Digital Commons Network^™

Usa V. Edwin Williams

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Western District of Pennsylvania

In Re: Kudzai Shonhai

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Addressing Interoperability Issues In Employment For Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Teaching Self-Determination Skills In Conjunction With Early Exposure To Work Experiences, Matthew Husband

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Innovations in OT Symposium: Transforming Possibilities into Practice

Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who graduate from high school face higher rates of unemployment, lower wages than their neurotypical peers, and lower levels of self-determination, which is crucial for autonomy and positive adult outcomes. Early exposure to work experiences, whether paid or voluntary, has been identified as a key predictor of post-school success. However, there is a significant gap in services when students graduate from high school, and parents often lack the preparation to navigate transition-related resources related to their child’s employment, transportation and independent living.

To address these challenges, this project provided early exposure to work experiences, …

The College Voice, Vol. 62, No. 9 [April 23, 2025], Connecticut College

2024-2025

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Post-Exercise Hot Or Cold Water Immersion On Blood Pressure Regulation In Men And Women, Roberto Samano Cruz

Health Sciences Student Scholarship

Roberto Samano Cruz ’25, Health policy and management major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Brett Romano Ely, Health Sciences

Porous Hierarchically Ordered Hydrogels Demonstrating Structurally Dependent Mechanical Properties, Elisabeth C. Lloyd, Sujata Dhakal, Shahrouz Amini, Rami Alhasan, Peter Fratzl, Douglas R. Tree, Svetlana Morozova, Robert J. Hickey

Faculty Publications

While hierarchical ordering is a distinctive feature of natural tissues and is directly responsible for their diverse and unique properties, efforts to synthesize biomaterials have primarily focused on using molecular-based approaches with little emphasis on multiscale structure. Here, we report a bottom-up self-assembly process to produce highly porous hydrogel fibers that resemble extracellular matrices both structurally and mechanically. Physically crosslinked nanostructured micelles form the walls of micrometer-sized water-rich pores with preferred orientation along the fiber direction. Low elastic moduli (< 1 kPa), high elasticity (extending by more than 12 times the initial length), non-linear elasticity (e.g., hyperelasticity), and completely reversible extension are derived from unevenly distributed strain between the micrometer-sized pores and the polymer chains, which is reminiscent of cellular solids. Control of the material microstructure and orientation over many orders of magnitude (e.g., nm–μm), while holding the nanostructure constant, reveals how the multiscale structure directly impacts mechanical properties.

"She Could Worship Now Even In The Desert": The Monastic Life As An Escape To Higher Consciousness In The Works Of Henry James, Tabetha A. Madsen

Theses and Dissertations

Stephen Koch has argued that Henry James is a writer that is deeply concerned with consciousness (93). Many critics acknowledge James's attention to the metaphysical. What fewer critics have observed is that the study of the metaphysical was not simply an intellectual process for James. Instead, James's study of consciousness often reads like the private experiences of the mystic. Much of the mysticism in James's work comes from his frequent use of monastic images and values. James's use of the monastic image--characterized by the qualities of obedience, silence, celibacy, and escape--explores the limitations and possibilities of consciousness in a more …

Gnn Convergence And Accuracy Analysis On Contextual Stochastic Block Models, Trevor Garrity

Theses and Dissertations

Contextual Stochastic Block Models (cSBMs) are simple generative graph models commonly used to benchmark the performance of Graph Neural Networks (GNNs). In this thesis, I prove how inducing symmetries on general, nonlinear GNNs improves their cross entropy on cSBMs, and I derive the limiting accuracy of linear Graph Convolutional Networks (GCNs) on cSBMs. I use these results to derive the functional form of cross-entropy optimal GCNs on cSBMs and compare them to accuracy optimal GCNs.

A Unique Light: The Presence, Salience And Portrayal Of Unique Religious Values On College Football Television Broadcasts, Joseph Bradford Hovey

Theses and Dissertations

A mixed-methods content analysis case study of BYU football broadcasts (2023-2024), guided by agenda setting and framing theories, was conducted to determine to what extent the unique Latter-day Saint religious values of BYU were present and salient, as well as how they were framed, on BYU football television broadcasts. Using the university's 2024 brand messaging guide as a standard for topics indicative of such religious values, the 25 game broadcasts were analyzed and coded for presence or absence of religious values along with sentiment valence in each case. Frequency tests determined that 56% of games over the two seasons included …

Isolation Structure Simulation And Measurement To Reduce Transmit-Receive Coupling In Compact X-Band Fmcw Radar, Bruce E. Averill

Theses and Dissertations

Transmit-receive isolation in a compact X-band FMCW radar antenna system is critical for system performance. A set of candidate isolation structures are explored. In the process, performance of a commercial FDTD EM simulation software package is evaluated for antenna array modelling. Noise parameters of receiver electronics on a prototype radar processing front-end are tested. Improvements to the BYU Microwave Lab RF anechoic chamber are also reported, with a focus on measurement repeatability and antenna pattern angular resolution.

Influence Of The Duchesne Fault Zone On Oil Production In The Uinta Basin, Utah, Alan Matthew Ketring

Theses and Dissertations

The Duchesne Fault Zone (DFZ) is a series of east-west trending en echelon faults that developed synchronously above the neutral surface of the Duchesne Anticline during the Laramide Orogeny. The Duchesne Graben (DG) formed by decrease in displacement downward toward the neutral surface. Lake Canyon, a region that exposes the subsurface geology on the western portion of the DFZ, serves as an analog for fold formation within the saline facies of the lower Green River Formation, while Indian Canyon, an area created from the dip-slip faulting of the DG, provides clear exposures of the faulting within the sandstone-limestone facies of …

Exploring Representations And Inductive Bias For Machine Learning Tasks In Knot Theory, Nathaniel Driggs

Theses and Dissertations

Knot theory is a branch of mathematics that studies embeddings of the circle in $\mathbb{R}^3$ that are equivalent up to ambient isotopy. A link is a knot with one or more component. Knots and links have invariants, or functions from each knot to a set such as the integers or a family of polynomials. Predicting invariants can help us approximate them, understand them better, and find useful ways of representing knots and useful models for other machine learning tasks in knot theory. I perform many supervised learning experiments, predicting signature on a large, wide-ranging dataset using 5 different models and …

Power Series Rings Over Noncommutative Rings: Symmetry, Reversibility, And Semicommutativity, Nolan Ison

Theses and Dissertations

Let R be an associative, unital ring. One topic of interest is to assert R has some property, then determine what properties the polynomial ring R[x] and the power series ring R[[x]] are guaranteed to have. There are many relaxations of commutativity in rings. For example, a ring is said to be symmetric if abc = 0 implies acb = 0 for all a, b, c ∈ R. We discuss a certain construction of symmetric rings that we hope will yield the existence of a symmetric ring R such that the set of nilpotent elements in the power series ring …

Testing The Feasibility, Acceptability, And Preliminary Impact Of A Brief Behavioral Sleep Intervention To Improve School-Aged Childhood Sleep Behaviors, Isabella Delores Wright

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: Parent knowledge of what healthy sleep looks like in their children has scarcely been evaluated, and little is known as to whether improving child sleep through a brief behavioral intervention that emphasizes mastery, personalization, motivation, and modeling will enhance sleep outcomes in children. As a result, we designed this study with the following aims in mind: 1) determine existing parental knowledge of healthy child sleep practices of parents; 2) test the impact of a personalized, brief parental sleep intervention aimed at increasing parental self-efficacy and parent behaviors; and 3) determine preliminary feasibility, acceptability, and impact of this personalized intervention …

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, April 23, 2025, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Lindenwood Co-Hosts St. Louis Regional Collegiate Pickleball Tournament, Lindenwood University

Archived Lindenwood Press Releases

No abstract provided.

Spring 2025 Excellence In Research And Creative Inquiry And Incite Award Ceremony, Office Of Student Research, Longwood University

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

No abstract provided.

Spring 2025 Student Showcase For Research & Creative Inquiry Program, Office Of Student Research, Longwood University

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

No abstract provided.

Emdr Therapy Booth, Angela Reyes, Ana Ledezma, Kinsley Eiserloh, Coello Jimenez, Christian Rivera

Psychology Student Research - Archive

Our booth will provide an explanation of the lesser-known therapy known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is designed to alleviate psychological trauma. This therapy is particularly relevant for individuals affected by traumatic events that have caused distress in day-to-day life. We will offer a demonstration of the therapy session, inclusive of the equipment utilized during the process. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage with a qualified professional in the field who possesses relevant experience, allowing for a Q&A session.

Reality Therapy Booth, Emily Herrera, Kay Cedano, Genevieve Martinez, Gisselle Landeros, Laura Aguirre

Psychology Student Research - Archive

Our booth focuses on Reality Therapy, which is centered around fulfilling five basic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun while encouraging individuals to make effective choices. To demonstrate these concepts, we created a role-playing game using the mobile app Episode. The game is based on the Twilight movie series and incorporates the five basic needs to show how players can apply Choice Theory to take responsibility for meeting their own needs.

In the game, players take on the role of “Trella” (a parody of Bella), and can choose between Schmacob (Jacob), Fredward (Edward), or themselves as a …

Cultivating A New Agricultural Ethos: An Environmentalist Reading Of John Steinbeck And Barbara Kingsolver, Will Fletcher

English Honors Theses

This thesis examines the agricultural criticisms of John Steinbeck in conversation with those of Barbara Kingsolver. It argues that Kingsolver answers Steinbeck’s agricultural criticisms in her own works with a vision of an improved food system that benefits farmers, consumers, and the environment. The first chapter looks at the 1939 classic The Grapes of Wrath, arguing that Steinbeck levels four main criticisms against industrial agriculture, all of which point towards a social movement aimed at protesting against the exploitation of the natural world. The second chapter opens with a dialogue between Steinbeck (informed by The Grapes of Wrath and Travels …

The Relationship Between Stress, Burnout, Attendance, And Methods Of Self-Care Among Teachers, Jennifer M. Sturm

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teachers exposed to prolonged stress have been documented at higher risk for poor physical and mental health, including high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression. To ameliorate the effects of prolonged stress, teachers have employed a variety of coping strategies, and some sought medical care. To date, little research exists regarding absenteeism and medication usage among teachers. This study sought to determine the relationship between stress, burnout, and medication usage in relation to absenteeism. This study also sought to determine the role of thriving in the above relationships. An internet-based survey was distributed to U.S. teachers via social media and email. …

Exploring The Role Of Azoreductase Enzymes In Drug Metabolism: Implications For Personalized Medicine, Najoude Claude, Robert Ghergurovich

Chemistry & Biochemistry Student Scholarship

Najoude Claude ’26, Biology major

Robert Ghergurovich ’26, Biochemistry major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Tyler Stack, Chemistry and Biochemistry

The gut microbiome hosts trillions of microorganisms that metabolize xenobiotics such as drugs and food dyes. Individual differences lead to variable drug metabolism. We studied two azoreductases: E. coli’s P41407 and Alistipes sp. CHKCL003’s A0A143XFE8. Enzyme P41407 acted on methyl red and ethyl red, while A0A143XFE8 acted on these and also on phenol blue, HMND, and sunset yellow. We propose these enzymes function as quinone reductases, requiring a quinone-like intermediate. Three synthesized compounds confirmed similar kinetics. In conclusion, these insights significantly advance …

The Enterprise Work Management Framework’S Impact On Organizational Effectiveness, Jessica J. Crowley

JWU Dissertations & Theses

Organizations need to be effective to stay relevant in a constantly changing environment (Mergel et al., 2019). No pre-existing theoretical frameworks provide leaders with a tested, holistic work management strategy that is proven to positively impact organizational effectiveness (Mergel et al., 2019). Without structured work management practices, organizations experience low levels of work visibility which translates into reactive decision-making and decreased organizational effectiveness (Burke, 2024).

The newly created Enterprise Work Management (EWM) framework provides leaders with a holistic work management strategy that is proven to positively impact organizational effectiveness. The findings from this study address a gap in organizational effectiveness …

Beyond The Horizon: A Comprehensive Study On The Evolution And Application Of Machine Learning Techniques In Diverse Fields, Rabia Aslam Khan, Hafiz Burhan Ul Haq

Sustainable Machine Intelligence Journal

In the past few decades, Machine Learning (ML) has become the most popular area for research. Many business entities have realized that the machine would help in increasing calculation potential. This main contribution is that it provides a systematic literature review, which gives details of machine learning approaches in various fields. Moreover, it provides a taxonomy of machine learning approaches. In this paper, a review of machine learning techniques and approaches has been discussed that are used in various fields such as, Bioinformatics, Intrusion Detection, using the approach “Systematic Literature Review”. In primary search, 7856 papers were retrieved and appraised …

Philharmonia Orchestra Concert: April 23, 2025, Jillian Kouzel, Katherine Lewis, Glenn Block, Brody Macias, Brandon Campos

School of Music Programs

Kemp Recital Hall

April 23, 2025

Wednesday Evening

7:30 p.m.

2025-04-23 Walking Up To The Plate, What Are Baseball And Softball Players Listening To?, Diego Dumlao

The Spectator Online

No abstract provided.

From Global Trends To Patient-Level Data: Helping Adolescents With Sickle Cell Disease Become Adults, Kelly Pimenta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited hemoglobinopathy that remains a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality. While advances in neonatal screening, therapeutic interventions, and supportive care have significantly improved survival rates, individuals with SCD continue to experience challenges, particularly during pediatric to adult healthcare. Health care transition (HCT) represents a critical period associated with increased healthcare utilizations and a heightened risk of mortality. Although structured transition programs have been implemented in high-income countries (HICs), transition readiness remains largely unaddressed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Brazil. The dissertation aims to assess the burden of SCD, identify the …

Data From: The Dynamic Responses Of The Mouse Gut Microbiome To Dietary Supplementation With Various Anthocyanin-Rich Foods In The Context Of A Western Diet, Abby D. Benninghoff

Browse all Datasets

Background/Objectives: Anthocyanin (ACN)-rich foods may support gut health by modulating the microbiome and reducing inflammation, potentially lowering the risk of colitis-associated colorectal cancer. However, the dynamic response of the gut microbiome to ACN-rich diets is not well characterized, including in the context of structural and compositional differences among ACN-containing foods. This study examined the temporal response of the mouse gut microbiome to dietary ACNs, focusing on the impact of structural variation. We hypothesized that microbiome shifts would occur rapidly but require sustained dietary ACN intake to persist. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were fed the total Western diet (TWD) supplemented with freeze-dried …

Sleep Deprivation Increases Mortality Risk Among Older Adults With Epilepsy, Srikanta Banerjee, Jagdish Khubchandani, Stanley Nkemjika

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

Introduction: Among U.S. adults, over 3 million report a history of epilepsy, accounting for nearly 1.2% of the population. Sleep deprivation is a well-known risk factor for increased likelihood, intensity, and length of seizures. However, the long-term impact of sleep deprivation on people with epilepsy is not well explored. The purpose of this study was to assess mortality risk among individuals with epilepsy based on sleep duration.

Methods: Data from the 2008–2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were linked with mortality data from the National Death Index (NDI) for US adults aged 65 years and older. Survival curves showed the …