Digital Commons Network^™

Investigation Into Molecular Bases Of Pregnancy-Associated Malaria, Nicole Pozo

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Plasmodium falciparum causes the most severe and deadly form of malaria and remains a major global health problem, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (Milner, 2018). The parasite infects and multiplies inside red blood cells, leading to fever, anemia, organ damage, and death if untreated (Milner, 2018; Song et al., 2022). It is especially dangerous because it avoids the immune system by changing surface proteins called Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1), which are encoded by more than 60 var genes. By switching between these genes, the parasite hides from immune detection and creates repeated waves of infection (Deitsch & Dzikowski, …

Color Shift: A Graphic Design Process Book Exploring How Color And Motion Influence Emotional Perception And Brand Connection In Affordable Women's Fashion Jewelry, Elizabeth Voight

Theses

This study examines how manipulating color and motion within a single brand identity system influences consumer emotional response and brand consistency. Using a fictional modern jewelry brand, Quanta & Co., the research isolates color as the primary variable by applying nine distinct mid-range color palettes to identical layouts, logos, and structures across both print and digital touchpoints. These collateral assets include jewelry packaging, vehicle wraps, digital advertisements, and an animated logo. A quantitative survey was executed to capture real-time audience impressions regarding brand traits, perceived quality, and the overall alignment of each color variation with the brand's identity.

The findings …

It's All In The (Exponential) Family: An Equivalence Between Maximum Likelihood Estimation And Control Variates For Sketching Algorithms, Keegan Kang, Kerong Wang, Ding Zhang, Rameshwar Pratap, Bhisham Dev Verma, Benedict Wong

Faculty Conference Papers and Presentations

Maximum likelihood estimators (MLE) and control variate estimators (CVE) have been used in conjunction with known information across sketching algorithms and applications in machine learning. We prove that under certain conditions in an exponential family, an optimal CVE will achieve the same asymptotic variance as the MLE, giving a fixed point algorithm for the MLE. Experiments show the fixed point algorithm is faster and numerically stable compared to other root finding algorithms for the MLE for the bivariate Normal distribution, and we expect this to hold across distributions satisfying these conditions. We show how this algorithm leads to reproducibility for …

Managing Risks Under Nuclear Power Plant Projects: A Latent Similarity-Guided Contract Customization, Mariam Elazhary, Islam H. El-Adaway

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Global energy is transforming, with nuclear power emerging as a pivotal player in achieving sustainable and low-carbon energy goals. The nature of nuclear technology introduces unique challenges, such as stringent safety and environmental requirements. Existing studies focus on general risk identification, such as supply chain delays, cost overruns, and public perception issues. However, these studies fail to address integrating these risks into tailored contractual provisions, which are critical for navigating the unique challenges of nuclear projects. The goal of this paper is to examine how standard construction contracts can be tailored to better accommodate the risks inherent in nuclear power …

Nbc Peacock North Summer 2026 Newsletter, Peacock North Staff

NBC Peacock North Newsletter

Highlights include: What's Now! Advice to the Class of 2026 -- Peacock Family -- Spring Luncheon Photo Gallery -- Tributes to Silent Microphones

The Impact Of The Design Characteristics Of Media Architecture On The Activation Of Urban Space, Hanan Dhiyaa Hussein, Inaam A. Al-Bazzaz, Ammar Salim Dawood

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

The research explores the relationship between the design characteristics of media architecture and their impact on activating urban space, focusing on the role of interactive technologies and the extent to which they enhance visual comfort and stimulate social interaction. The research problem was represented by (the lack of a clear conception of the impact of the design characteristics of media architecture on activating urban space). The research objective was to develop an integrated theoretical model to identify indicators of how media architecture's design characteristics influence the activation of urban space. The research relied on a descriptive-analytical-comparative approach to compare selected …

Advanced Glass Between Technology & Ideology, Enas Salim Abdulahaad, Oday Abaas Abood

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

Advances in glass technology have radically transformed contemporary architecture, highlighting the research problem of ``The Ambiguity of Advanced Glass' Position in Twenty-First-Century Architecture.'' The research aims to uncover the transformation of advanced glass from a technological to an ideological dimension. The research hypothesizes that ``contemporary architecture has reshaped its relationship with humans, society, and nature through its use of advanced glass.'' The research adopts a descriptive and analytical methodology based on specialized literature and global and regional architectural practices, revealing the technical characteristics and symbolic meanings inherent in glass applications. The research concludes that contemporary architecture has redefined its relationship …

Neo-Moorish Style In Constantine Through Cirta Hôtel: Architectonic Details, Heritage, And Contemporary Perspectives, Imene Bensid, Islam Boukhelkhal, Souad Belhannachi, Halima Gherraz

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

The neo-Moorish architectural style, appearing in early 20th-century Algeria, marks a defining moment in the country's colonial and post-colonial architectural path. Blending North African traditions with European design, it reflects the layered dialogue between cultural heritage and colonial influence. This study examines Constantine—focusing on the Hôtel Cirta—to trace how neo-Moorish architecture took shape within the urban fabric. By analyzing arches, ornamental motifs, and material choices, the research illustrates how the building negotiates historical identity with modern function. Drawing on architectural and historical sources, the study situates the Hôtel Cirta within broader urban and symbolic contexts, arguing that neo-Moorish architecture was …

Posthuman Architecture And The Machine: A Theoretical Approach To The Impacts Of Artificial Intelligence On Architecture, Waleed Joudah Nassar Alsaadi, Ibrahim Jawad Kadhim Al-Yousif

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

Posthumanist philosophy shifts the focus away from independent, human-centred thinking toward diverse, pluralistic modes of knowledge. It adopts the idea that human agency is interconnected with a broad network of other actors, such as contemporary intelligent machines, most prominently embodied in artificial intelligence. This research discusses the relationship and interconnection between architecture in its posthuman form and technology, selecting artificial intelligence as a model of this technology, as it represents the most significant technical and intellectual revolution at present. The study examines posthumanism as a radical theoretical model that seeks to transcend the limitations of human thought and anthropocentrism. The …

Urban Stigmergy: A Traceability Approach Towards The Development Of Baghdad, Nada Abdulmueen Hasan, Shireen K. Zedan

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

Interdisciplinary urban research has pointed to finite attempts to the fact apply and develop stigmergic approaches the concept has not gained widespread acceptance in the field of urban design despite paving the way for significant opportunities and possibilities for city development, thus the research framework represent the concept of stigmergy within a specific approach to traceability impact which stimulates stigmergic behavior in the urban environment, and results in the generation of a set of urban development mechanisms the research objective focuses on exploring the mechanisms of the traceability approach within urban stigmergy scenarios and their role in the development of …

Budget Fy 2026 - 2027, Swosu Administration

SWOSU Fiscal Year Budgets

No abstract provided.

Examining The Relationship Between Trauma-Informed Safety Drill Practices And School-Level Chronic Absenteeism In Maine Secondary Schools, Tina Nightingale

Dissertations

School safety practices can influence students' perceptions of safety, emotional well-being, and engagement in the educational environment; however, limited research has examined whether trauma-informed safety drill practices are associated with measurable educational outcomes. The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, correlational study was to examine the relationship between trauma-informed safety drill practices and school-level chronic absenteeism in Maine middle and high schools. Guided by trauma-informed care, adolescent neurodevelopment, and Protection Motivation Theory, the study investigated whether higher levels of trauma-informed implementation of safety drills, as measured by the Trauma-Informed Safety Drill Practices Index (TISDPI), were associated with lower rates of chronic …

Authentic Material Use In English Language Development Classrooms, Kenneth Fields

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

With attention on the topic of globalization at an all time high, more and more focus has been shifted towards student-centric, evidence-based approaches for second language education. In order to address the perceived need of more culturally-centered content, this project attempts to answer the question: What are the benefits of using authentic materials over grammar-based texts and how can authentic materials be implemented into low-proficiency ELD classrooms? Authentic materials, or materials created by native language speakers not for the purposes of L2 education, have been gaining more popularity among educational researchers as second language acquisition theories have begun to favor …

Board Exam Preparation Resource Trends In Academic Health Sciences Libraries Serving Colleges Of Osteopathic Medicine Programs, Joanne M. Muellenbach, Kyle Robinson, Hsin-Liang Chen, Harold S. Bright Iv, Lori A. Fitterling

Faculty and Staff Publications

Background: The study seeks to identify the board exam preparation (prep) resources made available to medical students by academic health sciences libraries and other departments within U.S. colleges of osteopathic medicine (COM) programs, and the extent to which these resources are utilized by medical students and educators.

Methods: The study was conducted in two phases. In phase one, forty-two COM library directors were invited to complete a survey regarding their usage, funding, and access models for available board prep resources. In phase two, semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom to explore the library's role in providing access to these resources. …

Bibliography For "Faculty Publications Book Display", Sally Park

Library Displays and Bibliographies

A bibliography created to support a display about faculty publications during summer 2026 at the Leatherby Libraries at Chapman University.

Full Issue: Summer 2026

DePaul Magazine

In DePaul Magazine's summer 2026 issue, learn how DePaul is living its Vincentian mission through innovative community engagement and service learning, exemplified by its Irwin W. Steans Center and Speech Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy graduate programs. Also, meet alumna Kate Steinberg who revisits her youth and DePaul days as a rising social media influencer, get the latest news from DePaul's 10 colleges and schools, and much more.

Millennial Memories

DePaul Magazine

Social media influencer Kate Steinberg (CMN '13), who studied public relations and advertising at DePaul, revisits her youth and DePaul days to create viral content with a nostalgic edge.

Voices Unheard: A Phenomenological Study Of Access And Inclusion Of College Students With Autism In The Southeastern United States, Janet L. Kuchinski

Dissertations

Although access to higher education has expanded for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), many continue to encounter barriers to meaningful inclusion, belonging, and participation within the college environment. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was to explore the lived experiences of college students with ASD regarding access and inclusion in higher education. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit five college students with ASD who were at least 19 years of age, currently enrolled in college, and registered with disability services. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted via Microsoft Teams and analyzed using established IPA procedures. …

The Relationship Between Cognitive Control And Individual Differences In Working Memory Capacity: A High-Density Eeg Study, Conghao Gao

All NMU Master's Theses

Empirical evidence has suggested a close relationship between human working memory capacity and cognitive control approaches. Proactive control refers to the anticipatory, sustainable maintenance of cognitive control process. However, the relationship between higher working memory capacity and the use of proactive cognitive control has been inconsistent. Understanding the neural bases would substantially expand our current understanding of cognitive control and working memory models. Specifically, the examination of P3b amplitude, part of the event-related potential, evoked by a cue would provide further understanding in neural mechanisms of cognitive control. The current study examined participants’ cognitive control approaches and their electrocortical activity …

Using Zebrafish To Investigate The Innate Immune Response To R132h Mutant Glioma, Mikaela L. Fairbanks

All NMU Master's Theses

Gliomas are the most commonly occurring brain tumor found in adults. The most dominant mutation found in glioma is in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene. IDH converts isocitrate into α-ketoglutarate (α-KG), but the mutated form of it will take α-KG and further convert it into D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2-HG). Mutated IDH1 glioma (mIDH1) produces a higher concentration of D-2-HG than the wild-type IDH1 glioblastoma (wtIDH1). These mIDH1 tumors tend to have a better prognosis, growing slower and having less inflammation than the wtIDH1 counterpart, potentially due to the increased D-2-HG. However, the effects of mIDH1 and D-2-HG on the innate immune …

Spreading Awareness And Advocating For The Shortage Of Special Education Resources In Martin County, Florida, Lynn Potter

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement:

The goal is to prevent staff shortages of special education and student support professionals in Martin County, FL, and advocate for systemic changes that improve staff retention, raise awareness, and expand special education resources.

Significant Findings:

The shortage of ESE resources in Martin County, Florida, is affecting students’ success outcomes and relationships between parents and educators. With a 42% turnover rate over the past four years, the district needs to drastically improve teacher retention (WPBF 25 News, 2023). The western zone of Indiantown, which has a minority population of Hispanic and Latino students, is critically affected (United States …

Addressing Homelessness As A Key Risk Factor For Overdose Deaths In King County, Washington, Catherine Mutti-Driscoll

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement:

In this portfolio, I identify prevention strategies that address the nested problems of overdose deaths and homelessness in King County, Washington. By examining how housing instability, substance abuse, structural racism, and gaps in coordinated care intersect, this paper advocates for a responsive prevention approach that combines evidence-based substance abuse strategies, phased housing approaches, and culturally responsive care.

Significant Findings:

While recent harm reduction measures have improved overdose death rates in King County, unhoused individuals continue to account for 50% of the county’s still concerning fatal overdose numbers. Data shows that historical racism in King County also shapes who …

Reducing Chronic Loneliness Among Lgbtq+ Older Adults In Greater Seattle, Douglas J. Gallup

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement

The goal of this project is to reduce chronic loneliness and social isolation among LGBTQ+ adults age 65 and older in the Greater Seattle area by increasing access to affirming, accessible, and evidence-informed opportunities for meaningful connection.

Significant Findings

LGBTQ+ older adults in Seattle and King County face elevated risks of living alone, social isolation, and limited access to affirming services, while also demonstrating substantial resilience (Fredriksen-Goldsen et al., 2015). A promising approach would combine meaningful activity, social support, practical access assistance, and PEARLS-informed strategies. GenPride is a logical community partner because its programs foster well-being and belonging …

Preventing Mental Health Issues In Children And Adolescents With Learning Disabilities, Laura Barrett

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The goal of this social change portfolio is to prevent mental health issues in children and adolescents with learning disabilities in the state of Utah.

Significant Findings: Children and adolescents with learning disabilities (LDs) in Utah face elevated risks of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and related difficulties stemming from chronic academic frustration and social challenges, yet substantial service gaps for this vulnerable population exist. Approximately 58% of children needing mental health care in Utah do not receive any, and only about half of the estimated 58,000 students diagnosed with LDs have specialized educational supports such as individualized education …

Adolescent Social Disconnection And Social Media Overuse In San Jose, California, Gilmour Arufo

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

The goal of this Social Change Portfolio is to support the implementation of a school-based prevention program for high school students in San Jose, California, that promotes healthy technology use, strengthens peer and adult connections, and increases participation in face-to-face social activities. The proposed program seeks to increase adolescents' awareness of their social media use patterns while strengthening protective factors associated with positive youth development, including school connectedness, supportive peer relationships, trusted adult relationships, and meaningful social engagement.

Olac Best Practices For Cataloging Dvd-Video And Blu-Ray Discs, Objects, Streaming Media, Video Games, And Digital Media Storage Devices Using The Original Rda Toolkit And Marc 21, Kristi Bergland, Mary Huismann, John Dickson, Autumn Faulkner, Robert B. Freeborn, Jeannette Ho, Sarah Hovde, Kyla Jemison, Yoko Kudo, Junghae Lee, Jack Nighan, Alex Whelan

OLAC Publications and Training Materials

The OLAC Unified Best Practices Guide brings together the current published best practice guides into a single best practices guide that incorporates Best Practices for Cataloging DVD-Video and Blu-ray Discs Using RDA and MARC21, Best Practices for Cataloging Objects Using RDA and MARC 21, Best Practices for Cataloging Streaming Media Using RDA and MARC21, Best Practices for Cataloging Video Games Using RDA and MARC21, and Best Practices for Cataloging Digital Media Storage Devices Using RDA and MARC21.

Full Marc Examples To Accompany Olac Best Practices For Cataloging Dvd-Video And Blu-Ray Discs, Objects, Streaming Media, Video Games, And Digital Media Storage Devices Using The Original Rda Toolkit And Marc 21, Kristi Bergland, Mary Huismann, John Dickson, Autumn Faulkner, Robert B. Freeborn, Jeannette Ho, Sarah Hovde, Kyla Jemison, Yoko Kudo, Junghae Lee, Jack Nighan, Alex Whelan

OLAC Publications and Training Materials

Examples of MARC 21 catalog records to accompany the OLAC Best Practices for Cataloging DVD-Video and Blu-ray Discs, Objects, Streaming Media, and Video Games Using the Original RDA Toolkit and MARC 21.

Effects Of Blood Brain Barrier Permeability Upon Exposure To Patient Plasma From Traumatic Injury, Mackenna S. Mcgraw

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Comparative Evaluation Of Similarity Metrics For Multi-Vendor Origin–Destination Matrix Comparison: A Case Study Using Data From Three Probe Data Vendors In Arkansas, Sagar Silwal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The proliferation of commercial probe data vendors has posed both opportunities and challenges for transportation agencies regarding the choice of reliable vehicle probe data for decision making purposes. Probe data is a form of passive mobility data representing a small fraction of the traveling population. Vendors aggregate mobility data from different sources including GPS enabled smartphones, telematics systems, and connected vehicles. They possess unique data collection methodologies, sampling mechanisms, and expansion algorithms which introduce variability in derived traffic performance measures like speed and volume. The overall objective of this work is to assess similarities and differences among probe data vendors …

Identification Of Conditionally Essential Genes Required For Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhimurium Adaptation To The Chicken Cecal Extract Through Ex Vivo Modeling And Transposon Insertion Sequencing, Deborah Bukola Olubanjo

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) remains a major foodborne pathogen associated with chicken, where it can persist in the intestinal tract without overt disease and contribute to zoonotic transmission. The chicken cecum represents a complex ecological niche shaped by microbial competition, host-derived substrates, short-chain fatty acids, oxygen limitation, extracellular components, and diverse metabolic gradients. Although transposon insertion sequencing (Tn-seq) has been widely used to define bacterial fitness determinants, limited work has examined genome-wide adaptation of S. Typhimurium in chicken ceca-derived ex vivo systems that preserve key features of the avian cecal environment. This dissertation investigated conditionally essential genes required …