Digital Commons Network^™

Subculture And Identity As An Escape From The Societal Norms Of Power Imbalance And Authoritative Abuse, Sarah Goldberg

Bachelor of Fine Arts Theses

No abstract provided.

Gc Minutes 2025-12-01, Northern Illinois University

Graduate Council Archives

No abstract provided.

Large Language Models As Machines Of Beauty: Cognitive Averaging, Latent Space Geometry, And The Entropic Foundations Of Aesthetic Preference, Daniel Plate, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This study advances the position that large language models (LLMs) and human perceptual systems are governed by a shared computational drive toward prototypicality, entropy reduction, and aesthetic coherence. Drawing on developmental evidence that infants exhibit early preferences for facial symmetry and averageness, the analysis situates aesthetic preference within broader research on processing fluency and predictive coding, emphasizing that biological perception rewards stimuli that reduce uncertainty and support efficient information compression. This foundation is used to examine how LLMs, through cross-entropy optimization, perplexity minimization, and latent space clustering, converge on high-density representational regions that operate as statistical prototypes of linguistic and …

Transportation Practitioners' Reflections On Addressing Transportation Barriers For Vulnerable Populations In Nebraska, Aysan Esmaely

Community and Regional Planning Program: Theses

This study examines transportation planning practices and challenges in Nebraska, with particular attention to how planners and agencies address the needs of vulnerable populations. Using a qualitative approach, thirty-five transportation planners, practitioners, and service providers were interviewed. Participants were selected based on their professional in transportation planning and service delivery. The study explores what institutional and funding barriers planners and practitioners face, and what strategies they consider most effective for improving access and inclusion. Findings reveal that limited funding, fragmented authority, and the absence of a coordinated regional planning framework significantly constrain transportation development across Nebraska. While metropolitan areas such …

The Artful Aging Project, Maria Carmelita Fernandez, Sah'neya Fryer, Kathleen Morris, Maya Price

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

As the older adult population in Sacramento County continues to expand, addressing age-related declines in fine motor function, cognition, and social well-being has become increasingly critical. Such declines can compromise activities of daily living, reduce independence, and exacerbate risks associated with social isolation. Evidence suggests that art-based interventions may mitigate these effects by enhancing motor coordination, promoting social engagement, and stimulating cognitive processes. The Artful Aging Project was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of structured art activities in improving fine motor skills and social wellness among older adults served by the Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center (SSNC). Grounded in community-based participatory …

(R2131) Analysis Of Map/Ph/1 Retrial Inventory Queueing System With Constant Retrial Rate, Bernoulli Vacation, Breakdown, Delayed Repair, Balking, (S, S) Policy And Emergency Replenishment, G. Ayyappan, M. Thilakavathy

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

A single server retrial queueing-inventory model is investigated in this study. In Bernoulli vacation, after providing service to the customer, the server may opt to avail vacation or start the service to subsequent customer. During the busy period, breakdown and balking may occur. The inventory is replenished to an (s, S) policy and the replenishing time is assumed to adopt an exponential distribution. Furthermore, assume that an emergency replenishment of one item with zero lead time takes place when the on-hand inventory level decreases to zero. We integrate the emergency replenishment into the system to ensure customer satisfaction. For our …

(R2094) On Mds Bisymmetric Rhotrices Using Self-Dual Bases And Conjugate Elements Of Finite Fields, Shalini Gupta, Ruchi Narang, Manpreet Singh

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

Bisymmetric matrices have wide range of applications in statistics, engineering problems, information theory and computer science including coding theory and cryptography. In cryptography, a rhotrix being a couple matrix doubles the security of the cryptosystem. Here, we construct maximum distance separable (MDS) bisymmetric rhotrices using self-dual bases and conjugate elements of finite fields. MDS rhotrices are very crucial for the designing of block ciphers and hash functions in cryptography.

Muscle Impulse Transducer: Research, Pre-Pilot Experiments, And The Design Of A Pilot Study For Quadriplegic Spinal Cord Injured Subjects For The Development Of A Novel Device, Marta Oreglia

Master's Theses

Paralysis due to spinal cord injury is a challenging condition that affects millions of people around the world. The Muscle Impulse Transducer (MIT) is a novel, wearable device that can be used to improve grip strength in the hand by using functional muscle impulses as a trigger for stimulus delivery to weakened or paralyzed nerves, to induce contraction of a paralyzed or paretic muscle. The MIT is still in development, with proof of concept [1], and functional prototypes [2] achieved. In this thesis, research was conducted on the best methods for functional electrical stimulation, EMG data collection, and nerve stimulus …

Molecular Pathway Dysregulation In Chronic Liver Disease: Metabolic And Mechanotransductive Drivers Of Hepatic Pathophysiology, Samantha Harvat

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) represents a rapidly growing cause of chronic liver injury, yet the molecular interactions linking metabolic stress, inflammation, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain incompletely defined. This thesis integrates transcriptomic analyses across multiple GEO datasets to identify coordinated metabolic, inflammatory, and mechanotransductive pathways that collectively drive disease progression.

Analysis of human liver biopsy datasets (GSE126848 and GSE89632) revealed consistent suppression of glycolysis, β-oxidation, and oxidative phosphorylation across MASLD and MASH samples, accompanied by modest compensatory TCA cycle activation. These alterations reflect impaired metabolic flexibility, mitochondrial stress, and increased ROS susceptibility. Concurrently, cytokine-network enrichment demonstrated activation …

Curb Their Enthusiasm: Controlling The Discretion Of Creative Prosecutors, Scott A. Schumacher

The University of New Hampshire Law Review

No abstract provided.

An Evaluation Of Virtual Supervision Effectiveness Within Department Of Veterans Affairs (Va) Health Professionals Training Programs, Linda M. Kawentel, John P. Donnelly, Kaylee W. Burgan, Gezan M. Yahya, Joanna S. Doredla, Jessica L. Johnson, Kimberly Falco, Marjorie A. Bowman, John Byrne, Nicholas W. Bowersox

Population and Public Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Background Limited information exists on whether virtual training is equivalent to traditional in-person training in supporting the development of clinical providers. Methods A multi-site evaluation using survey methods was conducted with a multidisciplinary group of health professions trainees and supervisors within the Veterans Health Administration to assess the equivalence of two supervision modalities – exclusively in-person supervision and supervision incorporating at least some virtual supervision – on trainee clinical competency development, trainee preparedness to respond to patient emergencies, and effective trainee/supervisor working relationships. Results Trainees who experienced some virtual supervision rated their clinical competency levels as higher than trainees with …

Behind Closed Doors, Beyond The Cell: Supporting Children Of Incarcerated Parents, Averi R. Amaro

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

This study examines the overlooked population of children affected by parental incarceration and evaluates intervention programs designed to support them. Grounded in Labeling Theory (Becker, 1963), Self-Fulfilling Prophecy (Merton, 1948), and the Restorative Justice framework (Zehr, 2002), this study explores how stigma, expectation, and repair shape the outcomes for the youth affected by parental incarceration. Drawing from qualitative and quantitative research, it analyzes the emotional, social, and educational effects of incarceration on families, identifying protective factors such as attachment, mentoring, and community support that mitigate delinquency risks. Program evaluations of Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, Parenting Inside Out, Project Avary, and …

Lived Experiences And Educational Needs Of Women With A History Of Preeclampsia: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study In Indonesia, Fitriana Fitriana, Ani Kristianingsih, Nopi Anggistaputri

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Background: preeclampsia (PE).\ is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide Many pregnant women fail to recognize early warning signs of the condition despite attending antenatal care, for reasons such as limited understanding of PE symptoms and/ or inadequate communication of health information by healthcare providers. Women with a previous history of PE are particularly vulnerable and require targeted educational support during subsequent pregnancies.
Methods: Eight pregnant women with a documented history of PE in their second or third trimester participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews using an interpretative phenomenological technique.  To ensure credibility and reliability, the …

Factors Associated With Emergency Hospitalization Of Kidney Disease Patients In A National Hospital Kenya., Dorcus Miyombe

MSc in Advanced Practice Nursing

Introduction: Emergency hospitalizations among End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) is a major global health burden, with low- and middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), experiencing the highest rates of morbidity and mortality. Limited resource, economic burden, and insufficient health infrastructure were the main challenges. Emergency hospitalizations at Kenyatta National Hospital remains high due to systemic gaps and poor continuity of care. Prerenal, intrarenal, post-renal injuries, as well as any combination of these, are the primary causes of ESKD. There are stipulated guidelines for ESKD patients’ management however, realization of these goals has not been achieved leading to hospitalization KDIGO …

Community Health Promoters’ Experiences In Mitigation Of Cardiovascular Diseases In Lari Sub-County - Kiambu County, Kenya, Emily Njeri Muchina

MSc in Advanced Practice Nursing

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a rising public health issue in low- and middle-income countries, including Kenya, where there is an escalation of their deaths and preventable risk factors. Community health promoters (CHPs) have a crucial role in the prevention of CVDs. Yet, low knowledge of CVD prevention and low detection of CVD risk factors characterise most underserved communities in Kenya. Little has been documented about CHPs' experiences in mitigating CVDs despite the presence of multilevel barriers and facilitators that can shape their experiences.

Aim: To gain an in-depth insight into the experiences of CHPs in mitigating CVD …

Predictors Of Complications Among Adult Patients Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetis Mellitus At Thika Level Five Hospital, Kenya, Bernard Wambua Mbithi

MSc in Advanced Practice Nursing

Introduction: Despite advances in the management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), anecdotal reports from Thika Level Five Hospital indicate that patients still present with diabetes mellitus-associated complications. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the predictors of complications among adult patients diagnosed with T2DM in the hospital.

Methodology: Analytical cross-sectional design was utilized in this research. To select the respondents, purposive sampling was used to recruit six nurse managers and their deputies (making a total of 12 nurses), while 294 patients in the clinic were recruited using systematic sampling. Purposive sampling was also used to recruit 15 patients …

Rapid Microbial Activity In Marine Sediments Significantly Enhances Silica Cycling Rates Compared To Abiotic Processes, Panagiotis Michalopoulos, Jeffrey W. Krause, Rebecca A. Pickering, Eleni Rousselaki, Kanchan Maiti, Martial Taillefert, Christophe Rabouille, Rudolph Corvaisier

Faculty Publications

Silicon, earth’s second most abundant element, cycles via biogeochemical processes in terrestrial and oceanic environments. The marine sediment-water interface is thought to divide biological-dominated (water) from abiotic-dominated (sediment) silica cycling processes. Studies indicate marine extremophile bacteria induce silica precipitation, but the quantitative importance of microorganisms in broader sediment silica cycling remains unexplored. We hypothesize that microorganisms significantly influence sediment silica cycling, challenging the prevailing divide of microbial importance. Within hours, sediment microbes expedited silica sequestration through rapid coupled dissolution/reprecipitation processes in marine deltaic sediment experiments. Using radiotracer silicon-32, we reveal that microbial mediation enhanced silica uptake, surpassing abiotic uptake by …

Elucidating The Role Of Marine Benthic Carbon In A Changing World, Cristina Schultz, Jessica Y. Luo, Damian C. Brady, Robinson W. Fulweiler, Matthew H. Long, Colleen M. Petrik, Jeremy M. Testa, Heather M. Benway, David Burdige, Marta M. Cecchetto, Isa Elegbede, Natalya Evans, Alexandra Frenzel, Kayla Gillen, Lisa C. Herbert, Heidi K. Hirsh, Gennadi Lessin, Lisa Levin, Kanchan Maiti, Sairah Malkin, Sarah L. Mincks, Stanley Nmor, Anh Pham, James Pinckney, Christophe Rabouille, Shaily Rahman, Subhadeep Rakshit, Nicholas E. Ray, Dalton K. Sasaki, Samantha A. Siedlecki, Christopher Somes, Aron Stubbins, Olivier Sulpis

Faculty Publications

The ocean plays a major role in controlling atmospheric carbon at decadal to millennial timescales, with benthic carbon representing the only geologic-scale storage of oceanic carbon. Despite its importance, detailed benthic ocean observations are limited and representation of the benthic carbon cycle in ocean and Earth system models (ESMs) is mostly empirical with little prognostic capacity, which hinders our ability to properly understand the long-term evolution of the carbon cycle and climate change-related feedbacks. The Benthic Ecosystem and Carbon Synthesis (BECS) working group, with the support of the US Ocean Carbon & Biogeochemistry Program (OCB), identified key challenges limiting our …

Hurricanes And Human Health In Louisiana: Insights From Hurricanes Laura, Delta, And Ida, Shobha Kumari Yadav, Robert V. Rohli, M. E. Betsy Garrison, Elisabeth Ponce-Garcia, Nazla Bushra, Charleen Mcneill

Faculty Publications

Louisiana is one of the most disaster-prone states, with hurricanes ranking among the most destructive hazards. Hurricanes impede sustainability by straining hospital infrastructure, overwhelming emergency departments, and disrupting continuity of care. Louisiana’s healthcare system, characterized by high uninsured rates, limited rural access, and notable racial and socioeconomic disparities, is particularly vulnerable during disasters. This research explores trends of mental and respiratory health in Louisiana surrounding Hurricanes Laura (2020), Delta (2020), and Ida (2021). Analysis reveals a substantial increase in admissions after landfall of all three storms, with mental health conditions showing a larger surge than respiratory ones in already-vulnerable communities. …

Exploring Retention And Satisfaction Among Arkansas County-Level Cooperative Extension Employees: A Job Embeddedness Perspective, Rebecca M. Simon

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract This quantitative study investigated the retention of county-level employees within the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES) using Job Embeddedness Theory (JET) as the theoretical framework. The research aimed to describe levels of job embeddedness, job satisfaction, and intent to stay, and to examine the relationships among these variables. A census of 328 CES employees was conducted, yielding a 53% response rate. Data were collected through a validated online survey and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression. Results indicated high scores in organizational fit and sacrifice dimensions, while links to organization and community were comparatively lower. Age …

The Banner - V. 160, No. 10 - (December 2025), Christian Reformed Church In North America

The Banner

No abstract provided.

Masthead

UC Law Journal

No abstract provided.

An Introduction To The Ai Special Issue And A Modern Framework For Ai In Sport Management, Jun Woo Kim, Vitaly Ford

Journal of Applied Sport Management

This paper introduces the special issue while also exploring the theoretical foundations and practical applications of AI in sport management, guided by Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach (Russell & Norvig, 2021). The manuscript examines AI’s evolution from rule-based systems to large language models (LLM)–driven intelligent agents and classifies the technology into five major subfields—machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, reinforcement learning, and AI agency. Using real-world sport industry examples and recent academic research, this paper presents a modern taxonomy of AI’s role in sport management, articulates managerial implications, and outlines future research directions necessary for sustainable and ethical integration …

An Autoethnography: How Professional Organizations Serve As Professional Development For Secondary Journalism Teachers, Mark R. Hilburn

Educational Leadership Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

The purpose of this autoethnography is to provide analysis and explain the importance of professional development experiences for secondary teachers, especially for those that are singletons in a school, district, or community.

Autoethnography is a qualitive research method in which the researcher is also the subject of the study. In autoethnography, the researcher uses autobiographical stories to analyze and interpret their lived experiences with the purpose of extending sociological understanding. It reflects the interconnectivity of self, others, and culture (Hamdan, 2012).

Effective professional development is typically long-term, collegial, supported by leadership, and context-specific (Richardson, 2003; Sparks, 2002), and essential for …

Lack Of Multidisciplinary Collaboration In Stroke Rehabilitation In Pakistan: A Call For Integrated Care Models, Etisam Wahid, Shahzad Ahmad, Nimrah Humayoon

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

No abstract provided.

National Halo And Culture Mixing: U.S. Consumer Acceptance Of Korean Cultivated Meat Made With Seaweed Components, Mark Chong, Angela K. Y. Leung, Tricia Marjorie Fernandez

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate U.S. consumers’ perception and acceptance of a “culturally mixed” product – i.e., cultivated meat (beef) made with Korean seaweed components – a product that involves the blending of a foreign cultural element (Korean seaweed) with a local cultural element (cultivated beef) to create a mixed cultural representation. Subsequently, it aimed to assess if the product’s country of origin (i.e., South Korea) would influence consumer perception and acceptance. Online in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 U.S. consumers recruited through two market research companies. The interview transcripts were analyzed by two trained coders …

One Size Does Not Fit All: Contract Design In Fintech Lending, Jianfeng Hu, Changcheng Song, Gloria Yang Yu

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Many fintech lenders rely on standardized contract terms to support scale and operational speed. This paper examines whether modest tailoring of loan contracts can improve credit market outcomes. We conduct a randomized field experiment with a large fintech lender that varies loan due dates relative to borrowers' salary paydays. Synchronizing repayment schedules with income cycles reduces delinquency by 29.1% in the experiment and 15.7% in the administrative data. Effects concentrate among liquidity-constrained borrowers: young, low-income, and low-creditlimit individuals. Tailored repayment timing generates substantial economic benefits: borrowers save on overdue penalties, lenders accelerate cash flows, and improved repayment increases future credit …

An Introduction To The 19th Volume, Shann Ray Ferch

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

This year’s volume of the International Journal of Servant- Leadership (IJSL) is a collaboration of heart, mind, and spirit, both personal and international, and finds its footing in what philosophers refer to as the transcendentals: beauty, goodness, and truth. The root etymology of collaboration is lovely.

On Servant-Leadership And Aging, Kathleen Patterson, Larry C. Spears

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

In 1986, at the age of 83, Robert Greenleaf wrote what would become his last published essay titled, “Old Age: The Ultimate Test of Spirit—An Essay on Preparation” (Greenleaf, 1986). That last phrase, “An Essay on Preparation,” suggests a preparation for death. And while there is an element of that aspect in the essay, the greater emphasis in Greenleaf’s final essay is upon how each of us can take steps to create a life that each of us can say as we near its end, was well-lived.

A Study On Practical Examples Of Servant-Leadership In Rural Areas Of The Province Of Herat, Afghanistan, Nasir Ahmad Rahimi, Esmatullah Jafari, Hajar Moradi, Barbara Schellhammer, Isabella Rega

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

This study investigates practical examples of servant-leadership in the rural areas of Herat province, Afghanistan. A literature review revealed a significant gap in research focusing on practical instances of servant-leadership in these regions. We employed a qualitative approach, utilizing in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and circle reflections to collect data. Initially guided by Spears’ ten principles of servant-leadership, our data analysis led to a redefinition of both the term and its underlying principles, while remaining true to the original concept. The study identified two types of servant-leaders: traditional leaders, who inherit their roles through family status, and emerging leaders, who …