Digital Commons Network^™

From Privacy To Profit: The Evolution Of Name, Image, And Likeness Rights And The Revolution In College Athletics Toward Collegiate Capitalism, Donald M. Remy

Dickinson Law Review (2017-Present)

The story of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights in American law is one of adaptation, transformation, and ultimately, revolution. What began as a modest recognition of personal dignity in the late 19th century has evolved into a multibillion-dollar framework that has fundamentally altered the landscape of college athletics. The journey from Samuel Warren and Louis Brandeis’s seminal articulation of the “right to be let alone” to the June 2025 approval of the House v. NCAA¹ settlement represents not merely a doctrinal evolution but a profound shift in how American society conceptualizes the relationship between identity, commerce, and fair …

Name, Image, Likeness And The Great American Pastime, Barbara Lauriat

Dickinson Law Review (2017-Present)

The ability of high-profile athletes to commercialize name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights is at the center of many current controversies about the future of college sports in the United States. This Article describes how what we call NIL protection— largely based on publicity rights doctrines developed in the mid-20th century—is historically recent, conceptually unstable, and insufficiently scrutinized, even though it now underwrites major entertainment markets in sports. Just as baseball is a sport particularly identified with the United States, there is also a peculiarly American approach to the protection of persona. Using baseball as the central case study, the …

Losing Your Driver’S License; Just What The Doctor Ordered?, Shawna Traver

Dickinson Law Review (2017-Present)

Having a medical scare or living with a chronic medical condition is a common experience for many people in the United States. But should you go to a doctor in Pennsylvania and tell them of your condition or experience, a little-known law may force the doctor to report you to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation— without your knowledge. Once the report is received, the Department can recall your license. You can attempt to restore your license by attending a hearing, though you are fighting an uphill battle. Essentially, Pennsylvania drivers may be blindsided by a license recall merely because they …

Reimagining Emily Dickinson And Rupi Kaur’S Techniques For A Contemporary Creative Portfolio, Julia S. Gearing

ENG 490 Senior Seminar Capstone

This thesis combines literary analysis and creative practice to examine how notorious poet Emily Dickinson and up and coming Rupi Kaur have shaped the genre of poetry over time and can influence a novice writer, such as myself. Through close reading and analysis of Dickinson and Kaur’s work this thesis identifies key stylistic and thematic elements and uses my findings to influence original poetry, with the goal of experimenting and expanding upon the use of craft within my writing. This project demonstrates how critical analysis of other successful authors can inform creative expression and broaden the literary realm.

Sustainable Safety Planning On Two-Lane Highways: A Random Forest Approach For Crash Prediction And Resource Allocation, Fahmida Rahman, Cidambi Srinivasan, Xu Zhang, Mei Chen

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

During the safety planning stage, accurate crash prediction tools are critical for prioritizing countermeasures and allocating resources effectively. Traditional statistical approaches, while long applied in this field, often depend on distributional assumptions that may introduce bias and limit model accuracy. To address these issues, studies have started exploring Machine Learning (ML)-based techniques for crash prediction, particularly for higher functional class roads. However, the application of ML models on two-lane highways remains relatively limited. This study aims to develop an approach to integrate traffic, geometric, and critically, speed-based factors in crash prediction using Random Forest (RF) and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) …

Beyond Amateurism: The Evolving Role Of Sports Agents In The Nil Era, Madison Taylor

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Neighborhood Deprivation Associated With Impaired Sit-To-Stand Performance In Middle-Aged And Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis With Clinical Implications, Kenneth Harrison, Silvia Campos-Vargas, Brandon M. Peoples, Keven G. Santamaria-Guzman, David T. Redden, Michael A. Samaan, Jaimie A. Roper

Kinesiology and Health Promotion Faculty Publications

Background: Socioeconomic factors significantly influence health outcomes in older adults, yet their impact on specific aspects of mobility remains unclear. This study investigates the relationship between area-level socioeconomic disadvantage and mobility health in older adults.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 110 community-dwelling older adults recruited and collected using voluntary response sampling at eight health fairs across rural Southeast Alabama in 2022–2024 (60 ± 16 years, 80% female). Area-level socioeconomic status was measured using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a validated composite measure of neighborhood disadvantage. Mobility was assessed using the Instrumented Timed Up and Go (iTUG) test and …

Comparative Analysis Of Serum-Free Culture Conditions On Cell Proliferation And Extracellular Vesicle Production By Adipose-Derived Stem Cells, Ayna Ghulldu

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are promising candidates in regenerative medicine due to their proliferative capacity, self-renewal, and secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) that mediate intercellular communication. Serum-free media has been increasingly explored for MSC culture as it eliminates xenogeneic components, improving human therapeutic suitability. However, comparative evaluation of distinct serum-free formulations on ADSC proliferation and EV output simultaneously remains limited. This study compares a serum-containing medium to three proprietary serum-free media prototypes differing in composition, including the presence or absence of extracellular matrix proteins, to inform the optimization of culture conditions for clinical use. Proliferation, EV characteristics, and gene expression …

The Depuration Of Microplastic Pollution In Aquacultured Indian River Lagoon Oysters, Lee Nguyen

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Plastics are widely used in consumer goods and industrial manufacturing, and their degradation into microplastics (MP, size < 5 mm) has created an emergent environmental pollutant. Plastics readily enter aquatic environments, where they accumulate additional contaminants and bioaccumulate in organisms. While MP contamination in marine ecosystems is well documented, less is known about MP presence in aquacultured shellfish. Depuration, the process of purging contaminants from shellfish, is conducted in sterile seawater without food, which may cause oyster starvation and death. To date, MP depuration has not been examined in the aquacultured eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in published studies. This study had 3 goals: 1) evaluate the effects of algal feed on oyster survival during depuration, 2) determine the effect of algal feed on depuration effectiveness, and 3) investigate the effect of a ten-day depuration on MP concentration in aquacultured C. virginica soft tissue. MP were quantified in oyster tissues, biodeposits, and in industrial algal feed. Tissues were digested using alkaline solutions, manually examined via microscopy, and analyzed using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to investigate MP polymer …

The Impact Of Gastric Sleeve And Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass On Chief Cell Function And Protein Digestion In Obese Patients, Garikoitz Mikel Gainza

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Obesity has become one of the largest global health concerns of the 21^st century, correlating with numerous associated diseases. To help address the growing prevalence and burden of obesity, sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass have become two commonly performed surgical procedures done to promote weight loss by altering the anatomical structure of the stomach and surrounding organs of the gastrointestinal system. Although the benefits of improved metabolism linked to these surgical procedures are well studied, their impact on the physiology of gastric cells, and more specifically chief cells as they relate to protein digestion post-surgery, is yet to …

Guideline For A Burnout Bundle For Nurses In Psychiatric Mental Health Units, Festus Irabor

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Abstract

Problem: Burnout among nurses, especially in psychiatric mental health units, significantly impacts both their well-being and the quality of patient care. Despite its severity, with approximately 30% of nurses worldwide affected and contributing to a 31.5% nurse turnover rate (Ge et al., 2023), there are limited formal guidelines specifically targeting nurse burnout prevention in the mental health setting. The issue is particularly acute in the United States, where 91.1% of psychiatric nurses report experiencing burnout, compared to 79.9% of other healthcare professionals (Anger et al., 2024). In the local unit 38.05% have experienced burnout.

Purpose: The PICOTS for this …

Iron Deficiency And Iron Deficiency Anemia: Inconsistent Screening Practices And Delayed Result Processing In Children 12-18 Months, Madonna J. Mahoney Marshall

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Introduction:

Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in children aged 12 to 18 months are prevalent conditions that, if not identified and treated early, are associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Purpose:

This quality improvement project evaluated the impact of a standardized screening and follow-up protocol on laboratory result retrieval, provider review, and caregiver follow-through in a military pediatric clinic.

Method:

A pre-post intervention design guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework was implemented over 11 weeks and included staff education, standardized workflows, and caregiver outreach.

Results:

The intervention improved laboratory completion and caregiver follow-up rates; however, sustainability was limited by staffing constraints …

Caught In The Web: The Resolution Of The Internet Service Provider Contributory Copyright Infringement Split, Olivia F. Johnson

Cybaris®

No abstract provided.

Examining The Results Of Revolutions In The Third World: A Case Study Of The Iranian, Libyan, And Nicaraguan Revolutions, Noah A. Mohammedelamien

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis examines the post-revolutionary trajectories of Libya, Iran, and Nicaragua to explain why some Third World revolutionary projects preserve and use elements of their founding ideology while others fragment, personalize, or diffuse over time. Rather than focusing on the causes of revolution alone, it analyzes the durability of religious-socialist ideological continuity after revolutionary upheaval. Using a (MDSD) comparative historical and institutional approach grounded in primary and secondary sources, the study evaluates five key dimensions across the cases: religious-socialist ideological fusion, religious elite loyalty, popular religious mobilization, institutional embedding of ideology, and external pressure. The findings suggest ideological continuity is …

Are Courts Developing A Consistent Standard For Sanctioning Attorneys Who Misuse Genai In Legal Filings?, Natalia Borges

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis examines whether Florida courts are developing an emerging statewide standard governing attorney use of generative artificial intelligence in litigation and whether this trend supports the need for formal statewide codification. This study addresses growing concerns about fabricated citations, unverified legal research, attorney sanctions, and inconsistent disclosure practices as generative artificial intelligence becomes integrated into legal drafting and research. This research reviews the Florida Rules regulating the Florida Bar, ethics guidance on generative AI, Florida procedural certification requirements, disciplinary actions, and administrative orders from Florida judicial circuits that require disclosure and verification of artificial intelligence use in court filings. …

On Bended Knee: A Legal Analysis Of Colin Kaepernick’S Grievance And The Broader Implications Of Activism In Professional Sports, Ayoka Smith

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Market Failure In Mixed Martial Arts: Antitrust Constraints And The Need For Statutory Reform In Mma, Martin Adams

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Reassessing Argentina’S 2018 Crisis: Fiscal Imbalances, External Constraints, And Imf Policy, Michael Garcia

Honors Theses

This thesis will evaluate the causes of Argentina’s 2018 financial crisis, examining how it should be evaluated through the lens of fiscal imbalance or by external constraints. The dominant interpretation is shown in the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) 2018 Standby Agreement. It attributed the crisis to excessive fiscal deficits, inflation, and weak monetary discipline. This perspective is supported by the Polak model. The model itself connects domestic credit expansion to balance of payment imbalances. It views external crises resulting from internal policy excess.

This paper offers an alternative interpretation of a post-Keynesian that emphasizes external vulnerability, foreign currency debt, and …

Reassessing Argentina’S 2018 Crisis: Fiscal Imbalances, External Constraints, And Imf Policy, Michael Garcia

Honors Theses

This thesis will evaluate the causes of Argentina’s 2018 financial crisis, examining how it should be evaluated through the lens of fiscal imbalance or by external constraints. The dominant interpretation is shown in the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) 2018 Standby Agreement. It attributed the crisis to excessive fiscal deficits, inflation, and weak monetary discipline. This perspective is supported by the Polak model. The model itself connects domestic credit expansion to balance of payment imbalances. It views external crises resulting from internal policy excess.

This paper offers an alternative interpretation of a post-Keynesian that emphasizes external vulnerability, foreign currency debt, and …

A Mixed-Methods Cross-Cultural Analysis Of Trust, Parenting, And Well-Being Of Emerging Adults In The United States And Romania, Matthew Bucaloiu

Honors Theses

Trust is linked to emerging adults’ higher well-being. To our knowledge, few studies explore U.S. and Romanian emerging adults’ trust in others and their parents and their relationships to dimensions of parenting and well-being. This mixed-methods project examines cross-cultural differences and similarities in the relationships between trust, parenting dimensions, and well-being in two countries. With self-report quantitative data from 152 U.S. and 233 Romanian emerging adults, Study 1 found positive correlations between general trust dimensions, trust in mothers and fathers, parental care, and well-being, while psychological control was negatively correlated with trust and well-being. Multiple regression analyses revealed that for …

Constructing Descriptive Representation: A Study Of Contemporary Political Figures In The United States, Emma Zalewski

Honors Theses

Political representation in the United States depends not only on who the officeholders are, but on how they publicly perform identities such as gender, race, class, religion, and profession in ways that shape trust and legitimacy. Existing work on descriptive representation and performativity explains why shared identities matter, but it often treats identity too much like a fixed demographic category rather than a strategic and audience-sensitive rhetorical practice, leaving the question of how politicians actually deploy identity across different political settings unexplored. This project addresses that gap by showing that identity claims are best understood as deliberate performances that vary …

Un-Determining The Overdetermined Body: Anorexia Nervosa And Selfhood In What I Lost By Alexandra Ballard, Maddalena (Maddy) R. Grieco

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the intersection between young adult fiction and anorexia nervosa through the lens of Alexandra Ballard’s 2017 novel, What I Lost. The fictional space of the novel interacts with the larger trends of American culture and society, forming a connection between the external world and the protagonist’s personal experience with anorexia nervosa. Specifically, this thesis explores three external forces–the fashion industry, the transmission of generational ideals and habits, and the institutional recovery center–that are mapped onto the site of the female body, resulting in the expression of anorexia nervosa. The following chapters detail each external influence, respectively, …

Inequality In The Urban Forest: Modeling Tree Canopy Dynamics Through Demographics And Restoration Strategies, Eve Johansson

Honors Theses

Urban tree canopies play an important role in environmental quality, public health, and neighborhood livability, yet their distribution is highly uneven and often reflects historical patterns of inequality. In Brooklyn, long-term processes such as redlining, uneven development, and demographic change have contributed to persistent disparities in access to green space.

This thesis examines how urban tree canopy evolves across space and time in Brooklyn and how different restoration strategies affect long-run outcomes. The analysis uses demographic and canopy data from 1990-2020, considering race, income, employment, and educational attainment. Among these, education is the most consistent predictor of canopy coverage, with …

A Web-Based Wizard-Of-Oz Platform For Collaborative And Reproducible Human-Robot Interaction Research, Sean O'Connor

Honors Theses

The Wizard-of-Oz (WoZ) technique is widely used in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) research, but two persistent problems limit its effectiveness: existing tools impose technical barriers that exclude non-engineering domain experts (the Accessibility Problem), and the fragmented landscape of robot-specific implementations makes interaction scripts difficult to port across platforms (the Reproducibility Problem- concerning execution consistency and portability, not third-party replication). Through a literature review, I identified three design principles to address both: a hierarchical specification model, an event-driven execution model, and a plugin architecture that decouples experiment logic from robot-specific implementations. I realized these principles in HRIStudio, an open-source, web-based platform providing …

The Discrepancies In Voter Perception Of Male And Female Political Candidates: Biases Of Characteristic Traits And Policy Priority, Julia Piver

Honors Theses

Gender remains a defining factor in how political candidates are perceived by the American electorate, shaping not only evaluations of characteristic traits but also perceived policy priority. These discrepancies are rooted and propelled by traditional gender roles from the 1900s. This thesis shows that the perceptions of female and male political candidates differ depending on the informational environment as well as the voter demographics. I used both a quantitative nationally representative survey and a qualitative interview of students on Bucknell's campus. The date revealed that individuals in lower information environments are more likely to enact gender stereotypes along traditional gender …

Barriers To Immunity: Understanding Covid-19 Vaccine Uptake In Africa, Emilia Blechschmidt

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake across African countries, with a focus on structural, informational, and behavioral barriers to immunization. Drawing on cross-country data, the study analyzes how access to transportation, reliable information, and healthcare resources shape vaccination rates, alongside the effect of demographics and institutional factors in shaping individual perceptions of risk and vaccine safety.

The findings emphasize that the broader strength and preparedness of national health systems strongly influence vaccine uptake. Countries that demonstrated higher coverage of routine childhood immunizations, such as polio and hepatitis B, also tended to perform better in COVID-19 uptake efficiency …

Combining Haptic Feedback With Electromyography To Study Knee Injury In Stationary Cycling, Christopher Kirby

Honors Theses

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is the most prevalent overuse injury in cycling, often linked to altered neuromuscular activation patterns of the quadriceps and hamstrings. While sensory feedback has successfully modified cyclists posture, there is a critical lack of evidence-based interventions targeting the underlying muscle activation imbalances associated with chronic knee pain. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel, real-time biofeedback system that utilizes electromyography (EMG) to trigger vibrotactile cues, aiming to shift muscle onset timing earlier in the pedal stroke to mitigate PFPS-related imbalances. A closed-loop system was engineered by integrating a Delsys EMG system with a SageMotion …

Interpreting Legal Standards Of Proof: An Experimental Study Of Probabilistic Decision-Making, Hayley Leopold

Honors Theses

Legal standards of proof play a central role in structuring decision-making under uncertainty, yet they are typically communicated using qualitative language rather than precise probabilities. This raises an important question: how do individuals interpret and apply these standards when making decisions based on probabilistic evidence? This study examines whether individuals apply legal standards of proof in a manner consistent with their commonly associated probabilistic thresholds, and whether quantification and incentives improve alignment with normative decision-making.

To address these questions, I conducted a controlled behavioral experiment in which participants made legal-style decisions under uncertainty. Participants were assigned roles in a simplified …

Reassessing Argentina’S 2018 Crisis: Fiscal Imbalances, External Constraints, And Imf Policy, Michael Garcia

Honors Theses

This thesis will evaluate the causes of Argentina’s 2018 financial crisis, examining how it should be evaluated through the lens of fiscal imbalance or by external constraints. The dominant interpretation is shown in the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) 2018 Standby Agreement. It attributed the crisis to excessive fiscal deficits, inflation, and weak monetary discipline. This perspective is supported by the Polak model. The model itself connects domestic credit expansion to balance of payment imbalances. It views external crises resulting from internal policy excess.

This paper offers an alternative interpretation of a post-Keynesian that emphasizes external vulnerability, foreign currency debt, and …

Design And Analysis Of Energy Recovery Methods For Reduced Aircraft Emissions, Joshua C. Hauck

Honors Theses

Aircraft flights are an increasingly popular mode of transportation. However, their harmful impacts on the environment are a growing concern. Many engineers have worked to develop fully electric aircraft to address this issue. Although they are much more sustainable than conventional aircraft, electric aircraft encounter severe limitations imposed by current battery technology. One alternative route engineers have taken is developing energy recovery methods (ERMs). These are marketed as devices that reduce aircraft fuel consumption without significantly changing their structure and functionality, making them an excellent short-term solution. However, there is little to no consideration of the tradeoffs induced by the …