Digital Commons Network^™

“A Loving And Faithful Wife”: A Study Of Dakota Territory Divorce Law And Marital Expectations In The Late Nineteenth Century, Cassidy Amanda Abfalter-Dial

Dissertations and Theses

“A Loving and Faithful Wife” provides a procedural and gender-based analysis of twenty-five Dakota Territory divorce cases, from Clay County, ranging from 1867-1884. This analysis is based on an understanding of the procedural aspects of the territorial divorce court system, as well as nineteenth century gender ideologies, include the ideals of True Womanhood, and Separate Spheres. By employing a close reading method, this research analyzes the language in court filings, allegations used in complaints, and the outcome of the cases. This analysis reveals men and women used unspoken gender scripts to present their marriages to the court and attempt to …

Helpful Autism School-Based Services: Perspectives From The People That Received Services, Michael Angelo Grizzaffi

Dissertations and Theses

Transitioning high school students with autism, primarily with a level 1 diagnosis, from high school to independence in young adulthood has evidence-based practices. However, preferences of the students who are receiving services had not been considered before. This study reviews the thoughts of what prior high school students find helpful in the services they receive. Choosing individualized evidence-based practices is ideal for students. Prior high school students' experiences demonstrate the desire for more transition skills teaching. Leading special educators in the skills of some evidence-based practices is required for the individualization of these practices the students need to occur. Leading …

The Rhetoric And Memory Of Kumeprɛko, Benedicta Harford

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis examines the rhetoric of Kume Prɛko and asks what its major rhetorical appeals were both during 1994 and afterwards. First, I analyze major images and a speech from the protest and identify how it framed the VAT tax as an embodied, urgent issue for all citizens to resist. Then, I consider how Akufo-Addo silenced this "vernacular" memory in favor of his "official" narrative, drawing off the work of John Bodnar. Ultimately, this thesis shows how difficult it is for those in power to remember grassroots dissent in all their complexity but also how hard it is to completely …

Obituary For The Birth Certificate, Malinda L. Seymore

Faculty Scholarship

Have birth certificates outlived their usefulness? Birth certificates establish an individual’s name, identity, age, race, sex and gender, parental authority, and citizenship. In addition, the information collected at the time of birth and reflected on a long-form birth certificate provides data for public health policy, population statistics, internal migration, government planning, and resource allocation. Birth certificates are also the all-access pass to American life, necessary for many functions of modern life: registering a child in school, signing a child up for soccer, getting a driver’s license and passport, enlisting in the military, and applying for government benefits. All of this, …

Health Truth To Power: Professional Collaboration To Bolster Trust Against Misinformation, William M. Sage, Keegan D. Warren

Faculty Scholarship

This Article is about health, leaving aside more general challenges to shared civic information today. The Article begins by surveying the principal challenges for health information in post-pandemic, arguably post-truth America, and then describes briefly the sources and limits of medical professional authority. Noting the double-edged sword of free speech guarantees under the U.S. Constitution, the Article continues by commenting on speaking truth to government, to industry, and to the crowd. Next, the Article considers the physicians’ role in speaking truth to power from the perspective of standard medical professional ethics and identity, comparing it to that of lawyers. Finally, …

Does It Matter What People Lie About?, Stefanie Jung, Peter Krebs, Monika Leszczynska

Faculty Scholarship

We investigate whether people’s moral judgments of lies in pre-contractual negotiations differ from their views on whether such lies should give the deceived party a legal right to rescind the contract, and whether these judgments depend on the content of the lie. In a vignette study with 832 German students and 885 participants from Germany, Italy, and the United States, respondents evaluated a range of common negotiation lies. Across samples, participants were generally more likely to deem a lie immoral than to believe it should justify rescission, but the size of this gap varied depending on the lie’s subject. Lies …

Comparison Of Groundwater Ownership Regimes In Ten Jurisdictions Across Five Continents, Gabriel Eckstein, Theo Buchler, Caleb Cook, Heping Dang, Robyn Stein, Stefano Burchi, Gabriela Cuadrado Quesada, Juan Pablo Galeano, Eric Garner, Amy Hardberger, Imad Antoine Ibrahim, Oudi Kgomongwe

Faculty Scholarship

The regulation of groundwater remains underdeveloped globally and often lags behind the domestic governance of surface water. As a result, groundwater is often subject to unfettered extraction, uses, and contamination. A clear understanding of ownership is central to the success of domestic regulations. However, the types of ownership regime in place in nations around the world are poorly documented in the academic literature. This study addresses that gap through a comparative analysis of domestic groundwater ownership regimes across ten jurisdictions in nine countries spanning five continents. It identifies three dominant models of groundwater ownership: private ownership, public ownership, and non-ownership …

Information Law Pluralism, Hannah Bloch-Wehba

Faculty Scholarship

Information-intensive activities are reshaping political, social, and economic institutions. As they respond to these shifts, legislators and regulators are embracing information as a regulatory device for tech. Far from limiting themselves to public disclosure, consumer notice, and other traditional mechanisms of fostering transparency and information flows, however, legislators are using other, more nuanced tools to incentivize regulated entities to obtain, generate, and share information.

This Article maps the landscape of the emerging information-based regimes for regulating tech and assesses their conceptual and practical implications. It canvasses an extensive set of recently enacted laws regulating the information economy and shows that, …

Moral Progress In Legal Doctrine, Philip Petrov

Faculty Scholarship

This article integrates the concept of moral progress – here, moral improvement in the thinking and behavior of individuals over time – into the study of legal doctrine. The article first presents a naturalistic account of what moral progress is and describes three of its most historically and analytically important forms: (1) moral circle expansion, (2) moral domain expansion, and (3) increasing sensitivity to proportionality. The article then analyzes three historical developments in U.S. tort law that qualify as instances of moral progress: (1) the partial demise of the “suicide rule” beginning around the 1980s (according to …

Equal Justice & Generative Ai, Milan R. Markovic

Faculty Scholarship

The United States has long suffered from unequal access to justice, with countless low-and middle-income Americans forced to navigate the legal system alone. Recently, prominent judges, lawyers, and scholars have seized on generative AI as a potential corrective. These techno-optimists maintain that ChatGPT and other large language models can demystify the law and address unmet legal needs. Chief Justice John Roberts has proclaimed that AI-based tools "have the welcome potential to smooth out any mismatch between available resources and urgent needs in our court system."

Although AI will be an increasingly important source of legal assistance for underserved populations, the …

Reflections On The Use And Misuse Of Economic Analysis In Copyright, Glynn Lunney

Faculty Scholarship

Economic analysis has long been used to justify copyright regulation. Long before the Statute of Anne, the Stationer’s Guild told the story of the copying competitor, who in the absence of regulation, would copy every original book and offer it for less. In the story, the coping competitor would, in the absence of regulation, deprive the original author of an opportunity to recoup their authorship investment, and so lead to a world where no books at all would be published. To ensure sufficient incentives for authorship, some degree of copyright regulation was thought essential. At the same time, in the …

America Against America: A Western Analysis, Matthew Glumac

A with Honors Projects

A 2000-word book report on Wang Huning's "America Against America."

The Executive's Takeover Of Independent Agencies: How Institutional Design Gave Way To Political Will, Neal Devins

Faculty Publications

The anticipated demise of the independent agency is a saga that implicates Congress as much as it does the President or the Supreme Court. By capitulating to presidential initiatives and failing to defend their institutional prerogatives, Congress has facilitated presidential control of the administrative state. Indeed, irrespective of whether the Court formally repudiates Humphrey’s Executor, Congress has largely acquiesced to a regime whereby presidents essentially control independent agencies. By highlighting the competing incentives of Congress and the White House, this Essay explains the rise of presidential unilateralism vis-à-vis independent agencies. This Essay also casts light on a critically important but …

The Ai Study Partner: Medical Students, Self-Directed Learning, And Individual Learning Plans, Paula Ann Hawks

Dissertations and Theses

Self-directed learning (SDL) was well-documented in many educational settings, including medical schools. However, how students incorporated SDL and independent learning plans (ILPs) in undergraduate medical education received little attention. Generative AI (GenAI) encompassed a rapidly expanding field, but medical student use was underexplored. This present study examines student perceptions of SDL, ILPs, and the use of GenAI in undergraduate medical education, particularly in preparation for the USMLE Step 1. Using an action research design, qualitative data were collected via semi-structured focus groups, individual interviews, and ILP document review. Fifteen participants were in focus groups, 13 of whom then completed individual …

Effective Practices In A School-Based Mentorship Program: Insights From An Elementary School Setting, Kimberly Noele Steger

Dissertations and Theses

(School-based mentoring programs) SBMPs have demonstrated beneficial outcomes for mentees, mentors, and overall school culture; however, their effectiveness was highly dependent on intentional implementation and the educators who facilitated them. Limited research exists on how SBMPs were practically introduced, structured, and sustained; thus underscoring the need for deeper examination of successful implementation practices. Therefore, this case study explored the implementation of SBMPs within a specific elementary school, focusing on mentors’ perceptions and experiences. The researcher sought to understand mentors’ roles within the program, including their successes and challenges, the training and support they received, and how implementation conditions influenced their …

Why Teachers Stay In Rural Schools: School Culture And Leadership Practices, Michael Eldridge

Dissertations and Theses

Teacher retention continues to be one of the greatest challenges that rural schools are facing across the United States. While many strategies have been implemented, such as financial incentives as a way to counter geographic isolation, there is limited information available on the impact that leadership and school culture have on a teacher’s decision to remain in a rural school. Having a stable teacher workforce in rural schools is vital in providing high quality instruction and opportunities for rural communities across the nation. Guided by Organizational Culture Theory (OCT), this qualitative comparative case study explored how school leadership practices and …

Interactional Synchrony In Mother-Infant Dyads: Developmental Changes And The Impact Of Maternal Emotion Dysregulation Over Time, Jessica Taylor Kelly

Dissertations and Theses

Infancy is a period of rapid development, while motherhood is often a time of heightened emotionality (Bjelica et al., 2018; Leclère et al., 2014). Synchrony between mother and infant is one of the earliest bonding experiences, with short- and long-term implications for the infant’s development and the mother-infant relationship (Leclère et al., 2014). However, little research has characterized developmental shifts in mother-infant synchrony. Maternal emotion dysregulation is likely to influence mother-infant synchrony (Doba et al., 2022; Lotzin et al., 2015, 2016). Yet little research has evaluated the impact of maternal emotion dysregulation on mother-infant synchrony over time. This project aims …

Epidemiology Of Closed Ruptured Tendoachilles, Hesham Mousad Alsakaan, Wael Mansour Wafa, Mohieb Sayed Ahmed, Ahmed El Sayed Magdy Elhawary

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: To restore tendon function and avoid long-term impairment, early diagnosis and adequate treatment are crucial. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the incidence pattern of ATR and to pinpoint possible variables related to presentation and management approach.

Aim  identifying potential risk factors either patient or environmental related and to assess the incidence rate of ATR

Patients and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on 87 achilles tendon rupture patients. All the patients were subjected to full medical history taking. Clinical examination was performed including thompson test and Matles test and radiological investigations.

Results: The median age …

Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On Medical Education And Cognitive Skill Development At Medical College Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Anas Bassam Barnawi, Abdulrahman Abdullah Almudawi, Abdullah Mohammed Alrabeah

Health Professions Education

Purpose This study aims to explore the impact of AI on medical education by examining the relationship between AI use and academic performance in medical courses, evaluating the extent of its integration in students' clinical practice and application, and assessing how it enhances medical knowledge and understanding. In addition, the study measures medical students' attitudes toward the use of AI in their education and clinical training, providing a comprehensive overview of both its benefits and challenges.

Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2024 and December 2024 with 168 participants, including students and interns from various academic years. The …

Knowledge And Attitudes Of Medical Students About Research Methodology, Statistics, And Statistical Inference: An Assessment For Clinical Research Comprehension Skills, Laith Ashour, Lama Al-Mehaisen, Afnan Rababa, Osama Alrjoob, Moutaz Amayrh, Malak Al-Rabe'e, Qusai Al-Anasweh, Hala Al-Miqdadi, Nada Freihat, Mohammad Al Khreisha, Ala' Al Doaikat, Al-Mo'tasem Bellah Al-Rahamneh, Hamzeh Hatamleh, Fayez Zedat

Health Professions Education

Objectives: Medical students require a solid understanding of statistics in research papers. However, literature lacks sufficient studies on their proficiency, especially on Jordanian aspect. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study on 361 medical students to evaluate their attitudes toward statistics, their knowledge in research methodology, and their ability to correctly interpret commonly used statistics in medical research. Statistical attitudes were assessed using three scales (value, difficulty, and interest) from the SATS-36 scale. Additionally, a novel author's-validated scale was created to measure students' research methodology knowledge. The scale validity was assessed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Multiple linear regression analysis was …

Medical Educator Portfolios As The Curriculum Vitae Of Educationists: A Comprehensive Review, Sami Mohamed

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Health professions education (HPE) continually evolves, driven by medical educators who hold dual roles as clinicians and educators. Medical Educator Portfolios (MEPs) provide a structured approach to documenting contributions within this context. The increasing complexity and diversity of personal and professional experiences highlight the need for a more comprehensive descriptor of accomplishments. Therefore, this review aims to outline core components of MEPs and comprehensively describe their sequential design, while highlighting their significance within HPE

Methods: This comprehensive narrative review was conducted through a systematic literature search across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, focusing on …

From Telos To Samsāra: Happiness And The Dilemma Of Beginnings And Ends, Ayaan Nihal Unni

A with Honors Projects

The author uses Vedic concepts of happiness and enlightenment to criticize Aristotle's teleological and finite concept of human happiness.

Developing A Framework To Enhance Medical Student Well-Being: A Cross-Sectional Study Exploring The Interplay Between Stress, Resilience, And Quality Of Life, Omayma Hamed, Elshaimaa Ahmed, Lamiaa Mohsen, Patricia S. Sexton

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Medical training imposes significant stress on students, often leading to burnout, anxiety, and/or diminished quality of life (QoL). Resilience has been identified as a critical factor in mitigating these challenges. However, there is limited research examining how stress and resilience interact to shape QoL in undergraduate medical students. This study expands upon Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping by introducing a synthesized framework that integrates resilience as both a mediator and moderator of stress, advancing the understanding of these relationships.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 194 first- and second-year medical students at a private …

Prevalence And Spectrum Of Genitourinary Anomalies In Children With Anorectal Malformations, Adnan El-Ghazaly, Tamer A. Wafa, Ahmed M. Negm, Adham W. El-Saied

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Anorectal malformations (ARMs) encompass a broad range of congenital defects and are frequently associated with genitourinary (GU) anomalies, which may contribute to long-term morbidity if undetected. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and spectrum of GU anomalies in children with ARMs, describe the urological and genital findings, and assess associations with sex and ARM type.

Patients and Methods: A prospective survey enrolled children diagnosed with ARMs at a tertiary pediatric surgery center. All patients underwent standardized clinical assessment, including focused genital examination and structured imaging. Abdominal ultrasonography (US) served as baseline screening for urinary tract anomalies. Voiding cystourethrogram …

Rural Black Church Leadership And Community Development In Midwest Illinois, Derrick Smith

Dissertations of Practice

This qualitative study examines the role of a rural Black church in leadership development and community sustainability within a Midwestern Illinois town. While extensive scholarship documents the historical significance of the Black church in civil rights, political mobilization, and social advocacy, limited research explores the founding of contemporary Black churches and the intentional processes through which they develop leaders and support community sustainability in rural or small-town settings. This study addresses that gap by investigating the establishment and evolution of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church (NHMBC) in DeKalb, Illinois, and its impact on leadership development and Black community development.

Guided …

Preparing Students For What Comes Next: A Qualitative Study Of District Approaches To Postsecondary And Career Readiness, Amanda C. Pelsor

Dissertations of Practice

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR WHAT COMES NEXT: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF DISTRICT APPROACHES TO POSTSECONDARY AND CAREER READINESS

This qualitative study examines how Illinois school districts support students’ readiness for postsecondary success and career planning and exploration. Despite longstanding state and federal efforts to improve college and career readiness, many students continue to face challenges after high school, including lack of workforce readiness, underpreparedness for postsecondary education, unclear career pathways, and difficulty navigating complex transitions. Using semi-structured interviews, this study explores how districts conceptualize and implement career readiness frameworks, the ways readiness work is embedded within district systems, and the barriers …

Assessing Sandfly & Mosquito Abundance, Richness, And Diversity In Villaflora, Ecuador: Linking Disease Vectors To Disease Risk, Carlia Rose Lopez

Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

The Economics Of Marriage, Sofia Vuong

Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

The Balance Of Power In Ukraine And Deterrence Effectivenes Against Nuclear-Armed Russia, Chick Edmond

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has raised several significant questions regarding the impact of deterrence, the European balance of power and the ability of current security frameworks to restrict the actions of nuclear-armed revisionist powers. This paper uses an integrated theoretical framework consisting of deterrence theory, the balance of power theory, the security dilemma and neorealism to analyze the dynamic relationships between Russia, Ukraine and the Western alliance. The primary contribution of the paper is to develop a comprehensive analytical framework to evaluate the relationship between different aspects of deterrence (i.e., to prevent an initial attack, to limit further escalation and …

Great Power Competition In Africa: Sustaining Openness Amidst Transnational Threats And Authoritarian Fragmentation, Chick Edmond

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

As the United States seeks to position itself in an increasingly competitive world, Africa has emerged as an increasingly key arena of great power competition where the United States, China, and Russia are competing to determine the nature of political norms, economic governance and security architecture on the continent.

The combination of growing transnational threats (such as terrorism, pandemics, climate-related instability, and digital vulnerability), and growing authoritarianism, has transformed the continent into a testbed for competing visions of international order. In light of this backdrop, this paper posits that the United States must pursue a strategy of sustained strategic openness …