Digital Commons Network^™

Consumer Buying Behaviour Towards Organic Food In Sri Lanka: Imports From Australia, Nalaka Kaushayla Mohotti

Theses

The Australian organic agriculture industry is thriving, with 9.9% of its agricultural land certified organic and production concentrated in fruit, vegetables, meat, and dairy, collectively valued at over AUD 2 billion. At the same time, South Asia, including Sri Lanka, is experiencing significant growth in organic agriculture markets. In 1994, Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) was discovered among Sri Lankan paddy farmers. Research in 2012 linked it to hard water, pesticides, and heavy metals, triggering a pesticide ban and the ‘A Pesticides Free Nation’ program. This study analyses consumer buying behaviour for organic food in Sri Lanka, focusing …

Slaying The Windigo: Fear And Faith In The Anthropocene, Daniel J. Irwin

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This thesis examines the changing affect of fear in the environment and how it is influencing writing in the Anthropocene. Chapter one lays the groundwork for the present moment of ecocriticism, examining how the relationship with the environment has changed throughout the history of ecocritical writing. The second chapter examines how fear has been an intrinsic element of environmental storytelling, starting with the romantic ideas of the sublime. With the recognition of the impact that humanity has had on Earth over the past several centuries, and the accelerating acceptance of the idea of the Anthropocene since the turn of the …

Fostering Success: How Cross Campus Partnerships Can Improve Accessibility, Engagement, And Inclusion For Autistic Undergraduate Students, Mercedes Rutherford-Patten, Luna Nombrano Larsen

Library Scholarship

The academic library, with its long history of student support and social justice advocacy, is the perfect organization to lead the way in dismantling systemic barriers to student success. Research shows that college students who regularly use library services are more successful academically (Shea & Derry, 2022). Another vital support the library can provide is community. Inclusion and belonging are integral to the success of autistic college students: “feeling like part of a community” and “to always feel like I’m welcome [on-campus]” were ways students measured their own success in a study by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (2020, p. …

Consumer Willingness To Buy And Willingness To Pay A Premium For Climate Smart Food Products, Jacob David Brewer

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This study investigated consumer willingness to buy (WTB) and willingness to pay a premium (WTPP) for Climate Smart (CS) food products. Focusing on soil health improvement practices such as biochar utilization, data from two surveys were analyzed. One survey was implemented and sought responses from consumer households in six midwestern states, and the other survey was distributed to institutional (universities, K-12 schools, corporations, etc.) and intermediary (restaurants, grocery stores, distribution centers, etc.) buyers. Consumer WTB and WTPP was examined through two independent ordered probit models, and the buyer survey data was utilized in descriptive analysis. Findings suggested that younger consumers, …

Best Management Practices: Sambucus Canadensis Propagation Techniques, Hannah Berendzen

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

American elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis) is a fruit-bearing shrub native to North America, traditionally utilized for medicinal and culinary purposes. In recent years, its popularity has surged due to emerging research supporting its immune-boosting properties. Despite its growing demand, standardized best management practices for elderberry cultivation, particularly propagation techniques, remain lacking. This study aims to clarify propagation recommendations by examining the influence cutting size and stem diameter on rooting success. A field study was conducted from February to May 2024, in which one-node and two-node dormant hardwood elderberry cuttings of varying stem diameters were planted in small …

The Long-Term Psychological Effects Of Violent Crime On Victims: A Review Of Evidence And Supportive Interventions, Jayden E. Oleksyn-Lamb

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This study utilizes anonymous survey data collected from 26 mental health professionals in various regions of Canada to understand which psychological disturbances are the most prevalent among victims of violent crime as well as which psychological interventions are most beneficial for treating violent crime victims. The data revealed that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), anger, guilt, self-blame, and shame are each highly prevalent. Findings also revealed that certain therapeutic methods including Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Supportive Counselling (SC), Progressive Relaxation (PR), Cognitive Reprocessing Therapy (CPT) and Cognitive Restructuring (CR) are associated with …

Correlates Of Gacha Gaming, Minh Quang Nguyen

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between impulsive measures, income spending on gaming, and delayed discounting in a Gatha player sample. Two model approaches were employed: (1) a mediation model approach predicting delayed discounting with age and education level as mediators and (2) a multiple regression model predicting delayed discounting. Although the proposed models were exploratory, it was the contention of the author that these analyses would result in a better understanding of delayed discounting in Gacha gaming. Both age and education level were not correlated with the dependent variable (spending ratio), therefore the mediation model …

The Effect Of Hypochlorous Acid On Cultured Osteoblast And Escherichia Coli, Cristina Flaquer Fusté

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a naturally occurring compound in neutrophils, has been used as an antimicrobial in wound treatment. Osteoblasts, bone-forming cells, within the bone tissue play a large role in bone fracture healing. Orthopedic infections are challenging to treat and highly morbid, including surgical site infection of arthroplasty procedures or infection in the setting of compound fractures. HOCl is being considered as a surgical antiseptic to decrease infections in orthopedic surgical procedures. This study therefore seeks to determine the effects of HOCl on osteoblasts and E. coli. Cultured osteoblasts were incubated with varying concentrations of HOCl to examine osteoblast …

Nexus Of Fear, Deterrence, And Prestige: The Role Of Russia's Exotic Nuclear Toolkit, Ryan Christenson

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This thesis examines Russia’s development of “exotic” nuclear weapon systems, specifically the Poseidon nuclear-powered torpedo, the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, the Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile, and the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, to determine how and why Russia diverged from traditional nuclear platforms. Drawing on open-source data and comparative analysis against the standard nuclear triad, it investigates the doctrinal, technical, and political motivations driving Moscow’s nuclear modernization, including paranoia over U.S. missile defense, aspirations for great-power status, and domestic economic influences. Scenario-based assessments illustrate the potential destabilizing effects of these systems, which compress decision-making time and raise risks of inadvertent …

Characterization Of The Overexpression Of Reca Homologs Rad51 And Dmc1 In Tetrahymena Thermophila, Jianna M. Cox

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

RecA homologs, Dmc1 and Rad51, work to repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) within the cell through the recombination of homologous sections of DNA. Dmc1 works to repair programmed DSBs through meiotic recombination, while Rad51 functions to repair both meiotic and non-meiotic DSBs, the latter repaired through the process of homologous recombination repair (HHR). Chemotherapeutics, exogenous agents, work to form DSBs in cancer cells, attempting to inhibit the cell’s growth. A hyper recombinant phenotype is often seen in cancer cells due to the overexpression of RAD51, leading to drug resistance, the persistence of cancers, and an overall poor patient outcome. …

Braiding Culture Through Ceramics & Mixed Media Sculpture, Joy M. Okokon

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Stories are embedded in each strand of Nigerian hair, serving as a bridge across generations and embodying the legacy of cultural expression. Hair-making, a skill passed down through generations in my family, began as a personal practice and has evolved into a powerful means of exploring and showcasing the cultural significance of hair braiding through creative works. The sculptures included in this thesis, Braiding Culture Through Ceramics & Mixed Media Sculpture, feature hair sculpture, afro combs, stools, adire batik made from materials such as clay, wood, glaze and cotton fabric. These materials are carefully selected for their cultural relevance and …

Cyber Warfare And The Future Of Conflict, Victor A. Mercado

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This thesis examines whether cyber warfare now poses a more immediate threat to U.S. national security than weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Cyber operations have become a dominant instrument of contemporary conflict, with malicious actors operating in a persistent “grey zone” that blurs traditional boundaries between war and peace. These operations target military and civilian entities, both directly and often as collateral damage due to the uncontrollable nature of cyber threats. WMDs, despite their catastrophic destructive potential, remain largely constrained by established deterrence frameworks.

The evolving nature of cyber warfare warrants comparison to WMD effects and impact, as cyber capabilities …

Victim-Offender Relationships And Their Influence On Crime Brutality And Sentencing Outcomes In Capital Homicide Cases, Samantha Jane Trowbridge

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This study examines capital murder cases in Missouri from 1976 to 2022 to explore how victim-offender relationships relate to both the brutality of homicides and sentencing outcomes. It addresses three main questions: What are the different types of victim-offender relationships in these cases, and how frequently does each type occur? How do these relationships influence sentencing outcomes, particularly the likelihood of receiving the death penalty versus life without parole? And which types of relationships are associated with the highest and lowest levels of brutality? The study uses official court records and applies a coding process to analyze relationship type, sentencing …

Adaptive College Athletics: The Champion Medals Await Those Collegiate Universities Who Compete, Peter Galati

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Is Collegiate Athletics Already Professionalized While The Ncaa Still Recognizes College Sports As Amateur Athletics?, Justin Orsini

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Ncaa Videogames: How The Litigation That Cancelled Ncaa Football Has Led To Its Comeback, Peter Shah

Student Works

No abstract provided.

2025-2026, Benjamin N. Cardozo School Of Law

Student Handbooks

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Stem Education And Artificial Intelligence: A Twitter (X) Sentiment Analysis, Demetrice Smith-Mutegi, Yoseph Mamo, Jinhee Kim, Helen Crompton, Matthew Mcconnell

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Background, context, and purpose of the study: Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, holding promising potential for supporting the design and implementation of quality STEM education. However, there is a lack of data-based research studying the diverse perceptions of AI in STEM education as conveyed on social media, the factors that influence those perceptions, or the change in those perceptions over time among public audiences. Results, the main findings: The purpose of this study was to examine public perceptions of AI in STEM education by analyzing X posts (Tweets) between 04/28/2020 …

Fostering Critically Conscious Lesson Planning In A Generative Artificial Intelligence Era, Derek Riddle, Paula Cristina Azevedo, Catharyn Shelton, Jaime Colwell, Jori Beck

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Teacher candidates (TCs) use digital resources and social media to plan and develop learning material, and with publically accessible generative artificial intelligence (GAI), TCs are able to generate lesson plans within seconds rather than hours or days. While there is research on how to support TCs' evaluation of reliable digital media, there is little known on how to prepare TCs for GAI content. Using the complementary frameworks of Freire’s (1970) critical consciousness and Jonnasen’s (1991) theory of constructivism, this in-progress design based research seeks to develop an adaptable framework that addresses the evolving nature of technology, specifically GAI, and the …

The Continuing, Resistance Popularity Of Critical Race Theory- Informed Pedagogy, Kaavonia Hinton, Karen Chandler

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

The article focuses on the ongoing commitment of educators to incorporate critical race theory (CRT)–informed pedagogy in English classrooms despite legislative efforts to suppress it. Topics include the historical and political context of anti-CRT policies, the personal and professional responses of educators to these restrictions, and student-centered strategies used to navigate and resist such limitations in meaningful and legally cautious ways.

Scholarly Inquiry And Practice In Mathematics Teacher Education Through Intimate Scholarship, Signe E. Kastberg, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores, Melva Grant, Olive Chapman

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Historically scholarly inquiry and practice in mathematics education has responded to societal values and questions. Drawing from the Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education’s description of mathematics teacher educator (MTE) work as in solidarity with and alongside mathematics teachers, we turn to mathematics teacher education research as a series of paradigm shifts. MTEs committed to supporting teachers and transferring knowledge attempted to influence mathematics teachers’ work by exploring and understanding teachers’ behaviors. MTEs have also used insider’s perspectives to report the particular of MTEs’ work by describing it beyond behavior and knowledge. These scholars fulfill the call for theoretical eclecticism …

Informal Caregivers Connecting On The Web: Content Analysis Of Posts On Discussion Forums, Michelle L. Foster, Chinenye Egwuonwu, Erin Vernon, Mohammad Alarifi, M. Courtney Hughes

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

Background: About 53 million adults in the United States offer informal care to family and friends with disease or disability. Such care has an estimated economic value of US $600 million. Most informal caregivers are not paid nor trained in caregiving, with many experiencing higher-than-average levels of stress and depression and lower levels of physical health. Some informal caregivers participate in web-based forums related to their caregiving role.

Objective: This study aimed to explore how informal caregivers use easy-to-access caregiving web-based forums, including the types of information they share and seek from others. It also aimed to gain insights into …

Transforming Online Courses: Practical Strategies For Educators, Jacqueline A. Gilbert, Kelly G. Manix, Kristie A. Abston

Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

In this article, we examine strategies for enhancing student engagement in online higher education courses through targeted course restructuring. Given the increased demand for high-quality online learning, it is essential for institutions to adopt a proactive, student-focused approach to course design and delivery. The paper highlights research underscoring the critical connection between active student participation in online courses and improved academic performance. It emphasizes the fundamental need for strategic organization and consistent course design to foster engagement and optimize student learning. Our research explores the value of soliciting and implementing student feedback through multiple mechanisms, including pre-term and midterm surveys, …

Stimulation And Quantification Of Dopamine-Associated Behaviors, Hunter Goffinett

All ETDs from UAB

Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of essential behaviors, including motor control and reward processing. Alterations in DA levels can significantly modulate these behaviors: increased DA release is associated with heightened locomotion and enhanced preference for rewarding stimuli. Therefore, measuring behavioral changes in vivo provides critical insight into DA release and function. In this study, we quantified DA-associated behaviors by radiolytic stimulation of the Drosophila A-isoform of the transient receptor potential ankyrin type-1 A (dTRPA1(A)) channel and investigated how the human-immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its secreted protein, the trans-activator of transcription regulatory protein (Tat), alter drug-induced behaviors. …

An In-Depth Review Of Food Insecurity In College Students Enrolled In Alabama Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Janice Dansby Washington

All ETDs from UAB

Food insecurity is a common issue in the United States (US), and special attention has been given to college students. There is empirical evidence of high food insecurity among African American students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) (Duke et al., 2023; Dahl et al., 2022; Goldrick-Rab et al., 2018). The current research explores the food-insecure conditions of college students at HBCUs in Alabama, appealing for more studies highlighting the role of all stakeholders in combating this issue. The research questions posed in this study are significant, as they are expected to yield vital information regarding the experiences and …

The Disaggregation Of Platform Labor: Theorizing Skin Tone Work In The Black Influencer Beauty Economy, Ta’Les Love

Open Access Publishing Support Funded Articles

Research on the beauty influencer economy highlights the role that racism plays in platform labor, as race is a prominent determinant in the hierarchy of influencers. While the literature on beauty influencers reveals the multi-faceted labor necessary for success in the genre, less attention is given to the ways that skin tone discrimination—or colorism—defines one’s subject position as a beauty influencer. I argue that skin tone is an identity characteristic that ultimately multiplies the labor required of beauty influencers, particularly for Black women with darker complexions. The extra labor required of persons from a marginalized subject position within a marginalized …

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Somatic Symptoms, And Athletic Injury Among Collegiate Student-Athletes, Samuel Aswegan

Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Probiotic Supplementation In Ruminants: A Sustainable Alternative For Enhancing Health, Milk Production, And Rumen Function, Jovahna Williams

Research Papers

This paper examines the effects of probiotic supplementation on ruminant animals, with emphasis on several key areas including ruminant animal health, milk production, rumen microbial profile, microbial protein synthesis and diversity, and patterns of rumen fermentation. As global interest in economically and biologically sustainable alternatives to antibiotics continues to grow, probiotics have emerged as promising candidates for improving livestock productivity while promoting animal and consumer welfare.

The primary objectives of this paper are to evaluate the specific effects and benefits of different probiotic strains in ruminants, to assess their potential as replacements for traditional growth-promoting substances such as fermentation enhancers …

Molecular Interactions Between The Shellfish Pathogen Vibrio Coralliilyticus Re22 And The Probiont Phaeobacter Inhibens S4sm, Jessica Coppersmith

Open Access Dissertations

Oyster larvae aquaculture is an important industry, both economically and environmentally, helping to create sustainable food systems by supplying seed oysters to farms, and also to restoration projects aimed at building coastal resilience and improving water quality by rejuvenating wild populations. However, oyster larvae are highly susceptible to rapid mortality events, crashes, which can seriously impact the industry. One source of these crashes in hatchery systems is vibriosis, caused by pathogenic species of Vibrio bacteria that are ubiquitous in temperate coastal waters, and with rising surface water temperatures their prevalence and virulence are increasing. To prevent these larval crashes from …

Residual Present Sense Impressions And Excited Utterances In The Social Media Age, Gary Dunn

Penn State Law Review (2003 - Present)

No abstract provided.