Digital Commons Network^™

Tribute To Professor Kevin C. Mcmunigal, Michael Scharf

Case Western Reserve Law Review

No abstract provided.

Waive Goodbye To Corporate Accountability? Reforming The Federal Arbitration Act To Protect Consumers With Small-Value Claims, Matthew Matolka

Case Western Reserve Law Review

No abstract provided.

Under The Influence: Duties, Deception, Disclosures, And Due Diligence Of Social Media Influencers, Arianna Kiaei

Washington and Lee Law Review

The encroachment of social media into the daily lives of society reflects a major shift in consumer behavior. As social media moves from providing platforms of narrow connectivity among friends and family to social connection beyond one’s personal network, novel channels are being formed for consumers to absorb and share information. It opens opportunity for corporations to market their products beyond traditional methods and establishes the “influencer” sharing personal thoughts and recommendations on such products.

Social media’s immense purchasing power has a direct effect on the decision-making processes of individuals and the profit margins of corporations, and thus, the capacity …

Parent Social Media Use And Gaming On Mobile Phones, Technoference In Family Time, And Parenting Stress., Brandon Mcdaniel, Alison K. Ventura, Michelle Drouin

Health Services and Informatics Research

Possible effects of parent phone use on parent–child interactions and child behavior are of concern, warranting research to understand parent phone use. In this survey study of 183 families with a young child (M = 2.89 years), we examined parents’ phone use for texting/calling, social media (SM) use, mobile gaming (MG), and perceptions of cutting into family time; we also examined differences between mothers and fathers and associations with parenting stress. Mothers engaged in greater SM use but less MG compared to fathers; 61% of mothers and 38% of fathers used SM 31+ min per day, while 23% of …

University And Law School Personnel, South Dakota Law Review

South Dakota Law Review

No abstract provided.

Information About The Law School, South Dakota Law Review

South Dakota Law Review

No abstract provided.

State Recalcitrance Strategies For Resisting The Federal Government, Travis L. Letellier

South Dakota Law Review

States resist federal encroachments on their sovereignty. This recalcitrance has been buoyed by the renewed federalism jurisprudence of the Rehnquist and Roberts Courts. Research into state sovereignty typically arranges recalcitrance actions by the policy issue under discussion. This article takes a novel approach and instead evaluates state recalcitrance according to common strategies employed by political actors across the political spectrum. State recalcitrance strategies are categorized into four menu options: (1) Ignore It Exists, (2) Sanctuary Jurisdictions, (3) Pick a Fight, and (4) Political Posturing. The article recognizes these strategies are not mutually exclusive and concludes that the proposed menu of …

Parent & Family Newsletter, March 2025, Illinois State University, Parent And Family Services

Parent & Family Newsletter

Parent and Family Newsletter

Abortion On The Ballot: How Direct Democracy Shapes Abortion Policy Post-Dobbs, Serena E. Klebba

Honors Theses

Since the return of abortion policy to the states following Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022), sixteen states have considered ballot measures addressing core questions of abortion access. Distinct from pre-2022 initiatives, these recent measures present binary choices on issues such as viability-based access, six-week bans, and the existence or repudiation of a right to abortion in state constitutions. Although existing scholarship generally frames initiatives and referendums as mechanisms that enhance congruence between public opinion and policy outcomes, this focus overlooks the broader effects of direct democratic processes on voters. I hypothesize that there is something unique in the …

The Anatomy Of A Reconstruction: From Fourier Space To Image Recovery In Computed Tomography, Charlotte P. Maurer

Honors Theses

This thesis develops the mathematical foundations of computed tomography (CT) reconstruction through the lens of harmonic analysis. Beginning with the Schwartz class, we introduce the Fourier transform and its role in expressing the Radon transform and its inversion via a fractional Laplacian. After constructing the Radon transform in general dimension R^d, we specialize to the cases d = 2 and d = 3, demonstrating explicit inversion formulas and the associated instability in lower dimensions. For its computational advantages, we study filtered back-projection using classical low-pass filters (Ram-Lak, Shepp–Logan, Cosine, Gaussian) and formulate a discrete reconstruction algorithm grounded in …

Predicting Human Steering From Optic Flow Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks, Katie E. Bernard

Honors Theses

Human driving is a complex visuomotor task and the specific visual clues that guide it remain under investigation. While prior research has emphasized gaze-based strategies such as the Tangent Point and Future Path hypotheses, recent evidence highlights the potential role of optic flow, the visual motion pattern perceived during self-movement, as critical to steering ability. This thesis explores whether raw optic flow alone can support accurate predictions of human steering behavior. We trained a convolutional neural network to map optic flow vector fields to steering angles in a virtual reality driving simulation. The dataset, collected by Giguere et al., included …

The International Transracial Adoption Effect: Measuring The Well-Being Of Korean Adoptees Vs. Non-Adopted Korean Americans, Grace H. Jones

Honors Theses

In this study, I examine the differences in well-being and long-term outcomes between adopted and non-adopted Korean Americans. The vast majority of adopted Korean Americans are placed with white, heterosexual couples, positioning them in a unique position in American society. While they are raised in white families and often disconnected from Korean culture, they are still perceived and treated as Asian by society. Scholars refer to this tension as the transracial adoptee paradox. This study explores how that paradox affects both economic and non-economic outcomes. The analysis finds that adopted Koreans tend to earn higher incomes than their non-adopted peers, …

Microbial Degradation Of Kelp-Derived Dissolved Organic Matter In The Context Of Carbon Sequestration, Sophia N. Riazi-Sekowski

Honors Theses

Kelp, or brown algae, is an emerging form of ocean-based biological carbon dioxide removal, converting dissolved CO2 into organic molecules via photosynthesis. The export of detritus and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from coastal beds to beyond the continental shelf contributes to carbon sequestration, especially through the microbial production of refractory DOC (RDOC). The influence of microbial degradation on kelp-derived DOC is not yet well understood, contributing to inconsistency in carbon sequestration estimates. This study utilizes dark bottle incubations of both blades and holdfasts from two farmed kelp species in the Gulf of Maine — Saccharina latissima and Saccharina angustissima — …

See The Trees, Then The Forest: Tensions And Alignments In Parent-Teacher Relationships Within Maine’S Special Education System, Leila H. Low

Honors Theses

To examine relationships between parents and teachers within the special education system, the present research utilizes Bronfenbrenner’s (1977) ecological systems theory to understand how these relationships are influenced by interconnected systems, ranging from immediate school-level interactions to wider institutional and cultural contexts. Research has found that despite efforts to keep parents involved in the education process, barriers to full support of special education students often exist, such as the capacity of school systems and disagreements between parties (Leiter & Wyngaarden Krauss, 2004). Regardless of policies promoting parental inclusion, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), inequities in geography, …

Optimizing Radial Interfaces For Eye-Movement Authentication On Smartphones, Trey V. Tuscai

Honors Theses

Radial authentication interfaces offer privacy-preserving, calibration-free eye-movement authentication. While their effectiveness has been demonstrated on large displays, their performance on smartphones remains underexplored. This study investigates seven radial interface configurations on the iPhone 13, varying the number of radial indicators and password lengths to examine trade-offs between accuracy, security, and entry time. Through a controlled eye-tracking experiment with 27 participants, we evaluate each configuration’s performance and collect user prioritizations of the three factors. Our findings reveal that shorter passwords with fewer indicators improve speed and accuracy but reduce security, while longer configurations enhance security at the cost of usability. Based …

The Value Of A Vote: Vote Pivotality Information And Its Impact On Voter Willingness To Accept, Nicholas J. Sickinger

Honors Theses

A variety of factors influence the decision to participate in a democratic election or not. This paper explores one of these factors: an individual’s perceived pivotality. I explore how people assess the value of their vote when they are informed about the likelihood that their vote will be pivotal. To do so, I conduct an online voting experiment where subjects participate in three different stylized elections: a marginal election, a landslide election, and an uninformed election (where the voter distribution is unclear to participants). I elicit participants’ vote valuations and compare them across election conditions and demographic groups using both …

Deconstructing The Greenium: Exploring Mispricing In The Green Bond Market, Koto Yamada

Honors Theses

This paper investigates the sources and conditions under which the greenium – a yield discount observed for green bonds relative to comparable conventional bonds – appears in global fixed income markets. Using a dataset of over 26,000 bonds issued between 2012 and 2024 across 37 countries and 5,400 firms, I find that the existence of the greenium is highly context-dependent, shaped by factors such as issuer reputation, institutional trust, and green capital allocation across sectors. Repeat green issuers receive yield discounts of up to 57 basis points, particularly in the EU and Nordic countries, where strong climate policies and disclosure …

“Off To Greek Camp”: A History And Examination Of Greek America And Its Adaptation Of American Summer Camp Culture, Julia J. Walsh

Honors Theses

Camps are one of the most distinct institutions of American childhood, offering children a place to socialize and explore their identities. Since the late 19th century, camps have been used to inspire religious, social, and ethnic identity. Extensive research has been done into some kinds of summer camps, this thesis attempts to add to this literature through analysis of Greek Orthodox Summer Camp programs run under the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (The Metropolis of Boston Camp and Ionian Village). This dissertation examines the role of the modern religious summer camp in building and maintaining Greek American and Greek Orthodox …

Drivers Of Heat Pump Installation In Maine: Climate Shocks, Politics, And Incentives, Micah J. Margolis

Honors Theses

Heat pumps are a growing trend as climate adaptation measures around the world and are gaining significant popularity and attention due to a number of environmental and social factors across Maine. Homeowners in Maine face difficult financial and personal pressures when considering a heat pump. Impacting this decision is a high cost of energy, a substantial rebate offsetting the purchase price, as well as summers and winters that are warming beyond record highs and lows. Previous research has looked at specific populations or large regions without considering the long-term personal drivers of this decision. I use data from Efficiency Maine, …

Tracing The Lines In Comics And Life: Genealogies And My Place Within Them, Audrey M. Loo

Honors Theses

My thesis is a hybrid English Lit/Creative Writing project on comics. The English Lit half is an Artist’s Statement comprised of scholarly research and both analytical and personal writing, and this work will necessarily inform and be informed by the Creative Writing half, in which I create my own comics.

Does The 25th Amendment Merit Reform?: The Challenge Of Determining Presidential Disability, Karena R. Andreassen

Honors Theses

This research project examines the persistent lack of use of the 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution in its original form, despite many calls for the reform of the language or expansion of its application as situations unfold. Adopted in 1967, the amendment was created to address the challenges of presidential succession and incapacity. However, historical events over the last few decades, such as the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan, Reagan’s colon cancer, and the general increase in the age at which presidents assume office, have contributed to scrutiny over the amendments’ provisions. This study will explore why specifically …

Characterization Of A Highly Arsenic-Resistant Microbe, Eleanor E. Windholz

Honors Theses

Heavy metal pollution in our terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is a major global concern, as chronic exposure to heavy metals such as arsenic and chromium has dire effects on mammalian health. In these polluted, arsenic-rich environments, microorganisms resistant to heavy metals have been isolated. The microbe isolated in this paper was resistant to As(V) up to 1100 mM, which is significantly higher than most published strains, and resistant to Cr(VI) at concentrations up to 5 mM. The microbe was tentatively identified as Micrococcus luteus, but its high arsenic resistance suggests it may be a novel strain. The ability of the …

Why Community: The Potentials And Limitations Of Community Engagement In Restorative Justice, Emily P. Chauhan

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the role of community in restorative justice through both the criminologist and practitioner perspectives. Through investigating the limitations of the U.S. penal system, which ranks highest globally in incarceration rates yet fails to ensure public safety, the research investigates restorative justice as a victim-cantered, harm-driven alternative. It emphasizes how restorative justice redefines crime by focusing on healing and accountability rather than punishment of the criminals/harm-doers. This thesis examines how communities are essential to restorative processes and how restorative justice, in turn, helps to build communities. Drawing from case studies, models, and interviews this thesis questions the assumptions …

Off The Grid: Rural Identity, Environmentalism, And Renewable Energy Policy In Rural New England, Joseph A. Grassi

Honors Theses

This thesis investigates how rural identity, environmental values, and place-based resentment interact to shape support for land use regulation in rural New England. Despite their vulnerability to climate change, rural communities often resist renewable energy development—a pattern commonly attributed to economic concerns or NIMBYism. Using an original survey of over 1,400 New England residents, this study tests six hypotheses through multivariate regression and subgroup analysis. Findings confirm that environmental identity is a strong predictor of support for land use regulation; however, this effect diminishes significantly among rural respondents. Place identity alone is associated with greater policy support, but when combined …

Understanding Perspectives Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Central Maine, Bridget B. Meehan

Honors Theses

The present study investigates perspectives of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Rural Central Maine and the support measures needed to optimize students’ inclusive education experiences. The research examines views of three primary stakeholders: parents/guardians, teachers (general education and special education), and clinicians. By utilizing Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Model, I explore the complexity of inclusive education by analyzing how macrosystem beliefs (operationalized through logics) and mesosystem interactions across microsystems influence the educational experience for students with ASD (Bronfenbrenner, 1979). Part one of the research consists of a systematic literature review for each stakeholder, incorporating 45 sources across three prominent education databases. …

Shared Tracks, Divided Rule: The Role Of Polycentrism In Shaping Public Transportation In U.S. Metropolises, Dev Purohit

Honors Theses

American public transportation is notably less comprehensive and efficient relative to peer nations. The reliance on private automobiles and commercial air travel for routes that can be served by high-speed rail is a uniquely American phenomenon. This inefficiency is deeply rooted in governance structures, where centralized decision-making has often failed to address the complexities of metropolitan transit systems spanning multiple jurisdictions. This project explores polycentric governance as a potential mechanism to address these shortcomings by fostering competition, enhancing collaboration, and promoting localized responsiveness within metropolitan transit systems. By developing an empirical inventory to measure governance polycentricity and comparing transit outcomes …

Mortal Rivers: A Case Study Analysis Of Indigenous Water Sovereignty Within The Penobscot And Lakota Nations, 19th Century To Present, Moya S. Stringer

Honors Theses

Indigenous water sovereignty has long been a contested problem within the continent of Turtle Island. In 2016, the Lakota Nation globalized the message Water is Life through their movement against the Dakota Access Pipeline, an oil infrastructure that would put one of the continent’s largest watersheds at risk. The revolutionary fervor of the Water is Life movement travelled all the way to the Penobscot Nation in the Dawnland, a place we now call Maine. In an adjacent vein to the Lakota, the Penobscot people have spent the 21st century addressing damming projects and rampant pollution from the 1900s in a …

Shouting Down Democracy: The Role Of The Deeply Engaged In American Political Discourse, Annaliese Fleck

Honors Theses

In an age of heightened polarization and increasing incivility in politics, a small but influential subset of Americans, known as the deeply engaged have emerged as dominant voices in political dialogue. This thesis investigates who these individuals are, what drives them, and how their behavior impacts democratic participation in the United States. Through a combination of theoretical analysis and original survey data, this study constructs a profile of the deeply engaged and distinguishes them from the general electorate. Drawing on foundational concepts of free speech, including isegoria and parrhesia, and the philosophies of John Stuart Mill and Karl Popper, this …

Wave Reflections In A Biophysically Detailed Model Of Cardiac Tissue, Grace Moberg

Honors Theses

Regular heart rhythms are governed by the coordinated spread of action potentials through cardiac tissue. The interaction of an action potential with a tissue heterogeneity may lead to a reflection, where both a retrograde and an anterograde wave propagate off of the initial impulse. Reflections have been experimentally linked to cardiac arrhythmias, but their mechanisms of generation are not well-understood. Mathematically, reflections in phenomenological models of cardiac tissue have been linked to an unstable periodic orbit. These models typically sacrifice detail about the variety of ionic currents and processes involved in action potential propagation in favor of mathematical simplicity. Biophysically …

When Choice Disappears: Voter Cynicism In The Absence Of Competition, Benjamin J. Kaden

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the democratic consequences of uncontested state legislature elections in the United States, focusing on how the absence of electoral competition influences both voter engagement and political attitudes. While state legislatures wield significant influence over public policy and resource allocation, an increasing number of these elections proceed without meaningful opposition. Drawing on an original survey of 2,775 respondents, this study tests two core hypotheses: first, that uncontested state legislature elections lead to decreased voter engagement, as reflected in voter attitude towards election participation and candidate qualities; and second, that uncontested state legislature elections increase negative attitudes towards government …