Digital Commons Network^™

Beyond The Bananas: Grief, Grace, & The Groove, Abby L. Asher

Research Papers

The term 'participatory documentary' was first coined by Bill Nichols, a documentary theorist. He describes it as a mode of documentary where the observer interacts with the observed, and the filmmaker becomes a subject of the film. What started as a little documentary about a minor league baseball team's line dance group composed of women over the age of 65, shifted when tragedy hit the 'observer'. It turned out these ladies were now in the right place at the right time to help guide the documentary maker out of her grief. What resulted was a new documentary with a participatory …

Comparative Analysis And Future Trends Of Friction And Regenerative Braking Systems, Madhukar Reddy Janga

Research Papers

The Research provides a full-scale analysis of traditional friction braked systems together with regenerative braking systems with focus on their working methods along with contemporary integration practices and forthcoming technological developments. Friction braking which has been widely used since long ago provides necessary dependable slowing abilities yet leads to substantial heat generation together with the release of harmful particles. Regenative braking systems that power electric and hybrid vehicles retrace vehicle momentum during braking to create stored electrical energy which results in better fuel economy with lower environmental effect. The research performs an in-depth analysis of braking system operational mechanics through …

Broadband Resilience By Zero Trust Community Network Policy Design, Lee W. Mcknight, Danielle Smith

The Lender Center for Social Justice

This paper proposes a Zero Trust framework for broadband policy design to enhance community network resilience. It provides a governance and policy perspective for ensuring secure, equitable broadband access.

Extended Program Notes For A Viola Graduate Recital, Maria Del Mar Anasco Mina

Research Papers

María del Mar Añasco Mina, for the Master of Music degree in Performance, presented on April 10, 2025, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

TITLE: EXTENDED PROGRAMS NOTES FOR A VIOLA GRADUATE RECITAL MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Rossana Cauti.

This research paper is an expanded version of the program notes for the author’s viola graduate recital on December 8, 2024, at the Old Baptist Foundation in Carbondale, Illinois. The paper includes two works originally written for the instrument and two adapted. With Dr. Rossana Cauti’s help, the author chose four works to prepare a viola graduate recital, including works from different countries …

Roles Of Three Conserved Active Site Residues Of Cytochrome C Nitrite Reductases During The Early Steps Of Nitrite Reduction, Shahama Alam, Bradley J. Dimock, Brian Bennett, Steven J. Reinhardt, Shahid Shahid, A. Andrew Pacheco, Jarett Wilcoxen

Physics Faculty Research and Publications

Cytochrome c nitrite reductases (ccNiRs) catalyze reduction of nitrite to ammonium in a six-electron, eight-proton process. This report explores how the behavior of three active site ccNiR variants differs from that of the wild type enzyme (ccNiR_wt) in the presence of nitrite and a variety of electron donors. While the nitrite-loaded active site of Shewanella oneidensis ccNiR_wt could be 2-electron reduced within seconds to yield a 6-coordinate ferrous nitrosyl ({Fe(L)NO}⁷) at high applied potentials, quantitative reduction of the nitrite-loaded variants R103Q, H257Q, or Y206F required substantially stronger reductants and yielded a different product over several …

Addressing Jail Recidivism Among Inmates With Substance Use Disorders Through Treatment Interventions: A Scoping Review, Rosa C. Contreras

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This project studies effective treatments for formerly incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders (SUD’s) who become homeless. This study examines evidence-based, non-pharmaceutical interventions identified in current research, analyzing their effectiveness in addressing key social issues. It explores how these interventions contribute to improving outcomes for individuals and communities, particularly in areas such as mental health, addiction recovery, and rehabilitation. Additionally, the study assesses their significance within the field of social work, emphasizing their role in shaping policies, informing best practices, and fostering more holistic, client-centered approaches to care. The potential impact of these interventions is considered in relation to reducing …

The Lived Experiences Of Navajo Nurses During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Stephnie Ann Leeson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

When COVID-19 was diagnosed on the Navajo Nation, the impact on the people and the healthcare system was not understood. For almost three years, Navajo healthcare workers battled what was known to the Navajo as Dikos Nitsaaígíí Náhást’éíts’áadah, translated as The Big Cough. The Navajo Nation President, Jonathan Nez, referred to it as a Monster, as did many people in the Navajo Nation. Navajo nurses on the frontlines battled the monster daily as they saw friends and relatives succumb to the insidious disease. Much has been written about nurses off the reservations working on the frontline during the pandemic. However, …

Antibacterial Effect Of Ethanol Extracts Of Murraya Paniculata Leaves, Smallanthus Sonchifolius Leaves, Apis Trigona Honey, And Their Combination Against Staphylococcus Epidermidis, Sri Agung Fitri Kusuma, Irma Erika Herawati, Felika Nugrahaningtiyas

Chimica et Natura Acta

Several studies have reported that combining plant extracts may enhance their efficacy against specific bacterial infections. This study aimed to analyze the antibacterial interaction of ethanol extracts of Murraya paniculata leaves, Smallanthus sonchifolius leaves, Apis trigona honey, and their combinations against Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, as each component has shown individual antibacterial activity against this bacterium. The antibacterial interactions of the test materials, both individually and in combination, were evaluated using the agar diffusion method with clindamycin phosphate as the standard antibiotic. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the most potent extract was determined through the microdilution method according to …

Effect Of Fermentation On The Phsyco And Functional Properties Of Red Sorghum Flour (Sorghum Bicolor L.), Elazmanawati Lembong, Endah Wulandari, Putri Widyanti Harlina, Syifa Tsalitsu

Chimica et Natura Acta

Modification of red sorghum flour by fermentation method can improve the physical, chemical, and functional properties of the resulting sorghum flour. The purpose of this study was to determine the fermentation time that can affect the physical and functional characteristics of red sorghum flour fermented spontaneous (TSS) and non-spontaneous (TTS). Results indicated that the best treatment was red sorghum flour fermented at 24 hours both spontaneous and non-spontaneous. TSS at 24 hours had a water absorption capacity of 1.04%, oil binding capacity of 1.04%, swelling volume of 7.47%, solubility of 7.57%, initial gelatinization temperature of 76.56oC, peak viscosity of 2855 …

In-Silico Of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 (Vegfr-2) Inhibitors Of Seven Bioactive Compounds From Sonneratia Alba, Madyawati Latief, Fitria Melani, Yusnaidar Yusnaidar, Indra Lasmana Tarigan

Chimica et Natura Acta

Cancer is a disorder resulting from genetic changes, abnormal growth, and spread to other parts of the body. Cancer treatment is commonly administered through chemotherapy, which often results in adverse side effects. Therefore, research is essential to identify safer alternative cancer therapies. This study aims to identify potential bioactive compound ligand receptor targets from Sonneratia alba as anticancer candidates in silico by identifying VEGFR target proteins based on their pharmacophores and studying their interactions through the reverse docking method. Docking simulations between the native ligand (Tivozanib) and the receptor yielded promising results, with a free energy value of -12.76 kcal/mol …

The Effect Of Different Synthesis Solvents And Dialysis Processes On The Optical Properties Of Carbon Dots From Spent Coffee Grounds Using The Solvotermal Method, Wahyuni Eka Putri, Ahmad Sjahriza, Sri Sugiarti

Chimica et Natura Acta

The distinctive optical properties of carbon dot (CD) make CD is one of the most widely developed carbon nanomaterials today. CD can be synthesized from materials that high in carbon content, such as spent coffee grounds. The optical properties of synthesized CD are influenced by several factors, including the solvent used to synthesize it and the purification method. The purification process that can be done is dialysis. However, this technique is not always used in several researches to purify CD. This study aims to synthesize CD from spent coffee grounds through solvothermal methods with three different solvents, which are water, …

Synthesis Of 1,2-Di(Phenyl)Ethan-1,2-Dione Through Oxidation Of 2-Hydroxy-1,2-Dipheniletanone By Using Copper(Ii) Citrate, Winda Seviani, Arif Fadlan, Vania Wirastuti

Chimica et Natura Acta

1,2-Di(phenyl)-1,2-dione widely used in chemical and pharmaceutical industries and found as a framework in secondary metabolites can be obtained through oxidation of 2-hydroxy-1,2-diphenylethanone using strong acids, homogeneous, heterogeneous, and metal catalysts. However, these oxidation methods exhibit various drawbacks. This study reported the oxidation of 2-hydroxy-1,2-diphenylethanone by using copper(II) citrate to produce 1,2-di(phenyl)-1,2-dione. The oxidation performed with copper(II) citrate and ammonium nitrate in glacial acetic acid as solvent yielded 1,2-di(phenyl)-1,2-dione in 88% yield higher than the nitric acid method (79% yield). The FTIR, NMR spectriscopies, and mass analysis confirmed the structure of 1,2-di(phenyl)ethane-1,2-dione. The oxidation of 2-hydroxy-1,2-diphenylethanone using copper(II) citrate is …

Cytotoxicity Of Chromanone Acid From The Steam Bark Of Calophyllum Incrassatum Against P-388 Leukemia Murine Cells, Ulfatun Hasanah, Robi’Atul Andawiyah, Barrotut Taqiyah, Ratih Dewi Saputri, Tjitjik Srie Tjahtjandarie

Chimica et Natura Acta

Calophyllum incrassatum is one of the plant species of the Calophylloceae family and is found endemic in Kalimantan and Sumatra. This study aims to isolate chromanone acid compounds from the stem bark of C. incrassatum and determine the relationship between structure and activity against murine Leukemia P-388 cells. The extraction method used was maceration using methanol solvent, partitioned with n-hexane and ethyl acetate solvents. Separation and purification of n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts by vacuum liquid chromatography, pressed column, and radial. Two chromanone acids derivatives, isoapetalic acid (1), and methyl isoapetalic (2), have been successfully isolated from the stem bark …

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Gender Expansive, And Queer+ Client Experiences Discussing Consensual Nonmonogamy In Therapy: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, Evan Wendell Engle-Newman

Dissertations

This dissertation presents the findings from an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study on how lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender expansive, and queer+ (LGBTGEQ+) clients experience discussing consensual nonmonogamy (CNM) in therapy. This study explored how five individuals made meaning of their experiences discussing CNM with current or prior therapists. The meaning they made of these experiences were situated in the context of social and cultural factors that influenced their discussions of CNM in therapy.

There were three research questions for this study including one primary question and two guiding sub-questions. The primary question was: what are the experiences of LGBTGEQ+ …

Investigating Undergraduate Students’ Statistical Literacy In Media Contexts, Samuel Waters

Dissertations

As the uses of data in society continue to expand, it is vital to prepare students to engage with data in meaningful and critical ways. Undergraduate introductory statistics courses provide an opportunity for students to develop important knowledge and skills for interpreting and questioning statistical information in social contexts. The purpose of this convergent mixed methods study was to use quantitative assessment data and qualitative interview data to investigate the statistical literacy of students in an undergraduate introductory statistics course in media contexts. This study defined statistical literacy using Watson and Callingham’s (2003) six-level construct. Specifically, this study investigated students’ …

From Foster Care To College Graduation: A Qualitative Study Of The Experiences Of College Graduates Who Aged Out Of Foster Care, Antonia Irene Thomas

Dissertations

Students who have spent time in the foster care system encounter a myriad of barriers and challenges to academic success. Among these challenges is attending post-secondary school and completing a college degree. High school academic performance, knowledge of the college application process, and lack of financial support are some factors that act as barriers to post-secondary attendance. Lack of support and difficulty navigating the college experience can negatively impact the ability to complete college. Even in instances of desire and academic ability to attend college, many of these students never attend, or do not complete and obtain a degree. Between …

Revealing The Impacts Of Teachers’ Lived Experiences With Burnout: An Educational Criticism Study, Joanna Laurx

Dissertations

The purpose of this educational criticism study is to describe the experiences of burnout for four teachers in a western state school district. To represent and illustrate these experiences, Eisner’s methodology, educational connoisseurship and criticism, was utilized. Three research questions guided this study; How do teachers describe experiences of burnout?; How do teachers describe the impact of curriculum on burnout?; How do teachers perceive burnout impacts their instruction and interactions with students? Data for this study was collected on the four participants through a one-on-one interview, two focus groups, two classroom observations, and artifacts and analyzed using emotions and values …

Beliefs Of California And Colorado Parents, School Professionals, And School Administrators Around Providing Comprehensive Sexuality Education To School-Aged Youth With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Michelle Aleen Kalos

Dissertations

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are victims of sexual assault at a rate seven times higher than people without IDD (Shapiro, 2018a). “One of the best ways to stop sexual assault is to give people with intellectual disabilities the ability to identify abuse and to know how to develop the healthy relationships they want” (Shapiro, 2018b, p. 1). Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) could be a scientifically accurate, evidence-based, age-appropriate, culturally relevant, and inclusive educational experience for youth with IDD (Koch et al., 2024). However, only around 16% of students with IDD were likely to receive sex education in …

Sensitivity Analysis Of Flexible Pavement For South Carolina Conditions, Shilpa Girish

All Dissertations

The objective of the study was to evaluate the sensitivity of various input variables on the flexible pavement design thickness of high-speed, high-traffic routes in South Carolina using the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) by means of the AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design software using global calibration coefficients with a focus on bottom-up fatigue cracking. The variables considered in this investigation included two-way average annual daily truck traffic (AADTT), asphalt mix type, climate station, subgrade type and resilient modulus, and aggregate base thickness. The study includes comparative analysis using older methods like the AASHTO 1993 method and the South Carolina DOT …

Radiation Induced Vaporization Of Exoskeletal Droplets As Potential X-Ray Acoustic Contrast Agents, Mohamed E. Eldib, William N. Frantz, Mark A. Borden, Ryan Lanning, Moyed Miften, David H. Thomas

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: In vivo dosimetry is a crucial component of ensuring accurate and safe radiation therapy (RT) delivery, but many existing techniques face challenges such as low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which can limit their clinical applicability.

PURPOSE: In this study, we investigate a novel contrast agent sensitive to megavoltage (MV) radiation in vitro, ultimately aiming for in vivo dosimetry.

METHODS: Vaporizable exoskeletal droplets were engineered to phase-change into ultrasound-responsive microbubbles upon exposure to MV photon radiation. These droplets comprised a hydrocarbon (HC) exoskeleton doped with gold nanoparticles (GNPs) surrounding a liquid fluorocarbon (FC) core. Radiation absorbed by the GNPs induced localized …

(Wp 2025-04) Individual And Collective Behavior, John B. Davis

Economics Working Papers

Compares the mainstream and Institutional and evolutionary economics views of individual and collective behavior. Describes the methodological assumptions for each. Distinguishes the two opposed approaches conceptions of time they employ. Explains the role social identity applies in explaining two opposed approaches adopt different conceptions of time. Closes with an explanatory dilemma the subject creates.

Social Connections And Capital Allocation In Multidivisional Firms, Tomas Jandik, Tatiana Salikhova

Finance Faculty Publications and Presentations

The inefficiency of internal capital allocation is considered one source of losses due to diversification. We use a hand-collected sample of divisional managers in S&P 500 industrial conglomerates and find that social connections among divisional managers are associated with capital allocation improvements. Segments' investments become more sensitive to segments' growth opportunities when these segments are led by better-connected managers. For connected managers, the probability of being assigned to a segment with low investment opportunities increases significantly with investment opportunities of connected segments. Firm-level connectedness is associated with higher firm values primarily in firms with high diversity in segment investment opportunities, …

Constitutional Futurism As Pedagogy, Jeremiah Chin

Articles

Constitutional Law has transformed from a course on history to a discussion of current events. Cases like Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard College, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, and Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo reveal that the study of constitutional law is not a static, or even linear, discussion of constitutional text and history. Law is a shifting, changing enterprise that reflects social constructions of power, authority, and identity. How do we teach, learn, and understand constitutional law that is so laden with history, riddled with theories of consistency and adherence to precedent, but ultimately subject …

Pierce County Juvenile Justice Assessment, Alya Azman, Kathryn Cunningham, Anna Duncan, David M. N. Garavito, Noah Gubner, Jean Hernandez, Robyn Metcalfe, Rachel Porter, Santiago Pedraza Arenas, Meli Sameh, Sarah Cusworth Walker

Articles

Following a 2024 County Council request, the Pierce County Performance Audit Committee contracted with the CoLab for Community and Behavioral Health Policy at the University of Washington to conduct an audit of the county’s juvenile justice system against national and research best practice. The assessment is intended to guide future county investments in preventing and responding to youth crime, particularly youth violence, and to inform current policy discussions around the need to invest significant county funds into a renovation or reenvisioning of the current Juvenile Justice Court and Detention Center (Remann Hall).

Ai And Me, Stewart Justman

Global Humanities and Religions Faculty Publications

How well did AI interpret an article of mine published in the Journal of Controversial Ideas?

Library News August 2025, Research Medical Library

Library News 2025

• Library Agreements Deliver Author Savings
• Current Trends in Scientific Publishing
• RML Grant Writing Resources Roundup
• The Prefix "anti-": How to Turn a Word into Its Antithesis

Reimagining Learning Outdoors: How Active Outdoor Play-Based Learning (Aopl) Supports Student Growth And Academic Success - A Policy Brief For District Leaders And Educational Policymakers, Steph Dean

Publications

Active Outdoor Play-Based Learning (AOPL) is an evidence-based educational approach that integrates active play, outdoor environments, and academic goals. It supports not only curricular learning but also students’ physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. This brief presents practical insights from a systematic review of 21 empirical studies (2008–2024) on AOPL implementation in formal school settings, offering guidance for systems-level investment and policy alignment.

AOPL is a pedagogical strategy that uses play and the outdoors as meaningful contexts for learning. When embedded into school culture, AOPL offers a scalable and cost-effective way to advance curricular goals while also supporting whole-child development. …

Community Directed-Based Approaches To Promote Uptake Of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine For Intermittent Preventive Treatment Of Malaria In Pregnancy: Endline Findings From Kisumu And Migori Counties, Dennis Matanda, Zoe Nakuya, Stephen Kizito, Francis Obare

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

No abstract provided.

Sexual And Reproductive Health Is Inadequately Addressed In Climate Change Actions In Sub-Saharan Africa, Jacinter Amadi, George Odwe

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Real-World Evidence To Assess Health Outcomes Related To Deprescribing Medications In Older Adults, Kaleen N. Hayes, Joshua David Niznik, Danijela Gnjidic, Frank Moriarty, Nha Tran, Antoinette B. Coe, Andrew R. Zullo, Sirui Zhang, Matthew Alcusky, Dimitri Bennett, Sirpa Hartikainen, Marie Laure Laroche, Xiaojuan Li, Joshua K. Lin, Jennifer L. Lund, Maurizio Sessa, Shahar Shmuel, Caroline Sirois, Denis Talbot, Miia Tiihonen, Xuerong Wen, Mouna J. Sawan, Daniela C. Moga

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Observational studies using real-world data (RWD) can address gaps in knowledge on deprescribing medications but are subject to methodological issues. Limited data exist on the methods employed to use RWD to measure the effects of deprescribing. To describe methodological approaches used in observational studies of deprescribing medications in older adults, we conducted a systematic review in Medline for observational studies published in English (January 1, 2000, to September 14, 2023) that examined the health effects of medication deprescribing in older adults. We described study characteristics and methods, focusing on the operationalization of deprescribing as an exposure and potential time-related biases. …