Digital Commons Network^™

Hidden Diversity In A Clonal Endemic: Insights Into Clematis Socialis From A Population Genetics Perspective, Joanna M. Lapoint

Theses

Clematis socialis (Kral) is a rare, federally endangered perennial species restricted to a small number of fragmented populations in Alabama and Georgia. The species exhibits extensive clonality and limited sexual recruitment, characteristics that complicate expectations regarding genetic diversity and population connectivity. Despite its conservation significance, genome-wide assessments of population structure have been lacking. We used genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) to generate a genome-wide SNP dataset for 170 individuals sampled from six natural populations. Population structure and genetic differentiation were evaluated using Bayesian clustering, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), pairwise FST estimates, and network-based visualization. Analyses revealed strong genetic structuring among populations and …

Pathways To Independence: A Transitional Education Program For Adults With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, Joseph Ribaudo, Zeida Gutierrez

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Pathways to Independence is a transitional education program implemented into the young adult program of a school for individuals with neuro developmental disabilities (NDD). The objective of program implementation was to progress the skills of the adult with NDD students to promote increased independence upon the transition out of IDEA services. The program was delivered to 20 adult with NDD students ranging from 18-21 years old.

What We Hear Shapes What We Fear: Public Discourse As A Determinant Of Health, Amanda L. Almond

Open Educational Resources

This resource presents a structured assignment designed for undergraduate health psychology and interdisciplinary courses. Students systematically collect and analyze public discourse as a determinant of health using a shared dataset, followed by instructor-led synthesis and application of scientific reasoning.

The assignment emphasizes mechanism-based explanation, including how communication environments shape stress, perception, and health behavior. A second phase explicitly integrates the scientific method, guiding students to evaluate claims, distinguish correlation from causation, and consider what evidence would be required to test observed patterns.

This assignment was developed and implemented in a Hispanic-Serving Institution during Spring 2026, in response to real-time conditions …

Predictors Of Filipino Life Satisfaction Using The Revised Filipino Satisfaction With Life Scale, Razel Bacuetes Milo, Patricia Calero, Maria Luisa Ramira, Kathleen Soon, Maria Fontimayor, Cynthia D. Connelly

School of Nursing and Health Science: Faculty Scholarship

Background: 

Mental health stigma serves as a significant barrier to seeking help, often leading to maladaptive coping strategies. Given these complexities, it is essential to validate the Satisfaction With Life Scale Revised (SWLS-R) within the Filipino context to assess its psychometric reliability, cultural relevance, and suitability for evaluating well-being and mental health outcomes among Filipinos.

Objective: 

The aims of this study were to evaluate the psychometric properties of the SWLS-R and describe the relationships and significant predictors of life satisfaction among Filipinos living in the United States.

Methods: 

A purposive sample of Filipino adults, fluent in both English and Filipino, …

How Current Textile Recycling Policies Address Gaps In Consumer Accessibility To Recycling Programs: A Systematic Literature Review (Abstract), Nicole Johnson

Major Papers by TMD Master of Science Students

No abstract provided.

English Diphthongs For English Learners: The Same, But Different, Kristin Lems

Faculty Publications

In any language, diphthongs need to be reckoned with, but teaching diphthongs to learners of English as a new language requires greater insight and special skills. In this column, we take a look at English diphthongs, why they matter, and how they might be best handled when teaching English language learners.

Seek, And Ye Shall Find, Alex Relaz

Student Projects

Alex Relaz’s work primarily focuses on nature and his relationship to it. Changes are constantly exhibited in nature, and the same can be said for people, no matter who they are. As Alex grew up, he soon found that he was different from his peers. He was teased by his classmates, and after formally coming out as transgender, he was ostracized by the authoritative figures from his former life. Some years later, he turned to photography as a way to capture his love for the natural world. After enrolling at Northern Illinois University and studying the art form more closely, …

Evaluation Of A Telecommuting Nurse Staff Model In Ambulatory Care, Movlet Lewis, Karen J. Whitt, Cynthia L. Allen

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Full Practice Authority For Advanced Practice Registered Nurses In Texas: A Policy Analysis, Carly Duncan, Mary Jean Schumann, Lori Bachelor, Jane Champion

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Exploring Perceptions Of Plant-Based Proteins In Dining Among University Students And Food Services Providers, Daria Faulkner, Khadidiatou Ndiaye, William Dietz, Michael Long

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

A Qualitative Analysis Of Multi-Level Stakeholder Perspectives On Medicaid Reentry Policy Implementation For Justice-Involved Youth In New Mexico, Elizabeth Laferriere, Fran Buntman, Frances Laufer, Maria Keneally, J. Zoë Beckerman

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Association Between Caffeine Consumption And Academic Performance In Gwu Undergraduate Students, Elden Badua, Leslie Davidson

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Association Between Cardiovascular Fitness And Strength Fitness Status Across Distinct Phenotypes In Exercising Women, Gianna Filippou, Jordyn Walters, Andrea Osorio, Felipe Cabello, Allie Chetta, Clara De Torres Ensenat, Karla Cordero-Ortega, Shery Kamel, Carmen P. Ortega-Santos

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Integrated Mortality Surveillance In The United States, Colombia, & Zambia: Facilitators, Barriers, & Lessons, Chinwe Lucia Ochu, Erin Nichols, Abdisalan Noor, Karen A. Mcdonnell

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Assessing Differences In Physician Assistant Program Admissions: Observing The Influence Of Demographic Characteristics On Likelihood Of Acceptance, Nicole Wen, Mary L. Warner

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Museum Health And Safety Requires Collaboration Between Environmental/Occupational Health And Museum/Conservation Sciences, David F. Goldsmith, Maria Fusco

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

3rd Place Contest Entry: "Examining Physicians’ Behaviors Regarding Buprenorphine Prescribing For Opioid Use Disorder", Khashayar Eshtiaghi

Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Library Research Prize

This is Khashayar Eshtiaghi's submission for the 2026 Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Research Prize, which won third place. It contains their essay on using library resources, a summary of their research project on physicians' behaviors regarding buprenorphine prescribing for opioid use disorde, and their bibliography.

Khashayar is a student in the Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy program at Chapman University. Their faculty mentor is Dr. Marc Fleming.

Implicit Learning: Exploring Safe Failure Zones Within The Teach–Reinforce–Master Framework, Hanyi Zhang

Level Design Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the use of the Teach–Reinforce–Master framework in video games. Specifically, the research explores whether players prefer to play through safe failure zones rather than unsafe zones in the reinforcement portion of a game-level tutorial. To test this hypothesis, the researcher created two levels for the game Half-Life 2. One level incorporates a series of best practices for safe failure zones, while the second level does not. The researcher explored whether implicit learning during the reinforcement stage in safe failure zones could be strengthened by implementing more optional paths, prohibiting the use of penalties, adding encouraging rewards, …

Predicting Player Perception Of A Room’S Purpose Through Context Complexity, Ian Rodriguez

Level Design Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to discover and quantify the minimum amount of information needed for a player to accurately understand an interior room’s fictional purpose. The researcher created a level in Starfield that requires the player to rescue nine hostages aboard a spacestation, each of which is in their own individual room. Hostage rooms were designed with varying levels of appropriateness: the wall texture, room scale, and number of appropriate objects differed. The researcher then recruited thirteen testers to play the level and complete a postsurvey, which asked them to identify the purpose of each of these rooms.

Best Practices: Enhancing Ludonarrative Harmony Through Environmental Storytelling, Ryan "Ry" Mendenhall

Level Design Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the concept of ludonarrative and the possibility of enhancing the harmony between gameplay and story that may be achieved through environmental storytelling using an artifact built within The Witcher 3: REDkit.

Exploring The Impact Of Cat Nutrition On Consumer Purchases: An Examination On Feline Microbiome, Health, And Owner Responses, Cassidy Curry

Honors College Theses

The gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome plays a critical role in feline health, influencing conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), kidney disease, and other digestive disorders. Diet is a major factor affecting microbial balance, yet many cat owners lack sufficient knowledge of feline nutrition. This may lead to suboptimal feeding practices that negatively impact microbiome stability. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between an owner’s nutritional knowledge and their pet food purchasing decisions. Specifically, it examined feeding schedule, food type and consistency, supplement use, and veterinary engagement. A 13- question survey was administered to 84 Murray State University Honors College …

Hqim Provides The Script. School Librarians Provide The Stage: School Librarians As Partners In High-Quality Instructional Materials Implementation In Arkansas, Ashley Cooksey

Faculty Publications - Teaching and Educational Leadership

No abstract provided.

The Data Cycle - Assessment Tutoring, Jireh A. Valdez Hernandez

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Students in this assessment course engaged in a full Data Cycle process by tutoring a student in the community, designing and implementing assessments, targeted instruction, and progress monitoring to support learning. This presentation provides an overview of the culminating project, highlighting how candidates used data to inform instructional decisions and measure student growth. Through this work, students demonstrate the impact of data-driven teaching on real-world learning outcomes.

Storm-Drains As Ecosystems, Victoria E. Kennedy, Curtis Jang, Darlene Panvini

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Stormwater drains and culverts are installed across urban spaces to direct surface water and allow for proper drainage and prevent flooding and erosion. These structures and the water that they carry can provide unintended opportunities to wildlife. Previous research has shown that local ecosystems may utilize and adapt around these culverts in many ways. They can serve as habitats, connect fragmented habitats separated by roads or human traffic, serve as drinking spots, and promote biodiverse plant growth. This project aims to analyze these often-overlooked spaces as ecosystems themselves, so that we can learn more about their impact and significance.    Key …

April '26 Bookmark Of The Month: Believe In The Library, Iwasaki Library

Monthly Iwasaki Library Bookmarks

The April limited-edition bookmark debuted for the Emerson community in early April 2026. Inspired by the wildly popular book and new movie, Project Hail Mary. In April, the movie, starring Ryan Gosling, became an instant hit! The front of the bookmark is designed like the promotional materials of the Project Hail Mary movie poster, and the back features an ode to Ryan Gosling. The QR code on the back allows viewers to explore a full list of Iwasaki Library resources.

The Impact Of Team Payroll On Team Performance In Major League Baseball: Testing The Law Of Diminishing Returns, Naomi Mina Woerner

Theses & ETDs

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the relationship between team payroll and team performance measured by winning percentage in Major League Baseball over a 20-year sample period from 2005 to 2024, using a panel dataset including all 30 teams. Building on microeconomic production theory, this investigation is supported by the estimation of two model specifications, a log-linear and a quadratic specification, testing both the linear payroll effect and the impact of diminishing marginal returns through three models: a pooled OLS, a fixed effects model, and a random effects model, as well as a series of diagnostic tests. Additionally, …

Reciprocal Responses Of Employees Given Desirability And Activity Variance Of A Supervisor, Alexander Ferryman

Theses & ETDs

This study tested a two-dimensional model of workplace reciprocity (Cropanzano et al., 2017) by examining whether supervisory activity, defined as the frequency and strength of engagement, predicts employee behavioral responses beyond hedonic value alone. Using vignettes representing each quadrant of a desirability x activity grid, participants (N = 166) reported on Organizational Citizenship Behaviors and Deviant Workplace Behaviors, each with interpersonal and organizational subscales. Activity and desirability correlated strongly despite being experimentally manipulated as distinct dimensions, and contrary to predictions, higher perceived activity was associated with lower deviant behavior rather than higher. Still, both dimensions predicted citizenship behaviors comparably, while …

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 40. A Comprehensive Bibliography Of Books And Booklets About Alfred Russel Wallace, George Beccaloni, Jasper H. Pol, Charles H. Smith Editor

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

This bibliography presents the most comprehensive listing to date of books and booklets on Alfred Russel Wallace’s life and work, in all languages and editions, while excluding AI-generated works and most print-on-demand titles. It is based on a list compiled in 2023, which was expanded through searches of online catalogues and other resources. Analysis of the 160 works reveals a marked increase in publications since the late twentieth century, substantial linguistic diversity, and the growing use of manuscript sources in scholarly studies, particularly following the online availability of Wallace’s correspondence via EPSILON.

Are Missourians Voting For Conservative Candidates And Liberal Policies? A Case For Ballot Measure Ticket Splitting, Kimberly L. Casey, Andrew Strunc

Missouri Policy Journal

Missouri voters have recently been observed engaging in a form of ticket splitting in which support for Republican candidates is accompanied by approval of liberal ballot measures. This study examines that phenomenon using data from the Northwest Policy and Civic Engagement Center’s exit poll of the 2024 general election, conducted in Maryville, Missouri. The data reveal a strong tendency among voters to support candidates from a single party, Democratic or Republican, yet split their votes on ballot measures aligned with opposing ideological positions. We define this behavior as Ballot Measure Ticket Splitting (BMTS): the act of casting a straight-ticket …

Abortion Policy Opinions: Results From 2022 And 2024 Election Day Exit Polls, Mariliz Kastberg-Leonard

Missouri Policy Journal

Missouri has approached abortion policy in a post-Dobbs world, in an interesting way. As one of the states with a trigger law in effect, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade (1973), abortions were banned in Missouri except in very few cases. Just two years later, a constitutional amendment, Amendment 3, was added to the 2024 general election ballot to restore the right to abortion. This paper explores the results of two exit polls administered on Election Day 2022 and 2024, asking voters in Maryville, Missouri, their opinions about abortion. The results show Maryville voters support abortion protections, in …