Digital Commons Network^™

How The Word ‘Fucking’ Constructs Emotional Stance In Conversation, Madeline Riechers

Comm-entary

Madeline Riechers is a Communication major at UNH set to graduate in 2026. She is originally from Dalton, Massachusetts, and plans to continue her education in Language and Social Interaction after graduating from UNH. She is a part of UNH GIVE, and is an editor at the Comm-entary!

This piece uses conversation analysis concepts to examine what the word ‘fucking’ does in everyday conversation and how it conveys the emotions and stance of the participants. It examines 4 real-life cases of ‘fucking’ being used, demonstrating how it changes the meaning of the utterance and therefore the course of the conversation.

The Contested Terrain Of Sport For Development And ‘Peace’ Amidst Persistent Global Aid Cuts And Geopolitical Tensions, Derrick Charway, Umair Asif, Zohreh Khani, Mazen Alkhatib

Journal of Global South Sport Studies

Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) has emerged as a global concept for advancing humanitarian, peacebuilding and social benefits, particularly in disadvantaged communities and conflict-affected regions of the world. Yet, its promise is often entangled with the broader contradictions of international aid, which in the Global South often shifts from solidarity to systems shaped by power asymmetries, geopolitics and self-interests. Drawing on critical aid theory and decolonial thought, foregrounded in the Palestine context, we argue that SDP offers potential benefits but remains constrained by the very systemic issues it purports to redress. Further, we critique the International Olympic Committee’s stance …

Evaluating The Feasibility And Preliminary Effectiveness Of A Tailored Diabetes Education Program For Rural Residents, Brittany L. Smalls, Oluwatosin Leshi, Suraksha Khanal, Grejika E. Abram-Erby

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Diabetes is a top ten Rural Healthy People 2030 priority for health improvement among rural Americans. Socioeconomic, environmental, geographic and political barriers contribute to the type 2 diabetes (T2D) prevalence and its disparate impact in rural communities. However, promoting proper self-care behaviors via self-management education can help people with diabetes better manage their condition.

Purpose: To account for the social environmental factors that affect rural residents, a tailored diabetes education program was developed, and the program’s effectiveness in improving diabetes knowledge and T2D-related health outcomes was assessed.

Methods: Using data collected from Appalachian Kentucky residents enrolled in a six-week, …

Clustering Of Internet Behaviors And Associated Mental Health Outcomes Among U.S. Adolescents, Aakansha Singh, Timothy Grigsby, Miguel Fudolig, Ying Guo, Clariana Ramos De Oliveira

School of Medicine Research Poster Showcase

Poster: Clustering of Internet behaviors and associated mental health outcomes among U.S. adolescents

From Crown To Communism To Crown: Reconstruction In Budapest's Castle District Reveals How Heritage Is Selectively Rebuilt To Shape National Identity, Risae Carlson, Daniel Olsen

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

This project examines how reconstruction in Budapest’s Buda Castle District shapes perceptions of authenticity and historical memory. Following World War II destruction and socialist rebuilding, post-1989 reconstruction has emphasized a return to imperial-era aesthetics. Using visual and historical analysis, this study shows how different political periods have reshaped the same space to reflect shifting cultural priorities. While the district appears historically cohesive, many structures are reconstructed rather than preserved. This creates tension with UNESCO’s standards of authenticity and integrity. The findings suggest that reconstruction does not simply restore the past but actively reshapes it by prioritizing certain narratives while downplaying …

How Far Is Too Far? Travel Planning Burdens In Autism Families, Risae Carlson, Daniel Olsen, Ruth Kerry

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

This study examines how the burden of planning and risk management influences travel distance and destination choice among families with a child on the autism spectrum. Survey data from Utah-based parents indicate that higher planning burden is associated with a preference for familiar, closer-to-home destinations and shorter travel distances. Despite these constraints, families report that travel remains highly valuable for bonding, fostering a sense of normalcy, and supporting developmental growth.

Anxiety Within Romantic Relationships, Brooklyn Hintze

ScholarsArchive Data

I studied the affects of social anxiety, dating anxiety, and appearance anxiety on individuals, specifically pertaining to romantic and dating relationships. I also studied literature on treatments and interventions for these anxieties.

Policy Shifts And Educational Access: An Analysis Of Financial Aid Limitations Under The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Alison Ayala-Jones

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

This paper examines the Department of Education’s reclassification of professional and non-professional studies in relation to the newly imposed caps on the amount of financial aid students can access, as stated in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. While these policy changes take into consideration economic constraints and the principle of supporting students through more effective allocation of resources, they do not function as intended and instead disproportionately affect low-income students. By limiting the total aid available, the policy restricts access to certain programs, particularly for those who rely most heavily on financial assistance. Although education was historically intended to …

How Has The War On Drugs Influenced American Political Discourse, Fabiola Gamez-Lopez

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

The War on Drugs was a political initiative designed to eliminate illegal drug use and trafficking through law enforcement and punitive legal measures. Early policies marked a shift from relative deregulation in the early 1900s to a transition to “zero tolerance” policies. Over time, American political discourse has evolved from a strict legal enforcement frame to raising awareness of drug addiction as a public health concern, with growing attitudes of reformation of the previous frame. The methodology used in this study consisted of a qualitative analysis of existing literature, including historical policy documentation, political rhetoric, and scholarly research. By comparing …

Why Don’T Young People Vote?, Mia Diaz

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

This presentation explores the causes of young people's lower voter turnout compared to older adults, a crucial problem for democratic representation. The gap is caused by several important issues, which will be discussed. First, getting information about voting is frequently a major obstacle. Young voters may find it difficult to learn about candidates, policy, and the voting process, which could cause them to lose interest and not cast a ballot. Second, poor civic education in schools and colleges, and complicated voter registration procedures. These obstacles can include complicated registration paperwork and difficult deadlines to meet, particularly for first-time voters. Another …

The "New Normal" In Spine Surgery Economics: A Comparative Analysis Of Surgeon Medicare Reimbursement, Matt Michelberger

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

Introduction: This study evaluated temporal trends, utilization patterns, and the economic burden of inpatient spine surgery in Nevada, and identified demographic and hospital factors associated with high-charge hospitalizations. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the Nevada Hospital Inpatient Billing (NHIB) database was performed for inpatient spine surgery cases from 2010–2024. Utilization trends were assessed across the study period. High-charge hospitalizations were defined as total charges at or above the 75th percentile. Multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of high-charge episodes. Results: A total of 41,925 inpatient spine surgery cases were identified. Most patients were female (54.5%), White (76.7%), and aged >65 …

The Effects Of Neighborhood And Interior Characteristics On Residential Sale Prices, Ella Hagman

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

This study analyses how certain neighborhood and interior characteristics affect residential sale prices, after accounting for standard property variables. This is important to examine in order to understand the function of the housing market, the sources of price differences, and whether residential values can be controlled by emphasizing specific desirable property features. The study is based on a dataset of approximately 330,000 observations from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), as well as walkability data obtained from Walk Score. The data is analyzed in Stata, using three regression models with different combinations of explanatory variables. The results show that the model …

Political Sophistication: Approaching The Education Divide, Madeline Krieger

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

The 2024 presidential election had the second highest turnout in recent history, with 64 percent of Americans casting a vote. In the context of midterm and local elections, this level of participation is rarely observed. If democracy is driven by constituent input, it is essential to examine who has the resources and incentives to participate. This review considers academic, peer-reviewed literature that examines voting and political sophistication, or an individual’s ability to acquire and apply political knowledge. While sociodemographic and economic variables influence political participation, educational attainment serves as an intersection of both. Access to quality education and post-secondary institutions …

Hedonics Of Used Car Attributes On Market Price, Alexander Bent, Jason Gutierrez

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

This analysis of hedonic price attributes uses Rosen’s paper on hedonic pricing as a framework to analyze the determinants of used car prices found in Craigslist. Using cleaned data, we see over 43,000 listings from 2005 to 2020 and investigate factors that affect used car prices and how they interact in this market. Results show that odometer readings and condition are the strongest factors that influence price, while manufacturers, paint color, drive type, fuel type, size, and year are adverse and depend on perceived attributes, consumer preferences, or market conditions.

Fostering Nationalism: Education As A Political Tool In India And Pakistan, Ashot Khachaturyan

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

Education is regarded globally as a necessity for the youth to develop intellectually, emotionally, and socially. In developing countries around the world, like India and Pakistan, the quality of education, as well as the foundations of the curricula, are subject to cultural ties that promote ideologies of strong national identity. This paper aims to highlight the extent to which education, the most critical aspect of a child’s development, is used as a political tool in India and Pakistan. Analyzing existing research and journals, the reformations of Indian and Pakistani education to drive interpersonal conflicts will be explored, focusing on the …

The Quiet Crisis Of Elder Abuse: Evidence And Implications, Vidhani Goel, Nataliyah Tahir, Joshua Khorsandi, Sheila Janofsky

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

Elder abuse is a critical public health issue affecting older adults globally, with significant physical, psychological, and social consequences. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced widespread disruptions- including social isolation, economic instability, and reduced access to healthcare and support services- that may have intensified vulnerability to abuse. However, evidence examining how patterns of elder abuse evolved across different phases of the pandemic remains fragmented. This scoping review aimed to systematically map the extent, range, and nature of existing literature on elder abuse across pre-pandemic, during-pandemic, and post-pandemic periods, with a focus on prevalence, risk and protective factors, and reporting patterns. A comprehensive …

Data Centers In Mountain West Markets, 2026, Maisoon Faris, Cason Noll

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

Our presentation, based on research conducted with Brookings Mountain West at UNLV, will focus on the distribution and geographic concentration of data centers across Mountain West markets. We will present data from our recently published fact sheet, """"Data Centers in Mountain West Markets, 2026,"""" which derives data from DataCenterMap, a platform that tracks global data centers in real time. Our presentation will include state and market level data on data center counts and geographic concentration as of March 6th, 2026. We will present two data figures highlighting data on each Mountain West state and market: Table 1 provides the national …

Nevada Mining & The Limits Of U.S. Energy Independence, Mckinley Brown, Emma Kitchen

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

This study examines how heavy equipment investment and project timelines in mining interact with permitting processes to influence blue collar employment in the United States. By using equipment purchases as a proxy for project scale, the research connects industrial activity driven by green energy demand to regional labor outcomes. The expansion of green energy has increased demand for critical minerals, making mining and industrial sectors central to economic growth. Permitting processes play a key role in determining how quickly these projects translate into job creation and regional development. Higher levels of industrial investment and more efficient permitting are associated with …

When The Beat Drops, Do Patients Rise? Critical Care Utilization At Electric Daisy Carnival, Las Vegas, Jie Ren, Kavita Batra, Vidhani Goel, Taya Jensen, San Tran

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Electronic dance music (EDM) festivals are associated with recreational drug use and medical emergencies, yet comparative data on the severity of festival-related overdoses are limited. This study compared hospital outcomes, particularly critical care utilization, between patients transported from the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) and those with non–festival-related overdoses during the same period. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults (≥18 years) presenting with drug or alcohol overdose to an urban tertiary care teaching hospital between May 17, 2019, and May 20, 2024. Patients were classified as EDC-related or non-EDC based on electronic medical record documentation. Group differences were assessed …

Eudaimonia In Democracy: Finding The Soul In No-Excuse High School English Classrooms, Anna Snader

25th Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2026)

This paper explores Alexis de Tocqueville’s observations of American equality in No-excuse high school English classrooms and analyzes how these equality-driven tendencies transform a once liberal study into a servile one. I argue that these practical pedagogies, especially in stringent school models, reverse equality into a cycle of inequity. Through the removal of liberal-based learning, No-excuse schools fail to emphasize purpose and flourishing as an end for their diverse students, and as a result, oppose the primary goal of racial and economic equity. In my research, I propose that No-excuse high schools ought to return English to its liberality through …

Enhancing The Well-Being Of Refugees With Disabilities Through Equitable Access To Essential Services: A Participatory Qualitative Study In The United States, Mustafa Rfat

Brown School Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Access to services for refugees with disabilities (RwDs) is critically important for improving their well-being and enhancing their integration. This population often faces prolonged exclusion that begins in their country of origin and often continues to worsen during displacement, leading to accumulated disparities. Because the United States (U.S.) refugee program is structured around rapid employment, refugees who do not fit the fast-track employment criteria are often left behind. RwDs are often considered unemployable, which automatically shifts resources and services away from them. Abandoning RwDs during the critical period of resettlement puts them at heightened risk of increased and long-term exclusion. …

Update Mechanisms In Event Models: Boundary Effects And Dimensional Influences, Xing Su

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

People construct working event models to comprehend dynamic, multimodal information such as movies and narratives, but how these models update remains debated. Two mechanisms have been proposed: incremental updating, which selectively modifies specific dimensions while preserving others, and global updating, which discards the existing model entirely to construct a new one. This dissertation investigated how event boundaries influence which updating mechanism people employ. Across two experiments, participants read narratives about everyday activities while we measured recognition memory response times and self-paced reading times. Participants also completed event segmentation tasks to identify perceived boundaries. Results revealed a consistent dissociation opposite to …

Comments On Proposed Regulations Reg-117270-25: Trump Accounts Under Section 530a, Jin Huang, Margaret Clancy, Michael Sherraden, Lissa Johnson, Stephen Roll

Center for Social Development Research

In December 2025, the U.S. Treasury Department published a notice of intent to issue regulations concerning Trump Accounts (also known as 530A accounts), requesting public comments on proposed regulations for the Trump Accounts Contribution Pilot Program. This testimony presents comments submitted n response. Drawing on decades of Child Development Account research, including insights from the SEED for Oklahoma Kids experiment (SEED OK), the authors urge Treasury to adopt automatic enrollment to ensure that all eligible children— not only those whose families actively enroll them—receive the $1,000 pilot-program contribution. They outline federal–state implementation pathways using Social Security number data, recommend layered …

Teaching Under Pressure: A Study Of Factors Influencing Stress Among Educators, Daniel K. Ashlock, Shaun D. Bell, Victoria K. Hutcherson

Ex Sapientia Loqui

There were three purposes of this non-experimental study. The first purpose was to determine whether there was a difference in stress levels between teachers of different grade levels. The second purpose was to determine whether there are significant differences in workplace stress among PreK-12 school teachers as a result of the educational setting (either public or private school). The third purpose was to determine if there are significant differences in workplace stress among PreK-12 school teachers as a result of class size. The participants (n=81) included a convenience sample of PreK through twelfth-grade teachers in or around Searcy, Arkansas. Their …

In The Shadow Of Justice: How The Mythos Of The Batman Balances Major Ethical Theories In His Pursuit Of Ideal Justice, Camille Bewley

Ex Sapientia Loqui

For more than eighty years, the Batman character has exhibited a unique synthesis of major theories of Justice, and through his experiences as a vigilante, exemplified the pursuit of the ideal virtue of Justice. Because virtue requires a lived example to be understood, Batman is one of the foundational stories fulfilling this need for one of collective society’s prominent pillars. Within the horror of Gotham City–a hyperbolic, fictional representation of urban corruption–Batman’s actions as a vigilante, walking a tightrope to maintain morality even above the law might not only be justified, but necessary. The Batman’s nature, balancing ethical theories and …

Does Reappraisal Of Test Anxiety Improve Performance?, Lydia Baker, Jay Medenwaldt

Celebration of Research

Test anxiety, anxious thoughts and worries surrounding testing, is a relevant issue for around 20-30% of students today. Different methods have been researched to treat test anxiety, including emotion regulation strategies, one of which is cognitive reappraisal. Personality traits such as neuroticism may make it hard for a person to emotionally regulate, which is why cognitive reappraisal is helpful. A Qualtrics survey was distributed that placed people into 3 experimental groups: positive reappraisal, negative reappraisal, and a control group, and participants were asked to complete a memory test after reappraisal. A One-way ANOVA revealed no significant effect of reappraisal on …

"A Pre-Eminently Christian Life": The Seventh Earl Of Shaftesbury As A Guide For Modern Political Engagement, Clara Kernodle

Harding Undergraduate Research Conference

Society has suffered in the absence of Christian courage. Today, an antagonistic culture is feeding an increasingly antagonistic government. Christians do not know how to “win” – we do not even know how to engage. Rod Dreher's "The Benedict Option" encourages us to give up and retreat. Andrew Isker's "The Boniface Option" encourages warfare-style aggression. But Dreher’s and Isker’s approaches each take an aspect of the solution and expand it out of proportion. The proper solution is found in the historic Christian tradition. The Church has always understood her role within culture as one not of fear and loathing, but …

The Current - Volume 36 Issue 9, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

The Cowl - V. 89 N. 18 - April 16, 2026

The Cowl

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Vol. 89 No. 18 - April 16, 2026. 20 pages.

Leveraging Student Specialties For Innovative Digital Commons Exhibits, Madison Price, Sara Decaro

Faculty Submissions

In this presentation, Madison Price and Sara DeCaro of Pittsburg State University will cover their unique projects created with Digital Commons Exhibits, what inspired them, and how they incorporated student employees into their workflow. Pittsburg State’s location in southeast Kansas has been home to historically significant institutions like the Haldeman-Julius Publishing Company, an internationally-known leftist press, and artists such as Gordon Parks and Eva Jessye.

PSU’s collection of 2,000 Haldeman-Julius printing plates presented a quandary for Special Collections, until one student’s interest in them prompted this question: could the plates still be used? The result was multiple collaborations across PSU’s …