Digital Commons Network^™

T E C H R E V O L U T I O N - Navigating The Digital Classroom: Challenges And Opportunities Of Online Learning, Wes Poole

Masters Theses

Research indicators confirm that that online learning is complex, with both challenges and opportunities to be found. There are several benefits to online learning, including flexibility, accessibility, personalized learning, and collaboration, but there are also many challenges associated with it. While equity and assessment are still major challenges, technology barriers are still present, engagement is limited, and communication is limited.

There is no doubt that self-directed learning, also referred to as online learning, provides innovative pedagogical approaches and also connects learners all over the world through self-directed learning. As a result, it is imperative that existing challenges be addressed, effective …

Examining The Relationship Between Biblical Characters And Mental Health: Identifying A Christian's Well-Being, Shanetia Sharie Chapman

Masters Theses

This thesis aims to examine the intersection between biblical texts and mental health within the framework of Christian belief systems. Through a critical analysis of key biblical narratives involving figures who exhibit experiences analogous to contemporary psychological struggles, this study investigates the influence of scriptural interpretation on believers’ perceptions of mental health and their coping mechanisms. By employing textual analysis, the research seeks to evaluate the potential of biblical teachings as therapeutic resources. Ultimately, this thesis aims to contribute to developing culturally and theologically informed approaches to mental health awareness and support within Christian communities.

The Evolution Of The Drum Set In American Musical Theater, Andrew M. Wert

Masters Theses

For several decades, American musical theater has been an essential part of the entertainment industry and has provided large-scale employment for musicians. Over the past several decades, composers have produced new works incorporating contemporary music styles and ensembles. This project will explore the changes in music styles in the music of musical theater from vaudeville to the present, analyze the effect that popular music in America has had on the techniques used by composers and orchestrators who write for drum set in musical theater, and examine changes in the function of the drum set player in pit orchestras. Ultimately, this …

Self-Expression As Communication In The Student Film, Matthew Sereno

Masters Theses

The student film is an often overlooked artistic medium, a one-and-done, means to an end kind-of form. Within the academic sphere, the student film holds value as a part of class curriculum, yet such a finite definition is often hindering. Once a project is completed and graded, it is often forgotten (except, of course, in the circumstances of grading). In the case of a student film that is extracurricular in nature, i.e. the passion project, incentive-based reasoning is forfeit. The student film, in all regards, is an overlooked, neglected artistic medium. Such oversight of the student film by both individuals …

Out-Of-Body Experiences: Plausibility Of A Separate Soul And Body, Jeffrey D. Boyles

Masters Theses

Near-death experiences (NDEs) and out-of-body experiences (OBEs), as reported by experiencers, contradict beliefs that when a person dies, they cease to exist. This view is opposite to the teachings of Jesus who taught that there is a separation between body and soul and the Apostle Paul who taught there is life after death. NDEs, and especially OBEs, support biblical teachings and the belief that the soul can be separate from the body. Case reports from the literature demonstrate veridical OBEs and encounters with deceased loved ones. Experiencers state that NDEs and OBEs are real in contrast to the arguments of …

A Tent Census: How Counting Tents Informs An Understanding Of Unsheltered Homelessness In Seattle, Karen A. Snedker, Jennifer Mckinney, Charles C. Lanfear

Sociology Faculty Articles and Research

Tents are a familiar sight across many U.S. cities, especially West Coast cities. In Seattle, given the high visibility of tents, public perceptions of a widespread problem, the uncertainty surrounding the city’s number of tents, and national data showing a rise in unsheltered homelessness, the authors decided to count tents. They conducted a tent census to obtain a full count of the number of tents in the city of Seattle as well as two resamples of highly populated areas of tents. In the tent census, and in the two resamples, the authors find support for three general expectations: the census …

Vaccine Hesitancy In Türkiye: A Natural Language Processing Study On Social Media, Semi̇h Sari, Ulya Bayram

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Vaccine hesitancy is a significant public healthcare problem that is threatening everyone worldwide. Vaccine hesitancy has become more ingrained in Turkish society, mainly through social media. Unfortunately, reflections of this hesitancy are preventable deaths or permanent disabilities. Because of the uncontrolled spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media, Türkiye is facing a future health crisis. As a step towards preventing this crisis, our main objective is to use the power of artificial intelligence techniques on Turkish social media posts to detect antivaccine posts. Through this study, it will be possible to raise awareness about the importance of vaccines in …

The Earth's Voice: The Social, Spiritual, And Secular Justifications For The Earth's Freedom Of Expression, Ashley Tzeting Pun Eveson

Theses and Dissertations

The Earth's legal right to freedom of speech remains largely unexplored within the broader legal movement for the rights of nature, which emerged in the 1970s. While environmental law increasingly recognizes nature's rights to exist and thrive, as illustrated by legal rights granted to various natural entities--like the Whanganui River or manoomin rice--the Earth's ability to communicate remains underdeveloped. This study employs legal research analysis to examine the philosophical reasoning behind how social, spiritual, and secular frameworks justify the Earth's right to freedom of speech and expression. It explores legal guardianship, scientific data, Indigenous knowledge, and spiritual stewardship as valid …

"The People Of China's Navy & Other Maritime Forces" Conference Quick Look, China Maritime Studies Institute

CMSI Findings

Quick Look Report for China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) Conference “The People of China's Navy and Other Maritime Forces”

The China Maritime Studies Institute held its biennial unclassified academic conference on 14–15 May 2025 to address human factors in the People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s military maritime forces. Roughly 150 external and 200 Naval War College students and faculty attended the event. Panel topics included (1) senior leadership, (2) the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) headquarters, (3) PLAN warfare communities, (4) PLAN talent recruitment, development, and retention, (5) the personnel of China’s other sea forces, and (6) implications for the …

Cultural Heritage Informatics: Past, Present, And Future, Tyler Youngman, Sebastian Modrow, Isaac Meth

School of Information Studies - Faculty Scholarship

This paper briefly traces the informational history and contemporary formal establishment of Cultural Heritage Informatics as a distinct domain within IS/LIS, motivated by recent calls for more critical, ethical, and community-oriented interrogations of IS/LIS practices and professional identity. We unpack the conceptual history and disciplinary intellectual geography of cultural heritage and informatics to recount prior interpretations of the field. Next, we articulate a holistic domain-specific informatics model to guide the study of cultural heritage within IS/LIS. We conclude by articulating ethical imperatives and new directions for Cultural Heritage Informatics in research, teaching, and practice.

Latinos And Complicated Grief: An Analysis On The Impacts Of A College Campus On Grief And Bereavement, Mark Jared Velasco Gonzalez

Sociology Undergraduate Senior Theses

Grief and bereavement are under researched topics within Latino populations, and even more so among Latino college students. Much of the existing literature is also focused on quantitative studies that are said to provide higher quality evidence than qualitative studies, with very few being conducted on college campuses. Garcini et al published a systemic review in 2021 on bereavement among widowed Latinos in which most studies were conducted using quantitative methods. Further, only 4 of the 19 studies analyzed were based solely on Latino communities. Falzarano et al. also published a literature synthesis in 2022 which focused on the broader …

2025 May 23 - Audit Committee Agenda And Minutes, Board Of Trustees, East Tennessee State University

Board of Trustees Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Commencement 2025: Dean Marcus Cole's Charge To The Graduating Class, Marcus Cole

2019–Present: G. Marcus Cole

Joseph A. Matson, Dean and Professor of Law, G. Marcus Cole delivered this charge to Notre Dame Law School’s Class of 2025 during the Law School’s Hooding Ceremony on May 17, 2025, in Purcell Pavilion.

Volume Cxliv, Number 23, May 23, 2025, Lawrence University

The Lawrentian

No abstract provided.

Intergenerational Toxic Stress In Preschool Children, Cynthia R. Rovnaghi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Worldwide there is an outcry for understanding, integrating, preventing, coordinating, and collaboratively treating the neuropsychosocial components of intergenerational transmission of trauma-induced toxic stress (ITTS). The purpose of this quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, secondary analysis of the Hair Biomarkers Study Phase I (HBS-I) was to obtain empirical evidence supporting the introduction of the Theory of Neurogenesis Abruption (ToNA) and to standardize the use of hair biomarkers and child developmental scales for early detection of central nervous system (CNS) dysregulation. Birth and developmental outcomes of children born to parents with a diagnosed serious mental health condition (DSMHC) and/or substance (ab)use (SA/SU) disorder (children, n …

The Impacts Of Incremental Tax Rates On The Sustainability And Growth Possibilities For Small And Medium Enterprises (Smes) In Sierra Leone, Mohamed Ambrose Ndoinjeh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the challenges confronting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Western Sierra Leone, with a particular focus on the impacts of rising tax rates. These increasing tax burdens restrict investment opportunities and impede growth, resulting in cash flow issues that jeopardize the sustainability of many SMEs. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research involved in-depth interviews and structured surveys with SME owners, representatives, and officials from the National Revenue Authority (NRA). The findings indicated that escalating tax rates, along with other issues such as corruption and political connections, significantly hindered SMEs growth, underscoring critical implications for their development.

Carmen Sexton V. New Jersey Department Of Corrections

2025 Decisions

USDC for the District of New Jersey

In Re: David Kauffman

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Enhancing Access To Medication-Assisted Treatment (Mat) For Minority Inmates In The San Diego Prison System: A Quality Improvement Through Culturally Competent Approach, Douglas Seangmany

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background The opioid crisis disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minority groups, particularly in correctional settings. In San Diego’s prison system, only 20% of incarcerated individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) receive Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), highlighting significant care disparities.

Local Problem Limited access to MAT among minority inmates contributes to poorer health outcomes, higher overdose rates, and increased healthcare costs. Addressing these disparities is crucial for improving health equity within the prison system.

Methods A review of 10 studies emphasized the importance of culturally competent care in improving treatment engagement and outcomes among minority populations. To address disparities, the intervention …

Poverty And Government Policy Part One: Observations, John Visser

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"... even in the U.S., we have not fully realized that top-down efforts at distributing wealth... are as ineffective as they are when producing wealth."

Posting about ­­­­­­­­the persistent problem of poverty from In All Things, an online hub that offers insight into maintaining and faithful and orthodox Reformed Christian worldview while fearlessly engaging in every aspect of contemporary life – until all is made new.

Poverty and Government Policy Part One

A Semiclassical Model Of The Immediate Temperature Distribution Surrounding The Track Of Heavy Ions With Therapeutic Energies, Martin Rädler, Niayesh Afshordi, Reza Taleei, Katia Parodi, Ramin Abolfath, Julie Lascaud

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

Objective. Spikes of high temperature and pressure are created in the vicinity of heavy ions, especially at the Bragg peak. The expected subsequent thermoacoustic effects are however not well understood. In particular, the distribution of the densely packed primary interactions has not been considered in molecular dynamics (MDs) simulations or shock wave solutions. In this work, we derive a dedicated model to describe the primary interactions and their radial distribution, applicable to the modeling of acoustic and thermodynamic effects at the nanoscale. Approach. Starting from first principles, we assemble a semiclassical model of the energy loss of the primary heavy …

Staff Education On Physical Activity As A Therapeutic Option For Anxiety And Depression, Suja Paul

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project’s aim was to educate staff on physical activity (PA) as a therapeutic option for anxiety and depression to relieve psychotic symptoms, enhancing patients’ quality of life. PA enhances cognitive functioning, reduces anxiety and depression, and decreases the risk of cardiovascular conditions and early death. Patients with severe mental illnesses face barriers to PA and exercise, so providers and policymakers must create an environment that encourages participation. A knowledge gap for staff exists in promoting PA in mental health patients. Healthcare professionals should recommend the right amount of PA for each patient. This initiative aims to increase staff confidence …

Design And Performance Evaluation Of Pv-Powered Ev Charging Stations With Grid Integration And Comparative Analysis Of Dc-Dc Converters For Offboard Chargers, Mohammad Abidur Rahman

Theses and Dissertations

Grid-integrated photovoltaic (PV)-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging stations offer a sustainable solution for reducing grid dependency and fossil fuel consumption in workplace environments. This study proposes a PV-powered EV charging system with an AC bus configuration and grid support to ensure stable and efficient operation. A comparative analysis of four DC-DC converter topologies—Dual Active Bridge (DAB), LLC Resonant, Interleaved Buck-Boost, and Interleaved Buck—is conducted for offboard charging applications. Performance evaluation is carried out using MATLAB/Simulink, considering voltage and current ripple, power density, stress levels, bidirectional capability, and control complexity. Component-level reliability is assessed using MIL-HDBK-217 standards to estimate failure rates …

An Oral History Of Women For Kansas: A Sabbatical Summary, Tai Edwards

Sabbatical Projects

Kansas has a rich history of women’s activism. However, archival material and scholarship rarely examines such activism in the twenty-first century. This sabbatical involved traveling across the state to collect oral histories, documents, and material culture from leaders of the activist group Women for Kansas. After researching options, I recommended archival preservation options to Women for Kansas’ board to ensure long-term preservation of this collection.

May 23, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Implicit Ethical Consumerism: Development And Cross-Cultural Validation Of A Novel Affect-Misattribution Measure, Brandon Reich, Hong Yuan, Lamberto Zollo, Riccardo Rialti

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

The literature has documented a pervasive attitude‐behavior gap in ethical consumption, whereby many consumers do not consistently translate their expressed positive attitudes toward ethical products into behavior. For marketers investing in social responsibility initiatives, this suggests that more accurate segmentation and demand forecasting may require an implicit measure of ethical consumerism. This study draws from literatures in ethical consumption and the psychology of attitudes to develop and validate such a measurement tool. Across three pretests and three studies, findings show that our implicit measure (based on the Affect Misattribution Procedure [AMP]) is cross‐culturally robust in predicting ethical consumption behavior beyond …

Chess As A Visual Language: Women Playing Love In The Medieval Courts Of Spain And France, Zoe Kobs

Undergraduate Theses in Art History

This thesis explores the visual representations of the game of chess in two case studies during the medieval period in the courts of Europe: manuscript illustrations in Spain, and a carved ivory mirror case in France. These case studies reveal how visual objects were used to construct cultural realities. Specifically, they illustrate how depictions of chess combined with the presence of women not only alluded to romantic possibilities, but also dictated the role, conduct, and perception of women in the medieval courts. The imagined woman’s adherence to expected court rules, rules stemming from chess games, and the art of love …

2025 May 23 - Board Of Trustees Public Notice, Board Of Trustees, East Tennessee State University

Board of Trustees Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

2025 May 23 - Board Of Trustees Agenda And Minutes, Board Of Trustees, East Tennessee State University

Board of Trustees Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Ole Miss Hires Veteran International Journalist To Lead Jordan Center, Marvis Herring

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi has announced veteran journalist Steve Herman as the inaugural executive director of the Jordan Center for Journalism Advocacy and Innovation.