Digital Commons Network^™

Preserving The Sea In A Radioactive World: How Japan's Plan To Release Treated Nuclear Wastewater Into Pacific Ocean Violates Unclos, Victoria Cruz-De Jesus

American University International Law Review

On December 10, 1982, the 1973–1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III) concluded. Japan became a signatory to the Convention on February 7, 1983 and ratified the Convention on June 20, 1996. Subsequently, Japan became a party to the treaty and committed itself to abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Ftas' Contribution Towards A More Flexible Copyright Space: Possibilities And Limits, Maria Vasquez Callo-Muller

American University International Law Review

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) have often been considered instruments for heightened intellectual property rights protection, thereby in detriment of a more flexible copyright space. However, since the adoption of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, some FTAs have been incorporating a clause on the “Balance in Copyright and Related Rights Systems.” Among these, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and, more recently, the 2021 Australia-U.K. FTA contain such a clause. In addition, more discrete FTAs, such as the AustraliaPeru FTA, also incorporate similar provisions. This article considers what incorporating such clauses in FTAs means for the interpretation of …

Approaches To Sea Level Rise: A Comparative View Of Emerging Policy Responses By The African And The American Regions, Charles Chernor Jalloh

American University International Law Review

It is a great privilege to be here with all of you tonight. Thank you very much to you, Professor Grossman, the moderator of this panel, and to all the organizers for inviting me to be part of this really important event. I hope this is the first of many such events concerning this really pressing issue for the international community: the issue of sea level rise which is already affecting peoples and States in many different regions of our world.

Hostility Is In The Eye Of The Beholder: Why Congress Should Decriminalize Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment In The Military, Adam J. Crane

Criminal Law Practitioner

In 2022, for the first time in American history, Congress enacted legislation criminalizing hostile work environment sexual harassment. More serious types of sexual harassment have long been criminal under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, but hostile work environment harassment is a civil wrong, not a crime, and should not have been made into one. Section 539D of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (now listed under Article 134, UCMJ (Sexual Harassment), is both unconstitutional and counterproductive. It violates the Fifth Amendment for vagueness by failing to provide fair notice of what is prohibited, and the First …

Approaches To Sea Level Rise: A Comparative View Of Emerging Policy Responses By The African And The American Regions, Charles Chernor Jalloh

American University Law Review

It is a great privilege to be here with all of you tonight. Thank you very much to you, Professor Grossman, the moderator of this panel, and to all the organizers for inviting me to be part of this really important event. I hope this is the first of many such events concerning this really pressing issue for the international community: the issue of sea level rise which is already affecting peoples and States in many different regions of our world.

Decision-Making And Christianity: Black Queer Women's Mental Health, Deborah Coffy

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study investigated how Christianity affects Black queer women's decision-making regarding seeking mental health services. Those who felt they met the inclusion criteria completed a Basic Demographic Survey. After vetting these individuals, eleven female participants—who are both Black and queer—were asked to participate in an individual semi-structured qualitative interview. The interview focused on one's journey with mental health, societal and relationship influences, Black and LGBTQ+ identity, influences from conservative, traditional, or mainstream Christianity, and sense of self. Although Christianity may not have directly impacted most of the women in this study to seek mental health services, Christianity did have an …

Evaluating Digital Cognitive Biomarkers As A Noninvasive Diagnostic Tool For Alzheimer's Disease: Correlations With Classic Csf Biomarkers, Kasey Corripio

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting over 35 million people. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for improving outcomes. Digital Cognitive Biomarkers (DCBs) offer a promising approach for early detection and disease management, quantifying cognitive processes of encoding and retrieval through a hierarchical Bayesian cognitive processing model using wordlist memory tests. We hypothesize that DCBs will correlate with classic AD cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers (Aβ42, T-tau, p-tau) in patients with varying cognitive decline levels compared to healthy elderly controls. Using Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) data and paired Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, our results support the hypothesis, indicating …

Ivermectin On Twitter: Investigating Early Advocacy For Covid-19 Vaccine Alternatives, Daniel Gabriel

Honors Undergraduate Theses

An emerging pattern of public doubt in scientific and political authorities has been seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, where numerous alternatives to vaccinations have gone viral. Ivermectin's growth from a relatively known specialist drug to a political controversy is a striking example of the amplification that social media can provide. Doubt in the dangers of illness has occurred in regard to previous diseases with limited impact, including the Zika virus, Ebola, and H1N1. However, the COVID-19 pandemic's impact in the United States is a much larger example of the gaps in current risk assessments and methods of public health authorities. …

Semi-Robotic Knee Arthroscopy System With Braking Mechanism, Thai Hua

Honors Undergraduate Theses

To alleviate the poor ergonomics which surgeons suffer during knee arthroscopy, a semi-robotic device with braking mechanism is created for intraoperative assistance. A slitted ball joint assembly is developed to transmit the clamping force to the arthroscope inside. Ball deformation and stress at various angles to the vertical and clamping forces is recorded through Abaqus Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Contact forces between the scope and inner surfaces of the ball is also computed in FEA at different clamping forces. The von Mises stress occurring in the ball joint is under the yield stress limit for polyethylene, and there is noticeable …

The Effects Of Virtual Reality-Based Mindfulness Meditation On Cognition, Rafael Leite

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Due to relatively recent strides made in the field of virtual reality, the technology's potential use in a clinical setting has been the focus of a growing body of research. Multiple studies focus on benefits of its combination with meditation interventions; however, few explore its impact following a short-term period of utilizing both. This investigation aims to explore that gap in the literature by determining whether an improvement on mindfulness and working memory test scores would be seen following a single session of virtual reality meditation. That was done by randomly assigning participants to one of two conditions. One group …

Characteristics Of Anxiety In Autistic Adults, Melissa Lewis

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Modern Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) research has shifted in focus from explaining a debilitating childhood illness to helping individuals of all ages, cultures, and intelligence navigate their social problems. Understanding of the adult perspective has also grown massively since the autism diagnosis changed in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) in 2013 and has brought into question how the neurodevelopmental disorder affects the individual. Anxiety symptoms in ASD, like the existence of camouflaging, have proven unique only to ASD, and recent findings suggests that the cause of anxiety in autistic individuals may be due to fundamental differences in communication …

Possible Relationship Between Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation And Recovery From Resistance Training, Saagar R. Patel

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the relationship between Omega-3 Fatty Acid supplementation and recovery from resistance training. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid that is commonly found in marine sources. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are widely known for offering cardiovascular health benefits and for their anti-inflammatory properties, but their role in resistance training recovery is a relatively novel area of research. This review was conducted by qualitatively analyzing a collection of studies that have been published on the relationship between Omega-3 Fatty Acid supplementation and recovery from resistance training in either resistance-trained or untrained …

The Encapsulation Of Enzymes In Multiphase Complex Coacervates, Akash R. Rajaram

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Polyelectrolyte complex coacervates (PECCs) result from liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in solutions containing oppositely charged polymers ¹. Multiphase polyelectrolyte complex coacervates (MPECCs) result from the combination of multiple, specific PECCs ². The encapsulation of proteins in PECCs can serve as promising vehicles for the effective delivery of protein-based therapeutics, which are notoriously difficult to deliver. The encapsulation of model proteins, such as Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) ³ or Human Hemoglobin (Hb) ⁴ have illustrated the protein-encapsulating capabilities of these PECC systems. The encapsulation of proteins in MPECCs is a topic that has yet to be explored; however, it …

Provider Perceptions On The Usage Of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy To Influence Behavior Change In Individuals With Substance Use Disorders, Leia T. Rausch

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Recent research studies and clinical trials have suggested that psychedelic therapy with psychological support can offer beneficial and synergistic effects in reducing or eliminating substance use disorder (SUD) patterns and symptoms. However, very little is known about SUD healthcare providers' perceptions of the usage of psychedelic-assisted therapy in SUD treatment. The present study assesses biomedical SUD healthcare providers' perceptions and concerns to better understand potential barriers to the effective implementation of psychedelic-based therapies and formulate further recommendations for research efforts surrounding them. This study collected data through a short survey and qualitative semi-structured interviews from nine participants involved in SUD …

The Role Of Mental Health Evaluations In The Prevention And Intervention Of School Shootings, Livine Saint-Louis

Honors Undergraduate Theses

In 2022, there were forty-two mass school shootings, a record that surpassed the previous years. As of April 2023, there have already been fourteen school shootings that have resulted in injury or death. Each year, the frequency of mass school shootings and the number of victims continue to rise. Regarding the shooters' characteristics, some have reported a history of mental illness, instability within the home, poor academic performance, and more. In the United States (U.S.), one out of five children and adolescents are diagnosed with mental health disorders (Brookman, 2017). This study will examine four significant perpetrators that committed mass …

Effect Of Molecular Crowders On The Activation Of Cholera Toxin By Protein Disulfide Isomerase, Niral Shah

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Cholera toxin (CT) is a classic A-B type protein toxin that has an A subunit (A1 + A2) and a pentameric B subunit. The catalytic A1 domain is linked to the A2 domain via a disulfide linkage. CTA1 must be dissociated from the rest of the toxin to cause a cytopathic effect. Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) can reduce the CTA1/CTA2 disulfide bond, but disassembly of the reduced toxin requires the partial unfolding of PDI that occurs when it binds to CTA1. This unfolding event allows PDI to push CTA1 away from the rest of the toxin.

My research question is …

Investigating The Effects Of Paraquat On Kidney Disease Biomarkers In Hek293 Cells, Zounaira Shahzad

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Farmworkers in Apopka, FL, have been subjected to overhead pesticide exposure since the 1940s. Pesticides including Paraquat (PQ), Metribuzin and Aldicarb were sprayed onto the field while farmworkers worked. In "Fed Up: The High Cost of Cheap Food," farmworkers recalled the physical toll these conditions took on their bodies, blaming pesticides for their diseases, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD). While established that pesticides, specifically PQ, may be involved in some forms of Parkinson's disease, no explicit connection has been identified for SLE, CKD, and other diseases experienced by farm workers. This study evaluated whether pesticides could contribute to kidney …

Soft Skills In Stem, Mariana Sorroza Aguilar

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Those working in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields are delivering world-changing solutions to the problems we face and are saving lives every day. Some of them do surgeries, some design airplanes and cars, others study the wildlife around us, and others create processes to facilitate the manufacturing of devices we use often. In order to do this, the engineers, scientists, doctors, and other professionals in STEM disciplines need to possess hard skills. Hard skills are often called technical skills and are measurable abilities and skills that are needed to perform tasks effectively. The tasks done share something in …

The Efficacy Of Treatment Of Symptoms Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome And Associated Health Risks Using Insulin Sensitizers: A Meta-Analysis, Isabella J. Wong

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is common among women of reproductive age (ages 15-49), and it can put patients at higher risk for diseases such as type II diabetes or coronary heart disease. While the mechanisms behind PCOS are poorly understood, it is diagnosed using two characteristics: hyperandrogenism and anovulation. Once diagnosed, many patients are also tested for insulin resistance (IR). While IR is thought of as a symptom of PCOS, this study will examine the effects of treatment of IR to manage symptoms of PCOS rather than treatment of hyperandrogenism. This meta-analysis used data from studies previously published by searching …

The Effects Of Psychiatric And Physical Cannabis Use Motivational Categories On The Development Of Cannabis Use Disorder, Kassidy B. Jacques

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The legalization of cannabis is increasing across the United States, for both recreational and medical use. This has resulted in a change in public opinion regarding the risks of cannabis use. This is particularly true for the current generation of older adults, which experiences a greater prevalence of cannabis use than previous members of this cohort. Due to decreased perception of risk and medical or emotional issues associated with old age, older adults increasingly use cannabis to cope with their psychiatric and medical symptoms. Current studies provide evidence of an association between using cannabis for medical symptoms and the development …

Associations Between Perfectionism, Self-Discrepancy, And Loss Of Control Eating, Dalaia Hernandez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

OBJECTIVE: Research has shown a clear relationship between perfectionism and other pathology including eating disorders, typically restrictive and purging disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. However, the relationship between perfectionism and loss of control eating disorder had not been explored. Similarly, we suspect there to be a relationship between perfectionism and self-discrepancy, and that shame might be a mediating variable in the relationship between these constructs and loss of control eating. This study investigated the relationship between these three variables to better understand how shame mediates or moderates the relationship between perfectionism, self-discrepancy, and loss of control eating. …

Prevention Of Perineal Tearing During Childbirth: A Literature Review, Victoria Manzo

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Perineal lacerations can be caused by a variety of risk factors such as a large fetal head circumference, birthing positions that place strain on the sacrum, and first-time births. Preventing perineal tears can be challenging for laboring women. Exploring the possible prevention methods to decrease the severity of perineal tearing or preventing it altogether can be beneficial for laboring women's physical and mental health. The primary purpose of this literature review was to examine which interventions are most likely to prevent perineal tearing during childbirth. The secondary purpose was to evaluate natural perineal tears in comparison to surgical incision, or …

Diet Change Over Time In The Ais Community Of Cape Canaveral, Florida, Allyson Shenkman

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Diet change over time is assessed for a Malabar II period (900 C.E. to 1565 C.E.) Ais indigenous community in Cape Canaveral, Florida, at the Penny Plot site (8BR158). To this end, 7,760 faunal fragments were examined, with 1,876 identified at the species, genus, or family level. Through identification and analysis of faunal remains, it can be concluded that, while the amounts of overall remains left behind as a whole increased, there were no significant changes in the types of fauna utilized or patterns of consumption. This suggests that the indigenous people who occupied this site managed their resources very …

Clark Magazine, Winter 2023, Clark University

Clark Magazine

The Winter 2023 edition of Clark Magazine. Clark Magazine is a twice-yearly publication primarily geared towards Clark University Alumni.

The cover story is 'Ahead of the game: Fueled by the liberal arts, the Becker School of Design & Technology is reimagining our digital path'.

Severe Thromboembolic Events In Two Pediatric Patients Diagnosed With Ulcerative Colitis (Uc) And Recently Initiated Adalimumab Therapy: A Case Series, Kelly Powell, Shreya Patel, Megan Tate, Abby Alaine Unger, Abigail Haythorn

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2023

No abstract provided.

Unmasking The Cause: A Case Of Adrenal Insufficiency Masquerading As Insulinoma-Induced Hypoglycemia, Michael C. Miley

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2023

No abstract provided.

Wernicke Encephalopathy: Interplay Between Magnesium And Thiamine, Richard Allen Gorman Ii, Mark Stine, Rafael Vaello, Patrick J. Stocker

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2023

No abstract provided.

Where’S Adam? Successful Treatment Of Covid-19 Vaccine-Related Refractory Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Christopher Fontela, Alfredo Toll, Jose Fernandez, Gabriel Barciela-Perez, Jorge Diaz, Greisy Curbelo-Sesin, Ilde Manuel Lee, Jose Gascon

East Florida Division GME Research Day 2023

A 54-year-old man with a medical history notable for hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus presented with altered mental status. Initial assessment revealed altered consciousness, aphasia, and diffuse generalized petechiae. Having recently migrated from Colombia, he had received four doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, with the last dose administered one month prior to presentation. Laboratory results indicated severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count: 3), microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, acute myocardial, liver, and kidney injury, prompting a presumptive diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Confirmation was achieved through an ADAMTS13 level of less than 2 percent. Despite initiating high-dose solumedrol and emergent plasmapheresis, …

Pregnancy Induced Pancreatitis In The Setting Of Medical Abortion And Severe Hyponatremia, Nd Ekpa, Sheila Chandrahas, Randy Chung

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2023

No abstract provided.

An Incisional Hernia Containing A Gangrenous Gallbladder: A Case Report, Timbre Backen, William Tyler Crawley, Travis Bouchard, Glenda Quan

Continental, MidAmerica, & Mountain Divisions GME Research Day 2023

No abstract provided.