Digital Commons Network^™

Genetic And Epigenetic Screens In Primary Human T Cells Link Candidate Causal Autoimmune Variants To T Cell Networks., Ching-Huang Ho, Maxwell A Dippel, Meghan S Mcquade, Leann P Nguyen, Arpit Mishra, Stephan Pribitzer, Samantha Hardy, Harshpreet Chandok, Florence M Chardon, Troy A Mcdiarmid, Hannah A Deberg, Jane H Buckner, Jay Shendure, Carl G De Boer, Michael H Guo, Ryan Tewhey, John P Ray

Faculty Research 2025

Genetic variants associated with autoimmune diseases are highly enriched within putative cis-regulatory regions of CD4⁺ T cells, suggesting that they could alter disease risk through changes in gene regulation. However, very few genetic variants have been shown to affect T cell gene expression or function. Here we tested >18,000 autoimmune disease-associated variants for allele-specific effects on expression using massively parallel reporter assays in primary human CD4⁺ T cells. We find 545 variants that modulate expression in an allele-specific manner (emVars). Primary T cell emVars greatly enrich for likely causal variants, are mediated by common upstream pathways and …

Expanding And Refining The Mammalian Phenotype Ontology To Enhance Disease Model Discovery., Susan M. Bello, Anna V Anagnostopoulos, Leigh Carmody, Nicolas Matentzoglu, Cynthia Smith

Faculty Research 2025

The mouse is a premier model system for investigating gene function and modeling human disease. For almost 40 years, Mouse Genome Informatics has worked to capture and integrate the data generated from mouse studies. A critical component of this integration is the development and use of the Mammalian Phenotype (MP) Ontology to capture the morphological and physiological effects of alterations to gene function in the mouse. As the wealth of phenotype data captured using the MP has expanded, its utility in the diagnosis of human disease has increased. Tools have been developed to use mouse and human phenotypes in variant …

Utilizing Canine Olfaction As An Early Screening Method For Ovarian Cancer: A Review Of The Literature, Jackson Neyman, Laurie A. Malone

Expo Student Presentations

2025 Fall Expo Poster Presentation

• Works in Progress

The Role Of Green Target Costing In Achieving Sustainable Competitive Advantage In Economic Units, Raad Abidmuslim Hraiga, Ahmad Najah Hadi, Ali Abdulhassan Abbas

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Research aims to determine the role of green target costing in enhancing and supporting sustainable competitive advantage in Iraqi economic units and to define the philosophical concepts of green target costing (GTC) and Sustainable Competitive Advantage (SAC). To achieve this, the research relied on an applied descriptive approach, applying it to an actual production environment, namely the "General Company for Fertilizer Industry - Southern Region in Basra," and relying on data for the year 2024. The research concluded that the application of GTC concepts in the reality of the Iraqi industry is in its early stages. One of the most …

Last Chance Lawyers: Mercer's Habeas Project And Lessons Learned From A New Generation Of Service Learners, Meagan R. Hurley

Articles

Late on a Sunday night, the conference table in Mercer Law’s Habeas Project classroom was buried under transcripts, cases and drafts of a soon-to-be finished appellate brief. Third-year law students Chyna Carter and Valerie Pallos sat shoulder-to-shoulder, tightening arguments, double-checking citations and calculating word counts yet again. They’d spent weeks working with classmates, meticulously researching their client’s case and poring over a voluminous record, in preparation of filing a habeas appeal with the Supreme Court of Georgia.

“We thought we had a convincing argument and just needed to get it reflected on paper,” Carter, now an associate at McLain & …

Research Guide To Womanist Literature: Historical, Anticolonial, And Fictional Perspectives, Apoliana Da Conceicao Dos Santos

FIRE Fund Bibliographies

This bibliography was compiled for both research and teaching purposes, organized into three thematic categories reflecting a hemispheric, anticolonial, and womanist approach to knowledge production. The collection centers Black, Afro-Latin American, and feminist voices, offering alternative epistemologies that challenge Eurocentric, patriarchal, and colonial frameworks commonly reproduced in academic syllabi. It invites professors and students across disciplines to engage with scholarship and storytelling that foreground women's histories, theories, and creative expressions.

The first category, Historical Womanist Literature, examines testimonies, resistance, kinship, and survival of Black women under slavery and colonial rule across the Atlantic world, drawing extensively from histories of gendered …

The Determination And Impact Of Placement For Students With Developmental Delays, Christine E. Rogers

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Prior studies have demonstrated the benefits of increased time spent in the general education environments for students with disabilities. However, the literature lacks information specific to students who qualify under the Developmental Delay (DD) category. Therefore, this study examined the processes for how student placements are determined and implemented, as well as the impacts that various placements have on students with DD. This study utilized quantitative data from eight students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment scores. Qualitative data were collected from school personnel focus groups and school social worker and case manager questionnaires. The …

Improving Reading Comprehension In Secondary Students, Christina Baggett

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Secondary students who persistently read below grade level present a significant challenge for educators, with 69% of eighth-grade students unable to derive meaning from grade-level text according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Despite implementing tier 1, 2, and 3 reading interventions, many students continue to struggle with reading comprehension. This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of implementing reciprocal teaching to improve reading comprehension among secondary students reading below grade level. Based on a literature review examining reciprocal teaching efficacy, reading intervention strategies, and factors affecting comprehension, a quasi-experimental intervention was conducted with seven high school students in …

Determining If Trauma-Informed Practices Improve Behavioral, Academic, And Social-Emotional Outcomes For Students, Paige M.K. Newman

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This capstone project explores the impact of trauma-informed practices (TIP) on middle school students’ academic achievement, social-emotional development, and behavioral growth. Grounded in the understanding that adverse childhood experiences can significantly shape learning and behavior, the study investigates how intentional, school-wide trauma-responsive strategies support student success. Using a mixed-methods design, data were collected through classroom observations, academic performance measures, and social-emotional/behavioral screening tools, complemented by teacher and student surveys. Findings highlight positive correlations between consistent implementation of TIP and improvements in student engagement, emotional regulation, and on-task behavior, as well as modest but meaningful gains in academic outcomes. The project …

Eng 110 Rhetorical Situation Worksheet, Catrina E. Vininski, Missy Watson

Open Educational Resources

This rhetorical situation worksheet asks students to analyze a text based on the rhetorical situation. Students must identify the significance of the context for which the text was published, the author of the text, the genre, the audience, the purpose, the argument, and the evidence that the author uses to support their claims. This can be used for course readings, films, or other types of texts that you assign over the course of the semester.

Observing Language & Literacy In Real-World Contexts: Applied Field Observation Assignment, Chanda Huston

Open Educational Resources

This assignment guides undergraduate early childhood education students through three structured observations of children’s language and literacy behaviors in authentic environments such as homes, classrooms, and community spaces. Students learn to record objective, descriptive notes; analyze communication through developmental and sociocultural lenses; and connect their interpretations to meaningful curriculum planning. The assignment emphasizes professional skills essential to early childhood educators, including documentation, theoretical application, and reflective practice, helping students deepen their understanding of how young children use language and engage with emerging literacy in everyday contexts.

Hybrid: Beasts/ Landscapes / Self-Portraits (Digital Illustration, Art29526-2kn, Graded Assignment, Fall 2025), Broderick Shoemaker

Open Educational Resources

Students choose either beasts, landscapes or self-portraits. They create a series of three artworks in their chosen category. Each piece is a composite of multiple images. This assignment is done in Adobe Photoshop and requires the use of blending modes, masks and adjustment layers, working with layering, and color correction.

Migraine-Related Disability According To Headache Frequency Subclassifications: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Manjit Singh Matharu, Stephen Silberstein, Hsiangkuo Yuan, Deborah Edgar, Roos Colman, Todd Schwedt, Michel Lanteri-Minet, Mark Obermann

Department of Jefferson Headache Center Papers and Presentations

BackgroundThis systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized migraine-related disability outcomes according to headache frequency subclassifications, including low-frequency episodic migraine (LFEM), high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) and chronic migraine (CM).MethodsWe searched the PubMed and Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) up to 16 October 2024 for peer-reviewed non-interventional studies reporting migraine-related disability outcomes in CM and subclassifications of episodic migraine (e.g. LFEM and HFEM). Eligible studies with an HFEM subgroup were grouped by headache frequency measure (monthly migraine days [MMD] or monthly headache days [MHD]), HFEM subgroup, disability parameter and study setting. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted on groups with three or more studies, with the results …

A State Constitutional Challenge To Washington’S Denial Of Minimum Wage To Incarcerated Workers, Cailin Dahlin

Washington Law Review

This Comment challenges as unconstitutional Washington’s exemption of incarcerated individuals from the state Minimum Wage Act. Incarcerated people in Washington, unprotected by minimum wage guarantees, earn low wages in state-run inmate work programs. This statutory carveout is contrary to the rehabilitative purpose of Washington’s prisons because it impedes incarcerated people’s ability to afford necessities, participate in rehabilitative programs, and reintegrate into society. This exemption is unconstitutional under the state’s cruel punishment clause, because it is disproportionately cruel punishment and an excessive fine that incarcerated workers cannot afford. The exemption is also unconstitutional under the state’s privileges and immunities clause, because …

Stochastic Modeling Of Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Through Extreme Dust Conditions In Underground Mines Using Vector Parabolic Approach, Emmanuel Atta Antwi, Samuel Frimpong, Muhammad Azeem Raza, Sanjay Madria

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Post-disaster underground (UG) mine environments are characterized by complex and rapidly changing conditions, adding extra attenuation to propagating electromagnetic (EM) waves. One such complex condition is the extreme generation of dust and sudden rise in humidity contributing to extra attenuation effects to propagating waves, especially under varying airborne humidity and dust levels. The existing wave propagation prediction models, especially those that factor in the effect of dust particles, are deterministic in nature, limiting their ability to account for uncertainties, especially during emergency conditions. In this work, the vector parabolic equation (VPE) model is modified to include dust attenuation effects. Using …

Sticky Situation: An Investigation Into The Applicability Of Charcoal Coated Tape In Fire Debris Analysis, Grace Boyer

Honors Theses

In the recovery of ignitable liquids (IL), passive headspace concentration using activated charcoal strips (ACS) is the standard method. Activated charcoal powder (ACP) is a less expensive alternative to ACS but is more difficult to use due to its powder form. This research quantitatively evaluates the use of adhesive tapes as a solid vehicle for the ACP and cost-effective replacement of ACS in the process of passive headspace concentration. In order to effectively replace ACS, the tapes should retain an adequate amount of charcoal for the duration of a headspace extraction, effectively adsorb volatile analytes for extraction, and exhibit minimal …

Grand Valley Magazine, Vol. 25, No. 1, Fall 2025, Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley Magazine

Grand Valley Magazine is a quarterly publication about Grand Valley State University produced by University Communications since 2001.

Comparing Pre-Pt Student To Pre-Pt Professor Upper Extremity Range Of Motion Reliability Using Virtual Measurements, Brittnee L. Franklin

Honors Theses

A reliability study was performed using a sample of convenience to determine the reliability of a Pre-PT student and Pre-PT professor when performing virtual and in-person goniometric measurements of forearm pronation and supination. Second, to see how a Pre-PT student compares to a Pre-PT professor at the end of the undergraduate degree. Our methodology was designed to be simple and consistent between both testers. Participants were instructed to hold a pencil in their right hand; elbow fixed at 90°; elbow by the side of the body; could not have any previous injuries to the shoulder/forearm; and must be able to …

Mapping Social Vulnerabilities: Importance And Relevance In Disasters, Madelynn H. Linet

Honors Theses

This report provides a comprehensive overview of disaster management, socially vulnerable populations, and geographic information systems. Mapping at-risk populations using GIS shows promise for improving decision making across all phases of emergency management. The paper describes the context of each of these concepts, including national policies that lay the foundational framework for this thesis. These include multiple documents from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and other governmental partners and agencies that aim to provide guidance for disaster planning purposes, especially relating to socially vulnerable populations. The next section explains the methodology for the accompanied …

Level Up: How Video Games Can Be Beneficial And Spark Creative Imagination In Players, Makendra M. Phipps

Honors Theses

Since the 2010’s, a technological trend has been flourishing: the development and enhancement of video games across different platforms. The early 1970s began the evolution of video game systems, from Atari and Magnavox Odyssey (1972) to Game Boy (1989) to Nintendo Switch 2 (2025) today. Video games themselves have also evolved, from the first basic computer games of the 1950s (such as OXO and Tennis for Two), to the introduction of arcade games in the 1970s (Pong, Space Invaders, PAC-Man), to the popular video games of today (Grand Theft Auto, Minecraft, Fortnite, R.E.P.O., to name …

Double Lenses: Understanding Adhd–Autism Comorbidity Across Gender And Pathways To Intervention, Grace A. Peak

Honors Theses

Each year, the number of people diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) rises. This rising number is due to the abundance of research done on each disorder. Because of this increase in information, many adults and children are getting a comorbid diagnosis, meaning that they are being diagnosed with both disorders at the same time. There is one catch, however; research has shown that ADHD and ASD are spectrums, meaning that they have symptoms that can range in frequency and severity while also affecting each person differently. A large portion of the research conducted …

Social Drivers Of Health: Shifting The Focus Of Health Indicators From The Biological Code To The Zip Code, Jenna M. Barlage

Honors Theses

This study explored how healthcare facilities in Kentucky and Ohio are adapting to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) 2024 mandate requiring the collection and reporting of Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) data. Through literature review and interviews with healthcare administrators responsible for SDOH screening, documentation, and reporting, the research evaluated the central hypothesis: while the mandate has expanded the amount of available SDOH data, healthcare organizations continue to face substantial financial, technological, and organizational barriers in addressing identified patient needs. Findings indicated that many facilities have broadened and standardized their screening practices, leading to clearer early trends …

The Leap Through Reality: The Connections Between Quantum Leap’S Tropes Within Natural Science, Annamarie G. Seamans

Honors Theses

Quantum Leap aired in 1989 and became known for the show's combination of science fiction tropes. The combination of switching consciousness and time travel was an uncommon method for storytelling and stood out among the many science fiction shows released in the 1980s. Time travel has been a storytelling tool for centuries and many scientists have developed theories that allow time travel to be possible in the natural world. Many of the theories developed become improbable due to causality. However, if causality is no longer maintained there are models of time travel that become more likely. Similarly, the science behind …

Do Honey Phytochemicals Modulate Forager Aggression And The Gut Microbiome In The Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera L.)?, Wade A. Pike, Jaesylin Stephens, Mariah Donohue, Katsuri Rajandran, Erin D. Tranore, Abdallah Sher, Emily Croteau, Clare C. Rittschof

Biology Faculty Publications

Plant phytochemicals found in nectar impact bee learning and memory and plant pollination success. Especially for generalist pollinators, dietary changes that alter phytochemical consumption could be common sources of behavioral variation. For honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) foragers, a major potential change in phytochemical consumption occurs when individuals switch from collecting nectar from flowers to collecting honey from neighboring colonies, a phenomenon known as honey robbing. In this study we investigated whether phytochemicals dominant in honey compared to nectar act as a short-term trigger of robbing behaviors in honey bee, which include increased aggression. We fed forager honey bees sucrose …

Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosed In Adulthood And The Factors That Can Lead To A Late Diagnosis, Camila Velez De Jesus

College of Liberal Arts

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects an individual throughout their entire life. The condition is typically diagnosed in childhood, and the rate of children diagnosed with it has been increasing over the years. Cases of adults being diagnosed with autism have also been on the rise. A popular theory to explain this occurrence is the broadening definition of autism spectrum disorder; however, there are other factors that should be taken into account. The use of the Medical Model of Disability in autism diagnosis could have led to certain individuals not being diagnosed in adulthood, but with the …

Did Your Student Or A Bot Write This Paper?: Teaching And Grading In The Age Of Ai, John Lande

Faculty Publications

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is disrupting traditional assumptions about law students’ authorship of their written assignments.  Faculty are concerned about their ability to tell whether students are writing their own papers or simply using AI tools like ChatGPT.  This article offers practical strategies for addressing this problem, focusing on teaching and grading practices that promote transparency, accountability, and learning.

It recommends that faculty require students to include AI use certification cover sheets with their papers, disclosing whether and how they used AI tools during the writing process.  The article also explains how faculty can shift from purely summative to use …

The Art Of Ai Prompting In Law And Dispute Resolution Practice, John Lande

Faculty Publications

This short article offers a practical guide for using AI tools to improve the judgment and efficiency of lawyers, mediators, and arbitrators.  It cites ABA Ethics Opinion 512, which describes lawyers’ ethical duty of technological competence under the ABA Model Rules.

The article encourages practitioners to begin by selecting AI tools appropriate to their tasks such as general-purpose platforms or specialized tools listed in the article.  It explains how to write effective prompts, use follow-up questions to refine outputs, and apply professional judgment when reviewing results.  It includes a list of suggested follow-up prompts.

Getting useful results from AI tools …

Swosu Fact Book Fall 2025, Joel Harrel Kendall, Diane Fitzsimmons, Kelsi Burghardt

Fact Books

The 34th annual Southwestern Oklahoma State University Fall Fact Book provides a ready source of information to answer frequently asked questions about the University and its operations. The Fall Fact Book is compiled annually by the Office of Institutional Research to assist the university with strategic planning, academic program reviews, grant writing, accreditation, and institutional information to help guide decision-making. The report uses data collected from 2016 to 2025 and is designed to help faculty, staff, administrators, and external stakeholders better understand the student body and university trends.

From Claims To Commitments: Does Corporate Governance Help Firms Walk Their Talk?, Wafaa Salah, Nel Frederick George, Hussain Nazim

Business Administration

Purpose – This study investigates how corporate governance (CG) influences the alignment between firms’ environmental performance and their environmental disclosure practices. Drawing on the concept of policy– practice decoupling, the study examines whether CG mechanisms enhance the credibility and consistency of environmental reporting. Design/methodology/approach – Using a panel dataset of 80 Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed firms covering the period 2012 to 2023, the study employs panel-corrected standard error regressions and various robustness tests. Corporate carbon performance (CCP) is used as a proxy for environmental commitment, and environmental disclosure level (EDL) captures the extent of implementation. Findings – The results show a …

The Science Of Sound: Studying The Cognitive, Emotional, And Physiological Effects Of Frequency, Genre, And Music, Jett Yarborough

Senior Honors Theses

Music influences emotion, physiology, and cognition, yet little is known about how the frequency it is tuned to affects these influences. Prior research has shown that music tuned to 432 Hz can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep. My colleagues and I conducted two studies to investigate this. Our research found that music tuned to 432 Hz promotes a significant increase in memory retention and induces a state of focus and relaxation. These results suggest that shifting from the standard tuning frequency of 440 Hz to 432 Hz could have a profoundly positive impact on our daily lives. …