Digital Commons Network^™

Betting On The Body: Private Equity Portfolio Funding Of Medical Malpractice Litigation And The Financialization Of Patient Justice, Barry J. Cohen

Journal of Law and Health

Portfolio-level third-party litigation funding in medical malpractice creates conflicts of interest that existing professional responsibility doctrine under Model Rule 1.7 was not designed to address. Unlike single-case consumer funding, which may improve access to justice, portfolio funding aggregates dozens or hundreds of malpractice claims into diversified investment vehicles, optimizing for internal rates of return on the portfolio instead of outcomes for individual plaintiffs. What follows, is the first sustained analysis of this gap.

Drawing on clinical and legal perspectives, the analysis distinguishes a single-case from portfolio funding and identifies four portfolio-specific conflicts under MRPC 1.7: the swing-for-the-fences problem, cross-subsidization, information …

Criminalizing Resistance: The Black Panther Party And State Terror In The U.S., Tyler Messinger

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the rise, suppression, and eventual collapse of the Black Panther Party (BPP) between 1966 and 1972, arguing that the organization was dismantled not primarily due to internal failures, financial issues, or criminal activity, but through a sustained campaign of state repression led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Using a document-based historical case study approach, the paper draws extensively on declassified FBI memoranda, COINTELPRO records, congressional testimony from the Church Committee, contemporary newspaper coverage, and the Black Panther Party’s own publications. Placing the BPP within the broader trajectory of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, …

Commitment Problems In Political Situations Involving Multiple Strategic Actors And How Actors Try To Overcome Commitment Problems, Mohamud Ajama

Political Science Theses, Dissertations and Student Creative Activity

Commitment problems explain why multiple parties cannot agree on issues of concern due to a lack of trust, even when cooperation would benefit all parties involved. These problems take place when actors cannot make credible commitments about future behavior because of mistrust, uncertainty, or the absence of neutral enforcement mechanics, leading to delays, lack of cooperation, and sometimes conflict or war. Scholars have approached commitment problems from multiple angles. Fearon (1995) identifies them as empirically observable mechanisms that prevent states from reaching peace agreements. Powell (2006) extends this framework, arguing that commitment problems are due to the inability to bind …

Task-Based Language Teaching For Afghans Resettled In The United States Since 2021: Meeting Integration And Employment Needs, Madison E. Wilhelm

Senior Honors Theses

In the aftermath of the 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, the United States military evacuated tens of thousands of Afghans, many of whom were resettled in the United States. This population has faced many challenges in their resettlement, including barriers to language learning and difficulty finding skilled employment. There is great diversity within this population, including individuals with limited schooling and those with valuable employment skills.

This integrative literature review explores how Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) can be used as a strategy for Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) with the post-2021 Afghan population in the United States. It …

Exploring Real-World Accounting Problems Through Case Studies, Molly Clark

Honors Theses

This thesis is made up of six different accounting case studies completed both individually and collaboratively over two semesters in Accy 420 under the guidance of Dr. Dickinson. These case studies required in-depth research on the topics and reflection on how accounting concepts apply to real-world business situations. In the fall semester, a variety of case studies were assigned to help broaden understanding of relevant accounting topics such as regulatory issues and financial reporting. In the spring semester, students were placed into groups to do research on the “Make America Healthy Again” movement and evaluate its potential impact on an …

Neuroprotective Effects Of Estradiol And Genistein And Interactions With Aromatase Inhibitions Post Cerebellar Lesion In Male Zebra Finches, Grace E. Thompson, Anthony P. Irovic

Honors Theses

Across vertebrates, peripheral and brain-derived estradiol (E₂) promotes neuroplasticity. After injury, E₂ can be derived locally from testosterone via aromatase (AROM), an enzyme that is upregulated in glia at the site of neural injury. E₂disrupts testicular function and elevates cancer and stroke risk, primarily via binding to estrogen receptor alpha (ER α). Genistein (GEN), a phytoestrogen, is similar to E₂ but binds preferentially to estrogen receptor beta (ER β). It may offer neuroprotection without adverse effects of E₂. We used adult male zebra finches (ZF) to model neuroprotective effects of E_{2 …}

Financial Reporting, Strategy, And Legislation: A Study Of Post Holdings And Relevant Accounting Topics, Noah Harkins

Honors Theses

This thesis examines multiple areas of financial reporting, business strategy, and legislation. This was performed through a series of case studies completed in Accounting 420, where the purpose of the class was to apply accounting concepts to real-world business situations. The cases cover multiple areas of financial reporting, including asset theory, 10-K analysis, audit risk assessment, corporate legislation, business strategy, data analytics, economic policy, and professional leadership. The main analysis focuses on Post Holdings, with supporting cases involving Tyson Foods, the Corporate Transparency Act, Thomas Sowell, Ronald Reagan, and broader accounting theory.

The research process used throughout the thesis consisted …

Optimization And Dynamic Control Of Acetone Production From Isopropyl Alcohol, Thomas W. Wasson

Honors Theses

This paper investigates the optimization and dynamic control of acetone production via catalytic dehydrogenation of isopropyl alcohol. Optimization was conducted using steady-state Aspen Plus modeling with product specifications of 30,000 metric tons per year of 99.9% pure acetone by weight. Dynamic modeling of the feed preparation and reaction portions of the process was conducted in Aspen Plus Dynamic. Through optimization efforts the primary economic factor, net present value (NPV), was increased from $(126.6) million to $(83.2) million, representing a $43.4 million increase. This was primarily accomplished through a switch to low temperature catalyst, optimization of reactor dimensions, pressurization of key …

The Rise Of Realism And The Search For Justice In 19th Century Literature, Isabella R. Clark

Honors Theses

This thesis follows parallel legal and literary arcs towards “Realism.” While these two movements do not have the exact same timeline, they both characterized the 19th century. This thesis intertwines the literary shift towards writing that more closely resembles reality with the legal realist aim at a justice that more closely relates to its society. As we look at three novels from the 19th century, we will see how the change in literary form relates to a change in legal philosophy as the popular literary style and goal was later formalized by the law. In our study of each novel, …

Beyond The Ivory Tower: Perceptions, Practices, And The Institutionalization Of Community Engagement At St. Augustine University Of Tanzania, Delphine Kessy

Journal of Management for Global Sustainability

This qualitative study provides a comprehensive analysis of academic staff perceptions and practices of community engagement (CE) at the Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT). Framed by Boyer’s theory of the scholarship of application and contemporary models of university engagement, both a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design and thematic analysis of open-ended responses from 14 academic departments at SAUT were used, with a total of 35 participants informing this study. The findings revealed a robust, practice-driven understanding of CE as a collaborative and reciprocal partnership, widely regarded as a core university function alongside teaching and research. Staff reported a rich spectrum …

Beyond The Rally Effect: U.S. Military Deployments And Their Independent Impact On Presidential Approval, Griffin M. Petersen

Honors Thesis

This thesis examines the relationship between the United States military and presidential job approval ratings from 1955 to 2021 through a mixed method approach. Using a multiple regression analysis, the study tested the independent effects of total active-duty troop levels and the frequency of active overseas conflicts while controlling for economic variables such as GDP and unemployment. The quantitative results indicate that while military variables are significantly correlated with approval in isolation, these effects diminish or disappear when analyzed alongside economic indicators. Specifically, the size of the military was a weak predictor of public approval, potentially due to low public …

Automated Evaluation Of Web Accessibility In Cybersecurity Tools, William Robert Cox

Theses and Dissertations

Screen reader users face significant barriers when using web-based cybersecurity tools, however, the accessibility of these interfaces has received minimal systematic research attention. Existing automated evaluation tools assess Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) conformance but do not measure the practical operability of complex and domain-specific interfaces for users of assistive technology. This dissertation presents the Deciphering Interfaces for Your Accessibility (DIYA) framework, an open-source automated auditing framework that evaluates cybersecurity tool web interfaces across eight normalized dimensions: WCAG conformance, Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) usage, semantic structure, keyboard operability, form accessibility, dynamic content accessibility, interaction cost, and screen reader readiness. …

Relationship Between Judges’ Gender And Caseload Clearance In Jamaica’S Parish Courts, Sonia Bertram Linton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Elective Abortion, Moral Injury, And Maternal Bonding To The First Child, Jennifer Marie Lightner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Clemson Commencement Program, May 2026, Clemson University

Clemson Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Uncertain Roads, Resilient Journey: At The Intersection Of Love, Wealth, And Undocumentedness Lies A Critical Examination Of Career Development Challenges And Aspirations, Daniel Caballero

LMU Theses and Dissertations

Undocumented college students in the United States graduate with degrees in hand, but face a labor market that, for many, remains legally inaccessible. Despite growing enrollment across higher education institutions, this student population continued to navigate career development in the near minimal institutional support designed for their specific circumstances. This qualitative study examined how career services at small private liberal arts colleges responded to the needs of undocumented students, particularly those without Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA; Napolitano, 2012), as they navigated career development during and after college (Kantamneni, Dharmalingam, et al., 2016; Kantamneni, Shada, et al., 2016; Morales …

Mental Illness, Probation, And Recidivism: Standardizing Uniform Mental Health Docket Legislation In Ohio, Holly Lloyd

Journal of Law and Health

The rise of Mental Illness diagnoses in the United States unique to the criminal justice system. Specifically in Ohio, individuals with mental illness diagnoses have increased within the criminal justice system leading to the implementation of the Mental Health Court Docket. The Mental Health Docket has led to a decrease in recidivism by providing Defendants with appropriate mental health treatment. Within Ohio there is no universal standard for individuals being admitted into the Docket which has led to inconsistencies throughout the State and restrictive clinical requirements like requiring a diagnosis with psychosis. These inconsistencies contribute to higher recidivism rates and …

Online Voting: Should Ohio Adopt Online Voting For Voters With Disabilities?, Audrey Mcconihe

Journal of Law and Health

This Note argues that Ohio should implement a limited online voting system for voters with disabilities in order to expand meaningful access to the voting while preserving election integrity. Drawing on the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Help America Vote Act, this Note contends that Ohio’s current absentee voting framework continues to impose substantial barriers on disabled voters by denying many individuals the ability to cast ballots privately, independently, and safely.

The Note examines how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed longstanding deficiencies in American voting infrastructure, particularly for disabled …

The Cost Of Compassion: Mixed Methods Insights Into Healthcare Chaplains’ Experiences Of Workplace Violence, Dana Fachner

Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare workers’ exposure to workplace violence has been well documented, with research emphasizing both its frequency and severity among clinical staff like physicians and nurses. Still, one group remains markedly overlooked: healthcare chaplains. Despite their frequent presence in high-stress, unpredictable, and emotionally charged situations, chaplains have never before been included in research regarding healthcare workers’ exposure to workplace violence. Healthcare chaplains provide spiritual and emotional care to patients, families, and staff by offering support that is culturally sensitive and appropriate to patients’ religious traditions. Chaplains collaborate with medical teams to deliver holistic care and are involved in a wide range …

Rational Design And Efficacy Evaluation Of A Novel Solid Dispersion-Based Bempedoic Acid–Ezetimibe Fixed-Dose Combination Tablet Versus Nexlizet®, Mohamed A. Heikal, Wael Ali, Mahmoud A. Mahdy, Eman Gomaa

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Background/Objectives: For hyperlipidemic patients with statin resistance, a fixed-dose combination of a non-statin drug such as ezetimibe (EZT) and bempedoic acid (BA) provides a significant benefit. Although both drugs exhibit poor aqueous solubility, the oral bioavailability of EZT is more critically limited by dissolution, whereas BA maintains adequate absorption due to its high intestinal permeability. With regard to the reference product, Nexlizet® (180/10 mg), our study focused on developing a novel tablet with superior in vitro performance without incorporating sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), as it may potentially alter BA absorption. Methods: The solid dispersion technique (co-precipitation) was applied using the …

Storytelling As A Pedagogical Tool For Improving Memory In Lectures, Sydney E. Rutter

Honors Theses

The purpose of the study was to examine if utilizing storytelling in lectures caused a positive effect on students' memory over a week-long period. Storytelling has been used as a mnemonic device to improve memory, however its benefits have not been experimented much in higher education. In this study, 53 undergraduate psychology students were placed into two groups: traditional lecture or storytelling lecture. Students then watched the lecture they were assigned, both lectures discussed the ASURE model. A week later, students returned and took a 17 question memory test. Results indicated that students who watched the storytelling lecture performed significantly …

An Analysis Of Accounting Topics Through Case Studies, Nathan J. Hilzinger

Honors Theses

This thesis discusses and evaluates various contemporary accounting topics and issues through five different case studies in both a group and individual setting. These cases are intended to give students an opportunity to research a broad range of topics and get an in-depth view of different companies, economists, and current events relating to accounting and broader business topics. Through this process students are required to use their financial accounting knowledge gained from previous classes, critical thinking skills, and continue to develop their writing skills in both an educational and professional capacity. The content of this thesis is largely derived from …

The Myth Of The Italiani Brava Gente In Cinema Since 1945, Bradley P. Reimer

Honors Theses

The myth of the italiani brava gente has been intertwined with cinema since the end of the Second World War. This thesis aims to examine the ways in which these movies, from neorealist classics to disregarded comedies, are influenced by this myth.

By analyzing thirteen films of both Italian and American origin, clear trends begin to emerge between the socioeconomic state of Italy and the ways in which the myth is manifested on the silver screen. When Italy emerges from the war a rebuilding country, the films focus on the futility of war and the evil of Nazi Germany. During …

Unequal Paths: Experiences Navigating The U.S. Naturalization Process And The Role Of Education, Cecilia Rayburn

Honors Theses

This study examines how educational attainment shapes immigrants’ experiences with the U.S. naturalization process, with a focus on how education influences confidence, access to resources, and the ability to manage bureaucratic demands. While the legal requirements for naturalization are standardized, the ability to navigate them varies widely across individuals. Applicants’ experiences reveal that the U.S. naturalization process is often more complex and unequal than it may appear. This research was conducted through five semi-structured interviews with naturalized citizens of varying levels of higher education. These interviews explored participants’ experiences with the application process, including their preparedness, access to support systems, …

The Proportionality Trap: Why Retributivism's Core Principle Falls Short, Neely C. Kiihnl

Honors Theses

The notion that punishment should “fit” the crime dates back to legal retribution’s origins. Retributivism posits that offenders deserve punishment matching the severity of their crimes, lending intuitive appeal over utilitarianism, which critics argue ignores moral wrongdoing by focusing solely on social benefits like reduced harm.

Yet Adam Kolber’s work exposes proportionality’s vagueness: it raises more problems and questions than it solves. In the first section of this paper, the concept of proportionality is explored in more depth. The second section, led by Kolber’s critiques, casts doubt on the stability of proportionality. Finally, in the third section, I propose a …

Effective Strategies Senior Leaders Use To Promote Women In Leadership Positions To Increase Organizational Performance And Profitability, Fedena L. Mathis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

The 2017 U.S. Recognition Decision On Jerusalem: Human Security Implications For Israelis And Palestinians, Joel Patrick Essome Tillard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Posttraumatic Symptoms As Predictors Of Engagement With A Mobile App For Coping After Military Sexual Trauma: Public Usage Data Analysis Study, Shilpa Hampole, Shannon Mccaslin-Rodrigo, Valerie Carr, David Schuster, Sofia Reyes, Sarah Senti, Kelly M. Ramsey, Jason E. Owen, W. Christopher Skidmore, Amy E. Street, Katherine Taylor, Margaret Anne Mackintosh

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background: Military sexual trauma (MST) can have significant adverse effects on mental health and well-being, often leading to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and maladaptive beliefs. Although effective psychotherapies exist, stigma, confidentiality concerns, and systemic barriers often hinder help-seeking among service members and veterans. Mobile mental health apps offer an accessible and anonymous support alternative, potentially addressing such barriers. However, app effectiveness depends on user engagement and emerging evidence suggests that engagement may be shaped by symptom severity. Objective: This retrospective observational study aimed to explore the relationship between posttraumatic symptom severity and user engagement with Beyond MST (US Department …

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (Ai) To Strengthen Mtss Within Catholic Schools, Kaitlin D. Reichart, Adam B. Lockwood, Jessica Pizzute (Kukura)

Education: School of Education Faculty Publications and Other Works

Many Catholic schools face resource challenges that result in limitations surrounding the implementation of multi-tiered systems and support (MTSS). Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a potential tool for Catholic schools to strengthen systems of support. This article provides a conceptual analysis regarding opportunities for AI to strengthen core components of MTSS, such as identifying evidence-based interventions, developing progress monitoring tools, analyzing student data, and facilitating personalized instruction. The article also discusses the challenges and limitations of leveraging AI within Catholic schools, specifically when supporting staff and students. Although the article is focused on US contexts, there are conceptual implications that may …

Jara V. Melmel Llc

All Decisions

The Supreme Court granted summary judgment to a 67-year-old rent-stabilized tenant in Jackson Heights whose landlord refused to process her Section 8 Emergency Housing Choice Voucher. After three years, the tenant filed an affirmative action under NYCHRL and NYSHRL. The landlord failed to comply with discovery and provided only a rent demand. The court found the landlord violated both human rights laws, ordered immediate processing of the voucher, and directed the tenant owe only her Section 8 share of the rent retroactive to 2024.