Digital Commons Network^™

Working Paper No. 102, Knowledge And Power: Towards Anintellectual Biography Of Michel Foucault, Amanda Bergeson

Working Papers in Economics

This inquiry seeks to establish that in his efforts as an intellectual, scholar, and author of books that would include Discipline and Punish [1975], Michel Foucault emphasizes the importance of power and power relations, especially of an authority (such as a sovereign) over the common people. Drawing from Discipline and Punish [1975], this inquiry considers how Foucault’s understanding of genealogy got rooted and shaped by Friedrich Nietzsche’s critique of history; a view which altogether challenged the idea of historical progress, while also revealing the contingent nature of truth. The second section considers how sovereign power evolves into disciplinary mechanisms embedded …

Working Paper No. 103, Russia And The Myriad Of Challenges Associatedwith ‘Relative Backwardness’, Jacob Wood

Working Papers in Economics

This inquiry seeks to establish that over recent of centuries Russia exhibits signs of what is termed as ‘relative backwardness.’ Drawing from Alexander Gershenkron’s (1962, 62-70) understanding of ‘backwardness in historical perspective,’ as well as Karl Marx’s ([1845] 1977, 39-43) concept of ‘historical materialism,’ this inquiry examines how successive Russian regimes sought to close the developmental gap with western countries through state-led modernization efforts. What stands out is that when confronted with attempting deep structural challenges, each leader turned to centralized authority and coercive reforms—not by choice, but out of necessity. Our inquiry considers Nicolas II’s failure to modernize Russia’s …

Hydrogen Storage In Multilayer Ti3c2tx Mxene, Yi Zhi Chu, Kah Chun Lau

Michigan Tech Publications

In this work, we systematically investigated the hydrogen storage properties of multilayer Ti3C2Tx MXene using density functional theory (DFT) coupled with the quantum-thermodynamic model to include the thermodynamic effect on hydrogen adsorption and storage behavior over a wide range of applied pressure and temperature. In addition to the surface-adsorbed hydrogen, we show that the interlayer spacing is a plausible storage route that could contribute to an additional hydrogen storage capacity. Due to hydrogen-bond bounded multilayer Ti3C2Tx, the insertion, diffusion, and adsorption of hydrogen molecules into the interlayer spacing of the multilayer structure require sufficient external pressure to overcome the energy …

Type I Interferon Protects Against Bone Loss In Periodontitis By Mitigating An Interleukin (Il)-17-Neutrophil Axis, Jinmei Zhang, Qiong Ding, Angela X Wang, Maoxuan Lin, Ning Yu, Kevin Moss, Megumi A Williamson, Di Miao, Julie T Marchesan, Erliang Zeng, Wei Shi, Hongli Sun, Yu Leo Lei, Shaoping Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Type I interferons (IFNs-I), a group of pleiotropic cytokines, critically modulate host response in various inflammatory diseases. However, the role of the IFN-I pathway in periodontitis remains largely unknown. In this report, we describe that the IFN-β levels in the gingival crevicular fluid of human subjects were negatively associated with periodontitis and clinical gingival inflammation. Disruption of IFN-I signaling worsened alveolar bone resorption in a ligature-induced periodontitis murine model. Deficiency of the IFN-I pathway resulted in an exaggerated inflammatory response in myeloid cells and drastically increased the interleukin-17 (IL-17)-mediated neutrophil recruitment in the gingiva. We further identified that the myeloid …

Expansively Framing Mathematics And Computer Science Teaching With Digital Technology In Elementary Classrooms, Kimberly E. Beck, Jessica F. Shumway, Patrick Ocran, Jody Clarke-Midura, Mimi Recker

Publications

Expansive Framing (EF) is a theory and an instructional technique to facilitate connections between content and contexts. We employed EF as an approach to create a series of integrated mathematics and computer science (CS) lessons, using digital technology as a tool to leverage shared mathematical and computational ideas. We used deductive theoretical qualitative analysis of transcripts of classroom implementations to investigate how two fifth-grade teachers and one computer lab paraprofessional educator used EF during their teaching and what the EF approach looked like in practice. Findings suggested that educators engaged in EF principles when they were present in curricular materials, …

Hybrid Pvt Integrated Pyramid Solar Still: 11e, Sustainability, And Sustainable Development Goals Assessment, Md Shahriar Mohtasim, Md Golam Kibria, Md Mahamudul Hasan Pranto, Barun K. Das

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Photovoltaic thermal (PVT) integrated solar stills (SSs) can address the challenges associated with electricity scarcity and water desalination. The experiment encompasses a synergistic approach of delivering the heated fluid from the PVT with phase change materials (PVT/PCM) and PVT integrated hybrid nano-materials with fin (PVT/HNPCM/Fin) setups to the water basin of the modified pyramid SSs for enhancing the evaporation rate. A comprehensive analysis is conducted on the impact of hollow circular fins, black sand, hybrid nano-particles with PCM and sponge in SS cases. For PVT scenarios, the effects of hybrid nano-enhanced PCM and fins in serpentine copper pipe layout at …

Humanizing The Icu: Implementation Of Personalized Communication Boards In The Sicu Drives Enhanced Patient And Family Experience, Stephen D. Hoefler

Master's Theses

Objective: Research has established the importance of personalized communication in critical care settings, where standardized tools like whiteboards can improve patient and family engagement.

Aim: This project aims to develop a personalized communication board in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) at a Bay Area academic quaternary care facility that, once implemented, will achieve at least 75% utilization in patient rooms by May 2025, enhancing communication and patient experiences.

Methods: Surveys were conducted with patients, families, and staff to gather stakeholder input and guide the design of a new standardized whiteboard model with personalized elements. Results: Based on stakeholder feedback, …

Study Of The Performance Of A Laser Structure Based On A Fiber Ring And A Dual-Bottle Whispering Gallery Mode Microresonator, Anuradha Rout, V.R Anand, Zhe Wang, Zhouchen Wang, Rayhan Habib Jibon, Yuliya Semenova

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

This study examines the impact of a dual-bottle whispering gallery mode (WGM) microresonator on the performance of a laser structure based on a fiber ring, focusing on the modes switching and generating single- and multi-mode emissions. Through experimental analyses, we demonstrate how the unique geometry of dual-bottle resonators affects lasing behavior, providing insights that could advance applications of the proposed laser structure in telecommunications and photonic sensing systems.

First Opinions, Second Reactions: A Collection Of Innovative Online Reviews Of Literature For Children And Young Adults, Janet Alsup, Christy Wessel-Powell

Purdue University Press Books

First Opinions, Second Reactions: A Collection of Innovative Online Reviews of Literature for Children and Young Adults features selected pieces from the journal First Opinions, Second Reactions, which reviews children’s and young adult books. The journal, and this book, consist of reviews of books written by scholars of children’s and YA literature, followed up with responses from those who share the books with their intended audiences—children and teens. The editors have selected twelve issues classified under four thematic categories (social and political issues; diversity and inclusion; identification and empathy; and genre study) to represent the depth and breadth of …

Elite Cohesion And Its Historical Sources: Analyzing Its Impact On Democratization In Nigeria And Botswana, Aliaa Magdy Aboutera

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the divergent democratization trajectories of Botswana and Nigeria, focusing on the role of colonial legacies and post-colonial elites in shaping elite cohesion. While both countries experienced British colonial rule, their transitions to democracy in the post-independence period have differed significantly. This study argues that elite cohesion, although insufficient on its own, is a critical facilitating factor in democratic consolidation that warrants greater attention in the democratization literature. This cohesion is largely shaped by the sociology of political elites, with historical contexts influencing how elites organize. Through process tracing, the thesis argues that colonialism in Botswana did not …

Management And Optimization Of Chronic Renal Insufficiency In The Setting Of Kidney Cancer A Systematic Review, Jessica K. Cobb, Hiroko Miyagi, Jad Chahoud, Claude Bassil, Philippe E. Spiess

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

PURPOSE: There is a bidirectional relationship between chronic kidney disease and the incidence of renal cell carcinoma. Despite the frequency of patients with both chronic kidney disease and renal cell carcinoma, there are limited systematic reviews detailing the nuanced treatment. This review provides comprehensive insights for clinicians for managing chronic kidney disease, and renal cell carcinoma. Methods and Methods: We reviewed published literature that examined either chronic kidney disease and renal cell carcinoma or an indirect contributor of both.

RESULTS: We compare and contrast renal cell carcinoma treatment with partial and radical nephrectomies, ablative techniques, and radiation and their impact …

So Who Gets To Be Modern? Jadidism And Reform In Late Nineteenth And Early Twentieth Century Russia, Grant Douglas Linville

University Honors Theses

Jadidism was a sociocultural reformist project from the 1880s to 1920s developed by Muslim intellectuals in the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. The Jadidist movement derives its name from the "new-method" (usul-al Jadid) schools that spread Jadid pedagogy, which revolved around the inclusion of secular topics and Western knowledge as well as instruction in local, Tatar, and Russian languages, in addition to the already present religious studies accompanied by Arabic and Persian taught in the Islamic educational institutions the maktab and madrasa (primary and higher education respectively). Over time Jadidism grew to encompass a host of societal …

Pvc Biodegradation Potential Of Native Fungal Strains From Mt. Hood National And Tillamook State Forests, Bristol Ozturgut

University Honors Theses

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a toxic, degradation-resistant environmental waste product. Recent research has revealed fungal enzymatic activity capable of biodegrading plastics. As PVC infiltrates local environments, it becomes imperative to determine the adaptability of local fungi to PVC substrates. In this experiment, 100 local native fungal strains sampled from the Tillamook State and Mt. Hood National forests and one commercial strain of common oyster mushroom were investigated for their ability to colonize and digest PVC by direct isolation on 0.1% and 0.2% PVC-enriched limited growth media. Substrates for positive cultures were imaged using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to analyze potential …

The Potential For Improv As A Therapeutic Tool In The Context Of Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Suggestions For Dbt Clinicians, Jocelyn Borden

University Honors Theses

This thesis explores the theoretical and practical intersections between improvisational theater and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), proposing that the core tenets of improv closely align with the philosophical foundation and therapeutic goals of DBT. Aimed at mental health professionals, this work provides a conceptual framework and praxis for incorporating improv-based activities into DBT skills training to enhance client engagement, experiential learning, and emotional resilience. Through an examination of improv theory, parallels with DBT principles, and practical suggestions for integration, the thesis outlines how applied improvisation can be used as a supplemental tool in traditional DBT treatment. The final section includes …

Where's The Dim Sum? Art, Oral History, And The Chinese American Diaspora In Portland, Or, Rayli Dornan

University Honors Theses

This thesis examines the history, transformation, and contemporary significance of Portland's Chinatown through an oral history framework, emphasizing the voices of Chinese American artists. Beginning with a comprehensive historical overview from the mid-nineteenth-century Gold Rush migrations and railroad labor to twentieth-century exclusion, dispossession under urban renewal, and the late-twentieth-century dispersal into suburbs, the thesis traces how structural racism and policy shaped both the physical landscape and communal life of Oregon's Chinese diaspora. Through in-depth interviews with local artists, this research aims to illuminate how individual experiences of identity, belonging, and creative expression navigate the tensions between heritage and adaptation.

Drawing …

Self-Representation In Manga: The Importance Of Gay & Lesbian Visibility In Japanese Society, Rylan Newsom

University Honors Theses

This thesis examines the evolving landscape of gay and lesbian self-representation in Japanese manga through a hermeneutic analysis of three key texts: My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness by Kabi Nagata, and My Brother's Husband and Our Colors by Gengoroh Tagame. It investigates how manga functions not only as a storytelling medium but as a sociocultural mirror, uniquely positioned to illuminate the often-invisible negotiations of identity, shame, and social position that queer individuals experience in Japan. Through the lens of Takie Lebra's concept of bun (role or place in society), this project explores the ways in which queer characters seek legitimacy, …

Is Anoxia Tolerance A Common Trait In Fish Cell Lines?, Lori Tran

University Honors Theses

Most vertebrates need a constant supply of oxygen to sustain life, with disruption to O₂ supply or delivery quickly leading to cell and tissue damage and death. Many aquatic species are able to withstand long periods without O₂ due to evolving to survive the regular periods of hypoxia and anoxia in their natural habitat. The Austrofundulus limnaeus, or the annual killifish, in particular have shown the highest anoxia tolerance in all vertebrates and is a promising model for developing effective treatments for anoxia-related damage, such as heart attacks and strokes. The A. limnaeus are not the only …

Beyond Capitalist Realism: Indigenous Worldviews As Critique And Alternative, Celine Jessup

University Honors Theses

This paper engages Mark Fisher's Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative? as a foundational critique of late capitalism's ideological dominance, and proposes Indigenous worldviews as both a critical lens and a generative alternative. Fisher defines capitalist realism as a pervasive structure that colonizes imagination, depoliticizes systemic crises, and renders other ways of living unthinkable. He illustrates how capitalism commodifies resistance, pathologizes dissent, and obscures accountability, particularly through institutions like the call center and discourses on mental health and climate change. In contrast, the paper turns to Indigenous political theories—drawing on thinkers such as Kim TallBear, Daniel Heath Justice, Ocean Ripeka …

Translating Legalese: Deconstructing Lease Language For New Renters, Erin Clarke

University Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the relationship between legal English and the general public, focusing on the challenges laypersons encounter in reading contract language. By examining specific linguistic features of legal writing, along with the systems and practices of US law, this research highlights the problematic disconnect between the complexity of legalese and the fluency level of average citizens in this specialized variety of English. This issue is particularly salient in the realm of rental agreements for housing, given the mounting housing crisis and historically high eviction rates in the state of Oregon. The culmination of this research is a digital guidebook …

How Do Montessori-Based Activities Affect Behaviors For Older People With Dementia: A Literature Review, Isabel Quigley

University Honors Theses

Objectives: This literature review is meant to analyze the development on the research on Montessori-based activities for adults with dementia.

Introduction: Baby Boomers are the largest generation to enter senior age (65+) in history due to the advancement in medicine to increase life expectancy. Dementia is a neurocognitive disease that affects parts of the brain related to memory and signs typically surface around 65 years old. Dementia is not considered healthy aging. Montessori-based activities have been recently developed as an intervention to encourage a feeling of accomplishment and success for adults with dementia.

Methods: Two electronic databases …

Testing Their Limits: Impact And Intentions Of Standardized Testing In K-12 Schools, Grace O. Herd

University Honors Theses

The integration of High-Stakes standardized testing into U.S. public education to serve as an accountability system has been a disputed issue since the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) mandated these assessments nationwide in 2002. NCLB aimed to locate and identify schools failing to reach Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and trigger a chain of interventions based on student performance, as an effort to track measurable outcomes from federal education funding. While supporters view these standardized tests as quantifiable data for school effectiveness in academics, critics challenge the claim of validity.

This review integrates current psychological research in the area of …

At Home In Horror: Women And Body Horror, Brooklynn Kreps

University Honors Theses

While most discussion around the subgenre of body horror focuses on its birthplace of film, the richest iterations come from women writing body horror fiction to explain the experience of womanhood. As body horror focuses on fear of painful or absurd mishap with the body. Women experience pain or absurdity in their own bodies every day with processes like menstruation, pregnancy, puberty, and heightened chances of becoming a victim of sexual assault. Furthermore, women experience society's forceful shaming and fear about natural processes of the body and experiences such as anger and sexual desire. Using this idea as a framework, …

Image-Based Models For Left Heart Flow Morphodynamics In Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy, Abdelrahman A. Sultan

Theses and Dissertations

Relieving flow obstruction in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy is highly effective in reducing symptoms and promoting left ventricular remodeling. However, existing characteristics in the disease, such as the systolic anterior motion of the mitral, mitral regurgitation, and papillary muscle motion, and their effect on ventricular flow and vortex formation, have not been thoroughly addressed. This study aims to develop image-based computational fluid dynamics models to evaluate flow morphodynamics in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. A computational fluid dynamics model is constructed to investigate the interaction between inflow and outflow in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, with a focus on how the motion of the left …

Development Of Preventive Dental Guidelines In The Primary Healthcare Setting In Egypt: A Delphi Method, Basant Mehriz

Theses and Dissertations

This study addresses the critical need for standardized preventive dental care guidelines within Egypt's primary healthcare system amid the rising burden of oral diseases. Through a systematic two-phase methodology combining a comprehensive literature review and a Delphi consensus-building process engaging 35 dental professionals, the research established priorities for contextually appropriate preventive measures. The consensus framework revealed strong support for clinical interventions (mean of 83% agreement), particularly fluoride-based prevention; community initiatives (mean of 83%), especially school-based programs; policy measures (mean of 77%) such as workforce and educational development, though with variable support for taxation and social determinants approaches. Statistical analysis demonstrated …

Negotiating The Canon: Arab Women Romantic Poets Jamila Al-ʿAlayli And Zahra Al-Hurr, Osama Amer

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the engagement of two Arab romantic women poets, Jamila al-ʿAlayli and Zahra al-Hurr, with the Arabic literary canon, focusing on how they negotiated their positions within the canon. Despite being active contributors to the Arabic romantic movement, their works remain overlooked in literary histories and anthologies. The study explores the modes of canonization, such as gender essentialism, exceptionalism, and socio-political engagement, by which the canon operates. Through a feminist lens, this research analyzes selected poems, autobiographical texts, articles, interviews, and critical writings by both poets, highlighting their distinct strategies for challenging and reshaping their literary status. Al-ʿAlayli …

An Llm Approach For Automating The Analysis Of Bim (Ifc) Data, Miral Selim

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis introduces a novel methodology for automating the analysis of Building Information Modeling (BIM) data using LangGraph, an advanced extension of the LangChain framework, and integrating Google’s Gemini Large Language Model (LLM) with IfcOpenShell. BIM, and specifically Industry Foundation Class (IFC) files, are widely used in the construction industry for representing and managing building data. However, analyzing this data effectively remains a significant challenge due to its volume and complexity. Additionally, analyzing BIM data typically requires knowledge of different BIM software depending on the application. This research addresses this challenge by creating a workflow that utilizes LangGraph’s ability to …

Removal Of Fluoroquinolones From Water Systems Employing Rice Husk Composited Sponges Via Nanoadsorption, Dalia Kanaa

Theses and Dissertations

A novel nanocomposite of polyvinyl alcohol formaldehyde (PVF) sponge loaded with green zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP) and referred to as (NP-PVF) was fabricated as a potential adsorbent of ciprofloxacin from water. A simple mechanical foaming process was used to synthesize the adsorbent. Rice husk extract was used to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP) for its phytochemicals as reducing agents. A facile and low-energy-dependent extraction method was used that did not require the use of high-temperature annealing. The synthesized nanoparticles showed a maximum UV absorption at 347 nm, which corresponds to a 3.58 eV band gap energy. FTIR confirmed the successful …

Optimization Of Pile Construction Sequence Using Cfa Machines, Omar Wael Ammar

Theses and Dissertations

In most construction projects with deep foundations, piling activities are critical to the project schedule and often fall on the critical path. The piling construction process requires a diverse range of resources, including equipment, materials, and skilful labour. Without carefully planning the construction process according to installation standards, there is a significant risk of time and cost overruns. These overruns are caused by inefficiencies such as equipment idle or lost time due to required lags between closely spaced piles. Therefore, it is essential to develop an optimized construction sequence to minimize these risks and enhance overall project efficiency. The primary …

The Dubr/Mir-210-5p/Retsat Axis In Cholesterol-Associated Steatohepatitis: Clinical Signatures And Molecular Mechanisms, Hana Mahmoud Abdelzaher

Theses and Dissertations

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) represents an increasing global health challenge, with cholesterol-associated steatohepatitis (CASH) emerging as a distinct pathological entity warranting investigation. While CASH demonstrates unique features compared to traditional triglyceride-driven steatohepatitis, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates a novel regulatory axis involving DPPA2 Upstream Binding RNA (DUBR), miR-210-5p, and retinol saturase (RETSAT). 170 patient samples revealed progressive axis dysregulation in disease states, with RETSAT emerging as a highly accurate diagnostic marker (AUC=1.000). Using novel in vitro models of MASH and CASH, we demonstrated that miR-210-5p modulation significantly affects lipid accumulation and cellular phenotype, with …

Characteristics, Behaviour And Fluxes Of Microplastics In The Coastal Boundary Zones Of The Persian Gulf And Oman Sea, Sajjad Abbasi, Andrew Turner

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Relatively little is known about microplastics (MPs) in the atmosphere of the coastal zone, including their interaction with the sea surface. In this study, MPs have been determined and characterised in the lower atmosphere, advecting air, depositing dusts, coastal sediments and seawater of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea using a variety of sampling techniques (including filtration of water and pumped air and deployment of a vertical array of sediment traps). MPs were detected in all samples and were dominated by fibres that were, in most cases, small (<100 μm) and black. MP numbers captured in advecting air showed no trends with height or differences between locations or deployments over land and sea, but a clear increase was observed during strong winds. MPs in atmospheric suspension and in deposited dusts, sediments and seawater were also heterogeneously distributed. Environmental or transport pathway fractionation was evident according to morphology and particle size (% fibres and % small fibres) and to polymer density. Regarding the latter, relatively low-density polymers (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene) were more abundant in the atmosphere, advecting air and seawater, whereas higher density polymers (e.g., regenerated cellulosics, polyethylene terephthalate) were more abundant in settling dusts and sediments. Fluxes, based on particle counts and converted MP m⁻² h⁻¹, revealed advection (up to ∼ 1.2 × …