Digital Commons Network^™

Visual Legal Rhetoric In The Age Of Generative Ai And Deepfakes: Renaissance Or Dark Ages?, Michael D. Murray

SMU Science and Technology Law Review

The paradoxical development of visual generative AI tools, such as OpenAI’s DALL-E 3, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion, simultaneously signals a renaissance and a potential dark age in visual rhetoric and communication. On the one hand, these tools democratize the creation of visual content, empowering attorneys and others to become artists and illustrators of their legal communications without needing to learn how to draw. These AI systems can simplify complex legal concepts, bridge language barriers, and enhance advocacy. But on the other hand, the proliferation of deepfakes presents significant challenges for visual rhetoric. Deepfakes can quickly and easily create realistic but …

The Radical Potential Of Consumer Financial Protection, Vijay Raghavan

Faculty Scholarship

This Article offers a novel retheorization of consumer financial protection that surfaces its radical potential. That retheorization is motivated by two developments. The first is the rise of debtor movements over the last decade demanding the abolition or cancellation of debt, such as the recent national campaigns against student debt and medical debt. The second is an emerging view this Article identifies in sociological and legal scholarship. Recent scholarship understands consumer financial protection as in tension with the radical ambitions of debtor movements and neoliberal in its orientation: it operates to sustain market logics as opposed to contest them.

This …

Long-Term Increases In Wing Length Occur Independently Of Changes In Climate And Climate-Driven Shifts In Body Size, Tiffany Dias, Nathan P. Lemoine, Scott W. Yanco, Marketa Zimova, Rachael A. Bay, Brian C. Weeks

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Recent widespread reductions in body size across species have been linked to increasing temperatures; simultaneous increases in wing length relative to body size have been broadly observed but remain unexplained. Size and shape may change independently of one another, or these morphological shifts may be linked, with body size mediating or directly driving the degree to which shape changes. Using hierarchical Bayesian models and a morphological time series of 27 366 specimens from five North American migratory passerine bird species, we tested the roles that climate and body size have played in shifting wing length allometry over four decades. We …

Consciousness Of Octopuses—On Their Own Terms, Jennifer Mather

Animal Sentience

Because cephalopods are so different from the vertebrate lineage, their possible consciousness must be assessed on the basis of their heritage and abilities. Cephalopods have evolved in water, a denser medium than air, and their perception is adapted to it. They have inherited the molluscan mantle cavity and hydrostatic muscle type, which has led to a more distributed motor control system despite a centralized brain, and have evolved a completely novel skin display system. Using these abilities, octopuses can form concepts, plan for the future, generate a cognitive map, and self-monitor for apparent pain and manipulate communication. Most cephalopods use …

Advances In Bacterial Cellulose-Based Scaffolds For Tissue Engineering: Review, Rewati Raman Ujjwal, Gymama Slaughter

Center for Bioelectronics Publications

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has emerged as a highly versatile and promising biomaterial in tissue engineering, with potential applications across skin, bone, cartilage, and vascular regeneration. Its exceptional properties like high mechanical strength, superior biocompatibility, excellent moisture retention, and inherent ability to support cell adhesion and proliferation, make BC particularly effective for wound healing and skin regeneration. These attributes accelerate tissue repair and foster new tissue formation, highlighting its value in skin-related applications. Additionally, BC's capacity to support osteogenic differentiation, combined with its mechanical robustness, positions it as a strong candidate for bone tissue engineering, facilitating regeneration and repair. Recent advancements …

Life, Liberty, And The Pursuit Of Insulin: America’S Deadly Pharmaceutical Profiteering Crisis, Elizabeth Hernandez

Public Interest Law Reporter

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy On Oxidative Stress Biomarkers And Glycemic Control In Type 2 Diabetic Patients, Eman Taha, Eman Shawki, Fady Kyrillos, Mohamed A. Al-Shahat

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Objective Reactive oxygen species are increasingly being linked to the pathophysiology of periodontal tissue damage. The one of the sensitive significant markers used for assessing oxidative damage in several conditions is 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8- OHdG). The current study aims to estimate the effects of non-surgical treatment for periodontal disease on the concentrations of 8-OHdG in plasma and saliva as oxidative stress biomarker, as well as its impact on glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and periodontitis. Subjects and Methods The study involved 50 nonsmoking patients. 20 T2D patients with periodontitis. 20 nondiabetic with periodontitis. 10 healthy non-diabetic without …

A Quantitative Study Comparing The Effects Of Physical And Digital Mandala Coloring On Anxiety In High School Students, Amy Bainton

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

Through the frameworks of Solution-Focused School Counseling (SFSC) and art therapy, this quantitative research paper compared the potential effects of using a physical versus a digital mandala coloring page with high school students experiencing test anxiety before a final exam. Participants took part in one of two experimental tasks before taking their exam, where they either used colored pencils to color a preset mandala or used a cellphone-based website to color in a mandala digitally. Participants completed a brief pretest-posttest State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and answered an independent questionnaire to further understand their experience after artmaking. Data results were analyzed …

Mixed Methods Study On The Impact Of Coloring Mandalas On Emotional Regulation, Mindfulness, And Attachment Style In Adults, Rachel N. Faas

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

Abstract
This mixed methods study investigates the impact of coloring pre-drawn mandalas on adult emotional regulation, mindfulness, and state attachment style. Drawing from Attachment Theory and Art Therapy frameworks, the research evaluates whether adult coloring interventions—specifically structured mandala designs—can serve as accessible tools for improving psychological well-being. A sample of adult participants engaged in a mandala coloring intervention and completed pre- and post-assessments measuring emotional regulation, mindfulness, and attachment style, including qualitative interviews to capture subjective experiences. Results suggest that mandala coloring may promote increased mindfulness and adaptive emotional regulation strategies, with preliminary evidence indicating shifts toward more secure attachment …

Athens, Jerusalem, And Places In Between: Secular Learning And Christian Faith In Historical Perspective, Arlin C. Migliazzo

History Faculty Scholarship

Author's preface:

This novella-length essay began life as an introductory chapter in the draft version of a text on pedagogical practices in church-related higher education. The project was made possible by a $25,000 grant received by the author in 1996 from what was then known as the Lilly Fellows Program in Humanities and the Arts (now the Lilly Network of Church-Related Colleges and Universities). Fordham University Press expressed interest in publishing the book but required that the opening chapter be shortened considerably. Consequently, what eventually became Teaching as an Act of Faith: Theory and Practice in Church-Related Higher Education (New …

Interview With Clint Brown And Cheryl Mclean, Bailie Jansons

Gordon and Dorothy Carlson Commemoration

No abstract provided.

Rad Reduction Reveals Therapeutic Potential Of Targeting Cardiomyocyte L-Type Calcium Channel Regulation For Heart Failure, Garrett Elmore

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Heart failure (HF) is prevalent and is predicted to increase with the aging population. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common cause of systolic HF. Current therapies fail to address principal issues: compromised systolic function and dysfunctional Ca²⁺ handling. No therapeutic approach exists for direct, positive modulation of cardiomyocyte L-type calcium channels (LTCC). RAD (Ras associated with diabetes) is a key regulator of the cardiac LTCC. RAD is a downstream phosphorylated target of the ß-adrenergic receptor (ß-AR)/cAMP/protein kinase A pathway; phosphorylation augments LTCC activity, contributing to chronotropy, inotropy, and lusitropy. RAD overexpression results in LTCC inhibition, whereas knockout positively modulates …

Assessment Of Cerebrospinal Fluid And Blood-Based Biomarkers In Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Harshit Arora, Hassan Darabi, Cassandra C. Wolsh, Kelsey N. Karnik, John C. Gensel, Francis Farhadi

Neurosurgery Faculty Publications

Study Design: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), the leading cause of spinal cord injury globally, may clinically manifest with hand numbness and tingling, loss of hand dexterity and impaired balance and gait. Biomarkers have been identified as disease indicators with recent studies exploring the role of structural and inflammatory biomarkers in diagnostic and treatment outcome prediction. The review aims to identify relevant cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood-based biomarkers associated with DCM diagnosis and prognostication.

Methods: The systematic review was conducted as per PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search strategy was devised to identify articles evaluating biomarkers in …

The Geography Of Rock Glaciers In The American West, Allison Reese Trcka, Andrew G. Fountain, Bryce Allen Glenn

Geology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Rock glaciers are relatively common in conterminous United States west of the 100° meridian, yet their distribution and number are not well known. Using aerial and satellite imagery, we inventoried the population of rock glaciers, yielding 2,257 rock glaciers totaling 234.28 km² with an area of uncertainty of 7 percent. Of these, 1,561 (155.44 km²) are considered intact (moving) and 696 (76.84 km²) relict. Based on published estimates of ice content, total water-equivalent volume is roughly 2.52 km³. Rock glacier elevations increase from the northwest (Washington) to the southeast (Colorado), following a spatial …

Parents With Low Mood And Their Child: Exploring The Effects Of Group Art Therapy, Allison M. Pierce-Gay

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

This qualitative study examines the effects of group art therapy on postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms, specifically focusing on reducing isolation and improving parent–child attachment. The participants included two parents with self-reported low mood and one child (aged 2–2.5 years), and insights from eight multidisciplinary experts (clinicians, educators, and parents) were also gathered. Interventions included a somatic body scan, collage-making, and dyadic handprint painting. The results indicated reduced isolation (Likert scores improved from 3.5 to 4.75) and enhanced attachment through nonverbal co-creation; however, structural barriers (e.g., time poverty) limited sustained impact. Expert interviews identified seven themes, including grief, systemic isolation, and …

Pave Outer Space And Put Up A Parking Lot: Lagrange Points Should Be The Common Heritage Of Mankind, David A. Koplow

Michigan Journal of International Law

Outer space offers a vast array of opportunities, with different locations or regions available for exploitation by diverse users for a growing variety of satellite functions. But not all sectors of space are equally valuable for all applications, and the most desirable venues can become crowded, affording a premium for those who gain access first and impeding the development of a fair and efficient all-inclusive international legal regime.

This article focuses on Lagrange points, a finite series of special locations in space where the gravitational forces from a pair of large celestial bodies interact in unusual ways. These points afford …

A Student’S Perspective On Breaking Down The Silos In Healthcare, John Kerns Bs

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Student perspective article on healthcare siloes across medical fields.

The Economic Structure Of Trade Secret Law, Tun-Jen Chiang

Minnesota Law Review Vols. 106:2 onward (2021-present)

The standard economic account of trade secret law focuses on providing incentives for creating new inventions. The incentive-to-invent theory, however, provides little explanation for why the key doctrinal features of trade secret law are structured the way that they are. For example, providing ex ante incentives to invent does not easily explain the requirement that an inventor must take measures to preserve secrecy even after the invention has been created. Nor does it explain why trade secret misappropriation, unlike patent and copyright infringement, requires “improper” conduct by the defendant for liability. This Article gives a different theory of trade secret …

All Wrapped Up: How Choice Of Egg Wrapping Substrate During Oviposition Site Selection Affects Predation And Embryonic Growth In Eastern Newts, Anna Prohofsky

Master’s Theses

Parental care behaviors have a significant impact on the survivorship of offspring and therefore the inclusive fitness of the parent. These behaviors are broad and varied and include defending against predators, acquiring food, and choosing where to lay their eggs. The latter, oviposition site selection, has significant impact on embryo survivorship in oviparous animals, as the chosen sight can impact factors such as incubation temperature, predation risk, and resource availability. For amphibians, oviposition site selection is particularly crucial as their eggs lack a calcareous shell, leaving them more susceptible to environmental conditions and predation. In response to this, amphibians have …

Full Issue

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

This issue of the Journal of Adventist Mission Studies marks a high point in Adventist missiological literature, for all the authors of the articles reside outside of North America.

Using Post-Supercritical Co2-Assisted Method To Deposit Niep Alloy Coating On The Micro-Arc Oxidation Layer Of Az31 Magnesium Alloy And Its Corrosion Behavior Analysis, Kang-Yu Liao, Hung-Hua Sheu, Ming-Yuan Lin, Ming-Chih Kuo, Po-Hsun Wu, Hung-Bin Lee

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

In this study, a Ni-P alloy coating was deposited on the micro arc oxidation (MAO) layer of AZ31 magnesium alloy to improve its corrosion resistance. The MAO layers were prepared under different operated voltages from 300 to 400 V. The results indicated that the optimize operated parameters for MAO layer is at 350 V, the MAO coatings had the most compact microstructure and superior corrosion resistance. In order to improve the corrosion resistance of MAO coating, this study chose to deposit Ni-P alloy coating on the surface of MAO coating via the post supercritical CO₂-assisted electroless plating (PSC-CO …

Evaluation Of Carbon Sequestration In Seagrass Meadows Of Kenting: A Comparative Study With Penghu And Dongsha Island, Zih-Wei Tang, Huei-Fen Chen, Jordi Mahardika Puntu, Ping-Yu Chang, Li Lo, Jian-Jhih Chen, Wen-Chen Chou, Lan-Feng Fan, Ying-Ju Chang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study investigates the controlling factors of carbon sequestration (CS) in seagrass bed sediments across three distinct environments in Taiwan: the Kenting (KT) coastal area, the Penghu (PH) open inner bay, and the Dongsha (DS) Atoll lagoon. Actual measurements of the substrate depth beneath the sediment and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) scans of the beach reveal that the coral reef bedrock in KT slopes landward. A field survey of the seagrass area in KT was conducted, and three cross-sectional profiles were analyzed to determine their topography, yielding a median sediment thickness of 88.2cm. Based on these measurements, the sediment volume was …

Calculation Of Aquifer Transmissivity From Borehole Resistance Measurements And Pumping Test Results, Fen-Rong Yang, Chien-Wei Huang, Tien-Kuen Huang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Transmissivity is a crucial hydrogeological parameter for evaluating groundwater resources. This parameter is conventionally evaluated using pumping tests; however, these tests are costly and can be conducted at few sites. Many researchers have used ground resistance and pumping test data to estimate various hydrogeological parameters. In this study, borehole resistance survey and pumping test data collected by the Taiwan Groundwater Monitoring Network were used to establish the relationship between transmissivity and formation factor for aquifers in the Zhuoshui River alluvial fan. This relationship was then used to estimate the water output of the aforementioned aquifers in a cost-effective manner from …

A Neural Network-Based Sliding Mode Adaptive Control System For Unmanned Surface Vehicles, Sun Qiaomei, An Liang, Jiang Linglin

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Over the past decades, numerous studies have explored the use of autonomous unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). Successful USV operation requires a robust tracking control system to perform a range of tasks. However, USV dynamics are uncertain, time-varying, and nonlinear. This paper presents a neural network-based sliding mode adaptive control (NNSMAC) system to enhance USV tracking performance. Trajectories were generated using spline and polynomial interpolation based on a set of N predefined waypoints. Simulation results show that the proposed method outperforms traditional sliding mode control in error reduction, enabling more effective tracking.

Scaling Laws For Diffusion In Crystallized Plasma From Molecular Dynamics, Dany Yaacoub

Theses and Dissertations

Diffusion coefficients for crystallized Coulomb plasmas are essential microphysics input for modeling white dwarf cores and neutron star crusts. Solving for diffusion coefficients require running large molecular dynamics simulations with thousands of particles over millions of timesteps. The diffusion in a crystallized plasma has been largely ignored and is often taken to be zero in stellar evolution codes. We find that not only is this incorrect, but we find that the diffusion in a crystallized plasma can be modeled completely using a universal scaling law independent of screening. Our simulations also show that the dominant mode of diffusion in a …

Nutrient Transport And Transformation In Anaerobic Co-Digestion Of Crop Residues And Swine Manure, Shelby Stoner

Theses and Dissertations

Cover crops may improve soil quality, water quality, soil health, reduce soil fertilizer use, and increase nutrient availability to cash crops. The benefits of cover crops are discussed due to the below ground presence of cover crops, but the aboveground biomass can serve as a source of sustainable energy through anerobic digestion. The nutrients in the above ground biomass can also be recycled and reused through land application of digestion effluent. We have tested anaerobic co-digestion of different biomass feedstocks: cover crops, soybean stalk, and corn stover with swine manure using both small and pilot scale digesters. Nutrients, specifically NPK, …

How I Came To Understand What Art Was, Ilse Miller

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores my multidisciplinary art practice through three specific types of work: mobiles, books, and boxes. Each type of artwork functions as a vessel used to preserve objects and fleeting moments. Rooted in Anna Kornbluth's "aesthetic regime of immediacy," the work balances preservation with loss and intuition with craft. Inspired by Rauschenberg and Abercrombie, it challenges artistic boundaries by using immediate, everyday materials. These mobiles, books, and boxes become conduits for memory and invite viewers to connect personal and collective experiences.

Enhancing Climate Change Awareness In Children Through Augmented Reality: A Study On Educational Engagement., Jubair Islam

Theses and Dissertations

As the need to address climate change becomes more urgent, introducing children to environmental conservation has become increasingly important. This thesis explores how augmented reality (AR) technology can turn traditional storytelling into an exciting and educational experience to help children learn about climate change. Sam and Mia’s Earth-Saving Adventure, a 10-page graphic storybook enhanced with AR, allows children aged 3-10 to interact with the story through animations and sound effects that respond to their choices. Developed using Adobe Aero, the book creates an immersive and fun way for children to engage with environmental topics.

The study uses a combination of …

Asymmetric Synthesis Of The Hiv Protease Inhibitor Tmc-126 And An Anti-Malarial Agent Via A Titanium Tetrachloride Mediated Asymmetric Glycolate Aldol Addition Reaction. Redefining The Curtius Rearrangement Reaction Via Dehomologation Of Carboxylic Acids Bearing Alpha-Leaving Groups, Kweku Amaning Affram

Theses and Dissertations

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and malaria are two devastating infectious diseases caused by HIV and Plasmodium parasites. AIDS is caused by HIV-1 and HIV-2, transmitted through sexual contact, blood transfusions, needle sharing, and perinatal routes. Malaria, caused by plasmodium parasites through mosquito bites. Today, millions of people around the world have been infected with HIV and malaria and much research has been done to treat it. However, despite advancements in therapeutic options, these diseases remain a significant global health threat, particularly in developing countries due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains for both HIV and malaria complicating eradication efforts. …

The Development Of A One Pot, Two Reaction Synthetic Preparation Of 1,2,4-Oxadiazole, And Synthesis Of Ataluren, A Novel Drug In The Fight Against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Efforts Towards The Synthesis Of A Potential Protease Inhibitor Against The Main Protease (3clpro) Of Covid-19, Austin J. Carter

Theses and Dissertations

1,2,4-Oxadiazoles are five-membered heterocyclic structures first synthesized by Tiemann and Krüger in 1884. Recent discoveries suggest an array of useful biological properties.In preparation of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles, the most prevalent precursors are amidoximes, which can be created via the reaction of nitriles with hydroxylamine hydrochloride and a base. The amidoximes are reacted with an activated carboxylic acid to yield an acylated intermediate. This intermediate can be exposed to a base to cyclize into the 1,2,4-oxadiazole. This thesis describes the efforts in combining these three steps into a unified one-pot synthesis.

Currently, there are a significant number of commercially available FDA approved and …