Digital Commons Network^™

An Evaluation Of Reading Proficiency Examination College Completion Among Black Neurodiverse Women, Makayla J. Graham

Theses (2016-Present)

This study establishes the college completion experiences of Black neurodiverse women (n=53), a population historically rendered invisible in higher education research. Grounded in Dis/ability Critical Race Studies (DisCrit), Black Feminist Thought, the Black Feminist Disability Framework, and the Neurodiversity Paradigm, the research documents how intersectional identity, structural barriers, and mental health outcomes shape degree attainment. Data was collected through a mixed-methods online survey targeting this specific demographic. The findings demonstrate that college completion for this population is an act of resistance against racialized sexist ableism. Thematic analysis identified six central themes: Systemic Barriers in Higher Education, Intersectional Identity Burdens, Internal …

Metabolic Acidosis And Cardiovascular Disease Risk In Children With Ckd., Denver D. Brown, Jennifer Roem, Kimberly Reidy, Susan Furth, Bradley A. Warady, Michal Melamed, Tammy Brady, Ckid Study Investigators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

KEY POINTS: Metabolic acidosis may be associated with adverse cardiovascular disease risk. Prospective studies of the benefit of alkali therapy on cardiovascular disease risk are needed.

BACKGROUND: The link between metabolic acidosis (MA) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes has been studied in adults but not in children with CKD where MA is a common and early finding. Using longitudinal BP and cardiac measurement data, we evaluated whether low serum bicarbonate (a surrogate for MA) is associated with adverse CVD risk.

METHODS: This study used data from children age 1 year and older with eGFRs between 30 and 90 ml/min per …

Foundations For Multi-Bit-Per-Cell Phase Change Memory Modeling Gst Crossbar Arrays, Sashah Wilson-Thompson

Holster Scholar Projects

This project builds a simulation foundation for selective cell heating in a phase-change memory (PCM) crossbar using Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) as the active material. Using COMSOL Multiphysics® a 3D modeling software, couples Electric Currents, Electric Circuits, Heat Transfer in Solids, and Electromagnetic Heating for the simulation. A parameterized Tungsten (W)/GST-Amorphous/GST-Crystalline(phases) /W embedded in Silica Dioxide (SiO2) and surrounded in Silica Nitride (Si3N4) is validated at the single-cell level and scaled to small GST crossbars A terminal voltage (V_active/V_inactive, or 0 V if unselected) is applied through MOSFET and diode selector elements at the ends of each word line and bit line. …

Filipino Military Professionalism And Leadership Within The Context Of The Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Strategy, Leslie Advincula-Lopez, Sharon A. Caringal, Julian V. Advincula Jr.

Development Studies Faculty Publications

The study examines how expertise, responsibility, and identity are developed and maintained by the services formally and informally and provides an updated understanding of how military professionalism functions today among the members of the AFP. The research results provide an updated understanding of how the members of the AFP dynamically construct military professionalism and leadership within the context of more complex and global security challenges. Specifically, it examines the construction and practice of professionalism and leadership across the different branches of service, the Philippine Army, the Air Force, and the Navy, as well as their geographic locations. Given the fluid …

Research Nexus : Volume 30 - 2025, Office Of Research And Graduate Studies

Office of Research and Graduate Studies

• Researcher Spotlight
• Research Milestones & News
• Research 2024
• AKU Faculty Named Among World's Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists
• Research Townhall - East Africa
• A New Addition to the Team
• Research Townhall – Pakistan and United Kingdom
• Capacity Building Initiatives
• Effective Project Management
• Navigating Grant Opportunities

Exploring Undergraduate Early Childhood Education Students' Conceptualizations Of Stem In Early Learning Contexts, Melany Spiehs

Educational Leadership Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Early childhood is widely recognized as a critical stage for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning, yet many teachers feel underprepared to support children’s foundational knowledge and skills. This study examines how undergraduate students in early childhood education conceptualize STEM within early learning environments through an analysis of their coursework and field experiences. The investigation explores both students’ articulated beliefs about STEM (espoused theories) and how they enacted STEM teaching and learning in practice (theories-in-use). Data were drawn from course artifacts including journals, reflections, learning stories, lesson plans, and field observation notes. While much of the existing literature emphasizes …

Venturing Into Health, Rachel E. Sachs

Fordham Law Review

In recent years, the landscape of venture capital (VC) investment in healthcare technologies has been altered by the introduction of new types of VC firms: those that have emerged from hospital systems and health insurers. However, the legal literature has not yet analyzed these new VC firms, the role they may play in healthcare innovation, and how innovation law and policy ought to consider their involvement. Hospital system and health insurer VC firms operate very differently than traditional VC firms, even those that have historically developed healthcare specializations. Instead of simply investing capital into start-up firms, hospital system and health …

October 2025 Library & Learning Newsletter, Minnesota State University, Mankato. Library & Learning Dean’S Office Communications Team

Library & Learning Newsletters

PDF version of the October 2025 (Volume 4, Issue 3) Library & Learning Newsletter.

Serious Games And Complex Thinking: A Study On Gender Differences And Study Discipline In University Students, María Soledad Ramírez‑Montoya, Carolina Alcantar-Nieblas, Leonardo David Glasserman-Morales

Artículos científicos

Serious games are a fundamental tool to promote learning in a playful way and to develop a wide range of cognitive skills such as complex thinking. In this study we sought to first analyze the perceived achievement of complex thinking sub-competencies by majors, and we also aimed to investigate mean differences in the group of students coming from computer science and engineering related majors and by gender of the participants in complex thinking subcompetencies. 417 learners were part of this study, of which 65.7% were male and 34.3% were female. It was found that medical students perceived higher achievement in …

Let's Bee Pragmatic: The Economic Case For Neonicotinoid Regulation In Conservative States, Annie Rosenstein

William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review

The importance of bees in our ecosystem and to our food system in the United States cannot be overstated. In fact, 35% of global crop production depends on bees and other pollinating insects. Pollinators not only influence the production of many foods that we hold dear and rely on, such as apples, chocolate, potatoes, and coffee, but also influence the quality of these products.

Currently, the most insidious threat against bees in the United States is neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics). While neonics are effective at killing the target populations of beetles, aphids, and flies, they are equally effective at killing pollinators, …

Look What You Made Me Do, Russell M. Gold

Washington and Lee Law Review

We have understood for centuries that crime is both the product of social forces and individual choice. We know now that crime is affected by economic deprivation, addiction, trauma, and mental health issues. But American criminal legal processes hide this reality by coercing defendants into expressing a profoundly simple narrative: crime is solely individual choice to do wrong. This coerced narrative finds defendants during a plea colloquy standing up in court saying that they are pleading guilty because they are guilty and for no other reason. A defendant who goes off-script to tell the judge that they have been repeatedly …

Double Dosing: How Brand-Name Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Manipulate Patent Rules To Extend Market Exclusivity, Elizabeth Hertzberg

Washington and Lee Law Review

A robust patent system is important for spurring innovation, but it is not without risk. Because a patent owner has exclusivity over the patented subject matter for a specific term, there is incentive to extend that monopoly however possible. Identical subject matter is unpatentable, but obvious variants of an existing patent may be allowed if the applicant agrees to the same expiration date for both patents. This agreement is called a terminal disclaimer. While patents tied together with terminal disclaimers may not necessarily lead to unjust patent term extensions, an army of terminal disclaimers directed at one invention presents a …

The College Voice, Vol. 62, No. 7 [October 1, 2025], Connecticut College

2025-2026

No abstract provided.

From Disruption To Renewal: Harnessing Divine Interruptions And Strategic Leadership For Transforming Church Culture, Ryan Johnson

Great Commission Research Journal

Church revitalization is a field that addresses refreshing the church’s mission and vision by leaders who assess internal and external factors affecting the congregation’s current state. However, researchers in organizational culture argue that refreshed strategies will be ineffective without also addressing underlying cultural issues. This essay addresses the need for and the process of transforming church culture during the revitalization process. Pastors and leaders bring about cultural change by disrupting the status quo. This disruptive leadership is achieved through two approaches. First, leaders proactively and incrementally disrupt the status quo to influence cultural change through faithful pastoral practices. Secondly, leaders …

I Was In Prison And You Educated Me: A Missiological Analysis, Paul H. De Neui

Great Commission Research Journal

With less than 5% of the world’s population, the United States incarcerates more than 25% of the world’s prisoners. The U.S. detains more of its own population than any other country in the world. Providing theological education to men and women who are incarcerated in U.S. prisons presents possibilities for mutual transformation, culture shaping, as well as numerous complex challenges. This article reviews the ten years of North Park Theological Seminary’s involvement in this effort in three state prisons in Illinois, drawing out lessons learned in the process. The opportunities and potential pitfalls are presented from a missiological perspective to …

A Brief History Of The American Society For Church Growth And Great Commission Research Network, Gary Mcintosh

Great Commission Research Journal

This article surveys the 40‑year history of the Great Commission Research Network, originally founded in 1985 as the American Society for Church Growth. It traces the Society’s origins in the vision of C. Peter Wagner, its early development alongside emerging academic and consulting roles in the Church Growth Movement, and its subsequent evolution through changing leadership, themes, and institutional partnerships. The narrative outlines major milestones, including organizational restructuring, name changes, expanding conference formats, and increasing collaboration with seminaries, denominations, and the Society for Church Consulting. Across four decades, the Society has produced significant research, cultivated key leaders, supported academic scholarship, …

Book Review: Generations: The Real Difference Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, And Silents – And What They Mean For America’S Future By Jean M. Twenge, H. L. Ward Jr.

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Perturbation Solution Of Air-Water Mixture For Jet Noise Reduction, Juan Felipe Uribe Cifuentes

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

This work investigates passive jet-noise mitigation using externally positioned air–water curtains that attenuate radiated sound without altering the underlying jet dynamics. Two classes of multiphase media are examined: a gaseous carrier phase containing dispersed liquid droplets, and a liquid carrier phase containing entrained air bubbles. For both systems, suspended and dispersed regimes are represented through a generalized perturbation formulation derived from the volume-averaged multiphase equations, incorporating finite volume fractions, interphase momentum coupling, and slip between phases. Analytical and numerical solutions demonstrate that acoustic attenuation is primarily governed by dispersed-phase diameter, volume fraction, and excitation frequency, with additional sensitivity to phase-interaction …

Meshless Discrete Velocity Boltzmann Model For Porous Media Flow, Amandine Maidenberg

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

This dissertation explores the combination of two sophisticated techniques for addressing computational fluid dynamics: the discrete velocity Boltzmann equation (DVBE) and the localized collocation meshless model with upwinding (U-LCMM). The DVBE is a high-level model that describes the foundations of transport phenomena by addressing the microscale motions of particles themselves and the effect of their aggregate behaviors on continuum principles. This equation integrates multiple scales of phenomena; while it can be used for fluid flow at Navier-Stokes scales, it can also resolve fine features that can only be described at the molecular level. This type of model is necessary for …

Barriers And Best Practices In Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion (Dei) Initiatives: A Case Study From The United States Aerospace And Defense Industry, Jeremy A. Bailey

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The main objective of this study was to unpack the barriers around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and then provide best practices to improve DEI efforts in the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry. There has been a multitude of research conducted on DEI in the past few years. However, very little research has focused on DEI practices in the A&D industry. This case study focused on one large company in this industry to explore and understand various aspects of DEI initiative implementation. As organizations strive to meet industry and client objectives, as well as address employee needs, two research …

Hypogammaglobulinemia And Infection Rates In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis Treated With Ocrelizumab For Up To Six Years, B. Khatri, P. Van Zealand, S. Tarima, S. Schutten, A. Baker, T. Perea

Biostatistics Faculty Publications

Objectives and aims: Ocrelizumab (OCR) is disease-modifying therapy that depletes B cells for the treatment of patients with relapsing and progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate occurrence of hypogammaglobulinemia and infection rates in patients with MS treated with OCR for up to 5.9 years in a real-world, single-center study. Methods: We assessed immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, IgA; CD19, CD4, CD8 cell counts, anti-JCV antibodies, at baseline and every six months prior to each OCR infusion. Mixed effects regression models controlling for random patient intercept were used to analyze immunological trends. Infections requiring oral or intravenous …

Greta Gerwig And Pina Bausch: A Comparative Analysis Of Creative Processes, Ashley N. Reisert

Senior Theses

This paper examines the creative processes of film director Greta Gerwig and dance choreographer Pina Bausch. More specifically, it compares the techniques both artists employ to inspire movement and produce a successful end product. Greta Gerwig’s background in theater provides the impetus behind many of her directorial choices. This paper explores three of her values that have contributed to her success: realistic dialogue, actor connection, and capturing reality. Pina Bausch’s process stems from the performers themselves; she often provides them with prompts, such as questions to inspire movement. Through the analysis of these two influential artists, I have found that …

Fit For Success: Exploring Physical Activity Promotion And Effects On Students At The University Of South Carolina Through A Podcast Series, Maia Schwarzmueller

Senior Theses

College students face unique challenges when trying to maintain physical activity levels, such as time constraints, stress, and lack of proper facilities. The Fit for Success podcast will explore how physical activity is a powerful tool towards enhancing self-perception, academic success, and stress management as well as delve into the specific barriers that University of South Carolina students face to physical activity. The podcast will also explore different aspects of physical activity promotion including group fitness, competition, and built environment. The goal of the podcast is to help students to see physical activity as an important component of many facets …

The Influence Of Academic Outcomes On Academic Achievement: A Quantitative Study In Grades 3-12, Kelli R. Helle

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this predictive study was to examine the relationship between social and emotional learning (SEL) subskills and academic performance among students in grades 3–12. Using the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework, the study sought to identify which specific subskills were most strongly associated with student grade point average (GPA). A quantitative predictive correlational design was employed with a sample of 737 students representing diverse grade levels and backgrounds. Data were collected through the Satchel Pulse SEL assessment platform, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictive value of SEL subskills while …

Wrack Lines Volume 25, Number 2, Fall-Winter 2025-2026, Nancy Balcom

Wrack Lines

Fall-Winter 2025-2026 issue of Wrack Lines explores 40 years of stewardship for Long Island Sound now and into the future, the work of the Long Island Sound Partnership, a pilot project using a new type of diving helmet to broadcast from undersea locations, a survey of public perceptions of the Sound, the life and legacy of former CT Sea Grant Director Edward Monahan, and the aspirations and reflections of recently retired CT Sea Grant Associate Director Nancy Balcom and her successor Jess Brandt.

Physical Education's Importance In Education, Tyler Phelan

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

School districts are looking to connect students with courses that will impact their futures. Research shows that physical activity is a key component of healthy well-being and sense of self. Physical education supports other areas of the curriculum, enhancing student learning and their learning experience. It also provides opportunities to improve self-control and reduce behaviors that can affect the student body. This study aims to identify the relevance of physical education to student achievement and disruptive behavior. Based on the literature, data were collected to examine the relationship between students' time in physical education courses, their GPA, and referrals to …

Can Bilateralism Endure? The 2023-25 Gaza War And The Abraham Accords Framework, Eli Sperling, Elizabeth Trumpfheller

Journal of Strategic Security

The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, marked a significant shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics by normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab states: the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. These agreements emphasized novel types of Arab-Israeli economic partnerships, security cooperation, and public diplomacy, representing a shift from earlier Israeli peace deals with Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994), which did not see significant growth in the states’ bilateral cooperation and coordination, particularly in non-security areas. And despite the unprecedented October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the ensuing Gaza and Lebanon wars, which intensified regional tensions and sparked widespread anti-Israel protests, the …

The Cost Of Quantum Wars: Small State Standpoint, Gayane Harutyunyan

Journal of Strategic Security

As an emerging technology, quantum technology claims to have a tremendous impact on all spheres of social activity, as well as to significantly change the perception of war and peace, diversify the nature of security threats, opening up new, previously unknown layers in them. The development of quantum technologies is of exceptional importance for small states in terms of defense and security, because due to some important features (efficiency, speed, accuracy, dataflow security) it can offset the scarcity of resources (financial, material and human) typical of small countries, enabling the opportunity to address the issues of low efficiency due to …

Black Widow And Black Tigress: Understanding The Female Suicide Attackers From Russia And Sri Lanka, Jithin Raveendran

Journal of Strategic Security

The phenomenon of female suicide attackers has introduced a new dimension to the landscape of terrorism, challenging traditional perceptions of gender roles and motivations within extremist activities. This article delves into the complex biographies of female suicide attackers in two different geopolitical settings: Sri Lanka and Russia. Women have been prominently involved in suicide attacks in Russia, in which it is closely related to Chechen conflict and during the Tamil insurgency for establishing independent state, Sri Lanka has also seen instances of female suicide attackers. To understand why some women are drawn into these acts of violence, it is essential …

Rethinking Behavior - Fall 2025, Midwest Symposium For Leadership In Behavior Disorders

ReThinking Behavior Magazine

A magazine for professionals serving children and youth with behavioral needs.

Fall 2025, Volume 9, Issue 1