Digital Commons Network^™

Fostering Engagement In Healthy Lifestyle Choices: A Health Management Curriculum For Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Gabriela Kay

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

The older adult population continues to grow, necessitating intentional efforts to support health maintenance and independence within this group. Current literature emphasizes that healthy aging requires a multifaceted approach, including consistent engagement in a range of health-promoting behaviors. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop an educational and interactive program for community-dwelling older adults aimed at increasing knowledge of healthy lifestyle choices and promoting active participation in these behaviors. The overarching goal was to empower older adults to better manage their health and reduce the risk of functional decline and loss of independence.

A needs assessment was conducted …

Back Matter

Tenor of Our Times

Back Matter

"Under The Fig-Tree": Anti-Federalist Conceptions Of American National Identity, Clara Kernodle

Tenor of Our Times

The constitutional convention of 1787 gave America some of her most energetic and exciting few months in American history. The Federalists proposed the Constitution as a replacement for existing government, opposed by Anti-Federalists on principled grounds. Thus ensued a mountain of political writing and propaganda that historians still study today. The Anti-Federalists lost the debate, and then were lost to history. Few Americans have even heard of the Anti-Federalists and even fewer scholars study their writings. But reading and evaluating Anti-Federalist writing is an important part of studying the Founding era and Constitutional debates. The Anti-Federalists, as much as their …

For They Shall Inherit The Earth: Humility And The Constructed Etruscan And Carolingian Origins Of The Medici, William M. Deloach

Tenor of Our Times

The Italian Renaissance and the cultural legacy of the Classical World are inextricably linked. The links between the non-classical sources and the Renaissance, however, have frequently been neglected. This article examines the non-classical origin claims made by the Medici family in Renaissance Florence. Specifically, it evaluates the purpose behind the Medici's attempts to link themselves to the Etruscans and to Charlemagne. Ultimately, it concludes that these efforts represent an attempt to conceal the significant authority the Medici had, both at the time that these sources were written and in Florentine history through the fifteenth century.

Justice, Autonomy, Beneficence, And Non-Maleficence: The Global Failure To Heed Ethical Mandates In Birth Spaces, Julia Dees

Richard T. Schellhase Essay Prize in Ethics

Respectful and safe care in all birthing spaces has long been an ideal that global communities fail to meet. Birthing people are disrespected, physically or emotionally harmed, or left to completely fend for themselves during a period of extreme emotional and medical vulnerability. Historically, autonomy especially has been ignored in birthing spaces with medical trends like the twilight sleep, where women were drugged into a state of unconsciousness during birth (Taylor, 2023), demonstrating the desire of western medicine, in particular, to reduce birthing people to bystanders in their own birth. While birth trends and medical treatments have changed throughout time, …

Obscuring Vivian Maier, Caroline Yuratich

Richard T. Schellhase Essay Prize in Ethics

Vivian Maier, despite being unknown during her lifetime, has undoubtedly become one of the most impactful photographers of the twentieth century. Her vast oeuvre has been shown worldwide, her bold and unconventional photographs rapidly capturing the attention of millions. Maier primarily photographed the streets of Chicago in the 1950s to 70s, snapping people and storefronts on her iconic Rolleiflex camera. Her most well-known works are perhaps her self-portraits, and her foreboding upward-shot street portraits have also taken the stage as some of her best work. However, people who knew her during her lifetime state that they knew almost nothing about …

Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (Uhpc) For Bridge Deck Overlay And Structural Deck Repair, Jiong Hu, George Morcous, Akbota Aitbayeva, Ming Gerges

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is an advanced cementitious material known for its exceptional strength and durability, making it an ideal material for bridge deck overlays and repairs that address the common issue of premature deck deterioration. Conventional UHPC is typically flowable and self-leveling, which makes it unsuitable for deck surfaces with cross-slopes and/or sloped vertical profiles. Therefore, a highly thixotropic UHPC that responds well to vibration while remaining stable on sloped surfaces is needed for overlay applications. Mixtures with varying binder content, water-to-binder ratio, fiber content, and dosages of admixtures were developed and evaluated. Two of the most effective and economical …

Full Issue

Tenor of Our Times

Full Issue

One Of These Things Is Not Like The Other: Differences Between The New Deal And Great Society, Brayden T. Gallagher

Tenor of Our Times

This paper examines the differences between the New Deal of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Great Society of Lyndon B. Johnson, challenging the prevailing interpretation that the latter administration was the logical continuation of the former. Through comparative historical analysis of policy and rhetoric, the research finds that, despite clear similarities such as expanded government involvement and social welfare programs, the two initiatives diverged significantly. The New Deal prioritized economic recovery through short-term job creation while often tolerating or reinforcing racial inequality. In contrast, the Great Society directly confronted systemic racism and struck at the roots of poverty through education, …

The Emigration Equation: A Study On Why Individuals Emigrate, Anielka S. Perez Brenes

Tenor of Our Times

Literature about migration often focuses on “refugee crises” or “immigration crises,” but the causes of these crises are those which take place in the origin country. The reasons, or push factors, of why individuals are emigrating from their home countries is the central question of this study. This cross-sectional research study focuses on seven of these potential causes in the year 2024 and spans one hundred and sixty five countries. These seven causes, or the independent variables, are: conflict, human rights, political rights, gross domestic product (GDP), civil liberties, unemployment, and education. This research study as a whole is statistically …

Analyzing The Survey Of Consumer Finances With `Scf`: Methodology, User Guide, And Package Validation, Joseph N. Cohen

Publications and Research

The R package `scf` streamlines analysis of the Survey of Consumer Finances' (SCF) public-use microdata. The package encodes best practices for handling the Survey's complex sampling scheme and imputed missing data, such that analysts can produce valid population estimates with simple function calls. This article reviews the SCF structure, details the design and logic of the `scf` package, and demonstrates these functions' ability to replicate official statistics.

Optimizing Makeup Application Techniques For Women With Tenodesis: Adaptations And Ergonomic Solutions, Ashley J. Medina, Wendy Tremaine, Lee Ann Hoffman

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

To enhance independence in makeup application for women utilizing a tenodesis grasp, Ashley Medina, OTS, in collaboration with Able Faith, Inc., developed and presented a capstone poster outlining a targeted program of adaptive strategies and ergonomic solutions. This program was designed to address the unique functional challenges experienced by women with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) while promoting autonomy and confidence in daily self-care routines.

The experience objectives included: (1) identifying existing adaptive equipment that supports individuals with SCIs in completing makeup application tasks; (2) examining and understanding the roles of interdisciplinary team members working with individuals with SCI in comparison …

The Beauty Project

Theatre and Performance Studies Programs

The Beauty Project

Flos Gari: Experiments With The Flower Of The Ancient Romans In A Modern Kitchen, Austin M. Pritchett

SPARK Symposium Presentations

This paper examines a condiment popular among the ancient Romans which might seem off-putting to modern people: the fermented fish sauce garum. A brief history of the garum as well as an analysis of its chemical composition are given, before the author describes his experiments with the sauce in his own kitchen, conducted in an attempt to determine its suitability for the modern palate.

Evaluating The Efficacy Of Glp-1 Receptor Agonists On Glycemic Control And Cardiovascular Outcomes, Canna Malaikham

SPARK Symposium Presentations

The mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and safety of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have been evaluated for the treatment of both type 2 diabetes and obesity. The purpose of the literature review was to assess the clinical benefit and potential risk of GLP-1 receptor agonists by examining the mechanism(s) of action of drugs that utilize a variety of signaling pathways by activating receptors on specific cells. The literature reviews include: (a) Mechanistic studies of molecular signaling; (b) Pharmacokinetic analysis of the plasma concentration of drugs post-dosing; (c) Randomized controlled trials of drugs to evaluate their effectiveness; and (d) …

Gerrymandering And Populism, Elizabeth G. Teter

SPARK Symposium Presentations

How does a gerrymandered district effect the popularity of a populist candidate. I investigate the causes of populism, which are broken down into economic causes, immigration, and social issues. I will look at the Recok Score in comparison to Trumps Vote share in the 2024 election, with other controls, like competitiveness and population. There is a slight relationship seen in the 328 districts in my data set, between the Standardized Vote share for Donald Trump and the Reock score in the district. The next value that I found was the P-Value, which was found to be .003.

Bayesball : A Comprehensive Framework For Predicting Ucl Injury, Brady M. Pinter, Will Best Ph.D.

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) reconstruction, commonly referred to as Tommy John Surgery, has seen a significant rise among Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers, prompting growing interest in identifying the mechanical and performance-based factors that contribute to injury risk. While previous studies have examined these relationships using traditional frequentist approaches separately, this study combines multiple different model techniques to present a broad framework for finding significant predictors of UCL Surgery. These models include Lasso and Ridge Regression,  Principal Component Regression (PCR) , Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS) , Random Forest, Multiple Linear Regression, and a Bayesian Statistical Model. Using these models, …

Bayesball : A Comprehensive Framework For Predicting Ucl Injury, Brady M. Pinter

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) reconstruction, commonly referred to as Tommy John Surgery, has seen a significant rise among Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers, prompting growing interest in identifying the mechanical and performance-based factors that contribute to injury risk. While previous studies have examined these relationships using traditional frequentist approaches separately, this study combines multiple different model techniques to present a broad framework for finding significant predictors of UCL Surgery. These models include Lasso and Ridge Regression,  Principal Component Regression (PCR) , Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS) , Random Forest, Multiple Linear Regression, and a Bayesian Statistical Model. Using these models, …

Reimagining Productive Struggle In Secondary Mathematics: Introducing The Instructional Feedback For Inclusive Struggle Framework, Totrina L. Mosley

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Abstract

This conceptual study introduces the Instructional Feedback for Inclusive Struggle (IFIS) framework, a model designed to address inequities experienced by learners with disabilities in compressed-pacing mathematics classes (CPMC). Although accelerated formats such as the 4x4 instructional block schedule are intended to deepen engagement, research shows that opportunities for sense-making, reflection, and productive struggle are often limited due to time constraints (Allen Queen et al., 1997; Cooke, 2023; Young et al., 2024). IFIS responds to these challenges by integrating three foundational theories: Vygotsky’s (1978) Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), which emphasizes cognitive support; Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which foregrounds …

Designing Ai-Integrated Assignments That Reduce Academic Dishonesty, George R. Phares

SPARK Symposium Presentations

The rapid integration of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools into academic settings has created significant challenges for maintaining academic integrity in higher education. Rather than relying on increasingly unreliable AI detection software or blanket prohibition policies, this project proposes a design-based approach to assignment construction that embeds transparency, critical engagement, and documented AI use into the learning process itself. Drawing on existing literature related to academic integrity, AI literacy, and instructional design, this study examines how faculty can redesign traditional assignments (including essays, research papers, reflective journals, and discussion posts) to require students to interact with AI critically and accountably. …

Joint Map Of Warren County, Kentucky, Steven L. Martin, Emily R. Morris

Map and Chart--KGS

This fracture map is a compilation of joint locations and faults mapped in Warren County, Kentucky, and provides orientations of fractures (joints and faults) for hydrological, geotechnical, slope stability, and rockfall mitigation analysis. The joint data include orientations collected from 2023 to 2024, and those collected during the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) geologic mapping of the Woodburn 7.5 -minute quadrangle (Shawe, 1963c). New joint orientations were measured to fill gaps in the published geologic map data. Joints are fractures with no appreciable movement parallel to the fracture plane and only slight movement normal to the fracture plane, whereas faults exhibit …

United States Response To Questionnaire: Alai Congress 2026 - Copyright And Free Expression In The Age Of Algorithms, Philippa Loengard

Kernochan Center for Law, Media, and the Arts

ALAI-USA is the U.S. branch of ALAI (Association Littèraire et Artistique Internationale). ALAI-USA was started in the 1980's by the late Professor Melville B. Nimmer, and was later expanded by Professor John M. Kernochan.

A Rubric-Based Evaluation Of Mote Marine Aquarium’S Curriculum, Alexis Williams

Theses & ETDs

Informal science institutions such as aquariums play a critical role in shaping students’ engagement with and understanding of scientific concepts, particularly outside traditional classroom settings. This study addresses a gap in existing research by examining curriculum design rather than solely student outcomes, focusing on middle school programs at Mote Marine Aquarium. A theory-aligned rubric grounded in the Four-Phased Model of Interest Development, intrinsic motivation, three-dimensional learning, and the Contextual Model of Learning was developed and applied to evaluate three lessons: Marine Ecology, Ocean Technology, and Marine Biomedical. The analysis assessed inquiry-based learning, real-world connections, reflection, collaboration, and support for interest …

Assessing The Role Of Fisheries In The Decline Of Seabird Populations Off The Coast Of Chile, Karen Robertson

Theses & ETDs

Seabirds have been in decline globally with an overall decrease of nearly 70% between 1950 and 2010 highlighting pressure on these systems. Seabirds are important due to the ecosystem functions and services they provide, nutrient transfer, population regulation, ecotourism attraction and overall indicators of ecosystem health. The coast of Chile is a leading area in productivity, resulting in high numbers of seabird species inhabiting its coastal areas. Additionally, it is a leading country in the fishing community, leading to an overlap between fisheries and seabird communities. While there are other threats such as invasive species and climate change contributing to …

Understanding Teacher Pd In The Greater Newark Stem Ecosystem: What Do Educators Need, And How Can We Deliver It?, Brad Schenker, Christopher Abbaleo, Michelle Cirillo, Rosemary Cortez, Tanisha Davis, Mark Maire, Vincent Nguyen, Jasmine Ramsey, Brad Schenker

STEM for Success Showcase

The Greater Newark region faces significant challenges in providing high-quality STEM professional development (PD) for teachers. These challenges include:

● time constraints

● cost barriers

● contract limitations

● lack of centralized information

The Greater Newark STEM Ecosystem implemented a 16 day virtual “sprint”, using the Knowtion platform , that brought together STEM educators, program providers, school supervisors, and administrators to explore what meaningful PD for STEM teachers looks like and how it can be delivered effectively at scale. The insights gathered will inform an ecosystem-wide educator survey aimed at developing new PD solutions for STEM teachers.

Model Woman: Realizing Frances Folsom Cleveland As A Fashion Archetype Of Gilded-Age America, Olivia R. Sweet

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

This paper is an exploration of former First Lady Frances Folsom Cleveland’s position as an influential figure in women’s fashion during her years in the White House, seeking to fill a gap in historical scholarship regarding her legacy. It proposes the term “fashion archetype” to describe the phenomenon of celebrity that Frances experienced in which her public persona was detached from her individual identity and manipulated by the media to influence American women. Analysis of her early-White House wardrobe and the media attention her style and appearance received reveals the power that clothing held in nineteenth-century American society, as well …

Judicial Security In The Data Economy, Anthony M. Ciolli

North Carolina Journal of Law & Technology

No abstract provided.

The Third-Party Privacy Problem, David Sella-Villa

North Carolina Journal of Law & Technology

No abstract provided.

Stealing Hearts, And Data: Legal Ramifications And Data Privacy Risks Of Ai Companions, John G. Browning

North Carolina Journal of Law & Technology

No abstract provided.

Front Matter, North Carolina Journal Of Law & Technology

North Carolina Journal of Law & Technology

No abstract provided.