Digital Commons Network^™

Rural And Urban Disparities In Access To Glp-1 Agonists For Patients With Obesity, Christine J. Hackler-Moorman

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

The increasing interest in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, such as semaglutide, which are often prescribed as a first-line treatment for managing Type II diabetes, as well as for non-diabetic purposes—such as weight management and improving metabolic health—highlights their potential in preventive care. This promise inspires hope for a future where preventive healthcare is more effective and accessible to a wider audience. Nonetheless, significant geographic disparities in access to healthcare, especially between rural and urban areas, create obstacles that prevent numerous patients from reaping the benefits of these essential medications. In rural communities, challenges like cost, availability, and awareness are often …

Commencement 2025: Speech By Distinguished Professor Of The Year Jay Tidmarsh, Jay Tidmarsh

Commencement Programs

Judge James J. Clynes, Jr., Professor of Law Jay Tidmarsh, selected by Notre Dame Law School’s Class of 2025 as the Distinguished Professor of the Year, delivered the commencement speech to the class during the Law School’s Hooding Ceremony on May 17, 2025, in Purcell Pavilion.

Sex, Skulls, And Selection: An Exploration Of Blakely Island's Deer Population And Their Ecology Through Genetic Sex Differentiation Of Juvenile Crania, Blair P. Graves

Honors Projects

As an isolated landmass with no natural predators, Blakely Island serves as an effective study site for the study of evolutionary factors relating to insular populations of large mammals. A disparity in the adult sex ratio of local deer has been observed, but the demographics of juveniles must still be ascertained through genetic methods. This study aims to further research concerning the development of a replicable and non-toxic procedure through which undergraduate students can identify the sex of numerous juvenile deer crania. Specifically, differing decalcification lengths, DNA extraction kit methods, and amelogenin primer sets were evaluated for relative success in …

New Endowment Aims To Encourage Art Students, Tina H. Hahn

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – When Kay Webber Cochran moved to Washington, D.C., in 1981, she set out to explore a different arts and cultural facility or event every weekend. After amassing 37 years of experiences in the nation's capital, she is expanding that passion by creating an art scholarship at the University of Mississippi.

How The Integration Of Bosnian Refugees In Saint Louis Is A Model For Success For Current Afghan Refugees And Future Resettlements In The U.S., Indira Kar

Senior Theses

Refugee resettlement and integration are vital in fostering inclusive communities, enriching local economies, and promoting cultural diversity while also offering displaced individuals the opportunity to rebuild their lives in safety. Considering the successful resettlement of Bosnian refugees in St. Louis, Missouri, starting in the 1990s, I explored what factors could be attributed to their positive integration outcomes. I found a combination of (1) policy, (2) social compatibility, and (3) cultural values that can be attributed to their thriving community and applied these factors to the recent resettlement of Afghan refugees in St. Louis. While Afghan refugees have found success in …

Dumy And The Nation: How Folklore And Folk Songs Help Compose A Distinct Ukrainian Narrative, Amy Herd

Senior Theses

Historiography and ethnography have played a critical role in the development of modern Slavic nationalisms, particularly in Ukraine. As these studies became increasingly popular in the nineteenth century, scholars and members of the bourgeoisie identified folk culture as the key component for the making of the modern nation. Viewed as an authentic window into national history and tradition due to their limited interaction with the modernizing world, rural folk offered the perfect opportunity to illustrate how Ukraine had always been distinct from Russia and its other historical oppressors. As folk culture fervor gripped the intellectual elite of Eastern Europe, however, …

Imperial Fabrication Of Ethnic Cleansing: Czarist Through Soviet Russian Practices And Policies Responsibility In The Ethnic Cleansing Of Georgians In Abkhazia., George Kane

Senior Theses

This thesis explores the direct correlation and connection between Goergia’s struggles against Russian imperialism and the ethnic cleansing of Georgians from Abkhazia that resulted from the 1990s Georgian-Abkhaz Conflict. After examining the historical and cultural ties of the Abkhaz as one of the many Georgian nationalities, this thesis examines the concerted effort by Czarist and Soviet Russia to separate the two identities in order to further imperial ambitions in the Caucasus region. This targeted separation over decades, along with direct Russian military support during the conflict, would then result in an ethnic cleansing taking place perpetrated by the Abkhaz against …

The Politics Of Perspective: A Comparative Analysis Of The Framing Of Political Violence In German Media Coverage Of Immigration Prior To The 2024 State Elections, Jillian Klostermann

Senior Theses

This study examines the role of German media in framing politically motivated violence and immigration in the lead-up to the 2024 state elections, focusing on three outlets: Thüringer Allgemeine, Die Zeit, and TAZ. Through comparative content analysis of coverage on key incidents, the research highlights how political leanings and editorial choices shape public discourse and influence societal attitudes. Findings reveal stark contrasts in local and national reporting, with local outlets reinforcing confirmation biases and national outlets offering broader narratives. The analysis underscores the critical impact of framing, from emotional appeals to policy-oriented discourse, on public perception and political outcomes. This …

Visibility Without Justice: The Wayuu’S Paradox Of Resistance Amid Marginalization And Systemic Violence, Courtney Kren

Senior Theses

The Wayuu, Colombia’s largest Indigenous group, endure systemic marginalization and various forms of structural, direct, and slow violence, which is compounded by preexisting vulnerabilities such as water scarcity, malnutrition, and displacement in La Guajira, a border region situated between Colombia and Venezuela. These challenges are worsened by state neglect, inaction, and environmental degradation caused by El Cerrejón, Latin America’s largest open-pit coal mine. Despite awareness of their suffering, both the Colombian state and Glencore, the company that owns El Cerrejón, perpetuate these harms, with the state hiding behind protective legal frameworks intended to protect and uphold the Wayuu’s rights but, …

Digital Voices Of The Arab Spring: Mainstream Media, Social Media, And Narrative In Egypt's Tahrir Square Protests, Sofia Nogueira Sanca

Senior Theses

This thesis questions and examines the dynamics between social media activism and mainstream media coverage during the Tahrir Square protests of the Arab Spring, focusing on how these platforms collectively shaped the global narrative and challenged the Mubarak regime's control over information. How exactly did these two types of media coverage work in tandem to contribute to the revolution's success? Through qualitative textual analysis of the events of January and February of 2011, it analyzes the tweets from activist Gigi Ibrahim alongside reports from The New York Times and Al Jazeera English to identify recurring themes, including corruption and suppression, …

“Stories That Are Silenced For Way Too Long” Silence On Sexual Violence During The Holocaust And The Importance Of Accurate Depiction Of It, Adele Blokh

Senior Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to explore and analyze the depiction of sexual violence during the Holocaust in scholarly research literature. Until recently, the topic of sexual violence during the Holocaust has been underrepresented or even silenced altogether. Although the Holocaust has been widely studied, due to the immense trauma and the stigmatization of sexual violence as a social taboo, sexual violence during the Holocaust has not been widely discussed, leaving a gap - sexual violence - in our collective memory of the Holocaust. This paper seeks to identify gaps in the representation of sexual violence in existing scholarship, …

Evaluating The Opportunities And Limitations Of Social Enterprises In Addressing Period Poverty In Rural India, Abigael Hartlieb

Senior Theses

Social enterprises play a significant role in advancing social justice and global health by employing innovative strategies to address health disparities within underserved communities. Period poverty, defined as the lack of access to feminine hygiene products, represents a global health challenge. Social enterprises have emerged as a tool to combat this issue in several countries, including India, but face barriers in widespread implementation in rural areas. This study evaluates the opportunities and limitations social enterprises have in combating period poverty in rural India with a focus on Goonj, a New-Delhi based social enterprise dedicated to bridging the gaps of resources …

“Gray Areas In The Land Of The Setting Sun”: Unresolved Legacies, Contested Identities, And Economic Stakes In The Western Sahara Stalemate, Driss Zaim-Sassi

Senior Theses

While colonialism across the globe has mostly been dismantled following World War II, nations across the globe continue to deal with unresolved colonial legacies and resource-driven conflicts. As a result, we continue to see regional instability affecting vulnerable regions. Understanding the stalemate in the Western Sahara conflict highlights the complex interplay between history, identity, and economic motives, emphasizing the critical need for nuanced approaches in conflict resolution and diplomacy. My research investigates the roles of key factors that sustain the diplomatic stalemate in the Western Sahara conflict through an in-depth analysis of Morocco’s territorial claims, the ideological differences around identity …

What Are The Key Government And Economic Factors That Influence The Adaptation Of Western Human Rights Norms In China, India, And Turkey?, Carlota Rahola Funallet

Senior Theses

I.Abstract The adaptation of global human rights norms poses a significant challenge in diverse political and cultural contexts. In China, India, and Turkey, government policies, economic priorities, and cultural dynamics uniquely shape how these norms are engaged. China’s centralized governance prioritizes economic stability and collective rights, often at the expense of individual freedoms. In India, a democratic values and constitutional protections align with Western ideals, but caste and gender inequalities persist as systemic barriers. Turkey’s dynamic approach, influenced by secularism, religious tensions, and EU aspirations, reveals the impact of both external pressures and domestic political shifts. These case studies illustrate …

Endophenotype-Informed Association Analyses For Liver Fat Accumulation And Metabolic Dysfunction In The Fels Longitudinal Study, Ariana L. Garza, John Blangero, Miryoung Lee, Cici X. Bauer, Stefan A. Czerwinski, Audrey Choh

School of Medicine Publications

The identification of causal genomic regions for liver fat accumulation in the context of metabolic dysfunction remains a challenging goal. This study aimed to identify potential endophenotypes for liver fat content and employ them in bivariate linkage searches for pleiotropic genetic regions where targeted association analysis is more likely to reveal significant variants. Multiple metabolic risk and adiposity distribution traits were assessed using the endophenotype ranking value. The top-ranked endophenotypes were then used in a bivariate linkage analysis, paired with liver fat content. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) identified as significant or suggestive were targeted for measured genotype association analyses. The …

2025 Ursinus College Commencement Progam, Ursinus College

Ursinus College Commencement Programs

This Ursinus College Commencement program from 2025 contains the list of speakers, honors, awards and order of events for the day.

Fda Approval Of Cobenfy: A New Therapeutic Option For Schizophrenia, Brenna Hissong, Penlope Mazivanhanga, Alexander Defranco, Linda Azap, Haley Brown, Megan Rizo, Joshua Honaker, Samantha Mccord, Lindsey Ferraro

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Schizophrenia is a complex illness characterized by behavioral, emotional, and cognitive dysfunctions. Common symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, cognitive decline, and social withdrawal. The disorder is related to structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter imbalances, and a combination of genetic and environmental elements, and affects about 24 million individuals globally. Currently, two medication classes are most commonly used to treat schizophrenia. These medications are first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) and second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs). Due to the side effect profiles that both medication classes carry, research is being conducted for new drug classes.

Cobenfy (xanomeline/trospium chloride), also known investigationally as KarXT, is a new class of …

Prevention Of Post-Mastectomy Seroma In Breast Cancer Patients: A Comparative Analysis Of The Effectiveness Of Fibrin Glue Versus Quilting, Ibrahim A. Umar, Bello M. Bashir

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of fibrin glue versus quilting in preventing post-mastectomy seroma formation in breast cancer patients. Methods: This study was a prospective, randomised interventional trial conducted between July 2021 and June 2022 at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. It involving patients with breast cancer undergoing modified radical mastectomy. Patients were randomly assigned to Group A (fibrin glue) or Group B (quilting). The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05, corresponding to a 95% confidence interval. Results: A total of 42 patients were recruited for the study. The total volume of drainage for Group A was …

Teachers And Caregivers Knowledge And Attitude About Child Rights And Child Protection In Muscat, Oman, Muna Al Saadoon, Yahya Al Hinai, Alrumaitha A. Alsabri, N.S. Al Qutaiti, Syed Rizvi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is a pervasive public health problem that transcends geographical, religious, economic and ethnic boundaries. It can result in both short- and long-term negative consequences and unhealthy lifestyles among victims. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness and attitudes of teachers and caregivers of Grade 1–4 children regarding child rights and their knowledge of the available child protection services in Oman. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined self-reported knowledge and attitudes regarding child rights and child protection services in the Muscat governorate, Oman, from September to December 2017. Of the 50 eligible schools that offered Grades …

Prevalence Of Urine Culture Contamination In A Primary Care Outpatient Setting In Muscat, Oman: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study, Rahma Al Hadhrami, Asma A. Al Salmani, Abeer Al Houdar, Janit Francinilla, Abeer Albalushi, Buthaina Al Maskari

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of urine culture contamination, determine related factors and identify the most prevalent uropathogens among samples collected from outpatients attending a primary healthcare setting in Muscat, Oman. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to July 2023 at the primary health clinic of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. All urine cultures requested by physicians for ambulatory outpatients who attended the clinic during the study period were included. Collected urine samples underwent microbiological analysis, with positive cultures defined as significant growth of ≥10⁵ colony forming unit (CFU)/mL. Samples exhibiting …

Spring Commencement: May 17, 2025, University Of North Dakota

UND Commencement Programs

UND Spring Commencement program from May 17, 2025.

Dancing With God: Jewish Prayer Through The Lens Of Dance/Movement Therapy, Lizzie Janssen

Expressive Therapies Theses

This Capstone Thesis literature review explores movement in Jewish prayer within the context of the Kestenberg Movement Profile. Jewish prayer, specifically the amidah, features swaying movements called shokeling that serve as an embodied component of conversation with God. Prayer movements and postures enhance the prayer experience, as described in Hasidic thought.The Kestenberg Movement Profile is a form of movement analysis that observes how movements can indicate a sense of connection and serve as an expression of needs.These observations suggest that using Authentic Movement in a Dance/Movement Therapy session may increase clients’ awareness of a their sense of attachment toward …

Women In The Traditional Gender System Through Sexualized And Inappropriate Performances In The Modern Advertisements, Ruoning Xia

Communication ETDs

This study examined the body and gender identity performances and narratives of women in different Chinese advertisements, and deconstructed the motivation and representation of humiliation, sexual harassment, and gender offside toward women in public spaces. The study takes feminism, patriarchal capitalism, and rhetorical criticism to analyze the situation of Chinese women’s identity and gender in the traditional gender system, as well as the status of women’s situations with patriarchy and capitalism discourses. Through the analysis of the advertisements, the study criticized the gender (mis)representation of women’s gender identity and bodies among women's identities, bodies, and patriarchy, and deconstructs the gender …

Organizing In The Hybrid Media System: Local And International Organizing In The Metoo Movement, Jenna Dole

Sociology ETDs

Movements today are operating in a hybrid media system, in which activists negotiate the use of traditional and social media. Although most of what we know of the MeToo movement comes from studies of the #MeToo campaign and online organizing, the movement has its foundations in local organizing and in the wake of the viral campaign additional local organizing efforts took place. Using semi-structured interviews with leaders of a local MeToo organizing group and Facebook posts from this local group and a large, international MeToo Facebook group, this study explores the role of local organizing coming out of an international, …

"To Hold For Themselves, Their Children, And Their Heirs": The Saga Of Mexicano Settlement In The Lower Estancia Valley, 1800-1925, Javier E. Sanchez

History ETDs

This dissertation focuses on the mexicano settlement experience in central New Mexico’s lower Estancia Valley, where local settlers co-opted the settlement strategies and traditions of three successive political regimes and experienced a net gain in land ownership over the course of the Long 19^th Century. It invokes four major themes: settlement, culture, economics, and parentela (kinship). Regarding settlement, it explores the mechanics of mexicano frontier settlement traditions and illuminates how deeply rooted concepts such as presura, an ancient method of settling embattled frontier zones through seizure, occupancy, and utilization by the settlers themselves, are reflected in settlement patterns …

A Novel Approach To Competency-Based Education For Pediatric Nurse Practitioners: Bringing Clarity To Competencies, Kristina L. Banks, Carol L. Savrin

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: Guidance for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) competency-based education (CBE) is provided by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (“Essentials”). The 2021 AACN Essentials update prompted a significant shift from traditional to (CBE)for Nurse Practitioner (NP) faculty. NONPF has responded, updating its NP Role Core Competencies and domains to be congruent with the AACN 2021 Essentials, but NONPF's population-specific competencies remain unchanged since 2013. Methods: Two PNP faculty conducted a multistep crosswalk between the NONPF 2013 population-based competencies for Primary and …

Lenard Delmus Cone

African American Funeral Programs

Lenard_Delmus_Cone.pdf - Funeral program for Lenard Cone

A Pastoral Music Response In Support Of The Universal Apostolic Preferences Of The Society Of Jesus, Daniel Dangca

Doctor of Pastoral Music Projects and Theses

This thesis establishes the relationship between Catholic congregational song and the apostolic work of the Society of Jesus. The Society of Jesus is currently at the halfway mark of their ten-year plan guided by the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs). These UAPs focus on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, marginalized communities, young people, and caring for the earth. Currently, there are no resources that exist that promote the UAPs through the lens of liturgical music. It is the hope that the suggested hymns, whether sung in the community or individually, deepen the spiritual journey of the participants as …

“Umble” Vampirism: Socioeconomic Scapegoats And David Copperfield, J.R. Rizzo

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The narrative framing of David Copperfield is oriented in a way that ignores the flaws of its titular hero. Dickens’ autobiographical David Copperfield is compounded to entertain readers. His social mobility refines their perception of David into a middle class gentleman who is neither aristocratic, nor working class. It is David’s narration which helps facilitate such a companionship between himself and the reader, clouding any serious criticisms behind the guise of his charm. The doubling of bias layered within the novel’s narrative structure thereby poses David as a sort-of golden boy. That is, Dickens’ adoration for his protagonist, coupled with …

Gothic Gender And Colonized Women: A Gothic Feminist Reading Of Women As The Subaltern In Evelina And Northanger Abbey, Abigail Chandler

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Evelina by Frances Burney and Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen are two woman-authored, Gothic texts that explore themes of feminism and coming of age as subaltern in a patriarchal context. The main character in each must enter the world and become disillusioned to the reality that they are treated as subhuman because they are women. The term subaltern refers to those living in the margins and their suppressed “potential for life and creativity, in given historical circumstances” (Pandey 4735), and primarily focuses on ethnic or racial oppression in postcolonial settings; however, this thesis explores the idea of women in patriarchal …