Digital Commons Network^™

Self-Regulation In Children With Fragile X Syndrome: Biobehavioral Underpinnings, Familial Predictors, And Outcomes, Erin Evelyn Hunt

Theses and Dissertations

Self-regulation is a multifaceted construct that occurs on biological, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral levels. Self-regulatory abilities typically emerge in the first years of life and continuously develop through early adulthood. There is considerable interindividual variability in developmental trajectories of self-regulation which are associated with numerous adaptive and maladaptive outcomes. Factors influencing the development of self-regulation include interacting genetic and social environmental factors. Given the high heritability of self-regulation, within-family associations are common.

Individuals with Fragile X syndrome (FXS), an inherited, single-gene neurodevelopmental disorder, have heightened vulnerability for self-regulation deficits that are evident in early infancy; however, the developmental trajectories and …

Cerebellar Contributions To Speech And Clinical Outcomes In Stroke: A Multimodal Investigation Of Structural Integrity Across Chronic And Acute Cohorts, Makayla Joy Gibson

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the critical role of the cerebellum in speech production, with a focus on chronic post-stroke apraxia of speech (AOS), lesion-related cerebellar degeneration, and age-related changes in cerebellar structure among healthy individuals. While speech deficits have traditionally been attributed to cortical lesions, mounting evidence suggests that the cerebellum contributes significantly to speech-motor planning, execution, and error correction. Using multimodal neuroimaging, lesion-symptom mapping, and standardized speech assessments, this research examines cerebellar gray matter volume (GMV) across three complementary studies.

Aim 1 evaluates the association between cerebellar GMV and AOS severity in individuals with chronic left hemisphere stroke. Findings support …

Examining Effects Of A Cultural And Family Resilience Program On Improving Physical Activity And Eating Behaviors Among Overweight Black Adolescents, Mary Quattlebaum

Theses and Dissertations

Black adolescents have higher rates of physical inactivity, lower quality dietary intake, and fewer family meals compared to their White peers. These health inequities place Black adolescents at greater risk for overweight and obesity, as well as long-term health consequences, including chronic disease and early mortality. However, few health promotion programs have been successful in improving health behaviors among Black adolescents and families. Elevated rates of chronic stress, namely racial stress, among Black families may be a prominent obstacle for engagement in and effectiveness of health promotion initiatives. Limited family-based health promotion programs with Black families have incorporated cultural and …

A Math Teacher’S Reflexive Journey Into The Opportunity Gap, Richard A. Ball Iii

Theses and Dissertations

This multiple case study sought to determine what educational factors, if any, impacted Black students in a public school located in the South-eastern United States, to enroll in a lower-level math course. The study also aimed to view the mathematical identities of these students and have myself reflect on my practice both locally and globally. This, however, is a result of the Problem of Practice, the opportunity gap. H. Richard Milner’s (2012) opportunity gap framework served as the theoretical framework for this study and for which all findings were situated. The data was analyzed using deductive coding, with the elements …

Digital Twins For Flexible Manufacturing, Drew Brandon Sander

Theses and Dissertations

With the establishment of Digital Twins as an enabling technology for Industry 4.0, it is time to transition from the previous foundations to works that implement and highlight the capabilities Digital Twins present. The Industry 4.0 paradigm has recentered the focus on customizability, leading to reemerging goals of flexibility within manufacturing. Empowered through new cyber-physical systems, new enabling technologies are driving the revolution. To identify how Digital Twins as an enabling technology contribute to flexibility within manufacturing, a comprehensive investigation is conducted along with a detailed case study. A systematic literature review is conducted to analyze quality Digital Twin implementations …

Investigating The Role Of Rps3 In The Homologous Recombination Dna Repair Pathway, Jerome Robert Dorsey

Theses and Dissertations

Ribosomal proteins have been demonstrated to perform extra-ribosomal functions beyond protein synthesis, including roles in cell signaling, transcription regulation, apoptosis, and DNA repair. Ribosomal protein S3 (RPS3), in particular, has been implicated in DNA repair and apoptosis pathways, suggesting a critical role in maintaining genomic stability. However, the specific mechanisms involving RPS3 are still unknown, particularly in the context of double-stranded break (DSB) repair. DSBs are among the most severe types of DNA damage, often resulting in chromosomal instability or cell death if not properly repaired. Nonhomologous End Joining (NHEJ) and Homologous Recombination (HR) are the two primary DNA repair …

Utilizing Evisits To Increase Access To Genetic Services For The Hearing Loss Population: A Tailored Service Delivery Model, Ansley Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Patients referred for genetics services have specific barriers decreasing accessibility, such as communication difficulties, long wait times, and misconceptions about the utility of genetic testing. We assessed a new tailored service delivery model used by the Greenwood Genetic Center to evaluate patients referred for hearing loss to determine if this model increases access to genetics services for individuals with hearing loss. Methods: Data points such as wait times, testing plan, and diagnostic yield were compiled from patient medical records. Comparison and analysis of data was completed by visit type, in-person, virtual, and electronic visits (eVisits), between October 2023 – …

Family And Community Role In The Provision Of Informal Care For Older People Living With Chronic Life-Limiting Illnesses In Rural Ghana, Barbara Adonteng-Kissi, Obed Adonteng-Kissi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Informal care for older people living with chronic life-limiting illnesses is associated with difficulties. The informal care system built around generational values and cultural norms is steadily weakening in rural Ghana because of economic challenges, migration, urbanisation, and changing family structure. In responding to this knowledge gap, we aimed to ascertain how the immediate family, extended family and community support impact on mechanisms underlying provision of informal care for older people living with chronic life-limiting illnesses. Ethnographic interviews were conducted amongst fifteen older people; fifteen informal caregivers; ten health care professionals, after participatory observations during six months of fieldwork utilised …

Muscle Strength, Muscle Endurance, Voluntary Activation, And Perception Of Effort In Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Me/Cfs): An Overview, James L. Nuzzo, Janet L. Taylor, Christopher Latella

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating condition characterized by fatigue, post-exertional malaise, perceived muscle weakness and other symptoms. Whether muscle strength is objectively reduced in ME/CFS is unclear. Objective and methods: Our aim was to determine if muscle strength, muscle endurance, voluntary activation, and perceived effort during muscle endurance tasks are altered in ME/CFS by reviewing the relevant literature. Results: We identified 27 studies that compared muscle strength or endurance between individuals with ME/CFS (n = 1,023) and healthy controls (n = 672). Tests typically involved handgrip, elbow flexion, or knee extension tasks. Across studies, muscle strength …

January 2025, Swosu Bulldog Wellness Committee

SWOSU BULLDOG WELLNESS

January is Thyroid Disease Awareness Month

Design Of A Robust Adaptive Cascade Fractional-Order Nonlinear-Based Controller Enhanced Using Grey Wolf Optimization For High-Power Dc/Dc Dual Active Bridge Converter In Electric Vehicles, Seyyed Morteza Ghamari, Daryoush Habibi, Mehrdad Ghahramani, Asma Aziz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The dual active bridge (DAB) converter is a key technology in electric vehicles (EVs), offering efficient, bidirectional DC–DC power conversion with galvanic isolation. This paper presents a novel cascade control strategy incorporating a fractional-order PID (FOPID) controller in the outer loop for precise voltage regulation and an adaptive backstepping controller (ABSC) in the inner loop for robust current control. The ABSC is designed using Lyapunov stability theory, ensuring systematic stabilization of nonlinear dynamics and robust performance under disturbances. The FOPID controller introduces superior filtering characteristics, effectively mitigating high-frequency measurement noise and transient disturbances, making it highly suitable for high-frequency power …

Return To On-Snow Performance In Ski Racing After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Nathaniel Morris, Ricardo Da Silva Torres, Mark Heard, Patricia Doyle Baker, Walter Herzog, Matthew J. Jordan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The individual variation in on-snow performance outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) in elite alpine ski racers has not been reported and may be influenced by specific injury characteristics. Purpose: To report the performance statistics of elite ski racers before and after ACLR and to identify surgical and athlete-specific factors that may be associated with performance recovery. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study. Methods: International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) points, FIS ranking, average placing, and average percentage behind the winning time in each race were calculated for 30 national and provincial team ski racers at 1 year …

Undergraduates’ Lifestyle And Suboptimal Health Status (Shs): A Cross-Sectional Study In The Ha’Il Region Of Saudi Arabia, Bandar Alsaif, Collins Otieno Asweto, Sehar Un Nisa Hassan, Mohamed Ali Alzain, Mohammed Elshiekh Saeed, Ahmed Kassar, Kamal Elbssir Mohammed Ali, Mouna Ghorbel, Rafat Zrieq, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background University students in Saudi Arabia are embracing some of the negative traits of the fast-paced modern lifestyle, typified by unhealthy eating, low physical activity, and poor sleep habits that may increase their risk for poor health. Health and holistic well-being at the population level are among the priorities of the 2030 vision of a vibrant society in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The current study thus aims at determining the prevalence and predictive factors of Suboptimal Health Status (SHS) among university students. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 9,026 undergraduate students between 31st May and 15th June 2023. …

The Association Of Cognitive Task Scores With Energy Intake Measurement Error From Technology-Assisted 24 Hr Recalls, Clare Whitton, Barbara A. Mullan, Satvinder S. Dhaliwal, Richard Norman, Carol J. Boushey, Clare E. Collins, Megan E. Rollo, Deborah A. Kerr

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Measurement error undermines the accuracy of dietary intake data. The 24-hour dietary recall (24HR) is the standard data collection method in nutrition surveillance. Several neurocognitive processes underpin the act of recall, and individuals differ in their performance of these processes. This study aimed to investigate whether variation in neurocognitive processes, measured using four cognitive tasks, was associated with variation in measurement error of 24HRs. Participants (n 139) completed the Trail Making Test, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, the Visual Digit Span, and the Vividness of Visual Imagery questionnaire. During a controlled feeding study, participants completed three technology-assisted 24HR; the Automated …

Validation Of The Alzheimer's Disease-Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation Food Frequency Questionnaire Using Weighed Food Records And Biomarkers: The Method Of Triads Model, Samantha L. Gardener, James D. Doecke, Philippa Lyons-Wall, Ralph N. Martins, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The objective was to apply the triangular approach, the Method of Triads, to determine the validity of the Alzheimer’s disease-Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) in 98 cognitively unimpaired Australian older adults using blood biomarkers and 4-day weighed food records. Spearman’s correlation coefficients were calculated between each dietary method and the validity coefficient was calculated using the Method of Triads. 95% confidence intervals for the validity coefficients were estimated using bootstrap sampling. Spearman’s correlation coefficients between FFQ and weighed food record intake for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and vitamin E (r = 1.00 and r = 0.95, …

Enhancing Cybersecurity Through Autonomous Knowledge Graph Construction By Integrating Heterogeneous Data Sources, Hatoon Alharbi, Ali Hur, Hasan Alkahtani, Hafiz Farooq Ahmad

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Cybersecurity plays a critical role in today’s modern human society, and leveraging knowledge graphs can enhance cybersecurity and privacy in the cyberspace. By harnessing the heterogeneous and vast amount of information on potential attacks, organizations can improve their ability to proactively detect and mitigate any threat or damage to their online valuable resources. Integrating critical cyberattack information into a knowledge graph offers a significant boost to cybersecurity, safeguarding cyberspace from malicious activities. This information can be obtained from structured and unstructured data, with a particular focus on extracting valuable insights from unstructured text through natural language processing (NLP). By storing …

Extraction Of Triterpenoids From Carya Cathayensis Sarg. Husks And Enhancement Of Their Antibacterial Properties By Loading Into Chitosan Aerogels, Haixin Sun, Xinya Gu, Baozhu Shi, Tianhua Huang, Junlai Nian, Jidong Sun, Tarun Belwal, Liezhou Zhong, Benu Adhikari, Zisheng Luo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Carya cathayensis Sarg. is widely cultivated in China as a specialized nut crop, and its discarded husks (outer pericarp) are rich in triterpenoids with known antibacterial properties. In this study, triterpenoids were extracted from Carya cathayensis Sarg. husks (CCSHs) using a surfactant-mediated, ultrasound-assisted extraction method optimized via response surface methodology, the optimized extraction yield was 33.92 ± 0.52 mg UAE/g DW. Ab-8 macroporous resin was used to purify the triterpenoids from the crude extracts, achieving a 4.3-fold increase in purity. Mesoporous chitosan aerogels were prepared, and their morphology, pore size, and specific surface area were evaluated using microscopic and nitrogen …

Observing Nursing Assistant Companions Supporting Older Adults In Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study, Rosemary Saunders, Kate Crookes, Tania Leach, Seng Giap Marcus Ang, Caroline Bulsara, Beverly Ewens, Michelle Gay, Karla Seaman, Paige Watkins, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Olivia Gallagher

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Hospital environments may cause or exacerbate behavioural and psychological symptoms of older adults with cognitive impairment. Many hospitals in Australia employ staff as companions to provide constant observation and additional support for those with cognitive impairment and/or at risk of falls; however, little is known about the activities of this role. Aim: To examine the activities of assistant in nursing companions allocated to older patients in hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study design using an observation tool was conducted at an acute metropolitan hospital in Western Australia. A nonparticipant nurse conducted the observations. Descriptive statistical analysis explored the data and …

Transforming Transitions Ii: A Summary Report, Lennie Barblett, Fiona Boylan, Amelia Ruscoe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

An abridged version of the report.

Building on the success of the Transforming Transitions project conducted with ten Western Australian Independent Schools (Barblett et al., 2023), this study extended the inquiry into school engagement and the transition process. The project was reimagined to deepen collaboration with schools, focusing on two key areas: first, fostering meaningful engagement with young learners and their families during the transition to school by drawing on their funds of knowledge; and second, centering the perspectives of children as active participants in their transition, acknowledging their experiences and the role of family-school engagement in shaping their sense …

Beyond The City Limits: Perceptions Of Pre-Service Teachers Undertaking Professional Experience In Regional, Rural And Remote Schools, Marnie Harris, David Rhodes, Christina Gray, Lynette Vernon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Australia’s regional, rural and remote (RRR) areas face persistent teacher shortages, presenting ongoing challenges for schools and education systems. Pre-service and newly graduated teachers represent a potential resource for addressing these shortages, yet many complete their initial teacher training without exposure to RRR schools. Framed by Bronfenbrenner and Morris’s Bioecological Theory of Human Development, this qualitative study explores the current perspectives of pre-service teachers (PSTs) who have undertaken professional experiences in RRR areas. Findings show PSTs’ experience success when they encounter positive multifaceted support, particularly from their mentor teacher and financial assistance. Furthermore, experiences are enhanced when PSTs utilise prior …

Becoming Singular: Musical Identity Construction And Maintenance Through The Lens Of Identity Process Theory, Melissa Forbes, Jason Goopy, Amanda E. Krause

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study uses identity process theory to understand the social–psychological processes that motivate individuals to construct an identity in which music, singing, and singing teaching feature prominently. We conducted reflexive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 10 Australian singing teachers (with an average age 60) to understand how they enacted identity principles that motivate identity construction and maintenance. Findings were captured in two themes: (1) ‘It has just been music’: Living a musical life is my destiny; (2) ‘I know my value’: Achieving goals in music and teaching is motivating. Participants’ consistent musical engagement across the lifespan satisfied the identity …

Discretionary Tone In Reward-Based Crowdfunding: Do Project Owners Talk Their Way To Success?, Douglas Cumming, Yihui Lan, Yuan George Shan, Junru Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study examines the relationship between abnormal tone and project performance of reward-based crowdfunding (RBC) using the Kickstarter data from 2009 to 2020. We document a negative relationship between abnormal tone and the success of a project in the RBC campaign section, while a positive impact in the Risks and Challenges section. This outcome remains robust to a variety of sensitivity tests and after accounting for potential endogeneity concerns. Cross-sectional analyses reveal that the effect of abnormal tone in RBC on project success is contingent on project quality and legal jurisdiction. Further investigation of the concurrent effect of abnormal tone …

Effects Of A 6-Month Dual-Task, Power-Based Exercise Program On Cognitive Function, Neurological And Inflammatory Markers In Older Adults: Secondary Analysis Of A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial, Jamie L. Tait, Rachel L. A. Duckham, Timo Rantalainen, Catherine M. Milte, Luana C. Main, Caryl A. Nowson, Kerrie M. Sanders, Dennis R. Taaffe, Keith D. Hill, Gavin Abbott, Robin M. Daly

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Functional power-based exercise training can improve physical performance in older adults and cognitive training can improve measures of cognition, but their combined effects on cognition and related risk factors (neurological and inflammatory markers) remains uncertain. This 6-month cluster randomised controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of dual-task functional power training (DT-FPT) on cognition and circulating neurological and inflammatory markers in older adults at increased falls risk, and whether intervention responses varied by apolipoprotein-E (ApoE) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) polymorphisms. Three hundred residents aged ≥ 65 years at increased falls risk residing in 22 independent-living retirement communities, were randomised by …

Neuromuscular Characteristics Of Eccentric, Concentric And Isometric Contractions Of The Knee Extensors, Cassio V. Ruas, Janet L. Taylor, Christopher Latella, G. Gregory Haff, Kazunori Nosaka

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: We compared voluntary drive and corticospinal responses during eccentric (ECC), isometric (ISOM) and concentric (CON) muscle contractions to shed light on neurophysiological mechanisms underpinning the lower voluntary drive in a greater force production in ECC than other contractions.

Methods: Sixteen participants (20–33 years) performed ISOM and isokinetic (30°/s) CON and ECC knee extensor contractions (110°–40° knee flexion) in which electromyographic activity (EMG) was recorded from vastus lateralis. Voluntary activation (VA) was measured during ISOM, CON and ECC maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs). Transcranial magnetic stimulation elicited motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) and corticospinal silent periods (CSP) during MVCs and submaximal (30%) contractions, …

Revealing The Hidden Benefits Of Social Emotional Learning: Unpacking What’S Really Going On?, Marissa Schweinfurth

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study explores the role of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in enhancing executive function (EF) skills among elementary school students, with a particular focus on those facing high levels of adversity. The research was driven by three key questions: (1) Can SEL improve EF skills in young students? (2) Does SEL lead to faster development of EF skills compared to typical age-related expectations? (3) Which specific SEL strategies are most effective in promoting EF skills? Utilizing the "Transactional Model of Stress and Coping" by Lazarus and Folkman as a conceptual framework, this study examined how SEL interventions act as coping …

Design And Integration Of A Multisensory Board For Real-Time Monitoring Of Metal Casting Foundry Sand Molds, Nathaniel Addo

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

No abstract provided.

Assessing Equity, Environmental Social Justice And Intersectionality In U.S. Federal Policies: A Comparative And Temporal Analysis Of The Department Of Transportation, Department Of Energy, And Environmental Protection Agency, Sneha Basu

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

As the climate crisis intensifies, U.S. federal policies play a critical role in addressing the disproportionate environmental burdens borne by marginalized communities. This thesis assesses how equity, environmental social justice, and intersectionality have been integrated into the policy documents of three key federal agencies: Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Energy (DOE), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over a 20-year period (2004–2024). Using a quantitative content analysis of 46 policy documents, the study evaluates five core dimensions: depth of discussion, clarity of language, inclusiveness of marginalized groups, action-oriented language, and environmental justice considerations. The research reveals significant interagency disparities, with …

The Influence Of Honor Culture Ideology On Juror Decision Making, Aubrey K. Paschal

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Culture of honor is a system of cultural beliefs in which one’s honor is seen to be of the utmost importance (Nisbett & Cohen, 1996). Due to the importance of personal honor, defending one's honor could be seen as an adequate defense for crimes committed in the name of personal honor. This study examined the influence that honor culture ideology has on juror decision making. A total of 190 participants read a brief trial summary of either a crime in which the participants’ honor was threatened, or a crime that did not involve a threat to the defendant’s honor. The …

I Am Eiu - 2025, Ella G. Aly

Written Testimonials

Poster series promoted around campus and on social media.

I Am Eiu - 2010-2025, Ella G. Aly

Written Testimonials

Poster series posted around campus and social media.