Digital Commons Network^™

The Sub-Lethal Effects Of Trematode Parasites On The Migratory Behavior Of Lesser Scaup (Aythya Affinis), Scott Alan Herman

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The introduction of the invasive freshwater faucet snail (Bithynia tentaculata) and its associated parasites in the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region provides the opportunity to investigate how anthropogenic stressors impact the life history of lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) using the Mississippi Flyway. To understand the life histories and interactions between lesser scaup and faucet snails we examined historical records, research, and ecology textbooks. Our literature review identified critical knowledge gaps in lesser scaup literature surrounding population dynamics, reproduction, and migration. Specifically, the sub-lethal effects of invasive trematodes on the migratory behavior of lesser scaup in the Upper Mississippi …

Exploring African Students’ Experiences With Culturally Responsive Mental Health Apps In The U.S., Emelia Essumanba-Josiah

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Digital mental health applications have proven to be effective, yet adoption remains very low among African international students in the United States. This study investigated how 17 university students perceive the usefulness of mental health apps, evaluate existing tools through their cultural lens, and recommend what a culturally responsive app would look like – all through a semi-structured interview with an app exploration exercise at a Midwestern public university. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model and the African-Centered Wellness Model, there were six (6) key themes that emerged revealing participants carried skewed pre-migration mental health frameworks, dealt with their stressors …

Misinformation And The Law, Gustavo Ribeiro

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

This Article bridges critical gaps between the growing body of social science research on misinformation and the persistent challenges jurors face in evaluating potentially unreliable evidence in courtrooms. Misinformation—a pervasive issue undermining decision-making in democratic societies—mirrors the difficulties jurors encounter in distinguishing truth from falsehood amid compelling but unreliable evidence. The consequences of such challenges are dire: wrongful convictions, racial disparities, and the erosion of public trust in the legal system.

This Article is the first piece of legal scholarship to provide a comprehensive discussion of current research on the psychological mechanisms underlying susceptibility to misinformation—such as the illusory truth …

Law’S Limits: Abortion And The Social Determinants Of Health, Maya Manian

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

After Dobbs: How the Supreme Court Ended Roe but Not Abortion (“After Dobbs”) is a prescient and timely response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and upended nearly five decades of constitutional protection for abortion. In this meticulously structured oral history, law professor David S. Cohen and sociologist Carole Joffe center the voices of abortion providers, clinic administrators, funders, and advocates from across the country. After Dobbs, not only documents the extraordinary persistence of abortion supporters in the face of legal devastation but also bears witness to …

The Hope Industrial Complex: Resisting Manufactured And False Hope With Critical Hope In Peace Education, Thailand's Refugee Context, Staci B. Martin, Hayso Thako, Rey Ty, Sudarat Tuntivivat, Rattanak Ly

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Our Point of Departure (POD) argues that the type of hope fostered within the Karen refugee community in Thailand – manufactured, false, or critical – shapes the impact of peace-building and higher education efforts. Through a dialogue among a Karen scholar, his supervisor, and a migration researcher, we demonstrate that manufactured hope, often driven by external aid, sustains dependency and overlooks core conflicts. In contrast, false hope arises from the gap between student desires and institutional barriers, leading to unmet expectations. We aim to show that by applying critical hope, the pedagogical approach enables the Karen community to enhance its …

The Evolution Of Crime: Exploitation Of Technological Overdependencies Within Economic Enterprises, Robert J. Hehl, Grey Quigley, Autumn Laurenzano-Frost, Richard Mcloughlin, Valerie Garzon

CJC 450 - Criminal Justice and Criminology Capstone

This Capstone Research Assessment focuses on analyzing the evolution of crime from physical to technology-based offenses. This project examines how criminal actors exploit organizations’ increasing dependence on technology and digital systems and the inherent vulnerabilities found within economic enterprises. Said research assesses the lagging development of laws and cybersecurity safeguards, the critical issue of human error, and the lowered barrier to entry for cybercriminals. This paper will conclude with recommendations and strategies that may mitigate such vulnerabilities.

Security Threats To General Dynamics And Sensitive Defense Programs, Robert J. Hehl, Shane Williams, Henna Darji, Delia Tarasco

CJC 450 - Criminal Justice and Criminology Capstone

This Capstone Research Assessment focuses on the identification and analysis of foreign state actors, insider threats, and personnel negligence to United States defense contractors within the private sector, specifically General Dynamics. This assessment examines how The Big Four --- China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea --- continue to pose the most significant threats to U.S. sensitive defense programs.

Argument Grounds, Patrick Belanger

Activities and Assignments Collection

To provide students with analytic tools to assess the grounds of various arguments

Ethical Reasoning, Tolga Tezcan

Activities and Assignments Collection

To learn how to apply different ethical frameworks to analyze a complex, real-world social issue. To engage multiple perspectives and counterarguments before forming conclusions.

Analyzing A News Article, Tolga Tezcan

Activities and Assignments Collection

Students will synthesize academic knowledge (sociological concepts) with experiences (their own news browsing habits and selection). To differentiate between statements of value and statements of empirical fact within a journalistic piece. To engage in self-reflection regarding one’s own vulnerability to media bias and selective exposure.

Transition To Home Guideline For Patients With Diabetes, Kathleen R. Burgner

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Background: Diabetes is a leading contributor to preventable hospital readmissions. These hospital readmissions often result from fragmented discharge planning, poor care coordination, and limited post-discharge support. At a 915-bed academic medical center in Southern California, the diabetes-related readmission rate was 13.3%, compared with 11.4% among patients without diabetes. This project aimed to develop an evidence-based Transition-to-Home (TTH) guideline for hospitalized patients with diabetes and evaluate the strength of its recommendations through multidisciplinary stakeholder review.

Methods: An evidence-based guideline development project was conducted over 8 weeks. A comprehensive literature search in CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, and ScienceDirect identified current evidence on transitional …

Does Guideline-Directed Breast Mri Improve Early Identification In The High-Risk Breast Cancer Population, Cemile Littlepage

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Introduction: In the United States, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. The American Cancer Society's 2007 guidelines (Onishi & Kataoka, 2020) and the American College of Radiology recommend that MRI screening, alongside annual mammography, be used for women at high risk for breast cancer (Lamb et al., 2023; Sardanelli et al., 2024). Currently, there are various screening models, and no standardized tool or national guideline exists for MRI screening in high-risk patients. This guideline project aims to establish a screening model and recommendations for MRI screening in high-risk women for use in primary care.

Methods: A …

Impact Of Social Media On Acne Treatment Practices In Egypt, Hadeer Fathy, Moheiddin Fakhry Alghobary, Nada Mohmed Elhadidy, Sara Hamdy Fouad

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Acne is one of the most prevalent global diseases, affecting up to 85% of adolescents and young adults and contributing to significant psychological burden. Despite available treatments, many patients rely on social media for guidance, where misinformation and unauthorized drug promotion can negatively influence Acne Vulgaris management.

Aim: The aim of this research is to determine the influence of social media information on the selected treatment method of Egyptian patients with Acne Vulgaris

Patients and methods: This is cross‑sectional study targets Acne Vulgaris patients aged ≥15 with current or past AV who use social media. Data was collected through …

Effect Of Active Music-Based Intervention Conducted By Music Therapists Or Medical Professionals On Reducing Agitation In Patients With Dementia: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Jian-Jia Huang, Yu-Hsuan Chen, Yun-Chen Chung, Yu-Peng Huang, Yu-Cheng Pei

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Music-based interventions (MI), including music therapy and music medicine, have been proposed to reduce agitation in patients with dementia, yet evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews remains inconsistent. Moreover, the efficacy of MI may vary by method and professional involvement, which has not been fully examined. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of active MI conducted by music therapists or medical professionals on agitation in patients with dementia compared with those of general therapy (GT). RCTs published between January 1, 2010, and July 31, 2021, were identified from MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library. Study quality …

Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Regulation To Alleviate Sickle Cell Disease Severity: A Promising Therapeutic Approach, Shahanas Chathoth

Saudi Medical Journal

Abstract Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Chronic anemia, hemolysis and vasculopathy are the most common symptoms that arise from hemoglobin (Hb) polymerization, which is the primary event of SCD. The above process can lead to erythrocyte sickling. Therapeutic options for SCD remain limited, and novel therapies are still being evaluated for their effectiveness in particular populations. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a significant bioactive sphingolipid, acts as a potent signal mediator, modulating several cellular functions. The potential role of erythrocyte-S1P in enhancing SCD severity has been previously reported by multiple studies. Therefore, the present …

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Registry At King Abdullah Specialized Children’S Hospital (Jiar-Kasch) In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Jubran T. Alqanatish, Abdullah I. Almojali, Wejdan M. Algbaiwi, Abdullah S. Alqahtani, Abdulrahman A. Alrasheed, Lubna A. Alnasser, Wafaa M. Alsuwairi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To establish and maintain a comprehensive, up-to-date registry of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) cases, and to outline the methodology used in creating it. Methods: Retrospective and prospective data collection commenced in August 2021, using the Hospital Information System to identify electronic medical records of JIA patients. All individuals diagnosed with JIA and receiving follow-up care at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital (KASCH) in Riyadh were included. A broad range of variables covering sociodemographic characteristics, clinical features, laboratory results, imaging findings, and therapeutic medications were recorded in the REDCap platform. Data collection update occurs every 6 months. Results: By December …

Research Productivity On Obesity In The Arab World: A Bibliometric Analysis (2004–2023), Jamil Adnan Samkari, Ahamd Azam Malik

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To examine obesity research trends in Arab countries to inform policies and interventions. Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science database accessed via King Abdulaziz University’s electronic library. Publications on obesity research in Arab countries from 2004 to 2023 were analyzed using R-Bibliometrix. Key parameters included publication volume, leading authors and institutions, funding sources, keyword co-occurrence networks, and collaboration patterns. Results: Obesity-related research output in Arab countries demonstrated consistent growth from 2004 to 2023, with a threefold increase in publications since 2015. Regional and international collaborations have intensified, although disparities in research productivity persist across …

Safe, Secure And Loved (Ssl): A Randomized Controlled Trial Of A Promotores-Led, Culturally Anchored Parenting Prevention Program For Latine Caregivers Of Young Children, Barbara M. Burns, Veronica Amador, Maria Gallardo, Martin Alvarez Lopez, Gerardo Uriel Gallardo, Marita Zavaleta

Child Studies

Safe, Secure and Loved (SSL) is a manualized, six-workshop, promotores-led parenting prevention program designed to strengthen caregiver resilience, protective factors, responsive caregiving, and family well-being among Latine families with young children. This single-site, community-based randomized controlled trial evaluated SSL through Sacred Heart Community Service in San Jose, California. SSL was delivered virtually in Spanish by trained promotores to Latine caregivers aged 18 years or older who were caring for a child aged 0–3 years or preparing to parent an infant. No substantive RCT-specific adaptations were made to the SSL curriculum, workshop sequence, participant materials, make-up procedures, language procedures, or fidelity …

Digital Emblems In Cyberspace: A Deterrent Or A Target?, Fatemah Albader

Emory International Law Review Recent Developments

In 2022, the ICRC proposed a digital emblem to identify and protect medical and humanitarian digital assets during armed conflict. While this initiative marks a pivotal evolution of IHL into cyberspace, its effectiveness depends on whether states can ensure accountability, attribution, and compliance. This article argues that digitalizing IHL’s distinctive emblems, such as the red cross, is not optional but mandatory under both conventional and customary law. Once developed, states must adopt and regulate the digital emblem to protect hospital networks and medical personnel online as they are protected offline. However, emblem digitalization alone cannot deter deliberate cyberattacks or unintentional …

How International Law Failed To Minimize U.S. Use Of Burn Pits During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sophia Mcwilliams

Emory International Law Review Recent Developments

No abstract provided.

Long‑Term Impacts Of A Composted Sewage Sludge–Based Class B Organic Fertilizer On Soil Micronutrients And Crop Production In The Tropics, Luana Corrêa Silva, Aline Renée Coscione, Rodrigo Silva Alves, Philippe Solano Toledo Silva, Adrielle Rodrigues Prates, Leiliane Dutra Silva, Fabrício Da Silva Vasconcelos, Jussara Borges Regitano, Cassio Hamilton Abreu-Junior, Wanderley José De Melo, Gian Franco Capra, Arun Dilipkumar Jani, Thiago Assis Rodrigues Nogueira

Biology, Agriculture and Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Organic fertilizers, such as Class B materials (e.g., composted sewage sludge, CSS), may contain high levels of plant micronutrients, but their use in crop production needs to be monitored to avoid environmental problems. In this study, we sought to understand the Cu, Mn, and Zn dynamics in tropical soils and their residual effects on maize and wheat productivity, after three CSS applications. A randomized complete block experimental design with six treatments and four replicates was implemented. CSS rates (0.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, and 12.5 Mg ha⁻¹) were compared with conventional mineral fertilizer (CMF). Over a six-year period encompassing …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Supporting Neurodiverse Individuals In The Workplace, M'Kenna J. Henson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

My doctoral capstone was completed in partnership with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and focused on the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) areas of education and program development. The project involved developing a nationally-accessible asynchronous continuing education e-course, The Role of Occupational Therapy in Supporting Neurodiverse Individuals in the Workplace, to increase occupational therapy (OT) practitioners' and students' knowledge of neurodiversity, workplace inclusion, and evidence-based employment supports.

Current literature highlights significant barriers to employment for neurodivergent individuals. Approximately 20% of people are neurodivergent, yet nearly 80% of neurodiverse adults are unemployed, demonstrating the need for greater …

A Transnational Feast Of Our Lady Of Guadalupe: Globalization, Identity, And Collective Memory In Dodge City, Kansas, David A. Solis-Enriquez

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

This work examines the transnational connections of Dodge City’s Mexican immigrants and their celebration of the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe and how their cross-border activity were parts of larger systems like globalization, identity, and collective memory. With migration into Southwestern Kansas and the Oklahoma panhandle increasing intensely in the 1980s, because of the economic opportunities that the livestock and meat manufacturing industries offered, Dodge City’s Mexican population reached unprecedented heights. These migration waves mark the starting point of this thesis.

The incoming Mexican population flooded the city’s Catholic facilities, which prompted the community and the local diocese …

Vessel Of Survival, Jonah W. Simmons

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Survival is not innate or effortless, but learned, regulated, and sustained through continuous labor, both visible and unseen. Vessel of Survival is an exploration of the human body as a site of containment, adaptation, and endurance shaped by trauma, systemic pressure, and the conditions of contemporary life. Through ceramic form, ruptured surfaces, photographic imagery and narrative intervention, this work explores how trauma, chronic illness, and socioeconomic systems inscribe themselves onto the body. Within this framework, the body becomes a vessel that continually negotiates fragility and resilience.

This investigation is informed by my diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes, a condition that …

Secure Peer-To-Peer Messaging Using Distributed Servers, Jack Stoller

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Traditional messaging systems that rely on centralized infrastructure often introduce three security vulnerabilities: single points of failure susceptible to availability attacks, metadata leakage, and man-in-the-middle attacks.

This project designs, implements, and validates a distributed peer-to-peer messaging system that addresses each of these concerns through architectural design. A consistent hash ring is used with virtual nodes to distribute user data across a mesh of connected nodes, eliminating centralized dependency on any single server. Message contents travel directly between browser clients over a WebRTC data channel secured with end-to-end DTLS encryption, bypassing the server infrastructure. Inter-node communication is protected by mutual TLS …

Brrbox, Shawn J. Myers, Lane Cline, Michael Davis, Christian Secrest

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This report details the project known as “The BRRBOX”, a reusable, insulated thermoelectric cooler developed to keep internal temperatures at refrigeration levels or cooler for at least 48 hours. The cooler will track its internal temperature during this period and be able to give the data at the end of its delivery cycle to keep up with food and pharmaceutical standards during delivery. The BRRBOX uses Peltier-based cooling alongside vacuum insulation panels and fans to achieve efficient thermal control. An onboard microcontroller will monitor temperature, record the data, and adjust the cooling output to minimize power consumption. The box will …

Adjustable Car-Camping Bed Frame, Zachary Lamonica, Mitchell Mcgrath

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project explores an innovative camping solution designed to enhance mobility, comfort, and accessibility for outdoor enthusiasts. The first is the Adjustable Car-Camping Bed Frame, engineered to be lightweight, collapsible, and adjustable to various vehicle interiors. It prioritizes ease of setup, compact storage, reliability, and affordability, enabling convenient travel without sacrificing comfort. The design aims to simplify camping while maintaining durability. As an aerospace systems engineering student, I will apply systems engineering to the Bed Frame, using aerospace software and principles. The scope includes research, design, prototyping, and testing, with a focus on real-world usability and environmental adaptability. Additionally, my …

A Strategic Analysis Of Project Learn Of Summit County, Alex Kennedy, Tyler Hutchinson, Haley Guest, Zach D. Thomas, Lizzie Sisler

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Our group is working with Project Learn of Summit County, a GED and ESL assistance program located in the Akron Public Library. Our group will be performing a strategic analysis and providing them with a strategic plan, to be presented to them at the end of the term. We aim to increase awareness for the program, point out areas of growth, and increase functionality.

Project Learn Strategic Analysis Project, Isabel Ladaika, Kalpana Ghimire, Noah Johnson, Caleb Keiper

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This honors project involves working in a team to conduct a comprehensive strategic analysis of Project Learn of Summit County. We will evaluate the organization’s external environment (such as industry trends, competition, and community factors) and internal operations (including strengths, weaknesses, resources, and capabilities). Using strategic management frameworks, as a team we will develop actionable recommendations to strengthen the organizations marketing, financial sustainability, and community outreach efforts. Throughout the semester, we will engage directly with the client organization to gather data and insights that inform our analysis. Final deliverables include a formal written strategic analysis paper and a professional presentation …

Project Learn Strategic Analysis, Kendall Hegan, Hunter Kay, Abigail Miller, Rina Xayasy

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The strategic analysis of Project LEARN seeks to analyze the background, purpose, internal structures, and external factors of the organization. After further analysis the team will propose strategic recommendations backed by academic research and concepts learned throughout the strategic management course. Through consistent personal communication and documents provided by the Project LEARN staff the team will develop an in-depth analysis that seeks to add creative new initiatives as well as highlighting the current core competencies of the organization.