Digital Commons Network^™

Care Court: Unconstitutional And Ineffective, Samantha Moulton

Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review

The Community, Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment Act (CARE) subjects Californians with schizophrenia and related disorders to a grueling, invasive, and coercive court process that strips them of their fundamental rights. Worse yet, CARE forces people into this process for no reason because involuntary outpatient commitment does not work to reduce hospitalization, increase compliance with medication, or improve treatment outcomes. CARE is not only unconstitutional—it is morally objectionable. This Note first analyzes how CARE violates the due process clause by subjecting individuals who are not dangerous to themselves or others to a court proceeding and to potential involuntary commitment. Then, it …

Multiple Application Models For Monte Carlo Analysis In Excel, Tom Arnold, Deniz Besik, Xia (Summer) Liu, Nancy Tran

Finance Faculty Publications

Monte Carlo simulation techniques are performed in Excel with multiple applications for option pricing: a single Geometric Brownian motion (GBM) process, a GBM process with volatility bootstrapping, and two correlated GBM processes.  This leads to the creation of a “generic” Monte Carlo simulation framework that can be applied to many different models in addition to the demonstrated commercial real estate valuation/transaction model.   Because the models are all programmed in Excel with minimal VBA programming, the techniques become very accessible for practitioners.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Various Monte Carlo simulation techniques are implemented in Excel to perform option pricing applications with (1) a …

The Impact Of Social Media On Social Inclusion: A Case Study On Gun Violence, Ruolin Xu

Honors Scholar Theses

As TikTok increasingly becomes a primary platform for everyday communication and even an important venue for political communication, concerns have emerged about the potential negative effects of its algorithmic design. Prior research suggests the effect of echo chamber that social media may reinforce users' pre-existing attitudes by repeatedly exposing them to belief-consistent contents and limiting opportunities to encounter diverse viewpoints. Such selective exposure can undermine social inclusion by reducing individuals' openness toward people who hold different backgrounds or political beliefs. Meanwhile, gun control, as one of the most polarizing sociopolitical issues in the US, provides a particularly relevant context for …

Alumna's Tears Capture Ole Miss' Historic Playoff Moment, Marisa C. Atkinson

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Overcome with emotion and tears in her eyes, University of Mississippi alumna Mallory McCormack experienced Hotty Toddy while on a plane to Syracuse, New York, for work.

Effectiveness Of Acupressure At Different Ear Acupoints On Insomnia: A Secondary Analysis Of A Randomized Controlled Trial, Jingyu Zhang, Giulia Castelli, Aomei Shen, Junxin Li, Jennifer Kawi, Hulin Wu, Paul Christo, Claudia M Campbell, Johannes Thrul, Constance M Johnson, Nada Lukkahatai

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Insomnia is highly prevalent among older adults with chronic low back pain (cLBP), contributing to a cycle of heightened pain sensitivity, impaired physical function, and reduced quality of life. Auricular Point Acupressure (APA), a nonpharmacologic intervention for pain, has shown emerging evidence of improving sleep. We compared the effectiveness of targeted APA (T-APA) versus non-targeted APA (NT-APA) on insomnia in older adults with cLBP.

Methods: This secondary analysis used data from a parent RCT, including 99 adults aged 60 or older with cLBP and clinical insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index [ISI]>7). Participants received four weeks of T-APA or NT-APA. …

Rab32c Mediates Osmoregulation And Calcium Homeoastasis In Dictyostelium Discoideum, Ashley Esparza

Theses and Dissertations

Vesicular trafficking is a fundamental process essential to cell viability and dictates roles in both cellular and tissue function in multicellular organisms. To further understand various vesicular trafficking processes, our lab focuses on the moderators of these processes, Rab GTPases, using the model organism Dictyostelium discoideum. This dissertation focuses explicitly on the uncharacterized protein Rab32C, a homolog of human Rab32. While several Rab family members have been well defined, the functionality of Rab32C remains poorly understood. This project investigated both the subcellular localization and functional role of Rab32C with biochemical, imaging, and molecular assays. Results from this study provide evidence …

Tangible Recommendations To Execute California Assembly Bill 3099: A Proactive Approach To Combatting The Missing And Murdered Indigenous People Crisis, Hannah Marquis

Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review

Indigenous people across the United States experience disproportionately high rates of violence and relatedly high rates of murders and disappearances. This phenomenon has been coined the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Crisis (MMIP), and as a state with one of the largest Indigenous populations, California also has one of the largest MMIP caseloads. While California has recently taken action towards combatting the MMIP crisis, these have been largely “reactive” steps aimed at bolstering law enforcement responses to already occurring MMIP cases. As it stands, there is a gap in solutions that have a “proactive” focus aimed at lessening the risk …

Table Of Contents - The Crown, Vol. 2, The Crown

The Crown: Syracuse Honors Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Compositional Verification In Tla+, John Nguyen

The Crown: Syracuse Honors Research Journal

Formal verification is a subfield of computer science concerned with verifying the correctness of systems using mathematical techniques. It is easy to see from a cursory view that a pro-gram or protocol “does something,” but it is more difficult to see if it “does what you want it to do.” Formal verification allows developers to create a specification of a system that can be automatically verified as satisfying desired properties – formulating “what you want it to do” and proving it. One effective approach of formal verification is inductive invariant inference. An inductive invariant for a property P in a …

Development Of An Evidence-Based Nutrition Protocol For Professional Pickleball Athletes, Laura Morales

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Professional pickleball has expanded rapidly, yet sport-specific nutrition guidance remains absent. Current information available to athletes comes largely from non-professional or industry sources and lacks an evidence-based foundation. This project aims to address that gap by developing a nutrition protocol tailored specifically for professional pickleball players. The approach synthesizes data from pickleball workload studies, racket-sport physiology, and established sports nutrition consensus statements. Key focus areas include fueling strategies, protein distribution for recovery, hydration and sodium planning, heat acclimation and cooling practices, travel and jet-lag management, altitude considerations, and evidence-based supplementation. By integrating findings from racket-sport analogs and intermittent high-intensity training …

Commonthought (2025), Commonthought Staff

Commonthought

This issue features works created by Lesley University students and covers a broad range of topics. The work itself crosses many disciplines from creative writing to visual arts.

Tennessee State Veteran's Homes Board, December 2025, Tennessee. Comptroller Of The Treasury.

Performance Audit Reports

No abstract provided.

Toorak Real Estate Holdings V. Llc V. Griffins

All Decisions

In this post-foreclosure holdover case involving an unregulated tenancy, the court granted the tenant's motion to dismiss the petition. The landlord, a limited liability company (LLC), failed to comply with Limited Liability Company Law § 206 by only publishing notice of its initial articles of organization for five consecutive weeks instead of the statutorily required six. Citing precedent, the court rejected the landlord's argument that it had cured this defect, holding that incomplete publication meant the defect remained uncured. Consequently, the landlord was precluded from maintaining the action, and the petition was dismissed.

Grantspace Beta: Readiness And Strategic Recommendations, Jason B. Cole

Business Analytics Student Projects and Publications

This paper examines the beta readiness of GrantSpace, an AI-powered grant management platform developed by North Light AI, as it pivots from institutional customers to freelance and independent grant writers. As generative AI tools have commoditized basic writing capabilities, competitive advantage in grant technology increasingly depends on supporting creative flow, reducing professional risk, and enabling policy-compliant workflows. Using market analysis, competitive benchmarking, and UX and data-readiness evaluation, this study assesses whether GrantSpace’s current beta experience aligns with freelance grant writer needs.

Artificial Intelligence For Smes In The Dominican Republic: A Strategic Neutrosophic Pest-Swot Analysis To Navigate Uncertainty, Karina Pérez Teruel

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study examines the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Dominican Republic SMEs through a PESTLE-neutrosophic analysis. PESTLE stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental factors. Neutrosophic is the Philosophy of Indeterminacy. Therefore, we focus on the factors relative to AI adoption in the Dominican Republic—specifiers to the benefits and drawbacks, as well as, the unknowns of operating with AI—with the intention of illuminating attention. The findings support a phased approach for SMEs to view indeterminacy as an opportunity for competitive advantage through improved operational efficiencies, enhanced customer experience, and more informed decision-making. Ultimately, the results position AI …

Genomic Ascertainment Of Chek2 -Related Cancer Predisposition, Sunyoung Kim, Jung Kim, Mark Ramos, Jeremy Haley, Diane Smelser, H. Shanker Rao, Uyenlinh L. Mirshahi, Katherine L. Nathanson, Barry I. Graubard, Hormuzd A. Katki, David Carey, Douglas R. Stewart

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Importance: There is clear evidence that deleterious germline variants in CHEK2 increase risk for breast and prostate cancers; there is limited or conflicting evidence for other cancers. Objective: To quantify the prevalence of as well as cancer risk and survival associated with CHEK2 germline pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants using genomic ascertainment. Design, Setting, and Participants: This case-control study used 2 electronic health record-linked and exome-sequenced biobanks: UK Biobank (n = 469765) and Geisinger MyCode (adults only; n = 167050). Variants were classified according to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology criteria. Cases …

Shallow Groundwater Extraction Strategies In The Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, Teryl Stacey

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Las Vegas Valley faces severe water scarcity due to Nevada’s limited Colorado River allocation and an arid climate. Population growth and prolonged drought have intensified these constraints, necessitating alternative resource strategies. This project evaluated a strategy to make use of brackish, shallow groundwater (from the top 30 feet below ground surface) located in the central and east-central parts of the valley. Its objective was to extract lower quality shallow groundwater for use as an alternative to fresh water currently being used for some applications that require little to no treatment. Dust suppression is among the most promising of such …

Beyond Additive Risk: Longitudinal Associations Between Discrimination And Positive Affect Development Among Adolescents With Single And Multiple Marginalized Identities, Vanni Jefferson V. Arcaina

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Adolescents with marginalized identities often face chronic exposure to discrimination, a social stressor linked to a range of negative mental health outcomes. While much of the existing literature focuses on internalizing symptoms, fewer studies have explored how discrimination may disrupt the development of positive affect (POA), which is a core dimension of emotional well-being linked to resilience, identity formation, and long-term health. The present study examined how overall, race/ethnicity-based, and sexual minority (SM)-based discrimination affects longitudinal patterns of POA among adolescents with single or multiple marginalized identities. Drawing on four waves of data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, …

Mapping Climatic And Environmental Determinants Of Parasitic Helminth Prevalence In Southeast Asia, Angelica Avisado

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Climate change is reshaping environmental conditions across Southeast Asia (SEA) through rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased droughts. These changes alter transmission dynamics of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by shifting spatial distribution, increasing larval development rates, faster pathogen growth development, and increasing transmission rates. NTDs are a group of preventable and treatable infections that disproportionately affect more than 1 billion people globally, specifically in tropical and subtropical regions. A subgroup of NTDs, parasitic helminth infections (PHIs) - particularly schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and lymphatic filariasis remains a public health concern in the Southeast Asian region. PHIs and their ecological responses …

Unseen, Unbroken: Black Women In Educational Leadership Overcoming Inequities, Microaggressions, And Invisibility, Inspiring Perseverance And Resilience In Future Black Women Leaders, Angella Baldwin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study explored the challenges that Black women face when pursuing leadership roles in K–12 education, specifically in middle schools. Despite being prepared and eager to lead, Black women are often overlooked and made to feel invisible. Still, we persevere, navigating barriers with determination, faith, and purpose, and continue to support those who follow. Guided by Black Feminist Thought, Endarkened Feminism, and Structural Intersectionality, this study centers Black women’s lived experiences as valid sources of knowledge. It highlights how leadership is shaped by overlapping systems of oppression and resistance, and how it is sustained by prayer, faith in God, and …

Automated Spectrum Analysis And Radionuclide Identification For Robot-Based Gamma Probes, Kennedy Ochieng Mengoh Alila

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Gamma spectroscopy is a technique used for the detection and identification of nuclear materials. Gamma-ray emission by radio nuclides is detected using scintillation detectors or semiconductor detectors such as NaI and CZT. Robot-based gamma probes enable radiation measurements in large areas and hard-to-reach cluttered hazardous environments, which significantly reduces radiation risks to personnel. The robotic probes require automated on-board gamma spectrum analysis and capabilities with platforms (unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned ground vehicle systems) which use Robot Operating System (ROS). The aim of this thesis was to develop a method of an automated spectral analysis and isotope identification for robot-based …

Comparative Study Of Vocal Pedagogy Systems In South Korea And The United States: Developmental Strategies For Classical Voice Education In South Korea, Dongmin Byeon

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation presents a comparative study of vocal pedagogy systems in South Korea and the United States, with the aim of identifying deficiencies in Korean higher education and proposing strategies for reform. While South Korean university voice programs are deeply rooted in the traditional master–apprentice model and rely heavily on anecdotal teaching methods, U.S. institutions have developed structured, evidence-based pedagogical frameworks informed by anatomy, physiology, acoustics, and voice science. This research explores the historical evolution of vocal pedagogy in both countries, highlighting how traditional practices in Korea, though culturally significant, have not sufficiently adapted to contemporary scientific standards.

Employing qualitative …

The Maroons: The First Black Nationalists Of The Americas, Marquise K. Camp

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Maroon communities are seldom discussed in academic discussions about Black nationalism. This suggests that the goals and achievements of the Maroons differed from those of Black nationalists, and that there are no significant historical links between the two. This project argues that Black nationalists and the Maroons are closely related, not only because of their shared roots in the African diaspora but also because they both sought independence and self-governance for Black people. The aims of Black nationalists like Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X closely resemble those of the Maroons. By examining the Maroons alongside Black nationalism, one can gain …

Acute And Chronic Effects Of Neuroinflammation On Hippocampus And Anterior Cingulate Cortex Network Dynamics, Lauren A. Crew

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Neuroinflammation has emerged as a critical modulator of cognitive function and neural circuit dynamics, yet the distinct contributions of acute and chronic neuroinflammation to brain function remain poorly defined. This dissertation examines how inflammation independently alters large-scale neural activity and behavior, focusing on interactions between the hippocampus (HPC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), regions essential for memory and executive processes. Using in vivo electrophysiological techniques in a rodent model, this study compares the effects of short-term (acute) and prolonged (chronic) neuroinflammatory states, induced via Poly I:C, on neural oscillations, regional coherence, and spatial coding. Findings reveal that even transient inflammation …

Creando Conexiones Verdaderas?: Examining Latinx Families’ Lived Experiences With Family-School Partnerships, Jacqueline M. Eddy

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Family-school partnerships are essential for a child’s academic and social-emotional well-being in schools. These partnerships thrive when families and school personnel cultivate trusting, communicative, and cooperative relationships. However, families from minoritized communities, such as those from Latinx backgrounds, may encounter challenges that prevent them from forming strong, meaningful relationships with teachers and administrators. This qualitative dissertation study was grounded in a social constructivist paradigm and a phenomenological tradition. The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences of Latinx families as they navigate relational aspects of family-school partnerships in their children’s schools. Using semi-structured interviews, four participants were …

Functional And Microbial Consequences Of Experimental Evolution Under Starvation In Drosophila Melanogaster, Kristal Marie Aguilar-Conger

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Previous studies in the Gibbs lab have shown that starvation resistant Drosophila melanogaster flies have increased lipid content, lower metabolic rates, and poor physiological health. Historically, many evolutionary studies end at the phenotypic level, leaving the genomic basis largely unresolved. Using Evolve and Resequence (E&R) study, we can map genome-wide allele-frequency trajectories under selection, linking phenotypic shifts to their genomic underpinnings. This study utilized the E&R approach to identify enriched biological processes and pathways underlying starvation adaptation in Drosophila melanogaster. Five replicate restart populations (RS A–E) selected for starvation resistance, along with a control (RC), were resequenced at Generations 1, …

Examining The Complementary Nature Of Working Memory And Dual Coding Theory, Elizabeth Hofschulte Collins

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The working memory system is responsible for maintaining, manipulating, and transferring information into long-term memory, yet it operates under strict capacity limitations. Dual coding theory proposes that information can be encoded both verbally and visually, allowing learners to distribute cognitive load across complementary representational systems. Leveraging dual coding may therefore enhance recall, particularly for noun-based stimuli, though there is little to no research exploring this possibility. In the present study, 529 adults completed a forward digit span task and pre-test and post-test free recall tasks involving concrete, abstract, and mixed nouns. Participants were assigned to one of four instruction groups …

Applying Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (Inaa) To Characterize Trace Elements In Water Samples Around Lake Mead, Danesha Hunter

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States is located on the boarder of Nevada and Arizona. Despite reaching historically low water levels, it continues to supply water and energy to millions of Americans in the southwest. It is well known that the United States suffers from negative implications from nationwide drought. The ongoing megadrought affecting the Colorado River Basin and its tributaries undergoes the urgent need to assess the future water quality of Lake Mead as it continues to shrink. With water levels depleting at an alarming rate, water quality is significantly impacted, indicating that heavy metal accumulation …

Post-Probationary Principals’ Perceptions Of Professional Development, Matthew Jackson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This qualitative phenomenological study explored post-probationary principals’ perceptions of professional development, examining the relevance, adequacy, and impact of support provided after 4 years of their leadership. Although research and policy have emphasized the development of new principals, professional learning opportunities for those beyond probationary status remain inconsistent, generic, and misaligned with individual and contextual needs. Guided by adult learning theory, this study sought to understand how post-probationary principals evaluate current professional development, describe their desired opportunities, and determine their ongoing needs. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with principals from multiple districts and analyzed using coding, memo writing, and mind …

Overcoming The Labor Shortage: Enhancing Pga Associate Education Through Targeted Support, Brian Milford Jones

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The golf industry faces a critical workforce shortage, exacerbated by impending retirements and a lack of new PGA Members. This exploratory sequential, mixed-method study investigates the barriers and facilitators PGA Associates encounter during their education and identifies support strategies to enhance completion rates. Employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches, the research explores barriers, completion metrics, facilitator impact, and perceived support benefits. Qualitative data from interviews with Section Executive Directors who oversee PGA Associate development, analyzed through thematic coding, informs the survey instrument. Quantitative data, collected via surveys with PGA Associates themselves, was analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural …