Digital Commons Network^™

Rethinking Resource Exploitation: Shared Capitalist Motivations In Ghana’S Gold Mining Sector, Benedicta Donkor

Senior Theses

The relationship between Chinese involvement in Ghana's gold mining sector and its impact on sovereignty, development, and resource governance has ignited significant debate. While neo-colonial frameworks often dominate discussions, this thesis argues that such perspectives oversimplify the complex dynamics at play. Instead, Chinese involvement is better understood as mutual capitalist exploitation, where both Chinese and Ghanaian actors are driven by shared profit motives within a global capitalist system. This mutual exploitation is enabled by weak governance, regulatory gaps, and systemic corruption, creating a permissive environment for resource exploitation at the expense of societal and environmental well-being. The thesis critically examines …

Sexy In Scrubs: How The Media And Cultural Perception Of Nurses Leads To Sexual Harassment And Violence In The Workplace, Elizabeth S. Stehle

Honors Projects

Western media has perpetuated society’s perspective of the nursing role through a sexual lens rather than a professional. Nurses face high levels of sexual harassment and violence, with some studies showing up to 80% of nurses experiencing some form of sexual harassment in the workplace at some point in their career. The relationship between the media’s sexualization of nurses has led to an increase in harassment and violence in the profession, as well as proliferating the stereotype of ‘sexy nurses.’ In this literature review, I examine both the media and cultural perception of the nurse and the data surrounding sexual …

A Comparative, Quantitative Analysis Of Birth Outcomes Among Women With Intellectual Or Developmental Disabilities, Jocelyn T. Reddix

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Women who are pregnant or planning to give birth deserve equitable resources, respect, and assurances to ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy, including women of childbearing age who are diagnosed with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD). These women are more likely to experience negative perinatal, delivery, and postpartum health outcomes (Tarasoff et al., 2020). Healthcare providers, clinicians, and the family and friends of those with IDD must understand the impact and implications of the prenatal and postpartum journey for this group of women. This comparative research examined 2021 birth outcomes of women in the United States with IDD compared to …

A Computational Method For Detecting Compound Promiscuity In Early-Stage Pharmaceutical Discovery, John Allen Ringer

Computer Science ETDs

Modern drug discovery and chemical biology research relies heavily on analyzing bioassay data. One of the many challenges in bioassay data analysis is identifying false trails, i.e., chemical compounds which initially appear to have desirable activity but are found to be problematic upon further investigation. Badapple (the BioAssay-Data Associative Promiscuity Pattern Learning Engine) was created over ten years ago to help researchers identify promiscuous compounds and thus avoid a common source of these false trails. Through an effort involving software engineering, cheminformatics, and biomedical data science we have developed Badapple 2.0, which incorporates updated assay records and expanded data semantics. …

A Zooarchaeological Analysis Of Far-North Goldrush-Era Sites, Amelia M. Jansen

Anthropology

The current accumulation of archaeological investigations at far-north Alaskan Goldrush sites either completely lack or severely underrepresent the faunal components. These data are vital and add context to past and future archaeological investigations by enabling more accurate and inclusive interpretations of life in the mining-related settlements of the far north. This research is an analysis of previously unidentified and partially identified faunal assemblages from Goldrush- era archaeological sites in Interior Alaska including Coldfoot, Fairbanks, Tofty, Wiseman, Eagle, Uhler Creek, and Marion Creek. The data generated from the analysis of these diverse sites and site types helps determine how animals were …

In Their Own Words: Exploring The Political Lives Of Women Legislators In Guam, Sarah G. Elmore-Hernandez

Anthropology

In 2018, Guam experienced a historic political transformation with the election of its first woman governor and a supermajority of women senators. This electoral outcome was widely framed as a feminist milestone, reinforcing dominant narratives that equate increased female representation with progressive policy advancements. This study critically examines these assumptions by shifting the focus from quantitative representation to the political strategies and lived experiences of Guam’s women lawmakers. Employing oral history interviews, this research investigates how lawmakers conceptualize their political roles, navigate institutional structures, and shape legislative agendas. The findings reveal that while many advocate for policy priorities traditionally associated …

Wave Driven Diffuse Aurora And Ionospheric Conductance Global Patterns, Dillon M. Gillespie

Physics

Auroral precipitation is the second major energy source after solar irradiation that ionizes the Earth’s upper atmosphere. In this study we define 3 types of auroral activity as broadband, monoenergetic, and diffuse aurora. Diffuse aurora from electron precipitation, or diffuse electron aurora, contributes over 60% of the total auroral energy flux. Through constant collisions between the electrons and neutral particles in the atmosphere the electron flux ionizes the atmosphere and strongly contributes to the ionospheric conductance. The ionization, electron energy flux, and conductance play a significant role in defining the ionosphere-thermosphere dynamics. One major contributor to the precipitation of these …

Control Of Invasive Plants At High Latitudes With Persistent Herbicides: Understanding Persistence, To Manage Pesticide Residues And Achieve Effective Control, Gino Graziano

Natural Resources

Invasive plants are considered a problem in management of natural resources and maintenance of ecosystem services in Alaska. Persistent herbicides are often used to control invasive plants because of increased duration and efficacy of control; however, applicators must understand that persistence impacts rotations to sensitive crops or restoration to sensitive desirable species. The purpose of this study was to define and document the impacts of aminopyralid and clopyralid degradation and movement in boreal ecosystems when used in agricultural settings or applied to Prunus padus, a problematic invasive tree in the boreal ecosystem. In laboratory microcosms clopyralid did not adsorb to …

Evaluating Sustainability Policies By Measuring Well-Being: Evidence From Mongolia, Amgalan Batsuuri

Natural Resources

The study examines the relationship between sustainability policies and resident well-being within Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's Ger district, through a case study of the 19th subdistrict of the Bayanzurkh district. The primary research question is: Are well-being attributes being used to determine the efficacy of sustainability policies? Using mixed methods, survey questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups with 30 participants across three stakeholder groups (Ger district residents, subdistrict officials, and district officials), the research identified 15 key well-being attributes. The identified well-being attributes were used to assess whether these attributes serve as efficacy determinants in sustainability policies across national, municipal, and district governance …

Post-Typhoon Merbok Impact On Geographically Isolated Western Alaska Communities And Sustainable Recovery Process For Vulnerable Populations, Daryl Schaffer

Natural Resources

A sustainable climate-resilient community depends on their location and what is considered to be resilient. In western Alaska, primarily sustainable Indigenous subsistence lifestyle communities have proven quite resilient to climate for over 5000 years. Indigenous communities have been experiencing exponentially greater challenges from changes of climate in recent years. One storm, which traversed the entire 1300-mile geographically isolated Alaska west coast in September 2022, was more significant than previous generations. Extratropical post-typhoon Merbok became part of a disaster cascade as many communities had already endured various disasters to their locations and livelihoods which made them more vulnerable to include prior …

Kiŋikmiut Ukpuliivut: An Iňupiaq Framework For Bridging Spirituality And Stewardship In Natural Resource Management, Vernae Angnaboogok

Rural Development

Despite decades of traction and respect that Indigenous Knowledge has gained, Western and other sources of academic sciences diverge at the point of what is acceptable, what is real, and what is valid regarding Indigenous spiritual belief systems interwoven throughout Indigenous Knowledge and Indigenous management practices. My project uses Kiŋikmiut1 ukpuliivut2 and iniqtautit3 as a framework to bridge the understanding for people outside our culture about how our spiritual belief system and customary Iňupiaq4 laws ensure balance and sustainability5 ofthe resources that our people depend upon. In this work, I seek to address the misconceptions that dominant Western scientific worldviews …

Sea-Ice Bloom Dynamics, Putative Parasitoids, And Crude-Oil Impacts To Microbiota Modified By Irradiance, Kyle Dilliplaine

Oceanography

Arctic sea ice serves as a critical habitat for microbial communities, supporting, in part, the Arctic food web and influencing global biogeochemical cycles. However, climate change is rapidly altering this environment leading to a shorter ice-covered period and increased light transmittance. Greater accessibility due to less ice coverage is increasing industrial and commercial activities which raises the risk of crude oil spills that threaten sea-ice microbial communities. This dissertation explores the seasonal dynamics of prokaryotes and unicellular eukaryotes during the spring algal bloom, and the impacts of potential light stress in combination with crude oil exposure on Arctic sea-ice diatoms …

Sea Ice Strain, Stress, And Fracture Activity At Kilometer Scales, Emily R. Fedders

Oceanography

Through-thickness fractures including cracks, leads, and pressure ridges divide sea ice into individual plates and plate assemblies. While they remain intact, plates deform via continuous strain as they interact. Radar interferometry can identify active fractures at plate assembly boundaries and measure the continuous strains between them at high spatial resolution and spatial scales from meters to kilometers. However, interferograms are only sensitive to the one­ dimensional component of surface strain parallel to a radar’s lines of sight. Working with coauthors, I develop a novel analytical inverse model to estimate two-dimensional, horizontal surface motion from the one-dimensional information provided by interferograms …

Graduate Piano Recital And Annotated Program Notes, Evelina Savonin

Music

This paper serves as the annotated program notes, examining the repertoire performed in my graduate piano recital on April 14th, 2024. The repertoire features Domenico Scarlatti’s Keyboard Sonatas K. 127, K. 119, K. 466, and K. 427; Johannes Brahms’s Klavierstücke Op. 119; Ludwig van Beethoven’s Sonata in A-Flat Major, Op. 110; and Franz Liszt’s Vallée d’Obermann. The official recital program and YouTube link to my recital are provided in the appendix. Each section of the paper explores the historical context, stylistic characteristics, and interpretive considerations of the compositions, highlighting their distinctive qualities and the composers’ contributions to piano literature. Key …

Bayesian Spacial Process Convolutions For Geostatistical Modelling, Michael Spehlmann

Mathematics and Statistics

The declining rate of new metal discoveries, coupled with surging demand for critical minerals, underscores the need for improved geostatistical tools in early-stage exploration. Traditional fre- quentist methods like kriging are ill-suited for target generation due to their reliance on dense data, stationarity assumptions, and tendency to smooth anomalies. Meanwhile, exploration workflows remain largely qualitative, relying on geological intuition rather than probabilistic frameworks. A Bayesian spatial process convolution (SPC) model offers a promising alternative, leveraging hierarchical Bayesian formulations to model spatial processes with uncertainty quantification. This paper presents a Bayesian SPC model designed for geostatistical modeling, particularly in early-stage mineral …

Exploring Predictive Factors For Enabling Behavior In Family Members Of Those With Problematic Substance Use, Joseph Lemieux

Counseling and Psychology Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the underpinning driving forces for enabling behavior in affected family members with loved ones engaged in problematic substance use. With improved clarity and understanding of the variables predictive of enabling behavior, clinicians may be able to treat family members with improved precision and efficacy. Specifically, this study inquired about the relationship between enabling behavior and several variables, including (a) trauma, (b) ethnicity/race, (c) gender, (d) social support, (e) household income, and (f) age. This study surveyed 100 participants identifying as affected family members. Surveys were completed online and consisted of …

Simulating 3d Humanoid Ragdoll Physics Using Velocity Verlet Integration, Pin Constraints, And Rigid Body Collision Systems, Son D. Nguyen

Programming Theses and Dissertations

Ragdoll physics simulates realistic character collapse with physical realism by responding to environmental forces rather than using predefined animations.

3d Multi-Threaded Ai Navigation With Pathfinding And Obstacle Avoidance, Jabari Belgrave

Programming Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, I developed a 3D multi-threaded AI navigation system using my own custom-built C++ game engine. The system combines triangle-based A* pathfinding with real-time obstacle avoidance using a set of velocity-obstacle algorithms. It is designed to support large numbers of agents navigating complex environments while avoiding collisions. I created two main simulation modes: Navigation Mode, which integrates A* with ORCA to handle large-scale pathfinding and movement, and Obstacle Avoidance Mode, which allows direct comparison between VO, RVO, HRVO, and ORCA in a controlled test setting.

The terrain is procedurally generated using Perlin noise, and this terrain data is …

Not Just Another 2000 Word Written Mfa Thesis, Taylor Cleveland

Art Theses and Dissertations

This thesis challenges the standardized academic expectations placed upon studio-based MFA programs, using the process of writing itself as a site of institutional critique. Emerging from a 27,000-word working draft titled Aesthetics of Real, this final text adopts the permitted format of an “extended artist statement” to expose contradictions within institutional frameworks. It resists the assumption that professionalism and compliance equate to intellectual rigor, arguing that true artistic inquiry demands risk, failure, and confrontation with systemic norms. Through works like 3MUSTANGS, Facades of Dallas (Hall), SuperPOD0043: An American Painting, and Babel’n On, this thesis reveals …

Beyond The Exam Score: An Examination Of The Kenyan Education System, Its Reforms, Inefficiencies, And Impact On Individuals And Society At Large, Olivia M. Pederson

Honors Projects

In Kenya, secondary education plays a decisive role in shaping students’ university and career opportunities as well as their social mobility. The national exam, Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), acts as a key gateway to higher education and employment. The quality and accessibility of education for Kenyan youth, however, has been impacted by systemic inefficiencies ranging from underfunding and disparities in resource allocation to an exam-centric curriculum. This study takes a qualitative approach, using both purposive and convenience sampling to gather data through a questionnaire sent to university students and adults that have graduated from a Kenyan secondary school. …

Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices At West Valley High School, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Connor Lehmkuhl

Anthropology

This research examines the pedagogical model of Culturally Responsive Education and how it is implemented in urban Alaska (Fairbanks). The main objective is to document the voices, perspectives, and opinions of individuals and schools who are engaged and/or interested in Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices at a time when the interest in this topic is growing. As a result, this thesis allows for a better understanding of these practices, as well as of their applicability to existing curricula. The main research questions are (1) What is the current understanding of Culturally Responsive Education among global studies teachers at West Valley High …

Russia's Historical Fate: Mapping Space, Time, And Salvation In Patriarch Kirill's Sermons, Brooke J. Barton

Linguistics

The relationship between the Russian State and Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) during Putin’s regime has been characterized as mutually beneficial. The most influential figure in the contemporary ROC is Kirill, the Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus’, who has worked with Putin to give Russia’s current nation-building project, Russkiĭ Mir ‘Russian World,’ a religious foundation. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine exists within this project, which Kirill has sought to sacralize in his sermons. In this thesis, Barton utilizes discourse analysis to examine how Kirill’s sermons justify Russian imperialism while also projecting a vision of the ROC within the national project. …

The Impact Of Kinesthetic Attunement On Parents And Their Children With Autism: An Exploration, Ritu Shree

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This study explored the impact of kinesthetic attunement as experienced through dance movement therapy (DMT) with parent-child dyads on parental stress, children’s adaptive skills and joint attention. A qualitative reflective account of parents was also studied to understand the depth of parents’ experience of dance movement therapy with their children with autism. The research emphasized the importance of collective parent-child dance therapy sessions, that especially focused on attunement and connection that built its way up from sensory-motor, social-communicative, and relational play and engagement.

A total of six parent-child dyads participated in the study that lasted over eight DMT sessions. Parents …

A Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Immunosensor For Cortisol Detection, Pritu Sarkar, Ali Ashraf, Ahmed Hasnain Jalal, Fahmida Alam, Nazmul Islam

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

In this research, an interdigitated gear-shaped working electrode is presented for cortisol sensing. Overall, the sensor was designed in a three-electrode system and was fabricated using direct laser scribing. A synthesized conductive ink based on graphene and polyaniline was further employed to enhance the electrochemical performance of the sensor. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were employed for physicochemical characterization of the laser-induced graphene (LIG) sensor. Cortisol, a biomarker essential in detecting stress, was detected both in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH = 7.4) and human serum within a linear range of 100 ng/mL to 100 µg/mL. …

Prevalence Of Urine Culture Contamination In A Primary Care Outpatient Setting In Muscat, Oman: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study, Rahma Al Hadhrami, Asma A. Al Salmani, Abeer Al Houdar, Janit Francinilla, Abeer Albalushi, Buthaina Al Maskari

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of urine culture contamination, determine related factors and identify the most prevalent uropathogens among samples collected from outpatients attending a primary healthcare setting in Muscat, Oman. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to July 2023 at the primary health clinic of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. All urine cultures requested by physicians for ambulatory outpatients who attended the clinic during the study period were included. Collected urine samples underwent microbiological analysis, with positive cultures defined as significant growth of ≥10⁵ colony forming unit (CFU)/mL. Samples exhibiting …

Erythema Multiforme Triggered By: Trichophyton Mentagrophytes An Unusual Association, María Zulaika-Lloret, Álvaro Prados-Carmona, Mar Rodríguez-Troncoso, Ricardo Ruiz-Villaverde

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Guidelines For The Creation And Implementation Of A School-Based Vision Program For The Greater Seattle Area, Suzanna P. Gill

Honors Projects

Proper vision care contributes to a child’s ability to perform academically as well as their overall health and wellbeing. Pediatric vision care begins with vision screening, which occurs in public schools in Washington state. These vision screenings allow for possible vision issues to be identified in children. They are not, however, a replacement for eye examinations that help determine what is causing the problem and provide treatment. A substantial proportion of children that are recommended to receive the exams will not, partially because Washington does not require parents to take their children to eye care professionals. These children are more …

Maxim Gorky’S Illusionary Reformation Of Human Nature And The Rise Of The Soviet Citizen: Socialist Realism As A Constructive Force In Mother, Alysia Gayle Meyer

Honors Projects

This paper examines the origins and evolution of the Socialist Realism movement headed by Maxim Gorky, as a defining ideological and artistic framework of the Stalin era. Emerging in response to the experimental avant-garde movements of Revolutionary Russia, Socialist Realism sought to construct the ideal Soviet Reality, reimaging society and its citizens through the lens of collectivism, labor, and ideological purity. Central to this exploration is Gorky’s first major Socialist Realist novel, Mother, which serves as a blueprint for depicting the ideal Soviet citizen. By analyzing the motivations behind this movement and its portrayal of utopian ideals, this study reveals …

Load Forecasting And Modeling For Power System, Han Guo

Electrical Engineering Theses and Dissertations

Accurate load forecasting and modeling play a pivotal role in ensuring the stability, reliability, and economic efficiency of modern power systems. With the increasing integration of renewable energy sources, distributed energy resources, and demand-side management strategies, power systems are becoming more dynamic and complex, making traditional load forecasting methods inadequate. This dissertation introduces two novel approaches to address the challenges associated with day-ahead load forecasting and load modeling.

First, a Diffusion Model-Based Probabilistic Day-Ahead Load Forecasting (PDALF) Framework is proposed to enhance the accuracy and robustness of load forecasting. By employing a conditional denoising diffusion probabilistic model (DDPM), the framework, …

Noise-Embedded Image Processing Based On Quantum Data Encodings, Yayu Mo

Multidisciplinary Studies Theses and Dissertations

Advancements in quantum information have significantly impacted the field of image processing, although challenges remain. Especially in the edge detection and image encoding area, distorted feature and noises would affect the further classification or super resolution tasks. In our work, we conduct researches on two stages to both evaluate the potential of Quantum-based Convolutional Structure in extracting distorted feature and further explore the effects of quantum noise channels on quantum image encodings.

In the first stage, we propose a method to extract distorted edge features by applying shallow layers in quantum convolutional neural networks (QCNN). By combining the advantages of …