Digital Commons Network^™

Ai4qual: A Comprehensive Field Guide To Llm-Supported Qualitative Research (Tutorial), He Zhang, Jie Cai, Jingyi Xie, Chuhao Wu, Chan Min Kim, John M. Carroll

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

This half-day (≈ 180 minutes), hands-on tutorial translates recent findings on large language model (LLM) support for qualitative research into a concise, end-to-end workflow grounded in our prior studies. Part I (LLM-supported semi-structured interviewing) distills design principles for AI-generated follow-up questions—covering role assignment, engagement patterns, user perceptions, and practical tactics for integrating LLM prompts during interviews while honoring consent and study protocols. Part II (LLM-supported coding and analysis) operationalizes results from prior work on using ChatGPT/LLMs for qualitative coding: moving from open coding to categories/themes, interpreting human–LLM alignment and inter-rater reliability findings at a conceptual level, and building a lightweight …

What Holds High-Speed Rail Back: Lessons From Global Systems And California’S Experience, Deepak K. Sharma, Rajnish Lekhi, Scott Parr

Mineta Transportation Institute

This report examines benefits and challenges of integrating California High-Speed Rail (CHSR) with other rail systems and reviews California legislation impacting HSR’s contracting and financing alternatives. The research compares CHSR with high-speed rail systems around the world to identify similarities and differences in costs, speeds, ridership, and operating conditions. It also reviews Japan’s Land Readjustment Act as a model for value capture and land assembly and explores international experiences on rail integration, along with U.S. cases from the East Coast and Los Angeles. A review of California’s transportation legislation highlights how laws for highways and bridges differ from those for …

Archer Snaps By Blessing In These Guys, Varren Coehn L. Gan, Enzel Hansburg S. Khee, Darrion Kyler C. Lim, Paul Ryan L. So, Jeffrey S. Xu, Nerisse Estrada

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Archer Snaps was established on July 24, 2024, by five (5) senior high school students from De La Salle University-Manila (DLSU) with the goal of capturing meaningful student experiences through a personalized photo booth service. Inspired by the slogan, “You will never realize the value of a moment until it becomes a memory,” Archer Snaps turns everyday campus moments into lasting memorabilia that celebrate Lasallian pride. Launched as a sole proprietorship during the DLSU ABM Bazaar, the business offered photo strips with exclusive DLSU-themed borders explicitly designed for the Lasallian community. Within its first two (2) months, Archer Snaps sold …

Terrapiya, Rein Valerie A. Acuzar, Gabrielle D. Dingalsan, Marian Edilynne G. Lim, Vincent Andre B. Namuag, Xian Iverson A. Tan, Roderick Pangindian

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Terrapiya was formed in 2024 by a team of ABM students at DLSU-Manila to address the lack of accessible greenery in urban spaces. Specializing in customizable miniature terrariums, Terrapiya has grown from a school project into a promising venture, now entering early commercialization through successful market testing and direct sales. Its advantage lies in customizable designs, locally sourced materials, and a strong sustainability ethos. The business possesses no proprietary rights but operates as a sole proprietorship to streamline decision-making processes under Rein Acuzar. She is supported by a proficient team comprising Ms. Lim, Mr. Tan, Ms. Dingsalsan, and Mr. Namuag, …

South’In, Sa’Tin: Satin-Lined Caps To Counter Hair Thinning, Gian Dormido, Ethan Rafael F. Navarra, Franzin Esra R. Quintana, Sofia Angela M. Ordoña, Generie M. Manuel

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Founded in May 2024 to address scalp and hair health issues common among Gen Zs, South’In was organized by five De La Salle University SHS ABM students. The group conceptualized and crafted a bull cap brand that innovates traditional headwear through satin-lined caps. With an investment of ₱25,000.00, the venture initially earned ₱5,723.30 in net profit during its initial launch. Operating as a sole proprietorship with a functional structure, South’In offers its distinct fusion of satin’s hair and scalp benefits with everyday cap comfort, making it unique both in purpose and product. The cap design comes with three interchangeable fins …

Skitchi, Kristine Nicole Q. Vila, Julianne Danielle C. Briones Ms, Chester A. Del Rosario, Spyrus A. Garcia, Megan Samantha L. Te, Ma. Louise Gena Crisologo

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Skitchi is a bag business established in 2024 by five students from De La Salle University-Manila’s Accountancy, Business, and Management strand, namely Kristine Vila, Megan Te, Julianne Briones, Chester Del Rosario, and Spyrus Garcia. Operating under a sole proprietorship, the team shares a unified vision of promoting sustainability through practical, affordable, and stylish canvas bags with patches crafted from “katsa” or recycled sackcloth. In response to the growing issue of fabric waste, Skitchi sources leftover sackcloth from local stores in Marikina. The bags are produced in Bulacan, with patches sewn by Marikina seamstresses, demonstrating the company’s commitment to sustainable practices …

Opulace, Charisse Isabel V. Alagar, Michael Andre M. Mempin, Kristianna N. Naron, Zei Alexa S. Salazar, Christine A. Maranon

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Opulace is a student-led business founded in October 2024. It responds to the increased demand among Generation Z consumers for stylish, affordable accessories or ‘anik-aniks.’ The brand sells shoe charms, shoe chains, and mesh shoelaces, offering customers jewelry for leveling up their fashion in a unique manner: by adorning their footwear. Operating as a sole proprietorship, Opulace is controlled by four founders: Zei Salazar (General Manager), Andre Mempin (Operations Manager), Kristianna Naron (Finance Manager), and Charisse Alagar (Marketing Manager), whose positions align with their respective strengths. Mentors Chester Lin, Christine Marañon, and Norie Ecija support the team and provide strategic …

Kartera, Arwyn G. Alignay, Julianne Skye Alexandria A. Antonio, Jacob Mark R. Carlos, Lance P. Ercia, Ricardo P. Macatangay Iii, Christine A. Maranon

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Kartera was formed in July 2024, bridging the gap between physical and digital wallets while combining a convenient form and sustainability. These factors distinguish its product offerings from a recently stagnant set of commercial wallets. The venture is in an early growth stage in the wallet industry, having recently launched its flagship product. The product, a no-fold wallet constructed from Piñatex, a sustainable pineapple leather alternative, was launched in February 2025 during the ABM Bazaar and initiated the framework for design protection for future products. Kartera functions under the sole proprietorship of Lance Ercia, who is supported by four officers: …

In The Hood, Arvie G. Alignay, Chloe Sofia Margaret C. Llamas, Adrian Carlo G. Mariano, Juliana Adrienne Monta, Jaerus Aloysius B. Panganiban, Aldrin C. Balite

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

In The Hood, founded in July 2024, is an outdoor apparel brand offering sustainable, functional, stylish, and affordable wear suited for the Philippines’ wet and dry climate. It is a sole proprietorship owned by Ms. Juliana Monta, assisted by a management team composed of Mr. Arvie Alignay as head of operations, Mr. Adrian Mariano as head of marketing, Mr. Jaerus Panganiban as head of finance, and Ms. Chloe Llamas as head of human resources. The management executives contribute specialized expertise based on their functional areas, enabling effective organizational oversight and decision-making. Operating within the highly saturated outdoor apparel market, In …

Free For All: The Cost Of Political Freedom Without Competence Standards, Justine S. Leomo, Siou-Sian Chen, John Den Saul L. Dalan

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

In democratic societies, political participation is a fundamental right, allowing every citizen, regardless of background, to run for office. However, this political freedom raises pressing questions about governance quality when competence standards are not in place. The tension between democratic inclusivity and the need for competent leadership becomes particularly relevant in educational settings where future leaders are shaped. This study aims to explore how student leaders perceive and experience political freedom in the absence of defined competence criteria in leadership roles. Guided by a transcendental phenomenological design, the study involved 20 purposively selected student leaders from Columban College, Inc., Basic …

Love And Lust: A Philosophical Assessment Of The Morality Of Watching Pornography In Romantic Relationships Through Aristotle’S Function Of Rationality And Virtue Ethics, Missy Gabrielle Magtibay Dimayuga, Kaisser Brent Sanchez Eufemio, Annika Almhyr B. Rivera, Aiyana Chantel Go Tuvilla, Maria Karla Ysabelle Ticzon Vesorio, Naoemi Mikka Ella Weill

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

This study examines the moral acceptability of watching pornography while being in a romantic relationship. It explores the role of consent and intent in determining whether the aforementioned act is morally acceptable or morally unacceptable. Using Aristotle’s Function of Rationality and his Virtue Ethics, the study establishes that the moral acceptability of pornography consumption is subjective, and its acceptability is not dictated by a universal and unconditional moral rule, but is rather dictated by the perspective, situation, and dynamic of the individuals in a relationship themselves. The study argues that the act may be morally acceptable given that there is …

Rethinking The Revolution: Reimagining The Relationship Between People And Power Through Rousseau’S General Will, Avah Jimaria N. Marzan, Terrence Luis M. Reyes, Miguel Jae P. Asido, Ma. Angelica Therese Soriano Abiera, Armione Kiera M. Magadia, Kataryna Theriz M. Dato-On, Naoemi Mikka Ella Weill

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

The 1986 EDSA Revolution was a pivotal moment in Philippine history, where Filipinos united to oppose the tyranny under the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.. However, the country still faces long-term instabilities in its aftermath. Thus, by accounting for the facets contributing to the discourse of the general will, the paper examines EDSA through Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s theory to ascertain whether political rallies are compatible under a social contract—an agreement concerning individuals’ rights and responsibilities to stimulate respectful coexistence and law adherence. This paper argues that political rallies are compatible if they uphold the general will and when the …

Unraveling Greenwashing Awareness: A Narrative Case Study Among Miriam College High School Students, Mica Adriana C. Nangpi, Leanne C. Romales, Romina Alyssandra Reyes, Kelcy Reign R. Cruz, Elisha N. Espina, Eunice G. Pacifico

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Greenwashing is a deceptive marketing tactic involving false eco-friendly claims regarding products or services. Since this topic is not well-versed, especially within the high school student context, this study aims to assess the greenwashing awareness of Miriam College High School (MCHS) students and the factors that contribute to it. This was done by utilizing a focus group discussion (FGD) as the main data gathering instrument, with a pre-survey beforehand to classify which focus group the students belonged to. After conducting focus group discussions, the significant factors that lead to high and low greenwashing awareness were identified; for those with high …

Star Apple (Chrysophyllum Cainito) Leaf & Banana (Musa Acuminata) Peel Extract As A Hydrophobic Coating For Cardboard, Ferdinand F. Begnaen, Missy Noelle C. Velasco, Mary Catherine M. Alfonso, Sharee Mae A. Tamayo, Ashley Irish V. Balneg, Crizanne R. Barsatan, David Isaiah S. Gengania, Rivi N. Wacnisen, Nikah Mei I. James

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

This research aims to find a natural way to make cardboard more water-resistant, increasing its recyclability and lifespan by using banana peels (BP) and star apple leaves (SAL). The inspiration behind this study comes from commercial coatings that are made from synthetic chemicals, such as fluoropolymers and silicone, that can harm the environment. Since cardboard easily absorbs water, the researchers tested different mixtures of BP and SAL to determine which combination works best as a coating. Using ethanol maceration to extract hydrophobic compounds, epicuticular wax was obtained from SAL, while powdered BP was macerated with hexane. The extracts were concentrated …

The Role Of Social Media In Philippine Disaster Management: A Systematic Literature Review, Maxim Alexandrite V. Inoferio, Rich Angelo P. Santos, Henry Joshua A. Hernandez, Jeyson T. Taeza

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Despite the Philippines being one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, research on the role of social media in its disaster risk management remains limited. This study addresses this gap through a systematic review of existing literature on social media use in Philippine disaster risk management. The analysis is framed within the context of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and its four thematic areas: Prevention and Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Rehabilitation and Recovery, which guide disaster risk reduction efforts in the country. Results show that social media is primarily employed in response to typhoons and earthquakes, …

“Neither Living Nor Dead”: From Nazgûl To The Sídhe In Tolkien's The Fellowship Of The Ring (1954), Noelia Ramos

Journal of Tolkien Research

This study explores the influence of Celtic supernatural folklore, particularly the banshee tradition, on Tolkien’s depiction of the Nazgûl in The Fellowship of the Ring. Using W.B. Yeats’ Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry (1888) and the Celtic Twilight movement as a comparative framework, it analyses “A Short Cut to Mushrooms” and “A Knife in the Dark”, focusing on liminality, spectral presence, and supernatural dread. These parallels are further contextualised through reference to early Irish texts The Táin Bó Cúailnge and The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn, central works within the Celtic literary compilation known to Tolkien …

Facing The Constitution: How Facial Recognition Technology Threatens Fourth Amendment Protections And Deepens Racial Inequality, Bailey Mandell

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights and Social Justice (ERSJ) Blog

It is very unlikely you have ever consented to a police lineup. Yet if you have a driver’s license or a social media account, you may already be in one. A new kind of digital lineup has emerged, one that never ends and requires neither your knowledge nor consent. Facial recognition technology (“FRT”)is a biometric identification method that creates a digital template of a person’s face using measurements such as the distance between the eyes, the width of the nose, the length of the jawline, and the shape of the cheekbones. Algorithms then compare that template either to a second …

Keirkegaard And The Algorithm, John Egan

Philosophy Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Social Control And Neglect At A Crossroads: Unpacking The Interactive Effects Of Residential Segregation And Violence On Pretrial Detention, Paige Vaughn, Joshua H. Williams

Faculty Publications

Racial segregation and violent crime are both important predictors of jurisdiction-level criminal justice outcomes, yet little research has examined their influences on front-end detention patterns and how they may interact to shape local punishment practices. The current study uses official sources and Vera Institute of Justice data spanning 1496 decennial county-years (374 counties from 1980 to 2010) to examine the independent and combined effects of county-level racial segregation and violent crime on pretrial detention rates. Drawing on group threat and minority neglect arguments, we find that high segregation levels are associated with neglect, especially in violent areas. Reduced segregation between …

Analyzing Methods To Support Students Left Behind In Colorado Primary/Secondary Schools, Grace Hudson

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

In the United States, there has been an increase of deportations, since 2024, of undocumented immigrants. This has disproportionally affected Mexicans and others from Latin American countries (Dreby 2012) due to them being the largest group of undocumented people in the United States. One effect of these deportations is an increase in children that are left in the United States while their parent(s) are in detention or have been deported. Some of these children are in mixed-status families, which means that the child has a different citizenship status than their parents or other members in their family, which allows for …

Addressing The Problems Of Data Variations, Quality, And Scarcity In Training Deep Neural Networks, Jian Sun

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The performance of deep neural networks (DNNs) is strongly influenced by the characteristics and quality of the underlying datasets. This Ph.D. dissertation addresses three pervasive data challenges-imbalance, quality degradation, and scarcity-that commonly hinder the effectiveness of DNNs in computer vision (CV) and natural language processing (NLP) applications.

Class imbalance remains one of the most frequent causes of degraded model generalization. While Focal Loss effectively mitigates inter-class imbalance by assigning higher weights to minority classes, it struggles with intra-class imbalance, particularly in video datasets where longer clips dominate feature representation. To address this, I implement and utilize …

Contribution Of G4 Structure To Alzheimer’S Disease And Tau Pathology, Lena Michaela Kallweit

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The occurrence of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is rapidly increasing as our global population ages. With the majority of therapeutic drugs in the last couple of decades failing clinical trials, new molecular targets are needed to combat the expected influx of new AD cases. AD pathogenesis is associated with abnormal protein aggregation, characterized in part by intracellular accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). RNA has been identified as a major non-proteinaceous component of NFTs and has been implicated as an active cofactor in tau aggregation and spread. Recent work has shown that aggregates from AD brains contain almost …

Critical Roles And Critical Rolls: A Frame-Analytical Perspective Of Self-Making, Safe Spaces, And Worldbuilding In Tabletop Role-Playing Games, Cal Quayle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many gamers prefer to play tabletop roleplaying games, or TTRPGs, in order to a) join a community, and b) tell a story collaboratively with friends and acquaintances. This thesis discusses selfhood-making, safe spaces, and allegory in imaginary worlds from the perspective of Erving Goff man’s frame analysis. It relies on a theoretical framework of imagined communities, the magic circle, and subcreation. This research culminated in the understanding that people play TTRPGs for a variety of reasons - collaborative storytelling and exercising critical thinking skills, but respondents overwhelmingly reported that they enjoyed the ability to socialize with friends and strangers, and …

Secureai: Toward Experiential Security And Privacy Training For Ai Practitioners, Mujtaba Nazari, Eric Chan-Tin, Loretta Stalans, Mohammed Abuhamad

Computer Science: Faculty Publications and Other Works

The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence across industries has outpaced security and privacy training for AI practitioners. This paper presents methods, modules, and findings from an experiential training program designed to address security and privacy challenges in AI systems development and deployment. We conducted two program iterations: a comprehensive 12-workshop series (May-October 2024) and a condensed 6-workshop format (January-February 2025). The program combined expert-led panel sessions with hands-on laboratory activities, engaging 78 participants from diverse professional backgrounds. Evaluation through pre- and post-evaluation surveys and qualitative observations revealed improvements in cybersecurity knowledge and AI security awareness. Participants demonstrated enhanced ability to …

Cycling Past 50: A Closer Look Into The World Of Older Cyclists, Year 5 Survey, Carol Kachadoorian

Mineta Transportation Institute

This document reports on approximately 2,800 responses to a North American survey of older adults who cycle. The survey, open from March 2024 through February 2025, included questions that captured a person’s cycling over their life course, as well as their current cycling styles, habits, and preferences. Responses reflect the impact of various factors on an older adult’s cycling habits with respect to their ability and agility and their expectation to continue cycling. The survey asked about falls and near misses in the past year, coding fall descriptions into six categories and sorting them by the respondent’s gender and age. …

Holding Isps Accountable? Secondary Liability And The Impact Of Cox V. Sony, Emma Steffes

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal (AELJ) Blog

The Supreme Court is currently considering a case that could significantly affect current secondary liability principles under copyright law: Cox Communications, Inc. v. Sony Music Entertainment. The case poses a deceptively simple question: asking when an internet service provider should be legally responsible for the illegal actions of its users? The answer could reshape the relationship between copyright owners, internet companies, and all online users.

Problematizing The Critical Dimensions Of Whiteness With Educational Leaders, Lerita Yvette Cavness

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This action research examines whether and how whiteness is “weaponized” by a P-12 educational leader, the impact whiteness has on their identities, and whether engagement with Critical Whiteness Studies (CWS) will increase pro-equity behaviors. The research employs a layered mixed-methods approach, and a deductive analysis triangulation plan framed by the Critical Dimensions of Whiteness Model (CDWM). This N-of-1 case study included a four-phase intervention workshop series and one post interview. The findings identify how one educational leader engaged in the selfweaponization of whiteness. The findings identify that CWS supported by the CDWM is a disruptive but healing path to awareness …

Congress's Mistaken Ip Power And Our Hybrid Constitutionalism, Barry P. Mcdonald

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

A Tale Of Two Landlords, Christopher J. Ryan Jr.

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Domestic Guestworkers: A Call To End The H-2b Program And Empower American Workers, Preston Huennekens

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.