Digital Commons Network^™

“Don’T Panic, It’S Just Ai:” A Qualitative Study On Internal Communication Strategies For Managing Ai-Driven Change”, Edikan Nkanta

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study investigated how organizations utilize internal communication strategies to navigate AI-driven change effectively. Through semi-structured interviews with eleven communication professionals and change leaders across various industries, the research identified key communication approaches that facilitate successful AI implementation. Findings revealed three primary strategies: framing AI as a tool that enhances rather than replaces human capabilities, connecting AI initiatives to organizational purpose and business goals, and demonstrating practical use cases through concrete examples. The study also highlighted the importance of establishing clear guidelines for responsible AI use, making initial adoption optional rather than mandatory, and directly addressing job security concerns. …

Utilizing Information Technology And Hands-On Learning Practices To Improve Student Learning Outcomes In A High Failure Rate Introductory Programming Course, Todd Edward Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to introduce and examine the impact that two interventions have on a high failure rate introductory programing course: a pedagogical approach of introducing Live Coding instruction technique to the in-person lecture portion, and a technological approach of introducing remote collaboration software (VS Code Liveshare) to the online lab portion. This study used convergent parallel mixed methods approach for both data collection and analysis; utilizing four data collection methods: 1) online survey questionnaires 2) in-depth interviews 3) in class observations and 4) quantifiable data collection (ie., student demographic, IT experience, GPA data). The Live Coding …

Site-Specific Modification Of Antibodies Utilizing Microbial Transglutaminase For Improved Immunoassay Performance, Emily Beitello

Theses and Dissertations

Immobilization strategies used for fixing antibodies to solid phase surfaces significantly contribute to the antigen capture capacity and influences the performance and sensitivity of immunoassays. Traditional methodologies result in the random orientation and/or the weak attachment of immobilized antibodies. Different formats of immunoassays scope in applicability to many fields of research and everyday use. Improving the efficiency of immobilizing antibodies in immunoassays is a beneficial endeavor to increase assay sensitivity. Here, we investigated the use of enzyme-mediated conjugation of antibodies to facilitate a highly oriented immobilization. Microbial transglutaminase (mTG) catalyzes the covalent bond formation between a plethora of primary amine …

Area Of Effect The History And Effects Of Linguistic Choices Made In The Final Fantasy Franchise, Camille Mcdermott

Theses and Dissertations

The Final Fantasy franchise, a seminal role-playing game (RPG) series, has captivated a global audience since its inception in 1987. This thesis, titled "Area of Effect: The History and Effects of Linguistic Choices Made in the Final Fantasy Franchise," explores the intricate use of language that has shaped the series' identity and influenced its worldwide fanbase. The linguistic landscape of Final Fantasy is as diverse and dynamic as its fantastical worlds, evolving from simple text boxes to fully voiced narratives. This study examines the historical context and evolving linguistic choices throughout the series, highlighting how these decisions enrich the gaming …

Application Of Floating Wetlands To Improve Urban Stream Quality, Daniel Chukwunonso Chukwudi

Theses and Dissertations

Urban streams, impacted by urbanization, often exhibit degraded water quality due to elevated nutrient levels, a phenomenon known as urban stream syndrome. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a floating wetland (FW) system in reducing nitrate as nitrogen (NO₃-N) and phosphate (PO₄³⁻) concentrations in a side canal of the Chicago River’s North Branch, adjacent to Goose Island, Chicago, IL, from 2018 to 2023. Using a five-year dataset, including new sampling from May to December 2023, the research addresses two questions: (1) Do FWs lower NO₃-N and PO₄³⁻ concentrations in urban streams? and (2) Do FWs exhibit seasonal differences in nutrient …

Converting Cover Crop Biomass To Biogas And Volatile Fatty Acids, Tuba Yasmin Lubna

Theses and Dissertations

Cover crops are commonly used for their environmental benefits, including improved soil health and reduced soil erosion. However, there is limited use for the aboveground biomass, except for oilseed crops. The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the selected winter cover crop biomass at three growth stages, (2) evaluate the biogas and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) yield, and (3) examine the concurrent alkali pretreatment and ensiling effects on biogas yield. Wild pennycress, golden pennycress, CoverCress^TM, annual ryegrass, cereal rye, pea, and clover biomass were harvested at three growth stages. Results showed that biogas yield increased with …

The Impact Of Ableist Microaggressions On The Supervisory Relationship And The Influence Of Burnout And Self-Efficacy, Berenice Contreras

Theses and Dissertations

Disabled graduate students often report experiences of ableist microaggressions in their training environment, as disability-affirming practices tend to be overlooked in higher education institutions (Kattari et al., 2019; Lund et al., 2020). Ableist microaggressions are verbal, nonverbal, and/or environmental messages that relay derogatory messages toward individuals with disabilities and normalize everyday forms of discrimination enacted toward them (Annamma et al., 2013; Kattari et al., 2019). Studies demonstrate that disabled graduate students in health psychology graduate programs report higher exposure to ableist experiences during pre internship training and supervision compared to other stages of graduate training (Lund et al., 2014; Lund …

Genetic Relative-Finder Services: A Qualitative Study Of Consumer Experiences, Sarah A. Sciba

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Genetic genealogy is an emergent topic in sociology. To date, over 41 million individuals worldwide have tested with the top four direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTCGT) companies: AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritageDNA (Glynn 2022). These tests provide consumers with ethnicity estimates, a list of DNA cousin matches, or both. Despite the popularity of DTCGT, there is a lack of data on consumer experiences with genetic relative-finder services (GRF) in the sociological literature. Methodology: I conducted exploratory, qualitative research in the form of in-depth interviews with eight adult women who have used GRF. I gathered data about their motivations for participation …

From Columbia To Usc, Palestine Will Be Free: Capturing The Palestinian Student Narrative, Deena Ata

Theses and Dissertations

In 2024, student groups across colleges organized encampments demanding their institutions cut financial and academic ties with Israel and the Israeli military, a call rooted in resistance to the ongoing occupation and violence against Palestinians. These student-led actions were met with harsh retaliation from university administrations and state authorities, including graduation deferments, suspensions, censorship, and arrests. Clear attempts to silence dissent and suppress Palestinian solidarity. This study centers the voices of Palestinian college students by examining their lived experiences and counter-narratives in the face of backlash, anti-Palestinian rhetoric, and institutionalized acts of disenfranchisement. Their stories reveal how repression of pro-Palestine …

At The Mercy Of All Things: Nurturing Experimental Queer Writing On Embodied Mothering, Charley Koenig

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is an exploration of the ability of experimental queer writing to grow and transform expressions of mothering and care. The moves made here—both in the scholarship and anchor texts examined herein and in my own contributions to this effort—work to dethatch those toxic dominating narratives on motherhood, enforced and reinforced by our current Western society and culture, that contaminate and restrict our constructions of what it means to be and do mother. The collective work of experimental queer writers makes possible more nuanced, realistic, messy, complex, varied, embodied, liberating, and literally and figuratively dirty renditions of mothering and …

Drta: Dynamic Reward Scaling For Reinforcement Learning In Time Series Anomaly Detection, Bahareh Golchin, Banafsheh Rekabdar, Kunpeng Liu

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Anomaly detection in time series data is important for applications in finance, healthcare, sensor networks, and industrial monitoring. Traditional methods usually struggle with limited labeled data, high false-positive rates, and difficulty generalizing to novel anomaly types. To overcome these challenges, we propose a reinforcement learning-based framework that integrates dynamic reward shaping, Variational Autoencoder (VAE), and active learning, called DRTA. Our method uses an adaptive reward mechanism that balances exploration and exploitation by dynamically scaling the effect of VAE-based reconstruction error and classification rewards. This approach enables the agent to detect anomalies effectively in low-label systems while maintaining high precision and …

Exosomes: Historical Evolution And Emerging Roles In Dermatology, Nina Schur, Luna Samman, Milaan Shah, Victoria Dukharan, Carol Stegura, Luke Broughton, Todd Schlesinger

GME Publications

Background: Exosomes are a nanoscale extracellular vesicles derived from different cell types that have been investigated for various clinical applications, including functioning as biomarkers and use as direct therapeutics. Given the role of exosomes in multiple pathophysiologic pathways and potential practical applications, they have garnered significant interest in the scientific community but much is still unknown about their development and use.

Aims: This literature review covers the background, mechanisms of action, use as biomarkers, methods of application, and direct therapeutic applications of exosomes.

Methods: A literature review on the background and uses of exosomes was conducted. Key articles describing the …

Bailing Out Biometrics, Chinmayi Sharma, Elijah Gordon

Faculty Scholarship

In 2023, hackers breached 23andMe and extracted the biometric and genealogical data of nearly seven million people. By 2025, that data-originally offered up in the spirit of medical discovery and consumer empowerment-was being auctioned off in bankruptcy court as a corporate asset. The breach exposed more than technical lapses or governance failures. It revealed a structural gap in how the law understands, regulates, and protects biometric identity. Biometric data is intimate, immutable, and implicates human dignity and autonomy. And yet, the legal frameworks most often tasked with protecting it-tort, contract, and even modern privacy statutes-have consistently failed to impose meaningful …

Special Issues Facing People Who Use Drugs And How Sensitive Lawyers Can Help: Three Case Studies From Rutgers Law Associate, Andrew J. Rothman

Touro Law Review

No abstract provided.

A Patent System For Temple Grandin, Andrew Chin

Touro Law Review

This article explores the intersection of neurodiversity and innovation through the lens of Temple Grandin’s contributions to livestock handling systems and her philosophical alignment with the U.S. patent system. Drawing on cognitive research by Simon Baron-Cohen, archaeological insights from Penny Spikins, and personal reflections, I argue that autistic cognitive styles—characterized by heightened “folk physics” aptitudes and visual thinking—have historically driven technological progress. Grandin’s patented inventions, motivated by sensory-based empathy for animals, exemplify how neurodivergent inventors seek to embed their conceptions of ethical utility into the nation’s technological infrastructure. The article critiques modern patent litigation trends, advocating instead for a system …

In Too Deep: Navigating An Unpredictable Algorithm, Anthony J. Ranieri

Touro Law Review

This note explores the intersection of deepfakes, a newfound and seemingly ubiquitous technology, and the protections granted by the Free Speech Clause under the First Amendment. At this juncture, society has failed to develop an infallible form of deepfake detection technology despite persistent and diligent efforts by individuals and entities alike. Hyper realistic deepfake technology has and will continue to be utilized by bad actors as a tool for advancing their nefarious goals, resulting in cognizable harm to individuals and society at large. This note evaluates the current state of deepfake technology and the potential obstacle that traditional First Amendment …

Distinct Composition-Dependent Topological Hall Effect In Mn2-Xznxsb, Md Rafique Un Nabi, Yue Li, Suzanne G.E. Te Velthuis, Santosh Karki Chhetri, Dinesh Upreti, Rabindra Basnet, Gokul Acharya, Charudatta Phatak, Jin Hu

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Spintronics, an evolving interdisciplinary field at the intersection of magnetism and electronics, explores innovative applications of electron charge and spin properties for advanced electronic devices. The topological Hall effect (THE), a key component in spintronics, has gained significance due to emerging theories surrounding noncoplanar chiral spin textures. This study focuses on Mn_2-xZn_xSb, a material crystalizing in centrosymmetric space group with rich magnetic phases tunable by Zn contents. Through comprehensive magnetic and transport characterizations, we found that the high-Zn (x > 0.6) samples display THE which is enhanced with decreasing temperature, while THE in the low-Zn ( …

Reconfigurable Photonic Lattices Based On Atomic Coherence, Jiaqi Yuan, Shun Liang, Qingsong Yu, Chiangbao Li, Yanpeng Zhang, Min Xiao, Zhaoyang Zhang

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

The array of coupled optical waveguides, which is also viewed as a photonic lattice, can exhibit abundant photonic band structures depending on the desired spatial arrangements of involved waveguides. Studies of photonic lattices are usually performed in solid-state materials, where the required periodic susceptibilities can be achieved by employing the femtosecond laser direct-writing or optical induction method, and have spawned flourishing achievements in manipulating the behaviors of light. Recently, the concept of electromagnetically induced photonic lattice (EIPL) is proposed under the well-known electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in coherently prepared multilevel alkali-metal atomic systems, where the strong coupling beams producing EIT …

Problemy Ekonomiczno-Prawne Związane Z Wejściem W Życie Ustawy O Doręczeniach Elektronicznych, Anastazja Drapata

internetowy Kwartalnik Antymonopolowy i Regulacyjny (internet Quarterly on Antitrust and Regulation)

The implementation of the Polish Electronic Delivery Act of 18 November 2020 presents significant technical and infrastructural challenges for public administration in Poland. While the Act aims to digitalize administrative proceedings, and has notably expedited case management, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has not resolved the issues of procedural delays and inactivity.

A pivotal development of this legislation is the establishment of a legal framework for electronic delivery addresses and public services, facilitating necessary legislative changes in administrative and judicial procedures. However, its entry into force was constantly delayed. The Act allows for the creation of electronic documents, secured …

Gravitational Property Theory, Monika U. Ehrman

Faculty Journal Articles and Book Chapters

Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein defined and redefined the field of physics. Their theoretical work on gravity is still considered a monumental discovery of their respective times. Although born centuries apart, the theory of gravity each advanced is still essential. Newton’s theory is applied on Earth and even throughout much of the solar system, while Einstein’s theory is used in special environments, such as near black holes. Neither theory is discarded, but instead used where appropriate. Likewise, gravitational property theory proposes that simple property theory—the ad coelum doctrine—is still appropriate for simple property, like stationary or vertical objects. And complex …

Philippines, Maria Sabrina Erica M. Carlos, Leslie V. Advincula-Lopez

Development Studies Faculty Publications

Philippine civil-military relations (CMR) have long tipped towards the military despite established constitutional and legislative frameworks ensuring civilian supremacy. The Philippines’ COVID-19 pandemic response, characterized by war metaphors, strong police and military presence, and the appointment of retired military generals in key posts, highlighted the need to revisit the country’s unique CMR dynamics. This chapter explores the military’s expanded role in the COVID19 pandemic response and its implications for an already tenuous Philippine CMR. The military’s expanded role put it in a prominent position to further redefine and recalibrate its position with broader civil society. It breached the traditional institutional …

A Tribute To The Life And Work Of Jess Chua, James J. Chrisman, Zhenyu Wu, Alfredo De Massis, Pramodita Sharma, Lloyd P. Steier, Franz W. Kellermanns, Josip Kotlar, Emanuela Rondi, Bingbing Ge, Chevy-Hanqing Fang

Business and Information Technology Faculty Research & Creative Works

Jess Chua was a leading scholar in the field of family business and a major contributor to Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice both as an author and editor. His significant contributions to the field were acknowledged by the Web of Science, which listed him among the world's most highly cited researchers in Economics and Business in 2017, 2019, and 2020. In this memorial editorial, we pay tribute to him by discussing his influence on the field through his academic work, mentoring, long-term collaborations with other scholars, and the kindness he and his wife, Eva Kan, showed to his colleagues and students.

Scalable Fabrication Of High-Payload Dendrimer-Based Nanoparticles For Targeted Atherosclerosis Therapy, Huari Kou, Lin Qi, Da Huang, Jiandong Wu, Honglan Shi, Hu Yang

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Nanoparticle-based therapeutics hold promise for the treatment of atherosclerosis, but challenges such as low drug-loading capacity and a lack of scalable, controllable production hinder their clinical translation. Flash nanoprecipitation, a continuous synthesis method, offers a potential solution for scalable and reproducible nanoparticle production. In this study, we employed a custom-designed multi-inlet vortex mixer to perform cross-linking reaction-enabled flash nanoprecipitation, facilitating controlled and scalable synthesis of cross-linked Poly amidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer nanoparticles. Notably, this approach allows simultaneous nanoparticle cross-linking and drug loading in a single step. The mannose moiety enabled specific targeting of macrophages via mannose receptors, enhancing the localization of …

Discontent In The World City Of Singapore, Gordon Tan, Jessie P. H. Poon, Orlando Woods

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

A burgeoning literature on ‘left behind’ places has emerged that captures the backlash against globalisation and highlights the locales that lag world cities. This paper integrates the ‘left behind’ and world cities literatures through the lens of discontent in the context of Singapore, using sentiment analysis and topic modelling as well as interviews with local professionals to unpack the multidimensional aspects of discontent. Focusing on the Singapore–India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement that spurred discontent directed at foreign Indian professionals, we show that the worlding generated by transnational flows has accentuated intra-urban inequality through racialisation and spatialisation of financial business and …

Natural Capital Credit Risk Assessment In Agricultural Lending: An Approach Based On The Natural Capital Protocol, Francisco Ascui, Theodor Florian Cojoianu

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

It is increasingly recognised that financial institutions have significant impacts and dependencies on natural capital – defined as the stock of the world’s renewable and non-renewable natural resources and ecosystems that yield flows of environmental goods and services, which directly and indirectly underpin the global economy and human wellbeing. Historically, many of these impacts and dependencies have been overlooked. The value of goods and services that nature provides ‘for free’ has often been ignored, and resources have typically been priced at their cost of extraction, rather than the cost of their replacement or substitution, which would promote more sustainable long-term …

Meteorology, Weather And War In South East Asia: Malaya C. 1940-1960, Fiona Williamson

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

This article interrogates the positioning of British colonial meteorology in Malaysia and Singapore from the 1940s to 1960. This period spanned a global conflict and an internecine war, effecting profound sociopolitical changes from which neither Malaysia nor Singapore would emerge the same. The meteorological services were essential to Britain's armed conflicts, providing vital weather information to the army, navy and, especially, the air forces, as well as supporting the aviation and shipping industry often in difficult and dangerous circumstances. This article argues that British military policy in South East Asia and the specific concerns of the colonial government in Malaya …

Landscapes Of State Capitalism: Reconciling The Vernacular, National Development Imaginaries, And Green Capital Accumulation, Sol Andrew Stokols

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

This article theorizes ‘state capitalist landscapes’ as a unique spatial form shaped by state-owned developers that reconcile economic goals with national development imperatives and symbolic national imaginaries. State capitalist landscapes, I argue, integrate economically productive spaces with natural spaces to symbolize imaginaries of the nation. Through an inductive case study methodology, this article surveys three industrial zones developed and/or under development by state owned developers: Singapore's Jurong, China's Xiong’an New Area, and Thailand's Wangchan Valley. In each of these cases, natural landscapes are integrated into new economic zones in order to construct specific symbolic and/or political imaginaries of the nation: …

Oxidation Behavior Of Silicon Carbide, Matrix Graphite, And Refractory Multi-Principal Element Alloy, Visharad Jalan

Doctoral Dissertations

"The present study focuses on the investigation of the oxidation behavior of silicon carbide, matrix graphite in a water vapor environment. It also examines the oxidation behavior of refractory multi-principal element alloys when exposed to air. The oxidation behavior of silicon carbide and matrix graphite were investigated in conditions pertaining to off-normal incidents in high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactors. Understanding this is crucial for the prediction of their performance in such accidents and ensuring that the nuclear reactor is accident tolerant. Upon exposure to water vapor, the two A3-based matrix graphite exhibited different behaviors. The A3-27 type showed oxidation in all …

Leveraging Deep Learning Models And Social Media Data For Enhanced Situation Awareness In Disaster Management, Ademola Abdulganiyu Adesokan

Doctoral Dissertations

"In recent years, social media has become a crucial source of real-time data for disaster management, supporting emergency responses when traditional channels like 911 are overcrowded and overwhelmed. It offers authorities valuable data for developing effective strategies, especially when swift actions are essential to save lives. However, the informal language, ambiguous meanings, and irrelevant content on social media pose challenges to accurate classification and hinder the efficient extraction of disaster-relevant information, leading to inefficiencies in emergency response efforts.

This research focuses on seven key questions: i) How can we detect, classify, and analyze hate and offensive tweet emotions during large-scale …

Mitigating Frost Heave And Thaw Weakening In Roads Using Wicking Geotextile, Javad Galinmoghadam

Doctoral Dissertations

"Excess water is known to be the primary cause of soil and foundation problems. In cold regions, water-related problems are exacerbated by seasonal freezing and thawing cycles. Frost heave and thaw weakening is the leading cause of premature pavement failure and consume considerable budgets of the Department of Transportations in cold regions. The first step to designing mitigation measures is the ability to predict frost heave under different conditions. This study aims to introduce a new method for quantifying frost heave using a prediction model based on the state surface approach. This proposed model addressed many inconsistencies and limitations of …