Digital Commons Network^™

Cultivating Narratives: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Higher Education Student-Led Farms And Gardens, Maximilan Sherard, Marc T. Sager

Publications

Despite extensive research on community agriculture, little attention has been paid to student-led farms or gardens (SFGs) in higher education contexts. SFGs represent a unique site for community agriculture due to their diverse stakeholders, academic affiliations, and the institutional policies they navigate. This study examines online promotional materials from 42 SFGs located on land-grant higher education campuses across the United States. Using critical discourse analysis, we (1) map these organizations’ practices and (2) identify competing discourses about community and agriculture within their promotional narratives. We identify and explain four core practices (membership, growing, distribution, and purpose) and connect these practices …

Fair + Equitable July 2026, International Association Of Assessing Officers

Fair + Equitable

The July F+E issue reviews how eliminating the property tax would impact local budgets.

Also in this issue:

• An updated Annual Conference session schedule
• The President’s Column
• IAAO launches national campaign to explain the value of the property tax
• Longtime IAAO director retires
• The 2026 conference charity
• IAAO Library hot topics
• New IAAO designees
• Meet A Rep

Leader Election System For An Unmanned Ground Vehicle Swarm, Milan Chhetri, Brendan Beas, Paul Levin

Electrical Engineering

This senior project presents the design and implementation of a leader-election system for a leader-follower unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) swarm using embedded control and wireless communication. The objective of the project is to improve the robustness and mission longevity of a multi-agent robotic system by allowing the swarm to dynamically select the most suitable leader during operation. Each UGV is equipped with an ESP32 microcontroller, DWM1000 Ultra-Wideband (UWB) ranging modules, an MPU-6050 inertial measurement unit (IMU), motor drivers, and supporting power electronics to enable communication, sensing, and autonomous control. A battery monitoring subsystem was developed using the ESP32's built-in Analog-to-Digital …

Maximum Power Point Tracker And Dc/Dc Converter, Isabel Aguas, Madeline Steiner, Haley Blouin, Tristan Asquith, Ellijah Garcia

Electrical Engineering

The product is a solar Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) with an integrated DC-DC converter for efficient power extraction from a solar module. The MPPT optimizes solar energy, sourcing power to a 12V battery which is the source of a DC-DC converter operating as a variable voltage output for various applications, capable of providing voltage greater or less than the voltage supplied by the solar module. The DC-DC converter outputs a manually adjustable DC voltage within the range of 5-50V. Both MPPT and the DC-DC converter are functional for standard solar modules with power ratings ranging from 50-400W, open circuit …

Vision-Based Autonomous Tracking Rover, Alejandro Ahumada, Erick Ayala, Jonathan Chavez

Electrical Engineering

AAC Vision designed and constructed a vision-based autonomous tracking rover capable of exploring an indoor environment, avoiding obstacles, generating a two-dimensional LiDAR map, detecting a standard orange basketball, and approaching the target without manual steering. The rover uses a Raspberry Pi 4, an Intel RealSense D435 RGB-D camera, an RPLIDAR C1, four JGB37-520 Hall-encoder motors, dual H-bridge motor drivers, a 12 V battery, and a custom aluminum chassis measuring approximately 8 in by 12 in and weighing 6.7 lb. The final mission emphasized reliable target discovery rather than travel between predetermined points. The software integrates Python, OpenCV, Ultralytics YOLO, RealSense …

Chi Meta-Project Ecosystem Overview - Spring 2026, David B. Smith

Publications and Research

This paper offers a high-level account of the Center for Holistic Integration’s (CHI) meta-project ecosystem as visualized in the included system map. CHI provides an organizational structure framed around persistent meta-projects that support and extend individual initiatives across curriculum, scholarly and applied research, infrastructure, artistic production, AI development, cultural inquiry, and external partnerships. Rather than presenting the map as a static inventory of projects, the paper examines how its core domains function as living systems through which knowledge, tools, documentation, participants, and collaborations can accumulate over time. It also considers how CHI-mediated connectivity, institutional integration, and external funding allow the …

Winning Economically: A Statistical Analysis Of Payroll Allocation Within Major League Baseball, Ryan St.Clair

Senior Theses

This thesis analyzes payroll trends within Major League Baseball (MLB) across the last ten seasons (2015-2024). By examining spending habits across teams, several strategies have been identified, bucketing teams into profiles that allow for easier comparison and insight into optimizing roster construction.

Team success is measured through two statistics: Winning Percentage and Wins Above Replacement (WAR). Winning Percentage determines which teams succeeded each year, while WAR adds color to each team's record. WAR measures a player's value holistically. Essentially, it shows how many more wins he provides compared to a replacement level player. A replacement level player is a minor …

Usa V. Miguel Rosario

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Older Medicare Beneficiaries’ Use Of Long Term Services And Supports, 2015-2021, Yvonne Jonk Phd, Heidi O'Connor, Erica C. Ziller Phd

All Maine Rural Health Research Center Publications

By 2040 the adult population age 65 and older is projected to grow from 48 million in 2014 to over 83 million people.1 This is due to aging Baby Boomers, as well as increased longevity associated with favorable shifts in health behaviors such as an overall decline in smoking and alcohol consumption.2 Yet, physical inactivity and substance use are contributing to higher incidences of obesity and chronic health conditions. The combination of aging populations with chronic conditions is expected to increase the demand for long term services and supports (LTSS). These services include home and community-based services (HCBS) and services …

From The Vault - Summer 2026 Newsletter, Archives & Special Collections

From the Vault: Archives & Special Collections Newsletter

No abstract provided.

The Regulatory Corner: Light Brown Apple Moth Not To Be Taken Lightly, Harry Fulton

Midsouth Entomologist

No abstract provided.

Systematic Errors In Judging The Performance Of Others, Michael J. Benson

Psychology ETDs

The well-documented tendency of people to be poor estimators of their relative abilities can be problematic in real life. These errors in are highly asymmetric: the worst performers dramatically overestimate their relative ability, whereas the best performers underestimate theirs (Kruger & Dunning, 1999). There are two possible causes of this misjudgment of relative ability: 1) participants are poor estimators of their own performance, or 2) participants are poor estimators of the comparison group’s performance. Kruger and Dunning (1999) attributed overestimation in the worst performers to the former problem but attributed the underestimation in the best performers to the latter problem. …

Following Her Footsteps: The Life’S Work Of A Historian: A Journey Into Dominican Memory, M. Dougherty Professor Emerita

History and Political Science | Faculty Scholarship

A personal account of Sr. Patricia Dougherty’s discovery of the life of Mother Mary Goemaere before she founded the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael—a journey that began in personal curiosity and unfolded into a ministry, a responsibility, and ultimately, a calling.

Mother Mary Goemaere: A Life Prepared For Mission, M. Dougherty Professor Emerita

History and Political Science | Faculty Scholarship

Catherine Adelaide Goemaere (1809–1891), founder of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, was born in Warneton, a border town on the Lys River in what is now Belgium. At the time of her birth, Warneton lay at the crossroads of French and Flemish culture and language, and Catherine grew up fluent in both. Her early life unfolded amid political upheaval, military occupation, and religious persecution— conditions that would quietly shape her resilience and readiness for mission.

Your Grades Are Good. The World Just Doesn’T Know It Yet Afrivarsity: A Privacy-First Platform Translating West African Wassce Grades For Global University Access, Godwin Idowu

IPHS 484: Senior Seminar

Every year, millions of students across Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia finish school with grades that actually mean something. A B2 is strong. A C5 still shows real competence. These aren't participation grades: they come from some of the most rigorous standardized exams on the continent. But the moment a student tries to use them outside the region, they stop working. Walk into any admissions office in the US or UK with that result slip and you'll get a polite smile and a shrug. Nobody knows what to do with it. The grade is real. The context …

Preparing General Education Teachers For Implementing Accommodations In Inclusive Classrooms, Katherine J. Ramirez

PhD in Education

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of general education teachers and their perceptions of preparedness to implement accommodations after attending specialized, targeted training. The study included one research question, which focused on the teachers’ perceived preparedness to implement accommodations after attending specialized training. The study was influenced by the work of Mezirow (1997) and Meyer et al. (2014) and incorporated transformative learning theory and universal design for learning (UDL) elements. The researcher used convenience sampling to select seven general education teachers who taught inclusion classes in Central Florida to participate in the study. …

Trial By Fire: Disaster Justice And Lessons Learned, Clifford Villa

Faculty Scholarship

Disaster Justice reflects the intersection of environmental justice and disaster law. The study of disaster justice is becoming increasingly essential as disasters become more frequent and devastating in the face of accelerating climate change. Disaster law is marked by statutes such as the federal Stafford Act and by theory such as the “disaster cycle” of readiness, response, and recovery. Environmental justice recognizes that the distribution of harms such as bad air or water quality may be distributed inequitably among groups such as low-income populations or racial minorities. In similar fashion, the adverse impacts of disasters may also be distributed inequitably …

July 2026, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

ITS Newsletter

Welcome to the latest ITS Newsletter. This issue includes a recap of recent technology projects, updates on initiatives currently in progress, information about new and upcoming reports, and links to helpful technology resources and policies.

Our goal is to keep the SWOSU community informed about the work being done to support students, faculty, and staff while providing resources that help you make the most of campus technology services.

The Impact Of Sports Participation At Differing Levels On Young Women's Self-Esteem, Carly Petrower

ETD Collection

Women’s participation in sports has long been associated with health benefits; however, its impact on psychological well-being, particularly self-esteem, among young women remains unclear. In this work, the relationship between sports participation and self-esteem among young women at three levels: youth, high school, and collegiate was examined. A total of 40 participants across all competition levels were included in the study, and both quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and an open-ended survey were used. Responses found that self-esteem levels were moderate. Moreover, one-way ANOVA revealed no significant differences in self-esteem across women following regression …

Staying The Course: A Mixed-Method Exploration Of Social And Emotional Learning Skills For First-Year College Student Retention, Verna Henry

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Across the nation, thousands of first-year college students begin their journey full of hope, yet far too many do not reach their second year. Only 74% of full-time students continue, and fewer than seven in 10 remain at the same college. For many, the struggle is not simply academic. It is emotional, social, and deeply personal. Students who face challenges with time management, stress, and self-regulation are often overwhelmed, uncertain, and at risk of dropping out before achieving their goals. To help ease this transition, many colleges offer first-year experience courses that connect students to tutoring, counseling, and campus resources. …

Rural Business Development Corporation Annual Report 2025-26, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Reports

Overview

In this report, the Rural Business Development Corporation is referred to as ‘the Corporation’ or ‘the RBDC’. The RBDC is an independent statutory authority of the Government of Western Australia (WA), established under the Rural Business Development Corporation Act 2000 (Act). The Act preserved and continued the body corporate established by the Rural Adjustment and Finance Corporation Act 1993.

What we do

The RBDC administers approved assistance schemes on behalf of the WA Government for the benefit of rural industry and regional communities. Approved schemes may provide financial assistance by way of loans, grants, or other financial incentives. The …

Review Of Gautam Bhatia’S The Indian Constitution: A Conversation With Power, Aishwarya Singh

National Law School of India Review

.

From Chainsaws To Courtrooms: Corporate Climate Litigation And Deforestation In Brazil, Maria Antonia Tigre, Mariana Barbosa Cirne

Sabin Center for Climate Change Law

Corporate climate litigation has emerged as one of the most dynamic and high profile tools for addressing the private sector’s role in the climate crisis. While much of the scholarship and public debate has centered on cases in the United States and Europe, litigation targeting corporations in the Global South — particularly Brazil — has grown rapidly, both in volume and significance. Brazil now ranks among the world’s top jurisdictions for corporate climate damage claims. These suits have pioneered methods for quantifying climate damages, often from illegal deforestation, and have tested the reach of the civil liability regime in novel …

Community-Based Tuberculosis Screening With Computer-Aided Detection Technology Alone And In Combination With Point-Of-Care C-Reactive Protein Testing: A Paired Screen-Positive Trial, Klaus Reither, Fiona Vanobberghen, Anna Verjans, Harsh Harkare, Bart Jacobs, Alastair Heerden, Shriya Misra, Fabrizio Tedios, Curdin Brugger, Alfred Keter

Population Health, East Africa

Background Active tuberculosis case-finding in communities is crucial for early disease detection and disruption of transmission; however, it is complex and costly. A thorough analysis of tuberculosis screening strategies is essential, particularly because the health systems affected often have limited resources. We aimed to compare two community screening approaches in terms of tuberculosis case yield and cost.

Methods This pragmatic community trial, with a paired screen-positive design (ie, within-person comparison), was conducted in the Butha-Buthe District in Lesotho and the uMgungundlovu District in South Africa. All household members aged at least 18 years were eligible to participate, except those who …

Social Media Adoption In Urban And Rural Flood Risk Management: Evidence From Nebraska’S 2019 Flood-Affected Regions, Anisha Khandokar

Community and Regional Planning Program: Theses

Flooding is one of the most devastating natural hazards, causing significant economic losses and threatening public safety. While social media has emerged as a powerful tool for disaster communication, its effectiveness in rural flood risk management remains underexplored. This study evaluates the role of social media in disseminating flood-related information and engaging communities during and after 2019 Nebraska floods. This study incorporates SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis method to examine how the seven core communication functions were utilized for flood risk management at the state, regional, and local levels. The findings reveal that while state agencies dominated social …

Nevada Legal History: Trailblazing Nevada African American Attorneys, Bryan K. Scott

External Articles & Tributes

No abstract provided.

Performance Evaluation Of The Xpert® Hcv Test On Fingerstick Blood In A Prospective Observational Clinical Study At Clia-Waived Sites In The United States, Jennifer R. Havens, Shelly Ann Fluker, Jonathan Schimmel, L. Madeline Mccrary, Lesley S. Miller, Tomoko Udo, Yukari C. Manabe, Anne Luetkemeyer, Greer Burkholder, Andrew M. Moon, Cody A. Chastain, Jennifer C. Price, John Cafardi, Juan F. Gallegos-Orozco, Brittany A. Young, Jesse Young, Carlos Aparicio, Yu Song, Eric Lai, Gail E. Louw

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background: A major barrier to hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination in the United States is the lack of a point-of-care test to confirm the presence of HCV RNA. The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the performance of the Xpert® HCV test at CLIA-waived sites in the United States. Methods: Participants at risk and/or with signs/symptoms of HCV infection provided fingerstick blood that was tested on the Xpert® HCV test and venous blood tested using the cobas® HCV and Elecsys® Anti-HCV II tests. Fingerstick blood was collected at CLIA-waived sites by individuals self-trained on collection procedures. Results: Participants …

Summer 2026, Augustana College, Rock Island Illinois

Augustana Magazine

No abstract provided.

A Survey Of Open Educational Resources Appropriate For Constructing And Teaching An Upper-Level, Undergraduate Course In The History Of Music Prior To 1800 For Music Majors, Jamie Weaver

Faculty Publications

Many open education resources are available for the study of music history. Yet, the majority ofsources I discovered are intended for students who are not music majors or who are at thebeginning of their historical study. The purpose of my study of open educational resources is tolocate and evaluate resources that would facilitate the creation and instruction of the first-semester survey course of an undergraduate survey in music history for music majors, the focusof which is the study of music before 1800. What follows is a broad, preliminary survey ofsources that could be used, mixed, reworked, or adapted to fulfill …

Learning-Based Multi-Objective Operation Of Microgrid With Renewable Uncertainty And Demand-Side Management, Zeina Bahij

Theses

A microgrid is a small-scale power grid that can operate in either the grid-connected mode or the islanded mode. It consists of energy generation and storage devices for both power and thermal demands, where the thermal energy from the exhaust heat that cannot be transmitted over long distances can be utilized locally. The supply side may include dispatchable generation units with adjustable outputs and energy storage, alongside non-dispatchable renewables that depend entirely on resource availability. On the demand side, thermal loads are satisfied through waste heat recovery from exhaust gas (to maximize overall system efficiency) and direct fuel combustion. Electrical …