Digital Commons Network^™

An Ot-Based Program For The Hispanic Community, Ruby Vargas, Cassandra Nelson

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Hispanic older adults experience significant health disparities, including higher rates of functional limitations and limited access to rehabilitation services due to language and cultural barriers. Guided by the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model, this doctoral capstone implemented the Step by Step program across multiple community sites to improve health literacy, independence, and awareness of occupational therapy (OT). The program delivered bilingual, culturally tailored education, ADL-based strategies, and fall prevention activities. Needs assessments and pre/post surveys indicated increased confidence in daily activities, improved understanding of OT’s role, and greater engagement in health-promoting behaviors. Findings support community-based, culturally responsive OT programs as effective in …

Use Of Motivational Interviewing To Increase Compliance In Therapy To Improve Work And Education Preparation For At-Risk And Underserved Youth, Javon Smith, Jan Greer, Sean Tory

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

At-risk and underserved youth often face barriers to educational attainment, employment, and psychosocial well-being, which can limit their long-term occupational engagement. This doctoral capstone project implemented an eight-week, occupational therapy–informed program at R.I.S.E. Homes in Las Vegas, Nevada, integrating the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) frameworks. The program aimed to enhance life skills, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and career readiness among youth in transitional living. Using a trauma-informed, client-centered approach, sessions combined didactic instruction, interactive activities, and role-play to foster skill acquisition and self-efficacy. Outcomes were measured through pre- and post-program self-assessments and qualitative feedback from …

Empowering Independence: Strategies For Safe Aging In The Home And Community For The Older Adult Population, Madelyn Rashford, Becky King, Keegan Mckay

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project created an occupational therapy–based guidebook to promote safe aging in place for community-dwelling older adults. The guidebook includes fall prevention exercises, home safety strategies, and community resources to support independence in daily activities. Implementation showed increased safety awareness and confidence, reinforcing occupational therapy’s role in fostering independence and quality of life.

The Label Of Low Effort: Exploring Teachers’ Effort-Related Language, Meritocratic Beliefs, And Attribution-Based Responsibility Assignments, Kelly A. Larson

Doctorate in Education

Educators play an integral role in the academic success and future educational trajectory of their students. Yet, in an unjust, hyper-individualistic education system grounded in a meritocratic myth, even the most well-intentioned teachers have a tendency to explain students’ underperformance through a self-protective, deficit-based attribution process that puts the onus of academic achievement almost entirely on students and their families. This recursive cycle is especially damaging for students who do not exhibit effort in normalized, Eurocentric ways. This study examines how teachers’ attributions and responsibility assignments for students’ perceived low-effort behavior are shaped by inequitable meritocratic beliefs and reinforced through …

Simulation And Optimization Of Support Processes For Aircraft Fleet Launch Under Limited Resources, Feng Gong, Tao Jiang, Qin Zhang, Yu Liu

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: To address the scheduling problem of aircraft fleet support processes under limited resources, a fleet support process optimization model that covered multiple aircraft, activities, and resource constraints was developed. An activity node graph model was used to establish the temporal logic, resource competition, and other constraints in the fleet support process, forming a "time – activity – resource" multidimensional optimization model. A genetic algorithm based on priority encoding was proposed, incorporating a serial decoding strategy and a dynamic penalty function to handle the complex constraints in the model, efficiently solving the optimization problem under complicated temporal and resource constraints. …

Short-Term Load Forecasting Based On Dual-Attention Temporal Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory Network, Lifen Li, Jinyue Zhang, Wangbin Cao, Huawei Mei

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: In order to improve the accuracy of load forecasting and fully extract the hidden relationships between load and other characteristic factors, a load forecasting method based on dual-attention temporal convolutional LSTM network (DA-TCLSNet) was proposed. Correlation analysis was conducted on the dataset using the maximum information coefficient method to perform feature screening to reduce the computational cost of the model. The model input was constructed using a sliding window. The DATCLSNet forecasting model was constructed. The temporal convolutional layer extracted dependencies at different time scales and captured the nonlinear characteristics among variables such as load and weather. The multi-head …

Research On 3d Visualization Of Safety Monitoring And Early Warning For Steel Continuous Casting Scenarios, Wei Zhang, Wei Sheng, Yidan Cao, Tingsheng Zhao

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: In order to improve the visualization and integration of production safety monitoring and fault warning, a three-dimensional (3D) visualization model architecture for whole-process industrial production safety monitoring and early warning for steel continuous casting scenarios was designed. By using 3ds Max and Unity3D, a multi-dimensional and multi-scale model was built, and functional modules such as visualization display and multi-level early warning for safety monitoring data were developed. By combining WebGL technology and Node. js runtime environment, the visualization of whole-process industrial production safety monitoring based on Web terminal was realized. The alarm threshold determination method for whole-process industrial production …

Optimal Scheduling Of An Integrated Energy System Considering Demand Response And Two-Stage P2g, Xinhui Duan, Zelong Cheng, Dongchao Zhang, Xiaochong Duan

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: In the context of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, this study aims to improve the energy utilization rate and further explore the role of user-side flexible loads and P2G equipment in energy saving and emission reduction. An optimal scheduling model for integrated energy systems considering demand response and two-stage P2G was proposed. A regional integrated energy system coupled with electricity, heating, cooling, gas, storage, and hydrogen was taken as the research object. Models for system equipment and two-stage P2G were established. Based on load characteristics, a multi-load demand response model for electricity, heating, and cooling was constructed using …

Association Of Obesity And Body Mass Index Classification With Glycemic Control In Adults Who Are Critically Ill Receiving Parenteral Nutrition: A Retrospective Study., Erika L Mackie, Melissa Dang, Kimberly Sharpe, Justin Delic, James M Hollands, Song Oh, Stacy Pasciolla, Laura Pontiggia, Diana Solomon, Angela Bingham

Ambulatory and Primary Care Articles

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia is a complication of parenteral nutrition (PN), which can be exacerbated in patients with obesity. Limited data exist on glycemic control in this population. This study aims to evaluate the association of obesity and body mass index (BMI) classification with glycemic control in patients who are critically ill initiated receiving PN.

METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients who are critically ill receiving PN from January 2013 to February 2024. The primary outcome was glycemic control in patients with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m

RESULTS: The study included 220 patients with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m

CONCLUSION: Patients who …

Acoustic Characterization And Modeling Of Heated Supersonic Tactical Jet Aircraft And Launched Rockets, Logan Troy Mathews

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding and accurately modeling the acoustic sources and propagation of high-intensity tactical jet aircraft and rocket noise is essential for vehicle design, environmental impact assessment, and mitigation strategies. Despite progress in the understanding of these sources, significant challenges persist in both predictive modeling and noise mitigation. This dissertation advances both the characterization of full-scale supersonic tactical jet aircraft noise sources and the development of modern empirical prediction models for rocket launch noise. Across multiple measurement campaigns and modeling efforts, the work integrates advanced array signal processing, high-fidelity field measurements, and improved empirical methods to expand the physical understanding of source …

Hunting Lease Comparisons For Wild Game Across Nebraska In 2025, Jim Jansen

Cornhusker Economics

The Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey and Report 2024-2025 provides insight into recent trends in the market value of land and cash rental across the state. Each year, the special feature section covers topics on new or emerging issues related to the agricultural land industry in Nebraska. These topics reflect the interest expressed by panel members and readership of the Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Highlights Reports. The special feature section in 2025 focuses on hunting rental arrangements in Nebraska, including the types of wild game commonly hunted and the value associated with leasing these rights.

Landowners seeking to …

Polymeric Nanocarriers Functionalized With Peptides For Improved Glioblastoma Targeting And Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability, Cristian Antonio Wieczorek Villas Boas, Aaron Priester, Buck E. Rogers, Anthony J. Convertine

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We report the synthesis of polymeric conjugates designed to penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and selectively bind glioblastoma (GBM) cells through reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The resulting materials were engineered to contain peptide macromonomers for cell-specific targeting and integrated DOTA units to facilitate radiolabeling with copper-64 (⁶⁴Cu), yielding radiolabeled conjugates with greater than 95% radiochemical purity. In biodistribution assessments conducted in mice, C1C2 peptide-conjugated polymers showed significantly improved accumulation in brain tissue, supported by brain perfusion analyses confirming efficient BBB penetration. Additionally, flow cytometry evaluations demonstrated specific affinity of GBM-targeted polymer formulations toward U87 glioblastoma cells. …

Midweek Memo, Georgia Southern University

Midweek Memo

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Draft Final Silver Bow Creek Conservation Area (Sbcca) Construction Quality Assurance Plan (Cqap), Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Why Are Food System Workers Excluded From Local Food Policy Councils?, Frank Sarfo, Laura-Anne Minkoff-Zern, Jonnell A. Robinson

The Lender Center for Social Justice

This brief summarizes findings from our study that used national survey data of FPCs as well as focus groups and interviews with over 25 FPC representatives and leaders to examine the challenges and barriers that have limited FPCs’ engagement with labor issues. We also identify key obstacles to labor advocacy and offer practical recommendations for integrating labor equity into local food policy efforts.

Cryptococcoid Sweet Syndrome Or Halogenoderma? Highlighting The Crucial Need For Serum Iodine Testing, Jacob R. Kilgore, Jonathan M. Joseph, Addie Walker, William Snider, Nicholas Culotta, Carson Bogatto, Aaron Coulon

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Temporal Trends Of A Cellular Host Response Test For Sepsis And A Comparison With Selected Biomarkers Of Inflammation And Infection, Matthew S. Berlinger, Matt Sorrells, Christopher B. Thomas, Tonya Jagneaux, James E. Walker, Jennifer Daigle, Heather Quiriarte, Youyoung Kim, Guillaume Spielmann, Debbie Robertson, Susan Park Ochsner, Gideon Avornu, Katherine Fenstermacher, Elijah James Kurien, Camille King, Adenine Cembellin-Kao, Chase Yonamine, Querino Maia, Maciej Obrebski, David N. Hager, Roya Sheybani, Henry T.K. Tse, Ajay M. Shah, Robert Scoggins, Hollis R. O’Neal, Richard Rothman

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Sepsis, a condition characterized by immune dysregulation, is the leading cause of in-hospital mortality and requires rapid treatment. Assessing immune dysregulation has been challenging. The IntelliSep Index (ISI), a novel biomarker which leverages microfluidic deformability cytometry to assess immune activation, has been evaluated as a test for Emergency Department use but it is unclear how the signal evolves as patient condition evolves. In a 47-patient cohort with hospital stays ≤ 14 days, ISI provided a good indicator of disease progression by blinded physician review. ISI trends correlated with clinical improvement over time. During the first 12 h following presentation, ISI …

Effective Strategies K–12 School Leaders Can Use To Improve Technology Integration In Classrooms, Shamila Ahmed Hashim

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

With the rapid rise in demand for effective technology integration in K-12 classrooms, particularly in nonpublic schools, strong leadership is crucial. The absence of effective strategies can hinder student learning outcomes, posing a significant challenge for educators who are striving to improve academic success. This qualitative research project included a pragmatic inquiry design was to explore the strategies that some K–12 school leaders apply to improve classroom technology integration and enhance student learning outcomes. Grounded in the technology integration matrix framework, the study involved a purposive sample of five school leaders from nonpublic K-12 institutions in Maryland. Data were collected …

Working Group Report: Developing A Playbook Of Equitable Grading Practices, Stephen H. Edwards, David L. Largent, Ben Schafer, Debarati Basu, Amy Csizmar Dalal, Dan Garcia, Brian Harrington, Kevin Lin, Dan S. Myers, Christian Roberson, Giulia Toti, Brett Wortzman

Faculty Publications

Traditional points-based grading can have negative impacts. As a result, many educators are experimenting with alternative grading practices that are more equitable for students. However, educators often face challenges in implementing equitable grading practices due to a lack of clear, practical descriptions of techniques and the fact that not all techniques are universally applicable. This working group addresses this problem using a three-pronged strategy: conducting a systematic literature review to gather documented techniques, compiling ''recipes'' or concrete descriptions of these techniques, and publishing them in an open-source, online ''playbook'' of equitable grading practices as a community resource for educators. This …

Ayotte's Approval Slips In Nh; Granite Staters Divided On Budget Provisions 8/20/2025, Unh Survey Center

All UNH Survey Center Polls

New Hampshire residents are divided in their assessment of first-term Governor Kelly Ayotte's performance, with both supporters and detractors citing her handling of education as a major influence on their opinion. Granite Staters support a provision in the recently passed state budget to bar cell phone use by students during school hours, but they oppose reduced funding for the state's health and human services and the state's university system, USNH. Most residents believe USNH benefits the state's economy and majorities would be angry or dissatisfied if any of the three USNH institutions were to close. On other issues, Granite Staters …

It’S Not Always Over When It’S Over: Scotus Allows Rearguments In Some Cases, Stephen Wermiel

Popular Media

INTRODUCTION: When the U.S. Supreme Court takes the bench on the last public day of its term each year, there is high drama as the justices announce the final opinions, often involving the most high-profile and controversial cases. But every so often there is even more suspense as the chief justice reveals that a case the court had heard during the term has not been resolved and will be “restored to the calendar for reargument.”

Small Scale Analysis Of Urban Air Quality And Public Health In London, Uk, Provides Insights For Targeted Interventions, Alan Smith, Tim Daley

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Understanding the impact of scale and zonation is critical for accurately assessing population health in relation to air quality and demographic data. Using existing census geographies, we analyse spatial clustering and statistical associations across different census scales, focussing on vulnerable sociodemographic groups and temporal exposure patterns. This study aims to assess how different spatial resolutions affect the strength and interpretation of associations between air pollution, sociodemographic variables, and self-reported health. It also evaluates whether finer-scale, health-need-based zoning provides a more accurate basis for public health analysis. Exposure to higher PM2.5 concentrations, and having an undrlying disability, or long-term illness shows …

Magnetic Ordering And Dynamics In Assemblies Of Magnetite Nanoparticles Throughout The Superparamagnetic Transition, Johnathon Michael Rackham

Theses and Dissertations

Magnetic nanoparticles are used in nanotechnologies and biomedical applications, such as drug targeting, hyperthermia treatment, MRI contrasting agents, and bio-separation of compound solutions. Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles stand to be effective in these roles due to the non-toxic nature of magnetite and its strong magnetization. To this end, a greater understanding of the magnetic behavior of the individual magnetite nanoparticles is needed when a collection of them is used. This research seeks to discover the local magnetic ordering and dynamics of fluctuations of ensembles of magnetite nanoparticles at various stages of the magnetization process, throughout the superparamagnetic blocking transitions, and for …

Performance Properties Of Treated Jute Fabric Laminated By Electrospun Recycled Pet Nanofibers, Md Abdus Shahid, Md Golam Mortuza Limon, Imam Hossain, Md Tanvir Hossain, Tarikul Islam, Md Moslem Uddin

Michigan Tech Publications

Transforming from plastic to environmentally friendly materials is essential for both human health and the protection of the environment. In this work, a modified jute fabric (MJF) laminated with electrospun recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) nanofibers with silver nitrate (AgNO3) is presented. The purpose to apply the silver nitrate and rPET nanofiber mat is to enhance the performance properties of packaging materials like mechanical strength, thermal insulation, moisture resistance, and antibacterial properties. The jute fabric was pretreated with alkali to make it compatible with rPET electrospun nanofibers, which improved breathability with a diameter of 24.70 ± 7.79 nm and an average …

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (Eras) Protocol, Jennifer Smith

Group: Nebraska Methodist College

Problem: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols aim to minimize surgical stress, improve patient outcomes, and shorten hospital stays. While ERAS has shown benefits in various surgical disciplines, challenges were faced in implementing and customizing these protocols for specific populations. This project evaluated how ERAS interventions impact recovery metrics, including hospital length of stay, bowel recovery, and cardiac rehabilitation outcomes.

Intervention: ERAS-based perioperative care strategies were implemented focusing on early mobilization, optimized pain management, reduced opioid use, and timely enteral nutrition. The patients were monitored for compliance and adherence to protocol components to assess their effect on recovery.

Measures: Primary …

Post-Traumatic Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody Optic Neuritis: A Case Report, Saif A. Hamdan, Jaime Nassur, Sarah E. Thornton

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

PURPOSE: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) has recently been distinguished as its own disease entity separate from other demyelinating diseases. This case report highlights the possible association of orbital trauma with the development of MOG antibody (MOG-IgG) optic neuritis.

OBSERVATIONS: A 31-year-old male with no significant ocular history presented with blurry vision in the right eye four weeks after a motorcycle crash. Right eye examination was notable for a significant decrease in visual acuity with a relative afferent pupillary defect and circumferential disc elevation on fundoscopy. An extensive workup, including imaging and serology, revealed optic neuritis with a …

Strategies To Recruit And Retain Physicians In Rural Hospital Health Systems, Montoya Major

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Physician shortages in rural areas represent a serious and escalating challenge in the United States, with approximately 20% of the population residing in these regions while only about 9% of physicians practice there. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify key underlying factors contributing to physician shortages in rural hospital health settings and identify potential strategies to recruit and retain physicians. The review question concerned strategies and practices administrators use to attract and retain physicians in underserved rural areas. Herzberg’s two-factor theory serves as the framework and offers a perspective on employee motivation and job satisfaction. A review …

Parents’ Perceptions Of The Influence Of Interpersonal Trauma On Children’S Academic Achievement In Low Socioeconomic Families During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Brandi Walker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the challenges faced by families from low socioeconomic (SES) backgrounds regarding their children’s academic development. Students during this time experienced disruptions in their academic development, further hindering their educational progress. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore parents’ perceptions of how interpersonal trauma and SES challenges impacted their elementary-age children’s academic achievement during the pandemic. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory served as the theoretical foundation, offering a framework to understand how environmental factors shaped children’s experiences and academic development. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews with eight parents from low-SES backgrounds. Content analysis of …

The Meaning Of Academic Achievement For Fathers Of African American At-Risk Urban Female Youth, Shurise Telesford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Family dynamics, parenting styles, and the impact of parental involvement on children have long been studied, with much of the focus traditionally placed on the mother-child relationship. This study shifted that focus to explore the perceptions of African American fathers of at-risk female youth regarding academic achievement. Using a generic qualitative approach and guided by Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed, a theory emphasizing how the marginalized learn through critical awareness and collaboration, I sought to understand how these fathers view their daughters’ educational experiences and barriers to success. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with seven fathers living in urban …

Reorganization: An Exploration Of Public Workplace Outsourcing, A Strategic Plan, Joshua Bicchinella

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An education agency experienced a decline in loan originations from 2013 to 2023, creating fiscal challenges that threatened service sustainability. This created a need for operational strategies to stabilize funding and preserve resources. The problem was significant to the organization and the community’s ability to obtain equitable educational opportunities. The practice-focused question asked: What are the perspectives of staff and management concerning the agency's strategies to downsize and realign for sustainability? The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore staff and management perspectives on downsizing and outsourcing as strategies to maintain operations. The study was informed by concepts …