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The impact of education and ethnicity on domestic violence
No full textThis study examines how an individual's level of education and ethnicity influence the risk of experiencing domestic violence (DV). Findings within existing research about education levels and DV suggest that higher levels of education are generally associated with a decreased risk of experiencing DV. However, educational disparities exist that impact marginalized populations. Ethnic minorities are at a disproportionate risk of experiencing limited access to educational opportunities. These groups are also at an elevated risk of experiencing DV. This study also explores how ethnic backgrounds and cultural norms impact risk and willingness to seek help for DV. The research in this study expands on the limited body of literature in this area by addressing research gaps that explore this topic but lack proper synthesis and depth. It also proposes policy implications to increase access to educational opportunities and reduce DV risk
Door hinges, cyclohexane, and a library of 24-membered [s]-triazine dimers; The power of analogies for understanding design of beyond-the-rule-of-five pharmaceutical space
No full textAs intracellular protein-protein interactions are identified as drug targets, the popularity of macrocyclic drugs increases. While small molecule permeation is well defined by the Rule of Five, macrocycles, existing beyond the Rule of Five (bRo5) chemical space, often achieve permeability by adopting various conformations to match the environment.
Previously, our group studied triazine-containing macrocycles composed of amino acid, hydrazone, and auxiliary amine positions. Due to the dynamic hinging motion that was observed, the ability for these macrocycles to act as bRo5 drugs were investigated by probing four questions: can a diverse library of macrocycles be synthesized, can lipophilicity be predicted for these macrocycles, can their dynamic properties be controlled, and can their conformation be controlled?
This thesis describes the preparation of a library of triazine macrocycles using a common synthetic pathway. The route provided access to subfamilies of macrocycles varying in substitution site and substituent of choice. In total, five different substitution sites were targeted. By preserving substituent choice, comparisons across subfamilies can be made.
This work demonstrated that shortcomings of available empirical algorithms for predicting lipophilicity can be corrected to provide accurate prediction. Linear equations arising from the correlation between HPLC-determined logD values and empirically computed logD values allowed for the prediction of logD values with low errors of ~0.5 log units. Outliers of the prediction method are indicators for structural changes.
While previous work demonstrated that alkylating at the α-carbon increased ΔG‡ by ~3 kcal/mol, this work showed that alkylation on the hydrazone afforded more modest effects, augmenting the hinge barrier by 0.3-0.7 kcal/mol when compared to the glycine-containing macrocycle. An exceptional macrocycle containing an isopropyl group displayed a barrier 0.9 kcal/mol lower. Another hinge-amenable position was demonstrated through benzylation of the amide.
The triazine macrocycles were shown to achieve conformational homogeneity through an intramolecular-hydrogen bond network. Deprotonation of the triazine or alkylation of the α-nitrogen increased conformational heterogeneity, with macrocycles now displaying multiple rotational isomers depending on the alkyl group employed.
Overall, this work demonstrated that the macrocycles exhibited acceptable lipophilicity and permeability values despite their large size and numerous hydrogen-bond acceptors, demonstrating this library as beyond-the-Rule-of-Five
The AI disclosure effect: Gen Z's perception of virtual influencers
No full textThe study examines Gen Z’s perception of virtual influencers (VIs) on social media, with a specific focus on how Gen Z reacts to disclosures of VIs’ artificial nature. A total of 364 Gen Z participants from the U.S. took part in an online experiment to test the effects of type of disclosure (none, subtle, explicit) and timing (early or late). All participants were randomly assigned to a group with different types of disclosure and completed a questionnaire measuring trust, perceived expertise, and willingness to engage. The participants were then informed of the artificial nature of the influencer and asked to complete the same questionnaire again. The results fully or partially support the five hypotheses which suggested that influencers would evoke a higher level of trust, perceived expertise, and willingness to engage when perceived as human rather than virtual. Furthermore, disclosure reduced all three dependent variables when the artificial nature of the VI was disclosed late. Levels of trust and perceived expertise also significantly predicted willingness to engage. The theoretical and practical implications for the source credibility model and persuasion knowledge model are discussed
Comparing novice nurses’ cognitive load in routine and non-routine simulations with mixed methods
No full textBackground: A readiness-for-practice gap exists within new graduate nurses entering the workforce. Educators use simulation to boost practice-readiness. Researchers are exploring how cognitive load impacts novice nurses’ learning and performance during simulation. A variety of measures have been used to capture cognitive load during skill-based and routine, holistic simulations; however, the impact of increasing client complexity within holistic simulations has yet to be explored. As such, the purpose of this body of research was to examine how cognitive load manifests in novice nurses during holistic simulations.
Methods: Three investigations were performed. First, a conceptual paper summarized methodological choices pertaining to simulation cognitive load research. Second, psychometric analysis of the National Aeronautics & Space Administration – Task Load Index, a subjective instrument used across disciplines to quantify perceived cognitive load – was performed. Third, a mixed methods study compared physiologic and behavioral responses to increased cognitive load during routine and non-routine, holistic simulations. Participants were junior, undergraduate novice nurses enrolled in a dedicated simulation course at a nursing school in the Southern region of the United States.
Results: This body of work contributes new knowledge to help researchers appreciate that triangulation of objective and subjective measures improves rigor and understanding. The NASA-TLX survey is a valid and reliable instruction for measuring novice nurses’ cognitive load in simulation. There was a difference in cognitive load between routine and non-routine simulation types (F(1, 10) = 23.99, p < 0.001, η2=.706). In non-routine simulation, participants’ pupil sizes were larger (B = 0.238, SE = 0.096, t = 2.47, p = 0.015). Novice nurses’ emotional experiences of increased cognitive load occurred on a spectrum.
Conclusion: This body of research provides evidence that increases in client complexity impacts novice nurses’ cognitive load and that cognitive load decreases with exposure. Moreover, this research has uncovered additional questions regarding how individual characteristics may contribute to mitigating cognitive load, providing direction for future research
Music as a situated activity in the mission field
No full textScholars habitually overlook music as communication, but individuals often use music to express their identity and build relationships (Turner & Tollison, 2021). Missionaries may identify with their missionary organization and with the corresponding faith of that organization while trying to connect with locals through music. Music is an opportunity to find or create forms of communication that provoke empathy and obligation between the missionary and the local (Carfoot, 2016). This study looks at the role of music as communication for missionaries in terms of identity, organizational identification, and culture. The researcher interviewed 22 missionaries about music in the mission field. Interviews were coded using Tracy’s (2020) phonetic approach which combines practical knowledge and wisdom moving between the data and the literature. Missionaries described music as a space for processing identity movement, organizational values, and cultural differences
Will the real school resource officer please stand up? Exploring perceptions of school leaders and SROs on the scope and enactment of the SRO's role
No full textThe topic of school safety in Texas regarding school resource officers (SRO) has come to the forefront recently with the Uvalde, Texas, elementary school shootings and law enforcement’s response. The perceptions of the SRO purpose, role, and appropriate enactment with school leaders have been questioned in recent years. The assumption is the SRO’s purpose is to ensure school safety while working with school leadership. However, specific aspects of the SRO’s roles are ambiguous. Sometimes SROs are in charge: In a situation regarding an armed campus intruder, the SROs would take the lead role. Sometimes SROs are not in charge: For example, in the case where a parent is angry over their student’s failing grades and lack of notification by the teacher, the school leaders would handle this situation. Perspectives vary regarding the perceptions of the SRO’s purpose, enactment, and effectiveness. This study is designed to explore perceptions of school leaders and SROs regarding the role of the SRO and to determine how school leaders can and should collaborate in the interest of school safety. Additionally, this research has outlined elements that constitute appropriate and effective pathways for the enactment of the SRO role
Automating Authenticity
No full textThis thesis explores the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and authentic human connection in marketing and creative industries. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in content creation, from recommendation engines to generative design tools, marketers face a critical question: can technology replicate or even enhance the emotional resonance traditionally delivered by human storytelling? Through a historical analysis of digital marketing's evolution, a review of AI's technological rise, in-depth brand case studies, and original consumer survey data, this research investigates how automation and authenticity intersect. Findings reveal that while AI can support creativity and personalization at scale, it struggles to consistently deliver the emotional depth and trust that consumers associate with human-made content. Some AI-generated advertisements, particularly those that tap into familiar cultural cues, can achieve strong engagement, but a subtle trust gap often remains. Ultimately, this thesis argues that marketers must approach AI as a creative tool rather than a substitute for human insight. The future of meaningful brand communication will depend on striking a thoughtful balance between efficiency and emotional authenticity
"Trying to get out of the hole": Communicative resilience and sensemaking among adults experiencing food insecurity and economic precarity
No full text47 million Americans are food insecure (Feeding America, 2025). Working class individuals are likely to be threatened by food insecurity (Dougherty, 2018). Therefore, this study focuses on the lived experience of individuals who are employed, in order to better understand the threat of food insecurity on the average American. This study examined food insecurity, and precarity through the lenses of sensemaking (Weick, 1995), and communicative theory of resilience (Buzzanell 2010). This study proposed that individuals experiencing economic hardships that result in food insecurity go through the Sensemaking process which aids in building resilience. Rationalization through dreaming, and universalizing allow individuals to make sense and enact resilience. Furthermore, this study revisited the roles of disruption, the connection between underemployment and sensemaking, and the role of networks