Digital Commons Network^™

Personal Insights: Navigating Informal Networks, Catherine Jordan

Honors Theses

As a non-traditional student, my journey through college has been anything but conventional. Unlike the typical high school-to-college transition, I embarked on my educational adventure later in life, balancing coursework with familial responsibilities and career aspirations. Within this paper, I will share my insights, my triumphs, my challenges, and the interactions that have shaped my experience. Join me as I unravel the unseen and intricate ties that link us together through learning and growth.

Implementing Choice In Treatment Modality For Adolescents With Autism Learning Daily Living Skills, Silvia Robazza

Honors Theses

Daily living skills, categorized as personal-care activities within the home, community, and school setting, are crucial components in establishing daily routines amongst adolescents (Stabel, 2013). Many of these activities require gross motor and fine motor skills, which are skills that tend to be difficult for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD;Chen et al., 2022). When trying to express their wants and needs surrounding completing day-to-day activities, individuals with ASD may engage in problem behaviors as a way to communicate (Iwata et al., 1982). Nonetheless, implementing choice in treatment has been found to significantly decrease occurrences of problem behavior (Shogren et …

The International Lens Of Western Michigan University, Tesha Nowak

Honors Theses

The international students highlighted in this documentary have different stories with the same experience of studying in the United States. Some international students are at Western with family, making the transition easier for them whereas some are here alone, still trying to find the community that fits their identity. In this documentary, Western Michigan University’s (WMU) international students, will discuss their study abroad experience in the United States such as culture shock, negotiating native and new cultures and managing assumptions that Americans have about them or their cultures. Their stories will bring to light the reality of the study abroad …

Fleet Renewal Proposal, Siba Al Ghailani

Honors Theses

Our organization, Wings Consulting, is proud to propose an extensive proposal that aims to improve the training fleet and advance aviation education in response to the changing demands of Western Michigan University's Aviation College. Our firm is dedicated to providing WMU with an aircraft fleet that is adequate to the institution and will enable future pilots to achieve prosperity while also possessing a deep grasp of the aviation industry and a dedication to perfection.

The purpose of this proposal is to introduce our company's profile, clarify our recommended course of action, and lay out a methodical plan for helping WMU …

Michael Cook An V. Ivins City : Brief Of Appellant, Utah Court Of Appeals

Utah Court of Appeals Briefs (2020 –)

Appeal from a Final Order of the Fifth Judicial District Court in and for Washington County, State of Utah. Trial Judge Keith C. Barnes

Appeal from a Final Order of the Fifth Judicial District Court in and for Washington County, State of Utah. Trial Judge Keith C. Barnes ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANTS

Tamara Lee Powell, Appellant V. Dean Deloy Powell, Appellee : Brief Of Appellee, Utah Court Of Appeals

Utah Court of Appeals Briefs (2020 –)

Appeal from the Third Judicial District Court, Salt Lake County, Honorable Mark Kouris, District Court No. 224906380

Dennis R. James, Counsel for Appellant

David M. Corbett, Counsel for Appellee

Mathematics Education Researchers’ Practices In Interdisciplinary Collaborations: Embracing Different Ways Of Knowing, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores, William S. Walker Iii, Signe E. Kastberg, Mahtob Aqazade, Hanan Alyami

Teaching, Leadership & Professional Practice Faculty Publications

Mathematics education researchers (MERs) use practices unique to the mathematics education discipline to conduct their work. MERs’ practices, i.e., ways of being, interacting, and operating, define the field of mathematics education, are initially learned in doctoral preparation programs, and are encouraged and sanctioned by conferences and publications. Disciplinary practices facilitate MERs’ interactions within mathematics education. When working in interdisciplinary groups, differences in disciplinary ways of being, interacting, and operating can create challenges with completing research and other work. Since MERs’ engagement in interdisciplinary collaborations is encouraged and can result in products contributing to the evolution of the mathematics education discipline, …

Using Smart Contracts In The Financial Stock Market: An Analytical Study, Mohammad Khalid Mohamed

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Smart contracts are considered one of the latest technologies that have obtained attention from many Legalists and Engineers. Smart contracts are a set of arrangements written via programming languages through computer programs or by programmers without the need for an intermediary. Smart contracts are self-executing. It executes once the terms and conditions agreed between the parties happen. Perspectives differ among legalists about the legality of smart contracts. Some legalists consider these contracts as binding legal contracts, while others believe that a smart contract might be just a part of a traditional contract. On the other hand, some legalists question their …

Synthesis Of Novel Temozolomide Amides As Potential Anti-Glioblastoma Agents, Sion Kim

Honors Theses

Glioblastoma is treated with Temozolomide (TMZ), a lipophilic alkylating drug that can cross the brain-blood barrier. To confront drug resistance, this research aimed to synthesize novel TMZ amide hybrids by using the acid chloride method, replacing an amino group with a primary amine. These novel hybrids were tested on U87-MG cells to determine if the primary amines with greater anticancer properties and lipophilicity have enhanced the drug's anticancer activity and bioavailability. The calculated lethal concentration 50 (LC50) of the hybrids ranged from 0.005 mg/mL to 0.2258 mg/mL, with some demonstrating greater anticancer effects than TMZ itself.

Investigating The Effects Of Bisphenol-A On Planaria Phototaxis And Survival, Reyna Docine, Alexis Galindez, Cassandra S. Korte

Student Publications and Presentations

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a potentially toxic plasticizing compound in various consumer products like food and beverage containers and toys. Research suggests exposure poses a significant risk to human health, leading to neurological effects, including anxiety, aggression, and cognitive defects. Planaria flatworms (like species Girardia dorotocephala), free living aquatic flatworms known for their regenerative properties and well-characterized nervous system, are valuable models for studying the impact of environmental toxins. Their distinct photophobic response to light offers insight into potential neurotoxic effects. While the impact of BPA on regeneration has been studied in some species of planaria, its effects on specific …

Integrative Bioinformatics-Gene Network Approach Reveals Linkage Between Estrogenic Endocrine Disruptors And Vascular Remodeling In Peripheral Arterial Disease, Venkataraghavan Ramamoorthy, Muni Rubens

All Publications

Vascular diseases, including peripheral arterial disease (PAD), pulmonary arterial hypertension, and atherosclerosis, significantly impact global health due to their intricate relationship with vascular remodeling. This process, characterized by structural alterations in resistance vessels, is a hallmark of heightened vascular resistance seen in these disorders. The influence of environmental estrogenic endocrine disruptors (EEDs) on the vasculature suggests a potential exacerbation of these alterations. Our study employs an integrative approach, combining data mining with bioinformatics, to unravel the interactions between EEDs and vascular remodeling genes in the context of PAD. We explore the molecular dynamics by which EED exposure may alter vascular …

Young Adults’ Essential Food Skills And Cooking Perceptions: A Mixed Method Study, Marcy Gaston, J. Mitchell Vaterlaus, Nicole Wanago

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Our purpose in this research study was to examine perceptions of food and nutrition educators (FNEs, i.e., Registered Dietitians Nutritionists and Family and Consumer Science teachers) and young adults (ages 18–25) on the status of cooking and food skills among young adults. Using a cross-sectional survey design, FNEs (n = 93) and college-attending young adults (n = 270) in the United States completed electronic surveys. The qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analyzed using a convergent mixed-methods approach. The qualitative data from open-ended survey responses collected from young adults and FNEs were analyzed using coding reliability thematic …

Masthead, Cleveland State Journal Of Law And Health

Journal of Law and Health

No abstract provided.

Copyright Statement, Cleveland State Journal Of Law And Health

Journal of Law and Health

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents, Cleveland State Journal Of Law And Health

Journal of Law and Health

No abstract provided.

Nonfinancial Conflict Of Interest In Medical Research: Is Regulation The Right Answer, Nehad Mikhael

Journal of Law and Health

Medical research plays a vital role in advancing human knowledge, developing new therapies and procedures, and reducing human suffering. Following the atrocities committed in the name of medical research by German physicians during the Nazi era, the Nuremberg trials were held, and an ethical code was created to establish the limits within which medical research can operate. Consequently, legal regimes built upon this ethical foundation to develop laws that ensure the integrity of medical research and the safety of human subjects. These laws sought to protect human subjects by minimizing conflicts of interest that may arise during the process. Furthermore, …

Internship Makes A Difference Close To Home, Aaron Sanborn, Radames Gonzalez

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Clinical Operations Tech: Off-Loading The Bedside Staff's To-Do List, Matthew Lemke, Jennifer Sartin, Elizabeth Mounir, Sue Harvey

Nursing

Background: Inefficiencies and vacancies in support roles exist between non-nursing disciplines (environmental services, transport, central supply, facilities, biomed, dietary, etc.) and nursing. This results in additional strain on nursing staff, negatively impacting nurse satisfaction patient care and throughput/length of stay. Inconsistencies and lack of standardization across departments creates opportunities for process failures.Purpose: The clinical operations tech (COT) pilot position was developed to reduce the impact of non-clinical tasks from the bedside staff workflow, provide regulatory compliance support, unit standardization, and increase throughput. Nursing spends up to one third of their time on non-nursing tasks which leads to decreased nursing satisfaction, …

Simple Guide To Starting A Research Group, Patricia Condon, Julie Simpson, Jessica A. Bolker, William C. Clyde, Summer B. Cook, Eleanor M. Jaffee, Jennifer Miksis-Olds, Cari A. Moorhead, Christopher Neefus, Cesar J. Rebellon, Nathan A. Schwadron, Michael J. Simmons, R. Scott Smith, John E. Sparrow, Sharon Tarleton, May-Win Thein, Anita R. Tucker, Karen T. Van Gundy, James Wible

Integrity in Research and Scholarship

Conducting cutting-edge research and scholarship becomes more complicated with each passing year; forming a collaborative research group offers a way to navigate this increasing complexity. Yet many individuals whose work might benefit from the formation of a collaborative team may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of attempting to build and maintain a research group. We propose this simple guide for starting and maintaining such an enterprise.

This version (V2, 2024) updates the original version (V1, 2019) with two new topics, expanded content, and additional resources.

Impact Of Ehr On Security Check And Patient Outcomes, Arun Kumar Marumudi

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

This study aims to explore patient perspectives on how electronic health record (EHR) security protocols influence care quality and outcomes. In the context of methodology, an online survey was conducted in March 2024 with 10 participants from the USA who provided informed consent. Questions assessed experience with EHRs, security concerns, perceptions of authentication impacts, satisfaction with balancing priorities, and open-ended feedback. Descriptive analysis was used to identify key themes.

Most respondents had direct EHR exposure, which validated their viewpoints. Universal concerns co-existed with preferring digital records due to facilitated sharing when regulated appropriately. One-third reported occasional access issues correlating with …

Green Function In Metric Measure Spaces, Mario Bonk, Luca Capogna, Xiaodan Zhou

Mathematics Sciences: Faculty Publications

We study existence and uniqueness of Green functions for the Cheeger QLaplacian in metric measure spaces that are Ahlfors Q-regular and support a Q-Poincar´e inequality with Q > 1. We prove uniqueness of Green functions both in the case of relatively compact domains, and in the global (unbounded) case. We also prove existence of global Green functions in unbounded spaces, complementing the existing results in relatively compact domains proved recently in [BBL20].

Frailty Increases The Long-Term Risk For Fall And Fracture-Related Hospitalizations And All-Cause Mortality In Community-Dwelling Older Women, Elsa Dent, Jack Dalla Via, Trent Bozanich, Emiel O. Hoogendijk, Abadi K. Gebre, Cassandra Smith, Kun Zhu, Richard L. Prince, Joshua R. Lewis, Marc Sim

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Frailty is associated with declines in physiological capacity across sensory, neurological, and musculoskeletal systems. An underlying assumption is that the frailer an individual, the more likely they are to experience falls and fractures. We examined whether grades of frailty can assess the long-term risk of hospitalized falls, fractures, and all-cause mortality in 1261 community-dwelling older women (mean age [SD] of 75.1 [2.7] yr) over 14.5 yr. Frailty was operationalized using a frailty index (FI) of cumulative deficits from 33 variables across multiple health domains (physical, mental, comorbidities) at baseline. The total score across these variables was summed and divided by …

Decline In Muscle Strength And Physical Function After Fracture In Men - The Prospective Strambo Study, Paweł Szulc, Joshua R. Lewis, Roland Chapurlat

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Studies on muscle strength and physical function after fracture are focused on short follow-ups and adjacent anatomical region. We compared loss of muscle strength and physical function in men after fracture with normal ageing-related decline. In 823 men aged 60-87, measurements of grip strength and clinical tests (chair stands, balance) were performed every 4 years for 12 years. In 155 men with incident fracture, we compared the status after vs. before the fracture. In men without fracture (controls), we compared the status on the first follow-up (4 years) vs. baseline. In men with fracture, grip strength decreased more than in …

The Effect Of Exercise On The Short-Term Memory Of College Students, Daniella Bastos, Carly Mcneill, Daniel Ceccoli, Patrick J. Cooper

Student Publications and Presentations

Aerobic exercise, in particular, has consistently demonstrated positive effects on short-term memory, attributed to increased cerebral blood flow, neurogenesis, and enhanced synaptic plasticity. The purpose of this research project is to evaluate that hypothesis in a cohort of college students between the ages of 18 and 25 by testing the participants short term memory capacity prior to exercising on a treadmill for a period of thirty (30) minutes and then re-testing the participants short term memory immediately after the exercise period. The short-term memory will be evaluated using the "Digit Span" memory test. Participants will be asked to perform the …

Investigation Into How Archaeological Gar Scales Are Affected By Water And Sea Level Rise, Emma Ditzig, Destiny Perez, Suncharone Jolteus, Ivett De La Rosa, Erika L. Doctor, Alanna L. Lecher

Student Publications and Presentations

Sea level rise is causing archeological sites in Florida to get wet. It’s unknown how the artifacts will be affected by getting wet. This study investigates how one type of artifact (gar scales) is affected physically and chemically by wetting. This study tested the hypothesis that pristine gar scales retain less water compared to degraded scales. The independent variable was scale condition (pristine vs. degraded). The dependent variable was water weight retention. 32 pristine and 32 degraded gar scales were collected from an archaeological site and weighed prior to soaking in water for 4 days. After soaking all the gar …

A Research Proposal Investigating The Geopolitical And Economic Impact Resulting From The Development Of Artificial General Intelligence (Agi), Tobia Donadon, Kristen Migliano

Student Publications and Presentations

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) represents the next step in the development of AI, a huge step in the quest for artificial intelligence. AGI aims to create machines capable of understanding, learning, and applying knowledge across various tasks, much like humans.

This research proposal focuses on advancements and potential effects, with an objective to bridge the gap between narrow AI applications and the broader cognitive capabilities of AGI. This study explores the transformative potential of AGI while addressing the societal impacts. The research looks into the relationship between the development of AGI and geopolitical affairs.

Drawing on recent discoveries in mathematical …

Gender Differences In Self-Efficacy And Psychological Adjustment In Middle School Children, Sophia Fiz, Gabriela Barber, Sean Blumenfeld, Patrick J. Cooper

Student Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Plant Growth In Adverse Environmental Conditions, Khelia Gihozo, Wayne Law

Student Publications and Presentations

As climate change intensifies, harsh environmental conditions, such as increased drought and salt levels, will cause significant challenges to agricultural productivity globally. Plants are naturally sensitive to stress but have evolved mechanisms that play a crucial role in regulating plant responses to environmental stress. However, the adaptations occurring may not be quick enough to ensure the long-term survivability or production of our agricultural system. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a hormone that allows plants to tolerate dry and salty conditions by causing stomatal closure and triggering a temporary dormancy. While naturally produced by plants, supplementation could enhance a plant’s resistance to …

Calcium Ions Effect On Planaria Feeding Behavior, Jonathan Newman, Natalie Gonzalez, Erika L. Doctor, Cassandra S. Korte

Student Publications and Presentations

Calcium is a well-known nutrient required for animal body function, playing a role in muscle contraction, movement, and neurological messaging. Laboratories use planaria, invertebrate flatworms, as a common model to study motility. These invertebrates have the ability to absorb nutrients such as calcium through their skin which aid in their metabolic processes. We hypothesize that how we house model organisms can affect the quality and outcome of our experiments. In other laboratories planaria are grown in different types of water. Which led us to ask how do different waters effect planaria motility and feeding behaviors for specific species? To test …

Gender And Racial Bias In Representations Of Scientists, Andrea Sanchez, Melissa Lehman

Student Publications and Presentations

Women and non-white individuals are underrepresented in the scientific community. This may be influenced by a lack of diverse representation of scientists in the media. We studied gender and race representation in Google Image search results by classifying the first 100 Google Image search results for scientists by gender and race, and based on the content of the information in the associated webpage. The overall results showed roughly equal representation of males and females, and of white and non-white faces; however, when articles focused specifically on gender were excluded, males made up a larger portion of images. Similarly, when articles …