Digital Commons Network^™

Full-Stack Web Applications: Infrastructure, Development Pipelines & Devsecops, Yassine Chahid, Patrick Slattery

Publications and Research

This research explores emerging development methodologies and technologies which facilitate the deployment and maintenance of software applications. It evaluates architectural styles for the development of software such as monolithic (legacy) and microservice models, with a focus on their key differences such as scalability or project structure through to the development of an application. By examining methodologies such as Agile and continuous integration/continuous development pipelines along with the deployment tools Docker and Git for version/release control, the study analyzes how these innovations speed up development, improve existing practices, and serve as the foundation for development operations. Cloud solutions for tasks such …

What Before Means: Teaching The English Pluperfect, Max Miller, Joseph C. M. Davis

Publications and Research

This paper extends existing linguistic analyses of the English simple past tense (e.g., took) and pluperfect tense (e.g., had taken) by thoroughly examining communicative effects. It also proposes a pedagogical application. The analysis is based on authentic contextualized discourse (primarily a single published text). In distinction to the simple past, the pluperfect establishes a communicative link between a past time and an event before that time. In this way, the pluperfect makes conceptional connection (which could be termed "tethering") through temporal priority. The meaning of the pluperfect thus contributes to textual cohesion. The distinction made is communicative, not a matter …

A Comparative Study Of Epibionts And Age Structure Of Two East Coast Populations Of American Horseshoe Crabs, Mark L. Botton Phd, Christina P. Colon, Shiva Jeanbaptist, Kelvin Zaw, Robert E. Loveland

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Queer Ga(Y)Ze And Desire In Flesh And Pink Narcissus, Kel R. Karpinski

Publications and Research

Through their portrayals of gay-for-pay hustlers, the films Flesh and Pink Narcissus, offer an expansive view of queerness and illuminate the queer history of Times Square.

Book Review: Maricel Guiao Santos, Rachel Showstack, Glenn A. Martínez, Drew Colcher, Dalia Magaña. (2024). Health Disparities And The Applied Linguist. Routledge, Pp. 148, David Sanchez-Jimenez

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Living Heritage, Resilience And Ethically Informed Infrastructures In Malawi, Martha B. Lerski, Frank Puluputu Mwale

Publications and Research

Rooted in a rural community’s needs, this paper explores how historically, and ethically informed infrastructures can support community engagement towards identification, documentation, and dissemination of local, traditional, and indigenous knowledge relating to climate change. The paper examines climate adaptation and sustainability issues through the lenses of community organizing and Library & Information Science best practices. It draws on a growing body of literature identifying a role for expanded epistemological and subject discipline perspectives. While the impacts of climate on material culture are increasingly recognized, intangible, and biocultural heritage have not received as much attention. Living heritage traditions and knowledge systems …

Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning For Composite Materials Design, Kazi Imran, Akm Rahman, Jiayue Shen, Md Zahidul Haque

Publications and Research

Artificial intelligence is becoming a powerful tool to design and develop new materials, especially in composite materials design. Fiber-reinforced polymer composites have an exceptional advantage over traditional materials for their superior or specific stiffness and strength, and resistance to corrosion and fatigue, which results in low total lifetime cost. One of the primary limitations of these composite materials is predicting mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties due to the anisotropy of the materials. Predicting mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties is important in utilizing these composite materials for multiple engineering applications. To address this issue requires a machine learning model trained from …

Board # 186: The Impact Of Virtual Reality On Learning In Engineering Materials Courses, Ozlem Yasar, Angran Xiao

Publications and Research

Virtual reality (VR), one of the leading technologies in immersive learning, has the potential to transform the teaching of mechanical engineering by providing interactive, 3D learning environments. Traditional teaching methods in mechanical engineering often rely heavily on theoretical concepts and offer limited practical demonstrations. However, giving students hands-on experience with advanced machinery, such as scanning probe microscopes (SPM) and transmission electron microscopes (TEM), poses significant challenges. These challenges arise from factors like cost constraints, limited availability, and safety concerns. These machines are prohibitively expensive to acquire and maintain, making it impractical for many educational institutions to provide widespread access. Even …

Board # 363: Effective Strategies To Support Student Success In An Nsf S-Stem Program, Diana Samaroo, Urmi Duttagupta, Nadia E. Stoyanova Kennedy, Armando R. Solis, Viviana Acquaviva

Publications and Research

This paper reports on the success of an NSF S-STEM grant, which builds on two successful previous programs at “our institution”. The initiative aims to improve retention and graduation rates, increasing the participation of minority and female students in STEM fields and the NYC workforce, thereby reducing socio-economic disparities.

From Spring 2020 to Spring 2024, the project awarded an average of 40 scholarships annually to academically strong and financially disadvantaged students in various STEM programs, benefiting 93 unique students. It also enhanced early research experiences, internships, and provided robust academic advisement and mentoring. Seminars and meetings with STEM professionals expanded …

Board # 414: Nsf S-Stem: Developing An Ecosystem Of Stem Success For Built Environment Scholars, Melanie Villatoro, Muhammad Ummy, Hamidreza E. Norouzi, Masato R. Nakamura, Daeho Kang

Publications and Research

The National Science Foundation S-STEM program, Developing an Ecosystem of STEM success for Built Environment Scholars (Award Number 2150432), focuses on supporting and developing scholars in the majors relating to the Built-Environment which include Civil Engineering Technology, Construction Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Environmental Control Technology. The intent of the project is to implement evidence-based effective practices and assess the impact of these practices, degree attainment, and entry into the U.S. workforce or graduate programs in STEM. Students are provided faculty mentors and opportunities to engage in cohort building activities that include field trips, research, workforce …

Shaping Future Innovators: A Curriculum Comparison Of Data Science Programs In Leading U.S. And Chinese Institutions, Elizabeth Milonas, Qiping Zhang, Duo Li

Publications and Research

Background: In recent years, the data revolution has sparked widespread interest in Data Science (DS) across numerous fields and disciplines [1]. As society becomes more reliant on data-driven decisions, the demand for professionals equipped to handle data challenges is rising. The need for skilled workers in diverse roles and capacities continues to grow as these demands evolve [2,3]. To meet the demand for skilled workers, training in the latest data science technologies has become a priority in colleges across the US and China. These colleges have established comprehensive data science programs to ensure students graduate with the expertise required in …

Getting It Right: Common Alma Mistakes And How To Fix Them, Kristen Fredericksen

Publications and Research

In this session, we will explore common issues faced by Alma users and offer practical solutions to address them. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the inner workings of Alma and leave equipped with the knowledge to optimize their Alma experience. This presentation is tailored for librarians, system administrators, and anyone seeking to enhance their proficiency with the Alma library management system.

Proceedings Of The Cuny Games Conference 11.0, Robert O. Duncan, Grace Axler-Diperte, Joe Bisz, Christina Boyle, Devorah Kletenik, Carolyn Stallard

Publications and Research

The CUNY Games Conference combines workshops, idea exchanges, interactive participant presentations, playtesting, and playing tabletop games into a one-day online event to promote and discuss game-based learning. The conference focuses on creative pedagogy, such as playful learning activities or games, that teachers can use in the classroom every day. The conference is online and features interactive presentations by attendees, informal idea exchange sessions, and workshops by the conference organizers.

Extended Abstract—Using Augmented Reality To Teach The History Of Classical Athens: A Presentation Of The Methodology And Preliminary Findings, Christopher Tripoulas, George Koutromanos

Publications and Research

In this extended abstract, the methodology for a study in progress regarding the design, development and evaluation of an Augmented Reality application for the teaching of the History of Classical Athens to students of Greek descent living abroad is presented. Following a review of the reasons necessitating the adoption of this technology for the teaching of History – and specifically relating to fifth-century B.C. Athens – the preliminary findings including a review of the literature and results of interviews with teachers, students, and parents are also shared. The detailed methodological framework of Design-Based Research guiding this study is detailed, as …

Advances In Bone And Orthopedics 2025 – 5th Edition, Jean-Philippe Berteau, Laurent Pujo-Menjouet, Hélène Follet, Aurélie Levillain

Publications and Research

This volume brings together selected works from the 2025 Bone and Orthopedics Interdisciplinary Symposium (BONITOS), underscoring our community’s ongoing commitment to advancing research in biomechanics, bone health, and orthopedic science. The symposium unites leading experts from around the world, fostering collaboration and the exchange of ideas across disciplines. Organized in partnership with the French-speaking Society of Biomechanics, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), the University of Lyon, the College of Staten Island of the City University of New York (CUNY), and the American Association of Physical Therapists (APTA) – Brooklyn Staten Island Chapter, BONITOS 2025 represents …

Increasing Global South Knowledge Representation With Oa And Library Resource Sharing, J. Silvia Cho

Publications and Research

In this peer-review session, I present ideas to study and overcome barriers to digital interlibrary loan exchange with Latin America under Fair Use (and equivalent provisions). Materials published in Latin America and the Caribbean are more difficult to discover and access from the United States, creating silos and under-representation of points of view from these regions in Global North scholarship. Open Access is key towards overcoming barriers to access, but much of Southern knowledge continues to be in non-Open Access publications with traditional copyright. As a result, library resource sharing and interlibrary loan must facilitate a greater flow of Southern …

Charting Your Own Course: Diverse Paths To Occupational Health Psychology, Irvin Sam Schonfeld

Publications and Research

This piece describes my pathway, via stressful work experiences, into occupational health psychology (OHP). Those work experiences combined with my later training in epidemiology at Columbia led me to the study of work, stress, and health. I briefly describe key research experiences with Joe Mazzola of Meredith College (the role of qualitative research in theory development and hypothesis generation) and Renzo Bianchi of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (research on burnout–depression overlap and the creation of scales to assess occupational depression, occupational anxiety, and pandemic-related anxiety). The piece concludes with ideas for newcomers to OHP for getting the …

Arts-Based Sustainability: From New York To Malawi, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Recognizing that libraries serve multiple constituencies and subject areas, this chapter documents and advocates for development of transdisciplinary arts-based research (ABR) and culture-related projects linked to environmental challenges. Libraries contribute collections and spaces, as well as the research of library and information scientists. Libraries are currently among invisible contributors to sustainability planning and services. The chapter will link this invisibility to the value of what visual arts refer to as negative space elements in subjects ranging from traditional ecological knowledge to environmental science. Library collections, projects, and research contribute to education for sustainable development (ESD) as required to achieve the …

Integrating Universal Generative Ai Platforms In Educational Labs To Foster Critical Thinking And Digital Literacy, Vasiliy S. Znamenskiy, Joel Hernandez, Rafael Niyazov

Publications and Research

This study investigates the educational potential of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) platforms based on large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, as tools for studentcentred learning. Recognizing the current limitations of GenAI, particularly its propensity for generating inaccurate or misleading information—the paper proposes a novel instructional strategy: an interdisciplinary laboratory designed to foster critical evaluation of GenAI-generated outputs. In this pedagogical model, students engage with GenAI systems by posing questions or solving problems drawn from topics they have already studied and understand. Equipped with correct answers, students are positioned to assess the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated …

Community Safety Innovations: New York State Initiatives To Strengthen Public Safety, Justice D. Evans, Elia Del Carmen Solano-Patricio, Rebecca Balletto, Kathleen A. Tomberg, Jeffrey A. Butts

Publications and Research

This report presents findings from researchers at the Research and Evaluation Center at John Jay College (JohnJayREC) regarding the impact of state investments in community safety. The report highlights key initiatives such as the SNUG program, Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE), Project RISE, and Crime Analysis Centers (CACs). Through interviews with State agency staff and initiative leaders, the research team gathered valuable insights into the goals, challenges, and implementation of these programs. The findings suggest that these efforts may contribute to reduced violence and enhanced neighborhood safety, though further, more robust evaluation could help refine and expand these efforts for …

Quantum-Enhanced Training Of Large Language Models: A Hybrid Approach, Nan Wu, Fangmin Song, Xiangdong Li

Publications and Research

The training of large language models (LLMs) presents significant computational challenges, particularly regarding efficient convergence. This paper presents a hybrid quantum-classical framework designed to address the significant computational challenges associated with training large language models (LLMs). By integrating quantum computing principles superposition, entanglement, and tunneling with classical deep learning methods, we propose an approach to accelerate convergence, enhance optimization efficiency, and improve model generalization. Specifically, quantum feature mapping is employed to project classical data into high-dimensional Hilbert spaces, facilitating more expressive data representations. Quantum-assisted optimization algorithms, such as Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) and Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE), efficiently navigate …

A Broken Glass And Its Pieces: The Psychological Impact On Children In Gaza, Qamar Bazar

Publications and Research

This review article is on the psychological effects of ongoing violence on children living in Gaza through a trauma-informed approach to bring together research from academic articles, clinical studies, and journalistic reports published between 2023 and 2025. Based on the sources selected, their focus is on children’s mental health and whether they came from trusted and credible platforms. Rather than just summarizing the research, the paper uses relevant sources to understand how distress shows up in children with mental health struggles such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociative amnesia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Questions like how they are related to …

Representation Of African Countries And Sino-Africa Relations In Chinese Newspapers, Zheng Zhu

Publications and Research

China’s neocolonialist expansion and domination in African continent has been well documented and extensively studied by scholars across various fields and disciplines. But what these studies didn’t pay attention to, or what they failed to pay enough attention to, was the ways this type of neo-colonialist exploitation was legitimated and justified by the powerful media outlets that support the Chinese government and have strong impact on public perceptions of the domestic and global situations. This research project aims to fill that gap by examining three Chinese newspapers’ coverage of African countries and their complex business relations with the Chinese government. …

An Antidote To Populist Ill-Rule? Polycentricity, And Excess Mortality In The Covid-19 Pandemic, Michael Lee

Publications and Research

It has often proven difficult for scholars of populist governance to untangle the policy results produced by populist governments from the conditions that might lead voters to elect populist leaders. The COVID-19 pandemic – an exogenous event occurring amidst the rise of populist governments to power in many of the world’s democracies – offers a unique window into populist crisis management. Are populists less effective crisis managers when the stakes are high? And if so, what factors might mitigate populist ill-rule? In this paper I present evidence that populist-led governments experienced greater levels of excess mortality in the COVID-19 pandemic …

Exposure To And Impact Of Unhealthy Food Marketing On Adolescents And Young Adults: A Narrative Review And Research Agenda, Nicholas Freudenberg, Rositsa Ilieva

Publications and Research

Consumption of unhealthy food has become a leading cause of premature deaths and preventable illnesses around the world. Research shows that marketing by the companies that produce, distribute, and sell unhealthy foods and beverages is associated with increased consumption of these products. To date, however, limited research has focused on the cumulative exposure and impact of various modes of marketing employed to reach distinct populations. In this narrative review, we summarize 25 years of scientific evidence and findings from 108 empirical studies and 19 systematic and scoping reviews of various forms of unhealthy food marketing to adolescents (aged 13 to …

Meeting People Where They Are At: Accessible Approaches To Ceramic Design And The Artistic Process, Molly E. Thompson

Publications and Research

This paper explores accessibility for disabled people in ceramics, drawing upon my personal experiences as a disabled potter at Artistry Community Arts Center in Vermont. I begin with a discussion of how the process of creating pottery can be made more accessible, with a list of adaptable tools I have discovered and anecdotes about how pottery instructors can adapt their teaching styles to different needs. I then explore different examples of adaptive pottery made specifically for disabled people, including some of my own work. While recounting my own successes and failures in pottery production, I conclude that imperfection is the …

Improving Healthcare Access Among Hunter College Students – Suggestions For A Hunter College Student Health Center, Jacob Villorente

Publications and Research

This study investigates disparities in healthcare access among students at CUNY Hunter College, an urban public university in Manhattan serving over 22,000 students. 89% of Hunter students receive financial aid, with 67% of students receiving Pell grants. Hunter College only offers limited health services, primarily short-term mental health counseling and wellness workshops. A cross-sectional survey (n = 33) assessed insurance status, coverage (dental, vision, psychiatric), access barriers (e.g., transportation), mental health symptoms, and impacts to academia. While 69.7% of respondents reported comprehensive insurance, students with public insurance (Medicaid, Medicare) experienced substantially higher access barriers than those with employer-sponsored plans and …

Making Sense Of All Your Data: Working With Statistics Across Systems, Tokunbo Adeshina, Silvia Cho

Publications and Research

The City University of New York (CUNY) relies on multiple resource sharing solutions to meet user information needs. How library users interact with resources and submit information requests helps shape library processes for interpreting statistics, ensuring that resource sharing services remain accessible, discoverable, and user friendly. With 21 library institution zones sharing collections and operating a robust inter-campus lending system within its consortium, ensuring uniformity in data reporting is essential. This session presents an overview of how we reconcile data from all our resource sharing programs to get a more accurate and descriptive picture of all our resource sharing activities. …

Common Challenges Faced By Early-Career Researchers In Latin American And Small U.S. Universities, Daniela Cejas, Fatima Rodriguez Acosta, Juan Rivera-Correa

Publications and Research

Early-career researchers from Spanish-speaking Latin American countries and small U.S. universities are underrepresented in international scientific databases. They have geographical importance, infectious disease endemicity, and exceptional researchers in microbiology, but these factors do not translate to representation in high-impact scientific publications. Many reasons could be involved, including financial burdens such as the inability to pay article processing charges. Additional teaching, institutional, and service responsibilities also highly influence their research productivity. Despite this, they are expected to publish high-impact articles, and their career development highly depends on it. There is an opportunity for global peer collaboration to tackle this inequity and …

In The Quest For New Horizons: Evaluating Novel Therapeutic Approaches For Tuberculosis Treatment, Selassie Mawuko, Aminata Traore, Bibi-Sakeena Khemraj, Anna Steto, Richa Gupta

Publications and Research

Tuberculosis (TB) in humans, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a significant global health concern, resulting in high disease burden and mortality each year which together make it the world’s topmost infectious killer. The emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in recent decades has further exacerbated the present situation and warrants an urgent need to develop and investigate innovative treatment regimes. This study aims to assess the therapeutic potential of newly identified drug candidates, namely Bedaquiline, Delamanid, and Linezolid, in treating MDR-TB. We adopted a consolidated and integrated approach encompassing a thorough literature review, empirical experimental studies, multiple sequence alignments, and …