Digital Commons Network^™

First Generation Graduate Student Experiences, Andrew Torres

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to gain a better understanding of the experiences, inspiration, motivations, and varying aspects of what it is to be a first- generation master’s level student. Throughout the 2024-2025 academic year, I conducted interviews with three first-generation undergraduate students, three first-generation graduate students, and two first-generation postgraduate professionals at a single university to understand how their higher education experiences were similar and different. I pursued this research topic to understand further what resources graduate students used and which were lacking for their needs. The pursuit motivated me to discover why there was such …

Documentation-Aware Code Generation Via Retrieval Augmented Generation, Daniel Amirtharaj, Rahmin Norwood

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

Modern large language models (LLMs) increase the speed of software development but frequently hallucinate code, forcing developers to debug and rewrite generated code manually. This project introduces Documentation-Aware Code Generation, a retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) framework that injects authoritative documentation into the LLM prompt to reduce hallucinations in generated code. We build an ingestion pipeline that scrapes, cleans, chunks, and embeds official API documentation into a Pinecone vector database, then design a retrieval and re-ranking pipeline that retrieves the most relevant snippets for each user query. Results show that augmenting prompts with documentation lowers code hallucination by up to 60%. The …

Sideque$T, Akshay Nichani, Anusha Kankipati, Afra Mahammad, Lucas Jablon

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

In recent years, the gap between traditional education and the current labor market has widened dramatically: in 2024, 11. 5 % of California’s 16-24 year olds were neither in school nor employed, alongside a net decline of roughly 3 million students nationwide in the last decade and more than 4 million members of Generation Z left the job despite having conventional degrees. These trends underscore a growing disconnect between academic credentials and market-ready skills and a pressing need for alternative pathways to gainful work. We introduce SIDEQUE$T, a secure, user-friendly online marketplace engineered to bridge this divide. By allowing job …

Lock And Roll, Varun Mangla, Zachary Common, Gaby Gamarro-Gomez

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

As electronic bikes continue to increase in popularity, cycling has become a means of daily travel for more and more people. However, as the price and quantity of these consumer bicycles increase in public areas, so does the probability of their theft. Newer bikes, especially those with onboard electronics, are a priority target for thieves.

Lock and Roll, therefore, is an advanced smart bike wheel lock that aims to address the growing demands for increased bike security. By providing a variety of security features, such as GPS positioning, a gyroscopic alarm system, and remote monitoring, Lock and Roll represents a …

Emg Vocal Translations, Lucas Amlicke, Raphael Kusuma, Cole Heider, Kayleigh Vu, Monica Sommer

Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Theses

In this paper, we propose a novel augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) framework for silent speech. Many individuals with speech impairments are unable to vocalize effectively due to various conditions that affect the vocal cords. To engage in social activities, many rely on AAC devices that often lack flexibility and expressiveness. Users may still find self-expression and spontaneity difficult with such devices. This project presents a novel approach to developing a silent speech interface (SSI), providing a more adaptable and user-centered solution to give the vocally impaired a voice. Using surface electromyography (sEMG) alongside machine learning techniques, we aim to …

Family-Based Support As A Social Determinant Of Health-Protective Factor For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Bisola Duyile, Naomi J. Wheeler

Department of Counseling Scholarship and Creative Works

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate resilience and resourcefulness in managing the demands of caregiving. This study highlights the critical role of family based support as a social determinant of health-protective factor (SDHPF) that enhances the well-being of parents, helping to mitigate depressive symptoms. Using a secondary dataset of 199 parents/ caregivers of children with ASD, this study examines how family based support, child symptom severity, and financial resources (income) influence parental mental health. The findings show that strong family support is positively associated with lower levels of depression, underscoring the strength of social networks in enhancing …

2025 June 9 - Staff Senate Agenda And Minutes, Staff Senate, East Tennessee State University

Staff Senate Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Bill Redwine Office Files, 1991-2019, Auxiliary Services

University Archives Finding Aids

No abstract provided.

Hidden In Plain Sight: Community-Based Human Trafficking Prevention During Major International Events, Jordan Leeds

Criminology and Criminal Justice Theses and Dissertations

Human trafficking is a pervasive and persistent global problem, affecting almost every nation. The United Nations developed a standard known as the Palermo Protocol that provides a comprehensive definition and international strategy for criminalizing and punishing trafficking offenders. This protocol defines human trafficking in terms of its act, means, and purpose. Human trafficking can take on many contexts, such as sex, labor, or servitude, but is uniformly concerned with exploiting individuals, usually from vulnerable populations, for personal profit. The unique characteristics of international sporting events, including increased demand for services, time-sensitive labor needs, and reduced oversight, create conditions for human …

Neuroscientist Awarded $413k To Study Brain Disorders, Mentor Student Research, Dave Larsen

College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

The NIH funding will support one doctoral student and seven undergraduate students.

Lulucf Is More Than A Mouthful: How The United States Could Implement The European Union’S Land Use, Land-Use Change, And Forestry Policy To Help Fight Against The Us Agricultural Lobby And Fight Climate Change, Isabella Neihardt

Brooklyn Journal of International Law

Climate change is this generation’s defining issue, and one that has passed the point of requiring critical attention and response. Agriculture is a major contributor to anthropogenic global warming, but it has largely evaded environmental regulation in the United States (US) due to “agricultural exceptionalism” and a powerful agricultural lobby. Activities in the land use, land-use change, and forestry (“LULUCF”) sector can effectively offset carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from agricultural activities through a process known as a “carbon sink.” In the European Union (EU), the agricultural sector is already regulated through Regulation (EU) 2023/839, the first LULUCF regulation of its …

Barbara Clark V. Hospital Of The University Of Pennsylvania

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Aden Rusfeldt V. Cristian Morar

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Usa V. Leevander Wade

2025 Decisions

USDC for the District of New Jersey

Lansana Mansaray V. Robert Wenner

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Ralph Lauren Corp V. Factory Mutual Insurance Co

2025 Decisions

USDC for the District of New Jersey

Usa V. Jose Marte

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Developing Indicators For Comprehensive Evaluation Of Equity In Transportation Systems, Ruqaya Emad Alfaris

Theses and Dissertations

Achieving transportation equity is essential for social inclusion, access to opportunities, and reducing disparities. However, traditional evaluation methods are often fragmented and fail to capture equity’s multidimensional nature. This dissertation develops a comprehensive framework for creating indicators to evaluate transportation equity effectively. It begins with a literature review to comprehend the theoretical background, followed by expert interviews highlight gaps in current evaluation practices. Statistical modeling and machine learning analysis was conducted to first explore indicators’ impact on transportation equity, and then investigate transportation safety disparities in underserved communities. Findings from literature review, interview with professionals, and analysis results are used …

Week Of June 9, 2025, Student Life

College, School and Department Newsletters, Magazines, and Journals

Your summer hub for events, resources and updates.

Creativity And Crisis. Case Studies Of Bureaucracy Under Pressure – Determining Factors Affecting Creativity, Andrew Lee Carlson

Theses and Dissertations

I studied creativity and how it interacts with the crisis environment to devise a way of determining if future situations are amenable to creativity. Through studying creativity theories and crisis responses, I developed a framework and instrument that answers the following questions, semi-quantitatively and qualitatively: 1) Is the future situation or problem amenable to creativity? 2) How much “energy” needs to be expended in solving the problem or situation? 3) Where best can I use creative energy as it relates to the subject matter or process of the situation? I studied situations ranging from personal (pursuit of this PhD), critical …

The Role Full-Time Faculty Play In Retaining Students With New Initiatives Implemented By The Administration: A Qualitative Case Study, Kenyatta Collins

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the role full-time faculty play in supporting student retention within the context of new administrative initiatives at a New Jersey community college. Grounded in the framework of faculty as institutional agents, the research investigated how faculty understood their role, engaged with retention efforts, and perceived their alignment with institutional goals. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with full-time faculty involved in or impacted by retention initiatives. Thematic analysis revealed that while faculty were committed to student success, they experienced limited involvement in the development and communication of these initiatives. Participants expressed a need for consistent communication, …

Building And Demonstrating A Framework And Guide For Human-Centered Threat Modeling, Warda Usman

Theses and Dissertations

As researchers increasingly seek to understand threats faced by people rather than systems, there remains little consensus on how to study these threats in ways that are grounded in human experience. Traditional approaches to threat modeling are often designed for system vulnerabilities and offer limited guidance for eliciting or analyzing threats as understood by individuals in their social and cultural contexts. This dissertation addresses this gap by advancing human-centered threat modeling (HCTM) in security and privacy research as both a conceptual framework and through a set of empirical studies. The dissertation employs a mixed set of qualitative methods across four …

Reproductive Rights At Work: The Role Of Organizations In Menstrual Support, Emily Julia Ready

Dissertations and Theses

Painful menstrual symptoms affect up to 90% of people with uteruses globally. These symptoms can result in lost productivity at work and absenteeism for working individuals. Normative work structures have not been designed with accessibility and inclusivity for those with uteruses in mind. Therefore, women and those with uteruses have often had to work through barriers with no accommodations or systematic change. Currently, there is no published research in the United States on the nuances of the relationship between menstruation and work with the intention of exploring effective solutions. There has been discussion related to menstrual supportive policies, but there …

You Are Here: Defining Our Hidden Born-Digital Backlog, Andrew Mcdonnell

Library Presentations

The digital archivist position was created at the University of Kentucky two years ago to help create and refine workflows and process born-digital collections in our manuscripts and university archives collections. While much of the initial work of these last two years was on newly acquired collections and materials, in the decades prior, a variety of born-digital materials on physical media had been gathered in hybrid collections and stored and described in myriad ways. This presentation will demonstrate my processes for discovering and assessing unmigrated born-digital materials on physical media hidden throughout our collection. The process is built on documentation …

2025 June 09 - University Council Agenda And Minutes, University Council, East Tennessee State University

University Council Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Race To The Bottom: Is Seabed Mining Worth The Cost?, Linda Nhon

GNSI Publications

There is a recent resurgence in seabed mining, particularly in the potential excavation of polymetallic nodules (PMN) for cobalt, nickel, and copper in response to the tight competition for critical minerals between the United States and China. From the 1970s to the 1980s, increased government funding in the seabed mining industry sparked a surge of academic research and international collaboration in deep-ocean exploration. Although not the sole driver of this ballooning interest, Project Azorian—the CIA’s audacious mission aboard the Glomar Explorer to recover the sunken Soviet nuclear submarine K-129—was undeniably catalytic in generating enthusiasm. Purportedly constructed by the aviation mogul …

Bereavement Needs Of Parent-Child Dyads Following Sibling Death, Shannon V. D'Alton

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, nearly 62,000 children and adolescents experience the death of a sibling each year and sibling bereavement is one of the most distressing life events during childhood; however, it has received less attention in research compared to other forms of childhood loss. Bereaved siblings and parents are at increased risk for negative physical and psychological outcomes, yet little is known about their support and resource needs during the early years following the death. A limitation in understanding sibling bereavement is the methodological and ethical challenges of researching this vulnerable population. Consequently, the bereavement needs of surviving siblings …

Stomp: The Student Organization Management Portal, Madison Nguyen, Walker Selby, Cameron Greene, Leila Erhili

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

At Santa Clara University (SCU), student organizations play a vital role in student expression and development. The Center for Student Involvement (CSI) supports these organizations. However, both student organization leaders and CSI are hindered by administrative inefficiencies. The core issue lies in inconsistent and ad hoc processes of submitting, tracking, and approving various requests, such as booking event spaces and processing reimbursements. To address these shortcomings, our team has created a web application in collaboration with student organization leaders and CSI professional staff. The platform serves as a one-stop shop for all essential functions, including event bookings, reimbursements, and policy …

37-07 147th Realty Llc V. Tibaguy

All Decisions

The court granted reargument, allowing the tenant discovery on the legal regulated rent and defectiveness of the rent demand. However, it adhered to striking the pre-HSTPA rent overcharge counterclaim as time-barred. The court held that the 2023 DHCR amendment to RSC § 2526.7(a)(1), which sets an earliest base-date of June 14, 2015, cannot circumvent the appellate courts' interpretation of *Regina Metro. Co.*, which limits review of pre-HSTPA overcharge claims to a four-year look-back period absent a showing of common law regulatory fraud, which was not demonstrated here.

Association Of Fentanyl Test Strip Results And Change In Drug Use Behaviors, Kitty H Gelberg, Nabila El-Bassel, Denise C Babineau, Rachel A Vickers-Smith, Laura C Fanucchi, Janet E Childerhose, Megan E Hall, Megan E Dzurec, Jennifer Villani, Mary R Russo, Patricia Lebaron, Katherine R Marks, Kathyrn E Lancaster, Louisa Gilbert, James L David, Barry S Eggleston, Carter A Roeber, Emmanuel A Oga, Redonna K Chandler, Sharon L Walsh

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: The Stay Safe Study, conducted between May and December 2023 in the United States, investigated the association between fentanyl test strip (FTS) use and risk reduction behaviors. This paper examines the association between self-reported FTS results and change in drug use behaviors.

METHODS: We solicited self-reported drug and FTS use among people who use drugs (PWUD), with a baseline and four weekly surveys over a 28-day observation period in three states (Kentucky, New York and Ohio). For each day participants reported drug use, they were asked types of drugs used, use of FTS, FTS results, and 12 drug use …