Digital Commons Network^™

Jennifer Millington V. Maryanne Ellenberger

2026 Decisions

USDC for the District of Delaware

Krystal Underwood V. Camden County Office Of The Sheriff

2026 Decisions

USDC for the District of New Jersey

Maine Democratic Primary Voters Want Jackson As Senate Nominee, In Close Race With Collins In General 7/21/2026, Unh Survey Center

All UNH Survey Center Polls

Over half of recent Democratic primary voters prefer Troy Jackson as the Democratic nominee for Senate. Most Democratic primary voters believe Graham Platner's withdrawal from the race was the right decision. Jackson and incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins are statistically tied in a November election matchup. Collins earns high marks from Mainers on bringing federal dollars to the state during her tenure in office but receives lower ratings on her votes on key legislation, Cabinet nominees, and Supreme Court justices. In Maine's election for governor, Democratic nominee Hannah Pingree holds a double-digit lead over Republican Bobby Charles. Amid questions about …

Redefining Bryan: Populism, Reform, And The Fight For The Common Man, Tracey Perilloux Drake

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation looks at the political career of William Jennings Bryan and argues that he was more than just a supporter of free silver during the 1896 election. While many historians focus mainly on his “Cross of Gold” speech and his views on silver, this study shows that Bryan had a much broader set of ideas. He supported reform in many areas, including the economy, government power, and moral issues, and believed the federal government should do more to help ordinary people. Using both historical studies and primary sources, this dissertation places Bryan in the context of the major economic …

Application Of Cost-Effective High-Resolution Remote Sensing To Characterize Flooding In Mountain River Corridors, Ishwar Joshi, Ian Gowing, Brian M. Crookston

Civil and Environmental Engineering Student Research

This study evaluated a cost-effective UAV-based multi-sensor approach for characterizing river corridor conditions during and after moderate floods in two mountain river corridors in Northern Utah, USA: the Logan River and Blacksmith Fork River. These study reaches included urban, rural, and agricultural areas, hydraulic structures and bridges, and fish passage structures. A DJI Matrice 300 UAV was used with two separate payloads: an AgEagle Altum-PT multispectral camera and an R3 Pro V2 two-return LiDAR system. The workflow included UAV flight planning and data collection, post-processing of the multi-spectral and LiDAR sensor data, spatial resolution and accuracy assessment, and interpretation of …

Loss Of Atp-Dependent Citrate Lyase Drives Left Ventricular Dysfunction By Metabolic Remodeling, Shijie Liu, Seth T Gammon, Lin Tan, Yaqi Gao, Kyoungmin Kim, Mahmoud H Elbatreek, Adrian Arrieta, Ian K Williamson, Rebecca L Salazar, Janet Pham, Angela Davidian, Radhika Khanna Neicheril, Benjamin D Gould, Heidi Vitrac, Alia Sadiq, An Q Dinh, Evan C Lien, Francisca N De Luna Vitorino, Joanna M Gongora, Sara A Martinez, Melanie T Odenkirk, Anna K Boatman, Jessie R Chappel, Lawrence S C Czer, Evan P Kransdorf, David J Lefer, Blake M Hanson, Benjamin A Garcia, Erin M Baker, Matthew G Vander Heiden, Philip L Lorenzi, Heinrich Taegtmeyer, David Piwnica-Worms, James F Martin, Anja Karlstaedt

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Metabolic adaptation and maladaptation are hallmarks of the failing heart and may be a target for therapeutic interventions. For example, sustained glucose oxidation during cardiac stress is associated with increased activity and abundance of ACL (ATP-dependent citrate lyase, Acly), which produces acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) from citrate and CoA and supports de novo lipid synthesis. However, our understanding of how ACL supports cardiac metabolic adaptation and its potential to modulate disease pathophysiology has not yet been investigated.

Methods: We used human heart tissue samples from healthy donors and patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Next, we used CRISPR (clustered, regularly interspaced …

Molecular Mechanism Leading To Human Coronary Atherosclerosis Assessed By Proteomic Analysis And Rna Sequences, Sarah J Parker, Chunhong Mao, David L Caudell, Austin Lyle Seals, Yizhi Wang, Thomas D Green, Joseph M Mcclung, Joshua T Maxwell, Jacolby T Roddey, Kiarash Shakeriastani, Chiung-Ting Wu, Yingzhou Lu, Do-Kyun Kim, Justyna Fert-Bober, Dongping Du, Archana Bhat, Niveda Sundararaman, Matthew Ayres, Rakhi Pandey, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Genesio M Karere, Dana Troxclair, Fannie Jackson, Gordon L Love, Richard Vander Heide, James Hixson, Jennifer E Van Eyk, Yue Wang, David Herrington

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background and aims: Atherosclerosis results from cellular and extracellular changes in the arterial wall, preceded by molecular shifts that initiate disease and drive tissue conversion, yet these changes are not yet fully described. More data are needed concerning these early changes in the coronary artery molecular landscape that signify the initiation of atherosclerosis and the subsequent tissue pheno-conversion to atherosclerotic plaque. This report summarizes results from a large biorepository of human coronary artery tissue, applying state-of-the-art omics technology, advanced data analytic methods, and an arterial organoid model system to predict molecular dynamics and identify potential regulatory mechanisms that could interrupt …

Unpredictability Is A Childhood Adversity That Contributes To Mental Health Problems, Laura M. Glynn, Sabrina R. Liu, Charles Golden, Michael Weiss, Candice Taylor Lucas, Louis Ehwerhemuepha, Hal S. Stern, Tallie Z. Baram

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Although adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase risk for mental illness at the population level, existing ACEs screens are less helpful in forecasting individual outcomes, suggesting they may not capture significant elements of childhood adversity. We have previously identified unpredictable parental and household experiences as an ACE that portends poorer cognitive and mental health. However, the contribution of unpredictability to established ACEs in real-world settings is unknown. Here, leveraging existing ACEs screening in California, we added the five-item Questionnaire on Unpredictability in Childhood (QUIC-5) in 19 pediatric clinics spanning broad sociodemographic constituencies and compared in ~30,000 children the link of each …

Oscar Perraza-Melendez V. Attorney General United States Of America

2026 Decisions

Agency

Iran’S Development Of Criminal Foreign Policy Capabilities In The United States From 2013–2020, Scott James Harr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Iran’s development of criminal foreign policy capabilities in the United States represents an emerging phenomenon that is transforming the U.S.-Iran foreign policy relationship from a national security issue, primarily executed abroad, into a homeland security threat located within the United States. As an emerging dimension of the U.S.-Iran foreign policy relationship, this behavior by Iran must be thoroughly understood to aid U.S. policymakers in developing relevant policies to address the issue. However, Iran’s motivations for its international behavior are hotly debated among scholars of international relations (IR) theory. Some see Iran’s behavior as ideologically based, while others claim Iran’s behavior …

The Role Of School Climate In Predicting Student Achievement: A Predictive, Correlational Study, Chesney Alexandria Rutherford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, predictive, correlational study was to determine if school climate foresees student achievement through a predictive correlational design. This study is important because of the examination of how changes in school climate can affect students both academically and psychologically. The convenience sample for this study consisted of a total of 240 participants from 2 different schools in both urban and rural areas of Eastern Tennessee. The participants consisted of 120 sophomores per school enrolled in English II. The setting was the English II classrooms within both schools. The Education School Climate Survey developed by the …

Teacher Interpretations Of Involuntary Peer Observations: A Case Study With Implications For Curriculum, Collaboration, And Trust, Lidia Waltos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, holistic, single instrumental case study was to explore how involuntary peer observations are described, perceived, and interpreted by teachers in an urban secondary school and how those perceptions may inform curriculum development, instructional strategy implementation, collaboration, and trust. The social learning theory guiding this research suggests individuals learn by engaging in observation, modeling of skills and tasks in specific social contexts, interpretations of others’ behaviors, and applying of learned information. The central research question was: How are involuntary peer observations described, perceived, and interpreted in an urban secondary school, and how do these perceptions inform …

Songwriting Learning Experiences In Music Education: A Bifurcated Study, Thomas Amoriello Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Historically, the field of music education has been grounded in the band, chorus, and orchestra model, with an abundance of professional development opportunities for educators. Despite the eventual expansion to introduce alternatives, including the Orff approach, guitar ensembles, mariachi, and the ukulele; further exploration of songwriting learning experiences is warranted due to a lack of professional development opportunities for music educators. Traditionally, songwriting is learned or taught piecemeal; thus, the need for music educators to possess additional skills is paramount. This qualitative narrative study will examine the perspectives of music educators who participate in interviews about teaching songwriting or their …

Training In The 21st Century: A Transcendental Phenomenological Exploration Of The Experiences Of Virtual Reality Integration For Training Industrial Vocations, Christina M. Bardine

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the experience of the application of virtual reality (VR) for trainees at a VR training lab for vocational training. The theory guiding this study is the technology acceptance model (TAM), as it encompasses the experiences and perceptions that influence overall acceptance of VR technology in training. The central research question of this study asked, What is the lived experience of the trainees that framed their acceptance of the use of virtual reality and gaming technologies for vocational job training. This transcendental phenomenological study explored the experiences of 19 adult vocational …

Exploring The Motivations And Educational Needs For Undergraduate Nursing Students To Enter Into Critical Care: A Qualitative Study., Christina S. Pradhan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Critical care nursing is a specialty that demands a high level of skill and dedication. In this high-stress, fast-paced environment, nurses must think fast and act decisively with sound clinical judgment and knowledge. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study was to understand the motivating factors that cause nurses to enter the field of critical care, as well as to explore the ways in which undergraduate nursing studies may be improved to better prepare future critical care nurses. Knowles’ adult learning theory was well suited for nursing students bound for a critical care path. Students at two different baccalaureate …

The Influence Of Pestle Factors On Organizational Culture, Structures, And Operational Risks Within Multinational Enterprises In The East African Community: A Qualitative Study, Sherria Mcguire

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative multiple-case study investigated the impact of political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTLE) factors on the structures, culture, and operational risks of multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating within the East African Community (EAC). Despite the recognized importance of macro-environmental analysis in international business research, limited empirical research had examined how PESTLE factors systematically shape operational risks in institutionally diverse and emerging markets. The study addressed the lack of a structured framework for evaluating these risks, which contributed to misalignment between host country conditions and organizational strategies. This study employed a pragmatic qualitative multiple-case study design, informed by research …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Former Teachers Transitioning Into Instructional Design And Technology: A Phenomenological Study, Denise Lynne Spencer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of former teachers who have transitioned into instructional design and technology (ID&T) roles within noneducational organizations. The theory guiding this study was Malcolm Knowles’ adult learning theory, as it provided a theoretical framework for former educators to successfully transition their skills from teaching children to designing effective training for adults, particularly within noneducational organizations. The central research question asked, What are the unique challenges former teachers face when transitioning to ID&T when working for noneducational organizations? Data were collected through three data collection methods, including semi-structured interviews, …

Bridging The Generational Gap: Enhancing Unity And Engagement In The Church, Lesley H. Booker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The contemporary church is increasingly characterized by the presence of multiple generations worshiping and serving together, each bringing distinct values, communication styles, expectations, and approaches to faith. While this diversity presents significant opportunities for spiritual growth and community development, it can also create challenges that hinder unity, participation, and effective ministry. This study examines the generational gap within the church and explores strategies for enhancing unity and engagement among members from different age groups. Using a qualitative research approach, the study investigates the perceptions, experiences, and interactions of church members across generations. Data were collected through interviews, focus groups, and …

Associating Herzberg’S Motivation-Hygiene Two-Factor Theory And Influential Factors On Turnover Intentions Within The U.S. Federal Government Agencies: An Ex Post Facto Quantitative Method Approach, Beatrice Nadine Sibug Fant

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study examined the critical issue of employee turnover in U.S. federal government agencies and the challenge of retaining highly qualified individuals amid competition from private-sector companies offering employees multiple benefits. It follows Herzberg's Motivation-Hygiene Two-Factor Theory and measures the impact of employee satisfaction, engagement, work-life balance, and performance on turnover intentions. Additionally, the study considered demographic and occupational variables, such as gender, supervisory status, military service, and years of service in the federal government. Using data from the 2022 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS), which received responses from 557,778 participants (a 35% response rate), the study investigates how employee …

Unethical Leadership And Team Performance, Katlin R. Conroy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Unethical leadership remains a persistent problem within organizations, negatively impacting employee attitudes, team dynamics, and overall performance. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how unethical leadership behaviors can impact team performance. Guided by four research questions, this study examined the effects of unethical leadership, the behaviors that contribute to decreased performance, employee perceptions of such behaviors, and strategies organizations can use to address them. Data were collected through semi‑structured interviews, using the Unethical Leadership Scale for methodological triangulation. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns and recurring themes across participant responses. The findings revealed several …

Where Containment Was Born: Greece And The First Battlefield Of The Cold War, Christos Vourtsas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines the origins, implementation, and consequences of United States intervention in Greece during the Greek Civil War (1946-1949), situating the conflict within the broader development of early Cold War strategy. It argues that American involvement in Greece represented the first fully realized application of containment policy and established precedents that shaped subsequent United States foreign interventions throughout the Cold War. The study begins by tracing the political and military fragmentation of Greece during the Axis occupation (1941-1944) and the subsequent breakdown of political reconciliation following the Varkiza Agreement in 1945. It demonstrates how the resurgence of political violence …

Examining The Impact Of School Resource Officer Training: A Survey Of North Carolina Officers In Schools, Jennifer M. Osborn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Recent increases in violence in schools have led to greater attention on the training and effectiveness of School Resource Officers (SROs). This study analyzes the effects of SRO training programs in North Carolina educational institutions, concentrating on two principal law enforcement agencies: the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and the Fayetteville Police Department. This research uses surveys and qualitative analysis to examine how SRO training relates to school safety and the development of positive relationships with students.

SRO training protocols and their efficacy in enhancing school safety and cultivating positive student relationships. The study examines four primary research questions concerning the …

Identifying The Effects Of Racial Bias On Levels Of Medical Mistrust Among Black And White Young Adults, Clayton L. Westmoreland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional group comparison was to examine whether differences exist in levels of medical mistrust, healthcare avoidance, and preference for racially concordant providers between young Black adults and young White adults residing in Texas. An electronic, pilot-tested survey was distributed via social media and included demographic items and Likert-scale measures to assess trust levels and healthcare decision-making behaviors. Independent samples t-tests were conducted using IBM SPSS software to compare group means. Results indicated statistically significant differences across all three variables. Young Black adults reported significantly higher levels of medical mistrust (lower scores indicating greater mistrust; …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Novice Elementary Teachers' Perceptions Of Managing The Behavioral Needs Of Students With Disabilities In Inclusive Classrooms, Jordan Brooke Royalty

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of managing the behavioral needs of students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms for novice elementary general education teachers at public elementary schools in a southern state. The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s social cognitive theory, as it underscores the role of personal experiences, social interactions, and self-efficacy in shaping behavior and professional competence. The central research question guiding this study is: What are the lived experiences of novice elementary general education teachers managing the behavioral needs of students with disabilities in an inclusive classroom setting in …

Teachers’ And Parents’ Perception Of The Impacts Of Social Skills Education Among Learners With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Marian Baffoe Bonnie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the perceptions of the impacts of social skills learning for teachers and parents at a preschool in a central African country. The theory that guided this study was Premack and Woodruff’s theory of mind as it provides a scholarly underpinning for understanding the social and communication deficits experienced by individuals with autism. The central research question that guided the study was: How do teachers and parents perceive the impacts of social skills education among children with autism spectrum disorders? A qualitative methodology using a phenomenological design was used. Purposive sampling was …

Exploration Of The Impact Of Social Isolation And Intimate Partner Violence On Combat-Wounded Veteran Caregivers, Kassandra Lyn Orrick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the study was to help bridge the gap in understanding the relationship between caregivers and the impact that caring for a combat-wounded veteran has on their relationship with society, and whether social isolation gives way to an increase in domestic violence. In addition, this study explored the biblical implications of caring for combat-wounded individuals and how to better serve those who care for society's wounded. The population comprised 49 combat-wounded veteran caregivers who were assigned anonymous surveys and contacted via various military caregiver sites or organizations. Participants completed a survey that will track their demographic information, along …

Flexible Concurrent Training In Remote Settings, Christopher Bonilla

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a trainee-driven flexible concurrent training program to a traditional fixed concurrent training program over 16 weeks of remote training in recreationally trained individuals. Participants were randomized into a flexible group that selected workouts based on daily perceived readiness or a control group that followed a fixed training schedule. The primary outcome was a total fitness score derived from a three-repetition maximum deadlift, a two-minute push-up test, and a two-mile run, assessed every four weeks. A secondary analysis used multilevel modeling to examine whether self-reported sleep duration predicted perceived readiness …

Exploring The Practice Of Mindfulness In Ministry Among Kansas Assemblies Of God Clergy, Angela K. Sartain

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Interest in integrating mindfulness into Christian counseling and pastoral practice increased; however, very little research has documented its experience among Assemblies of God clergy. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Kansas Assemblies of God clergy who have engaged mindfulness within a ministry context. Based on acceptance and commitment therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, viewed through a Christian lens; the research examined understanding, adaptation, and practice regarding worship, leadership, and pastoral care. Data from in-depth interviews with Kansas Assemblies of God clergy were analyzed thematically and patterns of meaning and practice were discovered. The results revealed how Kansas Assemblies …

Forgiveness And Marital Restoration After Infidelity Among Mid-Atlantic Christian Couples: A Hermaneutic Interpretation, Denise Crable Crarey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Infidelity can inflict substantial damage to a marital relationship, specifically emotional trauma, broken trust, instability, and possibly divorce. However, some choose to extend forgiveness and work towards restoration of the marital relationship. The problem addressed by this study is the absence of known factors contributing to marital restoration from the perspective of wounded partners among Christians in the Mid-Atlantic United States. The purpose of this study is to understand which factors promote marital restoration from the perspective of the injured spouse in the Christian community from the Mid-Atlantic United States. The theoretical perspectives for this study are the Enright Process …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Exploring Veteran Mentor Teachers’ Role In Shaping Novice And Uncertified Special Educators At Joy High School In Texas, Venyke C. Medley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences mentoring novice or uncertified special education teachers for veteran special education teachers at Joy High School in Texas. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social learning theory, which emphasizes the importance of observational learning, modeling, and mentorship in shaping professionals. The central research question was: How do veteran special education teachers in Title I secondary schools describe the mentorship and training needs of novice and uncertified special education teachers related to implementing special education policies and individualized instructional practices? Using purposive sampling, 10 veteran special education …