Digital Commons Network^™

Knowledge Production As Identity Expression: A Third-Space Perspective On Sustainable Careers, Alicja Syska

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

This conceptual paper advances our understanding of sustainable careers by focusing on the knowledge creation activities of third-space practitioners in higher education. Specifically, we apply and extend the Process Model of Sustainable Careers to examine how different forms of knowledge production in three different institutional and national contexts – writing for publication, practice-based expertise, and curriculum development – contribute to career sustainability at the intersection of academic and professional/administrative roles and domains. The critical element of this extension is ‘identity expression’ in the form of knowledge production, which acts as an integrating mechanism that flows through and connects the original …

Diplomacy Derailed: Discrimination’S Detour On Route 40, Gage A. Kivlen

Masters Theses, 2020-current

The 1961 Route 40 campaign in Maryland became a critical battleground where three competing approaches to addressing racial segregation revealed deep contradictions in Cold War America. Route 40, a major highway between Washington D.C. and New York, became an international embarrassment when African diplomats from newly independent nations were repeatedly refused service at restaurants and hotels. This crisis prompted responses from three distinct actors: the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), which employed grassroots organizing and direct action; the State Department's Special Protocol Service Section (SPSS), which pursued top-down diplomatic solutions; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which conducted extensive …

Recreating Fiber Recruitment With Fiber Recruitment Using Additive Manufacturing, Natalia D. Mciver

Biomedical Engineering ETDs

Injured ligaments are often repaired with tendon grafts which may over or under constrain the joint; there is a need for an artificial graft option with the mechanical properties of a native ligament. Crimped fibers within ligaments allow for recruitment which means the viscoelastic properties of stress relaxation and creep are not inversely related. A feasibility study using ACLs and large-scale crimp models to study viscoelasticity, led to an in-depth analysis of the scapholunate interosseous ligament. Using the Modified Kelvin spring-dashpot model, for describing viscoelasticity with a variable stiffness property (time dependent fiber recruitment), we defined the relationship between creep …

Do Stakeholders Benefit From Green Bonds Denominated In Euro? Evidence From Global Greenium, Piotr Jaworski

Journal of Banking and Financial Economics

The aim of this paper is to estimate the greenium in the financial debt market, calculated as the difference between the yield of green bonds and conventional bonds with the same type of with respect to euro-denominated bonds, type of the debt security, type of issuers, and maturity. The hypothesis is The greenium for the euro-denominated bonds does exist. For the analysis, yield curves for green bonds and conventional bonds were built. It employed the yield curve methodology proposed by Nelson Siegel Svensson. Statistical tests on greenium were also prepared. Daily data were collected from the Refinitiv Eikon database, covering …

From Plaque To Tumour: Follicular Neoplasm Arising In Congenital Nevus Sebaceous, Tasneem Hamed Al Salmani, Suad Al Jahdhami, Nawaf Al Muqaimi, Ayida Al Khalili

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Nathaniel Brack

African American Funeral Programs

No abstract provided.

2025 Fall Commencement, Harding University

Commencement Programs

Program for the Harding University Commencement on December 13. 
Commencement Speaker: Dr. Susan Kehl

Pen And Punishment: Revenge And Role Reversal In Edith Wharton’S World. A Rewriting Of Gender Roles And The Subversion Of Patriarchy., Shelly Ann Justin

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION Pen and Punishment: Revenge and Role Reversal in Edith Wharton’s World. A Rewriting of Gender Roles and the Subversion of Patriarchy. by Shelly Ann Justin An unlikely feminist writer sometimes becomes one of the greatest advocates for the feminine movement, and that is exactly what American novelist, Edith Wharton (1862-1937) has done for over 120 years through her essays, short stories, and more specifically, her novels. She is best known for her vivid novels that explore the complexities of American society, especially the upper class which examines the constraints and social expectations of New York’s upper …

Efficacy Of Oil And Gas Production Site Remediation In U.S. Arid/Semi-Arid Regions, Skye Ontiveros

Architecture and Planning ETDs

Oil and gas production (OGP) is expanding, paralleled by its polluting leaks and spills (LS), and outpaced by its waste. This raises the question: Does remediation of LS occur effectively when needed to protect the environment and public, particularly in major producing regions like arid/semi-arid regions (ASAR), which account for approximately 72% of US oil and 42% of gas production? To answer, a review of the eight largest national remedial laws, sourced from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), identified 14 OGP exemptions for remedial determinants (RDs): factors affecting remedial frequency and efficacy (e.g. LS monitoring and chemical disclosure). An …

Can Web-Based International Standardized Tests Be More Inclusive? A Udl Mixed-Methods Study Of Accented Tasks, Abdelbaset Haridy

Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies ETDs

This dissertation explores the critical, yet understudied, issue of using a variety of accents/dialects within standardized listening assessments. The current study argues for a paradigm shift from dominant accent to the use of a variety of accents in foreign language testing and assessment. The shift is guided by the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), World Englishes, and Intercultural Communication Theory. Following a mixed-methods design, the study compares student perceptions (N=202) and experts’ (N=64) opinions across two distinct linguistic contexts: English and Arabic. College student participants rated listening samples across nine parameters, including Fluency, Accuracy, Comprehensibility, Intelligibility, and Approachability. …

Design And Evaluation Of The Influence Of Mutual Induction On Microbial Electrolysis Cell Performance And Biogas Production, Ashley L. Blackwell

Civil Engineering ETDs

Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) present a pathway for energy recovery in wastewater treatment by converting organic substrates into methane or hydrogen. Traditional MEC designs typically rely on physical electrode contacts and expensive materials, which restrict their scalability. This study introduces the first induction-based MEC that uses mutual inductance between an external copper wrap and an internal coil to generate a fluctuating electrical potential, removing the need for expensive electrodes. The induction-stimulated reactor showed faster total organic carbon removal and a higher CH4/CO2 ratio compared to a conventional anaerobic digester, indicating improved carbon-to-methane conversion, although total gas yield remained similar. Microbial …

How To Talk To A Seahorse: Communication In Transmasculine Gestational Experiences As Told Through Narrative, Emerson Armstrong

Communication ETDs

Transmasculine experiences before, during, and after pregnancy were evaluated using focus groups and autoethnographic research. As transgender people are more likely to experience inequality in healthcare encounters, this project aims to shed light on, and counter sensationalized accounts of male pregnancy, as transmasculine gestational individuals sought normalization in their experiences of pregnancy. Seven focus groups consisted of 90 minute sessions, with a total of 15 participants. Transcripts were analyzed using a trans narrative approach to find a greater understanding about identity construction, challenges, and changes around trans pregnancy. Asking about communities and healthcare experiences worked to create a complete picture …

Graph Based Planning With Guarantees, Trazon Tyrik Jimerson

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

This thesis presents two graph-based methods with formal guarantees for motion planning and routing. First, the invariant-set motion planner (ISMP), which uses constraint admissible positive invariant (CAPI) sets of closed-loop dynamics, is adapted for spacecraft attitude planning to avoid moving keep-out zones. Contributions include time bounds for maneuvers via exponential stability, a single-stage reachability graph from one-step backward reachable CAPI sets, and its multi-stage expansion to certify node safety over time. Simulations verify safe attitude control with moving obstacles. Second, we formulate a convex optimization problem over a network for evacuation planning with operational constraints such as helicopter capacity and …

Simulation Of Stress Induced By Laser Heating Of Glass, Austin Marsh Schuberth

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

The purpose of this work is to create a method for accurately simulating the stresses due to heating from femtosecond laser pulses. Our work aims to calculate stress and strain in glass exposed to laser pulses used for laser welding. We simulate the effects of thermal heating, thermal expansion, and the viscoelasticity of glass for a single straight weld bead. The laser heating of K9 borosilicate glass was simulated using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Thermal models developed by other researchers in earlier work were utilized in calculating the temperatures due to the laser exposure to the glass material. 2D simulations …

Real-Time Frequency Tuning Of Kinetic Energy Harvesters Via System Mass Adjustment, Rahul Adhikari

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

This research presents a method for real-time frequency tuning of piezoelectric kinetic energy harvesters through system-mass adjustment. Custom 3D-printed proof masses with cavity arrays were used to redistribute solid or liquid mass, enabling controlled modification of resonant frequency. Experimental studies using microparticles and liquids—including water, silicone oil, and sodium polytungstate—demonstrated an achievable tuning range of 115.27 Hz with sub-hertz resolution (< 0.1 Hz), confirming precise and repeatable frequency control. Finite-element modeling guided design optimization, while a microfluidic channel system enabled automated liquid filling for real-time operation. A MATLAB-based EH_Tuning application was developed to visualize and predict frequency responses. The combined …

Design And Development Of Evacuated Photovoltaic-Thermal Systems For Efficient Cogeneration Of Heat And Electricity, Behnam Roshanzadeh

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

In conventional PV systems, most of the solar energy is dissipated into the environment as heat. Accordingly, hybrid Photovoltaic-thermal systems have been developed to utilize the waste heat from PV cells for various thermal applications. However, most PVT systems suffer from low thermal performance compared to solar thermal collectors, as the absorber plate in PVT systems is partially or fully covered by PV cells. This dissertation focuses on improving the thermal performance of PVT systems by introducing the evacuated PVT systems.

An evacuated-tube PVT system was designed and simulated for domestic hot water supply. The evacuated-tube PVT system demonstrated 40% …

From Energy Abundance To Blackouts: Political Explanations For Ecuador’S 2024 Electricity Crisis, Selene V. E. Diaz Martinez

Political Science ETDs

Ecuador’s growing reliance on hydropower has positioned it as a regional leader in renewable energy development. However, recent droughts have exposed the vulnerability of this energy model in the face of climate change. In 2024, widespread blackouts underscored the risks of overdependence on hydroelectricity in the country. The media suggested that the cause of the blackouts was due to an abnormal drought that year. However, climate change alone cannot explain the lack of use of other generation sources to meet demand. suggesting that a review of political choices could provide insight into the sector's failure. This research examines the political …

The Incorporation Of Salivary Diagnostic Testing In Dental Hygiene Program Curriculum; A Pilot Study Using A Self-Reported Questionnaire, Carrie B. Palmer-Hawkins

Dental Hygiene ETDs

This study evaluated the incorporation of salivary diagnostic testing in dental hygiene program curricula. A recruitment email and survey link were sent to a convenience sample of 296 CODA-accredited program directors in the United States. Using a descriptive research approach, the survey gathered quantitative and qualitative data exploring directors’ perspectives on the role of salivary testing in dental hygiene education. Thirty-seven responses were gathered over three weeks, and 34 participants were included in the study, resulting in a response rate of 13%. Thirty-eight percent (n=13) reported incorporating salivary testing into their dental hygiene program curriculum through didactic or clinical coursework. …

Dense Temporary Array Investigation Of Jemez Uplift Seismicity, Jillian D. Podmore

Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

A protracted multi-stage tectonic and magmatic evolution combined with low regional crustal strain rates make it challenging to characterize active structure that may host earthquakes in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico. Here, we leverage temporary 1-month deployments of nodal seismometers to gain new insights into seismicity of the Jemez Mountains, which only have continuous seismic monitoring on their eastern flank as a result of the Los Alamos Seismic Network. Our catalog is built using 4 steps: phase picking in continuous seismic data, association of picks to detect unique events, event magnitude estimation, and absolute hypocenter estimation. We detect and …

Seismological Investigations Of Magmatic Systems Using Dense Nodal Arrays, Wenkai Song

Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

Understanding the internal architecture of magmatic systems is crucial for volcanology, yet conventional geophysical techniques often lack the resolution to image their fine-scale structures. This dissertation leverages unique datasets from dense nodal arrays to investigate the upper crustal magmatic systems beneath Yellowstone Caldera, Valles Caldera, and Mount St. Helens. At Yellowstone, I processed vibroseis data to delineate the top of the modern magma reservoir and evaluate the thermal connection between the magmatic and the overlying hydrothermal systems. At Valles, 3D radial seismic anisotropy imaging reveals strong positive radial anisotropy within the reservoir, indicating an organized structure of horizontally sill-like melt …

Guillaume Dustan's Ethico-Politics Of The Body, Noah Mertz

Foreign Languages & Literatures ETDs

In this MA Thesis, I lay out a synthetic overview of polemical French writer Guillaume Dustan's (1965-2005) political philosophy. He is criticized first as irresponsible and dangerous for his defense of barebacking (sex without condoms) in the midst of the AIDS epidemic, and then, after his death, as a neoliberal/anarcho-capitalist for his focus on individual liberty. My overview touches on Dustan's Freudian belief that repression is the root of all social ills, his functional ethics of self-responsibility, the revaluation of heteronormative Judeo-Christian morality towards 'virtusex,' and his social contract that minimizes repression. Dustan’s goal is for you to autonomously subjectify …

Application Of Bimetallic Transition Metal Oxides Electrocatalysts For Li-Co2 Batteries And Li-O2 Batteries, Jianda Wang

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

Li-ion batteries are the dominant commercial rechargeable batteries nowadays, which are used in electronic devices and electrified transportation widely. However, undesirable energy density of Li-ion batteries prohibits them from meeting requirements of new generation electronic devices. Therefore, it is important to find more alternative electronic energy storage systems with higher capacity. Fortunately, Li-CO2 batteries, featured high capacity and ability to convert CO2, have become a promising candidate to replace Li-ion batteries. In addition, Li-O2 batteries also attract people’s attention due to their high energy density and low cost. However, Li-CO2 batteries and Li-O2 batteries both face challenges of terrible cycle …

Physical Education Through The Lens Of A Transgender Individual, Allison L. Graham

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

Transgender students face unique challenges in K–12 physical education (PE) that other groups of students do not experience. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the life history of a transgender woman, Evergreen, with a focus on her experiences in PE throughout K-12 school. This study was guided by Queer Theory (Jagose, 1996) and Atkinson’s (1998) life history methodology, data was collected through nine semi-structured interviews and participant-selected artifacts. Data was analyzed using Merriam and Tisdell’s (2016) coding procedures to identify themes. Findings revealed distinct experiences across four areas: (1) Elementary School PE—positive memories centered on play …

Predicting The Unpredictable: Advancing Risk Management In Fitness Centers Through Data Science-Driven Judicial Outcome Modeling, Hongyoung Kim

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

This study developed a prediction model of judicial outcomes in fitness exercise-related injury lawsuits to identify key factors influencing fitness centers’ success in litigation. Using 209 U.S. court cases from Westlaw, Phase One employed text mining and content analysis to identify legal variables. Phase Two applied descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression to evaluate the combined influence of these variables on judicial outcomes. For the multiple logistic regression analysis, the sample size was reduced to 184 cases after excluding 25 remanded cases.

Results showed that victim behavior, hazardous facility conditions, and enforceable waivers or exculpatory clause defenses significantly predicted judicial …

Hearing Their Voices: Exploring Parent Perspectives Regarding Augmentative And Alternative Communication In Home And Community Contexts, Heather Rose Diluzio

Special Education ETDs

Parents of children who have extensive support (ESN) who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) have reported challenges in supporting their children’s communication in home and community contexts. This qualitative interview study explored the perspectives of six mothers of children with ESN who use aided AAC to examine the supports families have, or would like to have, to integrate aided AAC meaningfully into their child’s communication in home and community settings. Findings revealed that these parents were the primary force behind their child’s access to aided AAC due to limited support from formal systems and professionals. Themes included: parents’ deep …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Implementing An Education Model From School Leaders’ Perspectives, Jackie Marie Cusimano Phd

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

A high school science teacher asked the question, “Why not make every class an elective?” He noticed that when his high school students were required to take a course, such as biology, the attendance and participation lacked when compared to his elective course of forensic biology. Both classes covered the same science standards. This question led him to applying for a public charter license and ultimately opening the first Choice Charter School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2014. Choice Charter Schools follow the created Choice Charter Education Model, which is based on William Glasser’s Choice Theory (Glasser, 1998). Since the …

When Two Worlds Collide: A Narrative Inquiry Into The Teacher Identity Development Of Graduate Students Of Additional Languages, Hannah L. Garver

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

This study explores a population that has been understudied in teacher identity research: native English-speaking graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) of additional languages who assumed this role with no prior teaching experience. Influenced by my own experience as a GTA, the purpose of this study is to gain insight into how this population’s experiences shape their identities as teachers and later careers. This qualitative study uses narrative inquiry as a method by which to examine their experiences through the stories told by participants: six former GTAs of French and German.

Using data in the form of semi-structured interviews and some participants’ …

Analysis Of Heat Transfer And Pressure Drops Associated With Twisted Tube Heat Exchangers, Braden Foderaro

Nuclear Engineering ETDs

Several studies have been done on the effects of twisted tubes in heat exchangers, including the correlations that relate the flow parameters to the heat transfer and pressure drop experienced. These studies are new, with the earliest being performed in 1982. As such, there are many correlations covering only certain flow parameters and geometrical configurations such as the Reynolds number and modified Froude number.

This thesis attempts to cover flow regimes and tube geometries not yet studied and yield correlations. Data are gathered from heat exchangers featuring twisted tubes with water as the working fluid. It is noticed that the …

Non-Destructive Characterization Of Ion Irradiated Yttrium Hydride For Microreactor Applications, Ryan E. Pena

Nuclear Engineering ETDs

As energy demands increase, nuclear reactors, especially microreactors, become a promising energy source. These reactors run at high temperatures (>280°C), requiring moderators that can endure these environments. Yttrium hydride is a possible moderator, but little is known about the material’s phase stability and hydrogen retention under irradiation. Through the use of a gold ion beam, samples with stoichiometries ranging from 1.6 to 2.0 were irradiated and tested. Through Vickers hardness testing, a model was created showing a correlation between hydrogen content and hardness. Raman spectroscopy showed high temperature and irradiated samples have significant hydrogen loss. XRD quantified this hydrogen …

Sequential Low Dose Proton Irradiation And Nanomechanical Testing To Understand Mechanical And Microstructural Property Changes In Alloy 709, Abhishek Kc

Nuclear Engineering ETDs

Alloy 709, a 20Cr25Ni alloy, is an advanced austenitic steel designed for next generation sodium fast reactors. Preliminary studies have shown the potential of Alloy 709 in sodium fast reactors. In this study, Precipitate Treated Alloy 709 specimens are irradiated with 2 MeV H⁺ at 500 °C from 0.0057 dpa to 1.7 dpa. Electron microscopy characterization techniques are used to understand the effects of radiation on mechanical properties as well as microstructure of Alloy 709. The microstructure did not show formation of voids, amorphization of precipitates, or increase in grain size up to 1.7 dpa. Correspondingly nano-indentation and micro-pillar …