Digital Commons Network^™

Review Of Utopias: A Brief History From Ancient Writings To Virtual Communities, Tom Moylan

Communal Societies

No abstract provided.

A Community Of Bruderhof Leavers: Reflections On The Kit /Hummer Process, J. Timothy Johnson, Ruth Lambach

Communal Societies

No abstract provided.

Deathbed Estate Planning For The Investor When, Claireen L. Herting

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Exploring Saudi Arabia’S Failed War In Yemen Through A Civil-Military Relations Lens, Zachariah Richards

Bates College Journal of Political Studies

This article argues that the Saudi Arabian military's inability to achieve its goals in its war against the Houthi rebels in Yemen is largely the result of the relationship dynamics between the country's civilian and military institutions. For decades, this relationship has been defined by extensive coup-proofing on behalf of the Saudi civilian monarchy that has weakened some of its military's capabilities and fundamentally affected its battlefield quality. Through exploring specific cases of the Saudi military's performance in Yemen and incorporating relevant literature on coup-proofing and the civil-military problematique, this article contends that a country's military performance cannot be analyzed …

Trump Vs. The Fourteenth Amendment, Rye Maccurtain

Bates College Journal of Political Studies

This paper argues that President Trump’s 2025 executive order to end birthright citizenship represents a major break from constitutional tradition and a clear turn toward far-right ideology. The order challenges the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born on United States soil and has been upheld for more than a century, including in the Supreme Court case United States v. Wong Kim Ark. Although some conservatives may frame the action as a routine effort to strengthen immigration policy, the order moves beyond traditional conservatism. It departs from the rule of law, rejects long-standing legal precedent, and promotes an exclusionary …

Ai Against Copyright Law And Intellectual Property, Nate Oh

Bates College Undergraduate Law Review

No abstract provided.

The New Language: Contractual Interpretation In The Age Of Emojis, Kosi Moneke

Bates College Undergraduate Law Review

Since their creation in 1999, emojis have evolved from just playful visual expressions to communicative tools that are increasingly appearing in legal disputes. This paper explores emojis as mediums of legal meaning. It examines how U.S. contract law approaches emojis as evidence of assent, threat, conspiracy, and intent, and how established contractual doctrines have adapted to emojis as tools of expressive communication. Though ambiguous, this paper aims to demonstrate that emojis can be interpreted within existing contractual frameworks.

This paper is structured as follows: it situates emojis as a continuation of contract law's historical engagement with nonverbal assent. It will …

Rethinking Coercion: Moving Beyond Moralized Accounts Of Coercion, Lorenz N. Soukup

Bates College Journal of Political Studies

Coercion is often portrayed as a vile act, which is inherently immoral. Typical examples include blackmail or receiving an offer at gunpoint. Most contemporary theories centre around this characteristic immorality of coercion. In the following paper I will argue that coercion need not involve an immoral act. I will look at two distinctly different theories of coercion. On the one hand, a moralised account proposed by Jennifer Lackey and on the other hand, an account refraining from moralising coercion brought forward by Scott Anderson. The aim of this paper is not to define coercion but to motivate a shift in …

Recurring Patterns In Democratic Backsliding: The United States, Hungary, And Israel, Leah Brouda

Bates College Journal of Political Studies

Utilizing a three-pronged analysis method, this article argues that not only is democratic backsliding – the degrading quality of democratic institutions in a state – on the rise but that it has frequent recurring themes. These themes are consolidation of executive authority, changes in court power and judicial independence, and election manipulation. Utilizing a combination of public opinion research and indexes such as Freedom House and the Global State of Democracy Index (GSDI), these themes emerge as patterns that are both understood and misconstrued by citizens in each country and of the world. The analysis is based on themes in …

Trump Vs. The Fourteenth Amendment, Rye Maccurtain

Bates College Undergraduate Law Review

This paper argues that President Trump’s 2025 executive order to end birthright citizenship represents a major break from constitutional tradition and a clear turn toward far-right ideology. The order challenges the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born on United States soil and has been upheld for more than a century, including in the Supreme Court case United States v. Wong Kim Ark. Although some conservatives may frame the action as a routine effort to strengthen immigration policy, the order moves beyond traditional conservatism. It departs from the rule of law, rejects long-standing legal precedent, and promotes an exclusionary …

Silenced Voices: An Exploration Of Religious Oppression And Human Rights Violation In Post-Revolutionary Iran, Isabella Caradonna

Bates College Undergraduate Law Review

No abstract provided.

Bates College Undergraduate Law Review: Volume Ii, Issue I, Fall 2025, Bates College Law Society

Bates College Undergraduate Law Review

No abstract provided.

Automated Spatial Localization Of Iot Devices Via Visual Detection And Network-Initiated Feedback, Michael Christopher Yu

Defensive Publications Series

Manually registering the spatial positions of numerous Internet of Things (IoT) devices within an Extended Reality (XR) environment is a cumbersome process for users. This lack of automated spatial mapping limits the ability to perform context-aware interactions with these devices. The disclosed method addresses this by using an XR device’s vision and depth sensors to first detect a potential IoT device and estimate its 3D position. The XR device then sends a network-based request to candidate devices, instructing them to provide a confirmation signal, such as illuminating an LED. When the XR device’s camera detects this signal, the device's identity …

Predicting User Interaction Intent For Adaptive Ui Highlighting In Extended Reality Environments, Tushar Chugh, Aditya Shrikant Mone, Karthik Kumara

Defensive Publications Series

In extended reality (XR) environments, persistent highlighting of user interface (UI) elements based on gaze can distract users during non-interactive tasks, such as reading. Conversely, a complete lack of highlighting can reduce interaction precision and increase the risk of accidentally activating critical controls. The disclosed technology is a method for adaptive gaze highlighting that dynamically controls the visibility of these visual cues. The method utilizes a model to analyze multimodal inputs, such as gaze patterns, gestural cues, and application context, to predict a user’s intent to interact. A necessity score is calculated based on the UI element’s characteristics and the …

Addressing Challenges In Accessing Secondary And Tertiary Healthcare Services For Migrants And Refugees In Egypt, Noura Seada, Nehal El-Bakhshawangy, Heba Semary, Fatma Alzahraa Hassan, Ahmed Hammad

Papers, Posters, and Presentations

The growing number of vulnerable migrants and refugees worldwide presents a significant challenge to host countries, particularly in terms of accessing healthcare services. Egypt hosts over 9 million migrants and refugees, with 1.5 million in a vulnerable situation. Despite the country’s efforts in providing adequate healthcare to these vulnerable groups, some challenges persist. This paper addresses the barriers that vulnerable migrants and refugees face when seeking secondary and tertiary healthcare services in Egypt, analyzing the legal, economic, social, and health system factors that contribute to this problem.

In 2018, the Egyptian government began an ambitious journey to reform its healthcare …

Carotenoids Identified From Slipper-Shaped Oyster Magallana Bilineata Powder Residue Exhibit Potent Biological Activities, Rhoda Mae C. Simora, Raymund B. Parcon, Andrea Roxanne J. Anas, Tatsufumi Okino

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Carotenoids are a diverse class of biologically active compounds that contribute significantly to human health, serving vital functions in nutrition and overall well-being. Magallana bilineata, a commercially important oyster species, yields a shelf-stable powder residue possessing bioactivities with unknown specific compounds. Carotenoids are key marine bioactive compounds, but their presence in oysters remains underexplored. The present study aimed to identify the bioactive compounds from oyster powder residue through mass spectrometry for optimum utilization and value creation as a biomedical resource. The study employed solvent extraction of oyster powder residue, followed by fractionation using octadecylsilyl (ODS) column chromatography, liquid chromatography-mass …

Effects Of Chamomile And L-Theanine Beverage On Menstrual Pain, Menstrual Symptoms, Mood, And Sleep Quality In Young Women Experiencing Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study, Ziqing Soh, Soo Cing Tan, Tak Hiong Wong, Seok Tyug Tan, Seok Shin Tan, Chin Xuan Tan

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most common complaints among young women. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of chamomile and L-theanine beverage intake on menstrual symptoms, pain intensity, mood, and sleep quality in young adult females with primary dysmenorrhea, using a two-phase continuous study design. In the first phase, a cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea. In the second phase, participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n =15), which consumed chamomile and L- theanine beverage (CTT), or the control group (n =15), which consumed chamomile-flavored beverage (non-CTT). Beverages …

Research And The Information Landscape, Libby Wheeles, Helena Marvin

Open Educational Resources Collection

This open textbook accompanies the University of Missouri-St. Louis class INTDSC 1010: Research and the Information Landscape. Intended for undergraduates new to academic research, the course covers practical search and evaluation skills as well as a basic introduction to the world of scholarly communication. In Fall 2025, the course’s learning objectives were:

1. Evaluate whether a source is appropriate for college-level research.
2. Navigate library search tools to find relevant results and improve research efficiency.
3. Analyze the goals and limitations of non-library tools in the research landscape.
4. Explain the basic history and current broad practices of scholarly communication.
5. Contribute to a small-scale …

Beyond The Game: The Super Bowl’S Lasting Legacy In New Orleans, Brynn Wisniewski

The Crown: Syracuse Honors Research Journal

This paper explores the enduring relationship between New Orleans and the Super Bowl, exam-ining how the event has shaped the city’s economic, cultural, and civic identity. Having host-ed the championship eleven times, New Orleans has transformed each Super Bowl into more than a sporting spectacle. It has become a catalyst for urban renewal, economic investment, and community pride. Through analysis of historical records, media reports, and economic data, this study traces the evolution of the city’s hosting legacy from Tulane Stadium to the Caesars Superdome. It investigates how Super Bowl events have spurred infrastructure development, generated millions in local revenue, …

Staff Education To Improve Knowledge Of Probiotic Use And Benefits For Best Patient Outcomes, Rebecca M. Hoover

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract The staff education project to improve knowledge of probiotic use and benefits with antibiotic use, has shown to improve patient recovery and outcome. The post-implementation impact of the project is increased awareness of probiotic use and their benefits to prevent Antibiotic. Associated Diarrhea at the project site organization. I identified no limitations in the project. Staff education can be used worldwide to prevent digestive diseases with the use of probiotics supplements or probiotic food. Probiotics use is to improve patient outcomes by maintaining gut microbiome and digestive health. The evidence-based practice solution of a staff education on probiotic use …

Profit & Loss: A Narrative Inquiry Into The Salience Of The Black Male Experience In Top-Tier U.S. Mba Programs, Craig Woodward

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study aimed to explore the educational, cultural, and personal challenges faced by Black males in MBA programs and to identify factors that aid their persistence in completing their degrees. The research design employed a qualitative approach to narrative inquiry as its methodology, using one-on-one semi-structured interviews. The study used resilience theory as its theoretical framework, approaching it from both an academic and psychological perspective. Respondents were recruited from the top 50 MBA programs in the United States according to the 2023 edition of U.S News and World Report (2024). There were a total of 15 African American respondents who …

Socially Interfering Sexual Behaviors In Autistic Adolescents And Treatments As Reported By Behavior Analysts, Steven Pai

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Caregivers often express concern regarding socially interfering sexual behaviors (SISB) in autistic adolescents, yet recent literature offers limited updates on this topic. Existing survey studies have primarily relied on parent, caregiver, or educator reports, with little focus from the perspective of healthcare professionals. To address this gap, the present study surveyed Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) about the SISB they encounter, commonly utilized interventions employed, and their perceived effectiveness. Of 120 respondents, 74 qualified BCBAs provided data on behaviors such as socially interfering comments, public masturbation, touching others, and public disrobing. Public arousal, verbal remarks/comments, and sexualized gestures were the …

The Lived Experiences Of African American Child Sexual Abuse Survivors And Their Relationships With The Perpetrators, Anita Joyner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child sexual abuse (CSA) can be detrimental to survivors well into adulthood and can affect the relationships of everyone with whom they are involved. Knowing the perpetrator is a determining factor in the equation and is associated with increased odds of behavioral health challenges among survivors. This is especially true within African American communities, where cultural violence results in an increased level of trauma. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the lived experiences of African American CSA survivors and their relationships with the perpetrators. As part of the phenomenological design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with …

Assessment Of The Melt Quality Of A 30% Scrap Adc12 Aluminium Alloy Using The Inclusion And Fluidity Measurement Instrument (Ifmi) With Mullite Ceramic Filters, Gusti Ruri Ruri Lestari, Sandya Ananda Riswan, Muhammad Anis, Ahmad Ashari, Paramita Vidya Ayuningtyas, Bambang Suharno Prof, Donanta Dhaneswara

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

The increasing demand for sustainable practices in the metal casting industry has driven the use of recycled aluminum alloys such as ADC12. However, the addition of aluminum scrap tends to increase oxide inclusions, which reduce melt fluidity and compromise casting quality. This study utilizes the Inclusion and Fluidity Measurement Instrument (IFMI), equipped with mullite ceramic filters, to assess the melt quality of ADC12 aluminum alloy containing 30% scrap. Fluidity and inclusion characteristics were evaluated at five pouring temperatures (660°C, 680°C, 700°C, 720°C, and 740°C). The results show that fluidity increased with temperature, reaching a peak of 84.6 g·s⁻¹ at 740°C, …

An Overview Of Biomass-Derived Graphene Oxide And Its Characteristics For Future Sustainable Applications, Afif Wardana, Ahmad Nabil Shahab, Donanta Dhaneswara, Nofrijon Sofyan

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

The production of graphene oxide (GO) from biomass presents considerable promise as a sustainable alternative substitute for traditional semiconductors. Biomass waste, abundant and often underutilized worldwide, is distinguished by its high carbon content and regenerative characteristics, rendering it an optimal resource for sustainable material production. By heating its biopolymers, lignocellulosic biomass can be used as a new material to make graphene, which forms three-dimensional turbostratic crystallites. These crystallites, composed of partially defective aromatic carbon sheets with graphite-like characteristics, make it easier to create GO with specialized functions for cutting-edge applications. Its capability underscores the revolutionary potential of biomass waste in …

Morphological Test Of Areca Nut Fiber Ceramic Membrane Using Scanning Electron Microscopy Energy Dispersive X-Ray Mapping Spectroscopy, Amelia Marzain, Siti Umi Kalsum, Marhadi Marhadi, Ahmad Nabil Shahab

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

This study investigates the potential of ceramic membranes derived from areca nut fiber as a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable material for the removal of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) from groundwater. Two types of membranes were fabricated: one without activation and one chemically activated using 10% sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The morphological and elemental characteristics of both membranes were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping. The concentrations of Fe and Mn before and after treatment were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The NaOH-activated membrane exhibited a more porous surface structure and higher oxygen content, …

Relational Pedagogy, Student Led Seminars, And Rethinking The World ‘Otherwise’: Evidence From Focus Groups With Ecce Students In An English University, Lisa Moran, Elizabeth Richards Ms

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

This paper critically examines findings from a qualitative study of collaborative, student-led seminars framed within relational pedagogy, with undergraduate students on an Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) degree programme in England. Drawing upon focus groups and observational data, this paper argues for the importance of student-led seminars in ECCE programmes, for improved student’s motivation to learn, teamwork, collaboration skills and peer learning. Significantly, our data reveals that depth engagement in these seminars facilitated students rethinking their worlds ‘otherwise’ where they questioned their own biases and prejudices towards so-called hard to reach and marginalised groups. Utilising a relational pedagogical approach …

Ecosystem Services Demand In Social-Ecological Systems: Towards A Typology Of Assessment Approaches, Fabio Rubbi

Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei Working Papers

Assessing ecosystem service (ES) demand remains conceptually fragmented and methodologically inconsistent in social-ecological systems (SES) research due to the lack of a framework linking human preferences to benefits derived from ES fruition. This study develops a systematic typology of ES demand assessment based on an integrative review of empirical studies. We conceptualize demand as emerging from two competing modalities: the consumption of provisioning and cultural services, which may drive ecosystem depletion, and the need for risk reduction through regulating services, which supports ecosystem preservation. Building on this distinction, we identify five valuation approaches, two that directly translate ES value into …

Effects Of Fit Between Promotional Message And Regulatory Focus On Consumers’ Sports Betting Behavior: The Moderating Role Of Consumers’ Familiarity, Koo Yul Kim, Thilo Kunkel

UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal

The sports gambling industry is an extremely competitive market. To attract more consumers, sports gambling platforms are primarily employing one of two customer acquisition strategies, namely ‘risk-free bet’ or ‘bonus money’ welcome offers. This research is built on regulatory fit theory to investigate the effectiveness of these two welcome offer strategies on consumers’ intentions to act on the offer. We further test the moderating effect of customers’ familiarity with online sports betting on their decision making. Findings of two experimental design studies demonstrate that the presence of regulatory fit between regulatory focus and promotional offers (i.e., message framing) positively affected …

Modeling Network Growth Via Generalized Isospectral Reductions, David Thomas Litster

Theses and Dissertations

Many real-world networks also exhibit a variety of symmetries. In this thesis we study equitable partitions and isospectral reductions, both of which are generalizations of symmetries. We formalize the relationship between these two types of generalized symmetry through the study of invariant subspaces. We then use recent results about the presence of equitable partitions in real-world networks to develop a network growth model that introduces similar structures, thereby introducing symmetries similar to those in real world networks.