Digital Commons Network^™

Living Memorial, Sofia Love

The Prairie Light Review

No abstract provided.

Utilization Of The Reproductive Justice Framework In Contraceptive Counseling With Black And African American Women: A Comparison Of Patient Satisfaction And Provider Knowledge, Simranjeet K. Tagore

Doctoral Projects

Current practice in contraceptive counseling is characterized by great variation in both content and implementation. The literature indicates that African American women desire contraceptive counseling based in respect, trust, and equity. Conducted over 8 weeks, this quality improvement project compared satisfaction in African American and Black patients receiving contraceptive counseling by a provider trained in the Reproductive Justice Framework (RJF) versus those receiving contraceptive counseling by a provider not trained in the Reproductive Justice Framework. This project also evaluated the effects of Reproductive Justice Framework training on clinician knowledge. Inclusion criteria for the patients included identifying as Black and/or African …

Elderberry Wine, Brianna Gamble

Gandy Dancer Archives

No abstract provided.

Aslan Deconstruction Iii // Aslan Deconstruction Ii // Aslan Deconstruction I // Aslan, Aslan Hernandez

Gandy Dancer Archives

charcoal

Ipulse: May 2024, Lynn University

Student Newspapers

Issue:

• May 2024 [Spring Week #10 - Commencement]

Life On The Edge: The Cambrian Marine Realm And Oxygenation, Sara Pruss, Benjamin C. Gill

Geosciences: Faculty Publications

The beginning of the Phanerozoic saw two biological events that set the stage for all life that was to come: (a) the Cambrian Explosion (the appearance of most marine invertebrate phyla) and (b) the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event (GOBE), the subsequent substantial accumulation of marine biodiversity. Here, we examine the current state of understanding of marine environments and ecosystems from the late Ediacaran through the Early Ordovician, which spans this biologically important interval. Through a compilation and review of the existing geochemical, mineralogical, sedimentological, and fossil records, we argue that this interval was one of sustained low and variable marine …

Building A Healthy Future For All: A Roadmap For Healthcare Equity In Saudi Arabia, Yasser Ketab Alotaibi

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Cortisol And Glycosylated-Hemoglobin Levels On Mortality In Intensive Care Unit, Oznur Sen, Ugur Uzun, Nurdan Aydin, Isil Guldogan

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To research the effects of blood cortisol and hemoglobinA1c (HBA1C) levels on mortality in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and whether these factors could be used as reliable indicators for mortality risk assessment in these patients. Methods: After receiving approval from the ethics committee, 79 patients admitted to ICU were included in the study. From patient files, we collected data on demographics (age, gender), presence of diabetes mellitus, and levels of cortisol, HbA1C, glucose, and lactate measured during hospitalization, along with acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II scores calculated within the first 24 hours. …

The Association Of The Hepatitis B Virus Infection And Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, Guodong Yu, Jijing Han, Jianmei Xu

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To investigate the basic characteristics of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and whether hepatitis B surface antigen positive (HBsAg [+]) affects the survival of patients with DLBCL. Methods: The study was carried out at Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, China, including 602 DLBCL cases from January 2011 to December 2021. We analyzed patients’ general clinical data and applied multivariate and univariate Cox analyses to assess the factors influencing their survival times. Results: The HBsAg(+) and HBsAg(-) groups comprised 154 (25.6%) and 448 (74.4%) of the 602 cases, respectively. HBsAg(+) cases tended to be later-stage (III–IV) with …

Molecular Epidemiology And Molecular Typing Methods Of Acinetobacter Baumannii: An Updated Review, Razique Anwer

Saudi Medical Journal

The aim of this study was to go through the molecular methods used for typing of carbapenem-resistant Acientobacter baumannii (CRAB) isolates for investigating the molecular epidemiology all over the world. Multiple typing techniques are required to understand the source and nature of outbreaks caused by Acientobacter baumannii ( A. baumannii ) and acquired resistance to antimicrobials. Nowadays, there is gradual shift from traditional typing methods to modern molecular methods to study molecular epidemiology and infection control. Molecular typing of A. baumannii strains has been revolutionized significantly in the last 2 decades. A few sequencing-based techniques have been proven as a …

Rheumatology Research In Arab Countries, Georges El Hasbani, Imad Uthman

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Stronger Together: The Intersection Between Sandra Harding And Informal Science Education, Reyt Middleton

Honors Theses

Science literacy is an integral skill to knowledgeably navigate the modern world (Dawson, 2014). However, most science education within the Western world takes place in the settings of formal institutions, which rely on and recreate Western cultural assumptions and biases. In these socially Western institutions, non-Western or non-dominant cultural ways of thinking are systemically replaced with science as a way of knowing (Harding, 1991; Andreotti, 2015). This tendency towards assimilation establishes a barrier for entry, preventing underserved communities or non-dominant perspectives from developing the same science literacy allowed to culturally dominant groups (Harding, 1991; Dawson, 2014). One notable exception to …

Pottery: From The Source, Alexis Ducksworth

Honors Theses

This project is aimed towards the production of a suitable bowl set and glaze for tableware usage using locally extracted and processed clay. My interest in this topic stems from the goal of improving my pottery-making skills and knowledge through immersion in clay sourcing, processing, and producing quality tableware. This project gave me hands-on insight and admiration for pottery sourcing and production. Five local clay bodies were sourced, and two were processed to create bowl forms and glazes. Results were documented on which clay body was ideal for durable and easy maintenance tableware. A red clay body was sourced from …

Staff Matters: Utilizing ‘Unretired’ Workers To Address Hiring Challenges, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Jodi Schafer suggests targeting "unretired" workers to address front office staffing challenges in dental practices. These retirees bring valuable experience, reliability, and a commitment to customer service. Strategies include offering flexible schedules and competitive benefits and targeting recruitment efforts through networks frequented by retirees. Utilizing this demographic can supplement and support full-time staff, alleviating hiring difficulties.

The Back Page Commentary: Mda Leaders And Students Attend Ada Student Lobby Day In Washington, D.C., Christopher J. Smiley Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

A group of MDA leaders and students from the University of Detroit Mercy and University of Michigan dental schools traveled to the nation’s capital city April 7-9 to participate in the American Dental Association’s 2024 Student Lobby Day activities.

Dr. Todd Christy: Meet Your 2024-25 Mda President, David Foe Ma, Cde

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Dr. Todd Christy, DDS, inaugurated as Michigan Dental Association (MDA) president, brings extensive experience within MDA leadership. Practicing in southwest Michigan, he aims to address workforce shortage, practice profitability, and practice sales difficulties. His tenure prioritizes advocating for effective legislation, fostering dental equity, and enhancing workforce diversity. Christy champions member involvement, emphasizing local engagement and MDA mentoring programs. Committed to improving communication and member services, he highlights MDA's strengths in education, advocacy, and insurance services. Beyond dentistry, Christy enjoys outdoor activities with his family and looks forward to statewide community engagement during his presidency.

The New Professional: Navigating The Journey: Finding Your Practice Philosophy As A New Dentist, Amrita Patel Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Dr. Amrita Patel highlights the importance of defining a practice philosophy as a new dentist. Self-reflection, mentorship, patient-centered care, continuous learning, and adaptability are crucial elements in this journey. Embracing personal values and ethics ensures authenticity and guides decision-making. The evolving nature of this philosophy underscores the need for flexibility and openness to change. Dentists can shape their professional identity and approach to patient care through introspection and experiential learning.

Ncaa Di Student-Athletes’ Understanding Of And Attitudes Toward Mental Performance Services, Allison Rudisill

Honors Theses

Mental performance services are designed to assist student-athletes with psychological challenges affiliated with performance (McHenry et al., 2022). Currently, only 65 NCAA DI athletic institutions employ a psychological provider, with only 23.2% of those being mental performance consultants (MPCs; Jones et al., 2022). As student athletes are aware of the mental demand of sport (Bemiller & Wrisberg, 2011) and the NCAA begins to bring awareness to the importance of the mental well-being of the athlete (NCAA Transformational Committee, 2023), it is important to understand student athletes’ attitudes toward these services. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to learn about …

Reaping What We Sow: The Implications And Outcomes Of Mississippi House Bill 1125, The “Regulate Experimental Adolescent Procedures (Reap)” Act, Kerigan Brewer

Honors Theses

Mississippi House Bill 1125 (MS HB1125), also known as the “Regulate Experimental Adolescent Procedures (REAP) Act,” was signed into law by Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves in early 2023 (REAP Act, 2023). It is one of multiple policies passed into law that limit the rights of transgender people. This thesis aims to clarify the history of the trans community, dispel myths around gender-affirming health care and the trans identity, and discuss the current state of anti-trans laws and transgender rights. Using a policy analysis framework by DiNitto (2011), MS HB1125 is analyzed on points like its social and economic costs, the …

Genetic Analysis Of Global Sawfish Populations, Kylie Faulkner

Honors Theses

Family Pristidae contains five of the most critically endangered elasmobranch species: Anoxypristis cuspidata, Pristis pristis, Pristis pectinata, Pristis zijsron, and Pristis clavata. The species of this family have suffered drastic population declines and range reductions due to historic patterns of overexploitation, accidental entanglement, and habitat disruption. The conservation of this taxa has been historically complicated by taxonomic uncertainty, as similar morphologies across species make them exceedingly difficult to identify. A morphological and genetic comparison of sawfish specimens collected globally was conducted in 2013, which supported a reduction in the number of described species from seven to …

The Effects Of Prescribed Fire On Microbial Biomass Abundance In Longleaf Pine Ecosystems, Sarah K. Borne

Honors Theses

One of the most diverse ecosystems, longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) habitats comprise only a small fraction of the habitat they once spanned in the Gulf Coastal Plain Region of the Southeastern United States. To preserve longleaf pine ecosystems, proper prescribed burning techniques and ecosystem management are essential for preventing high intensity wildfires and increasing species diversity. Little is known about the effects of prescribed fires on carbon levels, nitrogen levels, and microbial biomass in longleaf pine forests. These components are crucial for determining how well burned areas are recovering at a microbial level compared to unburned areas. The …

Musselwhite: A Case Study In The Development Of Modern Legend In The American South, Ella J. Lauderdale

Honors Theses

The development of modern legend is widely researched, and there are many theories on the involvement of rumor and truth in the creation of folk stories. However, there are often few opportunities to look at the development of a modern legend in detail from beginning to end. The legend of Luther Musselwhite is unique in that it begins at a relatively fixed time, and the generations present during that time are still available to interview. This case study traces the development of this modern legend in Mississippi and analyzes the possible motivations for the spread and development of modern legends …

The Impact Of Differing Instability Devices On Postural Sway Parameters, Kacey Wallace

Honors Theses

Single-limb balance training is an integral part of preventing and rehabilitating lower extremity injuries. Practitioners use instability devices to provide a progressive overload to an individual during single-limb balance training sessions. Previous investigations have shown that when using instability devices, differences may or may not exist in postural sway parameters during use depending on the specific devices being assessed. Thus, this investigation sought to examine differences between a commonly used foam pad and a novel instability device (block) in measures of postural sway.

This experiment consisted of 22 healthy individuals with no history of lower extremity injury and neurological disorders. …

Reviving The Past: Enhancing Language Models With Historical Text Optimization, Heather D. Broome

Honors Theses

Recent advancements in Natural Language Processing (NLP) have brought attention to the significant potential that exists for widespread applications of Large Language Models (LLMs). As demands and expectations for LLMs rise, ensuring efficiency and accuracy becomes paramount. Addressing these challenges requires more than just optimizing current techniques; it urges novel approaches to NLP as a whole. This study investigates novel data preprocessing methods designed to enhance LLM performance by mitigating inefficiencies rooted in natural language, particularly by simplifying the complexities presented by historical texts. Utilizing the classical text The Odyssey by Homer, two preprocessing techniques are introduced: tokenization of names …

Establishing A Model For Sustainable And Meaningful Philanthropy Partnerships: A Case Study Of Kappa Delta Beta Sigma And Kids Hub Child Advocacy Center, Kenning Bridges

Honors Theses

Sororities have a long-standing tradition of philanthropic engagement, evolving from simple donations to forging sustainable partnerships with charitable organizations. This thesis project delves into the dynamics of sorority-philanthropy relationships, focusing on the partnership between the Beta Sigma Chapter of Kappa Delta and Kids Hub Child Advocacy Center. Through interviews, surveys, and literature review, the study explores the evolution of their collaboration, challenges faced, and strategies for sustainability. The partnership, initiated by modest donations, has grown into a significant commitment by Kappa Delta Beta Sigma, displaying a transition from transactional giving to deep engagement with Kids Hub's mission. Challenges such as …

Effects Of Cogongrass Invasion On Soil Biota And Nutrient Loads In A Longleaf Pine Savanna, Jordan Werneth

Honors Theses

The longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem, characterized by its namesake pine species and diverse community of understory vegetation, is a hotspot of biodiversity in the southeastern United States. The longleaf pine savanna is differentiated from other longleaf systems through the combination its unique assemblage of herbaceous understory vegetation, wide-open canopy, and distinct hydrogeological composition. Longleaf pine ecosystems, including savannas, are facing significant decline from their historic range due to anthropogenic interference including fire suppression, habitat fragmentation, deforestation, and the introduction of invasive species such as cogongrass (Imperita cylindrica).

Cogongrass, a nonnative grass species introduced to the …

Exploring The Collegiate Choir Participant's Values Within Ensemble Performances, Kaelyn Hunter

Honors Theses

This study examined how collegiate choral ensemble participants viewed their highest quality performance and their favorite performance. Examining characteristics of performances may encourage conversations about performance values between directors and students. Limited research has been done about musicians’ views, as getting accurate and in-the-moment documentation of how musicians feel about their performances is challenging. To provide more insight into this previously understudied topic, this study aimed to explore the musicians’ perspectives on their performances and how their emotions and repertoire are intertwined.

The Primary Investigator (PI) conducted an anonymous study among the 2022–2023 choral ensemble participants at The University of …

Disconnectivity Graphs Of Spin Glasses On The Kagome Lattice, Richard Richardson

Honors Theses

The topology of the potential energy landscape for a spin-glass arranged on the Kagome lattice is studied by the use of enhanced disconnectivity graphs. Enhanced disconnectivity graphs display location and type of minima structures and the barrier heights between them. Three different models which differ in the range of allowed values for the bond strength are analyzed. The allowed values for bond strength for the three different models are {±1}, {±1, ±2}, and {±1, ±2, ±3}. 100 systems were randomly generated for each model, and enhanced disconnectivity graphs were drawn for each system by using the Hamiltonian of the Ising …

The Azalea Trail Maids: White Women’S Contributions To The Lost Cause In Mobile, Alabama, Emma Rawls

Honors Theses

This paper analyzes the origins of the Azalea Trail in Mobile, Alabama, and the history of its corresponding Azalea Trail Maid program. The Trail is a walking and driving trail through the historic areas of Mobile, in which hundreds of azalea bushes have been planted along the roads. Beginning in 1929, the Azalea Trail takes tourists through the heart of downtown Mobile, the city’s antebellum homes, and other local attractions. In 1949, the program expanded to include a “Trail Court,” and in 1951, it created a festival to crown an Azalea Trail Queen and select the members of her court, …

Inclusive Policy, Diverse Perspectives: Affirmative Action And The Model Minority Among University Students, Jannie Nguyen

Honors Theses

In lieu of the recent Supreme Court overturn of affirmative action, Asian American students were on the forefront as the main racial group defended in this case. The model minority stereotype obscures societal perceptions of Asians and Asian Americans as collectively intelligent, hard-working, and submissive. Whereas the stereotype appears frequently in academic settings, this research aims to understand and contextualize the perceptions on affirmative action among Asian college students within the context and social dynamics of the model minority stereotype. A qualitative approach was deployed to garner nuance narratives of fifteen participants in the study. Participants in the study represent …