Digital Commons Network^™

Advancing Fake News Detection With Graph Neural Network And Deep Learning, Haji Gul, Feras Al-Obeidat, Muhammad Wasim, Adnan Amin, Fernando Moreira

All Works

In the modern era of digital technology, the rapid distribution of news via social media platforms substantially contributes to the propagation of false information, presenting challenges in upholding the accuracy and reliability of information. This study presents an updated approach that utilizes graph neural networks (GNNs) alongside with advanced deep learning techniques to improve the identification of false information. In contrast to traditional approaches that primarily rely on analyzing text and assessing the credibility of sources, our methodology utilizes the structural information of news propagation networks. This allows for a detailed comprehension of the interconnections and patterns that are indicative …

A Novel Fractional Order Model For Analyzing Counterterrorism Operations And Mitigating Extremism, Mutaz Mohammad, Isa Abdullahi Baba, Evren Hincal, Fathalla A. Rihan

All Works

This study examines the profound impact of terrorism on individuals and society by developing a fractional-order mathematical model to analyze and enhance counterterrorism efforts. The model accounts for the persistent and complex nature of extremist behavior, particularly emphasizing the importance of preventing violent extremism before it escalates into terrorism. Real-world data on terrorist activities in Nigeria – specifically from the Boko Haram insurgency – was used to calibrate and validate the model, ensuring its relevance and accuracy. The model reveals that the basic reproduction number (R0) plays a decisive role in determining the long-term success of counterterrorism strategies. Numerical simulations …

What Is Known About The Psychological Impacts Of Acting, And Where Are The Gaps?, Elizabeth Blaydoe

University Honors Theses

Acting has been a profession since before 400 BCE, and still is to this day through theater, television shows, movies, voice acting, and more. While studies consider the impact of acting on the audience, there are significant gaps of information for the psychological impacts this profession has. This thesis conducts a literature review of topics such as pretend play, role-play, drama therapy, and acting, to examine what is known about the topic, and a thematic analysis of fifteen publicly available interviews with a total of twenty-two actors to investigate what is known of the experience of actors. Six themes highlighted …

Gianjara's Ribs: The Ecosystem, Body, Animalia, And Politic, Linus Gomez Ellis

University Honors Theses

This work is a series of four six foot tall full-body portraits of people, which are displayed alongside an actual, physical item or garment present in the associated painting. The purpose of this is to blur the line between the fiction of the individuals depicted and the viewer. By creating "portals" through which to view them as equals in stature, Linus Gomez Ellis is taking something that can be seen in the ecosystem of this fiction and making it into an objective reality. The most enduring, well preserved, and eternal pieces of history and anthropology are tall tales. This ecosystem, …

The Relationship Between Perceived Stress, Psychological Distress And Thwarted Belongingness Among Military Service Members, Isaac Greenblatt

University Honors Theses

Suicide remains a leading cause of death among members of the military, with psychological distress, perceived stress and thwarted belongingness emerging as key variables which impact this behavior. This thesis aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived stress, psychological distress and thwarted belongingness in a population of Active Duty Army Service Members (ADASM) at baseline and longitudinally. The Resilience-Supportive Leadership Training (RESULT) dataset was originally collected to assess the effectiveness of an intervention in the military. However, this thesis is a secondary data analysis of this dataset, including 273 ADASM participants. The K6 psychological distress test was used to measure …

Examining Long-Term Care For Ncaa Student-Athletes: Improving Concussion Protocols And Healthcare, Sydney Watson

University Honors Theses

Sports-related concussions (SRC) are a significant issue in collegiate athletics, particularly in high-impact sports. While the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has protocols for immediate injury management, they don't fully address the long-term effects retired athletes experience. This paper examines whether former NCAA athletes who suffered from SRC should receive more comprehensive concussion-related healthcare. Findings reveal that current NCAA measures, such as baseline assessments and return-to-play protocols, fall short in addressing the lasting physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges of student-athletes who suffered multiple SRC. Protocols and procedures set by professional leagues like the NFL and NHL highlight the NCAA's gaps …

The Necessity Of Improved Pica Assessment Tools And Screening Practices For Harm Reduction, Deborah Arakelian

University Honors Theses

Pica disorder refers to the consumption of non-food items, and has historically been understudied. Dangerous medical complications often arise as result of this behavior, making this a critical area of continued research. This paper reviews literature on the prevalence of pica disorder, as well as its etiologies and risk factors with the intention to identify at-risk groups who would benefit from increased screening. The current assessment tool used for screenings and research is vague and insufficient, and the development of a more comprehensive tool is critical to reduce harm. This paper discusses what should be included in an improved questionnaire, …

A Comprehensive Literature Review Of Gender Differences In Perception And Response To Stress, Zoe M. Shankland

University Honors Theses

It is well established that psychological stress, whether acute, chronic, or recurring, creates an imbalance in the body’s ability to regulate itself, leading to the potential for long-term disease. This paper looks at the possibility that women (anyone who identifies as a woman) experience more general mental stress than men (anyone who identifies as a man) due to women experiencing unique stressors under a patriarchal society. Men and women live different lives in modern society due to differing societal expectations and biological processes for women (menstruation, pregnancy, menopause). These extra feelings of stress may be tied to traditional gender roles …

Indigenous Language Revitalization: The Klamath And Cherokee Tribes, Josephine Stapleton

University Honors Theses

In recent decades, there have been initiatives to revitalize Indigenous languages all across the globe. This paper explores the efforts of two Native American tribes to revitalize their Indigenous languages in the face of historical and ongoing colonial pressures. Models for language revitalization necessarily differ based on an Indigenous group’s specific historical, cultural, and even geographical contexts, which makes the development of standardized models for Indigenous Language Revitalization challenging. This literature review will examine how the Cherokee Nation and the Klamath Tribes are implementing language revitalization on a tribal level in ways that address each tribe’s unique historical successes and …

"It Had To Stop": Content Analysis Of Fox News Library Censorship Discourse, Lex Faller

University Honors Theses

Library censorship poses a threat to inclusive communities by foreclosing the possibility of finding diverse representations through media. Certain demographics are more dependent on libraries for media access than others. Censorship is therefore especially concerning for those who cannot purchase media or afford subscriptions themselves. The most vocal proponents of contemporary library censorship are ideologically conservative; therefore, conservative media ecosystems play a key role in library censorship discourse. Fox News television is the most watched television news channel by a wide margin in the U.S. and therefore has an outsized influence on U.S. adults. This research involved a qualitative content …

Discovering Sri Lanka: Examining The Marketing Strategies Behind Successful Tourist Destinations, Victoria Powell

University Honors Theses

Building on the observation that Sri Lanka is emerging as a tourist destination, this thesis compares the national destination marketing campaigns of Thailand, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka to identify how their strengths have contributed to their success. Using a comparative analysis, the research examines each destination’s brand positioning, distribution channels, campaign messaging, visual identity, and brand consistency. A deeper analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) is conducted on Sri Lanka's destination marketing campaign to present the study's findings and communicate recommendations. Ultimately, the analysis is used to recommend strategies for Sri Lanka's destination marketing efforts to …

Quantitative Analysis Using Mri Of Patients That Are High Risk For Pancreatic Cancer, Aqsa Tarik

University Honors Theses

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a cancer that is detected in its later stages, causing its five-year survival rate of 2-9% (3). The majority of patients who develop PDAC unfortunately deal with a low survival rate due to the progression of the tumor in the body. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can assess the structure of the tissue within organs in the body. These scans can also be used in order to detect and diagnose tumors, allowing them to be a generator of cancer biomarkers. PDAC isn’t distinguishable on conventional images, as the pancreas will appear normal, allowing the tumor progress …

Access To Healthcare For Rural Transgender Adults In The United States, Devon Smith

University Honors Theses

Urban and rural healthcare differ significantly in the amount of facilities, providers and kinds of specialty care that are offered in each environment. The United States is split into urban and rural counties in any given region, and based on those population sizes, are the allocation of healthcare resources for residents. In rural areas in the U.S., transgender adults lack access to gender-affirming care and encounter a lack of gender-affirming care providers due to workforce shortages, discrimination, and a lack of cultural competency. To determine if these residents lacked access to care compared with their urban counterparts, I performed a …

Transforming The Future Of Health: Building Learning Health Systems Across The Globe, Sandra Yankah, Robert Saunders, Mark L. Tykocinski, Claudia Salzberg, Jonathan Gonzalez-Smith, Rachel Bonesteel, Cameron Joyce, Charles Kahn, Mark Mcclellan, Eyal Zimlichman

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Health care has faced disruptions over the past 5 years, including a global pandemic, supply chain interruptions, workforce shifts, and the introduction of new artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Health care organizations continue to leverage the learning health system (LHS) concept to adapt to these challenges through iterative feedback loops. The Future of Health (FOH), an international community of over 50 senior health leaders that focuses on shared challenges across international health systems, collaborated with the Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy in a consensus-building process with FOH members to identify opportunities for action in an LHS. Key areas for action identified …

Building Bridges: Union Efforts To Address Stress Among Educational Staff, Theodore Michael Hamilton

Dissertations

This mixed-methods study examines the relationship between administrative support and educator stress and burnout in a post-COVID unionized school district. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, and the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, the study surveyed 102 educational professionals and conducted semi-structured interviews with union delegates. Quantitative findings revealed that 75% of staff worked beyond contracted hours, and 63% assumed additional unpaid responsibilities. Lower levels of perceived administrative support were significantly correlated with higher burnout and greater intent to leave the profession. Qualitative thematic analysis identified key stressors, including inconsistent administrative communication, escalating student …

Through The Wire: Examining The Experiences Of Formerly Incarcerated Students In Prison Education Programs And The Wraparound Services Needed To Support Their Success, Isabel Castro

Dissertations

This qualitative study examines the experiences of formerly incarcerated individuals in Prison Education Programs (PEPs) and the wraparound services necessary to support their success. Through Schlossberg’s Transition Theory, this study explores how incarcerated students navigate educational transitions and how educators facilitate transformative learning. Using case study and narrative inquiry, interviews were conducted with fifteen formerly incarcerated PEP participants and seven educators.

Thematic analysis revealed six major themes: Access to Education in Carceral Settings, the Impact of Education on Incarcerated Individuals, Wraparound Services and Student Support, Experiences of Formerly Incarcerated Students, the Role of Educators and Program Facilitators, and Best Practices …

Final Silver Bow Creek Conservation Area (Sbcca) Butte Reduction Works (Brw) Air Monitoring For Interim Demolition Activities – Phase I Data Summary Report (Dsr), Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

In Vitro Evaluation Of A Novel Computationally Designed Anticancer Peptide In Ovarian Cancer Cell Models, Basma A. Shaala

Theses and Dissertations

Ovarian cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality among

women, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic agents with improved selectivity and

reduced toxicity. Anticancer peptides (ACPs) have emerged as promising candidates

due to their ability to selectively target cancer cells. In this study, the anticancer activity

of a computationally designed ACP was evaluated in vitro using the SKOV-3 ovarian

cancer cell line, with HEK cells employed as a non-cancerous control.

Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, and cytotoxicity was further confirmed

by the trypan blue exclusion method. Apoptosis and necrosis were analyzed using

Annexin V-FITC/Propidium …

Load Balancing In Mobile Networks Using Deep Reinforcement Learning And Traffic Prediction, Shorouk Raafat Mokhtar Abouamasha

Theses and Dissertations

Wireless communication networks are advancing at a rapid pace, driven by various challenges and ambitious goals. This rapid growth is driven by a range of applications, including technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), as well as innovations in smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and more. Different applications demand specific performance criteria such as high data throughput, low latency, robust reliability, and efficient energy usage. In this thesis, we investigate two enhancements that can be adopted in wireless networks to tackle the challenges of resource optimization and network management. The motivation behind this is the fact that future networks will face …

The Benefits And Pitfalls Of Public Private Partnerships: Case Study Of The Suez Canal Container Terminal, Egypt, Magda Elswesy

Theses and Dissertations

The study explores the public-private partnerships (PPPs) in constructing, managing, and operating container terminals in Egypt. It examines the benefits the public sector gains from such collaborations and the pitfalls that can be mitigated to foster more effective institutional cooperation. The study specifically focuses on enhancing Egypt's marine container terminals through these partnerships, emphasizing the potential use of growing technology to enable equipment automation. It also highlights concerns regarding the risk of mismanagement of Egyptian terminals, arising from insufficient expected volume to ensure appropriate profitability, especially with the opening of new terminals. The study adopts a qualitative methodology and presents …

From Drama To Change: The Role Of Female-Led Egyptian Tv Dramas In Tackling Women’S Issues And Inspiring Youth, Myrna Bader

Theses and Dissertations

The media is widely recognized as a powerful tool for driving social change, shaping public opinion, and influencing societal discourse. In Egypt, it has played a critical role in addressing women’s issues, including discrimination and societal challenges, by raising awareness and either reinforcing or challenging societal issues. This paper examines the impact of female-led Egyptian TV dramas in addressing women’s issues, specifically taboos, stereotypes, and personal status laws. The paper aims to examine their potential to raise awareness, challenge cultural norms, and inspire youth-driven social change. To achieve its objectives, three female-led Egyptian TV dramas addressing specific women’s societal issues …

The Games Kids Play: Determining Concussion Risk Of Playground Sports, Brynlee Morgan

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Playground games play a very vital role in child development, but they have been shown to present significant risks of injury, particularly concussion injuries. Supervisors of playground games or recreational sports may lack comprehensive knowledge of concussion protocols, potentially resulting in undiagnosed pediatric concussion, which can be critical to the child’s long-term health. This study aims to identify which playground games or recreational sports pose the highest risk for injury, specifically concussions, and highlights the importance of concussion prevention training for all school personnel to minimize potential health risks for children. The methodology involved the identification of injuries from playground …

Covid-19 And Gender Gap In Labor Market Recovery: Evidence From Nigeria, Marup Hossain

Economics Faculty Publications and Presentations

The COVID-19 pandemic-driven economic downturn can have substantial implications for the gender gap in the labor market in developing countries, where women are already worse off in job participation and earnings than men. After more than two years of the pandemic, how has the labor market reshaped in developing countries like Nigeria? Using multiple rounds of data before and after the pandemic and incorporating a difference-in-differences design, we show that overall employment dropped in the post-epidemic period in Nigeria. Importantly, overall employment fell more for women than men in Nigeria. Women in the high-COVID-intensity areas also experienced a larger shift …

The Complex Interplay Between Intellectual Property And The Right To Science, Peter K. Yu

Faculty Scholarship

In April 2020, the U.N. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights released General Comment No. 25, which provides an authoritative interpretation of the right to science—a right that has hitherto not received much attention. In light of this publication and the recent celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this article examines the complex interplay between intellectual property and the right to science, with a view toward the human rights challenges brought about by both the COVID-19 pandemic and the arrival of generative AI.

The article begins by documenting the historical evolution of the …

Beyond Self-Care: Developing A Climate Survey For School Psychology Programs, Marie L. Tanaka, Tara Kulkarni, Miranda R. Zahn, Alexandria C. Robers, Heather Thompson, Kaitlyn M. Young

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Graduate program climates are an essential part of training, professional development, and identity for future school psychologists. One of the challenges of understanding program climate is how to measure such a construct so that programs can facilitate welcoming and transformational spaces for learning and critical thinking. This study aimed to develop and initially validate a measure of graduate students' perceptions and experiences of school psychology program climates, the Climate Assessment for Relationships and Equity in School Psychology. Results of an exploratory factor analysis from a sample of 212 school psychology graduate students revealed a four-factor structure: (a) program dynamics and …

Exploring Faculty Perspectives On Critical Thinking In Medical Education: Challenges, Strategies, And Institutional Support, Munirah A. Batarfi, Sajida Agha

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To uncover faculty members’ understanding, their teaching methods, and the challenges in promoting critical thinking skills among students. Critical thinking (CT) is a reflective process that involves analyzing, evaluating, and applying clinical evidence to make informed decisions that improve patient care. This study delves into the application of critical thinking in medical education, exploring various perspectives. Critical thinking necessitates thoughtful teaching approaches and ongoing educator development. Methods: Utilizing a phenomenographic approach, thirteen faculty members at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences participated in semi-structured interviews conducted via Microsoft Teams. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed using MAXQDA …

Cooking With Confidence: An Inclusive Cooking And Kitchen Safety Course To Promote Quality Of Life And Life Skills Performance For Adults With Disabilities, Leo F. Readey

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Cooking with Confidence is an inclusive life skills cooking course that utilizes the client-centered approach of Occupational Therapy (OT) to teach culinary basics and kitchen safety to community members with disabilities. The program aimed to increase confidence and quality of life of participants through therapeutic cooking for community members that have little or no cooking experience due to physical or intellectual disability and/or diagnosis. This study examined the impact of cooking on independence and confidence in cooking and how it can be beneficial to self-esteem, safety, socialization and overall quality of life.

Cervical, Breast, And Colorectal Cancer Screening Outcomes Among Refugees In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Colleen Payton, Nina Kvaratskhelia, Melanie Chalfin, Jessica Deffler, Marc Altshuler

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Cancer screening can detect cancer at an early stage and decrease cancer morbidity and mortality. Refugee populations may have had limited access to cancer screening before arrival in the United States. A cross-sectional analysis of cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer screening was conducted among refugees with primary care visits between 2018 and 2022 at a refugee health clinic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cancer screening outcomes included the number and type of screenings; the number of normal, inconclusive, and abnormal screening results; completion of follow-up tests for inconclusive and abnormal results; and the number of cancer diagnoses. Among 149 refugee women aged …

Assessing Illegal Take Of Sea Turtle In Bocas Del Toro, Panamanian Caribbean, Daniela Carolina Rojas-Cañizales

Theses and Dissertations

In Bocas del Toro, Panama, sea turtles were exploited for generations to supply local, national, and international markets. Today, sea turtle species are globally protected by different laws, and Panama is no exception. However, the use of sea turtles in Bocas del Toro and local perceptions regarding the consumption of these reptiles are unknown. Accordingly, during May of 2024, I conducted twenty-five semi-structured interviews with key informants selected by targeted and snowball sampling. Sea turtle consumption persists, and there is a clandestine network to sell turtle meat and derived products in Bocas del Toro. This study provides the first assessment …

What Of It? Coding The Unmarked Of-Preposition In Language Samples From Young Aae Speakers, Denise A. Finneran, Maura J. Moyle, Alaina Nash, Sixia Chen

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

We examined the of-preposition in language samples because it is a highly variable feature that can be marked or unmarked (e.g., “out [of] the door”) depending on context. Children who speak African American English (AAE) produce unmarked of-prepositions in contexts that are universal across AAE and General American English (GAE; e.g., “out [of] the window”) and in contexts specific to the AAE dialect (e.g., “out [of] the car”). Guidance in the literature on this variability is limited for language sample analysis. Participants included 113 children who spoke AAE. We examined contexts with unmarked of-prepositions in narrative language samples in a …