Digital Commons Network^™

Personhood Amidst Process, Bennett B. Gilbert

History Faculty Publications and Presentations

Both process philosophy and key forms of philosophical personalism aim to harmonize the flux of reality, especially of organisms, with cosmic values and human meaningfulness. This is because both must face our mortality. This paper makes four suggestions for considering further the connection between these two approaches. First, that process philosophy can supply for personalism a thoroughly reasoned ground for nonreducible complexity. Second, that process thought borrows from personhood its model for cosmic creativity. Third, that both approaches share strong notions of the interdependence of all parts of a relational universe. And fourth, that they differ in respect of moral …

Handwritten Poetry By Darrell Grayson, Darrell Grayson

Darrell Grayson Creative Writings

Handwritten drafts of poetry by Darrell Grayson.

Darrell Grayson Undated Poetry, Darrell Grayson

Darrell Grayson Creative Writings

Selected poems from Darrell Grayson.

The Economics Of Corruption In The Philippines: Distorted Incentives, Weakened Institutions, And The Cost To Growth And Freedom, Marites M. Tiongco, Caesar B. Cororaton, Francine Ysabel D. Gañgan

Angelo King Institute for Economic and Business Studies (AKI)

No abstract provided.

01 Electrostatics I, Gerhard Müller

Electromagnetism (2026)

Part 1 of course materials for Electromagnetism taught by Gerhard Müller at the University of Rhode Island.

02 Electrostatics Ii, Gerhard Müller

Electromagnetism (2026)

Part 2 of course materials for Electromagnetism taught by Gerhard Müller at the University of Rhode Island.

03 Electrostatics Iii, Gerhard Müller

Electromagnetism (2026)

Part 3 of course materials for Electromagnetism taught by Gerhard Müller at the University of Rhode Island.

07 Magnetostatics Ii, Gerhard Müller

Electromagnetism (2026)

Part 7 of course materials for Electromagnetism taught by Gerhard Müller at the University of Rhode Island.

08 Electrodynamics I, Gerhard Müller

Electromagnetism (2026)

Part 8 of course materials for Electromagnetism taught by Gerhard Müller at the University of Rhode Island.

Integer-Valued Time Series Model Via Copula-Based Bivariate Skellam Distribution, Mohammed Alqawba, Norou Diawara, Mame Mor Sene

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Time series analysis is crucial for modeling and forecasting diverse real-world phenomena. Traditional models typically assume continuous-valued data; however, many applications involve integer-valued series, often including negative integers. This paper introduces an approach that combines copula theory with the bivariate Skellam distribution to handle such integer-valued data effectively. Copulas are widely recognized for capturing complex dependencies among variables. By integrating copulas, our proposed method respects integer constraints while modeling positive, negative, and temporal dependencies accurately. Through simulation and an empirical study on a real-life example, we demonstrate that our class of models performs well. This approach has broad applicability in …

From Screens To Stress: Public Health Implications Of Cancer Worry In A Digitally Connected World, Shreya Mathur, Ethan Burns, Michael Pokojovy, Tzu-Liang Bill Tseng, Sunil Mathur

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Aims:

This study examines how digital information environments, genetic testing experiences, health behaviors, and psychological distress influence cancer-related worry among adults in the United States. It further considers the public health implications of elevated or reduced cancer worry for prevention and risk communication.

Methods:

Data were drawn from a nationally representative survey of 6,252 U.S. adults. Measures included reliance on social media for health decision-making, smoking status, history of genetic testing, and psychological distress. Multivariable analyses assessed associations between these factors and levels of cancer worry.

Results/Findings:

Reliance on social media for health decisions was associated with greater cancer worry, …

Preserving Progress: Why The Dd Network Matters Now More Than Ever, Matt Wappett

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Introduction To Christian Ethics, Michael Knight, Lizette Knight

Academic Books

No abstract provided.

On The Clock: The Centrality Of Time In Teacher Work, Jack Schneider, Ashley Carey, Ayana Bass, Breanne Lucy, Babatunde Alford, Nathan Jones

Education Faculty Publications

American teachers work substantially more hours than their international peers; yet much of this work occurs outside the contract day. Despite this, teachers in the U.S. consistently report insufficient time to complete essential tasks—particularly lesson planning, collaboration, and professional reflection. This paradox of long working hours and persistent time scarcity creates chronically high workloads, with documented consequences for teacher stress, burnout, and turnover. Ultimately, these conditions affect student outcomes and the sustainability of the profession. Yet time continues to be overlooked in policy design and implementation.

This paper proposes an ecological framework with six interconnected components: education policy, professional context, …

Association Between Caregiver Status And Physical And Mental Health Among National Senior Games Athletes, Chibuzo Uchechukwu Victor Obasi

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

As the population ages, more people rely on informal caregivers, which puts many older adults at risk for health problems. Caregiving can be meaningful and strengthen family bonds, but it often leads to more psychological stress, especially for older adults who also have their own health concerns. Research shows that regular physical activity can help older adults build resilience and improve their mental well-being. Still, we know little about the health of older caregivers who stay very active. This study examines the health effects of caregiving among members of the National Senior Games Association (NSGA), a group of highly active …

The Sub-Lethal Effects Of Trematode Parasites On The Migratory Behavior Of Lesser Scaup (Aythya Affinis), Scott Alan Herman

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The introduction of the invasive freshwater faucet snail (Bithynia tentaculata) and its associated parasites in the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region provides the opportunity to investigate how anthropogenic stressors impact the life history of lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) using the Mississippi Flyway. To understand the life histories and interactions between lesser scaup and faucet snails we examined historical records, research, and ecology textbooks. Our literature review identified critical knowledge gaps in lesser scaup literature surrounding population dynamics, reproduction, and migration. Specifically, the sub-lethal effects of invasive trematodes on the migratory behavior of lesser scaup in the Upper Mississippi …

Exploring African Students’ Experiences With Culturally Responsive Mental Health Apps In The U.S., Emelia Essumanba-Josiah

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Digital mental health applications have proven to be effective, yet adoption remains very low among African international students in the United States. This study investigated how 17 university students perceive the usefulness of mental health apps, evaluate existing tools through their cultural lens, and recommend what a culturally responsive app would look like – all through a semi-structured interview with an app exploration exercise at a Midwestern public university. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model and the African-Centered Wellness Model, there were six (6) key themes that emerged revealing participants carried skewed pre-migration mental health frameworks, dealt with their stressors …

The Worth Of Hearts And Minds: The Effect Of Governance Type On Insurgent Territorial Control, Savannah H. Leavitt

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research establishes a new typology of insurgent governance (coercive versus integrative) and examines the relationship between the type of insurgent government and the extent of insurgent territorial control. I examined 27 insurgencies in the Middle East across 227 total years to investigate my hypothesis that coercive governance decreases the extent of insurgent territorial control while integrative governance increases that extent. My findings are entirely contrary to my theory, indicating that coercive governance actually expands insurgent territorial control. My research suggests that counterinsurgency (COIN) efforts can cripple insurgent territorial control by reducing insurgent ability to coerce their constituents.

Misinformation And The Law, Gustavo Ribeiro

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

This Article bridges critical gaps between the growing body of social science research on misinformation and the persistent challenges jurors face in evaluating potentially unreliable evidence in courtrooms. Misinformation—a pervasive issue undermining decision-making in democratic societies—mirrors the difficulties jurors encounter in distinguishing truth from falsehood amid compelling but unreliable evidence. The consequences of such challenges are dire: wrongful convictions, racial disparities, and the erosion of public trust in the legal system.

This Article is the first piece of legal scholarship to provide a comprehensive discussion of current research on the psychological mechanisms underlying susceptibility to misinformation—such as the illusory truth …

Law’S Limits: Abortion And The Social Determinants Of Health, Maya Manian

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

After Dobbs: How the Supreme Court Ended Roe but Not Abortion (“After Dobbs”) is a prescient and timely response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and upended nearly five decades of constitutional protection for abortion. In this meticulously structured oral history, law professor David S. Cohen and sociologist Carole Joffe center the voices of abortion providers, clinic administrators, funders, and advocates from across the country. After Dobbs, not only documents the extraordinary persistence of abortion supporters in the face of legal devastation but also bears witness to …

The Hope Industrial Complex: Resisting Manufactured And False Hope With Critical Hope In Peace Education, Thailand's Refugee Context, Staci B. Martin, Hayso Thako, Rey Ty, Sudarat Tuntivivat, Rattanak Ly

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Our Point of Departure (POD) argues that the type of hope fostered within the Karen refugee community in Thailand – manufactured, false, or critical – shapes the impact of peace-building and higher education efforts. Through a dialogue among a Karen scholar, his supervisor, and a migration researcher, we demonstrate that manufactured hope, often driven by external aid, sustains dependency and overlooks core conflicts. In contrast, false hope arises from the gap between student desires and institutional barriers, leading to unmet expectations. We aim to show that by applying critical hope, the pedagogical approach enables the Karen community to enhance its …

Geographies Of Resistance: Pushing Back Against Neoliberalism From Chiapas To Atlanta (Episode 24), Miah Sciavi-Munoz, Mickey Mcguire, Eli Davies

OtterPod

No abstract provided.

The Nature Of Domestic Violence Threats Against Federal Law Enforcement Resulting From Immigration Enforcement Efforts, Robert J. Hehl, Riley Fullam, Reagan Moffatt, Phillip Pires

CJC 450 - Criminal Justice and Criminology Capstone

This Capstone Research Assessment (CRA) focuses on the nature of the domestic violence threats against federal law enforcement resulting from enhanced immigration enforcement efforts. Through review of joint law enforcement immigration actions, and subsequent public responses in the form of violent protests and targeting of immigration and task force officers and their agencies, this CRA will identify specific threats and trends that may endanger federal law enforcement officials. This assessment will conclude with recommendations to mitigate identified threats in ensuring officer safety.

The Evolution Of Crime: Exploitation Of Technological Overdependencies Within Economic Enterprises, Robert J. Hehl, Grey Quigley, Autumn Laurenzano-Frost, Richard Mcloughlin, Valerie Garzon

CJC 450 - Criminal Justice and Criminology Capstone

This Capstone Research Assessment focuses on analyzing the evolution of crime from physical to technology-based offenses. This project examines how criminal actors exploit organizations’ increasing dependence on technology and digital systems and the inherent vulnerabilities found within economic enterprises. Said research assesses the lagging development of laws and cybersecurity safeguards, the critical issue of human error, and the lowered barrier to entry for cybercriminals. This paper will conclude with recommendations and strategies that may mitigate such vulnerabilities.

Security Threats To General Dynamics And Sensitive Defense Programs, Robert J. Hehl, Shane Williams, Henna Darji, Delia Tarasco

CJC 450 - Criminal Justice and Criminology Capstone

This Capstone Research Assessment focuses on the identification and analysis of foreign state actors, insider threats, and personnel negligence to United States defense contractors within the private sector, specifically General Dynamics. This assessment examines how The Big Four --- China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea --- continue to pose the most significant threats to U.S. sensitive defense programs.

Argument Grounds, Patrick Belanger

Activities and Assignments Collection

To provide students with analytic tools to assess the grounds of various arguments

Formulating Arguments: Deductive And Inductive Reasoning, Tolga Tezcan

Activities and Assignments Collection

To help students practice deductive logic by formulating testable hypotheses and deconstructing arguments. To enable students to apply inductive logic by analyzing specific observations to identify and articulate broader social patterns.

Critical Thinking Scale, Tolga Tezcan

Activities and Assignments Collection

To enable students to engage in metacognitive self-assessment by evaluating their own thought process using a critical thinking scale. To identify and reflect upon personal strengths and weaknesses in critical thinking skills.

Ethical Reasoning, Tolga Tezcan

Activities and Assignments Collection

To learn how to apply different ethical frameworks to analyze a complex, real-world social issue. To engage multiple perspectives and counterarguments before forming conclusions.

Analyzing A News Article, Tolga Tezcan

Activities and Assignments Collection

Students will synthesize academic knowledge (sociological concepts) with experiences (their own news browsing habits and selection). To differentiate between statements of value and statements of empirical fact within a journalistic piece. To engage in self-reflection regarding one’s own vulnerability to media bias and selective exposure.