Digital Commons Network^™

Materials Testing Furnace 2026, Austin Gregson, Lucas Lafayette, Mekhi Hale

Mechanical Engineering Senior Theses

This thesis presents the design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing of a material testing furnace for its intended use at Santa Clara University. The goal of this project is to develop a cost-effective and adaptable furnace capable of providing a controlled hightemperature, inert environment for material characterization. The furnace incorporates welded aluminum chambers, stainless steel load-transfer rams, an argon-based atmospheric control system, and planned tungsten heating elements for reaching temperatures up to 2000 ◦C. Trade-off analyses were conducted on the ram cooling channel geometry as well as the choice of coolant through both plates and rams. Manufacturing efforts were focused on …

Bio-Payload Senior Design Report, Connor Bishop, Oliver Goodall, Marcus Kirk, Gabby Robles, Anish Shanmuganathan

Interdisciplinary Design Senior Theses

This project focuses on the design and development of an autonomous experimental platform capable of conducting cellular biology experiments in a well plate within a CubeSat environment. The system integrates microfluidics, robotics, and onboard sensors to remotely initiate experiments, monitor them, and collect data without human intervention. The objective is to create a platform for automated biological experimentation in microgravity, while reducing reliance on ground-based control and increasing mission efficiency and reproducibility. The team used Saccharomyces cerevisiae to assess the biocompatibility of the well plate and monitor changes in cell culture, including optical density and cell viability.

Pool Pump Controls For Load Shifting, Andrew Minocha, Angelo Piziali, Cade Benner, Brinley Chrzanowski

Mechanical Engineering Senior Theses

Residential swimming pool pumps represent the second largest source of energy consumption in California homes, and with approximately 1.3 million pools operating across the state, they collectively represent a significant opportunity for grid-level load flexibility. This project presents the design, construction, and commissioning of a proof-of-concept laboratory test rig developed to validate a load-shifting algorithm on a commercially available variable-speed pool pump. The system retrofits a donated Pentair Intelliflo3 VSF pump with an external Raspberry Pi 4 controller that commands pump speed through relay-based digital inputs and logs hydraulic and electrical performance data in real time. A simulated pool filtration …

Data Tracking And Analytics Within Inventory Management: Coffee Shop And Retail Store Optimization, Mateo J. Moyon

Senior Theses

This thesis examines the application of inventory management theory in the small and medium-sized business context, with a specific focus on the food and beverage industry. Drawing on the foundational academic literature spanning from Harris’s EOQ formula in 1913 through stochastic inventory theory, ABC analysis, and just-in-time strategy, this paper establishes the mathematical and operational bases for modern inventory management practice. Although there are proven value to these frameworks, research demonstrates that small to medium sized businesses adopt inventory management systems at lower rates citing cost and implementation as barriers. This thesis argues that the emergence of low-cost inventory and …

Curating Attendee-Centered Corporate Event Experiences Through The Strategic Implementation Of Psychological Principles, Alexis G. Mullendore

Senior Theses

This thesis explores how psychological principles can inform event professionals’

decisions in the planning and execution of attendee-centered corporate events. In the modern

experience economy, corporations increasingly prioritize engaging, high-production events for

employees and stakeholders, while attendee expectations for immersive, spectacle experiences

continue to rise. Therefore, the importance of designing corporate events that balance clients’

fiscal and objective needs with attendees’ experience-driven expectations has become

increasingly recognized. This shift toward a human-focused approach prompted the researcher to

examine how psychological principles can inform the design and execution of events. The

project was conducted through a three-phase research process consisting of …

Can Argentina Overcome The Lithium Natural Resource Curse? A Case Study Into Argentina's Institutional Framework For Lithium Supply Chain Development And Innovation, Colby Greene

Senior Theses

Through the analysis of the natural resource curse, the development of institutional frameworks in societal contexts, the nature of natural resource-based industry value chains, and value creation through institutions and value chains, all in the context of Argentina’s lithium industry, this paper finds that Argentina has failed to implement the necessary institutions and promote proper policy to promote value addition and real economic growth through the conduit of the development of the lithium industry, yet it is not actively a victim of the natural resource curse. In the hierarchical nature of mining value chains, Argentina has permitted their vast lithium …

A Comparative Analysis Of Group Care: Trust, Professional Identity, And Health System Structure In The United Kingdom And The Netherlands, Samantha J. Kohlmann

Senior Theses

Group prenatal care (Group Care) has been associated with improved maternal experiences and select clinical outcomes, yet less is understood about how it functions within high-resource health systems and what mechanisms underlie its impact. This study examines how Group Care is implemented in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, with particular attention to professional roles, relational dynamics, and health system context.

I employed a qualitative, comparative design and conducted four semi-structured interviews with midwife researchers involved in Group Care implementation in both countries. Data were analyzed thematically, with attention to cross-context similarities and differences.

Findings indicate that Group Care operates …

Conservation Communication In Web 2.0: A Mixed Methods Analysis Of Alveus Sanctuary's Strategies On Twitch.Tv, Hope Denison

Senior Theses

This thesis examines how environmental creators can effectively transmit conservation messages in the evolving Web 2.0 media environment. The case of Alveus Sanctuary, a virtual sanctuary and education center on Twitch.TV, is used to explore the strategies currently used to engage audiences and raise ecological awareness online. Thematic analysis of interviews with the sanctuary’s founder revealed that Alveus combines traditional environmental education with an influencer business model to engage online audiences, leveraging parasocial behavior, interactivity, and collaboration to garner support. A quantitative content analysis of social media posts revealed that these strategies effectively induce parasocial engagement in online spaces. These …

Where Evidence-Based Research Meets L2 Pedagogy: Classroom Instruction Of Russian Case Morphology, Ryder L. Myrick

Senior Theses

Learners of Russian as a second language (L2) have long been documented to struggle with the Russian case system. However, pedagogy-oriented research on the acquisition of Russian case morphology remains limited. Addressing this gap, the current classroom-based and theoretically-motivated study reports a partial replication of Kisselev, Rubina and McManus (2025) with the addition of a delayed post-test, tutoring sessions, and improved materials. Quantitative findings match those of the original study, further supporting the effectiveness of Usage-Based instruction in Russian case pedagogy (90% average experimental-group score and 66% control-group score on a post-test). Qualitative analysis reveals additional factors shaping learning outcomes, …

Developing A Coding System To Record Orofacial Movements For Misophonia With Verification From Physiology Data, Rachel P. Sellers

Senior Theses

My thesis aims to develop and evaluate a facial coding system that can quantify facial movements in the context of misophonia. The system uses binary coding to individually quantify and identify each orofacial movement that occurs independent of other movements or artifacts that could interfere with coding data. The system can be used across multiple coders with statistically significant reliability into how orofacial movements are interpreted. The psychophysiological verification study used electromyography to examine the muscle potentiation of the corrugator supercilii and zygomaticus major muscles to map observable facial movement to underlying muscle potentiation. This facial coding system can be …

Effective Support Services For Black-African International Students, Amy V. Rutledge

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Currently, 1.5 million F-1 and M-1 students are enrolled in U.S. institutions of higher education (IHEs; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 2025). Although support services for international students are improving, substantial gaps remain in helping these students transition to the next phase of life (Weiner & Ghazarian, 2024). This transcendental phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of six recently graduated Black African international students (BAISs) to identify effective support services for graduate programs, licensure, or legal employment. Participants were recruited through snowball sampling for interviews, which were analyzed using descriptive coding (yielding 61 codes) and thematic analysis (producing six themes). …

Evolution Of Antibiotic Responses During Chronic P. Aeruginosa Infections In The Human Lung, David Frank Ritz

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Typical antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) of microbial samples is performed in homogeneous cultures in batch environments, which does not account for the highly heterogeneous and dynamic nature of antibiotic responses. The most common mutation found in P. aeruginosa lineages evolved during chronic cystic fibrosis infections in the human lung, a loss of function of repressor MexZ, increases basal levels of multidrug efflux MexXY, but does not increase resistance by traditional minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays. Here, we use single cell microfluidics to show that P. aeruginosa’s response to aminoglycosides is highly heterogeneous, with only a subpopulation of cells surviving exposure. …

Electron Microburst Precipitation In Earth's Upper Atmosphere, Kelly Cantwell

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Electron microburst precipitation can be a significant and prevalent source of electron loss from Earth's radiation belts into the upper atmosphere. This precipitation has been of interest since its discovery in the 1960's, and the continued progression of experimental capabilities has allowed for new and comprehensive analysis to be conducted on this phenomenon. The \af{barrel} mission was able to remotely sense microburst precipitation in both Northern and Southern hemispheres. In this thesis, I have written an automated detection algorithm with which 38 microburst events (with each event containing tens to tens of thousands of individual microbursts) were detected in the …

Strategic Resource Management In Pandemics: Integrating Capacity Planning With Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions For Covid-19, Ozlem Cosgun, Eyyub Kibis, Ali Dag, Burak Cankaya

Department of Information Management and Business Analytics Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgent need for integrated healthcare resource planning to manage patient surges and reduce mortality. This study presents a novel optimization-based framework that jointly considers healthcare capacity planning and non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), including mask mandates, social distancing, and quarantining. The framework extends traditional compartmental models by distinguishing patient categories—such as hospitalized non-ventilator patients, ventilated patients, and ICU admissions—within a mixed-integer programming (MIP) structure that remains computationally tractable. Applied to the COVID-19 outbreak in New York City, the model optimizes the allocation of hospital beds and ventilators while minimizing deaths. Results show that combining high-effectiveness NPIs with …

Digital Scaffolding Interventions And Self-Regulation For Students With High-Incidence Disabilities, Jessica Brown

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The setting of this study takes place in a rural high school, nestled in the center of corn fields, in a self-contained classroom. I’m the assigned leader of this group, an instructional strategist II, which is just a fancy way of titling a special education teacher with endorsements focused on moderate learning and behavior disabilities. Our classroom environment is a community of close-knit students and adults. The 10 students that have been selected for this study range from 9th to 12th grade. Each of these students are equipped with Individualized Education Programs, in the goal areas of social-emotional behaviors and …

Teaching Behavioral Expectations Explicitly And Its Effect On Classroom Behavior In Elementary Classrooms, Jasmine Leigh Spann

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This inquiry-based capstone project examined the impact of explicitly teaching behavioral expectations on student behavior and overall classroom functioning in an elementary classroom. The study was conducted in a third-grade classroom with 17 participating students over a six-week period. The identified problem was the loss of instructional time due to frequent minor disruptions, inconsistent transitions, and unclear behavioral expectations. The intervention focused on proactively teaching, modeling, practicing, and consistently reinforcing classroom expectations. Data was collected using quantitative behavior tracking logs, including the frequency of minor disruptions, major incidents, teacher redirections, and instructional time lost. Findings indicated a consistent decrease in …

The New Normal: Ai Hallucinations In Legal Practice, Cody B. James

Faculty Journal Articles & Other Writings

This Article examines the technological causes of hallucinations, distinguishing between misgrounded errors and fully fabricated content, and explains why even sophisticated legal‑specific AI tools cannot eliminate the problem. Drawing on recent sanction decisions and professional responsibility rules, the Article demonstrates that reliance on hallucinated authority routinely results in monetary sanctions, disciplinary referrals, and adverse litigation consequences, regardless of intent or awareness. The Article further argues that hallucinations are not a temporary flaw but an inherent feature of generative AI systems. It concludes by outlining concrete research and verification practices lawyers must adopt to detect hallucinations and by reaffirming that ethical …

Uncertainty In Business Judgment: How A Divide Between Delaware's Judiciary And Legislature Has Changed Corporate Law, Andrea Safran

William & Mary Business Law Review

In response to controversial Chancery Court decisions, the Delaware Legislature rushed to amend the Delaware Code in order to reinforce the business judgment rule. As the foremost business court in the nation, every Chancery Court decision is thoroughly scrutinized by the corporate world, so when the court goes against normal business practices, corporations grow wary in their trust of the State. Thus ensues a scramble by the State to pass legislation that will protect corporate interests. With these recent decisions, however, the Chancery Court may have lost its footing, and Delaware could soon see a mass corporate exodus with the …

Influencing Player Tension Using Spatial Composition: Revisiting And Extending The Yuan–Wang Framework, Jiafan Lu

Level Design Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates how spatial composition in video game levels influences player tension and proposes a normalized quantitative formula based on existing spatial tension frameworks. The researcher independently created a single-player level and related quest in the video game Starfield. The quest, “Remnant of Tiangong” requires players to navigate a starstation containing a variety of spaces in a specific sequence. The researcher measured player tension through survey and biometric data and created a resulting tension curve. The researcher then compared the predicted tension curve to the resulting tension curve. The results show that the proposed formula accurately predicted players' …

Friends Of The Hilton M. Briggs Library, Spring 2026, Hilton M. Briggs Library

Friends of the Hilton M. Briggs Library Newsletters

Features:

Notes from the Dean of the Library
Record Attendance at Jackrabbit Gallery
Inside Technical Services
Bond...James Bond
Student Assistant Excellence Award Recipients
From Briggs to the World - and Back Again

A National Security Strategy For The Middle East, Vanessa Rice, Rudy Torres, Addy Horgan, Joy Omosa, Mark Westfall

School of Public Policy Capstones

This National Security Strategy addresses the persistent national security challenges the United States faces in the Middle East, a region vital for global energy supply, economic connectivity, and a source of anti-American extremism. Recognizing the failures of past "haphazard experimentation," the strategy proposes a thoughtful, pragmatic plan prioritizing five distinct and congruent interest areas: Maintaining Regional Access, Supporting Regional Stability, Ensuring Energy Security, Defending American Citizens and Personnel, and Preserving and Protecting Western Ideals. The strategy outlines actions such as: countering Chinese and Russian influence through intelligence sharing and defense incentives; containing Iran via a new, permanent nuclear deal and …

Drivers, Processes, And Outcomes Related To Burnout And Moral Injury In The Public Safety Workforce: A Scoping Review, Alys Barton, Margaret Ziemann, Samantha Meeker

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Labor Substitution In Healthcare: The Impact Of Nurse Practitioner Scope Of Practice Laws On Physician And Nurse Practitioner Wages And Employment, Grace Etzel

Economics Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

A Tribute To Professor Brian C. Murchison, Mary Z. Natkin, Adedayo (Dayo) Abah, Richard K. Welch, C. Elizabeth Belmont, Melanie D. Wilson, Brant J. Hellwig, Barry Sullivan, Patrick Darby, John M. Perryman, Kelly L. Faglioni, Nathan Heastie, Brandon Hasbrouck

Washington and Lee Law Review

No abstract provided.

To Work Or Not To Work? Lessons From Older Adults In Maine, Kimberly Snow, Mary Lou Ciolfi, Sarah Currie, Catherine Taylor

All Cutler Institute Publications

Work in later life is currently widely discussed for myriad reasons including that  many older adults want or need to work well past typical retirement age; employers  want and need the expertise, experience, and reliability of older workers; social and  health benefits often accompany later life work; anti-ageism awareness is  heightening the visibility and value of older workers; and economists and  demographers cite the importance of a dependable workforce that includes older  adults. The topic of later life work intersects with several other disciplines in social  science, business, health, technology, communications, and data collection - among  others - presenting opportunities …

Equals In The Wild: How Mathematical Equality Is Talked About In Lessons, Robert Ward-Penny, Jenni Ingram, Kirstin Erath, Elizabeth Kimber, Núria Planas

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Equality is a nuanced concept in mathematics, and the equals sign is used and interpreted in different ways. During professional development in language-responsive teaching, a group of teachers discussed the use of ‘equals’ in algebra lessons. This article considers how three of these teachers went on to invoke equality in their classroom interactions when teaching other topics. The cases observed suggest constructive resonances between conceptions of ‘equals’ and geometric relationships, and include examples of teachers balancing precision with fluency. We argue that attention to language in one mathematical topic may extend helpfully to other topics, but this is not automatic.

A Prospective Mathematics Teacher’S Shifts In Tone Of Language From Ineffective To Effective Written Feedback On A Pupil’S Project, Samet Okumus

The Mathematics Enthusiast

In the present study, I analyze data from a prospective mathematics teacher, Oya, and her shift in the tone of language used in self-perceived ineffective and effective written feedback on a real pupil’s mathematics project. The results indicate that, in her ineffective feedback, Oya primarily provides neutral and negative responses, often highlighting the pupil’s mistakes in a harsh and judgmental manner. In contrast, her effective feedback demonstrates a wider range of tones, including a substantial amount of neutral feedback as well as solution-oriented comments. The study underscores the importance of tone in feedback, emphasizing how different language use and word …

An Operational Framework For Integrating Content, Cognition And Language Into Planning For Aen Mathematics Learners Within A Clil Context, Máire Ní Ríordáin, Craig Neville

The Mathematics Enthusiast

The growing diversity in Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) classrooms, particularly the inclusion of Additional Educational Needs (AEN) learners, highlights an urgent need for research addressing their unique challenges. These students often face compounded difficulties, navigating the dual demands of mastering subject content and developing proficiency in the instructional language, with limited frameworks to support their needs. This article presents an operational framework for integrating content, cognition, and language into planning mathematics education for AEN learners. Grounded in theoretical approaches such as communicative competence, CAPA, and pluriliteracies, the framework addresses key challenges in developing mathematical literacy. The framework provides …

Genre-Based Socialization Practices In Teaching And Learning Of Geometric Proof In Language Diverse Classrooms, Rabih El Mouhayar, Richard Barwell

The Mathematics Enthusiast

The present study reports on analysis of how two teachers in Lebanon, and their students navigated the learning and teaching of geometric proof in English, in a context in which Lebanese Arabic is the language of home and wider society. One of the teachers taught in a public school, the other in a private school. The study focuses on language socialization practices in the two grade-seven classrooms, in relation to the specific genre of geometric proof. The focus is not directly on proving as a cognitive process; rather, the study explores the interactional process of interpreting and constructing geometric proofs …

Bridging Theory And Practice: A Criminal Justice Course Collection, Penny Geyer

Open Educational Resources

Dr. Penny Geyer compiled a full reading list, course calendar, set of weekly discussion questions, in-class experiential exercises, a death penalty case-study module, and a final paper assignment into a single, organized course packet that can be easily accessed, revised and remixed by other instructors teaching theory-to-practice criminal justice courses.