Digital Commons Network^™

Speciespy: Species Identification Mobile App, Ivy Bowers

Theses & ETDs

With the surge in popularity of handheld devices over the last few decades, technology-driven citizen science projects have become more accessible than ever before. This application has been created on the basis of supporting biodiversity monitoring through citizen science in Sarasota, FL. The development of the mobile app— Speciespy— utilized React Native [13], Expo [14], and Firebase [15] as a Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS), enabling users to identify organisms, share geotagged observations, and interact with the local community by liking and commenting on others’ posts. Automatic species identifications are made with a dual-API pipeline leveraging Pl@ntNet (pronounced “Plant Net”) [10] and Animal …

Diagnosed By Assumptions: A Critical Analysis Of Bias Against Black People In Clinical Assessment And Treatment, Natalia Knox

Theses & ETDs

Racial bias and discrimination established the healthcare system. Although the system exists to help all who are sick, there are many instances in which people are treated unfairly. The consequences of bias in healthcare are not merely theoretical—they are measurable, persistent, and, in many cases, life-threatening. This study investigates perceptions of fairness, experiences during treatment, and attitudes toward racial bias in healthcare among adults in the United States. 250 participants were recruited through the online research platform Prolific who completed an anonymous Qualtrics survey addressing these biases. Chi-square tests of independence were conducted to examine associations between demographic variables and …

The Impact Of Sports Betting On Major League Baseball, Matthew Macgregor

Theses & ETDs

No abstract provided.

Strength And Conditioning As A Physiological Strategy For Injury Prevention In Competitive Sports, Gabriel Mocco

Theses & ETDs

This thesis examines the relationship between strength and conditioning and injury risk in competitive sport, with a focus on collegiate soccer. The motivation for this study grew from four years of personal experience as a student-athlete, during which multiple injuries and a growing engagement with structured strength training led to a deeper understanding of how physical preparation influences the body's ability to handle the demands of competitive sport. The Literature Review covers nine key areas, including neuromuscular and biomechanical factors, strength training and injury prevention, training load management, previous injury as a risk factor, specificity of training, energy availability and …

Manufacturing Global Citizens: An Analysis Of Unesco’S Social Emotional Learning Network Topology, Gabriel Ruiz

Theses & ETDs

This thesis project aims to determine whether or not UNESCO’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) network, structured in terms of its global and regional topology, is positioned to facilitate the diffusion of SEL frameworks and practices. In recent history, a new, competing paradigm of global citizenship, facilitated through UNESCO’s SEL frameworks, has made waves within the international society. UNESCO’s goal is to transform the ontologies of billions of people through education, by utilizing its extensive, global networks. As a result, UNESCO’s global, regional and national partnerships and networks provide the structure, and a varied enough approach to impacting educational policy and …

More Than The Game: How Digital Storytelling Constructs Community And Identity In College Athletics, Katrina Wolfe

Theses & ETDs

This thesis examines the role of digital storytelling in shaping athlete identity, institutional branding, and social interaction within college athletics. Through the analysis of social media content, personal experience as both a student-athlete and athletic media intern, and research on digital culture and sports media, this study explores how athletic programs construct public identity through online platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and live-streaming media. Drawing from theories of identity performance, visibility, and networked communication, the thesis argues that digital storytelling functions not only as a promotional tool but also as a cultural practice that influences belonging, representation, and team dynamics. …

Warning Signs In Disguise: Narcissism, Communication, Attachment, And Relationship Quality, Andrea Beyra Estrada

Theses & ETDs

This study examined how narcissistic admiration and rivalry are associated with relationship satisfaction and attachment, and whether these relationships are reflected in communication patterns and maladaptive behaviors. Participants (N = 143) completed measures of narcissism, communication styles, relationship satisfaction, attachment, and conflict behaviors. Results showed that narcissism was not directly associated with relationship satisfaction. However, narcissistic rivalry was significantly related to maladaptive communication patterns and a range of harmful behaviors, including verbal aggression, physical conflict, and coercive behaviors. In turn, these maladaptive communication patterns and behaviors were strongly associated with lower relationship satisfaction and greater attachment insecurity. Regression analyses further …

Beyond Skrmetti: A Constitutional Case For Gender-Affirming Care, Mateo-Luis A. Planas, Evan Gerstmann

Honors Thesis

In 2025, roughly 2.1 million adults in America identify as transgender, making up around 1% of the country’s total population. Despite this, the transgender identity has become a focus of political debates and made its way onto the U.S. Supreme Court’s docket in U.S. v. Skrmetti. The issue is not whether transgender people exist, but rather, how they ought to exist legally: if and when one can access medical care to pursue a gender transition. While many American doctors agree that these treatments are life-saving, since 2021, a slew of legislation has limited access for adults 18-21 (AMA, 2021). This …

Music & Emotion: Matching Neurobiological Proxies To Affect Components Induced By Music Modality, William Lopez

Theses & ETDs

The United States struggles with high rates of mental health conditions and their misdiagnosis. Both major diagnostic manuals used in mental health rely solely on behavioral and self-reported measures for their diagnostic criteria. Differential diagnosis could be supported by implementing non-invasive neurophysiological and neuroendocrinological measures. Regarding the treatment aspect of healthcare, music therapists can be equipped with additional tools by understanding how individual manipulations of musical components directly influence emotion. Many music studies examine the general effects of music or conduct correlation analyses of songs that share musical components, rather than employing a controlled paradigm in which near-identical pieces are …

The Positive Effects Of Social Media On Self Body Image, Sierra Moore

Theses & ETDs

This thesis explores the relationship between social media and self body image, with a focus on how social media can influence body image in positive ways rather than only harmful ones. Much of the existing research focuses on the negative side of social media, including comparison, unrealistic beauty standards, and lower self-esteem. While those effects are real, this thesis argues that social media is not entirely negative or positive. Instead, its impact depends on how people use it, what content they engage with, and how critically they understand what they see. This project combines a review of research, original survey …

College Of Natural Sciences Spring Newsletter, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

[Page 1] Dean's Message
[Page] 2 Awards & Recognitions // Student Spotlights
[Page] 3 Zhang Named to Landsat Science Team // The Power of Teaching
[Page] 4 “Science as Art” Competition Welcomes High School Artists
[Page] 5 Testing for “Forever Chemicals” in Surface Water // New Faculty Spotlight
[Page] 6 Ambassador Initiated Outreach
[Page] 7 57th Annual Geography Convention
[Page] 8 Twice the Impact on On Call with the Prairie Doc
[Page] 9 Making Staple Foods Healthier // Halaweish & Cole-Dai Retire
[Page] 10 Drone Day 2026
[Page] 11 Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Day (SRSCAD)
[Page] 12 Ceremony …

Red 40 Riot: An Interdisciplinary Perspective On The Fight For Food Additive Regulation, Margaret Q. Gray

Honors Theses

This paper explores the chemical, business, and governmental influences that impact the perception and future of Red 40. This inquiry was inspired by the increasing trends towards health-conscious consumer preferences and the 2025 Red 3 ban. This thesis examines foundational research, modern sources, and public-facing articles to create a comprehensive understanding of both sides of the argument in support of and against regulation. The paper concludes that a three-pronged approach would be ideal to target each key perspective included: chemistry, business, government. The approaches include confirming chemical research method validity, encouraging governmental regulation, and corporate accountability and enforcement. The paper …

National Assessment Program – Ict Literacy 2025. Public Report, Tim Friedman, Kate O'Malley, Frances Eveleigh, Wolfram Schulz

ICT - Digital Literacy

This report presents the findings from the seventh National Assessment Program – Information and Communication Technology Literacy (NAP–ICT Literacy) assessment cycle. The assessment was conducted in May 2025 with representative samples of Year 6 and Year 10 students across Australia. The report includes comparisons, where appropriate, with findings from previous NAP–ICT Literacy assessment cycles. NAP–ICT Literacy assesses students’ ability to use ICT and digital tools appropriately, safely and effectively across a range of real-world contexts. The assessment evaluates a broad range of skills, including: accessing, managing and evaluating information, developing new understandings, applying computational, design and systems thinking, communicating and …

Vol. 46, No. 2, Spring 2026: Table Of Contents, Northern Illinois University Law Review

Northern Illinois University Law Review

Table of Contents and Masthead for Volume 46, Issue 2 of the Northern Illinois Law Review

A Thumb On The Scales: How The Court Creates Presumptions To Change The Law, John Leubsdorf

Northern Illinois University Law Review

In four major recent decisions, the Supreme Court deployed the same technique: it created a presumption in favor of the result it preferred and then concluded that the losing party could not rebut that presumption. This invocation of presumptions enabled the majority to reach the result it preferred, while maintaining the appearance of balance and leaving open the possibility of different rulings in future cases. The asserted grounds for erecting the Court’s presumptions-notably history and governmental structure-likewise combined the appearance of objectivity with the reality of choice. Judicial presumptions are not new, but the current Court deploys them on a …

From Taboo To Treatment: A Trip Through A State-Based Roadmap To Psychedelic Rescheduling, Logan P. Doughty

Northern Illinois University Law Review

Psychedelics, a class of psychoactive substances that profoundly alter perception, mood, and cognition, show significant promise as a treatment option for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, under the current regulatory framework of the Controlled Substances Act, these substances remain classified as Schedule I, the most restrictive category of federal control. This classification has made research and clinical access nearly impossible, largely due to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s insistence on randomized control trial evidence to satisfy the evidentiary standard of “currently accepted medical use” (CAMU). This evidentiary burden reflects more than a veneer of …

Vol. 16, No. 1, Spring 2026: Table Of Contents, Northern Illinois University Law Review

Northern Illinois Law Review Supplement

No abstract provided.

Policing Post-Overdose: Multidisciplinary Teams Are Key To Addressing Illinois’S Opioid Crisis, Natalie B. Thirtle

Northern Illinois Law Review Supplement

The opioid epidemic remains one of Illinois’s most pressing public health and safety crises, with thousands of overdoses reported annually. Illinois’s current State Overdose Action Plan (SOAP) relies on law enforcement to administer naloxone and refer people who use drugs (PWUD) to treatment. Yet, there is research that indicates Illinois police are opposed to these responsibilities due to personal bias, workplace culture, and a lack of training in the science of drug addiction. Some advocates call for decriminalization of drug use, pointing to models in Portugal, Oregon, and California. However, these approaches have struggled in the United States due to …

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, May 1, 2026, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Exploring Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Frozen Produce Purchases Among U.S. Households, Joslyn Russell

Honors Capstone Projects

Frozen fruits and vegetables are convenient, cost-effective, healthful options that could help consumers meet national nutritional recommendations. However, there is a dearth of data regarding household sociodemographic factors associated with frozen food purchases. My two-fold honors capstone project involved conducting a secondary analysis of nationally representative data obtained from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Surveys to explore the sociodemographic factors associated with the likelihood of purchasing frozen fruits, frozen vegetables, and frozen meals. An exploratory analysis was also conducted with additional variables such as United States region, household area population size, and number of hours worked …

Model Stormwater Standards 2026, Unh Stormwater Center

UNH Stormwater Center

The purpose of post-construction stormwater management standards is to provide reasonable guidance for the regulation of stormwater runoff to protect local natural resources from degradation and prevent adverse impacts to adjacent and downstream land, property, facilities, and infrastructure. These standards regulate discharges from stormwater and runoff from land development projects and other construction activities to control and minimize increases in stormwater runoff rates and volumes, soil erosion, stream channel erosion, and nonpoint source pollution associated with stormwater runoff.

Transitioning From The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit To The Home Environment: An Occupational Therapy-Led Educational Module Supporting Safe Sleep, Tummy Time, And Feeding After The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Jordan C. Austin

OTD Capstone Projects

Infants admitted into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and their caregivers experience significant stress, which can negatively impact both infant development and caregiver confidence during the transition to the home environment. Despite the established role of occupational therapy (OT) in supporting infant development and caregiver education, OT services are not consistently provided across all levels of the NICU. This gap highlights the need for accessible, caregiver-focused educational resources. 

The purpose of this capstone project was to improve caregiver understanding of the role of OT in the NICU setting while supporting a smooth transition to the home environment through the …

Strengthening Fieldwork Mentorship: A Ceu-Based Approach To Supporting Occupational Therapy Educators, Michelle Bryant

OTD Capstone Projects

This project addresses a persistent gap in fieldwork education by developing a mentorship‑focused continuing education unit (CEU) for practitioners serving as fieldwork educators. Inconsistent preparation for mentorship has been identified as a barrier to effective supervision and student growth. Using a program-development approach, the project involved a literature review, expert consultation, and feedback from volunteer practitioners to shape the CEU’s structure, content, and clarity.

This CEU equips both Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants and Occupational Therapists with evidence‑supported strategies to strengthen core mentorship skills, including approachability, communication, adaptability, and therapeutic relationship‑building. Real‑life scenarios, guided reflection, and expert commentary help bridge theory …

Exploring Occupational Therapy’S Role In Post-Secondary Student Mental Health, Anneilise C. Dunderdale

OTD Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Building Belonging: Advancing Healthy Aging Through Social Participation And Community-Based Occupational Therapy Programming, Angela F. Sykes

OTD Capstone Projects

Older adults living on the South Side of Chicago, particularly African American older adults in underserved communities, face significant barriers to meaningful social participation. As a result, this population is at increased risk for negative health outcomes associated with reduced social participation, highlighting the need for targeted, community-based interventions. This project utilized two phases of community needs assessments and the key findings emphasized the importance of strengths-based approaches to aging, the need for diverse and inclusive programming, variability in functional ability, the role of client-centered communication, and the significance of social participation as a core occupational need. The findings informed …

Enhancing Interprofessional Communication In School-Based Occupational Therapy, Ashleigh N. Stegmann

OTD Capstone Projects

Effective interprofessional communication is essential for delivering coordinated and student-centered services in school-based occupational therapy. However, communication gaps between occupational therapists (OTs), educators, and other school personnel often lead to fragmented care and decreased therapy effectiveness. This capstone project aims to improve interprofessional collaboration by implementing a structured educational resource binder designed to clarify the role of OTs within school settings and promote interprofessional communication. The project utilized a quality improvement framework and was conducted in a public school district, involving occupational therapists and teaching staff. The goal of the capstone project was to improve understanding of OT roles, increase …

Ergonomics In Action: Designing And Delivering Evidence-Based Training To University Office Workers, Savannah R. Lively

OTD Capstone Projects

Musculoskeletal overuse injuries affect an estimated 20–60% of office workers, raising concerns for employee well-being and productivity (Hoe et al., 2018). While research identifies the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), less is known about how poor ergonomic design influences daily routines, occupational performance, and overall quality of life. This capstone project addressed the gap by having implemented ergonomic recommendations that incorporated both education and guided demonstration for faculty and staff at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). Participants first completed a pre-survey about their current workstation setup, then took part in an ergonomic observation session to identify their individual needs. …

Bridging The Accessibility And Communication Gap At Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Jay A. Reiss

OTD Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project was to address the communication and accessibility gap at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). The experience consisted of collaborating with the Office for Access & Accommodations (OAA) to develop a series of web pages that included information about event accessibility resources, communication accessibility, building-specific accessibility, and creating a sensory-friendly environment. The materials created were designed to support event planners and the community by increasing transparency around accommodations and encouraging their promotion at events. A total of six webpages were created, displaying useful resources for accommodation considerations and accessibility features at SIUC. Feedback from evaluators …

Characterizing Effects Of Basal Ganglia Dysfunction On Implicit-Statistical Learning: Evidence From Parkinson's Disease, Alyson Rose Brown

Master's Theses and Capstones

This study investigated implicit statistical learning (ISL) ability in individuals with Parkinson’sdisease (PD) to further characterize the influence of the basal ganglia degeneration on ISL. The first research aim looked to investigate ISL ability in individuals with PD in comparison to age- matched healthy controls. Additionally, the relationship between cognitive measures and ISL task performance was investigated to identify potential interactions between ISL and aspects of cognition considered to be necessary for it. In this study four participants with PD were administered an auditory ISL experimental task. In an exposure phase, participants were familiarized with a target grammar pattern. Then …

Mapping The Human Dimension: Spatially Informed Soundscape Management In Saguaro National Park, Anna S. Frisbie

Master's Theses and Capstones

As outdoor recreation surges in popularity, human-made sound reaches even the most protected places. In the United States, the National Park Service is mandated to preserve natural soundscapes, which are a key ecosystem service. Yet many aspects of soundscape management remain underexplored, including the integration of visitor perspectives into strategies to minimize human-made sound in national parks. In 2025, the non-profit organization Leave No Trace and the National Park Service Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division collaboratively outlined new Soundscape Guidelines, urging visitors to minimize their impact on natural soundscapes. Previous research suggests that educational signage can reduce human-made sound …