special Education Directors In The Western United States, Emily Mrazek Jones

Dissertations

The special education director in a school district has a wide-reaching role. Directors rely on extensive knowledge of educational law, instruction, child development, employee supervision, school finance, and more to positively impact the education of students with disabilities. Due to the extensive nature of the role, the practice of special education administration has been found to be stressful, and many practitioners experience burnout. Thus far, research has explored the nature of the role, the reasons for special education director stress, and directors’ preferences on surveys of positive coping strategies, but has not stepped back to ask the directors how they …

Culturally Responsive Functional Communication Training For Asian Families: A Single-Subject Design Study, Guofeng Shen

Dissertations

Children with disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID), frequently experience challenges related to social communication and are at increased risk of exhibiting challenging behaviors (CBs), particularly when they lack effective means to express their needs and desires. Functional communication training (FCT) is an evidence-based intervention shown to reduce CBs by teaching functional communication skills. However, limited research has explored the use of culturally responsive adaptations of FCT (CRFCT), particularly in the context of training parents from culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse backgrounds. This study addressed this gap by examining the effects of culturally responsive FCT …

Exploring The Use Of Culturally And Linguistically Responsive Practices Within The Multi-Tiered System Of Support (Mtss) Framework When Supporting Students With Disabilities At A Dual Language Immersion School, Sylvia Simmons

Dissertations

The integration of culturally and linguistically responsive practices (CLRP) within the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework has been recognized as a promising method for improving learning opportunities for diverse students. However, little to no research has been conducted on the intersection of CLRP within the MTSS framework to support students with disabilities in dual language immersion schools (DLI). This lack of research has posed challenges for educators seeking effective strategies to support diverse learners with disabilities in such settings. Therefore, the purposes of this qualitative case study were to (a) explore how a dual language immersion school utilizes the …

0525, Evelyn Chow, Special Collections, Fleet Library

12th Baker & Whitehill Student Artists' Book Contest 2026

Entry for the 12th Baker & Whitehill Student Artists' Book Contest. Opening reception and award ceremony Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 6:30pm, Fleet Library, 1st Floor Main Reading Room. Juror: Gabrielle Reed.

Happy Meal, Abigail Yang, Special Collections, Fleet Library

12th Baker & Whitehill Student Artists' Book Contest 2026

Entry for the 12th Baker & Whitehill Student Artists' Book Contest. Opening reception and award ceremony Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 6:30pm, Fleet Library, 1st Floor Main Reading Room. Juror: Gabrielle Reed.

“Wu Fu Lin Men” (Five Blessings Arrive), Emma Hsieh, Special Collections, Fleet Library

12th Baker & Whitehill Student Artists' Book Contest 2026

Entry for the 12th Baker & Whitehill Student Artists' Book Contest. Opening reception and award ceremony Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 6:30pm, Fleet Library, 1st Floor Main Reading Room. Juror: Gabrielle Reed.

The Menu, Tonya Lin, Special Collections, Fleet Library

12th Baker & Whitehill Student Artists' Book Contest 2026

Entry for the 12th Baker & Whitehill Student Artists' Book Contest. Opening reception and award ceremony Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 6:30pm, Fleet Library, 1st Floor Main Reading Room. Juror: Gabrielle Reed.