Digital Commons Network^™

Pornographic Deepfakes And Ugly Social Facts: The Costs Of A Normative Approach To Defamation, Kathleen Ross

Michigan Law Review

Around the world, women and girls are being victimized by pornographic deepfakes— alarmingly convincing, sexually exploitative images and videos generated using artificial intelligence (AI). Facing statutory gaps, victims may turn to traditional tort law claims to recover for the injuries inflicted by pornographic deepfakes. Defamation law, which protects against reputational injuries caused by false statements, is a particularly compelling arena for vindicating the interests invaded by a pornographic deepfake—interests which are, at their heart, social and reputational. Fortunately for deepfake victims, a pornographic deepfake will often satisfy defamation’s basic elements: A false and defamatory communication that concerns the victim and …

Organizational Characteristics And Business Transformation: An Investigation On Corporate Transformation In The Construction Industry, Wei Chen

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Draw on a structural decline in demand triggered by selective real estate industrial policies, this study explores how construction companies drive business transformation through organizational characteristics in environmental uncertainties. Extant research has largely focused on the independent impact of single organizational factors or capabilities on transformation, lacking a systematic exploration of the interactions between organizational characteristics and the external environment. Take a typical construction group as an example, this study adopts a mixed-methods approach, through interviews and questionnaires, to systematically examine the impact of organizational characteristics on business transformation. The key findings are: in environmental uncertainties, an organic organizational structure …

The Role Of Negotiable And Non Negotiable Dimensions In Brand Revitalization: The Case Of Whisky Packaging Design, Liang Wang

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

In consumer sectors such as digital appliances, apparel, cosmetics, and food and beverages, the number of brands has grown explosively, intensifying market competition. As the primary touchpoint between brands and consumers, product packaging design directly shapes consumer attitudes. Adjustments to packaging elements can catalyze brand growth but may also trigger trust crises. Although recent studies have explored the role of packaging design in brand revitalization, research remains insufficient regarding its “negotiable” and “non-negotiable” dimensions and the mechanisms through which it influences consumer attitudes.

Drawing on brand life cycle theory, brand image theory, and consumer behavior theory, this dissertation investigates how …

Nature-Based And Outdoor Learning In The K-12 Setting, Samantha Bertotti, Cecilia Dunbar, Julia Fazio

Psychology and Child Development

This literature review examines the impact of nature-based and outdoor learning on K–12 students’ academic achievement, socio-emotional development, and mental health. Drawing on a wide range of empirical studies and systematic reviews, the paper highlights how learning in natural environments enhances academic outcomes by improving self-efficacy, cognitive functioning, and student engagement. Evidence consistently shows that outdoor learning fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and deeper conceptual understanding compared to traditional classroom instruction.

In addition to academic benefits, nature-based learning supports socio-emotional development by strengthening peer relationships, promoting confidence, and encouraging prosocial behaviors such as cooperation and empathy. These environments provide opportunities for …

Riverbend Ranch Mixed-Use Development Project, Anthony James Sousa

City and Regional Planning

This senior project is a proposed mixed-use development project in the City of Visalia, California. The scope of work includes site analysis and site plan development formatted in a comprehensive development package. This project aims to set a precedent for future development in the City of Visalia by increasing density to meet housing requirements and incorporating various urban agricultural uses to reconnect the urban and rural relationship. Additionally, the project includes a literature review on urban agriculture to explain its role in planning practice.

Parent-Child Interactions Across Contexts And Children’S Adaptive Classroom Behaviors In Second Grade, Hannah Dalton

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Adaptive classroom behaviors are important for children’s success in the classroom by supporting their abilities to learn academic concepts and positively engage with peers. Research indicates that parents’ behaviors during interactions with their children are important for their social and academic outcomes, but there may be variance in parents’ behaviors based on their goals for the interaction. The current study examined interaction quality across three parent-child interaction tasks and correlations with their second-grade children’s adaptive classroom behaviors. The sample included 170 second-grade children and their parents who completed three joint tasks: a puzzle task, a homework task, and a conflict …

Program Management And Building Partner Capacity: A Tangled Thicket, Phil W. Reynolds

Publications

This chapter explores how the U.S. Department of Defense plans and executes Building Partner Capacity projects in lower-middle and low-income partners. U.S. planners and practitioners rarely understand the effective pre-conditions that influence partner security apparatus and infrastructure. Consequently, security capabilities provided to the partner are rarely sustained and provide questionable security to the affected population. The U.S. Department of Defense uses a three-part approach to building security with partners: training and equipping, building institutional capacity, and monitoring and evaluating. U.S. security planners should manage all three parts concurrently to produce a security capability that the partner uses and sustains and …

Academic Freedom And Collective Bargaining: A Joint Report By The National Center For The Study Of Collective Bargaining In Higher Education And The Professions And The Aaup’S Center For The Defense Of Academic Freedom, William A. Herbert, Isaac A. Kamola, Timothy R. Cain, Erin Ward, Anita Levy, Kathryn Ritchie, Ariana Gonzalez

Publications and Research

This is a joint report by the National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education and the Professions at Hunter College (National Center) and the Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom (CDAF) at the American Association of University Professors. It presents excerpts from forty-five collective bargaining agreements in higher education to demonstrate the wide range of ways academic freedom is defined in contracts, or not, and how the negotiated definitions incorporate, quote, follow, mirror, or deviate from the principles set forth in the 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure (hereinafter 1940 Statement).

Exploring Adolescent Hearing Aid Usage And Appearance Of Psychiatric Symptoms In Adolescents Using Hearql-28 Surveys, Courtney J. Austin, Dylan Chan

MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years

Approximately 2% of DHH people in need of mental health services actually receive these services. Among pediatric hearing loss populations, co-occurring cognitive and physical impairments are risk factors for poor mental health status. Due to language barriers and isolation, more children with hearing loss do not have access to mental health services. Cochlear implants have been shown to improve mental health status among the DHH population. Current literature focuses on the mental health status of children with cochlear implants, with little focus on hearing aid users. Using HEAR28 data and surveys, we can quantify the incidence of psychiatric symptoms among …

Artificial Intelligence In Literacy Education, Megan V. Gierka, Timothy N. Odegard

Science of Reading

Artificial intelligence tools are entering K–12 literacy classrooms at an unprecedented rate, yet most have not undergone independent validation. This brief examines how educators can evaluate AI tools through the lens of cognitive science and instructional design. Drawing on the Expanded Instructional Hierarchy (Odegard & Gierka, 2025), we present a framework that links learning phases to the memory systems and cognitive processes that underlie literacy development.

How Teachers Can Apply Learning Theories To The Five Pillars Of The Science Of Reading, Jennifer Renn

Science of Reading

This brief provides an introduction to six learning theories and guidance on how they can be used to teach the pillars of the science of reading (SOR). Because SOR is rooted in a broad range of interdisciplinary research and covers several key competencies, classroom teachers may be overwhelmed and uncertain of how to best meet students’ needs. There is also a tendency to use instructional strategies and techniques that include student repetition and recognition of information. While these approaches can help students learn to read and write, teachers should consider using a range of learning theories to better align instruction …

Situation Mouse All Floxed Up: Exploring Phenotypic Abnormalities In Bdnf Floxed Mice, Marissa A. Burkman

All NMU Master's Theses

Animal research is a contentious topic in both the scientific and general communities.  It is essential that our animal models accurately and predictably depict intended phenotypes, necessitating careful colony monitoring and maintenance.  Volunteer animal staff in the Ottem Laboratory became concerned when mice with LoxP sites flanking the BDNF gene depicted anxiety-like behaviors such as aggression, difficulty handling, and increased agitation.  Though many studies have noted behavioral and phenotypic abnormalities related to large gene inserts, few have noted abnormalities with small gene inserts such as the 34 bp LoxP site.  Brandt (2018) performed a three-stage behavioral protocol on these mice …

Digital Maker Education In Project-Based Learning Through Design For English As A Second Language Skills Development, Pratima Rani Banick

Journal of Research Initiatives

This study investigated the effectiveness of integrating a Maker Education (ME) approach within the PLT design, assisted by Computer-Mediated Tools (CMT), in enhancing the reading skills of Grade 10 ESL learners (aged 15–16) in an online ELT setting. Motivated by the growing need to foster creative and critical thinking and to address learners' lack of interest in traditional approaches to teaching academic reading, the study adopts an experimental design. Students were divided into two groups—a control group (n = 10) and an experimental group (n = 10)—using random sampling. The control group received instruction using the conventional teaching approach, while …

Elevating The Underrepresented And Marginalized Using Experiences In Stem (Lumens): A Stem Diversity And Inclusion Initiative, Robert Cobb Jr, Paula E. Faulkner, Deiadra Modlin, Obinna Chiekezi, Victoria Cobbold, Madison Beaudoin

Journal of Research Initiatives

The study offered a 5-week summer immersion program to address the shortage of students from underrepresented populations enrolling in degree programs and seeking careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The study also addressed the importance of offering summer immersion programs to close the achievement gap. A quantitative descriptive design was used to gather data from participants related to STEM lessons during the program. Gender, grade level, and race served as the demographic variables. The study included 21 secondary students in grades 9–12. Pre- and post-tests assessed participants' knowledge gain regarding STEM lessons. Data analyzed with SPSS version 29 …

Theorizing The Potential Of Lo-Fi Music And Ai-Driven Innovations To Foster Academic Focus And Well-Being, Oksana Karapetian, Simone Elias, Linda Wilson-Jones

Journal of Research Initiatives

This conceptual paper examines the potential of lo-fi music as a tool for enhancing academic focus and well-being among students. Drawing from cognitive and psychological perspectives, as well as historical and educational frameworks, this study explores the implications of integrating lo-fi music into learning environments. Research suggests that background music can influence cognitive performance, memory retention, and emotional regulation (de Witte et al., 2019; Fancourt et al., 2016), making it a compelling subject for investigation. Additionally, advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI), and automation have introduced new possibilities for personalizing and optimizing background music in educational settings. …

Examining The Relationship Between Transformational Leadership Behaviors And Faculty Job Satisfaction At Hbcus: An Explanatory Correlational Study, Demissie L. Karorsa, Monica E. Allen

Journal of Research Initiatives

By inspiring followers to pursue and attain exceptional levels of performance, transformational leadership (TL) has been associated with high levels of follower job satisfaction and organizational commitment (Asencio, 2016; Banks et al., 2016; Bass & Riggio, 2006). The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine faculty perceptions of transformational leadership behaviors of their department chairs and their own job satisfaction at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the southeastern United States. The transformational leadership dimensions examined were idealized attributes (IA), idealized behaviors (IB), inspirational motivation (IM), intellectual stimulation (IS), and individualized consideration (IC). Data were collected using …

The Impact Of Academic Service Learning On Community Self-Service Efficacy: An Exploratory Study Of Four Ethical Types, Niall Hegarty, John Angelidis

Journal of Research Initiatives

Academic Service-Learning (ASL) literature reveals that most studies assume students are a homogeneous whole and thus draw overly-generalized conclusions regarding students perceived self-service efficacy as well as their disposition towards future service. To rectify this problem, this study utilizes Forsyth’s (1980) conceptual model of two dimensions, idealism and relativism, to categorize students into four categories: situationists (n=53), subjectivists (n=34), absolutists (43), and exceptionists (n=52). These students (n=182) were measured on the Community Service Self-Efficacy Scale (CSSES) before and after participating in an ASL project. The CSSES, developed by Reeb et al. (1998), measures an individual’s confidence that their service efforts …

Madwoman Makings: The Modern Girl As An Object Of Fear And Fascination In Unno Jūza’S "Mrs. Hirumi's Refrigeration Bag", Eliza Joy Mortimer

University Honors Theses

This thesis argues that Unno Jūza's 1937 short story "Mrs. Hirumi's Refrigeration Bag" uses the sensational tropes of deviant detective fiction to both stage and interrogate interwar Japanese anxieties around gender, science, and modernity. Focusing on the figure of Mrs. Hirumi—a scientifically empowered and sexually assertive female plastic surgeon who dismembers and cryogenically preserves her husband—the author reads her as a radical iteration of the Japanese Modern Girl character. By drawing on scholarship on deviant detective fiction, imperial modernity, and Kazue Harada's concept of (re)productivity, this thesis demonstrates how the short story both reproduces misogynistic criminological discourse and unsettles heteronormative …

Implementation And Outcomes Of The Men Of Strength (Most) Club, Marni Kan, Ashley N. Lowe, Jason Williams, Cheryl Roberts, Katherine Suellentrop, Nichole M. Scaglione

Journal of Youth Development

Evidence is lacking for positive youth development programs for boys that use gender transformative approaches and promote peer leadership to prevent sexual violence and teen dating violence. This study aimed to address gaps in violence prevention research and youth development practice by evaluating implementation and outcomes of the Men of Strength (MOST) Club. Sixteen high schools were randomized to MOST Club or a control condition and 60 boys from nine of the schools completed baseline and follow-up surveys. Trained program facilitators completed logs after each session. Although the COVID-19 pandemic interfered with both program implementation and data collection, MOST Clubs …

Contested Citizenship And The Body In The Body Politic: Reflections On Michele Goodwin’S Presidential Address In The Shadow Of Skrmetti, Maya Manian

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

This commentary is part of a series of responses to Michele Goodwin's 2025 LSA presidential address.

Setting The Stage For Grants Pass (& A Moral Constitutional Reckoning), Sara K. Rankin

William & Mary Law Review

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson marked a seismic shift in the legal landscape governing homelessness throughout the country. By permitting the criminalization of involuntary acts, such as sleeping or resting in public when no shelter is available, the Court foreclosed constitutional protections under the Eighth Amendment’s Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause and signaled judicial deference to punitive local policies targeting unhoused people. But Grants Pass was not spontaneous; it was seeded over time. This Article situates Grants Pass within the broader legal and nonlegal contexts that made its outcome possible. Part I explores …

Family Nurse Practitioner Workforce Response To The Public Health Opioid Crisis Through Curriculum Revision, Dayle Sharp, Marcy Doyle, Michelle Capozzoli

All Materials

The opioid crisis continues to pose a critical public health challenge in the United States, demanding an adequately trained primary care workforce. In response, a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program revised its curriculum to prepare students to care for individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) through a multi-pronged educational intervention. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory, Situated Learning Theory, and Community of Practice Theory, the revised curriculum integrated a 24-hour Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) waiver training, clinical shadowing with MOUD providers, and participation in a 10-month Project ECHO telementoring series based on SAMHSA’s Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) 63. Results …

Developing Collaborative Care At The Intersection Of Maternal Health And Substance Use Disorders: A Case Study On Building Community Through Shared Virtual Learning, Kimberly Persson, Susy Hawes, Sam Leiper

All Materials

This report documents the activities conducted as part of the Maternal Opioid Misuse Model (MOMM) implementation in New Hampshire. The activities detailed within are the result of partnerships between The Elliot Hospital, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, and the University of New Hampshire Institute for Health Policy and Practice. All efforts were made possible thanks to funding provided by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation.

Embrace-Ing Cultural Diversity In Educational Service Delivery: A Framework For Building And Sustaining Equitable Learning Environments, Miguelina Zapata, Devon Dee-Mbappe, Brandan Persaud

The Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship

This paper explores the importance of collaboration in educational service delivery by exploring culturally responsive classroom management practices for education professionals. Educators must understand and critically reflect on their own biases that could impact their interactions with students, families, and colleagues. This is essential not for providing inclusive learning opportunities that address the unique needs of each student. This could lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations of student behaviors, further complicating effective management and service delivery. Ultimately, the paper argues that through the use of the EMBRACE (Evaluate, Mentor, Build, Reflect, Adapt, Collaborate, and Empower) framework smooth collaboration between and amongst …

Apoe And Plasma Ad Biomarkers: The Role Of Genetic Ancestry In Hispanics/Latinos, Caitlin Cheung, Natasha Z Anita, Paola Filigrana, Myriam Fornage, Kevin A Gonzalez, Linda C Gallo, Carmen R Isasi, Robert C Kaplan, Xihao Li, Freddie Márquez, Humberto Parada, Krista M Perreira, Alberto R Ramos, Tatjana Rundek, Wassim Tarraf, Fernando D Testai, Charles Decarli, Hector M González, Tamar Sofer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Apolipoprotein E (APOE) alleles are well-established genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but their effects on AD biomarkers (amyloid beta [Aβ]42/40, phosphorylated tau [p-tau]181, neurofilament light chain [NfL], and glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]) may vary across populations due to ancestry-, age-, and sex-related differences. We hypothesized that these effects vary across Hispanic/Latino background groups with distinct ancestral admixture.

Methods: We analyzed ε2 and ε4 allele associations with AD biomarkers using survey-weighted linear regression models, adjusting for demographic covariates. Secondary analyses examined genetic analysis group- and ancestry-specific effects.

Results: ε4 was associated with lower Aβ42/40 and higher p-tau181and …

Simulation Culture And Organizational Readiness In Social Work Education: Examining Faculty Perspectives., Kate Whitney

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

Despite the growing emphasis on simulation-based learning (SBL), faculty perceptions of organizational readiness for this approach in social work education remain understudied. This exploratory mixed-methods study examined faculty readiness across two CSWE-accredited programs using the Simulation Culture Organizational Readiness Scale (SCORS) and qualitative open-ended questions (𝑁=21). Findings revealed modest and uneven readiness across both programs, with full-time faculty reporting significantly lower readiness scores than adjunct and part-time faculty. Qualitative data identified critical needs for foundational dialogue on SBL principles, strategic institutional investment, and targeted faculty development. Participants also expressed concerns regarding the pace of adoption and potential conflicts with the …

Emergency Department Boarding For Psychiatric Care: The Effect Of Pointclickcare Integration., Chris Rowan

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

Emergency Department Boarding for Psychiatric Care: The Effect of PointClickCare Integration

Abstract

For many individuals in psychiatric crisis, the emergency department has become the first place to seek help, highlighting gaps in how behavioral health care is accessed and coordinated. In Massachusetts, PointClickCare's Behavioral Health Treatment and Referral Platform (BH TRP) was implemented to centralize and streamline referrals between emergency departments and inpatient psychiatric facilities. This capstone evaluates whether implementation of the BH TRP was associated with changes in psychiatric boarding time at a community hospital emergency department. Using a mixed-methods program evaluation design, this study analyzed de-identified electronic medical …

The Unexplored Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences, Burnout, And Resiliency Among Hospital Staff., Elizabeth Davis

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

This study addresses the critical issue of staff turnover at Baptist Health Floyd, where rates exceed national hospital averages. While prior research connects burnout to workplace stressors, less is known about the role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and resilience among hospital staff. Understanding these relationships is essential for improving workforce stability and patient care outcomes. A cross-sectional survey design was used, with convenience sampling of hospital employees and providers (n=207). Data were collected via a Qualtrics survey using validated instruments: the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach et al., 2016), the ACE questionnaire (Felitti et al., 1998), and the Brief Resilience …

The Changing Landscape Of International Development: An Introduction, Pascaline Dupas, Pinelopi Goldberg, Rohini Pande

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

Since the late 1980s, extreme poverty has declined sharply, life expectancy and schooling have increased, and electoral democracy has expanded. However poverty reduction has slowed in recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, amid intensifying conflict, fragility, climate risks, democratic backsliding, and the erosion of global trends—including trade integration and geopolitical stability—that once supported growth. These dynamics raise three interrelated questions: what barriers impede further progress; where will future growth in lower-income countries come from; and how can growth be broadly shared. Taking stock of 15 chapters forthcoming in Volume 6 of the Handbook of Development Economics, we discuss how …

The Skill Premium In Times Of Rapid Technological Change, Tarek Hassan, Aakash Kalyani, Pascual Restrepo

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

No abstract provided.