Digital Commons Network^™

Directing Young Actors, Mitchell Whelan

Theses : Honours

This reflective practice case study examines the studio environment of a small ensemble of female actors aged 16-19, in the rehearsal of a one-act play. Performing arts researchers working in youth spaces commonly adhere to conventions of ethnodrama and facilitate a process in which participants contribute personal stories as performance material. The present paper uses a published text (Slut by Patricia Cornelius) to position participants as actors, rather than devisors who must conjure original material. Through critical reflection, the project assesses the impact of developing performance material slowly while also making time for socialisation between castmates. Drawing on my repertoire …

A Creative Exploration Of Bud Powell's Bebop Vocabulary For Modern Jazz Harmony, Flavio Colonetti

Theses : Honours

This thesis presents a practice-led research (PLR) exploration of adapting Bud Powell's bebop improvisational language for contemporary jazz performance. Through transcription and analysis of Powell's right-hand melodic material, this study employs an iterative framework to identify and transform several core stylistic traits. The initial investigation, focused on creatively transforming two extended melodic phrases, demonstrated success in traditional functional harmonic contexts but revealed a limitation when applied to the more modern, vertical chord progressions.

This prompted a methodological shift to a more modular system, whereby a catalogue of 26 short "Vocabulary Seeds" (VS) drawn from across Powell's discography was created. As …

Musicking In The Greek Diaspora Of Perth, Western Australia, Alix Simatos

Theses : Honours

This research investigates music making among second- and third-generation Greek Australians in the diaspora community of Perth, Western Australia. It explores how musical practices serve as a medium for expressing and negotiating Greek identity, with particular attention to how multiculturalism is embodied through music education, performance and communal exchange. Fieldwork was conducted in Perth between July and September 2025, using a methodology that included semi-structured interviews, participant observation and experiential learning through musical events. The findings highlight music’s significance in sustaining cultural heritage and shaping identity within diaspora communities. Key themes include the influence of physical and digital media on …

Hiding An Ear In Plain Sight: On The Practicality And Implications Of Acoustic Eavesdropping With Telecom Fiber Optic Cables, Youqian Zhang, Zheng Fang, Huan Wu, Sze Yiu Chau, Chao Lu, Xiapu Luo

Department of Construction, Environment and Engineering

Optical fibers are widely regarded as reliable communication channels due to their resistance to external interference and low signal loss. This paper demonstrates a critical side channel within telecommunication optical fiber that allows for acoustic eavesdropping. By exploiting the sensitivity of optical f ibers to acoustic vibrations, attackers can remotely monitor sound-induced deformations in the fiber structure and further recover information from the original sound waves. This issue becomes particularly concerning with the proliferation of Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) installations in modern buildings. Attackers with access to one end of an optical fiber can use commercially available Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) systems …

A Comparative Case Study Of Esg Integration Strategies In Hong Kong Region Using The Cepar Methodology, Xiaoying Lu, Xiaofang Liu, Chi Him, Alpha Tsang, Juan Zhang, Yuxi Chen

Department of Construction, Environment and Engineering

This study adopts the five-stage CEPAR (Challenge, Evaluation, Planning, Action, Review) methodology to conduct a comparative case analysis of ESG integration strategies across five key sectors (Real Estate, Financial Services, Technology, Logistics, and Retail) in Hong Kong region, based on simulated data of 15 enterprises. It explores sectoral differences in ESG implementation maturity, operational practices, developmental barriers, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The results reveal significant cross-sector maturity disparities: Financial Services ranks the highest (84.4/100) with robust evaluation and review mechanisms, followed by Technology (82.0), Retail (77.4), and Real Estate (73.2), while Logistics scores the lowest …

Optical Fiber Identification Via 2-D Rayleigh Backscattering Fingerprints, Huan Wu, Fang Zheng, Youqian Zhang, Chao Lu

Department of Construction, Environment and Engineering

We propose an image-assisted optical fiber identification method that exploits the unclonable Rayleigh backscattering signatures measured by optical frequency-domain reflectometry (OFDR). A two-dimensional binary optical fiber identifier (OFID), analogous to a digital fingerprint image, is derived from the Rayleigh backscattering spectrum (RBS) matrix, enabling identification when combined with structure similarity index measure (SSIM). Experiments show that the proposed scheme offers 109% improvement in robustness over conventional one-dimensional local-RBS matching, while reducing data storage from 0.98 MB to 39.6 kB per measurement. A systematic analysis of OFDR parameters reveals that identification accuracy is maximized at a spatial resolution of approximately 3 …

Analysis Theories On Artificial Intelligence, Chatgpt, Data Science, And Metaverse: The Case Of Digital Medicine, Yin Yang, Xingyun Liu, Jorge Luis Cuyubamba Dominguez, Yuan Fang, Wen Xie, Bairong Shen, Keng Siau

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Healthcare organizations are increasingly adopting digital technologies, with Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, and the metaverse driving significant advancements in smart healthcare. Al facilitates personalized medicine and efficient drug development, while Data Science enables predictive analytics and big data management, enhancing patient outcomes and healthcare quality. The metaverse introduces immersive training and telemedicine platforms, revolutionizing patient engagement and healthcare research. This study conducts' a scoping review of 6,171 articles, analyzing the transformational impact of AI, ChatGPT, Data Science, and the metaverse on healthcare. It highlights the benefits and risks of these technologies, identifies research gaps in their application within the …

Trajlens: Visual Analysis For Constructing Cell Developmental Trajectories In Cross-Sample Exploration, Qipeng Wang, Shaolun Ruan, Rui Sheng, Yong Wang, Min Zhu, Huamin Qu

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Constructing cell developmental trajectories is a critical task in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis, enabling the inference of potential cellular progression paths. However, current automated methods are limited to establishing cell developmental trajectories within individual samples, necessitating biologists to manually link cells across samples to construct complete cross-sample evolutionary trajectories that consider cellular spatial dynamics. This process demands substantial human effort due to the complex spatial correspondence between each pair of samples. To address this challenge, we first proposed a GNN-based model to predict cross-sample cell developmental trajectories. We then developed TrajLens, a visual analytics system that supports biologists in …

Revisiting The Canonicalization For Fast And Accurate Crystal Tensor Property Prediction, Haowei Hua Hua, Jingwen Yang, Wanyu Lin, Pan Zhou

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Predicting the tensor properties of crystalline materials is a fundamental task in materials science. Unlike single-value property prediction, which is inherently invariant, tensor property prediction requires maintaining O(3) group tensor equivariance. Such equivariance constraint often requires specialized architecture designs to achieve effective predictions, inevitably introducing tremendous computational costs. Canonicalization, a classical technique for geometry, has recently been explored for efficient learning with symmetry. In this work, we revisit the problem of crystal tensor property prediction through the lens of canonicalization. Specifically, we demonstrate how polar decomposition, a simple yet efficient algebraic method, can serve as a form of canonicalization and …

Uncovering Mild Drift In Asset Prices With Intraday High-Frequency Data, Shuping Shi, Peter C. B. Phillips

Research Collection School Of Economics

Asset prices are commonly represented as a drift-diffusion process, wherein the drift component denotes the anticipated return of the asset within some time frame, while the diffusion component accommodates random shocks. The drift component has substantial practical significance but accurate estimation is typically challenging and has met with limited success in the existing literature except over large time spans. This paper explores a comprehensive range of drift-diffusion models that include constant, linear, trending, and bursting drift. Conditions are identified under which realized squared drift  is a reliable tool for gauging integrated squared drift when the time span Tn is large …

Assessing Ethereum’S Diversification Role With Bitcoin And Major Equity Index – A Bayesian Mixture Copula Approach, Jackie Li, Jacie Jia Liu

Research Collection School Of Economics

With the introduction of spot Ethereum ETFs, Ethereum plays an increasingly important role in the cryptocurrency market. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian modelling framework incorporating a mixture copula for co-modelling Ethereum returns with Bitcoin or FTSE 100 returns. The mixture copula is designed as a combination of the Clayton copula and its three rotations, Frank, and Gaussian copulas. It provides substantial flexibility for handling a variety of dependency structures. The Bayesian approach offers the advantage of jointly estimating both the margins and copulas and simulating future returns in a coherent procedure. Using 10 different risk or risk-return measures, …

Liver X Receptor Α (Lxrα) Regulates 5Β-Reductase (Akr1d1) Expression In Avian Embryos: Implications For Yolk Steroid Metabolism, Ryan T. Paitz, Sara E. Waters, Delaney K. Reynolds, Emily M. Drew, Emily P. Harders

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

Steroid-mediated maternal effects are well-studied as a source of phenotypic variation. In bird eggs, the yolk contains various steroids that can influence embryonic development. However, one complicating factor in understanding how yolk steroids affect development is that the embryo metabolizes yolk steroids to regulate exposure. The 5β-reduction of steroids by the enzyme 5β-reductase (AKR1D1) has been identified as a pathway through which yolk progesterone, testosterone, and corticosterone are all metabolized early in avian development. We set out to characterize the mechanism through which AKR1D1 expression is regulated in chickens (Gallus gallus) during embryonic development. We found …

The Periodical 2025-2026, Southern Adventist University

the Periodical – Chemistry Department Newsletter

Vol. 13, Issue 1 of the Periodical features an article on new faculty member, Sarah Pak, chemistry graduates, and several Meet the Faculty highlights.

Predictors Of Prejudice Towards People With Tattoos, Jordan Smith

Honors Program Theses

Thirty-two percent of Americans have at least one tattoo (Schaeffer, 2023), and many of them experience discrimination. The purpose of this study was to examine potential correlates of this prejudice. 251 participants completed a survey online that assessed their attitudes towards people with tattoos along with variables that have previously been associated with other types of prejudice. Perceived threat was the strongest predictor of prejudiced attitudes. Participants who reported greater prejudice also reported greater perceptions that tattooed people were different from themselves, higher levels of authoritarianism and lower levels of agreeableness. Older people and those without tattoos also reported greater …

A Literature Review Of Adoptive Cell Therapy (Act) In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (Nsclc) With Emphasis On Chimeric Antigen Receptor (Car) T Cell And Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte (Til) Therapies, Brianna Wickham

Honors Program Theses

Non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for the majority of lung cancer diagnoses and remains a leading cause of cancer‑related mortality despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. While immunotherapy has improved outcomes for some patients, many develop treatment resistance or experience significant toxicity, highlighting the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT), which involves the infusion of autologous immune cells expanded or engineered ex vivo, has demonstrated substantial success in hematologic malignancies and is now being investigated for use in solid tumors such as NSCLC. This literature review examines the current state of ACT …

Music Education In My Band Room: A Personal Philosophy Statement, Dorothy Roorda

Honors Program Theses

I want to be the best band director I can be. As a pre-service music educator, I have received countless hours of instruction in content knowledge. At the end of the degree program, music education majors are certified to teach K-12 music of any kind. To receive that certification, we take dozens of classes in our content area. We are taught how to teach every band instrument, how to lead choirs, jazz bands, and marching bands, how to conduct and how to sing, how to play our primary instrument and many others. We spend hours in practice rooms, honing our …

Growth And Sustainability Of Ash Tree Replacements In Twin Lakes, Iowa, Emma Larsen

Honors Program Theses

The significant loss of mature ash trees at Twin Lakes Bible Camp (TLBC) has motivated efforts to restore green spaces by planting replacement trees. In summer 2024, 32 trees representing eight unique species were planted, and their overall health and site suitability were evaluated to inform future replanting efforts in summer 2025. The five soil series present at TLBC (Canisteo, Clarion, Webster, Okoboki, and Nicollet) were evaluated by soil chemistry testing through x-ray fluorescence spectrometry. This study presents site-specific data of tree growth measurements, visual health assessments, and soil compatibility analyses to identify practical recommendations for improving restoration success. The …

Using Simulations And Machine Learning To Improve Routing Algorithms In Wireless Sensor Networks, Luke Abels

Honors Program Theses

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are widely used in fields such as environmental monitoring, smart agriculture, disaster response, and other applications where low-power devices must communicate reliably over time. Because these networks operate under limited energy and communication constraints, routing and broadcast strategies strongly influence performance, scalability, and network lifetime. This thesis examines how simulation and machine learning can be used to study interference-aware broadcasting in WSNs. The project first evaluates the usefulness of existing network simulation tools, including ns-3, and then describes the development of a custom Python simulator designed for rapid experimentation with broadcast behavior, mobility, and signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio …

Characterizing Glacial Sediments From The Cincinnati, Ohio Area By Analyzing Grain Size Distribution And Elemental Composition, Laura Comstock

Honors Program Theses

Reconstructing the history of ice sheet dynamics is essential for understanding how past climate change has shaped modern landscapes. The Laurentide Ice Sheet advanced and retreated multiple times over North America during the Pleistocene Epoch. Although there is widespread sedimentary evidence for the most recent glacial episode, much of the evidence of older glaciations has been overwritten by more recent glacial advances. This study focuses on Paddison Run, an exposed Pleistocene sequence near Cincinnati, Ohio, that has previously been interpreted as Illinoian in age. Five distinct units were identified within the exposure, based on centimeter logging of this section, high-resolution …

The Times They Are A-Changin’: How Bob Dylan’S Music Helped To Change An Era, Emily Newby

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

Aging Across Cultures: How Cultural Attitudes Shape Senior Care In Japan And The United States, Ella Jane Gunn

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine how cultural perceptions of aging influence the structure and delivery of care for older adults in Japan and the United States. By comparing cultural attitudes, this study identifies implications for senior care in each country. While cross-cultural studies comparing senior care systems already exist, many lack the cultural context that shapes expectations about aging and care. This work focuses on this distinction. Ten individuals ranging in age from 21 to 83 participated in interviews about their perceptions of aging: five with an American background and five with a Japanese background. The interviews …

The Role Of Parent Involvement In Enhancing Pediatric Speech And Language Therapy, Katie Lynch

Honors Program Theses

As speech-language pathologists, we provide speech and language therapy for children in a variety of settings. It is crucial that we include a client’s family in therapy because family involvement has been shown to promote generalization of skills learned in therapy to a child’s typical environment. Despite this, various barriers exist for families as they aim to support their child’s speech and language goals. This literature review examines how speech-language pathologists can gain an understanding of these barriers and how they can promote family involvement in pediatric speech and language therapy.

A Framework For Evaluating Riparian Climate Refugia In The Eel River Watershed, California, Farrah Tyler

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Climate change is increasing the need to identify and protect landscapes that support biodiversity through both habitat connectivity and climate refugia. Climate refugia are areas that remain relatively buffered from regional climatic change, enabling species to persist despite shifting environmental conditions. Riparian ecosystems can function as both movement corridors and climate refugia, yet methods for identifying these features and understanding the environmental processes that sustain them remain limited. In California's North Coast region, the identification and conservation of watersheds that may serve as climate refugia for sensitive plant and animal species will be essential for long-term ecosystem management and conservation. …

Assessing The Ecological Drivers Of Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Of Fuels In The California Home Ignition Zone, Christopher David Benterou

Master's Theses

Consecutive years of devastating home losses to wildfire indicate the need for home fuel reduction and construction improvements. Existing research correlates house survival with modifications to the home ignition zone (HIZ) and is required in high fire hazard areas of California (CA). Mitigations, designed to disrupt continuous fuel patterns, (e.g., separating surface and canopy fuels), can also introduce ecological changes that can alter overall code compliance. Previous compliance studies used respondent and agency-generated data, which may lack accuracy. Assessing additional house and ecological features (e.g., canopy cover and construction) would improve prediction of compliance, but these relationships are poorly studied. …

The Operation And Control Strategy Of Microgrids: A Brief Review, Mohammad Alam, Salsabila Zaman

Electrical Engineering Student Publications

A microgrid is an effective approach for integrating various distributed energy resources to meet local energy demand. It possesses the capability to operate independently or in conjunction with the main utility grid. Typically, a microgrid is a small-scale power system (usually several megawatts or less) comprising three primary components: the ability to function in both grid-connected and islanded modes, distributed power generation sources, and autonomous control centers. Microgrids enhance system resilience by ensuring uninterrupted operation during grid disturbances. Additionally, they are environmentally sustainable and contribute to improved power quality. As a crucial element of modern power systems, microgrids can effectively …

Don’T Give The Fae Your Name: Focus Of Attention And Victim Blaming, Entropy Cramer

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Victim-blaming is thought to be a result of the fundamental attributional error, where people over-emphasize internal attributions about the victim. Despite this, there is little literature on manipulating the focus of attention and the result for victim-blaming. People who are high in rape myth acceptance tend to visually focus on the victims longer (Süssenbach et al., 2015). Rempala and Bernieri (2005) found that adding irrelevant information, such as height and weight, to the trial about the victim increased victim-blaming compared to when it was absent. The current study investigated if relevant information about the victim and perpetrator changed the amount …

Toward A Transformative Church: The Role Of Elders In Church Growth In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Brian Kwalela Mungandi

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study addressed the need for a transformational leadership strategy that engages elders in membership retention and church growth for a Seventh-day Adventist Church. This mixed-method study aimed to identify factors contributing to declining membership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with the goal of informing strategies for improved member retention and potential church growth. A survey involving 30 active members was administered to gather insights into the target church’s profile. Additionally, interviews were conducted with 18 elders across four churches to evaluate leadership perspectives concerning membership retention and church growth. These data sources offered a snapshot of the target church's …

The Future Of Crypto-Asset Regulation Under Wto Law, Ines Willemyns

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

No abstract provided.

A Dose Of Accountability: Fixing Treaty Enforcement To Combat State Complicity In Transnational Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking, Caitlin Sharma

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

The international fentanyl crisis underscores significant gaps in treaty enforcement, particularly with state accountability for drug manufacturing and export practices leading to illicit fentanyl trafficking. Despite preventive measures established by United Nations drug conventions, legal loopholes in these provisions impede meaningful cooperation between state parties. This Note uses key countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, and India, as case studies in both producing and receiving fentanyl and its precursors. It evaluates current proposals to mitigate the crisis, such as enhanced international cooperation and the potential expansion of the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction. However, these solutions remain insufficient due …

Uncharted Waters: Barriers To Ocean Carbon Removal In The High Seas Under Unclos And The Bbnj, Connor Stevens

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

No abstract provided.