Digital Commons Network^™

From Demolition To Digital: Using Virtual Reality To Interpret Hamilton House, Hannah R. Miller

Graduate Final Projects

This master’s project investigates the potential of digital reconstruction as a tool for documenting and interpreting demolished historic resources, using Hamilton House as a case study. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates archival analysis with digital modeling to recreate the spatial context of the house. By grounding the digital model in historical evidence, this study examines how virtual reconstruction can be used to interpret social relationships, patterns of use, and lived experiences that are not fully captured through traditional means of documentation. This project also considers the interpretive implications of reconstructing using fragmentary historical data, addressing the possibilities and …

Internal Distortion By Elisabeth L. Roach, Elisabeth L. Roach, Elisabeth Roach

B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498)

I want to make people uncomfortable with my art. I use drawing, photography, and 4D elements to create gross, distorted, and unsettling pieces that stir conflicting feelings within the viewer.  Inspired by Maria Lassnig's abstracted self-portraits, I distort my own image to convey my physical and emotional anguish. Using myself as the subject of the work allows me to express pains and lived experiences directly.

While most of my work is figurative, I prioritize texture, color, and contrast over form.  The resulting works are painterly and dramatic like those of Francisco Goya. They reveal the process of their making and …

Uncovering Cytoskeletal Length Control From Growth Trajectories Using Sparse Dynamical Modeling, Carson Hearn

Theses

Understanding the governing equations of biological filament dynamics is essential for predicting cellular behavior, yet these equations are often difficult or impossible to derive directly from first principles. This thesis investigates the use of Sparse Identification of Nonlinear Dynamics (SINDy) as a unified, data-driven framework for discovering, validating, and refining governing equations from both simulated and experimental data. Focusing on biological filament processes, including growth, disassembly, and severing, this work is designed not only to apply SINDy, but to systematically demonstrate that it is a reliable and generalizable tool for modeling complex biophysical systems. To establish this, SINDy is first …

Clue In The Roman Style House: A Twist On The Classic Board Game Featuring A Fusion Of Ancient And Modern Roman Influences, Madelyn Junk

Honors Projects

Throughout time, games have been used to convey how society functions. They hint at societal structure, behavioral patterns, and roles of community members. Specifically, board games are excellent ways to teach players about attention to detail and how to synthesize information.

This unique and functional honors project finds its strength as a detail-oriented game that stresses the importance of critical thinking and deduction as it further rewards those skills through play and friendly competition. It combines art history, education, and graphic design disciplines to result in a creative output alongside a research paper. Its final product is a playable game …

Explicit Hydration Of The Beryllium Trifluoride Anion With One To Three Water Molecules: Bef3–(H2o)N=1–3, Kayleigh R. Autry, Gregory S. Tschumper

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

This work investigates the micro hydration of the beryllium trifluoride anion (BeF₃^–) with up to three water molecules (BeF₃^–(H₂O)_n where n = 1–3). Full geometry optimizations and harmonic vibrational frequencies were computed on various BeF₃^–(H₂O)_n stationary points using density functional theory methods (B3LYP-D3BJ, B3LYP, ωB97XD, and M06-2X) as well as the CCSD(T) and MP2 ab initio methods with a triple-ζ correlation-consistent basis set augmented with diffuse functions on all non-hydrogen atoms (haTZ). One BeF₃^–(H₂O)₁, five BeF₃^{– …}

The Intersection Of Faculty Perceptions Of Student Evaluations Of Teaching And Nursing Retention: The Challenges Of Undergraduate Nursing Programs In Higher Education Institutions, Melissa Wolff

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

For over 100 years, higher education institutions in the United States of America have been using student evaluations of teaching (SET) to evaluate course effectiveness and teaching quality. SETs are used to inform faculty about areas where course improvements are needed, if course objectives have been met, and the strength of their teaching ability. Even with the longstanding integration of SETs in higher education their reliability and validity have been questioned. Various factors negatively influence student ranking of faculty including class size, faculty appearance, ethnicity, and gender. SETs also impact faculty’s ability to earn tenure and promotion, which raises concerns …

Analysis Of Self, Annika Gb Anderson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract

This paper is an analysis of my personal experiences, relationships, development, and how these factors have shaped who I am personally and professionally. I reflect on different areas of my life including my relationships, academic and career journey, mental, chemical, and physical health, cultural identity, coping strategies, strengths, and personal interests. I also discuss the results and personal impact of personality and career assessments as well as interviews with family members who know me well. Through this process, I gained a deeper understanding of how my life experiences have influenced my values, beliefs, and approach to counseling. I found …

Understanding Myself As A Helping Professional, Mia Duncan

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This paper reflects on my own personal experiences that have shaped the person I am both personally and professionally. The purpose of this paper is to showcase the emotional, mental, and physical events I have gone through as well as the work I have done to overcome these challenging events to better serve my future students and clients. I have identified pivotal relationships in my life, therapeutic approaches that have worked for my own development, as well as what I use to help my students as a school counselor, and what my plans are after I graduate to continue as …

Countless Journeys: Becoming A Mental Health Counselor, David Smallen

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This self-analysis articulates the author’s process of developing, across his own lifetime, personal aspects essential to professional practice as a mental health counselor. Explored in this paper are the author’s experiences across diverse areas of development, including: relationships, culture, mental and physical health, career and hobby interests, and personal strengths. The author’s theoretical orientations towards therapeutic practice, including the lenses of Psychosocial Lifespan Development, Relational-Cultural Theory, and Existential Theory, are articulated and connected to his personal narrative. Results from two personality inventories, the VIA Character Strengths Inventory and the Primals Inventory are presented and discussed, as are key points from …

Plan B- Self Analysis, Michaela K. Halvorson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The background information includes the topics of: family/relationships, academics, mental, chemical, and physical health, culture, resilience, and coping skills of the writer. Addressing what has impacted the writer’s life and development is covered. Topics of impact are family structure, heart issues, and my own mental health issues. Application of the assessments, Myers-Briggs type indicator, and the Strong Interest Inventory, then interviews of five people close to the writer, and the counseling theories: wounded healer, disenfranchised grief, and Bowen's family system theory were used in conceptualizing the writer's background information. A reflection of professional identity and a plan to continue professional …

Exploring The Impact Of Ungrading On Student Engagement And Motivation In A First-Year Composition Class, Mary B. Gruis

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This study investigated the association between student engagement, motivation, and self-efficacy in college-level writing-intensive courses using an ungraded approach. Motivated by disillusionment with traditional grading methods and inspired by texts on equitable grading and culturally responsive teaching, the researcher explored how ungrading could foster deeper learning and equitable educational practices. Grounded in Bandura’s (1997) self-efficacy framework, this qualitative case study examined the lived experiences of first-year composition students at a two-year institution. Data collection included student interviews, student reflections, and an instructor interview. The analysis revealed themes aligned with self-efficacy, engagement, and motivation, suggesting that ungrading positively impacted students' perceptions …

Building Preschool Teacher Confidence In Understanding Student Accommodations By Implementing The Multi-Tiered Systems Of Support (Mtss) Framework, Heather Briese

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract

The overall goal of this paper is to highlight the crucial role that educators have with student development. Educators' knowledge and the ability to implement High-Leverage Practices (HLPs), Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs), and providing the Mutli-Tiered Systems of Support  (MTSS) are essential for student growth through effective student accommodations. This paper will examine how these practices can be implemented to support students in both academics and socially-emotionally. In order for early childhood educators to be successful in providing student support they need to have a comprehensive understanding of High-Leverage Practices (HLPs), Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs), Mutli-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and …

Reflection Of Self: A Project Dedicated To The Lifetime Development, Travis M. Polster

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Self-Reflection is an essential skill to becoming an effective school counselor.  Self-Reflection has led to explore, identify and create further opportunities to expand on my personal development.  Impactful relationships have contributed significantly to my development over the course of my lifetime.  Academics and careers impacted me both positively and negatively, but most important the shift in views on academics motivated me to prepare for a career change and the ability to impact my students in powerful ways for the rest of their life.  Other contributing factors consist of mental, social and physical health along with personal identity. A strong grasp …

Zoo U: An Emotional Wellness Intervention Case Study, Georgia B. Reemts

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effects of Zoo U, a digital game-based social-emotional learning (SEL) intervention, on a third-grade student's self-control and peer relationship skills. Zoo U focuses on teaching social skills by providing practice opportunities through a virtual simulation that mimics realistic school scenarios, targeting 6 core skill areas: communication, cooperation, emotion regulation, empathy, impulse control, and social initiation. The student participant received the intervention service once each week for nine sessions. Progress monitoring measures included student self-report direct behavior ratings (DBR), observational DBR reporting from the student’s classroom teacher, and Zoo U activity reports. …

What Are The Specific Parameters Of Cold-Water Immersion On Its Positive Effects On Recovery And Sleep In The Physically Active Population?, Landyn L. James, Jay Albrecht, Dawn Hammerschmidt

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Cold-water immersion (CWI) is widely used in athletic and rehabilitative settings to enhance post‑exercise recovery, yet optimal treatment parameters remain inconsistent across clinical practice. Physically active individuals frequently seek recovery strategies that improve muscle function and sleep quality, creating a need to evaluate the evidence supporting specific CWI protocols. Focused Clinical Question: The purpose of this critically appraised topic (CAT) was to determine which temperature and duration parameters of CWI most effectively improve muscle recovery and sleep in physically active populations. A focused clinical question was developed using the PICO framework. Search Strategies: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were identified through …

A Critically Appraised Topic: Effectiveness Of Hydrogen-Rich Water Therapies In Reducing Inflammation, Bill Craig, Dawn Hammerschmidt, Jay Albrecht

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Inflammation is an important part of healing, but prolonged inflammation or inflammatory disease can cause excess pain and tissue damage. Hydrogen-rich water therapies have shown to have positive effects on this wide variety of conditions and may have a role in future therapeutic intervention for inflammatory conditions and acute injury care. Hydrogen is a commonly known element that has recently been the subject of scientific studies to analyze its beneficial properties when used as a therapeutic intervention. Hydrogen is physically the smallest element on the periodic table, and when two hydrogen atoms combine to form H2, it is known as …

Effects Of Natural And Urban Soundscapes On Affective States And Concentration In Educational Settings, Ahmad Rusdi, Fani Eka Nurtjahjo, Mutiara Sari, Elmira Syamsa Musliha, Hasya Nadhira, Rahmanisa Maharani, Gladys Marisca, Aisyah Raihana Azzah

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Although environmental noise has been extensively studied, limited research has compared the differential effects of natural and urban soundscapes on psychological outcomes. This pilot study examined the impact of urban and natural soundscapes on students’ concentration and affective responses. A pre–post experimental design with two groups was implemented, involving 12 undergraduate participants (aged 18–24 years) with equal gender representation. Concentration was measured using the polyshape board, which was preliminary validated in this study, while affective states (pleasantness and arousal) were assessed using the Affect Grid Scale (AGS) before and after exposure. Given the limited sample size and the ordinal data, …

Inconsistencies Emerge Between Regional And Local-Scale Water Security Metrics At Military Installations, Abigail Birnbaum, Michael L. Berg, Caitlin Grady, Daniel J. Weeks, Christopher M. Chini

Faculty Publications

Recent United States federal policy for military installations has emphasized the importance of developing a standardized approach for water security assessment to monitor changes in water resources and the ability for an installation to meet both its civilian and mission needs. For military installations in the United States, these assessments must consider demands both inside and outside the installation’s fence line, as regional resources are required to meet mission readiness. Focusing on physical water scarcity, this study compares four water security metrics with unique formulations and spatial resolutions, including an installation-scale metric and multiple regional metrics defined for either baseline …

Spectator 2026-05-07, Editors Of The Spectator

The Spectator

No abstract provided.

Multi-Site Dms Probing Reveals Higher-Order Structure Of Rna-Protein Complexes In Living Cells, Irfana Saleem, Thomas Miller, Lucas Kearns, Anthony Hoang, Joshua Meehan, Ritwika Bose, David Mitchell, David H Price, Calla M Olson, Chase A Weidmann, Anthony M Mustoe

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Identifying tertiary structures and protein binding sites in RNA molecules remains a key challenge in RNA biology. We describe multi-site dimethyl sulfate (DMS)-mutational profiling (MaP) (msDMS-MaP), a strategy that enables simultaneous measurement of RNA secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures via a single DMS chemical probing experiment. Optimized reverse transcription decodes typically invisible DMS N7-methylguanine (N7-G) modifications via a tautomer-induced mutational signature concurrent with N1 and N3 modifications. We show that N7-G reactivity reports on higher-order RNA structures, revealing key functional motifs such as pseudoknots and protein binding sites. Using msDMS-MaP, we find that E. coli ribosomal RNAs encode numerous independently …

Spartan Daily, May 7, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 166, Issue 43

Spectro-Polarimetric Observations Of Tev Sources (Spots): First Results, Joleen Barnard, B. Van Soelen, I. P. Van Der Westhuizen, M. Böttcher, A. Martin-Carrillo, H. M. Schutte, S. Van Der Merwe, M. Zacharias

Michigan Tech Publications

Blazars are jetted active galactic nuclei, with the jet aligned along the observer’s line of sight. Their spectral energy distributions are dominated by non-thermal emission, with an underlying thermal component at optical/ultraviolet wavelengths. However, the underlying jet magnetic field structure and particle acceleration mechanisms requirements for the non-thermal emission are still under debate. Polarization measurements can provide critical insights, and we investigate the optical polarization properties of TeV-emitting blazars using long-term optical monitoring. We present results from the first 21 months of the Spectro-Polarimetric Observations of TeV Sources campaign, using the Southern African Large Telescope, of 14 blazars. Overall, observations …

Prinsip Military Necessity Dalam Hukum Internasional Humaniter, Hersapta Mulyono

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Abstract

A Novel Geospatial Tool For Assessing Risks And Opportunities For Conversion Of Ccr Closures Into Productive Solar Energy Generation Sites, Marc Theisen

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Closure of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) surface impoundments and landfills offers unique opportunities for conversion to solar power sites with the potential to offset costs of post-closure care via generation of clean electricity. In 2023 the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collaborated with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to create a report entitled “Coal Ash Disposal Sites and Opportunities for Solar Photovoltaic Development” (EPA Publication #540-S-23-004). The purpose of this document was to identify closed CCR units and provide key factors for their potential for solar photovoltaic (PV) development. In 2022, the EPA’s RE-Powering Initiative identified 772 current CCR …

The Modern Hydraulic Containment System: Using Automation, Telemetry And Data Dashboarding To Meet Client And Regulatory Objectives At A Coal Combustion Residual (Ccr) Site, Brian Hennings, Christopher Glidden, Vic Modeer, J. Austin Bond

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

The site, a former coal-fired power plant in southern Illinois, generated coal combustion residuals (CCR) such as bottom ash and fly ash stored in surface impoundments. Adjacent to the Ash Pond, boron was detected in groundwater above the state standard of 2 mg/L. In late 2025, a groundwater extraction system was installed to control hydraulic conditions and prevent boron migration offsite until source control measures are completed. The system is expected to operate for up to 11 years. Three-dimensional groundwater modelling was used to support system design, helping to identify optimal well locations and flow rates for effective containment. Components, …

Strategic Workforce Solutions In The Coal Ash Industry, Stuart Keeter

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

The coal ash industry stands at a pivotal moment, shaped by legacy environmental events, evolving engineering standards, and a rapidly shifting workforce landscape. This session explores the strategic talent challenges facing consultants, civil engineering firms, and utilities in 2026 and beyond. Drawing from data sources including MRI, LaborIQ, AGC, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the presentation highlights: • The impact of historic coal ash incidents (TVA Kingston, Duke Dan River) on industry best practices. • The convergence of civil, environmental, and power sectors in driving remediation and innovation. • Alarming workforce trends, including the retirement of 12,000 professionals …

Establishing A Roadmap For The Planning, Design, And Construction Of A Water Treatment System For A Ccr Unit Closure, Mariah Schroeder, Matthew Balance

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

The treatment of water from a CCR unit is an important step in the closure strategy for surface impoundments to comply with 40 CFR §257.102(d)(2)(i) of the CCR rule. The unwatering and dewatering of a surface impoundment is a necessary first step in ensuring that the eventual closure of the unit will meet the requirements for closure in place described in 40 CFR §257.102(d). Depending on the operational conditions and requirements of the plant, the NDPES discharge limits, and the impacted water quality, the water treatment system needs can vary greatly. This presentation will outline a roadmap for assessment, evaluation, …

Establishing Sustainable Vegetation On A Challenging Legacy Ccr Site, Derek Oosterhouse, Blake Arthur

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

American Electric Power (AEP) is closing and restoring a legacy Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) site in Ohio that once held a power plant that pioneered innovative steam generation technology. The plant was closed in 1975. Today, the legacy CCR site is being transformed back to natural, sustainable vegetation. To comply with and close the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) permit, permanent stabilization is required on the site. AEP, one of the largest electric companies in the country, holds a core principle to respect the environment through creative sustainable solutions. AEP connected with Profile Products, the world’s largest manufacturer and supplier …

Horizontal Wells For Ccr Applications – Results And Lessons Learned, David Bardsley

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

No abstract provided.

Closure Of A Process Water Impoundment, Todd Stong, Shane Stockdill, Erin Hunter

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Rainbow Energy Center’s (REC’s) Coal Creek Station manages process water in various engineered impoundments across the facility. As part of the ongoing life of the plant, one of the site process water ponds has been decommissioned to allow for construction of a new coal combustion residuals (CCR) impoundment within the same footprint. In order to transition from a non-CCR impoundment to construction of a CCR impoundment, the existing impoundment was closed and decommissioned in 2025. The composite-lined process water impoundment intended for closure previously operated from the early 1990s. To effectively close the impoundment, a closure verification plan was developed …