Digital Commons Network^™

Introduction, Danielle Lopez, Lauren Hewitt

Natural Resources Journal

No abstract provided.

Applying Conservation Biology Principles In Federal Conservation Efforts For Candidate, Threatened, And Endangered Species, Kenna Fung

Natural Resources Journal

As human activities continue to accelerate the extinction of species, federal and state programs emerge as some of the last solutions to wildlife protection in the United States. Since the establishment of the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) in 1973, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“the Service”) has designated occupied and unoccupied critical habitats for threatened and endangered species as part of the species’ recovery plan. A recent U.S. Supreme Court case signaled that courts are less willing to grant the Service the same deference to designate areas as critical habitats as before. Because the ESA never defined “habitat,” the …

Water Governance And Water Futures In The United States And Australia, Robert Haskell Abrams

Natural Resources Journal

The world’s hydroclimate has become more extreme in the last several decades—a phenomenon described in technical terms as the loss of stationarity. Focusing particularly on the drought-induced stresses, this Article examines water governance in the American West and Australia seeking aspects in the laws, institutions, and approaches of each nation that could be adapted to advantage by the other in coping with the onset of reduced flows in major river basins—most prominently, the Colorado in the U.S. and the Murray-Darling in Australia. Significant similarities of history, settlement of arid regions, and legal systems abound. These include Anglo settlement bringing riparian …

The Fallout Of The Trinity Test: The Need To Expand Reca To Include New Mexico Downwinders, Angélica Ortega

Natural Resources Journal

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (“RECA”), which offers one-time payments to designated individuals who have developed specific diseases and cancers due to radiation exposure, was set to expire on June 10, 2024. On March 7, 2024, the U.S. Senate passed Senate Bill 3853 (“S. 3853”), the “Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act” which would continue RECA payments for an additional six years and would allow for more individuals to be eligible for these payments. However, the bill has not become law because it is still pending review by the U.S. Congress. One of the groups that would be eligible for these …

Forging A Sustainable Southwest: The Power Of Collaborative Conservation, Nicolas Estrada

Natural Resources Journal

No abstract provided.

Fiftieth Commencement

Commencement Programs

Commencement Program of the Fiftieth Commencement of the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law

Tacrolimus Dosing In Liver Transplant Recipients Using Phenotypic Personalized Medicine: A Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial, Jeffrey Khong, Megan Lee, Curtis Warren, Un Kim, Sergio Duarte, Kenneth Andreoni, Sunaina Shrestha, Mark Johnson, Narendra Battula, Danielle Mckimmy, Thiago Beduschi, Ji-Hyun Lee, Derek Li, Chih-Ming Ho, Ali Zarrinpar

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Tacrolimus is the most commonly used immunosuppression drug after solid organ transplantation; however, its dosing is challenging due to substantial inter-individual variability, often resulting in blood levels that deviate from the target therapeutic range. We explored whether a dynamically customized, phenotypic-outcome-guided drug dosing method could improve maintenance of drug trough levels within pre-determined target ranges, focusing on tacrolimus immediately after liver transplantation. This single-center, partially blinded, completed clinical trial involved 62 adults undergoing liver transplantation, block randomized into parallel groups: standard-of-care (SOC) clinician-determined or Phenotypic Personalized Medicine (PPM)-guided tacrolimus dosing. The primary outcome was percentage of post-transplant days with large …

The Relationship Between Female Genital Mutilation And Infertility: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Narges S. Soltani, Farahnaz Heshmat, Mohsen Dehghani, Robab L. Roudsari, Mohadese B. Ghalibaf, Samira E. Zagami

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

This systematic review aimed to investigate the relationship between female genital mutilation (FGM) and infertility. Online databases were systematically searched up to January 2024 using MeSH keywords to retrieve relevant observational studies. The methodological quality of the analytical cross-sectional studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, and a random-effects meta-analysis was used to address any heterogeneity. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was performed. A total of 5 analytical cross-sectional studies involving 37,146 participants, with 3 studies meeting the criteria for the meta-analysis. The results indicated that female circumcision (FC) was …

Nurturing The Future: Understanding Maternal Knowledge Of Child Development In Oman, Watfa Al-Mamari, Ahmed B. Idris, Saquib Jalees, Muna Al-Jabri, Mohammed A. Mirghani, Dina Al Khalili, Asila Al Yarubi, Jamana Al Zadjali, Zahra Al Lawati, Ayat Al Lawati, Ahmed Al Saidi, Kamila Al Alawi, Sathiya Murthi, Wafa S. Al-Maamari

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the knowledge of Omani women of childbearing age concerning infant developmental care. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1,006 Omani women of childbearing age, recruited from outpatient clinics at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (response rate = 71%). Their knowledge was evaluated using the Knowledge of Infant Development Inventory (KIDI), a validated self-report questionnaire. The KIDI scores were analysed to identify associations with demographic variables such as women’s age, education level, employment status and number of children. Data were collected from June 2023 to October 2023. Results: The mean age of the participating women was 31.6 …

Effectiveness Of Myofascial Release Compared To Manual Lymphatic Drainage In Reducing Post-Treatment Shoulder Pain And Stiffness Among Patients Who Underwent Breast Cancer Surgery And Adjuvant Radiotherapy: Randomised Controlled Trial, Chellappa Vijayakumar, Ankit Jain, M. Kalaranjani, Uday S. Kumbhar, Agarwal N. Kumar, G. S. Sreenath

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to adapt the myofascial release technique (MRT) in the form of massage, which will reduce pain and functional restriction of the shoulder joint compared to manual lymphatic drainage (MLD).
Methods: This study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in South India from September 2021 to September 2023. The study population included 98 patients older than 18 years who underwent surgery/adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer and developed complications. Patients with tendon/muscle injuries in neck/skin conditions, which made MRT difficult, were excluded. A trained physiotherapist delivered the interventions. Patient pain, range of movements at shoulder …

Symmetrical Peripheral Gangrene Associated With Plasmodium Vivax Malaria: A Case Report With A Brief Review Of Literature, Atanu Chandra, Koustav A. Shah, Debapratim Ganguly, Rupak Chatterjee, Sugata Dasgupta

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG) is an exceptionally uncommon complication of malaria, predominantly linked with Plasmodium falciparum and mixed infections. We report a 41-year-old female who presented to a tertiary care centre of eastern India in 2022 with complaint of fever with chills and rigor for 4 days along with pain and acrocyanosis of distal portions of bilateral upper and lower limbs for last 2 days. Investigations revealed anaemia and neutrophilic leucocytosis with thrombocytopaenia. The peripheral smear revealed trophozoites of P. vivax and the malaria rapid diagnostic test confirmed the presence of P. vivax antigen. D-dimer and fibrin degradation product was …

Mitigating Agricultural Income Volatility: Evidence From Crop Insurance Adoption In India, Annoushqa Bobde

Master's Theses

Income volatility resulting from crop loss presents a significant threat to rural livelihoods in India, where nearly half of the workforce is employed in agriculture. This study examines the causal impact of crop insurance uptake on farm income using nationally representative data from the 70th and 77th rounds of the National Sample Survey, merged with satellite-derived climate data and Harmful Degree Days (HDD), which is used as a proxy for crop-damaging temperature. To address selection bias in insurance enrollment, Propensity Score Matching, Inverse Propensity Weighting, and a Two-Way Fixed Effects model are used. Results show that insurance uptake is associated …

Breaking Barriers: How Reusable Menstrual Products Can Enhance School Attendance And Education For Girls In Kenya, Talia Jacobson

Master's Theses

In Kenya, statistics show that at least one in ten girls who are of the age of puberty miss school during their menstruation hindering their ability to finish schooling, secure a stable employment, and live independently. This thesis aims to highlight the issue of girls missing school due to their menstrual cycle, a problem that persists globally despite being solvable. The primary focus is on how reusable sanitary products, such as reusable pads, can aid girls to stay in school longer by addressing affordability and accessibility issues associated with commercial products, while also offering environmental benefits. The question guiding my …

The Effects Of Sudden Telework On The Productivity And Engagement Of Hr Employees, Lisa Renee Schlichtig

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a change in how individuals perceived the way of conducting work in the United States. Human resources (HR) leaders need to understand this change because many employees lost their jobs without the means for sustainable work. Other employees maintained their jobs, suddenly shifting to telework, resulting in mixed productivity and work engagement levels. The purpose of this quantitative moderation analysis study was to examine whether there was a moderating effect of employer-provided psychological resources on perceived productivity and work engagement among HR employees after the sudden shift to telework. The conservation of resources theory and the …

Aerial Robotic Studies Of Volcanic Co2 Emissions, John Ericksen

Computer Science ETDs

Volcanic systems are inherently complex, involving dynamic interactions among magma flow, gas emissions, and atmospheric dispersion. This dissertation focuses on developing and analyzing autonomous UAS algorithms for efficiently surveying volcanic CO2 plumes, introducing several novel methods: the LoCUS algorithm, a swarm coordination and self-healing algorithm that supports gradient-based plume tracking, a transect-based technique that employs a 2D Gaussian fit to calculate CO2 plume flux, and the Sketch algorithm for rapid plume boundary tracing. By treating multiple UAS as a single scientific instrument, these methods leverage swarm algorithms to use in-situ data in ways impossible with individual drones. Validated through simulations …

Before The Streetlights Come On: Black America’S Urgent Call For Climate Solutions, Caroline Dunn

Natural Resources Journal

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Hand-Wrist And Cvms Methods For Craniofacial Growth Spurt Assessment, Ardita Ajvazi

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Objective: Hand-wrist (HW) radiographs are considered the most accurate method for assessing pubertal growth spurts in orthodontics but have declined in use due to added radiation exposure and the expertise required. Cervical vertebral maturation staging (CVMS) is now commonly used, given the routine availability of lateral cephalograms. However, the validity of CVMS remains uncertain. A recent study reported only 66% inter-observer reliability across time periods (Ingersoll, 2024). This follow-up study aims to evaluate CVMS as a predictor of growth to guide clinical decision-making. Methods: With protocol approval (MU HR-4695), this retrospective study followed a design modeled after a prior study …

Satisfaction And Hopefulness Among Temporary Part-Time English Faculty Teaching At Minnesota State Community Colleges In The Twin Cities: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Fran Kennedy

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Community colleges across the United States have increasingly relied on adjunct faculty. With approximately 77% of community college faculty being part-time instructors (Center for Community College Student Engagement, 2014, as cited in Pons et al., 2017, p. 43), understanding their experiences is crucial for employee retention and satisfaction. This phenomenological study aimed to examine the lived experiences of temporary part-time community college English faculty and to see if their hopefulness for future full-time employment has been impacted over time. Using possible selves theory as a theoretical framework, this study sought to reflect on the impact of unsuccessfully seeking full-time employment …

A Phenomenological Study Of Factors That Impact Math Achievement In A Rural Midwestern Elementary School, Calina K. Krogen

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract

Educational leaders are under pressure to improve student performance in the content area of math after the greatest decline since the National Assessment of Academic Performance began in 1969 (The Nation's Report Card, 2022). Educational leaders are aware of the increasing gap in student performance in mathematics. While teachers recognize the importance of developing math instruction based on student centered needs and differentiated instruction.

The purpose of this research was to conduct a phenomenological study based on the lived experience of rural elementary math teacher’s confidence in instructional practices and the factors that impact their efforts to …

Adolescents And Technology - The True Impact Of Tech, Paige A. Schaefer

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

With the rapid advancement and increasing accessibility of technology, research has begun to focus on the impacts technology use can have on adolescents. Many young people think they understand how to use technology, but they may not understand the impacts it can have on their life. By having an understanding of these implications, both positive and negative, they can adjust their technology habits to increase their quality of life and set themselves up for success in the future. This paper begins with a review of the literature about the relationship between adolescents and technology followed by a training made for …

Grief Group Therapy Manual For Adolescents In School, Ella G. Richards

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Students often experience the loss of a parent, pet, relative, or friend. With high rates of students experiencing death or a loss before adulthood, school counselors are commonly providing grief or bereavement support. Read the literature in which examines the impact of grief and loss on students and the effectiveness of group therapy for grieving students. Students commonly experience various factors that lead to a downfall in their education when dealing with a loss. The research included content regarding interventions, impacts, and examples of grief group therapy curricula for school counselors to refer to when supporting grieving or bereaved students. …

My Story: Analysis Of Self, Sydney A. Holub

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

For this analysis of self-project, an in-depth exploration was conducted that explored both personal and professional facets learned throughout the counseling program and through relevant background information. Exploring different aspects of relevant background history to theories that were used to conceptualize development. To deepen the analysis of this project, assessments were conducted, results were used to understand more, and interviews with loved ones were all conducted. Lastly, identifying a plan for continued personal and professional development.

Keywords: development, theoretical orientation, assessments, background, education

Analysis Of Self: A Dive Into My Personal And Professional Life, April Kratcha

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

In this Analysis of Self, I reviewed relevant background information and experiences and discussed how they have shaped me as an individual and a counselor through the lenses of various theories of counseling. I examined the results of various assessments I have completed. I completed interviews with five individuals whom I am close with, and I discussed major themes among their responses. I utilized various psychological theories to conceptualize myself as an individual. I reflected on the process of writing my Analysis of Self and how it affected me both personally and professionally. Finally, I provided detailed plans in which …

What Makes Me The Counselor I Am?, Alison M. Ayotte

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Throughout this self-analysis, I evaluate relevant background information, various experiences, personality assessments, and counseling theories, and reflect on how they have shaped me as the person and counselor I am today. Bowlby’s Attachment Theory and Piaget's Developmental Stage Theory are mentioned throughout most of this self-reflection piece, as well as an in-depth reflection on interviews with important people in my life. Taking the time to delve into deep levels of self-exploration has proven to be difficult, yet very rewarding. The impact of this type of internal work is infinite, and my increase in self-awareness was accomplished. A plan for continuous …

Cultivating The Identity Development Of Multiracial Clients: A Group Psychotherapy Manual For Young Adults, Chesnea Shea German

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Within the United States, the multiracial community is the fastest growing demographic group (Yoo et al., 2016). Multiracial people defy how American society understands race, leading to a variety of concerns, such as racial identity invalidation and other acts of racism and discrimination, which negatively impact the identity development of young multiracial people. Inadequate identity development can lead to a variety of mental health concerns. Therefore, it has become increasingly more pressing for mental health providers to be knowledgeable about the unique mental health needs of the multiracial community as well as how to provide adequate care. The following literature …

Administrators’ And Teachers’ Perceived Importance Of The Holistic Framework For Professional Development Elements: Survey Research, Adrianna Cate

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This study researched the six elements of the Holistic Framework for Professional Development (HFPD) to understand administrators’ and teachers’ perceived importance and how demographic variables impacted those perceptions. This was done to contribute to the current gap in the literature regarding how to design and carry out effective professional development. The quantitative survey research utilized exponential, non-discriminative snowball sampling to recruit participants. Fifteen administrators, 64 teachers, and six participants working in ‘other’ roles in their school participated. These participants were citizens of fifteen different countries and worked across eleven countries worldwide. Even given this diverse sample, the results of this …

Analysis Of Self: Bloody Fingers & Bald Spots, Cregyn Demarce

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract

The purpose of this academic capstone project is to examine the fundamental concepts of my personal self-awareness, self-concept, and self-identity. This project explored my lived experience and the impact these experiences had on my behaviors and relationships. The process of this project included exploring my relevant background information, completing assessments, administering personal interviews and reflecting on responses, developing my theoretical orientation, reflecting on the impact of this project, and plan for professional development.

Keywords: Analysis of self, capstone project, mental health counseling

Analysis Of Self: How My Story Became My Purpose, Alexis Miller

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

In this analysis of self, information is shared that has led to pursuing a master's degree in counseling. Personal stories and experiences are shared that aid in reflecting on essential relationships as well as the impact of those relationships. Individual mental health components are also explored. Assessment results and interviews conducted with loved ones are explored, as well as how the results and interview responses deepened the analysis of self. Theoretical orientation is explored, including how components of selected theories resonate both personally and professionally. Finally, the impact of conducting the analysis of self is explored, as well as a …

English Language Development Teachers’ Cognitions And Self-Efficacy Of Reading Instruction For Adolescent Multilingual Learners, Jenna N. Hafner

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences, cognitions, and perceived self-efficacies of high school English language development (ELD) teachers in providing literacy instruction to adolescent multilingual learners (MLs). The study focused on three subpopulations of adolescent MLs, including students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE), experienced MLs who have been in U.S. schools for more than five years, and traditional MLs who have been in U.S. schools for fewer than five years and who have not had gaps in their prior education. The purpose of the study was to contribute to a gap in the current literature around …

Depression And Anger In Male Adolescents: A Cognitive Behavioral Group Manual, Ellen Nichole Lindquist

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Depression is a common mental health disorder experienced by children and adolescents. Depression in male adolescents often does not follow the DSM criteria as it does in girls. This literature review and manual will explore gender differences in the manifestation of depression symptoms, as well as the link between depression and anger in adolescent males. Additionally, effective treatments for depression and anger will also be explored. Treatment approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and pharmacological treatments. This group manual provides evidence-based CBT interventions that are effective in managing and treating symptoms of major depressive disorder, especially …