Digital Commons Network^™

Writers Of The Storm: Who's Behind The Ongoing Production Of Pro-Russian False Narratives, Patrick Warren, Darren Linvill, Steven Sheffield, Leland Fecher, Kylie Gilbert, Jonathon Greco, Alexa Gubanich, Janna Gubanich, Parker Hundley, Ella Kea, Claire Manson, Ethan May, Sarah Meadows, Connor Pridnia, Matthew Rippy, Miles Rockow, Timothy Ross, Phebe Webb

Media Forensics Hub Creative Inquiry Reports

This report describes additional findings about a pro-Russian disinformation campaign first publicly identified by Clemson’s Media Forensics Hub in December 2023[1] and subsequently dubbed Storm-1516 by Microsoft’s Threat Analysis Center.[2] This campaign has been ongoing since at least August 2023 and has met with several viral successes. In this report we will attempt to better understand who may be responsible for Storm-1516 and, perhaps more importantly, the distribution network driving the campaign’s virality.

Storm-1516 is tightly connected to the Russian Foundation to Battle Injustice (R-FBI). Their behavior is much too closely linked than would reasonably occur by accident or simple …

Digital Yard Signs: Analysis Of An Ai Bot Political Influence Campaign On X, Darren Linvill, Patrick Warren

Media Forensics Hub Reports

This report details an ongoing social media influence campaign employing AI powered bots to influence political conversations in U.S. federal elections. This inauthentic network includes at least 686 accounts, and likely more. The campaign uses large language models to create organic seeming content in the replies of real users’ posts. Taking on conservative persona and perspectives, this campaign has targeted both Republican candidates (in primaries) and Democrats (in generals) in addition to advocating for specific issues. This report explores the network’s messaging, operations, and implications.

Profile Of Nasig President Paul Moeller, Christian Burris

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

What’S Hiding Under The Kilt? Iranian Trolls For Scottish Independence, Darren Linvill, Patrick Warren

Media Forensics Hub Reports

The Islamic Republic of Iran is known to engage in digital information operations targeting both their regional neighbors and Western adversaries. While several campaigns have been identified in recent months, specifics about the tactics and messaging Iran have employed are limited. This report offers a robust understanding of one ongoing campaign the Clemson Media Forensics Hub has attributed to Iran. We include analysis of the campaign’s scope and impacts as well as a deep look at its messaging, including specific visual examples.

August 12, 2024 Nasig Executive Board Meeting Minutes, Madeline Kelly

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

July 23, 2024 Nasig Executive Board Meeting Minutes, Madeline Kelly

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

September 2024 Full Issue, Faye O'Reilly

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

The Integration Of Mobile Learning In Student Interpreters' Out-Of-Class Learning In China, Jingyun Sun

International Journal of Interpreter Education

No abstract provided.

Signed Language Interpreter Education: A Comparison Of First-Generation And Non-First-Generation Bachelor's Students, Kierstin S. Muroski

International Journal of Interpreter Education

Studies have shown that first-generation college students (FGCS), those who are the first in their families to earn a bachelor's degree, have unique experiences, perceptions, and needs when compared to non- first-generation college students (NFGCS) whose parents have graduated from college. A recent survey of 201 signed language interpreting bachelor's degree students found that FGCS and NFGCS differ in their academic lives. The results of this study support previous research that indicates that FGCS often face obstacles that can impede their academic success. By recognizing the challenges that FGCS may encounter, interpreter educators can create learning environments that better support …

Finally Free From The Interpreter's Gaze? Uncovering The Hidden Labor Of Gaze Work For Deaf Consumers Of Interpreter Services, Maartje De Meulder, Christopher Stone

International Journal of Interpreter Education

No abstract provided.

Book Review Of The Routledge Handbook Of Conference Interpreting, Keming Peng, Hui Dai, Yueli Zhan

International Journal of Interpreter Education

No abstract provided.

Integrating Computer Science Education And Ethnic-Racial Identity Exploration Within A Social Justice Youth Development Framework, Steven Worker, Fe Moncloa, Vernelle Mitchell-Hawkins

Journal of Youth Development

No abstract provided.

Development Amidst Psychological Difficulties: Parents As Developmental Assets, Kimia Shirzad, Sunhye Bai, Jennifer P. Agans

Journal of Youth Development

No abstract provided.

Understanding Why Youth Depart Early From Summer Camp, Victoria Povilaitis, Robert P. Lubeznik-Warner, Katie Mcgregor-Wheatley

Journal of Youth Development

No abstract provided.

Long-Term Life-Skill Transfer From Sport-Based Positive Youth Development Programs, Travis R. Scheadler, Dawn Anderson Butcher, Samantha Bates

Journal of Youth Development

No abstract provided.

Genetically-Encoded Optical Barcodes For Single-Cell Analysis, Daniel Pritko

All Theses

Cell barcodes are capable of being used to answer many different biological questions. They have been used to track the lineage of cells to identifying the function of a gene. While there are multiple different methods to creating cell barcodes, they are limited in their scalability and application. In a previous publication we propose and computationally prove an optical single-cell barcoding method that bridges fast and scalable readouts with the benefits of genetic encoding. In this approach fluorescent proteins (fps) are combined to form fluorescent barcodes that can then be analyzed using a spectral flow cytometer. Here, we test the …

Regulation Of Serpina1 Mrna Expression By Environmental Conditions In Hepatocyte Cells, Fnu Jiamutai

All Theses

The SERPINA1 gene encodes the critical protease inhibitor α-1-antitrypsin (A1AT). A1AT represses neutrophil elastase activity to protect lung tissue from inflammatory damage. A deficiency in α-1-antitrypsin can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pathogenic genetic variants in SERPINA1 are also associated with A1AT protein misfolding and liver cirrhosis. The regulatory mechanisms of SERPINA1 expression are not well understood, but previous studies suggest that alternative polyadenylation in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) affects A1AT protein expression. In this study, we used the liver cancer cell line HepG2 to determine how environmental conditions influence SERPINA1 mRNA expression and post-transcriptional regulation. We …

A Study Of The Impact And Mitigation Strategies For Community-Defined Historic Places At Immediate (Within Three Decades) Risk Of Sea Level Rise, Isaac Quaye

All Theses

The rising sea level casts formidable threats on community-based historic places within coastal communities. These community-defined historic places derive their meaning from local values and are more recognized within the local community. Unlike recognized iconic historic places, these resources are confronted with inadequate resources to address the impacts of punctuated climate events. This study investigates the imminent threats posed by sea level rise (SLR) to community-defined historic places within the next three decades (2025) and explores mitigation strategies proposed by stakeholders. The study used a GIS-based (enhanced bathtub model) to model the impact of coastal inundation on three historic places …

Expandable Tissue-Engineered Living Surgical Pulmonary Heart Valve For Pediatric Patients, Jacob M. Lautenschlager

All Theses

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of mortality in developed countries, with 607.74 million cases globally in 2020.^1,2 Advances in medicine have changed the current demographic suffering from heart valve disease into an aging population suffering from degenerative heart valve disease, creating a growing population treated by surgical or transcatheter intervention.^3-6 Current treatments of valvular heart disease are therefore directed toward valve replacements for the adult population, leaving a treatment gap for pediatric patients suffering from heart valve disease.^7-10

Congenital heart defects are defined as structural abnormalities of the heart or intrathoracic great vessels and are …

High-Resolution Ion Mobility Analysis Of Isomeric Bile Acids Using Structures For Lossless Ion Manipulations (Slim) Im-Ms, Emmaleigh D. Efird

All Theses

Bile acids are an essential part of the human digestion system and play an important role in lipid absorption, bacteria movement in the small intestine, and regulation of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and G protein-coupled bile acid receptors (GPBAR) responsible for homeostasis. They are synthesized in the liver, stored in the gallbladder and the excess is carried on to the small intestine. Many liver and intestinal diseases are diagnosed based on bile acid metabolism pathways and the structures of those bile acids. Therefore, the bile acid structure determines the function of the molecule. Many bile acids are similar in …

A Retrospective Of “Comfort Culture:” A Paradigmatic Study On The Creation Of The “Comfort Women” System Constructed By The Imperial Japanese Military From 1932 To 1945, Emma Nicolini

All Theses

From 1932 to 1945, the Imperial Japanese military sexually enslaved approximately two hundred thousand Asian women from Japan, Korea, China, Indonesia, Taiwan, and the Philippines. This institution was known as the comfort women system, which the Imperial Japanese government created to ensure the sexual and mental health of Imperial Japanese military personnel. This provision of comfort for Imperial Japanese military personnel was enabled by cultural influences introduced in the Early Modern period of Japan, which normalized a contemptuous attitude toward sexual labor. This blend of Early Modern Japan, as well as the beliefs that facilitated the need for comfort women, …

Hydrogen Isotope Exchange On Diffusion Pump Oils, Carson G. Allen

All Theses

The extent of isotopic exchange of deuterium and tritium with protium atoms in hydrocarbon pump oil was investigated as a means to quantify the chemical stability of a mineral oil, a silicone oil, and a polyphenyl ether oil as candidates for implementation in a diffusion pump. In its target application at a fusion power plant, a chemically stable and radiation hard oil offers substantial reductions in tritium inventory, electrical consumption, and operational pump expenses over alternate solutions for vacuum induction. Select oils were introduced to deuterium and tritium isotopes in a high temperature environment, analogous to an operating vacuum pump. …

A Quality Improvement Project On The Evaluation Of A Community Gastroenterology Advanced Practice Providers’ Update On The Utilization Of The American College Of Gastroenterology (Acg) Recommendation For Annual Depression Screening In Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Yolanda Levy Dnp, Fnp-Bc

All Dissertations

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disease that can result in chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract (Farbod et al., 2021). The two most common types of IBD are called Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. There have been several studies that have shown how the psychological disorders, including depression, can be associated with flares of IBD (Farraye et al., 2017). The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) published clinical practice guidelines in 2017, which recommended gastroenterology (GI) healthcare providers screen for depression in all patients with IBD at least once annually (Farraye et al., 2017). This quality improvement did show …

Creating Cartoon Style With 3d Animation, Sean William Meade

All Theses

Computer-generated three-dimensional animation is often used to imitate live-action filmmaking and photorealistic objects and effects. However, it is equally possible to use three-dimensional computer-generated imagery to imitate cartoon, hand-drawn two-dimensional animation. Cartoons and hand drawn animation have their own sets of limitations which change their visual style. Animators may choose to draw scenes with elements that break continuity or are not realistic. Every choice from the color to the scene composition is different from now-conventional three-dimensional CGI. With this thesis, I investigate how to create a three-dimensional scene that closely resembles the appearance of a two-dimensional cartoon animated scene drawn …

Improvement Cycles In The Wake Of A Crisis: A School Leadership Team’S Approach To The Unknown, Andrew S. Brandt

All Dissertations

Organizational leaders frequently face challenges when navigating crises or unexpected problems. In such situations, leaders often rely on unbending emergency plans that lack the necessary flexibility, learning opportunities, and effective communication strategies to address the complexities of a crisis. This failure can result in repeated adverse outcomes the next time a crisis surfaces. This qualitative case study examined one high school leadership team’s use of PDSA cycles and the improvement science framework to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and emerging problems. Principles of the improvement science framework and chaos theory were applied to the collection and analysis of data. The …

A Recreational Therapy-Based Bibliotherapy Program For Perceived Stress And Coping Among Siblings Of Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Lindsey Kirschbaum

All Dissertations

Siblings of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face unique challenges and experiences different from their peers who do not have a sibling with IDD. These challenges can include increased sense of responsibility at home, decreased attention from parents, and feelings of social isolation; all of which can increase stress. While sibling support groups offer opportunities for siblings of individuals with IDD to connect with other siblings, these groups do not formally focus on improving participants’ stress-coping outcomes. Bibliotherapy has been shown to help youth express stress-related feelings and learn stress-coping strategies. However, no known research has assessed the …

A Pilot Study On The Effects Of Aesthetic In Game Play Experience And Visual Attention In Virtual Reality, Makayla Middleton

All Theses

Video games have become very popular over the last couple of decades and the popularity is increasing year by year. Imagine a world where video games didn’t exist. Yes, the world would function as normal but we would take away the creative freedoms expressed in game play. The video game industry today has become larger than the music and film industry combined. With new technologies becoming available, the user’s game play experience continues to change.
The purpose of this thesis is to look at the growth and definitions of game play experience and see how it will change with virtual …

Degradation Products And Microbial Communities Associated With The Conversion Of Five Long-Chain Fatty Acids Relevant For Anaerobic Co-Digestion Of Fog With Sludge, Claire Funk

All Theses

Anaerobic digestion is a technology that allows wastewater treatment plants to convert sludge to energy by recovering the biogas produced during the breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. Furthermore, adding fats, oils, and greases (FOG) through co-digestion with wastewater sludge can increase energy production as lipids have a higher methane yield than proteins and carbohydrates. However, adding FOG can also lead to operational problems in the digester due to the potential accumulation of certain long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs). Current research is limiting in the degradation pathways of prominent LCFAs in FOG and the microbial communities responsible for their degradation

The …

Factors Influencing Adventitious Root Formation Of Floral Hemp In Propagation, Alexandra Carver

All Theses

Commercial propagators have reported relatively poor propagation success, e.g., <75% rooting, for many hemp (Cannabis sativa) cultivars. These rooting percentages have a significant economic impact due to the wasted labor, space and supplies. Also, the market demands 100% of the propagation cells in a tray to be fully rooted, thus repairing and replacing poorly rooted or unrooted cuttings requires significant labor cost. The goal of this thesis was to evaluate several factors that influence adventitious root formation of hemp stem cuttings.

Chapter 2 describes an experiment conducted to identify rooting hormone treatments that could improve propagation success. Sixteen combinations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA; 0, …

Interactions Between High-Pressure Processing And Natural Antimicrobials In Ground White-Meat Chicken: An Analysis Of Microbial, Textural Charactheristics And Physicochemical Changes, Amalia M. Diaz Alejandro

All Theses

High Pressure processing is an innovative technique for preserving a wide variety of foods, including meat, and this method is increasingly used to satisfy consumer demand for quality food products. High-pressure treatment can impact, negatively or positively, various aspects of meat quality, including color, texture, protein denaturation, and microbial stability, particularly when food products are processed at ambient or low temperatures. By minimizing thermal exposure, appropriate high-pressure ranges help to prevent quality and nutrition degradation, reduce microbial contamination, and enhance tenderness.

The first objective of this research was to examine the influence of high-pressure processing and addition of natural antimicrobials …