Digital Commons Network^™

The Shorthorn: February 6, 1970

The Shorthorn Newspaper Collection: 1970s

No abstract provided.

The Shorthorn: January 9, 1970

The Shorthorn Newspaper Collection: 1970s

No abstract provided.

Transformative Pedagogy: Going Beyond An Inclusive Curriculum, Heather Mcnamee

Feminist Pedagogy

This critical commentary argues that approaches toward inclusion in higher education, particularly within curriculum design, are insufficient for creating true systemic change. While efforts to include marginalized voices in humanities curricula indicate some progress, the foundational frameworks continue to center privileged perspectives, relegating marginalized voices to mere additions rather than centralizing them. Drawing on examples from history, social studies, and anti-violence work, this commentary contends that higher education must move beyond inclusion and toward a reimagining of curriculum that critically examines and dismantles the power structures underpinning knowledge production. The commentary emphasizes the need for a curriculum that not only …

De/Colonizing Education Research With Lessons From The Field, K. Kayon Morgan

Feminist Pedagogy

Academia is a reproductive site of settler colonialism (Mayorga et al., 2019) with practices and systems that exclude diverse identities. For universities to become more inclusive spaces, we must dismantle colonialist ideologies. One way is to consider alternative research approaches (Smith, 2021). This paper presents narratives from lessons in the field of research and teaching. The narrative encourages faculty and students to disrupt the status quo and normalize de/colonized research approaches in academia (Bhattacharya, 2021).

Building An Inclusive Classroom: Digital Humanities (Dh) And Critical Disability Studies (Cds) In The Francophone World, Vidya H. Surti, Kaliane Ung

Feminist Pedagogy

The purpose of this co-authored article by a teacher and student is to contemplate the feminist implications of infusing Critical Disability Studies and Digital Humanities into the traditional humanities classroom. Furthermore, this article implements strategies for inclusive and flexible pedagogy. This article will contribute a case study for an interdisciplinary project of academic rigor, while mitigating student wellbeing through mechanisms of classroom autonomy.

Using Vegetation Communities To Compare Natural And Constructed Wetlands In The Red River Basin In Texas And Louisiana, Kennedi K. Davis

Biology Theses

Wetland vegetation provides an abundance of ecosystem services such as water quality regulation, flood control, and it provides habitat space for fish, amphibians, and macroinvertebrates. Not only that, but these plants also act as excellent indicators of wetland conditions as dominant vegetation types are often used as biological criteria for classifying wetlands and other habitats (Cowardin and Golet, 1995). This project will assess the structure of vegetation communities to determine how they differ in constructed and natural wetlands within the Red River drainage basin to see if Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easement (ACEP-WRE) constructed wetlands are effective …

Firm Capabilities Versus Regional Factors: A Random Forest Approach For Predicting Toxic Chemical Releases Among Us Industrial Facilities, Mahelet G. Fikru, Jennifer Brodmann

Economics Faculty Research & Creative Works

Predicting toxic releases remains a challenge for environmental protection, as effective regulation and mitigation depend on understanding the key drivers behind firms' pollution behavior. We examine the factors that influence firm environmental pollution by determining whether corporate capabilities or regional factors better predict toxic chemical emissions. We combine toxic releases data across 1976 industrial facilities in the United States with firm-level financial performance indicators and regional socio-demography variables to identify the most significant predictors of environmental outcomes. We use a random forest model due to its ability to capture complex, nonlinear interactions among predictors and provide robust variable importance rankings. …

The Files Are In The Computer: On Copyright, Memorization, And Generative Ai, A. Feder Cooper [email protected], James Grimmelmann

Chicago-Kent Law Review

No abstract provided.

Artificial Intellectual Property, Daniel J. Gervais

Chicago-Kent Law Review

No abstract provided.

Pilot Fatigue And Required Rest Period For Korean Air Force Pilots Flying High-Performance Aircraft, Mijin Hong

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Over the years, significant advancements have been made in aircraft technology and in understanding the detrimental effects of fatigue on flight performance. However, integrating these advancements into crew rest regulations, particularly for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) operating high-performance jets, requires further review. This study employs a systematic review with thematic analysis to assess whether ROKAF’s current rest regulations are sufficient. Relevant studies were identified from English-language databases (e.g., FAA, ICAO, Google Scholar) and Korean-language databases (e.g., RISS, KCI). Titles and abstracts were initially reviewed, followed by full-text assessments based on inclusion and exclusion criteria focusing on military …

Characterization Of Electrical And Optical Properties Of Europium Oxide, Mshari H. Alhsawi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Oxide semiconductors with high optical transparency hold significant promise for a broad range of optical applications. Among them, europium oxide (Eu₂O₃ ) has garnered considerable attention for its potential in transistor devices, resistive random-access memory (RRAM), white light-emitting devices, and erasable optical storage systems. Additionally, Eu₂O₃ is employed in nanoscale applications, such as photoactive coatings and high-k dielectrics. Its advantageous dielectric properties and high transmittance make it particularly well-suited for capacitor fabrication. The material also exhibits resistive switching behavior and notable optical absorption, further enhancing its relevance for optoelectronic devices.

In this study, Eu₂O₃ thin films were deposited using RF …

Machine Learning-Enhanced Optimization For The Real-Time, Secure, And Efficient Operation Of The Energy-Water-Hydrogen Nexus, Mostafa Goodarzi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Given the escalating urgency of climate change, our research addresses the imperative need to curb carbon emissions, particularly from the electricity sector, which accounts for a quarter of total emissions in the U.S. We propose integrated systems, such as the energy-water nexus (EWN) and an innovative concept known as the energy-water-hydrogen (EWH) nexus, which integrates renewable energy sources (RESs) with green hydrogen production through water electrolysis. These concepts align seamlessly with the nation’s commitment to global climate agreements, including the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, green hydrogen—a clean and efficient energy source produced via water electrolysis powered by renewable energy—emerges as a …

Advanced Deep Learning Algorithms For Medical Imaging Applications: Tumor And Organ At Risk Segmentation, Ilkin Sevgi Isler

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Accurate segmentation of tumors and organs at risk (OAR) remains a fundamental challenge in medical image analysis, directly affecting diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and patient outcomes. Although automated segmentation methods have advanced, they still face difficulties in anatomically complex regions and in cases with low tissue contrast. A major contributor to this variability is intra- and interobserver disagreement, introducing uncertainty into annotations and model predictions.

This dissertation investigates the role of segmentation uncertainty and its impact on model reliability, interpretability, and clinical integration, with a focus on lung, pancreatic, and head and neck cancers.

The first component introduces uncertainty-aware segmentation …

Gradient-Based Optimization And Control Of Systems With Two Decision-Makers And Delayed Information, Mohammad Safayet Hossain

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

In today’s world systems are complex in nature, often involving two or more decision-makers (DMs) each attempting to optimize the performance of the system using an objective function that reflects its own preferences and is usually different from the other. Such systems are very common in power, microeconomics, and other systems. The focus of this research is how such systems are optimized and how the results of optimization are implemented in practice. Without loss of generality, we consider systems with two DMs, each attempting to optimize the system’s by minimizing its own objective function. The solution of these types of …

A Novel Au-Decorated Ni-Mof For The Photo And Electrochemical Treatment Of Mc-Lr, Stephanie Stoll

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Microcystins (MCs) are toxins produced by cyanobacteria commonly found in harmful algal blooms (HABs) threatening many surface waters. Conventional removal methods, including membrane filtration and activated carbon, are costly and only achieve phase separation. This study introduces a novel Au-decorated Ni-metal-organic framework (Au/Ni-MOF) as a platform for the multi-modal treatment of MC-Leucine Arginine (MC-LR), utilizing photodegradation (PD), electrochemical oxidation (EO), and photoelectrochemical oxidation (PEO) by evaluating and comparing their effectiveness.

A 4 cm² Au/Ni-MOF achieved complete photodegradation of 20 ppb of MC-LR in 7 mL of DI water with a degradation rate constant of 0.0599 min^-1 under 35,000 …

Continuously Variable Series Reactor Modeling And Application, Mohammadali Hayerikhiyavi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

In today's rapidly evolving energy landscape, the Continuously Variable Series Reactor (CVSR) emerges as a vital tool for enhancing the stability and efficiency of power systems. This proposal presents a detailed investigation into the operational characteristics and performance optimization of CVSR through advanced modeling techniques. The Continuously Variable Series Reactor (CVSR) offers a unique capability to regulate the reactance of an AC circuit through the magnetizing characteristic of its ferromagnetic core. By utilizing both AC and DC windings, the CVSR effectively controls power flow, dampens oscillations, and balancing the voltage within the power grid. To effectively integrate CVSR into grid …

Tail-Imbalance Diffusion Equalizer For Class-Balanced Generation, Chinmay Dhanraj Nehate

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Real-world image corpora are often imbalanced. On long-tailed datasets, the head class can outnumber the tail by a large margin, and a vanilla diffusion probabilistic model (DPM) consequently loses fidelity and diversity on rare categories, undermining controllable generation. To address this gap, we present Tail Imbalance Diffusion Equalizer (TIDE), a training framework that restores class balance without discarding data or adding extra training stages. Our contribution is threefold: (i) score field rebalancing, where we embed class-prior knowledge into a mixing matrix that routes gradients toward minority classes, with this class-prior knowledge consisting of the empirical label frequencies in the training …

A Variable Resistance Suit (Vars) And An Extendable Prosthetic Arm (Expa) For Physical Rehabilitation And Assistance, Ibrahim F. Kadhim

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation presents the design, development, and evaluation of two novel wearable assistive technologies – Variable Resistance Suit (VARS) and the Extendable Prosthetic Arm (EXPA) – to improve rehabilitation outcomes and functional independence of individuals with musculoskeletal impairment. VARS is a modular, lightweight, and wearable resistance training system that applies bidirectional, speed-dependent, and variable mechanical resistance to the elbow and knee joints. It addresses the limitations of traditional resistance equipment by offering a portable, safer, and more accessible alternative. Importantly, VARS enables targeted engagement of specific muscle groups during training, minimizing the risk of overloading adjacent or compensatory muscles. VARS …

Interpretation And Control Of Ai Model Behavior Through Direct Adjustment Of Latent Representations, Austin Davis

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation investigates the structures and mechanisms underpinning the latent space representations that emerge within Generative Pretrained Transformer (GPT) models. Addressing the broader goal of enhancing AI trustworthiness through transparency, accountability, and controllability, we focus on techniques to understand, quantify, and manipulate these latent space representations. Through a series of analyses, we examine several chess-playing GPT models as controlled testbeds, leveraging their structured decision space to explore emergent representations and decision-making processes.

Key contributions include a mechanistic analysis of the attention heads and latent representations, the development of novel metrics for evaluating intervention outcomes, and the application of linear probe …

Cnn's Portrayal Of The Build Back Better Act, Alexander J. Toj-Moody

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of CNNs representation of the Build Back Better Act and its failure to pass senate reconciliation during the fall of 2021. The Build Back Better Act was a piece of legislation that intended to fix America’s social infrastructure, such as investing in education, the environment, expanded healthcare, etc. The bill ultimately failed and its replacement, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, cut numerous benefits that were proposed within the Build Back Better Act. Examination of broadcast transcripts during this period of time find an operationally liberal framing, though the focus …

Sex Estimation Using Linear And Geometric Morphometric Analyses Of The Adult Human Talus, Melissa N. Marks

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Estimating biological sex is an essential first step when analyzing human remains in both forensic and archaeological contexts. While the pelvis and skull are traditionally used for this purpose, they are not always present or sufficiently preserved to permit analysis. The talus is sexually dimorphic and can yield highly accurate sex estimates, making it a promising alternative skeletal element for sex estimation. As there is currently no accepted protocol for sex estimation using the talus, the present study attempts to replicate and validate existing methods using linear and three-dimensional landmark data, while comparing data from ancient Maya (n=16), ancient Egyptian …

Differential Interferon Synthesis And Signaling Between Parainfluenza Virus Acute And Persistently Infected Cells, Vonisha Kaigler

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

RNA virus infections can transition from an initial acute infection to a prolonged or persistent infection, in which infected cells survive and continue to produce progeny virus. This presents a major clinical problem as persistently infected (PI) cells extend viral shedding, maintain inflammation, and provide potential sources for new viral variants. The RNA virus, Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5), with mutations in the P/V gene region (P/V mutant) is a strong inducer of antiviral responses. Interestingly, over time, there is an emergence of cells that survive as P/V mutant PI cells. Given that changes in innate immune signaling pathways can occur …

'How To Mother': Televisual Reimaginings Of Black Matriarchy In The Real Housewives Of Potomac, Kalijah Rahming

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Since the initial launch of The Real Housewives of Orange County in 2006, Bravo’s The Real Housewives franchise has soared to previously unimaginable heights. With 11 American installments, 30 international adaptations, and 25 current spin-offs, it is clear that even viewers who are relatively unfamiliar with The Real Housewives franchise may find themselves inadvertently swept up in their world due to the popularization of their catchphrases and gifs on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. In addition to carefully shaping popular culture, members of this franchise have even altered the conditions of the entertainment industry’s practices for the …

The Path Of Peace: Non-Violent Methods Of Play In Indie Video Game History, Ryu R. Yamamoto

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This research project investigates the cultural and historical significance of independently published Japanese bullet-hell/danmaku games from the 2000s and 2010s. This project highlights gaps in current game histories, particularly surrounding the influence of these games on heralded contemporary titles like Undertale (2015). The significance of independently published “doujin” Japanese digital media, notably the Touhou Project series, is often overlooked in American game studies contexts. Examining these underexplored games aims to enrich the understanding of cultural-historical games research, particularly in positioning lesser-known and lower-budget games, and contribute to the broader discourse on cross-cultural interactions within the gaming community. Comparative analyses of …

A Forgotten Kairos: Rhetorical Memory In 16th Century Europe, Phillip Martin

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

In 16^th century Europe the nearly 2000-year-old discipline of rhetoric, still a pillar of education, underwent significant change. One of the more curious changes occurred in rhetoric’s subdivision known as memory, memoria, that is, memory’s “artificial” cultivation. During the 16^th century rhetorical memory was paradoxically both maximized and marginalized as a discipline. And by the early 17^th century memoria was all but extinct as a branch of rhetoric. The causal mechanisms of this transformation remain underexamined, particularly by rhetoric and composition scholars, and most explanations remain unclear and uncompelling. Accordingly, this thesis attempts a new approach …

Roles Of Ifn-Alpha/Beta And Ifn-Gamma In Enhancing And Inhibiting Nk Cell Mediated Killing Of Oncolytic Virus Infected Tumor Cells, Elisabeth M. Shiffer

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Type I interferon (IFN-I) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) are potent cytokines that can be produced by virus-infected cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells, respectively. The relative roles of these two IFNs in promoting NK cell killing of tumor cells was tested in the context of combining particle-based ex vivo expanded PM21-NK cells and infection with oncolytic Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5). Activated NK cells produce IFN-γ, which can upregulate NK cell inhibitory ligands on tumor cells and reduce NK cell killing. We hypothesized that resistance of tumor cells to NK cell killing could be overcome by expression of the PIV5 V protein, …

A Community-Based Wellness Program To Increase Exercise Adherence For Menopausal And Postmenopausal Women: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study, Kristin M. Badillo

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Evidence exists that long-term commitment to an exercise routine is beneficial. Contrarily, there is a notable lack in exercise adherence among menopausal and postmenopausal women. Though research has thoroughly examined the reasons why menopausal and postmenopausal women may not be committed to an exercise routine, it remains unclear what motivates those who are adherent. This pilot study employed a mixed-methods design through administering surveys and conducting in-person focus group interviews. Additionally, an 8-week buddy system was implemented to assess the role of social support and its effect on exercise adherence. For quantitative data collection, a total of 7 participants enrolled …

Limitations Support Learning: A Design Based Study Of Ethically Scaffolded Generative Ai Tools For Long Form Argumentation And Metacognition, Lindsay Konradt

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This design‑based research study implemented and refined an instructional model that used generative AI (GAI) tools within a nine‑week AP Capstone Seminar argumentation unit. The model combined teacher feedback and modeling, structured reflection tasks (including AI‑assisted reflection), AI assisted editing, AI-assisted literature searches, and counterargument support using restricted chatbots. During the nine week period, responsibility for feedback moved from teacher and AI supported scaffolding to student driven writing practice and revision. Data collection focus on four advanced high school students at a Florida public high school, including multiple drafts, GAI input and output logs, reflections, and pre‑ and post‑unit semi‑structured …

Predicting Past And Future Anthropogenic Global Harvest And Land Use, Michelle Bardales Cruz

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Anthropogenic appropriation of natural lands has long sustained human populations and activities. Human use of the environment has resulted in the degradation of green spaces and depletion of natural, particularly plant-based, resources. Human appropriation of net primary production (HANPP) is a globally available, spatially explicit measure of this human-driven extraction and diversion of plant biomass through harvesting (HANPP_harv) and land use change (HANPP_luc). Models for HANPP have been limited temporally (e.g., a year) or in terms of complexity (e.g., one predictor). In this study, I predict HANPP_harv and HANPP_luc from 1960 to 2010 at …

Fit Index Criteria For Multisample Analysis In Sem With Ordinal Data: A Monte Carlo Simulation Study, Suat Babayigit

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Measurement invariance is crucial for valid group comparisons in structural equation modeling (SEM), yet testing invariance becomes challenging when using ordinal data. This dissertation evaluates the adequacy of widely used fit index difference criteria (ΔCFI, ΔRMSEA, ΔSRMR) for multisample invariance testing with ordinal indicators. Traditional Δ fit cutoff thresholds were established based on continuous, normally distributed data, but ordinal measures can distort invariance conclusions. Monte Carlo simulations address this issue by manipulating a comprehensive set of conditions: sample sizes (200, 400, 1000), group size ratios (equal vs. unequal), model complexity (low vs. high), underlying distributions (normal vs. nonnormal), Likert scale …