Language Acquisition among Siblings

Language acquisition may be significantly impacted by sibling relationships. This study examines the differing language abilities among impoverished siblings. The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship between having siblings and language acquisition in impoverished children in a rural elementary school. This qualitative research is conducted through the use of a case study. Data were gathered through interviews and observational field notes. The findings indicated themes related to The Leader and The Follower, and implications are shared for both parents and educators for supporting language acquisition for siblings who fall under these two themes

THE TRILLION DOLLAR STUDENT LOAN CRISIS: ADDRESSING THE RACIAL WEALTH DIVIDE WITH AFRICAN AMERICAN BORROWERS AT DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY, an ACTION RESEARCH STUDY

The trillion-dollar student loan crisis has intensified financial instability for students across the United States, with African American borrowers facing disproportionate burdens due to systemic racial wealth inequalities. This qualitative action research study explored the intersection of student loan indebtedness and the racial wealth divide among African American students at Delaware State University (DSU). In collaboration with the DSU Office of Student Success, Sallie Mae, the DSU Writing Lab, the U.S. Department of Education, and various university departments, this study aimed to implement and assess an intervention designed to increase scholarship awareness and reduce reliance on loans among DSU’s African American students. The intervention involved the creation of a targeted scholarship writing lab that provided tailored guidance in scholarship application processes, financial literacy, and loan management. Data collection included pre- and post-intervention scholarship application rates, the number of scholarships awarded, and documented reductions in student borrowing. Initial findings revealed significant barriers in scholarship access and application completion due to limited financial literacy, lack of resources, and systemic inequities. The scholarship writing lab proved to be a promising model, increasing student engagement with scholarship opportunities, and reducing average loan amounts by promoting alternative funding sources. This study highlighted the need for culturally responsive financial literacy programs and scholarship support mechanisms that specifically address the unique challenges African American students face in higher education. By examining these outcomes, this research contributed to the broader conversation on closing the racial wealth gap, offering evidence-based recommendations for institutional policy changes to mitigate the impact of loan indebtedness on African American students at DSU and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Findings from this study suggested that targeted interventions are vital to empowering students with the resources and knowledge needed to navigate higher education more equitably, enhancing their financial well-being post-graduation

Physical Fables: Exploring Personal Narrative Through Ceramic Sculpture

I have always enjoyed getting lost in a story: either reading a book, watching a movie or television story, or constructing ceramic physical fables. Throughout my creative research I have explored the transition from the grotesque to narrative based sculpture. I delved into personal experiences, reflecting on childhood memories through an adult’s mindset. Studio exploration coincided with researching the history of narrative based ceramics and prolific ceramicists to see how my artistic predecessors navigate their personal myths. I used tents, toys, and fish to evoke my personal narratives. I juxtapose reality with the surreal, reflecting on personal experiences. I blur the lines between truth and fantasy, creating a new narrative with new nuances thus creating physical fables

Examining Parasite Diversity as an Indicator of Ecosystem Restoration Success

In oceans across the world, oyster reefs, ecosystems generated by a foundational species of mollusks, are an essential source of habitat where fauna such as fishes, birds, and crustacea depend both indirectly and directly on the organism’s habitat, food availability, and nursery capabilities for their offspring. Due to primarily anthropogenic effects, the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica), found from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico, has been severely declining in numbers, resulting in impacts being felt across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Because of their foundational role in providing habitat and protection for so many other species spanning multiple different taxa, the loss of these oyster reefs can have a ripple effect through communities. To accurately examine ecosystem health and biodiversity in oyster reef communities, researchers are now exploring an array of sampling schemes. One of these methods gaining in recognition is analyzing parasitic prevalence and diversity as a signal of ecosystem health post-restoration. In previous investigations, scientists have used parasites to examine predator and prey relationships, environmental issues, and coevolution. My study examined the abundance and diversity of crab hosts and the prevalence and diversity of parasites over time to determine whether there were changes in these biodiversity metrics post-restoration. Specifically, I investigated crab species that have been identified as known hosts for taxa-spanning endoparasites, including the Atlantic mud crab Panopeus herbstii, the white-fingered mud crab Rhithropanopeus harisii, the black-fingered mud crab Dyspanopeus sayi, the depressed mud crab Eurypanopeus depressus, and the stone crab Menippe mercenaria. These crabs were collected along Taylor’s Creek at Carrot Island, which is part of the Rachel Carson Reserve near Beaufort, NC. Oyster restoration occurred in late spring 2020, and host-parasite sampling began monthly in October 2020 until October 2021, as part of an ECU master’s thesis, and then continued seasonally through Spring 2024. After collection, crabs were examined in the lab at ECU: crab hosts were identified to species level and then dissected to measure parasite diversity using standard techniques. This project holds significance because global biodiversity is currently facing an unparalleled threat, and with species already reduced to a fragment of the abundance they once were, these ecosystems could be nearing a point of no return without restoring vital habitats like oyster reefs. My data will prove valuable to the scientific community because it can serve as a model for how parasite data can be informative of community biodiversity changes post-restoration, which can be applied in other systems outside of oyster reefs and estuarine environments. From my research, I have acquired an understanding that parasitic abundance can be efficient and accurate when used as another metric for surveying for community biodiversity in ecosystems. There are many challenges and limitations to evaluating community biodiversity and ecosystem health after a restoration attempt has been made; so, having a novel solution like using a highly quantifiable and investigable method of biodiversity surveying (such as parasite surveys from abundant hosts) would allow for results with stronger confidence and evidentiary support

Survey of Nutrition Education Requirements for CCNE Accredited Baccalaureate Nursing Programs

The present survey investigated the nutrition course requirements of CCNE-accredited baccalaureate programs within the United States regarding their placement in the curriculum as a prerequisite course, curriculum course, both, or neither based upon course title. The public webpages of select CCNE-accredited baccalaureate nursing programs (n=146) in nine randomly identified states were surveyed regarding their plan of study and the inclusion of a nutrition course. Schools were also evaluated on inclusion of requirements based upon institution type. Most schools had only a designated nutrition course as a prerequisite in their plan of study. Furthermore, diversity in program requirements was consistent throughout program types

Blending Lines: Interactive Experiences with Arab Culture

This thesis examines the integration of Islamic geometric patterns and traditional Kufic calligraphy into contemporary interactive design. The work highlights the historical and cultural significance of Islamic geometric patterns as a cornerstone of Arab identity while exploring the intellectual and spiritual depth embodied by traditional Kufic calligraphy. By bridging Arab cultural heritage with modern design practices, the work seeks to foster audience engagement and increase awareness of this rich culture and history. Designed to engage diverse audiences with Arab culture through traditional and contemporary approaches, the thesis culminates in an immersive experience that blends physical and digital installations. The physical installations are comprised of three hand-crafted wooden geometric motifs integrated with Kufic calligraphy written by macrame cords. The wood and cotton cords demonstrate the Arab appreciation of natural materials, as nature has been the primary source of inspiration in the Arab world. The digital installations complement this by using projection, light, and patterns to display large-scale graphics on an adjacent wall. With ultrasonic sensors and a Raspberry Pi, the installation creates an interactive experience where digital projections respond to visitors' movements through the space by shifting colors and patterns. This interaction is crucial; as learning evolves through participation and reinterpretation, this exhibition aims to engage people similarly. Through this research, the thesis underscores the power of design as a medium for education and cultural connection, mainly as it generates connections between tradition and innovation

Empowering Behavior Change in Adults with Diabetes Through Nutrition Education and Motivational Interviewing

D.N.P

Improving Scan Compliance while Decreasing Medication Errors in the Hospital

Previous studies examining scan compliance have revealed that many nurses do not follow proper protocols when scanning medications for their patients. In response to low scan compliance rates throughout the unit, on-site education, bedside audits, and informational handouts were provided to nurses working in a community hospital. This quality improvement project highlighted that enhanced education and staff engagement can significantly boost scan compliance rates and increase staff awareness of medication errors and near misses.D.N.P

METAMORPHIC TESTING FOR FAIRNESS EVALUATION IN LARGE LANGUAGE MODELS

Large Language Models (LLMs) have made significant progress in Natural Language Processing, yet they remain susceptible to fairness-related issues, often reflecting biases from their training data. These biases present risks, mainly when LLMs are used in sensitive domains such as healthcare, finance, and law. This research proposes a metamorphic testing approach to uncover fairness bugs in LLMs systematically. We define and apply fairness-oriented metamorphic relations (MRs) to evaluate state-of-the-art models like LLaMA and GPT across diverse demographic inputs. By generating and analyzing source and follow-up test cases, we identify patterns of bias, particularly in tone and sentiment. Results show that tone-based MRs detected up to 2,200 fairness violations, while sentiment-based MRs detected fewer than 500, highlighting the strength of this method. This study presents a structured strategy for enhancing fairness in LLMs and improving their robustness in critical applications

Opioid Use Disorder Education and Trauma-Informed Care Training for Nurses in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

With the ongoing opioid problem in the United States, infants continue to be affected by neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), more specifically neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS), when they are born to mothers with opioid use disorders (OUD), whether treated or untreated. While neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses are taught to care for infants with NAS through NAS scoring of their conditions and treatments, there is a gap in their knowledge regarding the NICU patients’ mothers’ OUD and treatment. A literature search supported education and training as remedies, so through an education module that included trauma-informed care (TIC) framework training, NICU nurses at a large tertiary hospital in North Carolina demonstrated an increase in knowledge on a post-module test, in addition to positive feedback. The post-test average score was 95.5% (N=35) compared to the pre-test average of 88.64% (N=60), which further suggests the importance and effectiveness of increased education for NICU nurses.D.N.P