Digital Commons Network^™

Whose Art Is It Anyway? Guidelines For Returning Cultural Property Removed Prior To World War Ii, Amy Bitterman

Buffalo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Regulating Algorithmic Accountability In Financial Advising: Rethinking The Sec’S Ai Proposal, Chen Wang

Buffalo Law Review

As artificial intelligence increasingly reshapes financial advising, the SEC has proposed new rules requiring brokerdealers and investment advisers to eliminate or neutralize conflicts of interest arising from AI use. This Article critically assesses the proposal’s scope, rationale, and feasibility, contending that its sweeping definitions and prescriptive mandates risk overregulation and conflict with the SEC’s longstanding disclosure-based regulatory approach. Drawing on case law, fiduciary duties, Regulation Best Interest, and existing antifraud provisions, this Article argues that the current legal framework, grounded in disclosure and informed consent, remains sufficient to manage AI related conflicts. It cautions against imposing categorical conflict elimination requirements …

Climbing Mount Laurel: Federal Land Use And Zoning Policy As The Bipartisan Solution To The Affordable Housing Crisis, Nina Stockman

Buffalo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Concordia Seminary Magazine Summer 2025, Vicki Biggs

Concordia Seminary Magazine

Bearing Witness to the Truth

Discovery Of High-Performance Cathode Materials For Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells, Liang Han

All Dissertations

Environmental pollution and rapid energy consumption have become common problems in global development and will continue to grow with the world population. PCFCs use proton-conducting ceramics as electrolytes, with low activation energy and high ionic conductivity at intermediate temperatures, enabling them to operate at intermediate-temperature conditions, which can effectively solve the problems of poor stability and high cost of exotic materials of traditional solid oxide fuel cells. However, as the operating temperature decreases, the electrocatalytic activity of the cathode decreases significantly, seriously affecting PCFC’s performance. Therefore, developing high-performance cathode material suitable for working under intermediate-temperature conditions has become the key …

Secure Control And Trust Evaluation Framework For Autonomous Transportation Systems, Grace Muriithi

All Dissertations

This dissertation advances the cybersecurity of hybrid tracked vehicles (HTVs) and ship power systems (SPSs) by developing innovative cyber-attack models and corresponding defence frameworks. First, we formulate stealthy false-data-injection attacks (FDIAs) on HTV energy-management systems as a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) solved via deep reinforcement learning. A novel sniffing-based reward function guides the attacker to covertly degrade battery capacity and energy efficiency, which we evaluate using custom stealth–impact metrics and a sliding-window anomaly detector (Isolation Forest with Dynamic Time Warping). Additionally, we model sophisticated control-layer attacks in HTVs, including reinforcement-learning-optimised replay attacks and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks targeting generator-speed …

Breeding Biofortified Protein Rich Organic Pulses For Better Human Health, Sonia Salaria

All Dissertations

Pulse crops are dry grains of legumes, the second most consumed plant crops in the world after cereals. These crops are one of the primary sources of plant-based protein and contain high concentrations of pre-biotic carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Recognizing the health benefits of pulses intake, their demands as sustainable food and changes in people’s diet preferences for plant-based protein have increased awareness for pulses consumption. With this scenario, improving the nutritional profile of pulse crops for rich nutrition has been an opportunity for breeders to explore and tailor the available germplasm to develop nutrient dense pulses. Furthermore, the genomic …

Graduate School Blog - August 2025, Cynthia Haynes

UofM Grad School Blog

The August 2025 edition of the UofM Graduate School Blog delivers inspiration, insights, and community news for graduate students. Dr. Deborah Tollefsen, Vice Provost and Dean, examines the real value of a master’s degree pairing national labor statistics with a thoughtful exploration of professional growth, personal transformation, and lifelong connections. The issue also welcomes Dr. Robbie Salters as Associate Dean and Director of Graduate Admissions, shares student spotlight stories like MFA candidate Sabrina Spence’s journey, and promotes upcoming events including Virtual Orientation and Graduation Prep sessions. Rounding out the edition is a curated list of “Memphis Must-Dos” to help students …

Soil Health On Utah's Farms And Ranches, Jenae Dean

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The term soil health has gained popularity in agriculture due to prolonged droughts, rising food costs, and the growing public concern for sustainable and organic practices. Soil health practices can offer solutions to all of these pressures. This thesis provides Utah's farmers and ranchers with quantifiable data on implementing soil health practices in Utah's unique climate. It presents the first two years of on-farm trial results on yield and quality after implementing various soil health practices on five categories of crops: corn, mixed hay, alfalfa, produce, and dryland grain. Over a two-year period, none of the soil health practices resulted …

Aging Effect On Effective Connectivity Within The Prefrontal-Motor Network And Postural-Related Muscle Responses During Dual-Task Paradigms, Jiahao Pan

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Falls are a significant global public issue for older adults, leading to severe health and social impacts. To understand the underlying mechanism of increased fall risk with aging, loss of postural automaticity has been suggested as increased prefrontal cortex and motor cortices activation, as well as worse balance performance in response to the secondary cognitive task. However, the interaction within these cortical regions and its effects on postural-related muscle responses are poorly understood. This dissertation investigated age-related changes in effective connectivity within the prefrontal-motor network, postural related lower limb muscle response, and biomechanical characteristics in response to the secondary cognitive …

Considerations For Developing Dna-Templated Dye-Aggregate Systems, Simon Kristopher Roy

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Molecular excitons have been the subject of significant research interest for nearly 100 years. Molecular excitons arise when conjugated organic molecules (dyes) are excited such that the resulting excitation is delocalized over multiple dyes in a wavelike manner. The shared excited states that allow the excitation energy to hop between molecules is of particular interest for applications that can make use of the wavelike properties of excitons, including applications in quantum information science. A key challenge for developing materials for these advanced applications is to overcome the knowledge gaps associated with precisely templating dyes with spatial control of their aggregation, …

Sustainability: Buzz Word Or Future Of Fashion? Measuring The Feasibility Of Outright Sustainability Among Fast Fashion’S Biggest Agents, Ryan Miller

Apparel Merchandising and Product Development Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract

The fashion industry is currently experiencing unsustainable rates of pollution within its supply chains. The rapid increase in demand for short lead times perpetrated by large-scale retailers has led to hazardous practices negatively affecting both the environmental conditions and working conditions of producing countries. With this increased pressure, relationships between brands and suppliers have become untenable. Limited transparency and imbalanced power dynamics at the hand of the industry’s leading retailers require restructuring in order to build more sustainable and equitable supply-chain practices. Further, governmental regulation is currently limited in its capacity to enforce sustainable business practices on a global …

Measuring The Accuracy Of Hierarchal Linear Models And Visual Analysis For Evaluating Single-Case Designs, Justin Myers

Dissertations

Behavior analysts often use single-case experimental designs to evaluate behavioral interventions. Data are typically analyzed through the visual analysis of graphs. Visual analysis has several limitations, however. Visual analysis has only moderate inter-rater reliability and small effects can be difficult to detect, especially if data are variable. Hierarchal Linear Models (HLMs) have been proposed as method for quantifying results of single-case designs. HLMs are a type of statistical model that can evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with nested data, whereby sessions are nested within treatment conditions. An advantage of HLMs over other statistical tests is that they do not require …

Examination Of Caregiver Supervision Practices And Beliefs Among Caregivers Of Children With Bleeding Disorders, Sophia Noelle Prokos

Dissertations

Abstract: Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for young children in the United States, and children with chronic medical conditions such as bleeding disorders are at elevated risk for injury and more severe outcomes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021; Mayes et al., 2009; Shen et al., 2016). While caregiver supervision is a known strategy for injury prevention (Damashek & Corlis, 2017; Morrongiello et al., 2011), limited research has examined how supervision beliefs and practices differ for caregivers of children with bleeding disorders. The present study compared caregiver supervision, injury attitudes, and injury history between …

Perceptions Of National Identity And Government Trust: The Effects Of Migrant Education Policies In Thailand, Kathryn Creglow

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This study looks at how government policies that shape national identity influence people's trust in the federal government. Using Thailand as an example, it focuses on immigration policies and their effect on public trust, especially in a country with a strong sense of national identity. This research study specifically examines Thailand’s 2005 “Education for All” policy, which allowed immigrant children to attend public schools. This policy was seen by some as a challenge to national identity. The study investigates whether such policies impact how much people trust the government.

To measure this, the study compares changes in trust over for …

"Why Does Coach Do That?" Exploring Influences Of Coach Behavior In Non-Elite Women's Artistic Gymnastics, Katherine Vernay Adams

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This two study dissertation explores coaching in women's artistic gymnastics, as the sport has been criticized for harsh and controlling coaching methods. The first study investigated whether coaches who experienced mistreatment as young gymnasts were more likely to adopt controlling coaching practices. While there was no direct link, those with a history of mistreatment tended to struggle more with managing their emotions. The second study tested whether coaches view controlling coaching as more acceptable for younger or more advanced gymnasts. The results showed that neither age nor skill level made a difference—controlling coaching was generally viewed as unacceptable, while supportive …

How Do Homeschool Parents In South Carolina Select Curriculum And Make Pedagogical Choices To Support Their Children’S Early Reading Development?, Lauretta O. Osho

All Dissertations

Early Childhood Education (ECE) is a period of growth and development for young children as they begin their educational journey. The need for a high-quality early childhood learning experience is necessary for the child’s holistic development, without which children may grow up with learning challenges that could negatively impact their adult life. Each child's early learning experience must begin with a good and deliberate reading foundation. Therefore, understanding the best methods of instilling strong reading skills in children from an early age sets the foundation for lifelong learning and success.

Homeschooling is the practice of educating, instructing, and tutoring children …

Data-Driven Koopman Theory For Transient Stability And Safety Analysis Of Power Systems With Renewable Penetration, Bhagyashree Umathe

All Dissertations

This dissertation presents a novel approach to analyzing and controlling nonlinear systems using the Koopman operator framework and data-driven methods. Nonlinear power systems, characterized by complex behaviors and sensitivity to initial conditions, pose significant challenges for stability and safety assessment, especially during transient events.

The first part of this work focuses on reachability analysis using the spectral properties of the Koopman operator. By leveraging eigenfunctions extracted from sampled trajectory data, the approach computes forward and backward reachable sets efficiently, even in high-dimensional nonlinear systems, without requiring dense state-space sampling. This method is validated through numerical examples, demonstrating its ability to …

Complex Factors Impacting Smoking Behavior In Cancer Survivors With Food Insecurity, Madeline C. Castele, Kareena Shah, Avianna Thompson, Jin E. Kim-Mozeleski

Faculty Scholarship

Objectives: Tobacco use remains prevalent among people with social needs, such as food insecurity. In this study, we aimed to understand the complex experiences of low-income cancer survivors with food insecurity who smoke tobacco, to identify the unique smoking cessation needs for this group. Methods: We conducted in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews with 40 adults experiencing food insecurity who continued smoking after a cancer diagnosis. Interviews focused on smoking behaviors, cessation interest, cancer experiences, and financial circumstances. We analyzed the data using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: In this sample of cancer survivors (50% female, mean age 42 years, 60% black/African American, …

Pre-Service Teacher Perceptions Of An Outdoor Learning Experience Within A Science Methods Course, Steph Dean, Summer Landreth

Publications

Given the challenges currently facing early childhood science education, this exploratory study investigates the advantages of outdoor learning as part of a teacher preparation program. A group of 49 pre-service early childhood education teachers participated in a day-long outdoor learning experience embedded within their science methods course. Guided by the theoretical lens of embodied cognition, we employed a case study approach to collect and analyze qualitative survey data, using both categorizing and connecting strategies to explore participants’ experiences. The findings reveal four key themes related to pre-service teacher perceptions, in that outdoor learning: (1) represented an engaging experience, (2) contributed …

Making Sense Of Myc In Skeletal Muscle, Ronald G. Jones, Sebastian Edman, Nathan Serrano, Yuan Wen, John J. Mccarthy, Christopher S. Fry, Ferdinand Von Walden, Kevin A. Murach

Physiology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Lived Experiences Of Fathers With Postpartum Depression: A Qualitative Study, Rachael Elizabeth Schmitz

Nursing and Health Sciences

Background:

Although parents may joyfully anticipate the birth of a child, it's impossible for them to know ahead of time just how profoundly their lives will change. Postpartum depression (PPD) can result. While there is a substantial body of research regarding maternal PPD, paternal PPD has received far less attention and is neither adequately understood nor diagnosed. This is exacerbated by outdated but persistent sociocultural masculinity norms and the stigmas around mental health issues.

Purpose:

This study sought to explore the lived experiences of new fathers with PPD in order to provide greater insight into their experiences.

Methods:

This qualitative …

Diagnostic Accuracy Of The Stopbang Questionnaire Against Polysomnography For The Screening Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea In A Tertiary Hospital In Kenya., Sandra Obaje Maseno

Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea is a syndrome of upper airway and neuromuscular dysfunction during sleep that subsequently causes interruption of normal breathing. Polysomnography is the reference test for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea can be categorised as mild, moderate or severe based on an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) on polysomnography. The recommended treatment using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure lowers morbidity and mortality rates. The STOPBANG questionnaire has been used as a screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea due to its easy and concise approach. However, even with the increasing prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea and its risk …

Perception And Experiences With Telemedicine Among Caregivers Of Children Requiring Outpatient Chronic Care, Maureen Wambui Kigara

Master of Medicine in Paediatrics and Child Health

Introduction Telemedicine is an expanding healthcare modality with potential to enhance access to paediatric specialist care, reduce healthcare costs, and minimize school and work disruptions. However, little is known about caregiver perceptions and experiences with telemedicine in low- and middle-income countries, especially in the context of chronic paediatric care.

Objectives This study explored how caregivers of children with chronic health conditions perceive and experience telemedicine, and what factors influence its adoption. The findings aim to inform the design of patient-centered paediatric telemedicine services.

Methodology A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted at the Paediatric Specialist Clinics of Aga Khan University Hospital. …

Drawing On The Past: Understanding Japanese American Internment Through Camp Newspaper Comics, Rory Olsen

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

When studying the past, what artifacts are left behind for us to study? In understanding Japanese American internment in the United States during WWII, camp newspapers help give a look at the reality of camp life, which included the ongoing issues of a lack of supplies,, the generational divide between older and younger Japanese Americans, and even the racist leanings of some members of the camp. With a balance of humor and seriousness, as well as reality and the abstract, three artists - Roy Kawamoto, Harry Kuwada, and Michiko "Rosie" Arima - who were interred in Camp Jerome (located near …

Funded To Win? Super Pacs And Electoral Advantage In The Southeast, Kyle Winstead

Honors Theses

2010 saw the introduction of a new player on the field of electoral finance, the super PAC. This introduction came with much controversy due to the widespread fear that super PACs could undermine the election system by giving wealthy individuals or organizations an undue influence. The literature on super PACs influence on the electoral system is inconclusive, with different studies having mixed results, meaning more information needs to be gathered. In this paper, I attempt to learn more about super PACs influence, particularly on congressional elections, by examining the results of congressional elections across three states: Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. …

Microbial Guardians Of The Savannah: Unraveling The Gut Microbiome For African Carnivore Conservation, Laura E. Peirson

All NMU Master's Theses

Non-invasive fecal sampling is essential for wildlife gut microbiome (GMB) research, yet field conditions often limit preservation options. I compared gut bacterial communities in paired fecal samples preserved in stabilization tubes and air-dried in paper bags collected from anesthetized African lions (Panthera leo) and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) in Etosha National Park, Namibia. Additional opportunistic samples from carnivore kill sites were also analyzed. No significant differences in alpha or beta diversity were detected between preserved and dried samples, although bacterial beta diversity differed between preserved and opportunistic samples (PERMANOVA). Core bacterial communities remained consistent across sample …

Creative Writing Is (Process, Inquiry, Conversation) Hard: Bringing Information Literacy To The Blank Page, Ashley Roach-Freiman, Paige Chant

University Libraries Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

2024 Eacts/Eactaic Guidelines On Patient Blood Management In Adult Cardiac Surgery In Collaboration With Ebcp, Filip Casselman, Marcus Lance, Aamer Ahmed, Alice Ascari, Juan Blanco-Morillo, Daniel Bolliger, Maroua Eid, Gabor Erdoes, Renard Haumann, Anders Jeppsson

Anaesthesiology, East Africa

No abstract provided.

Understanding The Experiences Of White Female Elementary School Teachers Who Promote Racial Equity And Justice In White Schools, Meredith Valentine

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

In this qualitative study, I conducted semi-structured interviews of six white, female elementary school teachers to better understand how and why they enacted principles of racial equity to challenge the status quo of whiteness with their predominantly white middle-class students and school community. Teachers felt they lacked a formal, structured education to feel confident in their teaching of racial and social justice concepts. Teachers used other forms of social justice teaching that they were more experientially familiar with, such as gender equity, language diversity, and (dis)ability, as a catalyst to discuss topics of racial justice. Each educator navigated their classroom …