Digital Commons Network^™

The Adverse Mental Health Effects Caused By Acculturative Stress And Its Influence On First- And Second-Year Immigrant Students In The United States, Sara Sparks

Student Theses and Dissertations

Relevant literature points out the adverse effects of acculturative stress, particularly on the mental health of immigrants. Recent studies also emphasize that immigrant students are academically behind their U.S.-born, native English-speaking peers. However, few studies explore how the adverse mental health effects of acculturative stress influence immigrants’ academic performance. This gap in literature is significant given the academic disparities. Applying Berry et al.’s (1987) acculturative stress conceptual framework, as well as Sirin et al.’s (2019) framework on the mental health outcomes caused by acculturative stress, research was conducted focusing on factors that cause acculturative stress, its mental health implications, and …

Vertically Aligned Curriculum In The Rural Education Setting And Its Effect On Student Achievement, Jordan Palmer

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study examined vertical curriculum alignment in rural education settings and its impact on student achievement. Rural school districts in Missouri often lack cohesive curricula, leading to students’ lower performance on standardized tests compared to suburban areas. This situation hinders students' postsecondary readiness and sustains achievement gaps, especially affecting underserved rural populations. The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to determine whether a relationship exists between vertically aligned math curricula and student achievement in rural public schools. The study was guided by vertical curriculum alignment theory, which stresses a systematic content progression across grades, and critical theory, which highlights …

Two Parthenons: The Convergence Of Greek Myth And Western Heritage In Nashville, Kathryn Marie Bryles

Student Theses and Dissertations

The Nashville Parthenon functions as a cultural and educational center, hosting exhibitions, performances, and lectures that delve into Greek mythology and its influence on Western civilization. By doing so, it bridges the gap between ancient and modern worlds, highlighting how the themes of Greek mythology remain relevant today. The links between the Athenian Parthenon and the Nashville Parthenon stand as a testament to the enduring power of Greek mythology, preserving its stories and symbols in a modern context. It illustrates how ancient heritage can be revitalized and celebrated, ensuring that the myths of gods and heroes continue to inspire and …

Cotton Response To Tillage Systems And Irrigation: Interactions With Seeding Rate And Soil Textural Zones, Jennifer Hinojosa

Student Theses and Dissertations

Arkansas cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) producers have made progress in sustainable production over the past twenty years with expanded adoption of soil and water conservation practices, including reduced tillage and use of winter cover crops. Producers have been uncertain about the need to modify other practices as they adopt conservation tillage systems, particularly the costly decision on whether to increase cotton seeding rates when they plant into stale seedbeds with high residue from terminated cover crops. To address this question, an on-farm experiment in northeast Arkansas was conducted to evaluate cotton performance with modified cotton seeding rates in rainfed or …

Psychological Impacts Of Caring For Individuals With Fluent Versus Nonfluent Aphasia, Allisyn Rae Converse

Student Theses and Dissertations

This investigation sought to explore the mental health differences between caregivers of individuals with fluent aphasia versus caregivers of individuals with nonfluent aphasia with a focus on their levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. This study had a quantitative, non-experimental between group research design, utilizing a Qualtrics survey including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Perceived Stress scale to collect all data. Both caregivers of individuals with nonfluent and fluent aphasia can experience psychological impacts of serving as a caregiver such as elevated stress, anxiety, and depression. However, this study reveals that caregivers of individuals with nonfluent aphasia …

Mississippi Teachers' Perspective Of Professional Learning Supports And Their Effects On Student Learning Outcomes When Implementing High-Quality Instructional Materials, Mandy Michael Johnson

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify and describe the perspectives of Mississippi teachers on the professional learning support and outcomes associated with implementing high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) in their classrooms. Grounded in Vygotsky's sociocultural theory of cognitive development, this study surveyed eleven elementary teachers from a Mississippi school district to determine their perspectives on the professional learning support provided for an HQIM, based on their experiences, and its effects on student learning outcomes. After analyzing the data using Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis method, it was concluded that teachers rely heavily on state-level literacy coaches for …

The Knowledge And Perceptions Of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Among Agricultural Education Students, Madyson Hufstedler

Student Theses and Dissertations

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a preventable yet widespread occupational hazard, especially among agricultural workers who are regularly exposed to high levels of noise from equipment, machinery, and firearms (Lander et al., 2007; Milz et al., 2008). Young and future farmers may be particularly vulnerable due to early and prolonged exposure combined with limited awareness about the risks of noise and the importance of hearing protection (Balanay & Kearney, 2015; Martin et al., 2006). This study examined the perceptions and knowledge of NIHL among 83 students (76 high school and 7 college) in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. A pretest–posttest …

Change Management In Higher Education: The Role Of Non-Academic Staff In The Change Process., Scott Robert Kuttenkuler

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of non-academic staff regarding preparedness and response to significant institutional change within higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guided by Kotter’s (1995, 2012B) Change Model, the study examined how non-academic personnel perceived leadership effectiveness, readiness for change, and resistance to change amid an unprecedented disruption that reshaped higher education operations worldwide. Fifteen non-academic staff members employed at two-year colleges in the South-Central United States participated in semi-structured interviews designed to elicit in-depth, descriptive accounts of their experiences. Participants represented four primary functional areas—front-facing support, information technology, facilities …

Sustainability Implications Of Agricultural Practices In The Arkansas Delta: A Field To Market Approach, Melissa Adelle Palumbo

Student Theses and Dissertations

The Field-to-Market Fieldprint Calculator is a software tool designed to estimate and compare relative sustainability of differing agricultural practices. This observational research compared conservation techniques to conventional practices in rice and cotton on three separate farms in Northeast Arkansas. Considering management and site conditions, the Fieldprint Calculator was used to compare sustainability metrics to standards at various spatial scales in a spidergraph report. Eight metrics were analyzed to produce reports, including greenhouse gas emissions, water quality and quantity, land and energy use, soil carbon and conservation, and biodiversity. Results showed no significant change in yield between the different production methods, …

Advanced Control Strategy For Photovoltaic Dc Microgrids Using Model Predictive Control With Rl Filter Enhancement, Yagub Suleymanov

Student Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents the modeling and control of a photovoltaic (PV)-based DC microgrid using MATLAB/Simulink. A DC–DC converter with a buck stage is employed to perform a better maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and voltage regulation from PV panel. Predictive control method (MPC) algorithm will be employed, which offers faster transient response and reduced oscillations compared to traditional techniques. Considering the existing works, this study introduces an additional RL filter branch to further improve the stability of the regulated DC bus voltage combining MPC method and Incremental Conductance Maximum Power Point Tracking (IC-MPPT) algorithm. To ensure stable operation of the …

Ai-Driven Automatic Fault Detection Systems: Revolutionizing Modern Smart Grids, Aravind Sanikommu

Student Theses and Dissertations

The increasing complexity of current power systems, resulting from the integration of distributed generators and renewable energy sources, necessitates intelligent and adaptive fault detection schemes. Traditional protection using impedance and phasor analysis is usually weak when operating in nonlinear and transient operating conditions. Consequently, the tools of Data-driven fault classification and decision-making have gained strength under artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to improve grid reliability. This thesis is a proposal of an automatic fault detection and classification system based on AI applied to a smart mini-grid setting built in MATLAB/Simulink. A complete set of voltage and current data …

Why Black Teachers Decide To Stay: A Phenomenological Study To Understand Retention Of Black Teachers In The Suburban School Setting, Chere Swearingen

Student Theses and Dissertations

Retention rates of Black teachers in suburban schools are significantly lower than their White teacher counterparts. For Black teachers the assumption has always been that Black teachers wanted to teach in Urban schools who have a majority Black student makeup. This phenomenological study offers a counter-story to the commonly told narrative of Black teachers. Black teacher retention in the suburban locale was addressed with the intent to support a school system that is more reflective of student demographics. Utilizing aspects from both Job Embeddedness and Critical Race Theory, this study examined the lived experience of 8 Black teachers working in …

The Role Of Athletic Department Staff And The Effects On Student-Athlete Persistence, Makenzie Brooke Mcgaha

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this case study is to determine what collegiate student-athletes believe contributes to their motivation to persist and achieve their goals as a student-athlete. In-person and virtual interviews were conducted using four student-athlete participants and four athletic staff participants. The data was then transcribed and evaluated using McClelland’s Need Theory (1961) for theme development. For student-athletes this included the importance of community, supports, and student-athlete identity. For athletic staff members this also included student-athlete community, supports, and unpreparedness. Overall, the findings of this study depict that there are supports, services, and athletic staff members that can impact student-athletes’ …

Cotton Production In The Arkansas Delta - A Focus On Water Quality Impacts, Trenton Alexander Barker

Student Theses and Dissertations

Farmers in Arkansas irrigate more farmland than 47 other states in the U.S. Agricultural production is a vital contributor to the economy of the state; however, it also contributes heavily to water quantity and quality issues within the Mississippi River Basin and the Gulf of Mexico. Row-crop producers have adopted soil and water conservation practices to mitigate these effects, yet many farmers remain hesitant to adopt conservation methods due to uncertainties about their effects on yield and profits. This thesis evaluates the water quality impacts of conventional and conservation cotton tillage systems under irrigated and rainfed conditions. Runoff, plant development, …

Direct Solar-Energy Powered Hydrothermal Treatment To Promote Biomethane Production From Anaerobic Digestion Of Rice Processing Waste, Kainat Rahnuma

Student Theses and Dissertations

Hydrolysis is a slow and energy-intensive process and a rate-limiting step in anaerobic digestion (AD). This research investigates performance strategies for integrating hydrothermal treatment (HT) with AD. HT-AD systems were less economically viable than AD-only options because of the high energy consumption of HT. Therefore, we used solar energy to conduct HT via either solar cookers or solar panels. The HT method significantly improved digestion performance, reducing the lag phase from 60 to 24 h, and increasing overall yield. Hydrothermally treated rice, rice bran, and rice hulls produced 22,932 mL, 13,136 mL, and 1283 mL, respectively. However, untreated rice, rice …

K-3 Southern, Rural, Public-School Teachers’ Perspectives On Literacy Post Covid, Venesia Dreon Griffin Brown

Student Theses and Dissertations

Over the years, research has been undertaken to find what works to improve proficiency in literacy skills. However, most of the research has been done in urban areas. Therefore, the problem addressed in this study is K-3 literacy in southern, rural areas where students are below grade level and falling further behind, increasing the risk of student-drop out in their later years. The research is rooted in the interviews of 11 teachers in four states, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisianna, and Mississippi. They gave their perspectives and experiences on literacy education post Covid. Consequently, the purpose of the qualitative phenomenology study was …

A Town Of Their Own Making: Garrett Grove And Other Arkansas Freedom Settlements, Donna Shelton

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study is an examination of Black power movements through townbuilding in post-emancipation Arkansas delving into the perspectives of African American farmer-owners, business operators, educators, and community leaders who survived on the other side of slavery. Despite failed promises from so-called allies, or perhaps because of them and other societal betrayals, freedpeople carved out a place in the American landscape to establish All-Black communities and towns popularly known as “Black Towns” or “Freedmen Towns.” In contrast to most studies of Black towns, this study is situated in the South, specifically in Arkansas, to examine the more than three dozen freedom …

Examining The Influence Of Cultural Sameness Or Difference Of Principals And Teachers On Students Perceived Connectedness, Asmaa Fahmy Kabel

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, phenomenological study explores how cultural sameness or difference between students and their teachers and principals influences students’ perceived sense of belonging and connectedness to their school community. Drawing on Cultural Intelligence Theory (Earley & Ang, 2003) and Social Learning Theory (Bandura, 1977), this study investigates the nuanced ways in which students internalize and interpret their relationships with school personnel, with attention to shared and differing cultural attributes beyond race alone. Twelve participants, all one to five years post–high school graduation from traditional public schools, were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire followed by …

The Impact Of Applying For A Post-Secondary Opportunity When Coming From A Low Socioeconomic Status, David Marlow Price

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of high school seniors attending a socioeconomically disadvantaged high school as they navigated the process of applying for postsecondary education. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 2001) and Achievement Motivation Theory (McClelland, 1968), the study examined the barriers and motivators influencing students’ pursuit of higher education. Despite national efforts to improve college access, significant gaps persist for students from low-income households due to limited financial resources, inadequate guidance, and minimal exposure to postsecondary options. The study was conducted at a rural high school in western Tennessee where …

Jones Living Trust V. Burnell

All Decisions

The Appellate Term reversed a Civil Court order that dismissed a holdover petition based on a defective notice of petition. The tenant had moved to dismiss, arguing the notice failed to conform to the mandatory form under 22 NYCRR § 208.42(b). The Appellate Term held that while non-conformity may be jurisdictional, here the notice was substantially compliant with the spirit and intent of the sample notice. Minor differences pertained to form, not substance, and did not prejudice the tenant's rights. The case was remitted for the Civil Court to determine the remaining branches of the tenant's motion.

Gastrointestinal Histology Of Systemic Sclerosis: A Systematic Review, Aidan K Strother, Robert M Anderton, Naveen Kalavar, Ali Y Ayla, Tracy Ashby, Amanda Mayer, Roshan Dongre, Francesco Bonomi, Silvia Bellando Randone, Michael Hughes, Zsuzsanna H Mcmahan

Library Staff Publications

Objective: To systematically review and synthesize the histological findings of gastrointestinal (GI) tissue in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), aiming to clarify the role of fibrosis and other pathological processes in SSc-related GI disease.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across MEDLINE (OVID), Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for studies published in English from 1960 to 2025. Inclusion criteria required studies to report qualitative histological findings from GI tissue (esophagus to anorectum) in adult SSc patients, excluding those with overlapping autoimmune diseases or malignancy. Data extraction and appraisal were performed independently by multiple reviewers.

Results: Of 1697 …

Stories From Former Foster Youth College Graduates: The Positive Impact Of K-12 Schooling And Related Educational Policy, Amanda Moon, Kristen D. Seay

Faculty and Staff Publications

Youth in foster care face disproportionate challenges when it comes to education and personal well-being. Many studies use a deficit lens when evaluating these challenges. In contrast, this study is asset-based, centering first-person accounts from five former foster youth college graduates. Using a counter-narrative framework, we conducted semi-structured interviews with participants to reveal key supports in K-12 schooling participants believed helped them achieve academic and life milestones. These were relationships with teachers and coaches, access to extracurricular activities, and literacy-rich environments. We also reviewed 11 relevant federal educational policies to identify provisions and implementation needs that aligned with participant experiences. …

Volume Cxlv, Number 10, January 23, 2026, Lawrence University

The Lawrentian

No abstract provided.

Relating To Ai, Nick Breems

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"As users of technology, we do have a choice."

Posting about ­­­­­­­­exercising discernment in using technological tools from In All Things, an online hub that offers insight into maintaining and faithful and orthodox Reformed Christian worldview while fearlessly engaging in every aspect of contemporary life – until all is made new.

Relating to AI

Women With Moderate Anaemia Prior To Conception Benefited Most From Nutrition Interventions: A Secondary Analysis Of The Women First Preconception Maternal Nutrition Trial, Sumera Aziz Ali, Ka Kahe, Jeanine Genkinger, Linda Valeri, Sarah Saleem, Saleem Jessani, Robert Goldenberg, Jamie Westcott, Jennifer Kemp, Ana Garces, Lester Figueroa, Shivaprasad Goudar, Sangappa Dhaded, Richard Derman, Antoinette Tshefu Kitoto, Adrien Lokangaka, Melissa Bauserman, Elizabeth Mcclure, Marion Koso-Thomas, Louise Kuhn, Nancy Krebs

Global Health Articles

INTRODUCTION: The Women First (WF) Preconception Maternal Nutrition trial found greater benefits of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) for intrauterine growth among anaemic versus non-anaemic women at preconception. We investigated whether the benefits of SQ-LNS in improving markers of intrauterine growth occurred evenly across the mild to moderate spectrum of pre-pregnancy anaemia.

METHODS: We analysed WF data (n=2443 maternal-newborn dyads) from Pakistan, India, Guatemala and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Women received SQ-LNS either ≥3 months preconception through pregnancy (Arm 1); starting in the late first trimester (Arm 2); or not at all (Arm 3: control), with all supplementations discontinued …

2025 Highlights In Non-Invasive Neurostimulation And Neuromodulation For Headache Management, Chai Ching Ng, Hsiangkuo Yuan

Department of Jefferson Headache Center Papers and Presentations

No abstract available

When Textbook Meets Reality: A Rare Case Of Boerhaave’S Syndrome With Mackler’S Triad, Taiwo Ajani, Jose J. Loayza Pintado, Nayiri Derian, Andres Suarez-Parraga, Ernesto Garza

School of Medicine Publications

Boerhaave’s syndrome is a rare and life-threatening form of spontaneous esophageal perforation, typically triggered by forceful vomiting and often misdiagnosed due to nonspecific clinical features. Although Mackler’s triad (vomiting, chest pain, and subcutaneous emphysema) is classically associated with the condition, it is infrequently observed in full. We present the case of a 32-year-old man with a history of ulcerative colitis (UC) who presented to the emergency department with acute chest pain and repeated vomiting following dinner. He reported a sensation of food impaction and sought care 2 hours after symptom onset. Examination revealed subcutaneous emphysema and abdominal tenderness. Imaging with …

A Universal Of Human Social Cognition: Children From 17 Communities Process Gaze In Similar Ways, Manuel Bohn, Julia Christin Prein, Agnes Ayikoru, Florian M. Bednarski, Ardain Dzabatou, Michael C. Frank, Annette M.E. Henderson, Joan Isabella, Josefine Kalbitz, Patricia Kanngiesser, Dilara Keşşafoğlu, Bahar Köymen, Maira V. Manrique-Hernandez, Shirley Magazi, Lizbeth Mújica-Manrique, Julia Ohlendorf, Damilola Olaoba, Wesley R. Pieters, Sarah Pope-Caldwell, Katie Slocombe, Robert Z. Sparks, Jahnavi Sunderarajan, Wilson Vieira, Zhen Zhang, Yufei Zong, Roman Stengelin, Daniel B.M. Haun

School of Psychology

Theoretical accounts typically assume that key features of human socio-cognitive development are universal. This paper reports a large-scale cross-cultural study (17 communities, diverse ethnicities, N = 1,377, 709 female, mean = 5.50 years, -collected March 2022 to January 2024) on gaze following in early childhood. To test for universality, cognitive processing signatures were derived from a computational model treating gaze following as social vector estimation. Results showed substantial variation between communities and individuals. Yet, the processing signature was found in all communities. Individual differences in performance were related to children's familiarity with the data-collection device but not opportunities for social …

From Detection To Protection: Online Risks, Privacy And Security In The Lives Of Disabilities, Cansu Bolat Dinc, Elizabeth J. Done

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

This paper emphasises the need to address onlinerisks, privacy and security in the everyday digital livesof individuals with intellectual disabilities. It proposesa study that will explore their online experiencesalongside parental concerns, expectations andpractices, as well as the forms of support teachersprovide to both parents and students. The project willadopt a mixed-methods design, bringing togetherfocus groups with young people with intellectualdisabilities, online surveys with parents and semistructured interviews with teachers. By integratingthese perspectives, the paper aims to build an evidencebase that can inform future research and guide thedevelopment of more context-sensitive policies,educational practices and curricula. Ultimately, thestudy seeks to contribute to …

Communication Disorders Graduate Student: Perspective Of Voice, Maycie Brentney Terrell / Blankenship

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the influence of training in SPEAK OUT!® on the perceptual ratings of voice and speech made by communication disorders (CD) graduate students. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of SPEAK OUT!® training by comparing those who have undergone SPEAK OUT!® training with those who have not. To address this, 36 participants who attend communication disorders graduate programs within the United States were recruited. Data were collected through a Qualtrics survey distributed via email and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings indicate that perceptual ratings across most voice …