Digital Commons Network^™

From Couriers To City Dwellers: The Changing Human-Pigeon Relationship, Mallory C. Peterson

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Their coos echo off the walls of skyscrapers and their wings beat faster than the cadence of footsteps. Whether dodging cars or pecking at food scraps, pigeons are a constant character of urban environments. Their unique history has allowed them to raise their young under bridges and on windowsills. Pigeons and humans are inextricably intertwined, to the joy and dismay of many. Once celebrated as couriers, pigeons carried messages of war, love, and survival across vast distances, shaping human connection and history. Today, they are more often dismissed as pests, their presence flattened into the city noise.

This narrative piece …

Sex Differences In Allergic Asthma Responses Of Mice Prenatally Exposed To Wood Smoke, Adelynne Walley

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

No abstract provided.

Rebalancing The Milk Market: A Shared-Burden Framework For Dairy And Plant-Based Producers, Isabelle Ulrich

Mitchell Hamline Law Review

This Note examines the structural and regulatory differences between traditional dairy products and the rapidly expanding plant-based milk products in the United States. Through analysis of historical Federal Milk Marketing Order policies, mandatory checkoff programs, and contrasting labeling standards in the United States and European Union, this Note reveals how plant-based milk producers enjoy competitive advantages without sharing the financial or regulatory burden that traditional dairy producers face. This Note argues for a shared-burden policy requiring all entities marketing “milk,” whether dairy or plant-based, to contribute to promotional and regulatory funds. This framework will restore market fairness, preserve consumer choice, …

Nonesuch Road, Allie Goolrick

Screenwriting and Film Studies Theses (MA/MFA)

Ambitious TV news producer Lex is killing the game at work but on the brink of failing when it comes to parenting her 6-year-old son, Sawyer. Her life in a high-pressure newsroom—defined by urgency, metrics, and relentless tragedy—has made her forget what is really important in her real life.

A bad call that puts her son directly in the path of some serious gun violence forces her to take a professional break and retreat to her family’s farm in Virginia to regroup. There, she reconnects with her no-nonsense Aunt Mel and a cast of characters from the past and is …

Hika - 2025-2026

HIKA Literary Magazine

No abstract provided.

What Truly Drives Graduate Earnings?, Aiden Akbarov

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2026

The goal of my project, Predicting the Paycheck: What Factors Truly Influence Graduate Earnings?, was to see if we could actually predict a college graduate's starting salary using data instead of just guessing. I used a dataset of 172 majors from the American Community Survey to look at how a student's field of study, the gender balance of their major, and the current job market all impact their first paycheck. I wanted to create a tool that helps students understand the financial reality of their degree before they even graduate.

To get my results, I used a Multiple Linear Regression …

Exploring The Impact Of Age On Traumatic Brain Injury Cause And Recovery In Arkansas: A Retrospective Review, Abby Jones, Steven Wheeler, Jessica Danley

2026 Honors Symposium

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) remain a major public health concern, and increasing evidence goes to show the significance of the effect of age in quality of care, diagnosis, and recovery outcomes. In rural states, such as Arkansas, where research has shown a lack of resources and higher fatality rates among TBI patients, healthcare professionals can become better informed and equipped as a result of research efforts to uncover the effects of age on cause and recovery for inpatient TBI individuals in the early stages (Daugherty et al., 2022). Current research and prior evidence suggests that older individuals are more likely …

Bardella And The Curse Of Silence, Karl Lexvold

Annual Research Symposium

Bardella and the Curse of Silence is a short demonstration Metroidvania video game that involves Wwise middleware audio integration with a heavy emphasis on audio output as not just an artistic element, but a narrative and gameplay element as well. Heavily influenced by works such as Hollow Knight and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, this demonstration is a glimpse into a larger world where music is wielded as a magical force, and a curse of silence devastates the land.

Texas’S Attempt To Compete With Delaware, Robert A. Ragazzo

Fordham Journal of Corporate & Financial Law

Delaware derives substantial economic benefits from attracting incorporation business. Other states have sought to receive a share of these economic benefits. Texas is among them. Part I of this article will consider Texas’s attempt to copy Delaware’s enabling philosophy. It will conclude that, although the Texas courts have not always shared Delaware’s enabling view, the Texas legislature has historically done its best to place Texas on a par with Delaware in terms of its enabling philosophy of corporate governance. In recent times, the Texas legislature has actually outdone the Delaware legislature in creating a pro-managerial corporate environment. Part II of …

Steadfast And Joyful: First Baptist Church Of Dayton, 1824-2024, Donna Miles Curry

Books Authored by Wright State Faculty/Staff

For two centuries, First Baptist Church of Dayton has stood as a cornerstone of faith, resilience, and community life. Steadfast and Joyful traces the church’s journey from its founding in 1824 through generations of growth, challenge, and renewal. Through archival records, photographs, and personal narratives, this volume captures the enduring spirit of a congregation rooted in service and hope.

Does Voluntary Manslaughter Exist In South Dakota?, Gregory Brazeal

Faculty Publications

The American legal tradition generally distinguishes between cold-blooded, premeditated intentional killing and hot-blooded, spontaneous intentional killing. The former has traditionally been categorized as murder and the latter as the lesser crime of “voluntary manslaughter.” South Dakota’s homicide statutes, interpreted based on their plain meaning, depart from this deeply rooted tradition. The closest equivalent to the crime of voluntary manslaughter appears in South Dakota’s first-degree manslaughter statute, which includes a prohibition on homicide “[w]ithout any design to effect death . . . and in a heat of passion, but in a cruel and unusual manner.” The phrase “heat of passion” suggests …

Understanding The Diagenetic History Of Vertebrate Teeth From A Key Permian Ecosystem, Anthony Chiasson

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Rare earth elements (REE) have been recognized within the last decade as important markers of diagenetic activity in fossil apatite. However, little work has been done to explore the influence of diagenesis on bioapatite in continental red bed settings. This study analyzed the REE preserved in a set of preserved Dimetrodon and Eryops teeth from the Clear Fork Formation, a set of Permian red beds near Seymour, Texas. Both Electron Probe Micro-Analysis (EPMA) and Laser-Ablation – Inductively-Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) were used to identify the constituent elements of the teeth. Chemical data from the EPMA indicate that the …

Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (Mthfr) Polymorphisms And Neural Tube Defects In African Populations: A Global Meta-Analysis And Population Genetic Characterization In Uganda, Nana Ekua Entsiwa Adenu-Mensah

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) affect 1.9 per 1,000 births globally, with the highest burden occurring in African populations that remain underrepresented in genetic epidemiology. The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C polymorphisms reduce enzyme activity and have been associated with increased NTD risk in several populations, though their relevance across African regions remains unclear.

Methods: We conducted: (1) an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and NTD risk (66 studies, ~22,000 participants); (2) population-level genotype characterization of 978 Ugandan children using whole-genome sequencing; and (3), a comparative analysis of MTHFR C677T allele frequencies across …

Level Of Evidence And Cost Considerations In United States Clinical Practice Guidelines, 2019-2023, Omar Qureshi

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

BackgroundClinicians rely on clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) to fulfill a dual mandate: practicing evidence-based medicine and ensuring cost-conscious stewardship of resources. However, it remains unclear whether modern CPGs provide the guidance necessary to meet these goals. Specifically, the extent to which recommendation strengths align with evidence quality and the prevalence of cost-related guidance within U.S. medical society CPGs remains unknown.

Research Aimsa) To examine the distribution of SOR and LOE ratings for recommendations offered by United States medical societies through CPGs and evaluate concordance between SOR and LOE ratings for CPG recommendations. Additionally, assess whether there are recommendation-level, guideline-level, or …

Vascular Identity And Remodeling: Sox17 Mediates Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation, Andrew William Schwartz

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Background/Scientific Premise Mature arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) are the gold standard vascular access allowing hemodialysis for patients with end-stage kidney disease. The rate of AVF failure remains high, reflecting an incomplete understanding of the biology of AVF maturation and failure. Sox17 is a transcription factor indispensable for the acquisition and maintenance of endothelial arterial identity. Because endothelial cells (EC) acquire dual arteriovenous identity after AVF creation, we determined whether Sox17 mediates venous remodeling in AVF. Research Aims This study aims to characterize the degree of Sox17 expression within the venous outflow tract after AVF creation in humans and in a mouse …

Disparities In Utilization Of Glp-1 Receptor Agonists And Sglt2 Inhibitors Across Social Determinants Of Health: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Nisarg Shah

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Background: SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) significantly reduce cardiovascular and metabolic risk in type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Yet real-world utilization remains inconsistent, and emerging evidence suggests that social determinants of health (SDOH) may contribute to unequal access and prescribing.Research Aims: The extent and drivers of these disparities have not been systematically characterized, so we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether SDOH—socioeconomic status (SES), insurance status, education, geography, and neighborhood deprivation index (NDI)—and demographic factors—race and sex—are associated with differential utilization of SGLT2i or GLP-1RA. Question: To what extent are SES, insurance …

What You See Is What You Learn: National Variation In Emergency Medicine Residency Environments, Carlisle Topping

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Background: The evolution of Emergency Medicine (EM) residency programs over the past two decades has been marked by significant growth and changes in clinical practice environments. Concerns have emerged regarding whether recently founded programs, non-teaching status programs, and for-profit institutions provide adequate training for EM residents. This study evaluates EM training programs using clinical education outcomes such as clinical volumes, acuity exposure, and board pass rates based on key program characteristics including founding year, teaching status, hospital ownership, and program duration.Methods: We conducted an observational analysis of linked datasets encompassing EM residency data from the Accreditation Counsil for Graduate Medical …

The Strength Of Association Between Surrogate Markers And Clinical Outcomes Used By The Fda For Chronic Disease Indications, Samuel Yoon

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has traditionally required the use of clinical outcome measures as clinical trial endpoints to support the approval of new drugs. However, clinical outcome trials are typically large, lengthy, and expensive. To expedite this process, Congress has enacted several regulatory programs to facilitate FDA approval of new drugs on the basis of surrogate markers, endpoints that are reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit, as trial endpoints. However, the evidence demonstrating the validity and reliability is mixed, creating uncertainty for patients and physicians about the true clinical benefits of new drugs approved on the basis …

Department Of English Newsletter, Winter 2025-2026, Illinois State University, Department Of English

Department of English Newsletter

Newsletter of the Illinois State University Department of English

School Of Biological Sciences News, 2026, School Of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University

School of Biological Sciences News

Alumni newsletter of Illinois State University's School of Biological Sciences.

Estimating Prep And Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Prevalence In Three High Hiv Burden Countries, Rose Grace Bender

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Understanding the impact of specific biomedical interventions is crucial for optimizing HIV prevention strategies. In this study, we estimate of the prevalence of voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) and lay out a framework for estimating preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the three high-burden sub-Saharan African countries of Malawi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. For VMMC, we use a cohort-based simulation framework to model circumcision prevalence in all males over time, allocating VMMC count data to cohorts over time. Model outputs are compared with survey and campaign data, and two parameters, the initial background circumcision prevalence and the age distribution of VMMC procedures, …

Epidermal Differentiation Disorders Across The Lifespan: Growth, Ophthalmologic, And Perinatal Manifestations, Caroline Echeandia-Francis

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Epidermal differentiation disorders (EDDs) are a heterogeneous group of inherited skin diseases characterized by impaired epidermal barrier function, scaling, and erythema. Although substantial progress has been made in identifying the genetic causes of EDD, long-standing clinical observations—including impaired growth, ectropion, and increased rates of preterm birth—remain poorly characterized across genotypes. The prevalence, severity, and clinical significance of these manifestations have not been systematically evaluated in large, genotype-stratified cohorts, limiting the ability to provide anticipatory guidance and tailored clinical care. This thesis seeks to (1) characterize growth trajectories in children with EDD and determine genotype-specific patterns of growth impairment; (2) assess …

Influence Of Demographics On Research Participation In Female Patients Undergoing Ambulatory Surgery, Tiana Fernandez

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Background: Historically, research on women and minorities has consisted of unethical experimentation, human rights violations, and crimes against humanity. Numerous examples can be found throughout the past two centuries, including the exposure of pregnant women to radioactive iron in the Tennessee-Vanderbilt Nutrition Project (TVNP), failure to treat cervical carcinoma in situ in the Unfortunate Experiment, surgical experimentation on female slaves by Dr. J. Marion Sims, failure to treat syphilis in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, intentional exposure to and subsequent failure to treat sexually transmitted diseases in Guatemala, collection of biospecimens from Henrietta Lacks, and nontherapeutic experimentation on minority children in …

Repurposing Ezetimibe As A Therapeutic For Parkinson's Disease: Evaluating The Therapeutic Potential And Probing For A Mechanism, Brian Hilton

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Neurologic disease is the leading cause of disability globally and Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been the fastest growing neurologic brain disease over the last several decades. Despite the immense burden of PD on patients and society, there has yet to be an efficacious disease-modifying therapy. Investigation of candidate pharmaceuticals that have already been approved by the FDA for other conditions might provide an expedited path to the advent of disease-modifying therapy. There is a rich history of drug repurposing for symptomatic therapy for PD, with amantadine as the preeminent example. In order to identify candidate therapeutics for possible repurposing, an …

Trends, Predictors, And Cerebrovascular Outcomes Of Vertebral Artery Injury In Cervical Fractures, Rahul Jayaram

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Background and Scientific Premise: Cervical spine trauma is a common emergencydepartment presentation, and vertebral artery injury (VAI) is a potentially occult but serious complication associated with posterior circulation stroke. Identification of patients at risk remains challenging due to subtle presentations, variable screening practices, and limited prior data. Research Aims: The aims of this study were to characterize temporal trends in VAI detection among adult patients presenting to the emergency department with cervical spine fractures between 2010 and 2022, identify independent demographic, clinical, and injury-related predictors of VAI, and evaluate the association between VAI and ischemic stroke within ninety days of …

Prevalence, Predictors, And Consequences Of Postoperative Dysphagia After Aortic Surgery, Andrew Joseph Johnson

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Prevalence, Predictors, and Consequences of Postoperative Dysphagia After Aortic SurgeryAndrew Johnson and Ronny Munoz-Acuna, M.D., Department of Anesthesiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510. Abstract Background: Postoperative dysphagia is an underrecognized complication following cardiothoracic surgery and is associated with aspiration, prolonged hospitalization, and adverse clinical outcomes. Patients undergoing complex aortic surgery may be at particularly high risk due to prolonged mechanical ventilation, extensive airway instrumentation, and neurologic vulnerability. Data describing the prevalence, predictors, and clinical consequences of postoperative dysphagia in this population remain limited. Research Aim: This study consisted of three aims: first, to determine the prevalence and …

Mr Perfusion In Acute Ischemic Stroke And Neurovascular Conditions: Utilization, Diagnostic Yield, And Implications For Management From An 11-Year Health System Analysis, Richard Julian Lozano

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Purpose: Cerebral ischemic infarct results in a rapidly developing core of infarcted brain tissue surrounded by hypoxic but potentially salvageable tissue known as a penumbra. MR perfusion (MRP) is an uncommonly used technique that can be used to define ischemic core and penumbra; its utilization, diagnostic yield, and impact on management, however, are not well-described. This study aims to delineate the use of MRP in acute ischemic stroke and related neurovascular conditions.Methods: This retrospective study examines approximately 11 years of patient encounters (January 1, 2014- November 11, 2024) from a single health system to identify all cases where MR perfusion …

The Deepfake Dilemma: Fake Images, Real Victims, And The Legal Void In Addressing Non-Consensual Deepfake Pornography, Elizabeth A. Safaryn

William & Mary Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice

This Note evaluates the various legal remedies available to victims of non-consensual deepfake pornography. As deepfakes are a relatively new but rapidly advancing technology, it is difficult for the law to keep up with the mass creation and distribution of AI-generated images on the Internet. With the competing interest of constitutionally protected speech, current deepfake laws fail to address non-consensual intimate image sharing (NCII) explicitly and lack the necessary deterrent effect to curb their proliferation. With an initial background on deepfakes and machine learning, this Note then explores the strained relationship between the First Amendment and the available civil remedies …

Passive Communication Across Diverse Swarm Formations And Scales Utilizing Wake Signatures For Messaging And Object Inference, Bryan Varela

Open Access Master's Theses

Passive wake signatures in fluid flows can support perception and low-rate communication in swarms. In cluttered or contested underwater environments, conventional acoustic, radio, and optical links can be power-hungry, intermittent, or undesirable when low observability is required. Wake-mediated cues offer a local, directional channel that does not require line of sight because each agent naturally sheds coherent vortices that persist downstream and can be sampled by followers with only a small number of probes.

This study evaluates whether sparse downstream probes are sufficient to infer agent attributes and decode simple messages from wakes generated by established source shapes. Computational fluid …

Sauce For The Gander: The False Symmetry Of Myths And Stereotypes Against The Accused In Sexual Assault Trials, Janine Benedet

Dalhousie Law Journal

As sexual assault laws evolved to be expressed in sex-neutral language, so too have arguments relating to myths and stereotypes in the context of sexual offences. This article evaluates the argument that myths and stereotypes, traditionally a reflection of systemic discrimination against female complainants in rape trials, also operate against male accused. Understood correctly, this trend repackages anti-feminist backlash to early equality reform efforts, ultimately working to revive the belief that women’s accusations of sexual assault are often false. The Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R v Kruk affirms that this historical context matters when it comes to claims …