Digital Commons Network^™

Draft Final 2022 Unreclaimed Sites Sampling: Ur-28 Site Evaluation Summary Report, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

From Doing Business To B-Ready: World Bank’S New Rankings Represent A Rebrand, Not A Revamp, Fernanda G. Nicola, Dhaisy Paredes Guzman

Popular Media

In 2021, the World Bank shut down one of its flagship projects: the Doing Business index, a global ranking system that measured how easy it was to start and run a business in 190 countries. It followed an independent investigation that found World Bank officials had manipulated the rankings to favor powerful countries, including China and Saudi Arabia. The scandal raised serious concerns about the use of global benchmarks to shape development policy. Now, the Bank is trying again. In October 2024, it launched its newest flagship report, Business Ready. The 2025 spring meeting of the World Bank and its …

A Novel Approach To CExp Average Assignments On Chain Graphs, A. Rajesh Kannan

Baghdad Science Journal

In general, the exponential average of two positive numbers does not have to be an integer. Because of this, the exponential average needs to be an integer that takes into consideration the flooring or ceiling function. It has been defined that graphs can be labeled with an exponential average, where the flooring function or the ceiling function can apply labels to the edges. To establish the exponential average assignment on graphs, consider the edge labels that arise from the ceiling function alone. The vertex assignment function 𝛿 and edge assignment function 𝛿∗ are called a Cexp average assignment of the …

Transformations Of Polarization States Due To Reflective Scattering, James Reed Anisi

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Personalized Biofeedback For Stress Reduction: Modulating The Autonomic Nervous System Through Slow Breathing And Cardiovascular Monitoring, Elijah Cade Moore

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

2025-04-23 Message From The President, Morehead State University. Office Of The President.

Staff Congress Records

A message sent by the Office of the President to the campus community on April 23, 2025, regarding upcoming events on campus, recognition of Women's Golf Team, personnel updates, new Doctor of Engineering Program, department name changes, and building construction and repairs.

Do Super Shoes Improve Drop Jump Performance?, Emily Urban

Honors Theses

Super shoes are responsible for the astonishing improvements in marathon times; however, it is unknown whether they can also aid athletes when it comes to jumping performance. Thus, the present study was designed to investigate if super shoes improve jump performance in athletes in comparison with regular athletic shoes, as measured by vertical jump height and torque during a drop jump maneuver. In addition, the study investigated if there were differences in kinetic and kinematic variables during jumping between shoes, as measured by torque production at the hip, knees, and ankles during takeoff.

U.S. Births Up Slightly But Remain Near 40-Year Lows, Kenneth M. Johnson

Carsey Publications

In this brief, author Kenneth Johnson reports that new National Center for Health Statistics data for 2024 show a slight increase in annual births and the birth rate from 2023. Even with the uptick, both the number of births and the birth rate were near 40-year lows, and there is no evidence of a significant increase in fertility rates in the new data.

The long-term impact of the fertility decline has been substantial. There would have been 11.8 million more births in the last 17 years had 2007 fertility patterns been sustained through 2024. The expense and limited availability of …

Differences In Reported Mental Health For Schools Which Either Ban Or Allow Smartphones, Krista Moyer

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Since approximately 2012, multiple international studies have found that rates of adolescent mental illness are increasing, with smartphone use proposed as one potential cause. Smartphone and social media use has been found to be associated with increased rates of mental illness. Few studies have examined the impact of smartphone policies in schools alongside the variable of mental health. This study examined the mental health items of the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) in order to compare the mental health of students who were in schools which banned or allowed smartphones. Schools were grouped by policy based on a survey of administrators …

Molecular Insights Into Antibiofilm Inhibitors Of Streptococcus Mutans Glucosyltransferases Through In Silico Approaches, Lubna Atta, Ali Raza Siddiqui, Mamona Mushtaq, Sajida Munsif, Mohammad Nur-E-Alam, Aftab Ahmad, Zaheer Ul-Haq

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Streptococcus mutans, a primary cariogenic bacterium, plays a central role in dental caries, one of the most widespread chronic diseases globally. Glucosyltransferases (GTFs) are key virulence factors in this process, as they synthesize extracellular polysaccharides that contribute to biofilm formation and pathogenicity. Targeting GTFs has emerged as a promising strategy for preventing dental caries, with previous studies demonstrating its potential efficacy. This study builds on our prior work by providing detailed molecular insights into the binding modes of previously identified GTF inhibitors. Using computational tools, including density functional theory, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations, we examined the binding …

Exploring Ddr2’S Role In Caf Extracellular Matrix Production And Tumor Progression, Favour Ayomide Akinjiyan

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Ovarian cancer has poor survival outcomes particularly for advanced stage, metastatic disease. Metastasis is promoted by interactions of stromal cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME), with tumor cells. CAFs play a key role in tumor progression by remodeling the TME and extracellular matrix (ECM) to result in a more permissive environment for tumor progression. It has been shown that fibroblasts, in particular myofibroblasts, utilize metabolism to support ECM remodeling. However, the intricate mechanisms by which CAFs support collagen production and tumor progression are poorly understood. In this study, we show that the fibrillar collagen receptor, …

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session Wednesday April 23, 2025, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

Acceptance of the Agenda

Remarks by the Chair of the Board

Remarks by the President

Action Items

• Appointment of Western Michigan University’s Tenth President
• Remarks by Shared Governance Leaders
• Remarks by the President Elect

Fs Transcript 2025-04-23, Northern Illinois University

Faculty Senate Archives

No abstract provided.

Lived Experiences Of Adult Christian Men Navigating Religious Beliefs And Internet Pornography Use, Chiante' Josiah Jemison

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Religious individuals who engage in pornography use often experience guilt, shame, and cognitive dissonance, creating internal conflict that may lead to anxiety, depression, and strained personal and spiritual relationships. Guided by cognitive dissonance theory, this qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of 15 adult Christian men (ages 18-44) who struggled with problematic internet pornography use and scrupulosity. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using Yin’s five-step process to identify recurring themes. Findings revealed that faith served both as a source of strength and a contributor to emotional distress, with participants experiencing cycles of guilt, secrecy, and relapse. …

An Evaluation Of The Relationship Between Case Management And Gateway Course Participation And Completion Rates For Ftic Students At A Small, Rural, State College Campus In The Southeastern United States, Roberto Carballoso

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many first-time in college (FTIC) students are underprepared for the required courses (i.e., gateway courses) of mathematics and English, resulting in low retention rates across the United States especially for diverse and marginalized students. Many colleges have implemented various support programs for FTIC students; however, limited systematic research exists on the success of these programs. Guided by the student retention integrated model by Carbrera et al., the purpose of this quantitative ex post facto study was to assess the efficacy of the Student Learning Center's (SLC) tutoring program on academic outcomes for FTIC students, who have been categorized as high-risk …

Staff Education On The Management Of Diabetes Among Type 2 Diabetic Black American Patients, Ngozi Philomena Anonyuo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The aim of this staff education project was to increase nurses’ knowledge and confidence in providing patient education for diabetes self-management. Insufficient nurse knowledge regarding diabetes care and management was the gap in The practice-focused question was: Among Black American patients, does increasing nurses’ knowledge regarding implementation of diabetes-self management education programs result in a measurable increase in knowledge about diabetes management, ultimately contributing to improved expected diabetic outcomes involving glycemic control and reduced complications? Analytical strategies included descriptive and comparative analysis of deidentified pre- and post-knowledge assessments to evaluate the program’s impact on learning outcomes. An anonymous satisfaction survey …

Leadership Strategies For Employee Engagement And Retention In Behavioral Health Organizations, Nneka Grace Slater

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Healthcare business leaders encounter significant challenges related to employee engagement and retention across the United States. These healthcare business leaders are increasingly concerned with developing effective leadership strategies that promote employee engagement and ensure retention for periods extending beyond 5 years for improved organizational performance. Grounded in participative theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies business owners use to minimize employees’ intent to leave. The participants included six behavioral healthcare leaders in Monroe, Louisiana, United States, who successfully implemented strategies to engage and retain their employees for at least 5 years. Data were collected using …

Retroactive Quality Improvement By Utilization Of The Leaf, Preston Stigall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary This project is a retroactive quality improvement initiative to evaluate the effectiveness of the LEAF wearable pressure sensor and reduce sacral hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) in critically-ill adult patients. The practice problem addressed is the high incidence of pressure injuries in hospitalized patients, which can lead to increased mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. The evidence-based practice question was: In critically ill adult patients at risk of pressure injuries, how does the use of the LEAF wearable pressure sensor compared to standard care without sensors impact the incidence of sacral HAPIs over the past year? The purpose …

Well-Being In Disney Animated Feature Films, 2013–2023, Ruth Zeman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Most existing research on Disney animated films has concentrated on problematic themes, including stereotypical portrayals of romantic relationships or aggression, while comparatively little attention has been given to how these films may also convey positive messages and promote prosocial behavior. Research on well-being is particularly relevant, given its strong association with improved health outcomes and the development of positive interpersonal relationships. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how well-being is portrayed in Disney animated feature films released between 2013 and 2023. Seligman’s model of well-being, which consists of the pursuit and attainment of five core pillars—positive …

Educating Nurses On Medication Adherence For Adderall In Adult Patients With Adhd, Alexine Kejika Nansinla

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to address the critical issue of stimulant medication adherence in adult patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by implementing a staff education initiative for nurses at a psychiatric private practice. Nonadherence to medications like Adderall poses significant challenges in symptom management and overall patient outcomes. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model and the ADDIE instructional design framework, this project developed and implemented a structured educational program tailored to nursing staff. The program included an evidence-based PowerPoint presentation, interactive discussions, and a 10-item pre- and posttest questionnaire validated using the Content Validity …

Effective Strategies For Hiring Military Veterans To Improve Organizations' Performance, Danielle Murlann Delint

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some hiring managers in Texas lack effective strategies to recruit military veterans, resulting in missed opportunities to enhance organizational performance and, in some cases, the hiring of less-qualified workers. Business leaders and hiring managers care about solving this problem because accessing the highly skilled veteran workforce can improve productivity, reduce training costs, and strengthen overall organizational outcomes. Built upon the theoretical foundation of person-organization fit theory, this qualitative multiple case study was conducted to identify and explore effective strategies hiring managers of medium-sized Texas organizations use to hire military veterans to improve organizational performance. The participants were seven hiring managers …

The Leading Causes Of Homelessness In Two Southeastern Counties Of Pennsylvania, Lucia Christine Spargo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homelessness is a complex and multifaceted leading social issue in the United States. Society tends to focus on the individual as the cause of their own homelessness, blaming the victim rather than larger social and/or economic factors. There is an excess amount of data surrounding why/how an individual becomes homeless, but there is very little research examining the leading causes of homelessness in smaller geographic areas, such as counties. This study provides a better understanding and analysis of the leading causes of homelessness in two suburban counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania using binary logistic regression. Using ArcGIS, the study identified potential …

Common And Uncommon Health Conditions Of Adolescents And Adults With Down Syndrome, Brian Chicoine

Advocate GME

Some health conditions such as thyroid disorders and sleep apnea are more common in people with Down syndrome compared to people without Down syndrome. Other conditions such as solid tumor cancers and high blood pressure are less common. In this presentation, Brian Chicoine, MD, will describe differences in the prevalence of health conditions in adolescents and adults with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome. He will discuss how these differences may affect health promotion and health care of people with Down syndrome. He will also highlight different types of resources that can be used by people with Down …

Pathos And Power: Gendered Rhetoric In Ciceronian Rome And The 21st-Century U.S., Alexandra Berardelli

College Honors Program

This thesis explores the power of persuasion in two major eras: in the 1st century BCE in Rome and the 21st-century United States. Marcus Tullius Cicero was a prolific orator, lawyer, and statesman in the late Roman Republic. His orations have been studied for his expertise in rhetorical prowess. This thesis considers his approach to persuading his audience, an all-male jury, and how he effectively uses pathos, or the appeal to the emotions, to target gendered expectations of his male listeners. I explore Cicero’s characterization of two women in two speeches: Sassia in the Pro Cluentio (66 BCE) and Clodia …

A Natural Short Sleep Mutation Promotes Longevity Through Mitochondrial Respiration In Drosophila, Pritika Pandey

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Aging is an irreversible process characterized by progressive physiological decline and an increased risk of metabolic disorders, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegeneration. Disruptions to the circadian clock—whether due to genetic mutations or behavioral factors—accelerate aging and age-related pathologies, highlighting a strong link between circadian regulation and longevity. However, certain individuals harbor a dec2^P384R mutation, which enables natural short sleep without the detrimental effects of chronic sleep deprivation. This suggests that these individuals have evolved adaptations that activate pro-health pathways, allowing them to function optimally with reduced sleep. To investigate the genetic mechanisms underlying these changes, we developed a …

Through The Looking Glass : Diversity Through The Eyes Of A Dress Form, Amara Copeland

LSU Master's Theses

This article aims to look into educational institutions and how they address diversity using curatorial displays. Does fashion and costume curation add to the seclusion of luxury? Looking into this correlation, this study aims to answer these next couple of questions. How does museum curation add to fashion social norms? Is it a subconscious or conscious decision when deciding on a mannequin or dress form? How do museum and fashion curations add to the exclusion of minorities in the world of luxury? What is costume luxury, and who do we say can obtain it?

This research aims to understand the …

Retrospective Analysis Of Cement Extravasation Rates In Vertebroplasty, Kyphoplasty, And Bone Tumor Radiofrequency Ablation, Soun Sheen, Prit Hasan, Xiaowen Sun, Jian Wang, Claudio Tatsui, Saba Javed

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Percutaneous vertebral augmentation techniques, including vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, and bone tumor radiofrequency ablation (BT-RFA), are commonly used to treat painful vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). While generally safe and effective, they carry risks, including cement extravasation, which can lead to pulmonary embolism or spinal cord compression. This study aims to compare the rate of cement extravasation across different vertebral augmentation techniques and identify potential risk factors.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a comprehensive cancer center on 1002 procedure encounters in 888 patients who underwent vertebral augmentation for painful VCFs. Data were collected on patient demographics, fracture pathology, procedure …

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

The Spectator Online

No abstract provided.

2025-04-23 Reign Win Rivalry Match In Gritty Fashion, Milan Damjanac

The Spectator Online

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Antidiabetic Medication Type On A New Episode Of Depression: A Retrospective Cohort Study In Texas, Usa, Lin-Na Chou, Mukaila A Raji, Holly M Holmes, Yong-Fang Kuo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: To examine the associations between antidiabetic medication type and a new episode of depression using 100% Texas Medicare database during 2009 and 2018.

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Setting: A population-based study using the Texas Medicare data.

Interventions: 11 common antihyperglycaemic medication types, alone and in combinations: metformin-only, five non-metformin-containing regimens (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i) only, sulfonylureas (SU) only, thiazolidinediones (TZD) only, SU/DPP4i and SU/TZD) and five metformin-containing combination treatments (metformin/DPP4i, metformin/SU, metformin/TZD, metformin/SU/DPP4i and metformin/SU/TZD).

Participants: This study included 59 057 type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients from a cohort of Texas Medicare beneficiaries who were aged ≥66 years, …