Digital Commons Network^™

Embedded System For Data Management Aboard A Spacecraft Bus, Ethan Raphael Pascuales

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Evervital Patch: The Design And Development Of A Continuous Cardiac Monitoring Device For Post-Operative, In-Hospital Patients, Abigail Moeller, Jonathan Seid

Honors Theses

In the United States, due to the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disease, over 900,000 cardiac surgeries are performed annually, with projections exceeding 1.3 million by 2029. Many post-surgical patients require continuous in-hospital cardiac monitoring, which is typically conducted using electrocardiograms (EKGs). However, traditional EKG systems such as bedside cardiac monitors and cardiac telemetry monitors rely on wired leads that can easily tangle, degrade signal quality, and require frequent readjustments or replacements due to wire breakage, and for the patient, this can cause discomfort from prolonged use. To overcome these challenges, our company, CardioSync, aims to develop a wireless cardiac monitoring …

Front Matter

Texas A&M Law Review

Front matter.

Does The Press Get Special Rights?, Lauren Gailey

Texas A&M Law Review

The press occupies a place in our system of government so unique and important that it’s often referred to as the “Fourth Estate.” The press is charged with ensuring that voters have the information they need to elect their leaders, shedding a sanitizing light on the inner workings of the government, and acting as a counterweight to its enormous power. In recognition of these functions—and, presumably, to enable and promote them—the architects of the Bill of Rights permanently enshrined the press in its own clause of the First Amendment.

Yet two centuries later, scholars have generally accepted that the press …

Restoring Public Trust In Elections: An Empirical Study Of How Campaign Finance Reform Can Restore Public Trust In Elections, Matthew D. Kim

Texas A&M Law Review

The American public has become deeply distrustful of elections. This distrust is partly due to Supreme Court decisions curtailing campaign finance restrictions, on First Amendment grounds, to spending that creates an appearance of quid pro quo corruption. The Court’s reasoning assumes that, although the government has an interest in protecting the public’s trust in elections, campaign spending does not pose a threat to the public’s trust absent the appearance of quid pro quo corruption. However, it is unclear if campaign spending undermines the public’s trust in elections through means other than the appearance of quid pro quo corruption. If it …

Molecular Changes, Histopathology, And Ultrasonic Vocalization Acoustic Profiles Of Systemically Dehydrated Rats, Brooke Rodgers, Naila Cannes Do Nascimento, Abigail Cox, Taylor W. Bailey, M. Preeti Sivasankar, Allison J. Schaser

Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Faculty Publications

Systemic hydration is known to promote optimal functioning of bodily systems—including the vocal folds. The impact of systemic dehydration on the biology of the vocal folds and the downstream effects of dehydration on voice output are not well understood. An in vivo rat model of systemic dehydration was employed to investigate vocal fold gene expression, histological changes, and acoustic changes in vocalization. Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) were recorded every day for 5 days (baseline), in male and female Long-Evans rats (N = 36, ages: 3–4 months) using an anticipatory reward paradigm. Next, rats were dehydrated (N = 18) using a published …

Changing Styles: Creating A Secure Attachment For Parents And Children With Insecure Attachments Group Manual, Crystal Finnell

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Parent-child attachments start forming immediately when the child is born. There are four different attachment styles that parent and child relationships fall into: secure, insecure avoidant, insecure resistant, and disorganized. Each of these styles have a unique set of characteristics the child displays as well as how the parent-child relationship appears. Forming a secure attachment between parent and child is necessary for a child to develop normal relationship patterns into adulthood. Without a nurturing sensitive relationship with a caregiver, a child may lack security and sensitivity into adulthood. Parent Child Interaction Therapy is a form of attachment counseling that uses …

Ontologies For Smart Agriculture: A Path Toward Explainable Ai-A Systematic Literature Review, Rima Grati, Najla Fattouch, Khouloud Boukadi

All Works

Smart agriculture has grown significantly over the last few years, particularly with the integration of advanced technologies (e.g., the Internet of Things, robots, artificial intelligence, etc.), leading to the development of intelligent agricultural systems. However, these systems often lack data integration, interoperability, and semantic explainability. Various approaches have been proposed to address these challenges. This study provides a comprehensive literature review that addresses, on the one hand, the use of semantic resources (e.g., semantic web technologies and ontologies) to tackle data integration and interoperability in smart agriculture systems and, on the other hand, the integration of explainable artificial intelligence into …

The Impact Of Marijuana Edibles On Fetal Development In Pregnant Adolescents And Young Mothers, Rachel Doyle

Honors Theses

With the growing prevalence of marijuana use for both recreational and medicinal purposes, this study explores the impact of edible cannabis consumption on fetal development in pregnant adolescents and young mothers. While most existing research focuses on smoked cannabis in adult populations, this review highlights a significant gap regarding the unique risks of edibles among younger, vulnerable users who may perceive them as safer. Through a comprehensive literature review, the study examines the physiological effects of THC in edible form, as well as the social, economic, and healthcare factors influencing its use. Key areas of focus include maternal health, placental …

Spanish Education: Teaching Philosophy Learned From Best Practice And Student And Teacher Engagement., Olivia Anderson

Honors Theses

This honors thesis investigates best practices for teaching Spanish in K–12 settings by conducting qualitative interviews with Spanish teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The study focuses on identifying effective strategies and classroom activities that promote student engagement and language proficiency while examining how teachers continue to develop professionally. Conscious of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages’ (ACTFL) Five C’s—Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities—the research highlights communication as the central pillar of language learning. Through detailed classroom examples, such as “Mapa del Martes,” student-created cooking videos, and Kagan Strategies, the thesis illustrates how …

Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Young Learners With Special Needs: Implementation Of The Resilience Based Interaction Model, Laura Knotts

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

No abstract provided.

College Sojourners' Reentry Experiences After Studying Abroad, Samantha Rose Maiolo

Honors Scholar Theses

When people think of studying abroad, they often think the experience ends when a study abroad participant returns home, but the reentry experience back home can be just as significant as the experience in the host country. In this study, I explored the following questions: (1) What emotional, social, and academic transitions do students experience when returning home from studying abroad? and (2) In what ways do the experiences students have abroad change their perspective of their life in the home culture? We interviewed 10 and surveyed 3 recent study abroad returnees from a large state university in New England. …

Thompson’S Rifle Battalion: The Original Unit Of The Army Of The United Colonies (Now The United States Regular Army), John A. Bonin

Books, Monographs & Collaborative Studies

©2025 John A. Bonin

Although 1775 is indisputably the birth year of the US Army, two events occurred on June 14 of that year to which the Army can credit its birthday. One is the adoption by the Continental Congress of the collective militia forces from several colonies outside Boston to form a Continental Army, of which Congress appointed George Washington the commander in chief on June 15, 1775. In addition, the US Regular Army officially dates its beginning to June 14, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress directed 10 companies of expert riflemen to be raised immediately in Pennsylvania, …

Outdoor Learning On The Edge Of Europe: A Systematic Review Of Practice From Ireland, Tomás Aylward, Maura Colter, Tom Farrelly

Publications

Outdoor Learning (OL) programmes are a small but impactful part of the Irish educational landscape. This paper presents an overview of the sector through a systematic review of the literature published between 2012 and2023. The research had three aims: to 1) map the strands of practice where OL-related research is happening; 2) synthesize the reported outcomes and 3) indicate gaps in the research. Of the 157 papers screened, 13 met the criteria for inclusion. A hybrid method of review based on reflexive and meta-aggregative synthesis was utilized. Eleven lines-of-action findings were identified across four areas-of-action. These areas were: the role …

Reclaiming Self-Government: State Preemption And Original Meaning Of The Montana Constitution’S Local Government Provisions, Zarchary M. Krumm

Montana Law Review

No abstract provided.

Quality Of Perinatal Care: Experiences Of Clients And Providers In Three District Hospitals Of Western Uganda– A Mixed Methods Study, Mercy Muwema, Joaniter Nankabirwa, Dan K. Kaye, Gorrette Nalwadda, Joanita Nangendo, Gloria Odei Obeng-Amoako, Jean Claude Nkurunziza, Wilson Mwanja, Elizabeth N. Ekong, Joan N. Kalyango, Grace Edwards, Emmanuel Otieno, Robert Basaza

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: It is anticipated that closing the quality gap through provision of effective antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care for mothers and newborns in facilities will reduce morbidity and mortality. Mothers’ and health care providers’ experiences play a vital role in achieving quality care during the perinatal periods.

Purpose: To assess the health care providers’ (HCPs) and clients’ experiences on quality of perinatal care at three district hospitals in Bunyoro region, Western Uganda.

Methods: A convergent parallel mixed methods study design was utilized to explore experiences of 1) mothers as they sought antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care; and 2) …

Executive Committee - Agenda, 4/22/2025, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Leaders And Managers In Commercial Construction, Samuel F. Merrill

Theses and Dissertations

This research explores how the distinct traits of leadership and management influence supervisory effectiveness and employee experiences in Utah's commercial construction sector. While leadership and management are often conflated, this study draws on foundational literature that defines leadership as people-centered, visionary, and empowering. In contrast, management is characterized as results-driven, process-oriented, and focused on control. Using survey data from 95 individuals working in commercial construction, the study evaluates how supervisors with leadership or managerial characteristics are perceived by their teams. Supervisors were categorized based on observable behaviors selected by respondents, distinguishing leadership traits from managerial traits. Supervisors identified as leaders …

Teacher Perceptions Of Factors Contributing To Special Educator Teacher Attrition, Carlesha Shanita King Douglas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem investigated in this study was the high attrition rate for special education teachers. Attrition rates have been associated with a variety of adverse outcomes, including heavy workloads, behavior problems, reduced student achievement, and increased levels of stress. High attrition rates also create a financial burden on school districts. Using Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory as the conceptual framework, this qualitative study aimed to identify job-related factors that contribute to special education teachers leaving the profession. The research question guiding this study identified the factors that cause special education teachers to leave the profession. Data were collected by interviewing 12 current …

Leadership Strategies For Increasing Access To Care For Persons Suffering From Anxiety And Depression, Brandee L. Downes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Leadership strategies and decisions can impact the accessibility of mental health services for those seeking services related to anxiety and depression. The impact of readiness of leadership through strategy, implementation, and decision-making was the focus of this study. When the preparedness of an organization is at its peak, it increases the utilization of mental health services among adults, children, and adolescents struggling with anxiety and depression. The problem addressed in this study was how leadership strategies within the behavioral health organization contributed to a lack of collaboration, outreach, and training due to the absence of strategic planning, implementation, and leadership. …

Effective Followership And Successful Leadership In Small And Medium Enterprises In The Middle East, Kayan Alameh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Effective leadership has long been recognized as a critical factor in organizational success, yet the role of followership remains underexplored. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental study was to examine the relationship between effective followership and successful leadership within small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Middle East. Followership theory, transformational leadership theory, and organizational culture theory grounded this study. The participants comprised 192 employees working in SMEs across the Middle East who completed the implicit followership theories scale developed by Thomas Sy to measure followership effectiveness. Leadership success was determined based on whether leaders achieved at least 80% of …

Complementary Self-Care Therapies To Self-Manage Endometriosis In Association With Health-Related Quality Of Life, Sarah Cummins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a lack of understanding within the psychological and medical communities on the extent to which endometriosis impacts the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with endometriosis (PWE). This population is understudied in relation to the effects of endometriosis on HRQoL, the various methods used to treat and cope with endometriosis-related symptoms, the influence of self-managing endometriosis on PWE’s HRQoL, or the HRQoL outcomes associated with using nontraditional methods to self-manage endometriosis. As such, there is a lack of knowledge on the extent to which the use of various types of complementary self-care therapies to self-manage endometriosis is …

Spartan Daily, April 22, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 164, Issue 35

Content Worth Consuming, Mark Volkers

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"Could it be that a workplace (or film set) that actively pursues shalom in the way people and creation are treated, is honoring to God who seeks the restoration of all things?"

Posting about ­­­­­­­­defining Christian film from In All Things, an online hub that offers insight into maintaining and faithful and orthodox Reformed Christian worldview while fearlessly engaging in every aspect of contemporary life – until all is made new.

Content Worth Consuming

Disarming The Deficit: Creating A Positive Disabled Community On Campus, Grace E. Vanhaitsma

Masters Projects

In the United States, the number of individuals with disabilities who pursue a college degree has increased. According to Wagner et al. (2018), 26% of people with disabilities pursued postsecondary education, whether at a two-year (20%) or four-year program (6%). Retention of students with disabilities, however, remains an issue. 41% of all college students with disabilities left school before graduation compared to 33% of their typically abled peers. Disabled students are also more likely to struggle with loneliness and isolation on campus due to a lack of sense of belonging. Having a strong campus community leads to better retention and …

Can The Discovery Of High-Impact Diagnostics Be Improved By Matching The Sampling Rate Of Clinical Diagnostics To The Frequency Domain Of Diagnostic Information?, Steven W Millward, Peng Wei, David Piwnica-Worms, Seth T Gammon

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Over the past 30 years, academic and industrial research investigators have developed molecular reporters to visualize cell death in complex biological systems. In parallel, clinical researchers, chemists, biochemists, and molecular biologists have endeavored to translate these molecular tools into clinical imaging agents. Despite these efforts, there are no clinically approved imaging methodologies with which to image cell death consistently and quantitatively. One reason may reside in the intrinsic mismatch between the sampling frequency of translational molecular imaging and the biochemical kinetics that define cell death. Beyond cell death imaging, many active research programs are now attempting to create translational diagnostic …

Interference With Quorum Sensing Of Klebsiella Pneumoniae By Some Plant Extracts Can Affect The Biofilm Formation And Antibiotic Resistance, Zahraa Eisaa Sadeq, Inam Jasim Lafta, Samah Ali Lamburne

Baghdad Science Journal

Quorum sensing (QS) is a perfectly orchestrated molecular communication system. It is a boon for Klebsiella pneumoniae, and bane for the host. This system is believed to make K. pneumoniae a leading cause of multidrug-resistant (MDR) nosocomial infections. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial and anti-biofilm potential of medicinal plant extracts through interfering with QS of K. pneumoniae. The effect of different concentrations of ethanolic extracts of cinnamon and clove on K. pneumoniae was determined by analyzing the growth curve, survival assay (MTT), Qualitative and quantitative biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, along with studying gene expression of the …

Reclaiming Identity: Miné Okubo's Self-Portraiture And Authorship In Citizen 13660, Caroline E. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, I argue that Miné Okubo's repeated self-portraiture in Citizen 13660 asserts her authority of the soul author of the text, forcing her reader to acknowledge the perspective in which the story is being told. Through the images of herself, she makes clear the fact that the story is filtered through her personal experience, rather than the widely accepted understanding that the novel is a universal story. While the written account strives for a sense of objectivity, the images of Okubo, especially when analyzed through the context of her contemporaries, including comics and photographers, shows how her work …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of Aging Techniques On Cloning Fpga-Based Configurable Ring Oscillator Pufs, Jonathan Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are reconfigurable devices that are used in industries that often require increased security. Physically unclonable functions (PUFs) are a security primitive used on FPGAs for device authentication and key generation. However, the output of a PUF can be susceptible to changes in the environment, such as voltage and temperature, as well as changes in device performance that occur due to transistor aging. Previous work has shown that it is possible to induce targeted accelerated aging in order to intentionally change a PUF response, even to the point of cloning one PUF to behave like another. …

Zine-Making As Site Of Research Brave Space: From Ethical Challenges To Transformative Opportunities In The Study Of Digital Sexual Intimacies, Rachele Reschiglian, Cosimo Marco Scarcelli

The Qualitative Report

This paper presents zine-making workshops as sites of Research Brave Spaces (RBS), a methodological posture for scholars within transformative worldviews. Positioned within queer research methodologies, the paper argues that zine-making offers a creative and multimodal method that enhances participant engagement and reflexivity, challenging some limitations of traditional research methods. By framing research as a “brave space,” the paper shifts from the notion of “safe spaces,” emphasising the importance of embracing discomfort, vulnerability, and critical reflection throughout the research process in all the subjects involved. The methodology incorporates elements of care, collaboration, and adaptability, addressing the specific needs of marginalised participants, …