Digital Commons Network^™

Community-Based Participatory Research In Developing Online Nutrition Tools: A Pathway To Relevance And Engagement, Laura Justice, Stacy Phillips

EFNEP

This article explains how Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) can strengthen the design of digital nutrition tools by ensuring they are culturally relevant, accessible, and grounded in community needs. By engaging participants as equal partners, CBPR enhances trust, usability, and long-term impact. The approach aligns with EFNEP’s mission to deliver inclusive, community-driven nutrition education and provides a framework for developing sustainable, adaptable tools that reflect the lived experiences of the families Extension serves.

Intersectionality And Infertility: A Framework For Culturally Responsive Mental Health Counseling, Nouna Jalilzadeh

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

Infertility affects approximately 11% of women of reproductive age in the United States, with 41–46% developing symptoms consistent with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a prevalence substantially higher than in the general population. Because existing research and clinical literature predominantly focus on female infertility experiences, this article centers women while acknowledging that infertility profoundly impacts individuals across all gender identities. Despite this, mental health counselors frequently lack training in culturally responsive reproductive mental health care, leaving marginalized clients, including racial and ethnic minorities, low-income individuals, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, and rural residents without adequate support. This theoretical article applies intersectionality theory to …

Transitions From Traditional Gender And Sexuality Roles To Non-Conforming Identities Through Performance Art: A Multiple Case Study, Adrianne Trogden, Dorin Captari-Scirri

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

This qualitative multiple case study examined how two individuals from religiously conservative households navigated transitions from traditional gender and sexuality roles to non-conforming and queer identities through performance art. Using case study methodology, five interconnected themes emerged: Performing Gender - pressure to "act masculine," Performing Sexuality – pressure to "act straight," Performing Art - freedom of expression of gender and sexuality on stage, Shame and fear transformed when accepted sexuality, and Finding one's voice and identity - gender and sexuality. Stage performance art served as an underlying foundation, providing a transformative space for safely exploring previously constrained gender and …

Integrating Free, Prior, And Informed Consent Into Indonesia's Palm Oil Regulatory Framework For Indigenous Protection, Ermanto Fahamsyah, Natasya Aulia Putri, Ramadhan Dwi Saputra, Vicko Taniady

Padjadjaran Jurnal Ilmu Hukum (Journal of Law)

This study examines the absence of a binding Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) mechanism in Indonesia's palm oil regulatory framework, which has resulted in recurring land conflicts and insufficient protection for indigenous peoples whose customary territories are converted into plantation concessions. It aims to analyze the weaknesses of the current legal framework and to evaluate FPIC models in the Philippines and Colombia as potential references for national reform. This study adopts a normative legal method using statutory, case-based, and comparative approaches. Primary and secondary legal materials were examined to assess Indonesia's existing protections for indigenous peoples and to compare …

Indirectly Fired, Single-Chamber Parabolic Radiative Kiln, Natalie M. Durdle Miss

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure describes a high-efficiency, multi-directional thermal enclosure consisting of a single-chamber, non-metallic refractory kiln characterized by a parabolic, catenary, or semi-spherical vaulted geometry. This document details a system configuration where a high-density masonry or clay enclosure functions sequentially as both an active combustion chamber and an indirect, passive radiant energy concentrator. By optimizing the internal radius of curvature of the vaulted shell, the system acts as a geometric infrared mirror, focusing and redistributing uniform multi-directional radiant heat flux to a centralized processing plane after the primary heat source is removed or extinguished. The thermodynamic principles, material properties, and physical …

Thermochemical Heat Generation System, Natalie M. Durdle Miss

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure describes a zero-petroleum, 100% biodegradable, multi-stage thermochemical heat-generation and dissipation system. The initial chemical energy release is driven by the highly exothermic hydration reaction of biogenic Calcium Oxide (derived via the calcination of Dreissena polymorpha biomass) when exposed to a high-surface-area, carbonaceous aqueous suspension (derived from pyrolyzed micro-algae). This document details a system configuration where an instantaneous core thermal spike of approximately 300 degrees Celsius is mechanically throttled, stored as sensible heat, and slowly dissipated through an exterior elastomeric silicone barrier. The resulting energy profile yields a safe, flattened, long-duration therapeutic thermal plateau of approximately 45 degrees Celsius …

Passive Micro-Climate Pressure Chamber, Natalie M. Durdle Miss

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure describes a passive, localized, low-pressure, high-humidity unvented vapor-retention micro-chamber engineered from unglazed, porous, high-thermal-mass ceramic or earthenware materials. This document details a geometric design consisting of an inverted dome or bell-shaped housing configured to seat flush against a heated horizontal substrate (hearth). This configuration forms a sealed micro-climate capable of capturing, buffering, and recycling transient volatile vapors and moisture without requiring active mechanical gas-injection or external steam-delivery infrastructure. The thermodynamic principles and physical mechanics detailed herein are inherently enabled by thousands of years of European human cultural heritage—specifically the archaeological record of ancient Greek and Roman portable clay …

Baffled Solid-Medium Thermal Energy Storage System, Natalie M. Durdle Miss

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure describes a passive, high-efficiency, solid-medium sensible heat Thermal Energy Storage system constructed from high-density, non-metallic refractory materials (such as fired clay bricks, earthen masonry, or cast stone). This document details a mechanical design featuring a multi-stage, tortuous, baffled internal flue matrix (a smoke labyrinth) engineered to maximize convective heat transfer from high-velocity, high-temperature combustion exhaust gases into a surrounding high-thermal-mass storage body. The physical mechanics, structural geometry, and thermodynamic principles detailed herein are inherently enabled by centuries of Eastern and Central European human cultural heritage—specifically the historical technology known as the "Russian Pech" (Russian Oven) and related masonry …

Fiber-Reinforced Silicate Particulate Composite, Natalie M. Durdle Miss

Defensive Publications Series

The material operates as a fiber-reinforced, particulate-bound multi-phase composite. The mechanical integrity relies on a dual-matrix system where structural sand grains provide compressive strength, a cohesive clay binder provides micro-particle cohesion via electrostatic forces, and high-tensile organic fibers distribute shear and tensile stresses to prevent cracks during moisture desiccation.

A Biodegradable Fibre Reinforced Thermoplastic Composite, Natalie M. Durdle Miss

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure describes a high-tensile, biodegradable, fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite material comprising a continuous amorphous carbohydrate polymer matrix (derived from thermally processed sucrose and honey/fructose blends) reinforced with a high-fraction organic particulate phase (comprising sheared or whole high-aspect-ratio botanical elements, specifically Prunus dulcis endocarps/almonds). This document details the precise thermal liquefaction, phase change, mechanical compounding, and extrusion techniques required to manufacture this load-bearing composite. The material mechanics and thermal profiles of this formulation are inherently enabled by historical cultural heritage, specifically the 1815 public documentation of Marie-Antoine Carême regarding structural nougat manipulation for architectural elements.

Applications Of A Biopolymer Hydrogel Matrix, Natalie M. Durdle Miss

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure describes a thermally reversible, biodegradable, high-water-content biopolymer hydrogel matrix generated through the controlled thermal denaturation, extraction, and subsequent low-temperature cross-linking of animal-derived collagen proteins (primarily Type I gelatin) suspended in an aqueous vehicle. This document outlines the chemical clarification, thermal setting profiles, and stabilization techniques required to transform this liquid protein suspension into an elastic, solid hydrogel sheet or airtight protective encapsulation layer. The physical mechanics and chemical formulations of this material are inherently enabled by historical cultural heritage, specifically the 1815 public documentation of Marie-Antoine Carême regarding clarified savory aspics and molded bavarois emulsions.

Applications Of A Low Density, Rigid, Open Cell Biofoam, Natalie M. Durdle Miss

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure describes a low-density, biodegradable, open-cell structural biofoam generated through the gas-phase dispersion and mechanical fluid-shearing of an aqueous avian egg-white protein solution (specifically ovalbumin, conalbumin, and ovomucoid) stabilized by a high-fraction crystalline carbohydrate solute (sucrose). This document outlines the mechanical aeration, extrusion, and thermal desiccation techniques required to convert this viscoelastic liquid foam into a lightweight, rigid, porous solid block. The physical mechanics and foundational chemistry of this material are inherently enabled by historical cultural heritage, specifically the 1815 public documentation of Marie-Antoine Carême regarding mechanically aerated meringue structures and piping bag extrusion systems.

A Biodegradable Particulate-Polymer Composite, Natalie M. Durdle Miss

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure describes a low-cost, room-temperature curing, biodegradable particulate-polymer composite material consisting of a crystalline carbohydrate filler (sucrose), an organic polysaccharide binder (gum tragacanth or equivalent water-soluble vegetable gums), and a liquid vehicle (water). This disclosure details the mechanical formulation, processing methods, and structural applications of this material for non-culinary industrial uses, including sacrificial tooling, casting mandrels, rapid prototyping, and biodegradable architectural modeling. The physical mechanics and chemical formulations of this material are inherently enabled by historical cultural documentation, specifically the 1815 publications of Marie-Antoine Carême regarding pastillage matrices.

Structural Hydrocolloid Scaffolding In 19th Century Pastry, Natalie M. Durdle Miss

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure details the technical methods for creating shelf-stable, structurally sound, and aerated dairy compositions without the use of modern synthetic stabilizers. It documents the "Diplomat" and "Mousseline" systems as prior art for structural hydrocolloid scaffolding and fat-protein emulsification, specifically addressing the prevention of syneresis (weeping) and the deactivation of starch-degrading enzymes.

The Art Of The Kitchen Insult, Natalie M. Durdle Miss

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure identifies a systematic method of political subversion embedded in the "High Art" of 19th-century French pastry, specifically the works of Marie-Antoine Carême. It identifies the "Crème Diplomate" and "Crème Bavaroise" as deliberate semiotic parodies of the diplomatic class and the Bavarian state. By utilizing gelatin-stabilized aerated structures, the "Chef-Architect" performed a public satire of "spineless" and "insubstantial" political entities, effectively "manufacturing" an illegitimate social class of chef-experts (the "Tiddy-Doll" effect).

Mobile User Interface With An Ergonomic, Bottom-Placed Primary Action And An Explicit, Non-Iconic Dismissal Control, Lin Chen, Yanhao Tan, Andrew Campbell, Onur Turna, Tom Woudenberg, Boriana Viljoen, Jaclyn Einis

Defensive Publications Series

A user interface for a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet, can present promotional content in a bottom-sheet container to address potential user engagement issues. The interface may utilize a vertical stack of call to action buttons, placing a primary action at the bottom of the stack to improve ergonomics by being within an easily accessible thumb zone. A conventional x close icon may be omitted. In its place, a secondary dismissive button can use explicit, descriptive text, for example, "Stay on website," to articulate the action's consequence. This configuration of ergonomic placement and an explicit, non-iconic dismissal …

Beyond Stabilization: Biological Healing, Structural Exclusion, And The Recovery Gap After Border-Fall Trauma At The U.S.-Mexico Border, Julia Robinson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This honors thesis examines the biochemical, ethical, and public health consequences of insufficient post-operative follow-up care for undocumented immigrants injured in border falls. Discussing pathways of inflammation resolution, wound healing, and bone remodeling, this thesis argues that recovery depends on tightly regulated molecular and cellular processes that are highly vulnerable to disruption without continued monitoring and rehabilitation (Loi et al., 2016; Maruyama et al., 2020). When follow-up care is absent, these processes can be predicted to derail, leading to infection, impaired healing, and permanent disability (Chung & Sohn, 2025; Howard et al., 2020; Kruidenier et al., 2018). Framed through principles …

Elementary Music Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Impact Of Class Size On Tonal And Phonemic Awareness In Second-Grade General Music Classes, Ariel A. Supinger

Masters Theses

The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative study was to investigate elementary music teachers’ perceptions of the impact of class size on tonal and phonemic awareness in second-grade general music classes. The researcher-designed questionnaire was sent to elementary music teachers who teach second-grade general music in elementary schools within urban, suburban, and rural school districts.

Cinematic Biblical Translation: An Introduction To Narratological Screenwriting Through Genesis 38, Wesley Newman

Masters Theses

CBT draws from three areas of study: screenplay analysis, biblical narratology/narrative criticism, and screenplay adaptation to evaluate specific Hebrew narratives into a screenplay. Biblical narratology offers insight into the literary structure and narrative logic of ancient Hebrew storytelling, while contemporary screenwriting explains how narrative functions within modern audiovisual media. The marrying of these two fields creates a new methodology for translating biblical narratives into a form that remains faithful to the text while also being engaging on screen. This allows me to establish the guidelines necessary for crafting an accurate and compelling screenplay translation while also laying the foundation for …

From Christology To Ontology: A Diachronic And Exegetical Evaluation Of A Maximalist Sacramental Interpretation Of John 6:51–58, Andrew R. Johnson

Masters Theses

John 6:51–58 occupies a central place in the debate regarding the ontological nature of the Eucharist, frequently serving as a primary scriptural warrant for sacramental realism such as articulated by the Council of Trent as it concerns the dogma of transubstantiation within the Roman Catholic tradition. This thesis conducts both an evaluation of historical reception and a critical exegetical analysis to determine whether the Evangelist’s primary intent was to establish sacramental doctrine in this passage or to further develop already pervasive Johannine soteriological and christological themes.

Methodologically, this study bridges the gap between historical reception and synchronic exegesis. The first …

Linguistic And Cultural Analysis Of Divine Command In 1 Samuel 15: Implications For Biblical Interpretation, Timothy Arnell Dunn

Masters Theses

This thesis argues that ḥērem in 1 Samuel 15 is not a relic of ancient warfare but a sacred act of covenantal devotion that reveals the tension between divine holiness, human obedience, and Israel’s identity as a people set apart for YHWH. Through historical, philological, narrative, and canonical analysis, the study demonstrates that ḥērem functions as a ritualized declaration of divine sovereignty in which destruction becomes consecration and obedience becomes worship. Saul’s partial compliance is therefore not strategic misjudgment but a rupture in covenant fidelity that exposes the costliness of holiness and the danger of selective obedience. Yet the canon …

The Effects Of Phonetic Knowledge And Bilingualism On The Acquisition Of Non-Native Consonant Clusters, Kylie Wakley

Theses and Dissertations

Speech motor learning involves the production of new sounds or sound sequences. This study investigated how explicit phonetic knowledge and bilingualism affect how individuals acquire sound sequences that do not occur in English, or non-native consonant clusters. Sixty adults with typical speech, aged between 18 and 27 years, participated in the experiment. The researcher recruited participants into four groups based on their phonetic background (experienced or not) and language background (monolingual, bilingual). The participants produced stop-stop and fricative-nasal clusters in the initial position of nonsense words across six practice blocks. The duration of each cluster was measured, which in English …

The Impact Of Translated Phq-9 And Gad-7 Scales On Treatment Recommendations In An Adult Vietnamese Population: A 3-Month Primary Care Evaluation, Vivienne Bui

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Depression and anxiety are prevalent yet underdiagnosed in limited-English-proficient (LEP) populations due to language barriers, cultural stigma, and provider bias. Vietnamese-speaking patients are particularly vulnerable to under-recognition in primary care. This quality improvement project evaluated whether implementing Vietnamese-translated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) tools would improve mental health diagnosis and referral rates. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model, a pre–post design was conducted at a San Diego clinic from March 26 to June 26, 2025. Vietnamese-speaking adults (≥18 years) completed translated PHQ-9 and GAD-7 forms during intake. Providers used scores in conjunction with clinical …

Why The Library Of Congress Matters More Than Ever, Hope O'Keeffe

Seattle Journal of Technology, Environmental, & Innovation Law

No abstract provided.

A Phenomenology Study: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Latino Women In The South Of California With Symptoms Of Depression And The Influence Of Faith And Religion In Their Recovery, Ivette G. Perez-Paquien

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This is a qualitative study of a phenomenological nature that explores the phenomenon and experiences of Latina women with depressive symptoms residing in Southern California, as well as the influence of faith and religion on their recovery. The investigation of this phenomenon was conducted using the theoretical model of descriptive research proposed by Husserl, along with the data analysis technique for descriptive phenomenological research based on the approach designed by Richard Krueger. The research question posed to guide this study was: What are the experiences described by Latina women suffering from symptoms of depression regarding faith, religion, and their recovery …

Covenantal Allegiance In The Epistle Of James: An Integrative Critical-Covenantal Interpretation, Lorpu Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation argues that the Epistle of James presents faith as covenantal allegiance enacted through communal practices under social and theological pressure. While scholarship on James has frequently separated socio-historical analysis from theological interpretation, this study proposes an integrative reading through the Integrative Critical-Covenantal Method (ICCM). ICCM employs a three-step procedure comprising close textual analysis, text-triggered socio-historical diagnosis, and theological analysis, with integrated adjudication. The dissertation examines seven strategically selected “pressure texts” in James: 1:9–11; 1:27; 2:1–13; 2:14–26; 3:13–18; 4:1–10; and 5:1–6. These passages reveal how James addresses status competition, patronage expectations, economic vulnerability, partiality, rivalry, and injustice within diaspora …

Ethnicity And Evangelism: Understanding The Crucial Role Of Ethnic, Social, And Cultural Factors In Proclaiming The Gospel, Bernardo Salcedo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines the pivotal role of ethnic and socio-cultural backgrounds in proclaiming and expanding the gospel to the nations during the early church's formative period. Building upon the theological foundation of God's overarching mission plan throughout Scripture, the research examines how these factors influenced the development of early Christian evangelism, particularly concerning the context of Jewish, Samaritan, and Gentile cultures. The study argues that the early church’s approach to spreading the gospel was profoundly influenced by the ethnic and cultural contexts of the people it encountered. Thus, the dissertation proposes that understanding these cultural dynamics is essential for a …

A Phenomenological Study Of Early Educator Experiences Regarding The Educational And Developmental Benefits Of Play-Based Learning For Children Identified With Special Needs In Inclusive Early Education Classrooms, Karen Renée Gallagher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand what are the lived experiences of early childhood educators with providing play-based learning experiences in inclusive classrooms. The theory guiding this study is Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Development theory. This phenomenological study focused on understanding the perceptions and experiences of early childhood educators in regard to how play-based learning supports school readiness within early care and education environments. The focus of the study included educators who care for and teach children between the ages of birth to five years old within inclusive, state licensed early childhood learning environments located in the …

One Body Many Members: Toward A Vision Of Individual And Corporate Maturity In The New Testament, Rebecca Mohr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The apostle Paul and the author of Hebrews both discern within the early Christian communities a critical deficiency: some individual believers did not realize the value they would bring to the corporate Church body by maturing and remaining committed to the fellowship. For Paul, growth in Christ is inherently ecclesial; the believer’s Christian maturity contributes to the edification and unity of the body, as articulated in Ephesians 4, where maturity in faith and knowledge safeguards the church from fragmentation and instability. Spiritual immaturity, therefore, is not merely an individual shortcoming but a communal liability that threatens the integrity of the …

Genesis 1:1-11:9 Shows That Humanity Is The Object Of God's Love: A Dissertation, Donna R. Dilworth

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Most scholars turn to the New Testament when exploring the concept of divine love, citing passages such as John 3:16 and 1 John 4:8 to illustrate God’s sacrificial love through Christ. However, this dissertation reexamines the Primeval History of Genesis 1:1–11:9 as a foundational witness to divine love, arguing that these early chapters reveal humanity as the object of God’s enduring affection, even in the absence of the Hebrew term ʾāhāḇ (“love”). Rather than focusing solely on the term “love,” it is crucial to consider the nature of God himself. Scholars widely agree that the assertion “God is love” (1 …