Digital Commons Network^™

Discovering Sri Lanka: Examining The Marketing Strategies Behind Successful Tourist Destinations, Victoria Powell

University Honors Theses

Building on the observation that Sri Lanka is emerging as a tourist destination, this thesis compares the national destination marketing campaigns of Thailand, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka to identify how their strengths have contributed to their success. Using a comparative analysis, the research examines each destination’s brand positioning, distribution channels, campaign messaging, visual identity, and brand consistency. A deeper analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) is conducted on Sri Lanka's destination marketing campaign to present the study's findings and communicate recommendations. Ultimately, the analysis is used to recommend strategies for Sri Lanka's destination marketing efforts to …

Online Crime Reporting: Procedural Justice And Victims' Psychological Outcomes, Sarah M. Fridrich

University Honors Theses

Online crime reporting is a newly emerging reporting method that is gaining popularity among law enforcement agencies globally for its efficiency, yet, little is known about the potential impacts of these systems on victims. This study aims to determine whether or not online systems are delivering a procedurally just experience to property crime victims, and to what extent this may impact their psychological well-being. The study uses survey responses from victims (N=788) using the Portland Police Bureau’s online reporting system. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify significant relationships between a variety of procedural justice factors and control variables. Significant …

Is Sharing Always Caring: Critical Discourse Analysis On The Parasociality Of Family Influencing Content On Tiktok, Riley Brown

University Honors Theses

Sharenting, the practice of parents sharing images and information about their children on social media, is a growing, cross-platform phenomenon threatening the privacy and safety of children, especially on TikTok. As this content gained popularity it became monetizable through influencer marketing, or paid partnerships with brands, and created a form of sharenting referred to as family influencing. Influencer marketing encourages the development of parasocial relationships (PSRs) to build a loyal audience for financial success. PSRs develop when a viewer forms a non-reciprocal relationship with a figure through a series of one-sided, mediated interactions simulating face-to-face or intimate interactions. The present …

Indigenous Science And The Legacy Of Fire: Resilience, Fuels, Mosaics, And Eco-Cultural Landscapes In Oregon’S Coastal And Cascade Range, Julia Alcalá

University Honors Theses

Most of Oregon's western Cascade and Coastal range is a landscape that has historically been considered devoid of mid to low-intensity fires by Western science. However, for time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have been stewarding the forests through the use of "good fire," creating diverse and heterogenous landscapes with mixed fire regimes, ranging from less than a decade to several centuries since the last fire, resulting in a mosaic of patchy forest, oak savannas, prairies, and wetlands. Yet centuries of Indigenous displacement, cultural assimilation, and suppression of cultural burning contributed to this prevailing belief. Despite that, in recent decades, Western scientists …

Quantitative Analysis Using Mri Of Patients That Are High Risk For Pancreatic Cancer, Aqsa Tarik

University Honors Theses

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a cancer that is detected in its later stages, causing its five-year survival rate of 2-9% (3). The majority of patients who develop PDAC unfortunately deal with a low survival rate due to the progression of the tumor in the body. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can assess the structure of the tissue within organs in the body. These scans can also be used in order to detect and diagnose tumors, allowing them to be a generator of cancer biomarkers. PDAC isn’t distinguishable on conventional images, as the pancreas will appear normal, allowing the tumor progress …

Creating Possibilities: The Ethelind Pope Brown Collection: An Overview Of Who May Have Illustrated America's Oldest Naturalist Paintings, Maksym Dedenko

University Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the Ethelind Pope Brown Collection at the University of South Carolina, a rare assembly of hand-illustrated naturalist artworks depicting an assortment of flora and fauna from the eighteenth century. Despite its artistic and educational value, the creator of the collection remains unidentified. Through close textual and visual analysis, archival research, and comparative stylistic study, this project explores several potential authorship theories while providing background to the necessity of evolving science that facilitated its creation.

Objects Against Convention: An Objective Study Of Claude Cahun's Overlooked Works, Zuzu Longstreth

University Honors Theses

The French artist and writer Claude Cahun (1894-1954) is best known for her early self-portraiture. These photographs take place in theatrical spaces and witness the artist donning costumes and masks, playing out different identifiers and gender roles. Beginning with the discovery of Cahun's work in the 1990s, the scholarly conversation has focused entirely on the artists early work based on a perceived kinship with postmodern notions of identity. While this early body of work is fascinating, attention to it has been singular, shaping how the rest of Cahun's work is understood. To trouble this one-dimensional view of Cahun as an …

Playing Makes Believing: Narrative Creation In Tabletop Role-Playing Games, Evan Salthouse

University Honors Theses

Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) are a medium of narrative creation that combine collaborative improvisation, dice rolling, and game mechanics to allow players to tell mythical stories of fantasy and adventure. How are TTRPG systems used to create such memorable, evocative narratives? This research paper analyses Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) 5th Edition, examining its multifaceted system of narrative creation and the forces of influence at play, and outlining how narrative emerges from each aspect of the game. It highlights the act of play as the catalyst for these narratives supported by scholarship of role-playing game studies, and suggests future research investigating …

Contemporary Echoes From The Progressive Era: A Historical Reclamation Project Of Caroline Pratt And Her Play-Based Pedagogy, Charleen Lynn Kepner

University Honors Theses

Caroline Pratt is the early childhood educator most never heard of. Pratt was a progressive era educator and reformer in 1900s New York City. Pratt developed a play based theory of education. She opened City & Country School in 1914 and her school is still operating utilizing many of the methods Pratt developed. Using first hand field research, archival research, and scholarly articles, I examine how Pratt developed her methods and how modern educators can use them today. The study of Pratt's work and her school reveal a pragmatic approach to learning that educators today can adopt. In conclusion, play …

Fear, Trembling, And Wonder: Psalms Of Awe, Solomon Aleph

University Honors Theses

This thesis proposes an expansion of genre form criticism within the Book of Psalms to include an additional category: Psalms of Awe. Building on scholarship that emphasizes the Psalms as expressions of religious experience, it draws from philosophical, theological, and critical scholarship to define the experience of awe as a distinct religious experience not fully captured by form critical scholarship. The thesis argues that awe is reflected in the Psalms through the combination of three key Hebrew roots: ירא (fear/reverence), פחד (fear/dread), and פלא (wonder). This is done by analyzing several psalms to explicate how each term captures a different …

Framing Economic Inequality On Tiktok: A Qualitative Analysis Of Gen Z'S Engagement Across Three Issues, Braydan Brown

University Honors Theses

This thesis investigates how economic inequality is framed and engaged with on TikTok, particularly in comparison to two other highly-salient sociopolitical issues to Gen Z: racial justice and climate change. Through a qualitative content analysis of 45 TikTok posts tied to specific public events, the study examines how issues are visually and emotionally presented on a platform heavily used by Gen Z. Drawing on existing literature in digital political expression and social movement theory, the research identifies eight coding categories including tone, emotional appeal, and identity framing, to analyze content. Findings show that economic inequality is consistently portrayed with less …

Woofs And Warbles: The Influence Of Urban Dog Walking On Birdsong, Grace Phillips

University Honors Theses

Recreational activity in natural areas can disrupt songbird singing during critical learning or courtship periods, increasing the risk of fitness and population declines in sensitive species. Local data on birdsong disturbance caused by recreation can guide management efforts protecting wildlife, such as signage, leash laws, and dog walking bans. This study assessed bird vocalization responses to groups with and without dogs in urban greenspaces. Surveys were conducted in Fall 2024 at three parks in Portland, Oregon, with varying rates of dog and human presence. Throughout two-hour observation periods, bird vocalization activity of seven songbirds was recorded at five-minute intervals and …

Access To Healthcare For Rural Transgender Adults In The United States, Devon Smith

University Honors Theses

Urban and rural healthcare differ significantly in the amount of facilities, providers and kinds of specialty care that are offered in each environment. The United States is split into urban and rural counties in any given region, and based on those population sizes, are the allocation of healthcare resources for residents. In rural areas in the U.S., transgender adults lack access to gender-affirming care and encounter a lack of gender-affirming care providers due to workforce shortages, discrimination, and a lack of cultural competency. To determine if these residents lacked access to care compared with their urban counterparts, I performed a …

Surface Temperature Analysis Report: Kellogg Creek Restoration & Community Enhancement Project, Dalton Palin

University Honors Theses

Kellogg Creek is located in the Kellogg-Mt Scott watershed which flows through downtown Milwaukie, Oregon into the Willamette River. At the confluence of Kellogg Creek and the Willamette River is the Kellogg Dam. This dam impedes salmon, steelhead, and lamprey movement up Kellogg Creek, which is known historically as a salmon and steelhead rearing and migrating habitat. A plan to remove Kellogg Dam and restore 14 acres of Kellogg Creek is in progress by North Clackamas Watersheds Council (NCWC) and partners. Water temperature studies in Kellogg Creek have been conducted for the past several years, this report analyzed thermal surface …

Not Just An Ad: Exploring Exposure, Persuasion Knowledge, And Health Misinformation On Social Media, Danielle Murray

University Honors Theses

This study explores how exposure to sponsored health and fitness content on social media influences users' perceptions of influencer motivation and belief in health-related misinformation. Drawing on parasocial interaction (PSR), attribution theory, and influencer marketing research, this study investigates two hypotheses: that frequent exposure to branded content is positively associated with (1) perceptions of influencers as commercially motivated and (2) belief in pseudoscientific health myths. A cross-sectional online survey (N = 104) was conducted using convenience sampling of adult social media users. Results partially supported the first hypothesis: exposure frequency was positively correlated with recognition of persuasive intent, but …

Identity, Bodies, And Time: Analysis Of Transgender Education Curricula In K Through 12 Grades, Dean Weiler-Zilberman

University Honors Theses

The author analyzes lesson plans that focus on education around gender and transgender subjects--sourced from Sexual Orientation and Gender Institute (SOGI) 123 and Advocates for Youth (AFY)--and puts them in conversation with key literature on transgender education. What surfaces from their interaction are clear strong areas that support transgender education and gaps that fail transgender students.

Rebellion In The Streets: Activist Art As A Tool For Resistance, Anika Nichols

University Honors Theses

This paper explores the connection between art, anarchism, and Black liberation through the works of Emory Douglas, the AfriCOBRA collective, and Betye Saar. It argues that these artists create a visual language as an expressive form of resistance. One that challenges state violence, capitalist exploitation, and the cultural distortion and marginalization of Black individuals. Framed through anarchist theory, including April Carter's The Political Theory of Anarchism along with writings by Emma Goldman and Lucy Parsons, the project places activist art within a broader tradition of anti-authoritarian ideology. Therefore, by staying rooted in community and rejecting centralized control, these creative practices …

Developmental Lead Exposure And Aggression In Male Rats: Influences Of Maternal Care And Environmental Enrichment, Shamaila Zafar, Courtney K. Williams, Jaehyun Joo, Blanca E. Himes, Jay S. Schneider

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Developmental lead (Pb) exposure results in a variety of cognitive deficits and behavioral issues including increased antisocial behavior and aggression. This study investigated the effect of developmental Pb exposure on aggression and violent behavior in male rats and the potential modulatory influences of quality of maternal care and enriched/non-enriched housing conditions. Long-Evans male rats with or without Pb exposure (perinatal or early postnatal) from low or high maternal care mothers (based on amounts of licking/grooming and arched- back nursing) were randomly assigned to live in enriched or non-enriched environments at weaning. At post- natal day 120–190, offensive aggression was assessed …

Transforming The Future Of Health: Building Learning Health Systems Across The Globe, Sandra Yankah, Robert Saunders, Mark L. Tykocinski, Claudia Salzberg, Jonathan Gonzalez-Smith, Rachel Bonesteel, Cameron Joyce, Charles Kahn, Mark Mcclellan, Eyal Zimlichman

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Health care has faced disruptions over the past 5 years, including a global pandemic, supply chain interruptions, workforce shifts, and the introduction of new artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Health care organizations continue to leverage the learning health system (LHS) concept to adapt to these challenges through iterative feedback loops. The Future of Health (FOH), an international community of over 50 senior health leaders that focuses on shared challenges across international health systems, collaborated with the Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy in a consensus-building process with FOH members to identify opportunities for action in an LHS. Key areas for action identified …

Search For Gravitational Waves Emitted From Sn 2023ixf, A. G. Abac, R. Abbott, Teviet Creighton, Mario C. Diaz, Francisco Llamas Villarreal, Soma Mukherjee, Volker Quetschke, Wenhui Wang

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present the results of a search for gravitational-wave transients associated with core-collapse supernova SN 2023ixf, which was observed in the galaxy Messier 101 via optical emission on 2023 May 19, during the LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA 15th Engineering Run. We define a five-day on-source window during which an accompanying gravitational-wave signal may have occurred. No gravitational waves have been identified in data when at least two gravitational-wave observatories were operating, which covered ∼14% of this five-day window. We report the search detection efficiency for various possible gravitational-wave emission models. Considering the distance to M101 (6.7 Mpc), we derive constraints on the gravitational-wave …

Understanding The Three Angels' Messages, Thomas Shephard

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Building Bridges: Union Efforts To Address Stress Among Educational Staff, Theodore Michael Hamilton

Dissertations

This mixed-methods study examines the relationship between administrative support and educator stress and burnout in a post-COVID unionized school district. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, and the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, the study surveyed 102 educational professionals and conducted semi-structured interviews with union delegates. Quantitative findings revealed that 75% of staff worked beyond contracted hours, and 63% assumed additional unpaid responsibilities. Lower levels of perceived administrative support were significantly correlated with higher burnout and greater intent to leave the profession. Qualitative thematic analysis identified key stressors, including inconsistent administrative communication, escalating student …

Through The Wire: Examining The Experiences Of Formerly Incarcerated Students In Prison Education Programs And The Wraparound Services Needed To Support Their Success, Isabel Castro

Dissertations

This qualitative study examines the experiences of formerly incarcerated individuals in Prison Education Programs (PEPs) and the wraparound services necessary to support their success. Through Schlossberg’s Transition Theory, this study explores how incarcerated students navigate educational transitions and how educators facilitate transformative learning. Using case study and narrative inquiry, interviews were conducted with fifteen formerly incarcerated PEP participants and seven educators.

Thematic analysis revealed six major themes: Access to Education in Carceral Settings, the Impact of Education on Incarcerated Individuals, Wraparound Services and Student Support, Experiences of Formerly Incarcerated Students, the Role of Educators and Program Facilitators, and Best Practices …

Schauder A Priori Estimates For Poisson's Equation., Janani P. Marasinghe

Research Papers

The Schauder a priori estimate for Poisson's equation is considered. These estimates are important for establishing the smoothness of solutions. Instead of proving the theorem of Schauder a priori estimate directly, this paper focuses on proving the theorem through three reductions. The first reduction normalizes the problem, the second reduction controls the H\"older semi-norm, and finally the third reduction gets a local estimate of the domain. Interpolation inequality for H\"older space and derivative estimates are used throughout this work.

Developing Machine Learning Models And Graphene-Based Flexible Humidity And Temperature Sensors For Machine-Learning-Assisted Sensing, Seth Hajian

Dissertations

Flexible sensor technology has recently gained tremendous momentum in both academic research and industrial applications, transitioning from conceptual frameworks to practical implementations across diverse fields. This remarkable advancement can be attributed to several converging factors, including the maturation of nanomaterial science, the advancements of machine learning algorithms, and the critical demand for intelligent sensing solutions in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and industrial automation. The growing emphasis on personalized medicine and real-time health monitoring, accelerated by global health challenges, has further highlighted the necessity for accurate, cost-effective, and adaptable sensing platforms. This dissertation presents the fulfillment of three interconnected research projects focused …

Final Silver Bow Creek Conservation Area (Sbcca) Butte Reduction Works (Brw) Air Monitoring For Interim Demolition Activities – Phase I Data Summary Report (Dsr), Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

In Vitro Evaluation Of A Novel Computationally Designed Anticancer Peptide In Ovarian Cancer Cell Models, Basma A. Shaala

Theses and Dissertations

Ovarian cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality among

women, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic agents with improved selectivity and

reduced toxicity. Anticancer peptides (ACPs) have emerged as promising candidates

due to their ability to selectively target cancer cells. In this study, the anticancer activity

of a computationally designed ACP was evaluated in vitro using the SKOV-3 ovarian

cancer cell line, with HEK cells employed as a non-cancerous control.

Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, and cytotoxicity was further confirmed

by the trypan blue exclusion method. Apoptosis and necrosis were analyzed using

Annexin V-FITC/Propidium …

Load Balancing In Mobile Networks Using Deep Reinforcement Learning And Traffic Prediction, Shorouk Raafat Mokhtar Abouamasha

Theses and Dissertations

Wireless communication networks are advancing at a rapid pace, driven by various challenges and ambitious goals. This rapid growth is driven by a range of applications, including technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), as well as innovations in smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and more. Different applications demand specific performance criteria such as high data throughput, low latency, robust reliability, and efficient energy usage. In this thesis, we investigate two enhancements that can be adopted in wireless networks to tackle the challenges of resource optimization and network management. The motivation behind this is the fact that future networks will face …

The Benefits And Pitfalls Of Public Private Partnerships: Case Study Of The Suez Canal Container Terminal, Egypt, Magda Elswesy

Theses and Dissertations

The study explores the public-private partnerships (PPPs) in constructing, managing, and operating container terminals in Egypt. It examines the benefits the public sector gains from such collaborations and the pitfalls that can be mitigated to foster more effective institutional cooperation. The study specifically focuses on enhancing Egypt's marine container terminals through these partnerships, emphasizing the potential use of growing technology to enable equipment automation. It also highlights concerns regarding the risk of mismanagement of Egyptian terminals, arising from insufficient expected volume to ensure appropriate profitability, especially with the opening of new terminals. The study adopts a qualitative methodology and presents …

From Drama To Change: The Role Of Female-Led Egyptian Tv Dramas In Tackling Women’S Issues And Inspiring Youth, Myrna Bader

Theses and Dissertations

The media is widely recognized as a powerful tool for driving social change, shaping public opinion, and influencing societal discourse. In Egypt, it has played a critical role in addressing women’s issues, including discrimination and societal challenges, by raising awareness and either reinforcing or challenging societal issues. This paper examines the impact of female-led Egyptian TV dramas in addressing women’s issues, specifically taboos, stereotypes, and personal status laws. The paper aims to examine their potential to raise awareness, challenge cultural norms, and inspire youth-driven social change. To achieve its objectives, three female-led Egyptian TV dramas addressing specific women’s societal issues …