Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluating Impacts Of The Trichloroethylene Metabolite S-(1,2-Dichlorovyinyl)-L-Cysteine On Transcriptomic Responses And Cytokine Release In A Macrophage Model: Implications For Pregnancy Outcomes, Annella Benjamin, Erica Boldenow, Sammy Jaber, Kelly M. Bakulski, John Dou, Justin Colacino, Peter Mancuso, Sean Harris

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a volatile synthetic chemical used in various industrial processes like metal degreasing. Large amounts of TCE have been released into the environment. Exposure to TCE can occur through routes, such as inhalation for workers using TCE or ingestion of drinking water in contaminated areas. Macrophages are key immune cells in virtually all tissues in the human body, including the fetal membranes, making them a plausible target for DCVC-induced immunotoxicity. Macrophages are critical for maintaining anti-microbial defenses during pregnancy, but little data exists on TCE immunotoxicity during pregnancy. We previously showed that the TCE metabolite, S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine (DCVC), …

Factors Influencing Registered Nurses Pursuing Advanced Degrees, Angeleque Hughes, Kandi Johnson, Sonya Townsend

MSN Research Projects

Nurse retention is a problem that has impacted the healthcare system for years and is predicted to grow as the baby boomer generation retires. In 2022, Mississippi had 29,370 nurses and over half were over the age of fifty (Feeney, 2024). The research highlighted the importance of positive workplace relationships and supportive management to increase job satisfaction and loyalty among nurses. Prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic, nursing shortages had been reported but the pandemic increased those numbers and exacerbated nurse burnout. Nurses pursuing advanced degrees are a population that is leaving the bedside and the deficit in bedside nurses affects …

Providers' Perceptions On Early Alzheimer’S Screening In Patients With Metabolic Syndrome, Sharika James, Brittany Higgins, Kelli Stewart, Bernesha Mclemore, Jessica Koon

MSN Research Projects

The healthcare system currently lacks a standardized approach for screening and identifying potential links between hormonal fluctuations and Alzheimer’s in younger populations. This gap in guidelines leads to a primarily reactive rather than proactive stance, as screenings like the AD8 tool are often only considered in response to advanced symptoms or at older ages (Tolea & Galvin, 2013). The progression of early Alzheimer's disease is generally considered irreversible. This is due to the neurodegenerative nature of the condition, where damage to brain cells, particularly in areas related to memory and cognition, is progressive and cannot be undone. According to the …

Correlation Of Caregiver Role Strain With Impaired Psychosocial Health And Self-Care Practices, Alicia Box, Julie Edwards, Tiffany Watson

MSN Research Projects

In 2021, 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. were providing care to a family member or loved one with a chronic health condition or disability (Kilmer et al., 2024). A major concern among caregivers is role strain and the long-term effects on personal physical and mental health. One study indicated that high caregiving burden has been associated with lower involvement in self-care and increased mental health burdens (Tay et al., 2023). Similarly, another study revealed that frequent poor mental health days of the caregiver produce a reduced quality of life (Monahan et al., 2023). The purpose of the study …

Primary Care Providers’Adherence To 2022 Aha/Acc/Hf-Refsa Guideline Directed Management Therapy For Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction Patients, Tamara Brooks, Brooke Brown, Brittany Gentry, La'charity Perry

MSN Research Projects

Heart failure not only affects the heart but also many other systems within the human body. There are approximately 6.5 million people diagnosed with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction each year. Of these 6.5 million, roughly thirty percent will have readmission to the hospital or die within one year of diagnosis (Mathews et al., 2022). While the only cure for heart failure is a heart transplant, it is best practice to manage the disease and further prevent the progression and complications associated with heart failure. The researchers conducted a systematic literature review to evaluate primary care adherence to …

Barriers To Effective Diabetes Mellitus Management: A Diverse Analysis, Camryn Brewer, Sadie Ford, Chloe Price, Candice Todd, Ashli Vandiver, Lauren Yarbrough

MSN Research Projects

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases faced by individuals worldwide. It is a complex condition that requires diligent care and attention. Although diabetes is a treatable disease, there are many elements required to successfully treat and manage it comprehensively. Many individuals neglect tending to their diabetes due to the exhaustive, daily interventions that are necessary to implement. Failure to adequately control diabetes leads to poor health outcomes and other comorbidities. This research study assessed potential barriers that individuals with diabetes face, therefore leading to ineffective management. Understanding these barriers is essential to develop targeted interventions and ultimately …

How Personalized Chatbots Win Customer Loyalty, Jaeha Lee, Dooyoung Choi

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

The study applies affordance theory to investigate how perceived personalization influences loyalty through cognitive, affective, and social drivers. Data was collected from 220 participants who watched a video of a chatbot interaction and then assessed their loyalty intentions. While all paths were significant between personalization and consumer’s willingness to stay, the effects of personalization on consumer’s willingness to recommend the retailers to others were slightly different. If companies aim to capitalize on word-of-mouth marketing, it will be better to prioritize cognitive and affective qualities of chatbot over social qualities, because the latter did not contribute significantly to word-of-mouth intentions about …

Liberatory Motherhood: A Framework & Praxis For Caring And Scholaring Otherwise In The Neoliberal Academy, Bhavika Sicka

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

This article contributes to the emergent literature on motherhood in neoliberal higher education by proposing liberatory motherhood as a theoretical framework and praxis to deconstruct and reconstruct motherhood in the neoliberal academy. The author, an early-career immigrant woman scholar of color, uses feminist autoethnography to critically examine the disempowering, disembodying, and departicularizing effects of neoliberal subjectivation on motheracademics, foregrounding her lived experiences of caregiving in her analysis. She approaches academic motherhood through a prismatic lens of a pluralistic feminist rhetorical analysis that emphasizes interrelationality, tracing her experiences of caring and producing otherwise as a way to signal opportunities to reembody …

Student Perspectives On Universal Design For Learning (Udl): Q-Methodology, Taylor Rodriguez, Michelle Bartlett, James Bartlett

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

This study aims to examine community college students’ unique viewpoints of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) 3.0 guidelines through Q-methodology. This study will provide the unique perspectives students bring toward UDL to better inform faculty when implementing UDL into the instructional process and instructional designers when designing learning for community college students. The findings revealed student viewpoints toward UDL. Due to the findings, it is recommended that curriculum designers and instructors consider these viewpoints when communicating about the course and the design of the learning.

Assessing Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Community Composition And Diversity Across A Land-Use Gradient In Eastern Washington Prairies, Katherine I. Cole

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are key to healthy, functioning terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. Associating with over 80% of all extant land plants, they play a pivotal role in nutrient cycling, and contribute to overall plant health. Given their significance to terrestrial ecosystems, AMF have a crucial role to play in the successful restoration of Eastern Washington’s native prairies. However, AMF community composition is significantly altered by the commercial agricultural practices used extensively in this region for over 100 years. The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Prairie Restoration Project aims to restore ~120 acres of farmland to native prairie. This research provides insight …

The Launch Of An Undergraduate Accelerated Program: Initial Quantitative Data, C. Tomovic, M. Bartlett, M. Tomovic, V. Jovanovic, S. Bawab

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

The launch of an accelerated Training Specialist undergraduate program at a U.S. public university began with a pilot course in Fall 2024. This paper presents initial quantitative findings from pre- and post-course surveys designed to assess students' perceptions of the benefits of accelerated courses, as defined in the literature, as well as their self-perception as self-directed learners. The survey results revealed significant changes in students' views on the advantages of accelerated courses, particularly in terms of completing their degree more quickly and better managing family obligations. Additionally, the surveys showed a notable shift in students' perceptions of themselves as self-directed …

Debt Decisions: The Effects Of Paying For College In The United States With Student Loans, Kim E. Bullington, David J. Thomas, Minghui Hou, William L. Nuckols, Dennis E. Gregory, Joshua L. Howell, Kaycee L. Bills, Amy-Leah Joaquim

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

Student loans have increasingly become a burden on individuals. This qualitative analysis explores how structural inequities and financial literacy gaps influence U.S. student loan borrowers’ decisions to finance postsecondary education. The study highlights racial and economic disparities examining participants’ reflections on debt aversion and systemic barriers to equitable access. We asked why participants took out Federal student loans, asked about their decision processes when taking on debt, whether participants took any action to reduce accumulated debt, and if they’d made any discoveries about their decisions to take on student loan debt. After coding and a thematic analysis, five themes and …

A Pathway To Completion: Student Veterans Pursuing Engineering Degrees, Kim E. Bullington, Cynthia L. Tomovic, Anthony W. Dean, Vukica Jovanovic

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

This 5‐year research project was based on an NSF S‐STEM research grant (1742118) focused on student veteran education and workforce preparation. We addressed STEM workforce and defence community needs by providing targeted scholarships and support for veteran students pursuing engineering degrees. Our aim was to enhance the workforce by improving access and success rates through financial and institutional support, while developing evidence‐based practices for recruitment, retention and graduation of student veterans. Through targeted interventions, we examined obstacles student veterans face in education and in engineering programs and increased their sense of camaraderie, career awareness, engineering identity, professional development, financial security …

Self-Efficacy And Stem Education: A Study Of Family And Consumer Science Teachers In Pennsylvania, Charlene Smith, Philip A. Reed

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education has become widely promoted. Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) uses science to improve home life while reinforcing technology, engineering, and mathematics principles. However, FCS is not usually recognized as a STEM subject. The purpose of this study was to determine what factors may affect FCS teachers’ level of self-efficacy in teaching STEM to provide supports that improve teaching practices. This quantitative study surveyed secondary FCS teachers in Pennsylvania using the T‐STEM Survey for Elementary Teachers. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and simple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the predictive …

Employers' Perceived Value Of High School Industry Recognized Credentials, Teri Harris, Mickey Kosloski, Philip A. Reed

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine whether industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) earned in secondary school led to quality employment and which IRCs should be integrated into career and technical education (CTE) high school courses. Using survey data from business leaders across the 14 nationally recognized Career Clusters (Advance CTE, 2024a), credentials were ranked by importance within five program areas (n = 257). Pareto analysis revealed 80% of respondents rated health sciences, family and consumer sciences, and agricultural sciences credentials highest, while business/marketing and skilled/technical sciences/STEM credentials did not rank in the top 20%. This research provides empirical evidence for …

Teaching, Engagement, And Support: A Ccfsse Analysis Of Full- And Part-Time Cte Faculty In Community Colleges, Michelle E. Bartlett, James E. Bartlett

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

This study examines the characteristics, perceptions, and experiences of full-time and part-time career and technical education (CTE) faculty in community colleges using data from the Community College Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (CCFSSE) from 2017 to 2023. Descriptive and inferential analyses in SPSS were used to address four key areas: faculty demographics, perceptions of student engagement and teaching impact, views on student support services, and experiences with professional development opportunities. The findings revealed distinct differences in demographics and faculty perceptions, highlighting areas where part-time instructors often face challenges compared to their full-time counterparts. Insights into the availability, value, and integration …

Pages De Voyage, Voyages De Pages: A La Recherche Du Sacré Dans La Poésie De Silvia Baron Supervielle, Peter Schulman

World Languages and Cultures Faculty Publications

La poesie de Silvia Baron Supervielle decrit souvent des voyages (Pages de voyage; Lectures du vent, Sur le fleuve), des voyages elementaires de feu, d'eau et d'air, ainsi que des voyages abstraits de mots et d'absence de mots, d'abimes et de transports, avec des questions sans reponse comme a la fin de Lectures du vent: « ou all er pour/ que le mot occupe/ le silence1. » Certes les themes du voyage et l'idee d'etre entre deux pays, par exemple, ponctuent la prose de Baron Supervielle, mais ses livres de poesie mettent en avant surtout des voyages metaphysiques de l'exterieur …

Eeg Spectral Analysis Of Nighttime Sleep And Daytime Mslts And Neurocognitive Evaluations In Subjects With Co-Morbid Insomnia And Osa, Yuan Shi, Yuru Nie, Fengyi Hao, Xujun Feng, Ye Zhang, Larry D. Sanford, Rong Ren, Xiangdong Tang

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Chronic insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea commonly co-occur. Few studies have explored the neurophysiological and neurocognitive characteristics of COMISA, which could help guide improving treatment diagnostic tools and determining novel therapeutic targets. This study aims to explore the neurophysiological and neurocognitive characteristics of COMISA using electroencephalographic (EEG) spectral analysis and subjective and objective neurocognitive measurements.

Methods

Participants were from our community recruited OSA-insomnia-COMISA cohort with 206 included for our current analysis including 74 chronic insomniacs (CIs), 55 OSA patients and 77 COMISA patients. Standard polysomnography (PSG) and multiple sleep latency tests (MSLTs) were recorded and used to obtain relative …

Antibiotic Resistance: The Growing Threats And Potential Solutions, Olisaemeka Zikora Akunne, Blessing Nkechi Emmanuel, Umar Faruk Saidu, Ayobami Sunday Akinnawo, Nasiru Ademola Adeyemi, Livia Chinaza Egoh, Malami Aishatu Muhammad, Olusegun Ayo Ade-Adekunle, Deborah Ahuoyiza Peter, Anne Amina Freitas

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Antibiotic resistance (AR) has become a critical global health crisis, threatening the efficacy of antibiotics and increasing healthcare costs, morbidity, and mortality. The One Health approach, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, is increasingly recognized as an essential framework for addressing the complex drivers of AR. This review explores the mechanisms of resistance, such as genetic mutations, horizontal gene transfer, and biofilm formation, along with contributing factors such as the overuse of antibiotics in healthcare and agriculture. We assess both traditional and emerging strategies to combat AR, including antimicrobial stewardship, the development of new antibiotics, and …

Swinging Lever Mechanism Of Myosin Directly Shown By Time-Resolved Cryo-Em, David P. Klebl, Sean N. Mcmillan, Cristina Risi, Eva Forgacs, Betty Virok, Jennifer L. Atherton, Sarah A. Harris, Michele Stofella, Donald A. Winkelmann, Frank Sobott, Vitold E. Galkin, Peter J. Knight, Stephen P. Muench, Charlotte A. Scarfi, Howard D. White

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Myosins produce force and movement in cells through interactions with F-actin¹. Generation of movement is thought to arise through actin-catalysed conversion of myosin from an ATP-generated primed (pre-powerstroke) state to a post-powerstroke state, accompanied by myosin lever swing²,³. However, the initial, primed actomyosin state has never been observed, and the mechanism by which actin catalyses myosin ATPase activity is unclear. Here, to address these issues, we performed time-resolved cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM)⁴ of a myosin-5 mutant having slow hydrolysis product release⁵,⁶. Primed actomyosin was predominantly captured 10 ms after …

Feel Bad To Discard A Fashion Product: How Ai Designers Influence Individuals' Sustainable Consumption, Ha Kyung Lee, Dooyoung Choi

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

This study explores how AI technology in fashion design influences consumers' sustainable consumption behaviors, focusing on emotional attachment to products. By comparing AI-generated and human-designed fashion items, the study examines how designer type impacts negative emotions about discarding products, mediated by emotional attachment. Results from two experimental studies reveal that designer type significantly affects negative emotions toward discarding human-designed items, but emotional attachment was not influenced by designer type in the first study. This lack of difference may be due to personal characteristics that moderate the effect. The second study found that individuals who perceive AI as human-like form stronger …

Coastal Empire Economic Monitor, 1st Quarter, 2025, Georgia Southern University Center For Business Analytics And Economic Research

Coastal Empire Economic Monitor

• Forward Momentum Weakening

• Savannah Metro Economy Growth Slows

• U.S. Economy Shrinks, 2025 Outlook Remains Murky

• Forecasting Index Falls

Voices From The Field: A Q Methodology Study In Postsecondary Cte Faculty Retention, Brandon Hensley, James E. Bartlett, Michelle Bartlett

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

The postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) faculty shortages intensify challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified faculty. This study examines the viewpoints of faculty regarding workplace experiences and values concerning retention using Q methodology. Grounded in Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory and Job Embeddedness Theory, the research identifies viewpoints toward remaining in the profession. A Q-set of 64 statements was developed through an academic literature review, contemporary publications, social media, and expert input. Thirty-four CTE faculty from multiple institutions sorted the statements on −7 to +7 forced distribution under the condition of “statements that influence their desire to stay in their roles”. …

Why Some Companies Weather Trade Was Better Than Others?, Di Fan, Daphne W. Yiu, Pengcheng Ma, Lin Cui

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

In 2018, the U.S. government levied tariffs affecting more than $250 billion of Chinese products. As a result, many American buyers began turning to alternative suppliers to avoid the significant new costs associated with purchasing from China. Recent research found that transactions between U.S. buyers and Chinese suppliers fell by more than 18% immediately following the start of the trade war. However, the study also found that not all companies were affected equally: Chinese firms that were more innovative or more socially responsible were more likely to retain their U.S. buyers, while buyers were more likely to distance themselves from …

Case Study: Should A Chro Abandon Performance Improvement Plans?, Devasheesh P. Bhave, Sin Mei Cheah

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

At Barton Creek Technologies, Anna Chen, the chief human resources officer, faces a dilemma over the company’s performance improvement plan (PIP). Introduced as a supportive tool to rehabilitate struggling employees, the PIP has widely become perceived as a punitive mechanism. An internal audit revealed that only 15% of employees placed on PIPs complete them, while 60% are terminated and 25% go on stress-­related medical leave, often not returning. Managers admit they lack the training to implement PIPs effectively, and employees describe the plans as stigmatizing and demoralizing. Chen is torn between reforming the program into a mentorship-based system—requiring significant investment …

Annual Report 2024-2025, Office Of Sponsored Programs

Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

Demographic Profiles Of San Diego And Imperial Counties, Tessa Tinkler, Eo Hanabusa, Laura Deitrick, Connelly Meschen

Nonprofit Sector Issues and Trends

The Demographic Profiles of San Diego and Imperial Counties provides a snapshot of the two counties' vulnerable populations, including low-income communities, youth, immigrants, refugees, individuals experiencing homelessness, and retirement-age adults. While these counties differ in population size by more than an order of magnitude, the backdrop of California's rising cost of living, shifting immigration policies, income and health disparities, and the projections for an increasing aging population present compounding barriers to financial stability and access to services for all ages. Comprehensive data to understand these community needs was more readily available for San Diego County than Imperial County. This report …

Sailing Stormy Waters: Leadership And Advocacy In Uncertain Times, Janine Galeski

Faculty Scholarship

In times of uncertainty and rapid change, health care leaders face unique challenges. This article explores best practices for leadership and advocacy in healthcare across five spheres of leadership influence: personal, interpersonal, organization, community, and society. Leaders can reduce the adverse effects of uncertainty by operating within the intersection of evidence-based practice, legal compliance, and ethical decision-making. This article explores practical applications and real-world examples in all 5 spheres of leadership influence.

Supply Chain Management Challenges For Automotive Industry: Analysing Harman International Semiconductor Shortage Challenges And Efforts To Mitigate Impact., Maria Azucena Valencia Padilla

Business ETD Collections

This report explores the main supply chain disruptions challenges faced in recent years by Harman International, a global leader in manufacturing of premium infotainment for the automotive industry. Like many electronic companies and automotive sectors, Harman has been significantly affected by global supply chain disruptions, such as semiconductor shortages, which have impacted its operations and overall performance. Although Harman has begun addressing these challenges through different strategy responses, emerging risks due to geopolitical tensions, climate change disruptions, and the need for operational resilience highlight the importance of adaptative and smart supply chain systems.

In conclusion, while Harman´s approach has shown …

The Impact Of Data Privacy Concerns On User Trust In Tiktok : A Comparative Study Between The Eu And The Us., Tamta Gachechiladze

Business ETD Collections

This study investigates how data privacy concerns influence user trust in TikTok across two major regions: the European Union (EU) and the United States (US). With over one billion active users worldwide, TikTok has faced intense scrutiny due to its Chinese ownership and concerns over data governance. Using the privacy calculus theory and the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) model as theoretical foundations, the research explores the relationship between privacy concerns, trust, and continued use of TikTok. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining a literature review with primary survey data collected from 55 valid respondents aged 18–35 across different countries. Findings reveal moderate …