Digital Commons Network^™

The Latent Lens: Exploring Hetereogeneity In The Use Of Physical Restraints Via Latent Class Analysis And The Lens Model, Andrew Miele

Theses and Dissertations

Research on the use of physical restraints has revealed high rates of heterogeneity between clinical settings and an array of potential risk factors at both the patient and provider level. This is most evident in general medical hospitals, where patient populations are more heterogenous than other settings and physicians often can rely only on observable characteristics of patients to assess safety risks. More recent work has shown that coherent subgroups of restrained patients can be derived from demographic and clinical indicators. Identification of coherent patient subgroups may aid in understanding both the heterogeneity of the restrained patient population and differences …

The Relationship Between K–12 School Administrators’ Adaptive Leadership Behaviors And Self-Efficacy For Crisis Management, Meg Anne Sheehan

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative correlational study addressed the relationship between K–12 school administrators’ adaptive leadership behaviors and their self-efficacy for crisis management. Guided by Ronald Heifetz’s adaptive leadership theory and Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, the study was an exploration of how adaptability, prior professional experience, and crisis-specific training influence administrators’ confidence in leading through emergencies. Participants included 51 practicing administrators from public schools, mostly located on Long Island, New York, who completed two validated instruments: the Adaptive Leadership Behavior Scale, which is an adaptation from Shams et. al, and the School Administrator Preparedness and Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, which is an adaptation of April …

In Vitro Investigation Of Myoblasts As A Cell Therapy Candidate And Their Effects On Macrophages, Olivia Armas, Erica Duffy, Arthur Klujian, Clara Markel, Franklin Ng, Elisabeth Stodola

Baker/Koob Endowments Awarded Projects

Human macrophage isolation was successful with a 10% yield. Isolations are being further refined using an autoMACS cell separator, providing students instructional training on industry-level equipment that is commonly used. Through the primary human myoblast and murine macrophage co-culture, a significant shift in phenotype was demonstrated. Macrophage morphology varies with polarization and was used to evaluate the impact of factors and myoblasts at polarizing macrophages. Macrophage morphology was measured using an Image J analysis that quantified the axial ratio of macrophages. Axial ratio was calculated using the major axis divided by minor axis. The results showed that all the pre-polarized …

Block Form And Grossform: Bigness Reconsidered, Edgar G. Adams Jr.

Architecture, Art, and Historic Preservation Faculty Publications

During the 20th Century, architecture’s relationship with the city underwent a profound transformation that can be most clearly seen in the changing attitudes regarding the role of the urban block as a constituent component of the urban fabric. The introduction of the car and the increasing scale of urban development prompted a reexamination of both the block and its defining streets. This paper examines the remarkable convergence of architects seeking to distance themselves from CIAM modernism under the banner of ‘Rationalism’ and their ultimately divergent positions regarding rebuilding efforts in Berlin during the run up to the 1984/87 IBA. During …

Amyloid Β-Cholesterol Interplay: Removal Of Cholesterol From The Membranes To Catalyze Aggregation And Amyloid Pathology, Rishiram Baral, Ruan Van Deventer, Yuri L. Lyubchenko

Journal Articles: Pharmaceutical Sciences

The interplay between the cholesterol metabolism and assembly of Aβ42 (the 42-residue form of the amyloid-β peptide) peptides in pathological aggregates is considered one of the major molecular mechanisms in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Numerous in vitro studies led to the finding that high cholesterol levels in membranes accelerate the production of Aβ aggregates. The molecular mechanisms explaining how cholesterol localized inside the membrane bilayer catalyzes the assembly of Aβ aggregates above the membrane remain unknown. We addressed this problem by combining different AFM modalities, including imaging and force spectroscopy, with fluorescence spectroscopy. Our combined studies revealed that …

Chronic In Utero Oxycodone Exposure Alters Placental Small Ev Proteome And Fetal Cardiomyopathy-Linked Pathways, Amin Foroughi Nezhad, Dalia Moore, Victoria L. Schaal, Tousif Ahmed Hediyal, Elizabeth Stone, Sree Kolli, Pranavi Athota, Omar Shukri, Sowmya V. Yelamanchili, Gurudutt Pendyala

Journal Articles: Anesthesiology

Aim: The rising prevalence of opioid use during pregnancy poses serious public health concerns. The placenta is a critical organ during gestation, and opioid exposure can disrupt its function and fetal development. However, the molecular mechanisms through which opioids such as oxycodone affect feto-placental development remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic in-utero oxycodone exposure on the composition and signaling functions of placenta-derived small extracellular vesicles (PSEVs) using a rat model.

Methods: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were isolated from placental tissue and characterized through nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy, western blotting, and label-free quantitative proteomics. …

Simulation Scenario Builder, Jami Monico

Instructional Materials: Graduate Medical Education

Simulation Scenario Builder is a structured Excel‑based tool designed to guide educators through the complete development of clinical simulation experiences. Organized according to the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice™, this builder ensures consistency, quality, and standardization when creating simulation activities for learners in health professions education. The file includes linked resources, fillable planning sections, and templates for scenario design, prebriefing, debriefing, learner preparation, assessment, fidelity planning, and evaluation.

Evaluation Of Commercial Li-Ion 2032 Coin Cells For Non-Ambient Temperature Applications, Shintaro Inaba , '26, Aaron Dubois , '26, Alex Wuttig , '26, S. Ji, Eric Novak, Hillary L. Smith

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Works

Rechargeable Li-ion 2032 coin cells are widely used in consumer electronics and fundamental battery research, yet their behavior under non-ambient conditions remains insufficiently characterized. In this work, five commercial LIR2032-type cells, including standard and high-capacity variants from multiple manufacturers, were evaluated over 100 galvanostatic cycles at 0 °C, 24 °C, and 60 °C. Ex situ X-ray diffraction confirmed graphite anodes and LiCoO₂ cathodes for all cells. Galvanostatic cycling revealed that room-temperature operation provides the most stable performance, while low-temperature cycling limits accessible capacity through kinetic constraints and high-temperature cycling accelerates degradation despite enhanced initial utilization. Differential capacity (dQ/dV) analysis identified …

A Flux-Limited Sample Of Dusty Star-Forming Galaxies From The Atacama Cosmology Telescope: Physical Properties And The Case For Multiplicity, K. R. Hall, J. B. Hassan, R. M. Feder, T. A. Marriage, M. Zemcov, Jesus Rivera

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

The Quaker Oats, Supplement: Things To Do Around L.A., Rich Jacobs, Pat Long, Bruce Kidd, Rich Smith, Julia Gombert, Al Danielsen

Flyers, Handbooks, and Miscellaneous

No abstract provided.

In The Wake Of The Anthropocene: The Ecopoetics Of Shakespearean Film Adaptations, Ioannis Garganourakis

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores how Shakespeare’s plays and their film adaptations reflect and respond to the conditions of the Anthropocene, arguing that both forms of art can foster an environmental ethic attuned to the interconnectedness of human and nonhuman worlds. It proposes that the Anthropocene did not begin with industrialization but rather intensified a much older pattern of human ecological intervention, a process that becomes increasingly visible from the early modern period to the twentieth century. By situating Shakespeare within this expanded temporal framework, this dissertation reveals how his works anticipate and interrogate the very assumptions about anthropocentrism that underpin modern …

Emotional Valence In Sustainable Fashion Advertising And The Cognitive And Affective Drivers Of Consumer Response As Determinants Of Digital Engagement Behavior, Cassidy Jane Cisz

Theses and Dissertations

The dominance of the linear value chain and its perpetuation of overconsumption create persistent barriers to sustainable fashion brands in their effort to articulate a value proposition that justifies the price premium associated with ethical and sustainable production. To address this challenge and remain competitive within a marketplace dominated by low-cost fast fashion, these brands must differentiate through appeals that clearly reflect their values, mission, and climate commitments. While advertisements for sustainable goods use a broad set of persuasive strategies, this study evaluates two dominant emotional appeals, Positive Environmental Appeals (PEA) and Negative Environmental Appeals (NEA), both of which are …

Domestic Worker Abuse Among Diplomatic Force: The Need To Enhance Communication For Domestic Worker Safety, Martyne A. Volcy

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates patterns of domestic worker abuse in the working relationship between a foreign migrant domestic worker and their diplomat employer. This study focuses on the role of communication as a protection for domestic worker safety. The aim of this research is to explore the unique employer-employee relationship between a domestic worker and diplomat, and whether there are safeguards in place that allow for the domestic worker to perform their duties, without circumstances of domestic worker abuse. This study examines the relationships between communication, knowledge, and power within the system of Diplomacy through the lens of domestic employees alleging …

The Effects Of Youth Extracurricular Involvement On The Home Environment Of Millennial African American Families, Joyce Merius Speed

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological qualitative study explored how youth extracurricular involvement shapes the home environments of Millennial African American families. Guided primarily by Ecological Systems Theory, with Critical Race Theory as a complementary lens, the study examined how parents navigated interconnected systems of home, school, peers, and community while responding to racialized barriers embedded in youth programs. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis with six African American mothers. Seven themes emerged: extracurricular activities, family dynamics, parental involvement, academic achievement, social development, cultural identity, and time management. Findings showed that extracurricular participation strengthened family communication, routines, and cohesion; supported …

Reading Comprehension For The English As A Second Language Learner: Oral Or Silent Reading Which Method Of Instruction Is More Effective?, Rosanne Ravo-Vernon

Theses and Dissertations

Educators have seen and will continue to see an influx of students in the classrooms who require English as a second language (ESL) instruction. The goal of this research will provide support for educators and administrators in preparing curriculum that focuses on the needs of these students. In pursuit of this aim, the researcher of this study sought to identify which method of reading instruction best suits English language learning (ELL) in the classroom. The research would identify components of both oral round robin and silent reading activities and then reading comprehension activities completed over the course of a two- …

The Relationship Between Teacher Self-Efficacy And Student Achievement, Rowena Costa

Theses and Dissertations

his non-experimental correlation study examined the relationship between teacher self-efficacy and student achievement. The participants were elementary teachers and their students in grades 3-5. Teachers' self-efficacy was measured by teacher responses from Tschannen-Moran & Hoy's Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale. Student achievement scores were obtained from the 2018-2019 New York State English Language Arts and Mathematics Assessments. Other factors such as teaching experience and teacher evaluation were variables in this study. Simple linear regressions and one-way ANOVAs were conducted to look closely at the relationships between the variables. The results revealed that teachers’ years of experience in the field positively …

Retention Of Special Education Paraprofessionals: A District-Level Case Study Of Leadership, Collaboration, And Systemic Support, David L. Renahan

Theses and Dissertations

Public districts increasingly depend on special-education paraprofessionals to sustain inclusion, yet turnover disrupts instruction, teams, and student support. This qualitative single-district case study examined how leadership, teacher collaboration, and system routines shape retention in a suburban district in the Northeastern United States. Grounded in social exchange and transformational leadership, the researcher used interviews, focus groups, and a document review across several elementary schools. Three linked conditions aligned with stronger intent to stay: (1) stable assignments with clear, written expectations that preserve relationships and signal recognition and fairness; (2) concise, job-embedded preparation with guaranteed access to materials and behavior tools, explicit …

Violence, Alcoholism, And Marriage In Nineteenth Century New York, Gina Rossetti

Theses and Dissertations

There is a wealth of information regarding the various facets of nineteenth century American history. However, the topic of uxoricide, husband-perpetrated wife murder, has not been the focus of many American historians. Women, particularly in middle- and working-class families, tackled a variety of challenges as American society was enduring many social and cultural changes. Every day women have been often kept in the background of previous historical narratives and were rarely the focus of previous literature. This dissertation places ordinary women as the focal point by examining the questions of how changes in American society, regarding alcohol consumption and views …

The Impact Of School Type, Community, And School Factors On Sixth-Grade Students In New York, John Trotta

Theses and Dissertations

Throughout New York State, sixth-grade learners are taught in a wide variety of schools with various configurations in diverse communities. The institutional and environmental differences may impact students' learning as they navigate a complex transition year. This non-experimental ex post facto study examined whether school type, community, and school factors were associated with the academic proficiency of sixth-graders in English Language Arts and Mathematics in New York State. In addition, the study identified the strongest predictors of high school graduation rates. The theoretical lens of Erikson’s psychosocial theory and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory was used. This study included 1,112 public …

Identifying At-Risk Readers: The Role Of Advanced Nonsense Word Fluency Probes In Early Literacy Screening, Lindsay K. Mcdermott

Theses and Dissertations

Early identification of reading difficulties is critical for improving literacy outcomes. Nonsense word fluency (NWF) assessments are widely used to evaluate early decoding skills, yet traditional consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) probes may not fully capture students’ decoding abilities. This study examines whether an advanced NWF probe incorporating consonant blends and digraphs better predicts oral reading fluency (ORF) than the traditional CVC-based probe. Using a correlational design, first-grade benchmark data will be analyzed to compare the predictive strength of correct letter sounds, whole words read, and blending status across both probes. Grounded in the Simple View of Reading and Kilpatrick’s Phonological-Core Deficit Hypothesis, …

The Influence Of Social Media On Elementary School Students: The Perceptions Of Administrators And Elementary Educators, Caitlin Krauszer

Theses and Dissertations

Each day, social media applications are downloaded, uploaded, and changed to meet the users' needs utilizing these apps (Tang & Patrick, 2020). With the constant change in social media platforms, utilization of such platforms is increasing daily and students navigating these platforms is occurring at younger ages (Fredrick at el., 2024; Perez-Chada et al., 2023). This study focused on the social, emotional, and academic impacts students are experiencing due to social media use from the perspectives of building administrators and faculty members. This study also investigated the policies in place within a specific school district that address student social media …

Homework And Well-Being: A Case Study Of Educator, Administrator, And Parent Perspectives In A Long Island Elementary School, Marie Frances Fonzo

Theses and Dissertations

This case study examined stakeholders’ perceptions of homework’s impact on elementary students’ emotional well-being and examined district policy structures designed to support student mental health. Grounded in John Sweller’s Cognitive Load Theory, the study explored how intrinsic, extraneous, and germane cognitive loads interact to elicit a range of emotional responses to homework. The researcher collected data through principal interviews, teacher focus groups, and parent surveys at the Long Island School District. The findings revealed that homework generates both positive and negative outcomes, depending on the assignment's complexity, the support provided, and the student's home environment. Students in primary grades (K …

The Yeast Checkpoint Kinase Mec1p Functions In Transcription Termination By Facilitating Recruitment Of Pcf11p And Regulating The Torpedo Exonuclease Rat1p, Riddhi Patel

Theses and Dissertations

My dissertation includes two projects, centered on transcription regulation by checkpoint kinases of the DNA damage response (DDR). The first project focused on the role of checkpoint kinase Mec1p in transcription termination and regulation of the torpedo exonuclease Rat1p. Termination, closely linked with pre-mRNA 3’ processing, dissociates RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) from DNA and releases the nascent RNA transcript. Efficient termination is required for maintaining a pool of RNAPII that is available for re-entry into new transcription cycle. Previous results showed that inactivation of Mec1p in the absence of exogenous genotoxic stress downregulates the efficiency of transcription termination. This study …

From Burnout To Balance: The Influence Of Sel On Educator Well-Being And Retention, Megan Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the influence of evidence-based social emotional learning (SEL) implementation in elementary schools (kindergarten–Grade 6) on educator well-being and retention. Because the field of education continues to face high levels of educator attrition, this study was focused on identifying factors that support educators remaining in the profession. The purpose of this study was to determine whether implementing an evidence-based SEL program impacts educators’ intent to remain in the classroom. This study was grounded in sociocultural theory and self-determination theory. The collaborative for academic, social and emotional learning framework for SEL served as a conceptual foundation for understanding how …

How Does A Wellness Program Support Students’ Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual, Social And Environmental Well-Being In High School And College?, Zully M. Petrucci

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how the implementation of a wellness period as part of the daily schedule supported students’ well-being at a Catholic all-girls high school and in their following years at college. The participants were two guidance counselors, two administrators, two teachers and six students that graduated between 2020 and 2023 for a total of twelve participants. All the participants were female. Data was collected through one-on-one interviews conducted using Teams platform, reflective journaling and artifact collection. The Six dimensions of wellness from the Global Wellness Institute and Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory were …

The Engagement Of One-To-One Devices In A Community Eligibility Provision Public School Environment, Leonard William Wright

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative dissertation examines the relationship between one-to-one device engagement and the academic performance of elementary students in a high-poverty Long Island district. The problem addresses the difference between simple access to a platform or undirected platform use and instructionally purposeful technology that supports learning. The purpose is twofold: to determine whether platform activity adds predictive value for state assessment performance beyond baseline achievement and demographics, and to identify developmental patterns that can inform improvement. Guided by the SAMR and TPACK frameworks, the study positions effective technology integration as the intentional alignment of digital tasks, pedagogy, content, and feedback. A …

Commercial Off-The-Shelf Electronic Warfare Threats To Global Positioning System Receivers, Matthew P. Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

This research evaluates the feasibility of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware developed into an electronic warfare (EW) system used to degrade or deny Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. All 16 critical infrastructure sectors rely on GPS signals to operate safely and effectively. Millions of Americans rely on GPS signals and the services they provide in their daily lives, so the loss of these vital services would dramatically impact our society. Our nation’s reliance on the GPS network makes it a potential target for COTS EW threats. The ways and means to develop COTS hardware into EW systems to interfere with GPS receivers …

Content-Area Middle School Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Adolescent Literacy Crisis, Shari Curry

Theses and Dissertations

The adolescent literacy crisis that plagues the United States as it is perceived by middle school content-area teachers is the focus of this phenomenological qualitative study. When two-thirds of the nation’s adolescents are not proficient readers, an in-depth investigation of the issue must ensue. In this phenomenological qualitative study, the researcher observed and interviewed ten content-area middle school teachers to find out what happens in their classrooms with their low-proficiency readers. How did these teachers respond to their struggling readers in the classroom setting? Using data collected from questionnaires, teacher interviews, and teacher observations, the researcher captured the essence of …

Disability And Demographic Influences On Advanced Placement Calculus Performance: A Quantitative Analysis, Edward J. Storck

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study examined equity in Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus outcomes for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in New York State. Using statewide data from 16,457 AP Calculus AB and BC exam takers in 2023, the study investigated whether disability status, race/ethnicity, economic status, and English language proficiency predicted performance and the likelihood of passing. Findings revealed that disability status was not a statistically or practically significant predictor of AP Calculus outcomes; students with IEPs performed comparably to peers without IEPs once enrolled. No significant interaction effects were found between disability status and other demographic variables, suggesting that students …

Biogothic: New Directions In The Haunted Spaces Of Nineteenth Century Gothic Fiction, Jessica Mintzes

Theses and Dissertations

The BioGothic is a set of biological metaphors in nineteenth century Gothic fiction that anticipates our contemporary understanding of what we now think of as biological processes. The BioGothic system in the novel captures the site of connection and interaction between the body and the interior spaces it inhabits. The Gothic genre, from its inception, shifts the focus onto interior spaces and the ways in which architectural spaces and the Gothic body interact with one another. This demonstrates, in part, how physical space and biological matter are not only capable of becoming integrated with each other, but also maintain the …