Digital Commons Network^™

Rooted Families: A Whole Family Ministry, Aubree Nelson

Christian Ministries Senior Capstone

Rooted Families is set in the context of a family dynamic: a mother, a father, and children. Parents often drop their kids off at church on Sunday, yet many feel unqualified to disciple their children at home. This paper is the philosophy of ministry for Rooted Families, which is located at First Missionary Church in Fort Wayne Indiana. The goal is to provide a framework for churches to enable them to create spaces for parents to learn and be equipped to disciple their children. This paper describes the theological, anthropological, and sociological premises that affect parents and their influence over …

Patient Views On Blood-Based Biomarker Tests For Alzheimer's Disease In Primary Care, Andrea Russell, Abigail Vogeley, Rebecca Lovett, Rachel O’Conor, Stephanie Batio, Jeimmy Hurtado, Morgan Bonham, Julia Benavente, Adam Brickman, Chinedu Momoh

Brain and Mind Institute

INTRODUCTION Blood-based biomarkers could offer accessible, cost-effective detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in primary care. This study examined patient attitudes toward AD biomarker testing.

METHODS Crosssectional surveys were conducted with 572 adults from Chicago-area clinics. Participants received brief education on biomarker tests before completing the survey.

RESULTS Most participants (83.8%) were unfamiliar with biomarker tests; 1.8% previously completed testing. After brief education, most (94.5%) supported offering tests to patients with memory complaints, and 85% were willing to complete testing if recommended by their clinician. Facilitators included tests informing clinical care, coverage by insurance, and education in advance. Barriers included cost …

Artifacts As Ambassadors: How Archaeological Artifacts Dictate Modern Diplomatic Relations And Repatriation, Emma Boyd

Honors Papers and Posters

In this thesis, I examine and re-center the roles of archaeological artifacts and conceptions of ownership in global politics, drawing on debates about cultural heritage and diplomacy. This thesis will emphasize debates around ownership and repatriation, articulating their value in international relations and diplomacy between Western countries and postcolonial nations, as well as between federally recognized Native American Indigenous Tribes and the United States government. The thesis review takes the Elgin Marbles, arguably the most debated subject, as a model for my case study analysis. I will explore complications driven by conversations of repatriation. Overall, this thesis will propose theories …

Under The Cover Of Blackness: The Racialized Dimensions Of Netflix’S Personalized Cover Art, Daphne Gershon

Communication Studies Faculty Scholarship

This article explores the mechanisms that shape how race is represented in online TV interfaces by analyzing Netflix’s personalized cover art, an essential digital paratext designed to attract viewers through individualized images. Netflix has previously been accused of using its personalized cover art or thumbnails in racially biased ways, displaying either Black or white characters based on the presumed race of users. To further existing research on this digital feature, this article focuses not just on whether Black characters are represented, but also on how they are represented. Through an exploratory pilot study that involves the creation of different algorithmic …

Employee Evaluations Of Leadership Styles In The Workplace: A Cross-Industry Analysis, Lindsey Eckrote

Student Work - College of Business

Work environments vary widely across industries, shaping em-ployee experiences and leadership needs. This study compares the Information Technology (IT) industry with the Agriculture, Forest-ry, Fishing, and Hunting sector using supervisor ratings. IT work is fast-paced and cognitively demanding, whereas agriculture is physically intensive and hazardous. These differences create dis-tinct challenges that influence how leadership is perceived.

Mental Health Wellness In Collegiate Athletics, Paige Winter

Student Work - College of Business

This Honors 495 project will focus on a mental health awareness campaign in college athletics, specifically here at Western New England within our athletic department. The end goal of this project will be to determine what small changes can be made through a mental health awareness campaign to make conversations about mental health more normal and encourage athletes to use available support resources and what re-sources can be added as well.

A Thermal-Hydraulic Study Of Bio-Inspired Fractal Microscale Heat Sink Using Computational Fluid Dynamics, Aagam Shah

Master’s Theses - College of Engineering

In recent years, the demand for efficient thermal management in miniaturized and high-performance electronic devices has grown rapidly. As electronic devices become more compact and powerful, their heat dissipation density increases, requiring more innovative and efficient thermal management solutions. Among the most promising solutions for localized cooling are micro-scale cold plates, which have been widely studied since their introduction in the early 1980s [1]. These devices, due to their small footprints and high surface-to-volume ratios, are highly suited for cooling microprocessors, sensors, and integrated circuits. However, one major limitation of conventional microchannel cold plates is their high pressure drop characteristic, …

Disparities Between Chronological And Biological Age: A Biocultural Analysis Of Aging In Contemporary Populations, Nicollette S. Appel

Anthropology ETDs

This dissertation investigates how structural and cultural factors collectively influence the aging process and how these effects manifest in both hard and soft tissues. Chapter 2 used an AI-based CT body composition tool and a CT-based biological age model to examine the relationship between age discrepancy and demographic variables such as sex, race/ethnicity, and manner of death. Results demonstrate significant differences in age discrepancy, with females, Native Americans, and individuals who died of natural causes exhibiting greater discrepancies. Chapters 3 and 4 further evaluate whether anthropological approaches to skeletal aging can be improved by adopting a biocultural perspective. These chapters …

Summoning Models Of “Decolonization”: Performances Of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’S Historical Poetry In Contemporary Pakistan, Muhammad Z. Abro

Anthropology ETDs

This dissertation examines how Shia communities in Sindh, Pakistan, mobilize the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai as counter-history within a postcolonial order that folds sectarian difference into homogenized national culture. In dominant state and literary discourse, Latif is cast as a universal Sufi poet whose spirituality transcends doctrinal division and secures Sindhi and Pakistani belonging. The performances studied here place pressure on that settlement by treating the Risalo as a medium through which Karbala remains historically present. Drawing on three years of ethnographic fieldwork at the shrine of Shah Abdul Latif in Bhitshah and related sites in Sindh, the …

Replacing Print With Program: Concerns With Digitizing Classroom Literacy, Alayna Ianiri

Gateway Reader- Individual Papers

• The Problem: Excessive time spent reading on digital devices creates a "screen inferiority effect" where students fail to assign academic importance to digital texts, leading to reduced reading comprehension, standard testing declines, and increased mind-wandering under time constraints.

• The Method: The researcher analyzed an existing study by Ladislao Salmerón and education professors that utilized student data from the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), and an MML regression equation method evaluating fourth- and eighth-grade English language arts students.

• Quantitative Finding: The discrepancy in PISA reading comprehension scores between students practicing and drilling on …

  ---

  Go to article

The Impact Of Traditional Gender Roles: Direct Harm To Individuals And Society In The United States, Sydney L. Parker-Coyne

Gateway Reader- Individual Papers

The Problem: Traditional gender roles in the United States restrict individual identity, limit overall productivity, and cause direct psychological and physical harm.

The Method: An evaluation of gender restriction frameworks using Victorian-Era literature, modern interpretations of women's and transgender rights, 2020s social media trends, and contemporary aerospace milestones.

Quantitative Finding: In 2026, 30 U.S. states maintain legal exemptions from rape by a judge and jury; males account for nearly 80% of suicides; 550 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced and over 85 passed into law in 2023; over 500 additional anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced and over 40 passed across …

The Wonderful Everyday, Helen Ball

Gateway Reader- Individual Papers

• The Problem: Rhetorical analysis of marketing strategies demonstrates how minimalist advertisements sell an idealized lifestyle to middle-class consumers rather than just a specific household product.

• The Method: The researcher conducted a visual and psychological analysis of a 2017 IKEA UK print advertisement for the Sheffield store opening, utilizing color psychology frameworks and target market demographic data.

• Qualitative Finding: The advertisement uses a calming light blue and contrasting mustard yellow palette to project stability and attract busy families; the deliberate physical absence of the advertised Hemnes coat stand creates a sense of consumer anticipation and suspense; the versatile room setting appeals …

  ---

  Go to article

2026 Research Day Program, Lincoln Memorial University

Research Day

This program contains abstracts and presentation summaries from LMU's 2026 Annual Research Day conference.

Sb 259: Combatting The Unscrupulous Practice Of Surveillance Pricing, Timothy Reeves

University of the Pacific Law Review

No abstract provided.

Reconstructing A Legacy: Zygmunt Lakociński, The Polish Research Institute’S Archive, And The Women Behind It, Alanna Gallo

History & Classics Undergraduate Theses

Abstract: In 1945, Polish historian Zygmunt Lakociński embarked on a project to “document the truth against all myths.” Following the arrival of 7,300 Polish former prisoners, 6,000 of them women, to Sweden after liberation, Lakociński created the Polish Research Institute Archive (PIZ). The result was a collection of over 500 highly detailed and corroborated witness testimonies of Nazi war crimes at the Ravensbrück concentration camp. From its interview procedures and methodology to the composition of its staff, the Polish Research Institute Archive was utterly unconventional for its time. Aside from its scope, much of the archive’s importance lies in its …

Effectiveness Of Common Household Water Filters In Removal Of Microplastics​, Andrew Au, Hailey Kim, Anika Prasad, Novita Whillock

Expo Student Presentations

2026 Spring Expo Poster Presentation

• Physical & Applied Sciences

Structural And Phonon Properties Of Iron Selenide (Fese) Superconductors: Density Functional Theory (Dft) Studies, Samten Vaidya, Cheng-Chien Chen

Expo Student Presentations

2026 Spring Expo Poster Presentation

• Physical & Applied Sciences

Ai Mcat Tutor: Personalized Study Planning, Daily Check-Ins, & Slideshow Generator For Pre-Medical Students, Luke Latterman

IPHS 300: AI for Humanity

Preparing for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is among the most demanding academic challenges facing pre-medical students, yet access to professional tutoring remains prohibitively expensive for many. This paper describes the design, implementation, and iterative evaluation of an AI-powered tutoring system built using Claude Code, Anthropic’s command-line interface for the Claude large language model, intended to serve pre-medical students directly, whether or not they have access to a professional tutor. The system integrates three components: a personalized multi-phase study schedule generator, a daily check-in assistant, and an AI-driven instructional slideshow generator for targeted content review. Each component was designed …

Ready, Set, Play! Empowering Caregivers Through Adaptive Playground Resources, Makenna Thigpen, Angela Blackwell, Brianne Harryman

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This doctoral capstone project addressed the need for accessible, caregiver-friendly education to support inclusive play opportunities for children of diverse abilities. Guided by occupational therapy frameworks emphasizing participation, environmental supports, and family-centered care, this project involved collaboration with the local Parks and Recreation Department to better understand community needs and existing inclusive playground resources. Through this partnership, the project supported efforts to promote awareness and accessibility of inclusive play spaces within the community.

As part of the project, educational video resources were developed to increase caregiver knowledge of inclusive playground equipment, play strategies, and environmental modifications. Content focused on promoting …

Characterization Of A Core Fungal Community And Captivity-Induced Gut “Mycobiome” Change In Fowler's Toad (Anaxyrus Fowleri), Alexander J. Bradshaw, Sinlan Poo, Tracey E. Malter, Rylie M. Strasbaugh, Brianna Bodner, Madison R. Hincher, Anne Devan-Song, Javier F. Tabima

Biology

Amphibious animals, such as frogs, are found at the intersection of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. They may serve as keystone and sentinel species and play key roles in nutrient cycling and food webs. In recent decades, amphibians have experienced drastic population declines due to habitat loss, climate change, and disease. These declines have prompted investments in ex situ conservation and captive breeding programs, which aim to reduce extinction risk by creating assurance colonies and reintroducing individuals once threats are mitigated. A critical component of these programs is proper husbandry, which ensures the health and longevity of captive populations and their …

From Attention To Reasoning: Beyond Accuracy In Multimodal Ai, Wayner Barrios

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Multimodal large language models have achieved impressive performance on vision-language benchmarks by integrating visual encoders with large language models. Yet a critical gap persists between benchmark accuracy and genuine multimodal understanding: current evaluation frameworks assess performance by final answers alone, rewarding confident predictions while leaving systematic reasoning failures undetected.

This thesis addresses this gap through a unified framework that progresses from understanding to reasoning, using video as the most comprehensive multimodal testbed. Video inherently combines vision, audio, and language with temporal dynamics and massive token redundancy; techniques developed for video's comprehensive challenges transfer naturally to simpler multimodal tasks.

On understanding …

Active Listening And Reassurance In Text-Based Virtual Health Coaches, Ghulam Hussain

Dissertations

Conversational agents (CAs) have strong potential to support health and physical wellbeing through text-based coaching, but they remain limited in their ability to demonstrate supportive social behaviours that are important in human coaching interactions. In particular, relatively little is known about how Active Listening and Reassurance are perceived, modelled, and evaluated in text-based virtual healthcare coaching, or how such behaviours should be adapted to individual users.

This dissertation investigates how supportive interaction behaviours can enhance text based virtual health coaching, with an initial focus on Active Listening and Reassurance and a later theoretical emphasis on Active Listening. Across five unique …

Serendipitous Reactivity Of Tripodal Tris(Nitroxide) Aluminum And Gallium Complexes With Halomethanes, Elizabeth N. S. Ting , '26

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

The development of new strategies for bond activation remains an important goal in chemistry. Element-ligand cooperative (ELC) chemistry using abundant main-group elements has emerged as a promising strategy for enabling bond activation without relying on traditional transition-metal redox chemistry. In this work, the reactivity of Group 13 complexes supported by a tripodal tris(nitroxide) ligand, (TriNOx^3-)M (M = Al (1), Ga (2); TriNOx^3- = [{(2^tBuNO)C₆H₄CH₂}₃N] ^3-), was investigated toward halomethanes. This reactivity leads to the formation of the ligand-protonated metal halide species (HTriNOx^2-)M–X. To support …

Bleachers Constructed From Reclaimed Structural Lumber, Ben Aaron , ‘26, Amelia Landry , ‘26, Zoe Sperduto , ‘26

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

This project designs bleachers from reclaimed structural lumber for the new Fieldhouse at Swarthmore College. Wood is a sustainable and renewable building material, and diverting wood from the waste stream for high-value applications offers an opportunity to promote a circular economy. Wood reuse is not a common practice in the United States, and this project aims to serve as a case study of how it can be performed on small, local scales. First, deconstructed lumber is obtained from a local residential demolition site and processed. Then, destructive material testing is performed to determine the residual material properties, strength and stiffness, …

A Phenomenology On The Possibility Of Freedom, Grounded In The Lifeworld, Sheldon T. White

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

The work here is aimed at three primary goals. The first is largely exegetical and focuses on explicating Edmund Husserl’s phenomenological analysis of the intentional process which constitutes our empathic experience of other people. This is relevant because phenomenology’s capacity to examine intersubjectivity depends on the validity of the pairing association put forth by Husserl in section 51 of the Cartesian Meditations. I accomplish this by analyzing not only the sections in the Cartesian Meditations where Husserl makes his case, but also by engaging with his previous works, upon which his analysis of the pairing association depends. The second goal …

Multiscale Effects Of Landscape Structure, Biodiversity, And Chronic Physiological Stress In Atlantic Forest Small Mammals, Lizette Arroyo

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Habitat loss and fragmentation are major drivers of biodiversity decline and can alter the physiological condition of wildlife through changes in habitat quality, resource availability, and community composition. The Atlantic Forest of South America is one of the world’s most threatened biodiversity hotspots. This study examined relationships among biodiversity, landscape structure, and chronic stress in nonvolant small mammals within the Reserva Natural Tapytá in eastern Paraguay using hair glucocorticoid concentrations as indicators of long-term physiological stress. Small mammals were sampled from forest fragments representing multiple patch sizes between 2023 and 2025. Hair cortisol and corticosterone concentrations were quantified using enzyme …

The Effects Of A Financial Literacy-Based Classroom Economy Model On Student Behavior, Engagement, And Financial Literacy, Liahna Sauter

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The Effects of a Financial Literacy-Based Classroom Economy Model on Student Behavior, Engagement, and Financial Literacy by Liahna Sauter employed a mixed methods research approach and used surveys, assessments, frequency charts, finance reports, and observations to learn more about the financial literacy-based classroom economy model. Different classroom economy models, namely token economies, are used widely across the educational sphere; though, financial literacy-based approaches do not have well-documented data surrounding their effectiveness. The financial literacy model aims to instruct students on real-world financial literacy concepts while simulating a real-world economy and incentivising positive behavior. Influenced by financial literacy-based classroom economy models …

Department Of Politics And Government News And Views, Spring 2026, Department Of Politics And Government, Illinois State University

Department of Politics and Government News and Views

Newsletter of the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University

Verdict Format On Trial: Experimental Tests Of The Criminal Law’S Orthodoxy, Avani Mehta Sood

Vanderbilt Law Review

For centuries, American criminal courts have overwhelmingly favored “general” verdicts over “special” verdicts, without giving the latter a fair trial. A general verdict requires criminal jurors to deliver only an ultimate judgment of “guilty” or “not guilty” on a charged offense. In contrast, a special verdict would require jurors to answer a sequence of questions about whether each legal element of the charged offense has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt before they deliver a final judgment. The criminal law’s conventional wisdom holds that special verdicts will disadvantage defendants by constraining jurors’ latitude to temper or nullify the law, thereby …

The Ladies' Home Journal: Dormant Seeds Of The Feminine Mystique Pre-Wwii, Isis Santos Villaça

University Honors Theses

At the turn of the 20th century, magazines were becoming increasingly available to the middle class. Throughout the 1890–1930s, the industry put forth an entire new iteration of publications that came to be popular with female readers. One of the most successful publications from this period, The Ladies' Home Journal, distinguished itself through its strong editorial presence on the page. The editors of the Ladies' Home Journal intended to create a "traditional" female identity that reflected domesticity in the journal, which countered the rising notions of the New Woman. Simultaneously, the publication aimed to create an educational product with …