Digital Commons Network^™

Melodizing Modern Power: Giacomo Puccini And The Demands Of Thematic Development, Claire Kelly

Music Honors Projects

This paper examines Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s processes of thematic development in three operas, La Bohème (1896), Tosca (1900), and Il Tabarro (1918). Puccini’s thematic development has been a point of contention for many musicologists and critics. Critics of his own time found his thematic development style to be inconsistent; some regarded his melodies as fragmented and lacking cohesion. Since then, biographers and critics such as Michele Girardi, Mosco Carner, and Alexandra Wilson have reiterated and re-examined these claims. Taken together, my three case studies conclude that Puccini’s multivalent style of thematic development is meant to depict the various effects …

An Analysis Of The Effects And Implementations Of The Early Literacy Grant In Arizona, Alicia Severiano Perez

Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science Honors Projects

Over the years, states have implemented Science of Reading (SoR) frameworks to address low literacy levels. The Early Literacy Grant (ELG) in Arizona funds and supports such frameworks for schools serving low-income students. This paper is the first to explore the grant through interrupted time series modeling to evaluate effectiveness and text analysis to understand its implementation. We do not find clear evidence of positive effects caused by the grant, other than some cases, such as Yuma County. Schools typically allocate funds toward salaries and hiring instructors. These findings raise questions about whether its allocations should be closely monitored.

Unsustainable Stories: Agricultural Knowledge On The Great Plains, 1880-1934, Philomena Shuffelton-Sobe

History Honors Projects

This thesis explores stories about how people farmed and learned about farming on the Great Plains from 1880-1920 through three inter-connected narratives: the Allotment system, agricultural education programs at federal Indian Boarding Schools, and the rapid rise and fall of the Dry Farming movement. These systems were built on stories about how people should live with and on the land that promoted unsustainable, destructive ways of farming and knowledge production. This scholarship places Assimilation Era agricultural education for Native and non-Native farmers within the context of the increasing reliance on systems and science and the institutionalization of agricultural knowledge.

Las Alas, Jayce Yutzy

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

A transgender youth resource center

Supplementing Community Health Assessments: Comparing Statewide Survey Data With Local Youth Listening Sessions In A Rural County In Ohio, Camryn Mcglumphy

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

The purpose of this study is to compare youth listening sessions from a rural county with the OHYES! statewide survey results to compare youth perceptions on county health and the benefits and limitations of both methods in obtaining youth data.

Lead (Pb) Contamination In And Around Cerro De Pasco, Peru: Processes, Impacts, Implications, And Future?, Hailey Barnette

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

A secondary research poster about the effects of lead in the mining town and surrounding area of Cerro de Pasco, Peru.

Maltreatment And Aggression In Children And Adolescents: A Meta-Analytic And Systematic Review, Lauren Staigers

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

This research project aims to organize the body of research on the micro-level relationship between adverse childhood experiences and aggression in children under the age of eighteen.

Efficiency Of Medicaid, Wic, And Home Visiting Implementation: A County-Level Dea Of Infant Mortality Reduction In Ohio (2023), Olivia Kaiser

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

To identify where program implementation must improve to achieve equitable infant mortality reduction in Ohio, this data envelopment analysis compares each county’s efficiency to the most effective county in using Medicaid, WIC, and Home Visiting resources to reduce infant mortality in 2023.

Acceptability Of Substance Use Behaviors Among College Students With And Without Attention Problems, Ian Nicholson, Olivia Osmun, Hannah Kloppman, Yonat Baskin, Amaya Lottman, Abigail Retz

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

The purpose of this study is to see the level of acceptability of substance use in both an academic and social context among college students with attention issues.

Mapping Food Insecurity In Appalachian Ohio: A Spatial Analysis For Policy And Community Action, Christian Swart

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

This project aims to identify areas in Appalachian Ohio where residents may lack access to fresh, affordable foods, to inform future research or policy intervention.

An Alternative To Human Domination: An Animal Study Of Kate Dicamillo's Because Of Winn-Dixie, 25 Years Later, Brandon Witmer

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

This is an in-depth analysis of how Kate DiCamillo uses the medium of children's literature with "Because of Winn-Dixie" to advocate for equitable treatment of animals in society.

The Lasting Impact Of Adolescent Health Insurance, Mk Blevins

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

I use the ADD Health Longitudinal Study to evaluate the importance of health insurance as an adolescent for adult health outcomes.

A Systematic Review Of Prejudice Against Immigrant Women In Organizational Leadership In The United States, Vanessa Ampofoa Boadu

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

This study examines how gender, nationality/immigration status, and ethnicity shape workplace experiences, impact professional advancement, and overall productivity

Silence And Visibility: Media Framing Of Industrial Pollution And Health Risks  In Appalachian And Niger Delta Print Media, Adetola Fajembola

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

Communities living near oil extraction and coal mining sites face serious environmental and health risks, yet these risks are often absent from public conversation. This study examines how print media cover industrial pollution-linked health risks in two regions defined by extractive industries — the Niger Delta in Nigeria and Appalachia in the United States — between 2011 and 2020. Although these regions are geographically and culturally different, both bear the environmental and health costs of extraction while remaining underrepresented in media coverage that shapes public awareness and policy response. Using mixed methods content analysis of eight legacy print newspapers, the …

From Tal-Corset To Tuomeiyi: Inter-Asian Referencing Of Feminist Resistance Against Hegemonic Beauty Standards, Eva Liu

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

How inter-Asian referencing of feminist knowledge shapes everyday feminist resistance against hegemonic beauty standards in contemporary China.

The Bridge, Erin Hale

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

Community center/ government office that connects legislators to the people they represent.

Blue Space As Amenity And Disamenity: Disparity In Interstitial Water Bodies, Mara Pirone

Geography Honors Projects

Access to environmental amenities is distributed unevenly across urban areas, often due to discriminatory institutional practices such as redlining and racial covenants. Urban blue spaces (lakes, streams, rivers) can serve as either an environmental amenity or dis-amenity, depending on development and investment strategies. This paper explores how institutional racism, measured by variables such as historic redlining and racial covenant practices, shapes access to blue space as an amenity in the Twin Cities. Our results show that access to large, well-maintained, and well-invested blue space is distributed unevenly. Studying this relationship shows how cities continue to promote environmental injustice in interstitial …

Covid-19, Politicization, And Vaccine Hesitancy: A Spatiotemporal Analysis Of Non-Medical Exemptions In Minnesota, 2014-2024, Benjamin Arnold

Geography Honors Projects

Vaccination rates have declined due to the growing hesitancy by many parents to vaccinate their children, signified by an increasing amount of non-medical exemptions. While there has been previous spatial analysis of exemption patterns as a threat to herd immunity, there has not been much post-COVID. This analysis provides a modern analysis of changing exemption clustering in Minnesota, while also considering the impact of public health being increasingly politicized. We used kindergarten vaccination data for 1475 elementary schools to analyze the evolution of clustering and predictors of NMEs across space and time in Minnesota, from 2014 to 2024.

The Role Of Civil Society Organizations In Climate Action In Africa: A Case Study Of The “Yle Foundation”, Ahmed Fathy, Kareem Tonbol

Blue Economy

Africa is responsible for a small part of the emissions of greenhouse gases around the globe; however, it is still one of the regions that are most susceptible to the impacts of climate change. Civil Society Organizations (CSO) play an important role in initiating measures that target the reduction of climate change effects in Africa. Nonetheless, existing research in this area is limited and fails to compare findings from CSO initiatives in several countries on the continent. The research presented aims to investigate the role of CSOs in climate action in Africa through a case study of the initiatives implemented …

Reduction In Albumin-Creatinine Ratio Following Integrative Ayurvedic Care In Elderly Woman With Type 2 Diabetes And Masld: A Case Report, Aman Singhal, Shivani Ghildiyal, Vanshika Sharma, Vaidehi Dutt

Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research KLEU

Background: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) frequently coexists with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T₂DM) and early diabetic kidney disease, and the combination accelerates both hepatic and renal risk. Conventional care is centred on glycaemic and lipid control and renin–angiotensin blockade, but residual symptom burden and incomplete biomarker control are common, prompting interest in adjunctive whole-system approaches.
Case presentation: An elderly woman aged 70 years with recently detected T₂DM, long-standing nephrolithiasis and dyslipidaemia presented to an Ayurvedic hospital with anorexia, bilateral hypochondrial pain after meals, acidity and headache. Baseline evaluation (July 2025) showed HbA1c 7.5%, LDL-cholesterol …

Plexiform Schwannoma In The Chest Wall: A Rare Case Report, Yakala Shreyas, Anchana Gulati, Deepika Sharma, Digvijay Singh Dattal

Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research KLEU

Schwannomas are slow-growing tumors arising from the Schwann cells of the nerve sheath. The plexiform variant grows in a multinodular or plexiform pattern and may resemble either the conventional or cellular type. Clinically, these tumors are usually solitary, skin-colored nodules along the course of peripheral or cranial nerves, most commonly between 2 and 4 cm. They are typically found in the head and neck region or on the flexor surfaces of the extremities and may be associated with neurofibromatosis type 2, but not type 1. Most schwannomas show a histological biphasic pattern with compact Antoni A areas, sometimes with nuclear …

A Clinical Study To Evaluate The Efficacy Of Ashmarihar Kwatha With Pashanbhedadi Kwatha In The Management Of Mootrashmari (∼Urolithiasis)- Open-Labelled Randomized Comparative Clinical Trial, Komang Sudarmi, T. S. Dudhamal, Manisha Mansukh Kapadiya

Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research KLEU

Background: Urolithiasis, the formation of urinary stones, is a prevalent global health issue. It commonly causes severe acute back pain and can lead to serious complications such as pyelonephritis or acute renal failure. Kidney stone formation is a common urological problem with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 10% in men and 6% in women. The study aimed to evaluate and compare the clinical effect of Ashmarihar kwatha (AK) and Pashanbhedadi kwatha (PK) in the management of Mootrashmari (∼Urolithiasis).
Material and Method: The primary objective of the study was to assess the clinical efficacy of Ashmarihar kwatha and Pashanbhedadi kwatha in …

Diffusing The Diabetes Bomb: A Study On The Risk Of Diabetes Among The Youth In Kerala Using The Indian Diabetes Risk Score, Megha V, Merin Jose, Neha S, Shaliet Rose Sebastian

Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research KLEU

Background: Despite being a relatively small state, Kerala has a high prevalence of diabetes in India, with approx. 16% of the population affected. A worrying proportion of cases remain undiagnosed, putting individuals at risk of complications without proper management. Early diagnosis, effective management, and addressing risk factors are crucial to controlling the disease and its complications.

Objective: To assess the risk of diabetes and its correlates among youth of both gender belonging to age group of 20–35 years using the Indian diabetes risk score in Thiruvalla, Central Kerala.
Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among youth of both gender …

Assessing The Ergonomic And Anthropometric Challenges Of The Potters Community: A Case Of Pottery Town, Bengaluru, Rajashree. P. Babladi, Nalini N. S., Vidhya M. S.

Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research KLEU

Pottery and statue-making are physically demanding crafts involving prolonged sitting postures, repetitive movements, and exposure to environmental conditions. These craftsmen tend to suffer from musculoskeletal disorders because of poor workspace ergonomics. This study aims to evaluate the ergonomic and anthropometric problems encountered by the potters' community of Pottery Town, Bengaluru. The research used qualitative and quantitative methods, focusing on observation, survey, and documentation of artisan activities. Data was collected from field visits, ergonomic examination, and interviews involving stakeholders, which included potters, statue makers, and physiotherapists. Observation of the posture recording, patterns of work, and the use of space in the …

Measuring What Matters: India's Draft National Health Research Policy (2026) Puts Patient Outcomes Over Publication Metrics, Punnya V. Angadi

Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research KLEU

For years, success in Indian health research meant papers, citations, and patents. However, this rarely meant better outcomes for patients. India's Draft National Health Research Policy, 2026, proposes a fundamental shift in how research success is defined and attempts to close this gap. In this editorial, the main elements of the policy, such as proposing the ICMR Impact of Research and Innovation Scale (ICMR-IRIS), reformed research infrastructure, and a National Health Research Agenda shaped by real population needs rather than publishing convenience, are discussed. These components are placed in the context of a broader global shift towards responsible research evaluation. …

Caldwell Cmhre-Ω1.2 Open-Hardware Modular Thermal Stabilization, Direct-Liquid-Cooling, And Waste-Heat Utilization Research Platform, Michael Victor Caldwell Mr.

Defensive Publications Series

The Caldwell CMHRE-Ω1.2 is a modular open-hardware research platform for evaluating direct liquid cooling, thermal stabilization, phase-change buffering, low-grade thermoelectric energy recovery, gyroid-inspired flow distribution, localized vortex/impingement heat-transfer enhancement, and adaptive thermal control.

CMHRE-Ω1.2 uses a controlled 100–500 W electrically metered copper heater block as a chip analog. A primary, conventional liquid-cooling loop is always available to remove the full thermal load safely. Optional research modules operate in bypassable side streams so no experimental energy-recovery module becomes a mandatory thermal bottleneck.

The platform incorporates selected practical elements from the posted CIERS-TEG v3.0 disclosure: detailed metering and control architecture, copper-foam-enhanced PCM, …

Systemic Progress Regeneration Protocol (Sprp), Volodymyr Kotegov

Defensive Publications Series

This protocol defines the mandatory rules for the creation, evaluation, acceptance, and long-term stewardship of engineering work by parties that voluntarily adopt it.

The protocol exists to counteract a fundamental process: the spontaneous decay of civilizationally critical engineering knowledge. Its objective is not the production of superior individual artifacts. Its objective is the sustained growth of the survivable mass of engineering knowledge — the quantity of knowledge that remains comprehensible, reproducible, and extensible after complete institutional rupture, generational turnover, and loss of external infrastructure.

The protocol claims no universal authority. It applies only to nodes and Inheritance Lines that have …

System And Method For Swarm-Directed Autonomous Fleet Training And Assessment Across Vehicle Domains, Eric Zavesky

Defensive Publications Series

A system and method for coordinated autonomous vehicle fleet training and assessment across vehicle domains is disclosed. The system comprises a networked fleet of autonomous vehicles operating as self-directed agents with built-in self-preservation, each vehicle configured to receive semantic scenario constraints, interpret and fill gaps using autonomous driving intelligence, independently detect collision risk, and coordinate evasive maneuvers with other vehicles without blindly trusting central commands. A training orchestration engine transmits semantic constraints at multiple specificity levels without specifying complete trajectories. A distributed safety protocol layer implements a three-level detection hierarchy enabling any vehicle or system level to trigger coordinated safety …

Ciers‑Teg V3.0 Thermal Cascade Waste‑Heat Recovery System, Michael Victor Caldwell Mr.

Defensive Publications Series

CIERS‑TEG v3.0 is an open‑hardware, research‑grade thermal‑energy recovery architecture designed for high‑density compute environments such as AI GPU clusters, power‑electronics arrays, and industrial process lines. The system captures waste heat at the chip level, routes it through a controlled thermal cascade, and converts portions of that heat into electrical power, stored thermal energy, and useful low‑grade utilities. Unlike single‑stage thermoelectric approaches, CIERS‑TEG v3.0 maintains exergy across multiple descending temperature stages using microfluidic extraction, gyroid thermal spreading, phase‑change buffering, condensation‑based utility recovery, and parasitic pump‑energy harvesting.

The architecture integrates several previously independent open‑hardware subsystems: Arachne‑Chip ULTRA‑REAL for direct‑die microfluidic heat capture; …

Autonomous Flameless Thermochemical Heating Boiler With Gravity Feed Of Encapsulated Composite Metal Fuel Briquettes, Passive Bimetallic Ash Removal And In-Situ Catalytic Hydrogen Recombination, Volodymyr Kotegov

Defensive Publications Series

The invention relates to autonomous heating systems for residential and small commercial buildings, specifically to flameless thermochemical boilers utilizing controlled exothermic reactions between a solid composite metal-based fuel, water vapour and atmospheric oxygen. The boiler is classified under IPC classes F24H 1/00, F24V 30/00, C01B 3/08, F23C 13/00 and C10L 5/40. It represents a combined system for heat generation and a specialised solid composite fuel manufactured from processed industrial waste. Once initiated, the boiler operates passively in a self-sustained mode and requires only minimal electricity during a brief start-up phase.