Digital Commons Network^™

Silent Trusts And The Conflicts Of Laws, Jeffrey A. Schoenblum

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

There are good reasons why the settlor of a trust may not wish the beneficiaries of the trust to know of its existence at the time that the trust is created and funded or even for years thereafter. The settlor may not want beneficiaries to learn of the trust's existence until they have matured, accomplished a specific task, become self-supporting, or abandoned prob- lematic or destructive behaviors. In other instances, the settlor may not, in principle, be opposed to the beneficiaries learning about the existence of the trust but does not want to grant direct access to the trust instrument …

Ready, Set, No: Why Not All Successful Dual Credit High School Graduates Matriculate To Postsecondary Education, Jessica Deckard Mann

Dissertations

Dual-credit programs that allow students to earn college credentials in high school have become commonplace in the United States. Early College High Schools (ECHSs) were specifically developed to support equitable access to these programs, targeting groups that are historically underpopulated in postsecondary education (PSE). ECHSs aim to close the achievement gap, increase the number of college credentials earned by high school students, better train the workforce, and improve the life-time earnings potential of a diverse population.

The purpose of this nonexperimental quantitative study was to gather data from graduates in one Midwestern state who earned a college credential in high …

Responsive Democracy And The Administrative State, Edward L. Rubin

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

I would like to thank Dean Micheal Scharf and Professor Jonathan Entin for inviting me to Case Western Reserve University School of Law to deliver the Frank J. Battisti Memorial Lecture and thank all of you for attending. It's really a pleasure to be here and to have the opportunity to offer a talk named after such a distinguished jurist. Judge Frank J. Battisti served on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio for 33 years, and he was chief judge of that court for more than two decades. During his time on the bench, Judge …

Artificial Intelligence: Maryland's Double-Edged Sword In Employment Decisions, Jessica S. Kweon

University of Baltimore Law Forum

No abstract provided.

Authentic Leadership As Predicted By The Fisher Temperament Inventory Scales, Stephanie J. Giddings

PhD in Organizational Leadership

Authentic leadership has garnered increasing attention from scholars and practitioners for its emphasis on ethical and transparent leadership practices that foster positive organizational outcomes. Despite its popularity, research into its antecedents remains underdeveloped. This study is a response to calls to examine potential psychometric predictors of authentic leadership, focusing on temperament as a biologically-rooted factor. This quantitative research involved surveying 338 U.S. leaders on temperament and authentic leadership. Temperament, as measured by the Fisher Temperament Inventory (FTI), offers a neuroscience-based perspective and resolves the potential crossover issues found in the widely studied Five-Factor Model (FFM). Using the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire …

Understanding Undergraduate Aspirations For Law Enforcement Careers And Motivation In The Classroom, Gabriella N. Burt

Honors Thesis

This study investigates the factors shaping undergraduate student interest in law enforcement careers. By surveying students from various Midwestern universities, this research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between social influences, gender, and curricular exposure in shaping law enforcement career aspirations. Specifically, it examines how motivations for pursuing a public service career, external influences, and background characteristics shape career interest overall. The study also examines how these factors shape career interest between men and women and overall motivation to engage with specific law enforcement course topics. Findings inform policy and curriculum design.

The Routine War Crime? Double-Tap Drone Strikes Under Customary International Humanitarian Law, Nathan Swenson

Brigham Young University Prelaw Review

The "double-tap" drone strike tactic, in which a drone hits a target twice in rapid succession, has garnered much international attention in recent years. This paper assesses the legality of those strikes under conventional international humanitarian law, specifically within the framework of the Geneva Conventions. I argue that the double-tap tactic is not necessarily illegal if proper steps for compliance with international humanitarian law are taken by commanders. However, many circumstances demonstrate that appropriate measures are often not taken in the status quo. I argue that such situations should be deemed as war crimes and prosecuted accordingly by international legal …

Classroom Environment: How Seating Effects Student On-Task Behaviors, Meg Jackson

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Schools across the nation have seen an uptick in the number of students who struggle to stay on-task and focus during classes in which they are seated for long periods of time. With the increase in distracting behaviors, teachers are left looking for ways to help students engage in lessons and stay on-task. There are many tools that are advertised and claim to help students focus. However, to what extent are these tools effective? This study aims to determine the effect the classroom environment has on student on-task behaviors. The particular focus of this study is the effect different seating …

Improving Mathematical Achievement And Engagement Through Technology Integration, Jennifer Ham

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Engaging students effectively requires continuous effort from educators to improve their classroom learning experiences. Research has demonstrated the benefits of educational technology in enhancing student learning outcomes. Nonetheless, there is a lack of research in the United States on how the integration of technology affects students' engagement and comprehension of mathematical concepts in elementary education. This inquiry-based research aims to investigate the impact of technology integration on the understanding and engagement of fourth graders in mathematics. This study aims to address the following questions: How does integrating technology in fourth-grade mathematics impact students' understanding of math concepts? What impact does …

Using Digital Word Puzzles To Develop Executive Functioning Skills In Adolescent Males With Known Skills Deficits, Lisa K. Griffith

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Research shows that game-based interventions can effectively help develop some executive functioning (EF) skills. However, the majority of the interventions previously studied involve specialized and/or expensive games. The author believes that using commonly available word-based digital puzzles to “warm up” students’ brains can lead to improved EF skills, leading to students being more motivated to engage in learning, which in turn promotes greater success in the classroom as well as in life in general. Two adolescent males were studied for five weeks (total of 17 school days) using Merriam-Webster’s Blossom (2025) as an intervention for EF skills at the start …

The Impact Of Self-Reflection On Teacher Growth And Effectiveness, Thatcher Goodale

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This study explored how consistent self-reflection can support teacher growth and improve instruction. Over a four-week period in a 7th-grade computer science class, I used daily reflections, journal entries, and informal observations to see how reflection influenced my teaching and student engagement. Small, regular check-ins after each class helped me adjust lesson pacing, improve transitions, and respond more intentionally to student needs. Themes like time management, classroom flow, creativity, and collaboration came up often, but student engagement was mentioned the most. Without major changes to the curriculum, reflection helped me teach with more purpose and confidence. While this study focused …

Desire To Improve Or Enrich Curriculum – Student-Centered Learning, Cailey Dolash

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This study investigates the relationship between teacher efficacy and the implementation of student-centered learning in PreK-2 classrooms, supporting the need for teacher professional development to support effective practice. Due to growing interest in student-centered approaches, there are challenges, often due to teachers perceived self-efficacy in managing and adapting new instructional strategies. Using Bandura's Teacher Efficacy Survey, this research examines the self-reported efficacy levels of 16 teachers across various grade levels PreK-2nd Grade. The results indicate a significant correlation between higher teacher efficacy and the successful use of student-centered learning techniques. Teachers with lower efficacy ratings need professional development in this …

Why Kindergarteners Need To Have Daily Social-Emotional Instruction, Ali Boger

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

There has been a rise in disruptive behaviors across the nation, negatively impacting teachers, students, and academic performance. Research suggests that daily social-emotional learning (SEL) instruction can enhance the quality of education by addressing these challenges. When educators adopt a whole-child approach, focusing not only on literacy and mathematics but also on emotional development, students are better equipped to navigate stressful situations and build resilience. This inquiry-based research explores the impact of daily SEL in the kindergarten classroom, specifically examining how ten minutes of daily SEL instruction affects executive functioning and the overall classroom environment. Results from this study indicated …

The Effects Of The Preschool Sdi Program On Students With Disabilities In The Inclusive Setting, Sarah Westhoff

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This study's purpose was to determine if the Preschool SDI program, created by Iowa, was an effective program for creating a successful inclusive environment for all students. To determine the effectiveness, the following guiding questions were asked: 1) What is the rate of growth between the amount of time spent in an inclusive setting and academic success and 2) What inclusive models are successful in creating inclusive settings for teachers and students? To answer these questions this study focused on a north central Iowa school district. Participants included a total of 67 three- to five-year-old children enrolled in the district’s …

Using The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (Siop) To Improve Academic Achievement And Confidence In Students Recently Exited From Esl Services, Melissa Van Middendorp

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This mixed-methods research study examines the impact of the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) on the academic achievement and confidence of recently exited English as a Second Language (ESL) students in a sixth grade science classroom. The study utilized quantitative data from pre-assessments, progress monitoring checks, post-assessments and a student survey. The study utilized qualitative data from the researcher’s observations and participant work samples. Despite limitations of the study, findings suggest that implementing the SIOP framework into the mainstream classroom improves academic success and student confidence.

The Impact Of Gamification On Student Motivation, Autumn Schott

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Many middle school students struggle with low motivation and disengagement, particularly in STEAM classrooms where creativity, persistence, and collaboration are essential. Gamification using game design elements like challenges, points, and badges in a learning context has emerged as a promising strategy to increase student motivation and academic engagement. This action research project explored how intentional gamified instruction impacts student motivation, engagement, and performance in a middle school STEAM class. Using a mixed-methods approach, the teacher-researcher collected data through pre- and post-surveys, student work samples, classroom observations, and weekly reflective journal entries. The results indicated a positive correlation between gamification and …

The Impact Of Project-Based Learning On Student Engagement And Participation, Dakota Schnell

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Many students, particularly in middle grades, demonstrate disengagement with traditional teaching methods, resulting in decreased participation and challenges in meeting learning objectives. This lack of engagement often manifests as low motivation and a disconnect from classroom activities, especially in subjects like English. Project-Based Learning (PBL) presents a potential strategy to address this issue by fostering a more dynamic, student-centered environment. This inquiry-based research aimed to determine whether implementing a PBL project could improve student engagement and participation compared to traditional methods within a 7th-grade English classroom. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study involved 30 seventh-grade students participating in a "Get …

University Revolution: Artificial Intelligence And The Transformation Of Learning, Kevin P. Hallinan

Books and Book Chapters by University of Dayton Faculty

Grounded in the rich traditions of disrupting the historical roles of faculty, curriculum, and institutional structures, this text challenges the very core of what a university is, advocating for a future where AI empowers the ideals of education to enable learning beyond what has heretofore been possible, as well as knowledge creation to meet the rapidly evolving demands of society. This transformation is not optional—it’s inevitable, and it’s happening now.

The Bulletin: Sidney Kimmel Medical College At Thomas Jefferson University, Volume 103, Issue 1, Spring 2025

The Bulletin (formerly the Jefferson Medical College Alumni Bulletin)

No abstract provided.

Audit Report For Legal Information Assistant (Lia), Keith Porcaro, Dana Han, Madhavi Nambiar, Daniela Pereira Salas, Cher Qin, Lisette-Victoria San Pedro

Duke Center on Law & Technology

No abstract provided.

Rhythm Is Essential: Unraveling The Relation Between The Circadian Clock And Cancer, Olajumoke Ogunlusi, Abantika Ghosh, Mrinmoy Sarkar, Kayla Carter, Harshini Davuluri, Mahul Chakraborty, Kristin Eckel-Mahan, Alex Keene, Jerome S Menet, Deborah Bell-Pedersen, Tapasree Roy Sarkar

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Physiological processes such as the sleep-wake cycle, metabolism, hormone secretion, neurotransmitter release, sensory capabilities, and a variety of behaviors, including sleep, are controlled by a circadian rhythm adapted to 24-hour day-night periodicity. Disruption of circadian rhythm may lead to the risks of numerous diseases, including cancers. Several epidemiological and clinical data reveal a connection between the disruption of circadian rhythms and cancer. On the contrary, oncogenic processes may suppress the homeostatic balance imposed by the circadian clock. The integration of circadian biology into cancer research offers new options for making cancer treatment more effective, and the pharmacological modulation of core …

Epigenome-Wide Association Study Of Incident Type 2 Diabetes In Black And White Participants From The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities Study, Sowmya Venkataraghavan, James S Pankow, Eric Boerwinkle, Myriam Fornage, Elizabeth Selvin, Debashree Ray

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Aims/hypothesis: DNA methylation studies of incident type 2 diabetes in US populations are limited and to our knowledge none include individuals of African descent. We aimed to fill this gap by identifying methylation sites (CpG sites) and regions likely influencing the development of type 2 diabetes using data from Black and White individuals from the USA.

Methods: We prospectively followed 2091 Black and 1029 White individuals without type 2 diabetes from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study over a median follow-up period of 17 years, and performed an epigenome-wide association analysis of blood-based methylation levels with incident type 2 diabetes …

From Relapse To Restoration: Insights Into The Immunopathology Of Bacterial Vaginosis (Bv) In Women Of Reproductive Age, Nhi To, Ms

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) has been a subject of study for decades, yet its complex pathogenesis remains poorly understood. BV affects most women of reproductive age, with significant associations to gynecological and obstetric complications. A deeper understanding of the complicated host-microbiota dynamic is crucial for advancing treatment options, as BV continues to pose challenges in effective management. This review aims to explore the current research on vaginal microbiota as well as potential mechanisms of BV-associated bacteria (BVAB) and their interaction with the host immune system, altogether sheds light on the complex interplay within the human reproductive tract. While Lactobacillus-dominant communities support …

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 36. Wallace, Evolution And Providence., Charles H. Smith

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

One of Alfred Russel Wallace’s most important contributions to thought was his identification of the key role provident behavior assumes in human evolution. In this essay I set out the way this idea influenced his thought process after 1864, and especially how it affected his appreciation of the possible role of spiritualism in evolution.

Consciousness And Fundamental Fine-Tuning: Brentanian Teleology Contra Agentive Cosmopsychism, Brandon Rickabaugh

Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers

No abstract provided.

Intraoperative Goal-Directed Haemodynamic Therapy: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Stratified By Trial Size, Dominik X Müller, Daniel I Sessler, Bernd Saugel

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Individualized Blood Pressure Regulation And Acute Kidney Injury In Older Patients Having Major Abdominal Surgery: A Pilot Randomized Trial, Zhaohua Pang, Shuang Liang, Nannan Zhou, Xiaoyan Zhu, Qulian Guo, Daniel I Sessler, Wangyuan Zou

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common postoperative complication, and hypotension may contribute. We therefore tested the primary hypothesis that individualized intraoperative blood pressure regulation reduces postoperative AKI in older surgical patients.

Methods: We enrolled patients ≥60 years old scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery with invasive arterial pressure monitoring. All had goal-directed fluid management based on stroke volume variation cardiac output, and administration of a starch. Participants were randomly assigned to: (1) individualized blood pressure management targeting a systolic blood pressure (SBP) within -20% and +10% if baseline SBP was ≥130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure was ≥80 …

A Phase I Study Of The Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, And Safety Of Liposomal Bupivacaine For Sciatic Nerve Block In The Popliteal Fossa For Bunionectomy, Daniel I Sessler, Xiaodong Bao, David Leiman, Jia Song, Jason Chittenden, Alexander Voelkner, Alparslan Turan, Jeffrey Gadsden

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This trial assessed the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of liposomal bupivacaine given via ultrasound-guided popliteal sciatic nerve block with or without immediate-release bupivacaine hydrochloride in adults having bunionectomies. Forty-five adults were enrolled into four sequential cohorts: (1) liposomal bupivacaine 266 mg with bupivacaine hydrochloride 50 mg; (2) liposomal bupivacaine 133 mg with bupivacaine hydrochloride 50 mg; (3) liposomal bupivacaine 266 mg; or (4) bupivacaine hydrochloride 100 mg. Outcomes included pharmacokinetics (e.g., bupivacaine maximum plasma concentration [C

Measles Is Just A Harbinger, Catherine Troisi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Truth, Fiction, And Abolition, Xiao Wang, Samuel Weiss

Michigan Law Review

A review of Chain-Gang All-Stars. By Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah.