Digital Commons Network^™

Integrating Ai In Instruction, Janet Evans, Melissa Mcclary, Jennie Handy

Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators (IMPROVE)

Integrating AI in Instruction is a Professional Learning Module (PLM) created to help educators feel more confident and informed about using artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom. Many teachers feel unsure or even a little afraid of AI simply because it is unfamiliar. This module is designed to break down those fears by introducing practical tools, real classroom applications, and simple strategies that align with high-impact teaching practices. You will explore how to use AI in ways that are ethical and equitable, with a focus on student data privacy and digital citizenship. You will also reflect on how AI can …

Rooted In Connection: Using Ai To Strengthen Communication, Matthew Feuer, Betsy Hanks, Bradi Jordan, Brice Melton

Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators (IMPROVE)

Communication in the digital age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) may feel like a journey into a crowded forest for many educators. This professional learning module (PLM) aims to support teachers in their use of AI to communicate with families to provide a more rooted feel. The module is framed around the responsible use of AI and rooted in research on the importance of establishing effective communication and building relationships with students and their families. Teachers at any experience level will benefit from the use of this PLM. From beginning teachers hoping to reduce the overload of their new career, to …

Spanish Conquistadors As God’S Chosen People: The Role Of Biblical Metaphor In Angélico Chávez's Recounting Of Southwest History, Nicholas L. Chavez

International Journal of the Linguistic Association of the Southwest

This study presents a critical discourse analysis of Fray Angélico Chávez’s My Penitente Land: Reflections on Spanish New Mexico through a cognitive linguistic lens based on Hawkins’s notion of iconographic reference. A metaphor analysis first identifies Chávez’s framing of New Mexican history as biblical narrative, mapping Old Testament stories, locations, and characters onto Spanish colonial events. The iconographic reference analysis then demonstrates how this metaphor functions discursively: a biblical iconographic frame of reference allows Chávez to create a biblically-based heirarchy which maps onto Spanish–Indigenous relations, positioning Spaniards as a chosen people and implicitly justifying colonial atrocities by aligning Indigenous groups …

Σ-Ary, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Mathematics Department

Math Department Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Leadership In 21st Century Policing, Joseph L. Keating

M.S. in Leadership

No abstract provided.

Positive Reinforcement In Leadership, Jen Lee Williams

M.S. in Leadership

This project examined whether leaders’ use of positive reinforcement
improves team retention, satisfaction, and performance across Generation
X, Millennials, and Generation Z. Jen Williams selected this topic due to the
rising turnover challenges and lack of consistent reinforcement training in
leadership practice. Using mixed-methods design, the study combined a
quantitative survey of 13 working professionals with a qualitative interview
from a Generation X leader participant. Results showed that over 92% of
the participants felt motivated by recognition, and 72% linked
reinforcement to increased satisfaction and desire to stay with their
organization. Generational differences appeared in frequency, authenticity,
and emotional sensitivity …

Improving Perinatal Outcomes With The Mood Disorder Questionnaire: A Quality Improvement Project To Increase Identification And Referral, Elizabeth R. Bargardo

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Perinatal mental health is a growing concern, with under identification and lack of access to mental health as contributing factors. Screening tools such as the Mood Disorder Questionnaire are one way to increase identification of patients at risk for bipolar-spectrum disorders and subsequent postpartum psychosis and initiate referrals to appropriate mental health services.

Local Problem: One outpatient women’s health center has a 94% screening rate for the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS) for anxiety and depression but has not implemented a screening for bipolar disorder. In addition, while approximately one in five perinatal patients struggles with a mental …

What Would Mr. Rogers Do? Healing Childhood Trauma Through The Application Of Emergency Pedagogy, Shel Frolich-Tscherne

Doctor of Education

Emergency Pedagogy works to stabilize, both physically and socially, those that have been affected by traumatic events through pedagogical interventions that are based on the concepts of Waldorf education (Ruf, 2013). While techniques and interventions such as Trauma-Informed Care and psychotherapy are more widely known and used to treat individuals who have experienced traumatic events, Emergency Pedagogy is another method to be considered when working with traumatized individuals (Cohen and Mannarino, 2016). Emergency Pedagogy is not therapy but rather pedagogical first aid, seeking to stabilize, both physically and socially, those that have been affected by traumatic events before the wound …

La Atmósfera Del Horror: Un Análisis De Los Elementos Visuales En Tomie De Junji Ito, Leslie T. García Cabrera, Edgar Meritano

STEM for Success Showcase

INTRODUCTION

New Perspectives on Horror Manga

The primary objective of this study is to analyze Japanese horror comics, known as manga, through the works of Junji Ito, particularly Tomie. This author has become a central figure in the genre, and his work is essential for understanding how horror in manga achieves an impact that goes beyond its graphic elements, utilizing a distinctive visual and narrative style that creates a unique atmosphere and evokes profound emotions in its readers.

The analysis begins with a comparison between sequential horror media, such as happenings, and editorial media like comics, where …

Local-Neutrosophic Logic And Local-Neutrosophic Sets: Incorporating Locality With Applications, Florentin Smarandache, Takaaki Fujita

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

The study of uncertainty has been a significant area of research, with concepts such as fuzzy sets [87], fuzzy graphs [51], and neutrosophic sets [58] receiving extensive attention. In Neutrosophic Logic, indeterminacy often arises from real-world complexities. This paper explores the concept of locality as a key factor in determining indeterminacy, building upon the framework introduced by F. Smarandache in [73]. Locality refers to processes constrained within a specific region, where an object or system is directly influenced by its immediate surroundings. In contrast, nonlocality involves effects that transcend spatial or temporal boundaries, where changes in one location have direct …

Biol 375-002: Conservation Biology, Michael Nelson

Biology Syllabi

No abstract provided.

A Profile Of Freshman Inquiry Students Fall 2025, Rowanna L. Carpenter

University Studies Assessment Research

In order to better understand the students enrolled in Freshman Inquiry (FRINQ) courses and identify areas where they may need support, University Studies (UNST) began collecting and compiling data on these students. This report presents a profile of FRINQ students from Fall 2025. It presents an overview of all students enrolled in FRINQ during Fall 2025 and then summarizes information from the Prior Learning Survey.

Collaboration: Skill Development Framework. 2nd Edition, Claire Scoular, Daniel Duckworth, Jonathan Heard, Dara Ramalingam

Assessment and Reporting

ACER's skill development framework addresses the challenges associated with teaching and assessing collaboration. It is designed to synthesise and harmonise existing theory and research on collaboration to provide a holistic perspective. It outlines collaboration processes along prescribed strands and aspects that are informed by a sound evidence base. It is based on three strands: Building shared understanding; Collectively contributing; and Regulating the group.

Acd Cares: A Framework For A Value-Driven, Ethical, And Student-Centered Dental Education, Casey Wright, Jennifer Talley, Brian D. Hodgson

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Dental education is renowned for its rigorous 4-year curriculum that consistently produces highly competent entry-level practitioners. However, the intensity of this training often leads to increased stress and mental health challenges among students as they strive to maintain pace in demanding programs. The prevalence of student issues related to stress and mental health is well-documented, with many students experiencing significant distress throughout their education.

The American College of Dentists (ACD) recently introduced a set of core values known as ACD CARES, an acronym for the ACD core values of accountability, competence, dignity, collaboration, advocacy, reflection, empathy, and stewardship. This paper …

Generative Adversarial Networks For Dimensionality Reduction In Evtol Aircraft Takeoff Trajectory Optimization, Samuel Sisk, Farzaam Khorasani-Gerdehkouhi, Abdulaziz Abutunis, K. Chandrashekhara, Xiaosong Du

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft play a key role in urban air mobility (UAM), which aims to alleviate traffic congestion in urban areas. Despite their value, eVTOL aircraft suffer from battery energy consumption, which affects their range and endurance in real world flight tasks. Especially, the takeoff process has been identified for excessive power demands. Multidisciplinary analysis and optimization manage to discover optimal takeoff trajectories with minimum energy consumption while balancing multidisciplinary trade-offs, such as short distance takeoff and passengers' comfort. However, conventional parametrization methods (such as B-spline curves) leverage an empirically high-dimensional design space to include real …

Hands-Free Uav Control: Real-Time Eye Movement Detection Using Eog And Lstm Networks, Niloofar Zendehdel, Khosro Ghorbani Zadeh, Haodong Chen, Yun Seong Song, Ming C. Leu

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Industry 4.0 has created a growing need for effective human-robot collaboration (HRC). As robots and humans work more closely together, efficient communication becomes essential for coordinating their actions seamlessly. While speech may seem like the obvious choice for communication, noisy factory environments can render it impractical. Additionally, workers often have their hands occupied with assembly tasks, making hand-controlled interfaces less practical for controlling robots. To address these challenges, this paper presents a novel, hands-free method for robot control using electrooculography (EOG) signals–specifically, eye movements and blinks–with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used as the demonstration platform. We developed a real-time system …

An Interdisciplinary Unit For Today's Learners: Integrating Science, English, And Art To Teach Climate Change, Sydney M. Ruby-Pasternak

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

As today’s global challenges grow increasingly complex, interdisciplinary thinking is essential for students to make meaningful connections in their learning. Despite this need, high school students continue to have educational experiences in one-subject classrooms, often preventing them from engaging in integrated learning models. This professional project addresses the gap by developing a five-week interdisciplinary unit titled Brushstrokes of Change, which combines climate science with English language arts and visual arts to amplify student understanding of climate change concepts. This unit was designed for grades 9-12 and prioritizes 21^st-Century skills in critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration through …

Water Justice, Emily Ann Senkosky

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

My portfolio will be centered around the theme of “Water justice,” which aims to unpack people’s manipulation of riverways and the environmental costs of this practice. Rivers, and their watersheds, have served as lifeblood for human and ecological populations the world over since the dawn of man. Derived from these watersheds is a multitude of ecosystem services and freshwater necessary for the sustainability of life. But freshwater makes up only 3% of the globe’s total water supply, making it a limited and dwindling resource. As the world’s population accelerates, climate change quickens, and societal needs for freshwater advance, the manipulation …

Adaptation And Resilience: How Beginning Farmers Navigate Land And Climate Crises In Western Montana, Kyla Ivana Fugate

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Montana is home to a growing number of beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers (BSDFRs), yet they face substantial barriers to accessing resources, from farmland to federal farm support programs. Rising land prices and climate-induced drought further exacerbate the challenges that farmers already face, posing a “twin crisis” that is especially severe for beginning farmers who have operated their farms for fewer than 10 years. This research draws on ethnographic data, including 24 in-depth interviews with BSDFRs and five informational interviews with farm service providers in Western Montana. I find that while federal USDA programs support farmers on paper, they often …

The Politics, Policy, And International Relations Section Companion Document To The Framework: Process And Outcomes, Mary K. Oberlies, Brett Cloyd, Erin Ackerman, Stephanie Crowe, Christopher Lemery, Kimberly Macvaugh, Chelsea Nesvig, Winn W. Wasson

Librarian Publications

The Politics, Policy, and International Relations (PPIRS) section of ACRL is a forum for librarians to exchange information and ideas relevant to disciplines such as political science, law, international relations, security studies, public policy, and related fields. From 2018-2021, an ad hoc committee of section members worked to develop an addition to the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education focused on the Framework’s applications to PPIRS disciplines, now known as the Companion Document to the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education: Politics, Policy, and International Relations (the PPIRS Companion Document).1 In this chapter, we provide an …

Radiometric Sensor Level Calibration For Remote Sensing (Planning, Testing, And Operation), Joe Tansock

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Contents

• What is Calibration and Why is it Important (example) 
• Remote Sensor Calibration Approaches
• Typical Space-based Sensor Lifecycle and Calibration Efforts at SDL
• EO Calibration Applications (example) 
• Example Calibrations at SDL
• Calibration Testing at SDL and example Calibration Equipment
• Calibration is Multi-Path
• Student Employment/Projects to Support SDL Calibration

Multi-Layered Security Approaches For A Modular Open Network Architecture-Based Satellite, Brandon Shirley, Quinn Young, Peter Wegner, Jacob Christensen, Jeffrey Janicik

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Overview

• Introduction
• Open System Architecture (OSA) and Modular Open Network Architecture (MONA) background
• Security Challenges
• Security Principles
• Solutions

The Atmospheric Waves Experiment (Awe), Ludger Scherliess, Yucheng Zhao, Pierre-Dominique Pautet

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Modern theory and modeling indicate vertically propagating Gravity Waves (GWs), waves generated primarily by severe weather disturbances, have profound effects on the variability and mean state of the Ionosphere-Thermosphere-Mesosphere (ITM) system, and can significantly impact space-based communications, navigation, and tracking.

Understanding How Hearing Works, Cecilia Zoutewelle

A. The Science of Sound

A 7-page introductory overview of the anatomical and neurological processes of hearing, with illustrations and bullet-point summaries. 

The Freedom To Extract In Copyright Law, Molly Shaffer Van Houweling

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Visitation As Family Regulation, Laura Matthews-Jolly

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Font Of Knowledge: Readability And Accessibility Challenges Caused By Typeface Requirements In North Carolina Appellate Courts, Andrew Parco

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Dead In The Water: A Critique Of The Fourth Circuit’S Major Questions Analysis In North Carolina Coastal Fisheries Reform Group V. Capt. Gaston Llc, Dylan T. Silver

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Embodied Mythology Of Rhetoric: The Dialectic Of The Gender Binary Logos, Isaac A. Lacap

Honors College Theses

Gender is often described as a social construct. This description usually contrasts social construction with other unchanging, unambiguous concepts. Through Chiara Bottici's analysis, I argue the concept of myth breaks us from this dichotomy. By understanding myth as the persistent creation of significance through narratives, we no longer leave myth to the ambit of untruth and unreality. Instead, we see myths as a way to direct people’s actions by giving them a way to see the world. By integrating Bottici with Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology, I argue the significance of myth occurs through embodiment by organizing gestures. These gestures form a system …

The Effects Of A River Closure On A Snook (Centropomus Spp.) Nursery Community In The Rio Grande River, Texas, Ethan Getz, Perry Trial, Catherine Eckert, Joel Anderson

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Snook (Centropomus spp.) support important fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico and populations are increasing in Texas. However, a primary snook nursery, the Rio Grande River, remains one of the most imperiled rivers in North America. In 2001—2002, low flows led to the formation of a sandbar and the complete blockage of the Rio Grande, eliminating exchange with coastal waters. Here, data collected by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department were used to determine how the Rio Grande closure affected juvenile and subadult snook and the estuarine community. Seine and trawl samples were collected prior to (1992—1997) and during …