Digital Commons Network^™

The Influence Of Incorrectly Labelled Ai-Generated Images On Subjective Feelings Of Truth And Memory, Tanner Mckenzie Grubbs

Theses and Dissertations

Artificial intelligence (AI) photo generators generated more than 15 billion images in the past year alone (Valyaeva, 2023). To subdue concerns about misinformation, many online platforms have mandated that content generated with AI be labelled as such (Bond, 2023), but the efficacy of these warning labels is largely unknown. Previous research shows that the presence of an image affects how much we trust the information we are exposed to, so we would expect these AI-generated images to influence people’s beliefs. The purpose of the present research was to examine how AI-generated warning labels influence people’s trust in claims presented with …

The Effect Of Dexmedetomidine On The Frequency Of Ureteral Jets Detected In Dogs Using Standard Brightness Mode Ultrasonography, Leonard E. Jordan Ii

Theses and Dissertations

Ultrasonography can be used in dogs to visualize urine entering the urinary bladder (ureteral jets) to determine whether urine enters the bladder normally. Dexmedetomidine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist used for chemical restraint and has diuretic properties. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the number of jets detected using B-mode ultrasonography. We hypothesized: that intravenous administration of dexmedetomidine would cause increased numbers of jets; that jets would increase with increasing doses of dexmedetomidine and length of sedation. Compared to baseline, increases in observed jets occurred at 30- and 40-minutes post 3 mcg/kg (p=0.042 …

Design And Evaluation Of A 5g Testbed: Analyzing Security Solutions, Iq Sample Management, And Performance Visualization, Mohammed Saleh Shaik

Theses and Dissertations

The evolution of 5G networks has introduced new opportunities for high-speed, low-latency wireless communication, supporting a wide range of applications from industrial automation to secure data transmission. However, as 5G networks become more complex, ensuring security and maintaining optimal performance present significant challenges. This thesis explores the development of a 5G testbed using Software-Defined Radios (SDRs) and open-source platforms to analyze signal behavior, security implementations, and performance. The testbed, built with the open source srsRAN software library and widely available SDR hardware, serves as a controlled environment for studying 5G communications security features and innovations. To evaluate transmission characteristics, in-phase/quadrature …

Does An Adapted Swimming Program Improve Self-Efficacy In Individuals With Intellectual Disability?, Georgia Grace Starr

Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Short-term adapted swimming programs may improve self-efficacy in individuals with intellectual disability (ID). PURPOSE: We investigated if self-efficacy was improved from the perspectives of swimmers, their parents, and volunteering staff. METHODS: A 5-day program (60 min∙day-1) focused on swim skill development and independence, with each participant supported by a volunteer without disability. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 5 swimmers (14–35 years, 4 females), 5 parents (40–70 years, all mothers), and 5 volunteers (17–64 years, 4 females). Analysis, using open, structured, and focused coding, highlighted themes aligning with Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory (SET)—previous experience, vicarious experience, social persuasion, and feedback—and Self-determination …

Strategies To Identify And Manage Toxic Leaders For Mitigating Organizational Toxicity, Ellen Scott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The prevalence of toxic leadership across various sectors like healthcare, the military, corporations, and educational institutions presents a significant challenge, undermining organizational culture and employee well-being, leading to increased turnover and reduced performance. Guided by the toxic triangle as the conceptual framework, this qualitative Delphi study’s purpose involved leadership experts from across the United States to reach a consensus on organizational strategies for identifying, managing, and mitigating organizational toxicity. The research questions were focused on determining the most suitable strategies for recognizing toxicity in the organization and addressing it effectively. A panel of 30 leadership experts from across the United …

Lead And Iron Levels In Maternal And Umbilical Cord Blood In Basrah, Iraq, Balqees Kadhim Hasan, Jafar Sadek Abdulazeez, Meaad Kadhum Hassan, Hamid Jaddoah Abbas, Lamia Mustafa Al-Naama

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Lead can pass from a mother to her developing foetus and is associated with well-established risks for the foetus. This study aimed to evaluate maternal and cord iron and lead levels and study the association of maternal and cord blood lead levels (BLLs) with newborn anthropometric measurements. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Basra Maternity and Children Hospital, Basrah, Iraq, and included women and their newborns over the period from January through June 2023. Blood samples from mothers and umbilical cords were collected and sent to determine the complete blood count and lead and iron levels. Linear …

The Algorithm Of Inclusion: Homonationalism, Queer Advocacy, And Digital Marketing Of Un Ecosoc Ingos And Indian Ngos, Dewansh Chauhan

Master's Theses

Advocacy organizations have increasingly turned to social media as digital platforms become integral to contemporary activism, shaping public discourse and securing institutional legitimacy. This thesis examines the organizational communication of organizations that support marginalized sexualities within a neoliberal and homonationalist context. Employing Critical Content Analysis (CCA), the study analyzes a representative sample of 200 Instagram posts from 2024, comparing two international NGOs with ECOSOC status at the UN (Outright International and ILGA) and two national NGOs in India (Humsafar Trust and Naz Foundation). The findings reveal how homonationalist tendencies may manifest at the intersection of engagement metrics, identity-centric rhetoric, brand …

Effective Altruism, In-Group Favoritism, And Urban And Rural Values Across Cultures, Brian Chu

Master's Theses

Effective altruism has become an increasingly fashionable philosophy in recent years, with ardent supporters in Silicon Valley and other echelons of power. This study investigates to what extent people in urban and rural settings in the U.S., South Africa, and India act as effective altruists by employing an experiment in which participants must decide how to divide a $100 donation between two charities, one benefiting 10 people in their in-group and the other, more “effective” charity, benefiting 100 people in their out-group. The results show some areas in which U.S. urban populations act much more effectively altruistic than others, perhaps …

#Strongertogether, Can Symbols Of Nationalism Be Transformed? A Case Study Of The Springboks: South Africa’S National Rugby Team, Selorm Djameh

Master's Theses

This study examines whether symbols, particularly those associated with nationalism, can undergo transformation in meaning and be co-opted to represent ideas or values contrary to their original intent. To explore this question, the study employs the case of the Springbok emblem, a symbol historically linked to the South African national rugby team. Originally, the Springbok was closely associated with the apartheid regime, embodying Afrikaner nationalism, exceptionalism, and, by extension, White supremacy. However, in the post-apartheid era, there have been growing efforts to reimagine the Springbok symbol by promoting greater inclusivity within the national rugby team. These efforts aim to transform …

Negotiating Migration In The Mediterranean: A Comparative Study Of Morocco And Italy’S Border Policies And Their Humanitarian Impact On Irregular Migrants, Shennel Ep Henries

Master's Theses

Serving as both a barrier and a bridge that connects Africa and Europe, the Mediterranean is today the focal point of global controversies around migration, where humanitarian interests balance against border policing and meet securitization policies. This thesis examines the questions: How do irregular migrants adapt, interpret, and maneuver around securitized Moroccan and Italian migration policies, and what do their strategies tell us about the relationship between humanitarianism and securitization in Mediterranean bordering processes? Drawing on qualitative evidence, including expert interviews with organization employees and volunteers in Morocco and Italy (Fondazione Solidarietà Caritas, Nosotras Onlus, and Caritas Maroc), field observation, …

Volume Cxliv, Number 22, May 16, 2025, Lawrence University

The Lawrentian

No abstract provided.

Administrators’ And Teachers’ Perceived Importance Of The Holistic Framework For Professional Development Elements: Survey Research, Adrianna Cate

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This study researched the six elements of the Holistic Framework for Professional Development (HFPD) to understand administrators’ and teachers’ perceived importance and how demographic variables impacted those perceptions. This was done to contribute to the current gap in the literature regarding how to design and carry out effective professional development. The quantitative survey research utilized exponential, non-discriminative snowball sampling to recruit participants. Fifteen administrators, 64 teachers, and six participants working in ‘other’ roles in their school participated. These participants were citizens of fifteen different countries and worked across eleven countries worldwide. Even given this diverse sample, the results of this …

Phenomenological Study Of Disabled Student Experiences Related To Inclusive Learning Environments In Public Higher Education, Kristin Burgess

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Students with disabilities represent the largest and most diverse minority group in higher education, facing numerous barriers to accessing their learning environments. Historically, societal views have marginalized individuals with disabilities, perpetuating exclusion and discrimination. This study explores the experiences of disabled students in higher education, examining various models of disability, including the moral, charity, medical, social, and human rights models. These models influence how students experience their learning environments.

Higher education has traditionally been exclusive, primarily serving privileged groups. However, as societal narratives evolve, disciplines like disability studies have emerged, challenging these dominant narratives. The researcher, a community faculty member …

Lived Experiences Of Role Identity And Perceived Stress In Fargo-Moorhead Area School Counselors, Mary Jo Andersen

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

School counselors are often assigned non-direct service duties, which leaves them feeling like they do not have enough time to devote to the mental health needs of their students. They get pulled in various directions by teachers, parents, students, and administration, and there is not enough time in the day to complete all their expectations. This conflict can lead to dissatisfaction, high stress, and ultimately, burnout, evidenced by the number of school counselors leaving the field and many schools unable to fill these positions. This phenomenological research explored the lived experience of school counselors in the Fargo-Moorhead area, how they …

Analyzing The Influence Of Missing And Murdered Indigenous Women And Girls (Mmiwg) Cases And Their Impact On Society, Ivy J. Anderson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This research paper analyzes the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) cases and how this issue is continuously impacting society. Through the process of thematic analysis, the social media platform Reddit was analyzed on how social media plays a role in spreading awareness on this topic.

Identity Development In Adolescent Females Through Mentorship, Kelly L. Jones

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The goal of this project is to examine how identity is developed in adolescent females and how mentorship can play a role in this phase of life with the aim to achieve positive outcomes with the participation in a mentorship program. There are many different factors that play into how one’s identity is developed but the aim of this project integrates a variety of areas that research has found to be crucial. Additionally, approaching female adolescent identity development through a multicultural lens is imperative for those in the counseling field. Therefore, the need for this type of program created with …

Exploring Ignatian Pedagogy's Role In Shaping Holistic Student Success In The Current Neoliberal Era: A Qualitative Inquiry At Saint Ignatius High School, Rwanda, And Lycée Du Saint-Esprit, Burundi, Olivier Kayitare

Doctoral Dissertations

The growing influence of neoliberalism in education has shifted priorities toward a transactional, utilitarian model that emphasizes technical skills, standardized testing, and market-driven outcomes over holistic development. Education systems increasingly focus on preparing graduates for labor market demands, often sidelining moral, emotional, social, and spiritual formation. This shift creates tension for Jesuit schools, which emphasize a transformational approach to education rooted in ethical leadership, critical thinking, and social responsibility. In countries like Rwanda and Burundi, Jesuit schools face added pressure from state policies and parental expectations shaped by market ideologies. This study examined how Ignatian pedagogy is implemented in this …

Faculty Roles And Responsibilities Supporting Extension Health Initiatives: Suggestions To Maximize Campus-Field Partnerships, Christine A. Fruhauf, Maria Delgado, Sue Schneider

Journal of Extension

The past several decades of Extension scholarship have addressed topics related to creating pathways for stronger campus-field based connections. Several attempts have been made to support such efforts, including creating content-driven teams of research/teaching faculty and Extension professionals; state-wide tours where campus-based faculty and administrators visit with Extension staff in their county offices and in the field; and making new campus-based faculty and staff hires with a percentage of Extension appointments. Although these strategies have merit, addressing how these initiatives can support the goal of strengthening the work of campus- and field-based faculty to influence the mission of land-grant institutions …

Climate Resilience For Organic Vegetable Growers In The Midwest: Views, Needs, And Priorities Of Technical Service Providers, Natalie Hoidal, Greta Gramig, James Dedecker, Nicholas Frillman, Katie Black, Sarah Hayward, Rue Genger

Journal of Extension

As organic vegetable production becomes increasingly important in Upper Midwest food systems, Extension programs and partners must rise to the challenge of supporting growers with climate resilience. These growers are uniquely vulnerable to climate impacts, and addressing this challenge requires a networked approach. We report on a needs assessment and social network analysis process with technical service providers across the region to define the challenges, needs, and opportunities for building individual and institutional capacity to address climate change with growers. Results highlighted several focus areas, including improved communication, better access to funding, sound information, and cultural appropriateness.

"Adults Taking Over": Lessons From A Case Study Of Food Security Events In Positive Youth Development Organizations, Rebecca Mott, Tanner Adkins

Journal of Extension

This case study describes youths’ roles in meal packing events and food drives associated with 4-H and FFA organizations in Missouri. Findings suggest the idea of a local event often stemmed from a youth who had participated in a meal packing event on a state or national level. However, youth perceived that once they expressed their idea, the planning and organization of the event tended to be “taken over” by an adult while youth carried out concrete tasks at the event. This research adds to the literature base calling for enhancement of awareness, knowledge and understanding of Youth-adult partnerships.

Gardening Through The Pages: Making A State-Specific Catalog With Community Science Data, Stephen Stresow, Stephen Reiners, Ashley Miller Helmholdt

Journal of Extension

Taking a page from commercial seed catalogs, Cornell Garden-Based Learning created a state-specific catalog using top-rated vegetable varieties. Taste, yield, ease-to-grow, and overall ratings were collected over the past decade through community science garden programs. The catalog combines the reputable, research-backed information Extension information with the marketability of a seed catalog. This project streamlined information across multiple sites into a single document while presenting it in a novel way (for Extension). We note how we collected data, created it, feedback from gardeners, and offer suggestions for improvements.

Effect Of Magnesium Supplements On Improving Glucose Control, Blood Pressure And Lipid Profile In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Nasiba Al Maqrashi, Salim Al Busaidi, Sara Al-Rasbi, Abdullah M. Al Alawi, Juhaina S. Al-Maqbali

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

This study evaluated the effects of magnesium (Mg) supplementation on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus through a meta-analysis of 23 randomised controlled trials involving 1,345 participants. Mg supplementation significantly increased serum Mg levels (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.32 to 1.06) and reduced fasting blood glucose levels (WMD = -0.58, 95% CI: -0.87 to -0.28). However, the impact on glycated haemoglobin was minimal (WMD = -0.16, 95% CI: -0.32 to 0.00). Subgroup analysis showed a greater reduction in glycated haemoglobin among participants aged ≥65 years and those receiving longer durations of supplementation. Additionally, Mg supplementation …

Applying Conservation Biology Principles In Federal Conservation Efforts For Candidate, Threatened, And Endangered Species, Kenna Fung

Natural Resources Journal

As human activities continue to accelerate the extinction of species, federal and state programs emerge as some of the last solutions to wildlife protection in the United States. Since the establishment of the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) in 1973, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“the Service”) has designated occupied and unoccupied critical habitats for threatened and endangered species as part of the species’ recovery plan. A recent U.S. Supreme Court case signaled that courts are less willing to grant the Service the same deference to designate areas as critical habitats as before. Because the ESA never defined “habitat,” the …

The Fallout Of The Trinity Test: The Need To Expand Reca To Include New Mexico Downwinders, Angélica Ortega

Natural Resources Journal

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (“RECA”), which offers one-time payments to designated individuals who have developed specific diseases and cancers due to radiation exposure, was set to expire on June 10, 2024. On March 7, 2024, the U.S. Senate passed Senate Bill 3853 (“S. 3853”), the “Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act” which would continue RECA payments for an additional six years and would allow for more individuals to be eligible for these payments. However, the bill has not become law because it is still pending review by the U.S. Congress. One of the groups that would be eligible for these …

Negotiating (Im)Migrant Identity In The (Un)Assimilated Nation: American Literature Of The Late Nineteenth Century, Haley M. Steffens

English Language and Literature ETDs

This dissertation examines representations of immigration, assimilation, and multinational cultural identity in late nineteenth-century American literature, autobiography, and print culture. Through a comparative analysis of diverse authors and immigrant communities, the project explores how literary and popular culture narratives framed the expectations and limitations of assimilation for disparate populations. By contextualizing these works within historical immigration policies, labor economies, government instability, and burgeoning nationalism, this study reveals how fiction and media shaped public attitudes toward assimilation and influenced policy. Ultimately, this dissertation argues that late, long-nineteenth-century literature functioned as both a reflection of and response to national debates about immigration, …

Seismological Applications To Crustal Deformation And Explosion Discrimination, Olumide Adedeji

Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

There are many outstanding questions in seismology and plate tectonics that remain unresolved due to the complexity of seismic wave propagation, fault system evolution, and sedimentary-tectonic interactions. In this dissertation, I analyze seismic and acoustic data to improve event discrimination, understand strain partitioning along a transpressive plate boundary, and investigate the influence of tectonic deformation on sedimentary processes. Using seismic arrays, I assess the detectability of Ground Coupled Airwaves (GCA) generated by shallow borehole explosions and earthquakes, demonstrating that GCA detections are highly dependent on source type, environmental conditions and sensor distribution. Along the Queen Charlotte Plate Boundary, I analyze …

Exploring Sustainable Biopolyesters: Synthesis From 1,4-Butanediol And Aliphatic Diacids, Vinashkumar Jayantibhai Chaudhari

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

In this thesis, we applied 1,4-butanediol, which is an emerging biobased and low-cost monomer, was synthesized with a series of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, namely succinic acid, adipic acid, and sebacic acid using melt polycondensation to Biobased polyesters. The resulting polymers poly(butylene succinate) (PPeS), poly(butylene adipate) (PPeA), and poly(butylene sebacate) (PPeSe) chemical structures were analysis through Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) revealed the elimination of side reactions in the obtained polyesters. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was employed to analyze physical properties, and the impact of dicarboxylate chain length and long short diol on crystalline structure and …

Transition Metal Disulphide (Co, Ni, Fe) As Electrocatalyst For Overall Water Splitting, Urvashi Gondaliya

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Increasing energy demands and environmental awareness have promoted extensive research on the development of alternative energy conversion and storage technologies that are both highly efficient and environmentally friendly. Among them, water splitting is very appealing, and it is considered as a good renewable and sustainable approach for the generation of green H₂ energy, however its implementation at industrial level is hindered due to the requirement of highly active and durable electrode material. Therefore, developing efficient electrocatalysts is of significant importance for high-performance water splitting. In the past few years, much effort has been devoted to the development of alternative …

Soybean Oil-Derived Acrylate/Methacrylate Ether For High Resolution Additive Manufacturing (3d Printing) Technology, Tanuj Patel

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Additive Manufacturing is one of the rapidly developing techniques, as industries continue to explore new ways to create prototypes and end-use parts, one of the significant challenges that remains is the reliance on petroleum-based plastics for 3D printing, especially in the production of photocurable resins. that may be used to prototype complex structures and sophisticated geometries that are typically challenging to produce with conventional methods. Thus, replacing petroleum-based plastics with renewable resources is increasingly important for additive manufacturing (3D printing) of photocurable resins. The use of bio-based renewable resources in AM is a feasible alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. Henceforth, …

Vocal Stereotypy Interventions Using Response Interruption And Redirection, Haley Tallent

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Vocal stereotypy is the repetitive, nonfunctional, and/or noncontextual vocalizations that are specifically maintained through internal reinforcement (Shawler, et al., 2020). Vocal stereotypy is commonly displayed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, it may also occur in individuals with or without disabilities. When individuals engage in vocal stereotypy, they may lose learning opportunities, struggle to engage in daily tasks, and may even become stigmatized by their peers. One intervention used to reduce the frequency of vocal stereotypy in individuals with ASD is Response Interruption and Redirection (RIRD). RIRD was first evaluated for effectiveness in 2007 by Ahearn and colleagues. …