Digital Commons Network^™

Quality Improvement Project New And Novice Nurse Faculty: Orientation Bootcamp, Megan Titus

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The ongoing shortage of nurse educators across the United States has led to a critical need among nursing programs, particularly in rural areas. A quality improvement project was developed in response to literature regarding the need for new and novice nurse educator orientation programs and limited structured onboarding at the implementation site. The quality improvement project implemented an orientation boot camp for new and novice nurse educators. Guided by Benner’s Novice to Expert Theory (Benner, 2023) and Lippitt’s Phases of Change Theory (Barrow, 2022), the project aimed to enhance faculty preparedness through educational support related to seventeen key nursing education …

A Qualitative Exploration Of The Incorporation Of Nature Into Multilevel Social Work Practice, Tessa Palmer

Social Work Doctoral Dissertations

Humans have an innate connection to nature, often referred to as biophilia. Besides providing the basic necessities for life, interacting with nature has been connected to lower rates of depression and hypertension, improved hospital outcomes, reduced stress, better cognition, and many other benefits. Conversely, increased urbanization is being linked to more chronic medical conditions than in the past due to social inequalities, lifestyle factors, and environmental degradation. People of color and lower socioeconomic status are being disconnected from nature through environmental racism that leads to higher exposure to toxins and pollutants, less access to clean drinking water, and lack of …

“Mommy And Me”: A Phenomenological Study Into The Experiences Of African American Parents In Their Child’S Teletherapy Session, Cleveland E. Robinson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of African American parents involved in their child’s teletherapy session. The study seeks to describe how these experiences occurred in the context of transitional change as these parents and children transitioned from in person therapy to telehealth due to COVID-19 or other major life circumstance. The theory guiding this study is Schlossberg’s transitional theory which highlights how change impacts the lives of people through unique individual experiences. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews that were administered to 10 participants. From these interviews four themes were created. These themes …

Spiritual Disciplines And Christian Formative Education: Tools To Jump-Start Spiritual Formation And Eliminate Stagnation, Darrick J. Willis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The researcher aims to uncover the fundamental causes of spiritual stagnation, particularly the tendency to over-rely on established traditions, and to assess the detrimental effects of this phenomenon on the life and activities of the church. Spiritual formation is the process through which Christians are transformed into the likeness of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Intentionality and growth are paramount for believers, as neglecting these elements can lead to spiritual stagnation. Contemporary literature emphasizes that spiritual formative education is central to fostering intentionality. The correlation between increased knowledge and a heightened desire to learn is crucial; both …

Fort Hays State University Tiger Weekly, April 18, 2025, University Relations

Tiger Weekly Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Assessing Molecular And Morphological Methods For Diatom Taxonomy, Hailey Conrad

D.U.Quark

Diatoms are unicellular algae that are found in freshwater. Diatom communities are useful for monitoring water quality because they are directly impacted by pH, conductivity, phosphorus, and nitrogen content. Current methods of identifying the taxonomic makeup of a diatom community include morphological analysis with microscopy and eDNA metabarcoding. Both methods can be applied together to assess water quality by identifying indicator diatoms. However, microscopy methods are time-consuming, eDNA metabarcoding methods are unstandardized, and DNA databases are unorganized. This review explores the differences between morphology and eDNA metabarcoding methods, the cons of each method, and how they are both used for …

Technology Anxiety In Virtual Reality Adoption: Examining The Impact Of Age, Past Experience, And Cybersickness, Eman Al Khalifah, Ramy Hammady, Mahmoud Abdelrahman, Ons Al-Shamaileh, Mostafa Marghany, Hatana El-Jarn, Alyaa Darwish, Yusuf Kurt

All Works

This study examines the role of Technology Anxiety (TA), age, past use, and cybersickness in the adoption of Virtual Reality (VR) technology. Using an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the research integrates age and past use as antecedents of TA and evaluates their influence on perceived ease of use (PEoU), perceived enjoyment (PENJ), and user attitudes. Data from 206 participants were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) following a VR pilgrimage experience. The findings challenge conventional assumptions, revealing that past VR use increased TA, contradicting prior studies that associate familiarity with reduced anxiety. Additionally, older users exhibited …

How Discriminatory Housing Policies Segregated Kalamazoo, Jacob Walsh

Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the historical and contemporary legacy of racially discriminatory housing policies in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Using primary documents, census data, and secondary literature, it examines how government-sanctioned practices like redlining, racially restrictive covenants, urban renewal projects, and exclusionary zoning contributed to the segregation of Kalamazoo’s Black residents. Contrary to the narrative that residential segregation in northern cities was merely “de facto”, the thesis emphasizes the deliberate nature of these policies, carried out by federal, state, and local institutions in collaboration with real estate and banking industries.

The research focuses on the lasting economic impacts of redlining, especially in neighborhoods …

From First Draft To Final Frame: Exploring Storytelling Across Mediums, Lydia Cowan

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the creative adaptation of an original young adult novel into a two-part television screenplay. The story follows Bobbi, a sixteen-year-old girl who is institutionalized after a mental health crisis, as she navigates grief, trauma, and recovery through a voice that is sharp, self-aware, and darkly humorous.

The project consists of eight chapters of prose, totaling 36 pages, and two screenplay episodes comprising 87 pages. The work focuses on how character, tone, and internal voice shift between novel and screen formats. Key themes include mental health, loss, identity, and the use of humor as a survival mechanism. The …

Impact Of Witnessing Intimate Partner Violence For Elementary Age Children: Counseling Recommendations, Makayla Essington

Honors Theses

This literature review explores the significant impacts that witnessing intimate partner violence (IPV) has on elementary-aged children and presents evidence-based counseling interventions to support their healing. Children are not always direct victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). However, simply witnessing intimate partner violence (IPV) in the home has significant impacts on children, such as emotionally, physically, cognitively, and behaviorally. This literature review highlights the significant impacts of intimate partner violence (IPV) on children’s mental health, including risk of anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and PTSD symptoms. Witnessing intimate partner violence also impacts the physical health of children, including risk for sleep disturbances …

Green Grass And Sassafras: Finding Place In Middle Appalachia, Cody Austin Hester

Masters Theses

This paper is concerned with grounding poems about Middle Appalachia. The region more plainly focused is Southwest Virginia, where I have lived for 25 years. Through the collection of poems, it is apparent how the culture, history, and nature of Appalachia have informed my poems. My goal for the collection is for someone who has never been to Appalachia to see the beauty of the region and its people. For those who are from the region, I desire that they develop a deeper appreciation for our home.

The critical paper posits that the best way for someone to experience this …

From Food To Fashion: Bio-Based Textiles Advancing Sustainability And Socioeconomic Growth In Emerging Markets, Andrew Burnstine

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

The global fashion industry is undergoing a profound shift towards sustainability, driven by innovations in bio-based textiles derived from agricultural byproducts such as cactus, pineapple, banana, coconut, fungi, and bacterial cultures. This article comprehensively explores the technological advancements, industry adoption trends, socioeconomic impact on emerging markets, and barriers to widespread adoption of bio-based textiles. The alignment of these innovations with global sustainability initiatives, key industry collaborations, and policy interventions are also examined.

Enhancing Use Of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics Via Evidence-Based Protocols In Outpatient Psychiatry, Lunette Walker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This quality improvement project aimed to improve continuity of care for individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder by implementing an evidence-based protocol to increase the use of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics in an outpatient psychiatric setting. Guided by the Iowa Model and Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring, the intervention focused on the early identification of individuals at risk of relapse, the adoption of standardized protocols, education for both patients and caregivers and structured staff training. The protocol, adapted from the Taiwanese Society of Biological Psychiatry and Neuropsychopharmacology (TSBPN), provided clear criteria for LAI initiation and follow-up care. Outcomes …

Pp 535 Carlton Tc Llc V. Cosme

All Decisions

The landlord brought a motion for a preliminary injunction against the tenant and her co-occupant due to persistent nuisance behavior caused by their three pit bulls. The dogs had exhibited repeated aggression toward tenants, children, staff, and other pets, accompanied by threatening and abusive conduct from the owners. Despite a Notice to Cure and ongoing summary holdover proceedings, the tenant failed to act. The court found the landlord established a likelihood of success, irreparable harm, and a balance of equities in its favor. The dogs' behavior, coupled with the tenant's inaction, created a dangerous, intolerable environment. The court granted injunctive …

Data Visualization Training And Support At The Uab Libraries, Ashley S. Mcguire

Libraries Professional Work

FDGP poster event, Alys Stephens center, April 18, 2025

Exploration Of The Separation Mechanism Of Flurbiprofen And Nimesulide Utilizing Rp-Hplc, Bashaer A. Al-Phalahy, Mustafa J. Mohammed

Baghdad Science Journal

This study aims to create an easy method for simultaneously measuring nimesulide and flurbiprofen in pharmaceutical formulations. This research provides insight into how variations in buffer concentration, pH levels, and acetonitrile content influence the separation mechanism of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The retention time of two NSAIDs was increased with an increase of eluent pH value from 3 to 5.5. When acetonitrile content increased from 5 % to 50 %, the retention of two target drugs decreased, indicating hydrophobic and ionic interactions. The RP - HPLC system with UV detection accomplished separation (250×4.60 mm, 130Å , and 5) using …

Existence And Nonexistence Of Positive Solutions For Fractional Boundary Value Problems With Lidstone-Inspired Fractional Conditions, Jeffrey Lyons, Jeffrey T. Neugebauer, Aaron G. Wingo

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

This paper investigates the existence and nonexistence of positive solutions for a class of nonlinear Riemann–Liouville fractional boundary value problems of order 𝛼 +2⁢𝑛, where 𝛼 ∈(𝑚 −1,𝑚] with 𝑚 ≥3 and 𝑚,𝑛 ∈ℕ. The conjugate fractional boundary conditions are inspired by Lidstone conditions. The nonlinearity depends on a positive parameter on which we identify constraints that determine the existence or nonexistence of positive solutions. Our method involves constructing Green’s function by convolving the Green functions of a lower-order fractional boundary value problem and a conjugate boundary value problem and using properties of this Green function to apply the Guo–Krasnosel’skii …

Probiotic Promise Verses Reality: A Quantitative Analysis, Gabby Ramos Yarala, Cassandra S. Korte

Student Publications and Presentations

Understanding gut health isn't just about digestion, it's the key to unlocking mental clarity, immune efficiency, and long-term wellness. The gut microbiome consists of bacteria located in the gut. These bacteria assist with digestion, destroying harmful bacteria, and managing the immune system. Probiotics are live microorganisms found in food and drinks. Mainstream highly promoted probiotic products such as kombucha, drinkable probiotic yogurt, and apple cider vinegar were tested to determine which popular products would have the highest bacteria count. To measure these counts, a serial dilution method was used. The results suggest that drinkable probiotic yogurt had the highest probiotic …

Apolipoprotein Ε2 Potential Protection Against Long Term Consequence Of Traumatic Brain Injury: Thesis Proposal, Rebecca Mesidort, Kimberly D. Rowland

Student Publications and Presentations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the highest causes of death in the United States to date, while also posing long-term neurological effects. Research has shown that the APOE ε2 gene is a protective gene against some neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer’s (Shinohara, M., 2020). This study will investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of Apolipoprotein ε2 (APOE2) as a genetic approach to a possible resilience to TBI, using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. Utilizing transgenic flies, expressing APOE ε2 with another fly with the UAS-CNS line, allows for a progeny line with APOE ε2 in their …

Influence Of Implant Dimensions On Survival Rate And Clinical Outcomes In The Posterior Region: A Systematic Study, Alaa Jasim Mohammed, Saja Ali Muhsin, Raad Saeed Al-Marza

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

The objective of this systematic study was to offer a comprehensive examination of use of posterior dental implants. especially from the perspective of length and diameter. Electronic searches were done in Google Scholar, Utilizing the following keywords: ``Dental Implant,'' ``Wide Diameter Implant,'' ``Narrow Diameter Implant,'' ``Limited Space,'' PubMed and Embase were consulted. ``Long Implant'', ``Short Implant'', ``Posterior Region'' and their synonyms to discover relevant publications published between 2004 and 2024. About 190 studies were screened during the mentioned period based on their title and abstracts. Yet, only 18 studies were included in the review, which satisfied the study requirements inclusion …

The Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness In Subjects With Emmetropia, Mild Myopia, And Mild Hypermetropia In An Iraqi Sample, Mohammed Qasim Alnuwaini, Alyea Abood Kareem

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: The measurement of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) these days is possible with the high resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT). Objectives: To measure the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in subjects with emmetropia, mild myopia and mild hypermetropia by using OCT. Materials and methods: This is cross sectional descriptive study with a total of 182 healthy subjects who had visited Ibn Al Haitham eye teaching hospital the ages of the participants were between 18 to 40 years. The participants were randomly selected and categorized to three groups (emmetropic, mild myopic hypermetropia) each group was studied for the effect …

Big Five Personality Traits And Emotional Eating In Young Adults, Madisyn Mae Andrade, Patrick J. Cooper

Student Publications and Presentations

Emotional eating (EE) refers to consuming food in response to emotionally provoking triggers rather than physical hunger (Tinmazoglu & Guvender-Doksat, 2020). Often acting as a learned coping mechanism, EE is associated with emotions like anxiety, depression, anger, or stress. This behavior can lead to overeating or undereating depending on the individual's emotional response and coping style, posing risks for obesity, eating disorders, and nutritional imbalances (Tinmazoglu & Guvender-Doksat, 2020). Psychological factors affect susceptibility to EE, with research indicating that personality traits interact with biological, environmental, and social influences to heighten vulnerability to disordered eating behaviors (Brown et al., 2020). This …

Brief Of Amici Curiae Center For Civil Rights And Critical Justice, Aclu Of Washington And King County Department Of Public Defense, Center For Civil Rights And Critical Justice, Jessica Levin, Melissa Lee, Ronald A. Peterson Law Clinic, David Montes, La Rond Baker

Center for Civil Rights and Critical Justice Advocacy

No abstract provided.

Agile Effects On Risk Management In The Financial Industry, Harasees Kaur

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

The study investigates the ways in which agile practices are combined with traditional risk management frameworks within financial services institutions to achieve digital transformation, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder management. Three research questions drive the study: the ways in which financial institutions are adopting agile practices without undermining compliance, the challenges they face in adopting agile practices, and the mechanisms that enable alignment between agile values and risk governance. Grounded in stakeholder theory and agile transformation models, this study used open questionnaires to gather qualitative data from financial services professionals. Thematic analysis revealed a trend towards hybrid governance solutions that insource …

Exploring Mothers' Attitudes And Practices Toward Childhood And Maternal Vaccination At Jiblah University Hospital, Ibb, Yemen, 2024: A Cross-Sectional Study, Noman Ahmed Yahya Al Hatemi, Haddad Salim Alhebshi, Abdulkader Naser Hassan Alhaj, Thiyazan Hasshem Al-Bukhaiti, Rashed Ali Alzrarraei, Arafat Mohammed Ahmed Khaled, Ammar Yasser Alhaliani, Salwa Abdullah Hamid Baalawi

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Several factors contribute to insufficient vaccination, including lack of awareness of its importance and issues related to both demand and supply. This study aimed to assess mothers' attitudes and practices toward child and maternal vaccination, as well as the association of potential risk factors. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between January 20 and July 31, 2024, at Jiblah University Hospital. Results: A total of 300 mothers participated in the study. Of these, 38% were aged between 16–25 years, 60.7% had 2–3 children, and 13.3% were literate. The attitude score among mothers was 92% (275 out of 300), and …

Restoring Exotic Cool-Season Grass Dominated Landscapes With Clethodim And Glyphosate, Eleanor J. Muzzy, Joshua D. Wiese, Abraham J. Kanz

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

A major threat to grasslands around the world is the spread of exotic cool-season grasses (ECSG). ECSG dominate vegetative communities and degrade critical habitats. One of the most common methods to treat ECSG is herbicide. To compare how the widely-used, non-specific herbicide glyphosate compared to the grass-specific herbicide clethodim, we conducted a fall spray in November 2023 at two different sites located in the Central Platte River Valley of Nebraska. The following June, we used a modified Daubenmire frame sampling method to gather data on relative cover, species richness, and community composition. After analysis, glyphosate appeared to be more effective …

Fsec Meeting Minutes April 18, 2025, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

Associations Between Linguistic Factors And Vaccine Attitudes In A Hispanic Immigrant Population In The United States, Jamie Jensen

ScholarsArchive Data

Data are results of a nationwide survey administered by Qualtrics to Hispanic Immigrants concerning HPV vaccine uptake and hesitancy factors.

Optimizing Aircraft Taxi Processes: A Novel Cost-Minimizing Queue Discipline For The Pushback To Runway Process, Kevin James

Theses and Dissertations

Optimization of the aircraft taxi process can significantly decrease operating costs for air carriers, especially at major airports where congestion on the ramp is a primary contributor to taxi times. To improve the efficiency of this process, we propose a novel queue discipline which mitigates pushback delays through a dynamic reordering of clearance deliveries. As an alternative to FIFO, the proposed discipline accounts for aircraft delays at the gate before the aircraft enters the queueing system. Our proposed system implements pushback control to allow for controller-imposed variability in runway queueing. To validate our proposed queue discipline, we provide a computational …

Senior Recital: April 18, 2025, Wesley Smith, Lucia Depaz

School of Music Programs

Kemp Recital Hall

April 18, 2025

Friday Evening

8:30 p.m.