Digital Commons Network^™

The Continuum Of Contractual Commitment, David Snyder

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

Contracts frequently call for one or more differentiated levels of contractual commitment. Although contractual liability in the common law is said to be strict liability, and a claim that a good attempt was made is said to be no defense, often a party promises only to try. Contract theory in the United States struggles with departures from the paradigm of strict liability, and it has failed to fully consider the continuum of contractual commitment. To encompass the range of assent-based commitment and its consequent liability, U.S. contract theory needs to distinguish more clearly between (1) promises to try, which do …

Overweight And Obesity Among Southeastern Nigerian Lecturers And Its Association With Absenteeism And Presenteeism, Ezenwa Victor Ejikem

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

A Novel Machine-Learning Based Method For Resolving Secondary Structure Topology In Medium-Resolution Cryo-Em Density Maps, Bahareh Behkamal, Mohammad Parsa Etemadheravi, Ali Mahmoodjanloo, Amin Mansoori, Mahmoud Naghibzadeh, Kamal Al Nasr, Mohammad Reza Saberi

Computer Science Faculty Research

Medium-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) density maps preserve substantial information about protein secondary-structure organization; however, accurately recovering the topology and connectivity of α-helices and β-strands remains challenging due to noise, structural heterogeneity, and the intrinsic resolution limitations that obscure residue-level detail. Topology determination is a key intermediate step toward building atomic protein models from medium-resolution cryo-EM density maps. It requires identifying the correct correspondence and orientation between secondary-structure elements (SSEs), i.e., α-helices and β-strands, predicted from the amino-acid sequence and those detected in the three dimensional (3D) density map. Despite significant advances in cryo-EM reconstruction and molecular modelling, this correspondence problem …

Automating The Precision Measurements Of Higgs Boson Couplings In The H → Zz* → 4l Decay Channel, Sully Billingsley

Physics Theses and Dissertations

As a way to test the Standard Model of Physics, the couplings of the Higgs boson to other particles is studied by measuring the production cross-sections of the Higgs boson using the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The cross-sections are measured in the \HZZ  decay channel, where $\ell = e, \mu$. Two sets of measurements were performed on increasing amounts of data collected from proton-proton collisions and a center-of-mass energy of 13.6 TeV. The first set of measurements was collected between 2022 and 2023 corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 56 fb$^{-1}$ while the second set adds data …

Neurodiversity In Counseling: Counseling Strategies For Supporting Neurodiverse Clients, Emily R. Plowright

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Neurodiversity recognizes the natural differences in human functioning, including the unique ways that individuals think, learn, and process information. The neurodiversity movement views these differences as valuable, challenging historical beliefs that label them as deficits. Despite growing awareness of neurodiversity, counseling research and practice have largely overlooked the unique needs of neurodiverse clients, resulting in barriers to accessing mental health care. This paper addresses the concept and models of disability to provide context for understanding neurodiversity. Neurodiverse identities, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), specific learning disorders (SLDs), and tic disorder, are explored through their diagnostic criteria …

Spectator 2026-05-14, Editors Of The Spectator

The Spectator

No abstract provided.

Agentic Synthetic Data Generation For Automated Model Development, Frederick Eugene Diehl

Theses and Dissertations

Large Language Model research has made large strides in capabilities from sentiment analysis to writing code. These advancements have been realized thanks to research into specific capabilities such as prompting techniques. Language models today have demonstrated the ability to create content, transform, and classify. These capabilities are not limited to academic exploration but also found in commercial products that are positioning themselves from application augmentation to personal assistants. These commercial products tend to steer towards single actions such as “summarize this article” or “write a function that performs action...” In parallel research has continued to advance towards more advanced constructs …

Automatically Constructed Preference Pairs For Chain-Of-Thought: Consistency Gains With Accuracy Tradeoffs, Cameron Scolari, Lanyu Shang

Honors Thesis

We investigate preference optimization over chain-of-thought (CoT) reasoning using automatically constructed preference signals derived from the accuracy and internal consistency of a model. Our results show that framing reasoning as a preference learning problem improves both the accuracy of the final answer and the structure of the model outputs. We observe a non-monotonic relationship between performance and the Direct Preference Optimization (DPO) scaling parameter β, where moderate values maximize accuracy while lower values improve stability, highlighting a tradeoff between optimization strength and reliable generation. We further identify a tradeoff between reasoning consistency and accuracy. Increasing the consistency weight improves agreement …

Care As Method: Sound, Duration, Relation In Contemporary Art Practice, Violet L. White

MFA in Visual Art

Abstract Care as Method: Sound, Duration, and Multispecies Relation in Contemporary Art Practice

This thesis proposes care as a method of artmaking, not a subject, theme, or aesthetic position, but the actual structural logic through which a body of work is built, sustained, and understood. Working at the intersection of ecological art practice and relational aesthetics, it asks what happens when the encounter at the center of the work is not between two people but between species, infrastructures, and histories of use and what obligations that encounter generates.

The argument is developed through six interconnected works: installations, sound compositions, sculptures, …

A Kantian Guide To Understanding Agentic Ai And Its Ethical Consequences, Amelia Wang

Senior Honors Papers / Undergraduate Theses

The rapid emergence of Agentic AI, which are systems capable of autonomous, multi-step decision-making with minimal human oversight, has prompted growing discourse and concern regarding whether such systems possess a form of agency comparable to that of human beings, and subsequently, what ethical responsibilities ensue if they do. This thesis argues that many of the ethical risks surrounding Agentic AI stem from a fundamental misconception, which is the tendency to describe these systems using the language of agency ("deciding," "acting," "choosing") without examining whether they satisfy the philosophical conditions for genuine rational agency. Drawing on Immanuel Kant's Groundwork of the …

Intern Experience And Support In The Byu-Public School Partnership, Ryan S. Nixon, Rebecca K. Hunter, Paul H. Ricks

Faculty Publications

This study examines the experiences and perceived support of early childhood and elementary education interns in the BYU–Public School Partnership. In June 2025, 137 former interns (54% response rate) completed an anonymous survey with open-ended prompts, and responses were qualitatively analyzed. Most interns characterized the experience as positive or both good and hard (84%), though 16% reported largely negative experiences. Relationships with students were consistently identified as the most meaningful aspect, often providing motivation during difficult periods. Support was most frequently attributed to facilitators, with additional support from grade-level teams and Clinical Faculty Associates (CFAs). While generally helpful, support was …

Anthony Williams V. Warden Fort Dix Fci

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Completely Abandon Complete Auto: Why Modern Tax Policy Challenges Require Removing The Commerce Clause’S Restrictions On State Taxation, Peter Nielsen

UC Law Business Journal

The Complete Auto four-prong test is the modern analytical framework for courts to analyze whether a state-level tax discriminates against interstate commerce in violation of the Dormant Commerce Clause. The test asks whether (i) the taxpayer has substantial nexus to the taxing state, (ii) the tax is fairly apportioned to reflect the taxpayer’s activities in the state, (iii) the tax discriminates against interstate economic activity in favor of local activity, and (iv) the tax is fairly related to the goods and services provided by the state. The Complete Auto test faces critiques from both judges and scholars for its inconsistent …

Ai Shell, Jacqueline Roebuck Sakho

Books

An AI Configuration Shell to train and deploy an Argumentation Coach. Presented and distributed to the UNC Commons Collective in May 2026.

Psy 1100 Writing Intensive Syllabus, Jos Khan

Open Educational Resources

This is an ZTC/OER syllabus for a PSY 1100 writing intensive course at Kingsborough Community College.

Home Towns, Adam Drapcho

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

First Recombinant Expression, Purification, And Film Formation Of A Single Solitary Bee Silk Protein From Osmia Lignaria, Oran Wasserman, Kristin K. Durrant, Jackson J. Morley, Paula E. Oliveira, Mallory R. Wootton, Brianne E. Bell, Ethon D. Van Noy, Randolph V. Lewis, Justin A. Jones

Biology Student Research

Solitary bees account for most described bee species worldwide, with many spinning silk fibers to form protective cocoons during development; however, solitary bee silk proteins remain largely unexplored in recombinant systems and biomaterial fabrication. Here, we report the first recombinant expression and biomaterial formation from a solitary bee silk protein. Osmia lignaria silk fibroin 2 (OligF2) was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) using an expression and purification scheme adapted from a recombinant hagfish intermediate filament (rHIF) workflow, yielding 0.34 g/L at ~70% purity. The purified OligF2 protein was cast into films at 0.75% and 1% (w/v). …

Underlying Mechanisms In The Relationship Between Ptsd And Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Jillian B. Heymann

Dissertations

Current bodies of knowledge support the relationships between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), pain catastrophizing and PTSD, and pain catastrophizing and IBS. However, much less is known regarding how pain catastrophizing influences the relationship between PTSD and IBS. Additionally, while correlations between some demographic and trauma-related symptomatology have been elucidated in the relationship between PTSD and IBS, their impact as potential moderators on the relationship between PTSD and IBS has yet to be fully examined. Examining a student sample from a large midwestern university, the present study aimed to investigate the potential mediating and moderating roles …

Talking Climate: Does Peer Anxiety Amplify Or Alleviate Climate Change Worries?, Emma Tupone

Student Theses

As the climate crisis intensifies, climate change anxiety (CCA) has become increasingly common, yet it remains unclear whether discussing climate concerns with peers alleviates or amplifies distress. This study examined how climate conversations related to daily climate change anxiety, optimism, and pro-environmental behavior (PEB), as well as whether the perceived emotional tone of conversation partners shapes these associations. Using an 8-day daily diary design (N = 121), participants reported their daily climate-related emotions, engagement in private and public PEBs, and perceptions of peers’ climate anxiety and optimism following climate-related conversations. Results indicated that engaging in climate conversations was associated with …

Usa V. Koren Jones

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Efficacy Of Continuous Pegcetacoplan Treatment For Subfoveal Geographic Atrophy In Age-Related Macular Degeneration: 36-Month Results From Oaks, Derby, And Gale Open-Label Extension, Dilsher S. Dhoot, Sunir J. Garg, David M. Brown, Ivan J. Suñer, Ehsan Rahimy, David S. Boyer, Kineta Naidu, Chao Li, Caroline R. Baumal, Robyn H. Guymer

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

PURPOSE: To report efficacy of intravitreal pegcetacoplan treatment over 36 months in eyes with subfoveal geographic atrophy (GA).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The GALE (NCT04770545) open-label extension trial adds 12 months of results to the 24-month Phase 3 OAKS (NCT03525613) and DERBY (NCT03525600) trials, representing up to 36 months of continuous pegcetacoplan treatment. They included a heterogeneous population of eyes with subfoveal GA (63%). Pegcetacoplan-treated eyes enrolling in GALE continued at the same interval of pegcetacoplan monthly (PM) or every other month (PEOM). Patients' eyes in sham monthly or every-other-month arms crossed over to receive pegcetacoplan in GALE at the same …

Pwnagotchi: Deauthentication Attacks, Wpa Handshakes, And Wireless Network Security, Emily Musgrove

Computer Science Honors Papers

Wireless networks are the foundation of modern device communication infrastructure. This project examines the security implications of automated WPA/WPA2 handshake collection using the Pwnagotchi, a portable Wi-Fi network auditing and penetration testing device. The paper provides a technical analysis of WPA and WPA2 authentication mechanisms, including the structure of the 4-way handshake, the creation of cryptographic keys, and the role of deauthentication attacks in forcing reconnections for handshake capture. Additionally, the project explores the vulnerabilities associated with using legacy wireless security protocols such as WEP and TKIP to allow for older technologies that continue to require such encryption methods. This …

Be Prepared For Your Nurse Practitioner Clinical Readiness Exam, Elizabeth Heavey, Renee Biedlingmaier, Colleen Burgoyne, Carnel C. Jackson

Milne Open Textbooks

This text contains case studies and review questions for nurse practitioner students; focusing on the 3Ps of nurse practitioner education (Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, and Physical (Health) Assessment) to help NP students prepare for their clinical courses and pass their clinical readiness exam.  It includes cases commonly seen in entry-level NP practice.  In addition to the three individual sections of the text that focus on cases applying content from each of the distinct courses (Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Physical Assessment), we included summative case studies at the end of the book that connect all three areas in a single case. Because these three …

Comparative Environmental Jurisprudence: A Multi-Country Analysis Of Rights Of Nature Applications, Lillian C. Johns

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

This thesis examines three distinct cases, Ecuador, the United States, and India, in their conceptualization and implementation of the Rights of Nature and environmental jurisprudence. Although the Rights of Nature have gained global traction as a response to accelerating ecological degradation and as a potential legal mechanism for addressing it, issues with implementation and enforcement consistently arise. The outcomes in each case are largely shaped by institutional design, political context, and legal cultures. Ecuador’s constitutional recognition of the Rights of Nature, the United States multilevel recognition, and India’s judicial assertions of ecological personhood represents divergent pathways for articulating environmental rights. …

Treatment Of Different Non-State Actors In Detention: A Legal, Moral, And National Security Analysis, Alison P. Raedel

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

This thesis analyzes state behavior regarding the treatment of non-state actors through three major frameworks: international law, ethical theory, and national security. Two cases are compared: the treatment of al-Qaeda detainees by the United States after the attacks of September 11th, 2001, and the treatment of the Angolan liberation movements by the Portuguese during the Angolan War of Independence. These cases were chosen to assess how the three frameworks apply across different non-state actors, which include terrorist organizations and liberation movements. International law provides a baseline for rights and protections, but it is often selectively interpreted. Just war theory gives …

Usa V. Melvin Williams

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Cultivating Trauma Competency: Counselor Development Through Education And Experience, Kayla Bryant

Dissertations, 2020-current

This dissertation explored the development of trauma competency. Considering the prevalence of trauma and the ethical demand for counselors to work within their scope of competence, it is necessary they have skills to work with trauma. The intent of this dissertation was to contribute to the literature by providing strategies for counselor educators aiming to support counselors-in-training in their trauma development. Grounded in attachment theory, these articles acknowledge the personal lived experiences of counselors and their professional needs. The first article, a conceptual manuscript, provides strategies for counselor educators to integrate trauma competencies at the master’s level. Using both experiential …

Exploring Play: Counselor Education Strategies, Online Community Fantasy Play, And Sexuality In The Counseling Space, Nattalie Wolff-Tseng

Dissertations, 2020-current

This dissertation examines the ways that play is constructed and understood in a variety of settings. Using Relational Cultural Theory as a guiding theoretical influence, each portion examines how play influences relationships and how engagement in play and conversations about play can enhance student–teacher relationships, social connection, and the therapeutic relationship. The first section of this dissertation, the conceptual article, explores how play can support counselor education as it encourages creative engagement and discourages perfectionism, which is often noticeable in novice counselors. Play may take many forms in the classroom and offers counselor educators the opportunity to tailor activity to …

The Effect Of Head Coverings On Directional Microphone Performance, Mariam Mohamed

Dissertations, 2020-current

Background: Directional microphones in hearing aids are a well-established strategy for enhancing speech intelligibility in background noise. While previous studies have examined the effects of hair, spectacles, and earmold venting, no systematic research has addressed whether head coverings, commonly worn for cultural, religious, or personal reasons, affect directional performance.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether a thin cotton head covering alters the directivity index (DI) of premium receiver-in-canal hearing aids from four leading manufacturers, using laboratory-controlled conditions. 

Methods: A Knowles Electronics Manikin for Acoustic Research (KEMAR) was positioned within a sound-treated room to measure DI for both omnidirectional and …

The Impact Of Free Vs. Fixed Factor Correlations On Parameter Recovery In Multidimensional Irt Models, Stephanie Leroy

Dissertations, 2020-current

This dissertation investigated how cross-loading specification and factor-correlation treatment influence parameter recovery in multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) models. Two simulation studies extended Hosseinzadeh and Cole (2024) by examining whether freely estimating factor correlations improves recovery of item parameters, factor correlations, and latent traits. Study 1 used a compensatory multidimensional two-parameter logistic (M2PL) model with two correlated dimensions and 20 dichotomous items. Manipulated conditions included cross-loading specification (correctly specified vs. ignored), proportion of cross-loaded items, magnitude of cross-loadings, true factor correlation, and factor-correlation treatment during estimation (freely estimated vs. fixed to zero). Study 2 extended the design to a multidimensional …