Digital Commons Network^™

Ndls Communicator: Week Of 10.05.26, Notre Dame Law School

NDLS Communicator

The Latest News

• Four First-Year Students Named 2026–27 Murphy Fellows
• Notre Dame Law Amicus Brief Urges Supreme Court to Address Religious Exclusions in Higher Education Funding
• Notre Dame Exoneration Justice Clinic statement in opposition to the death penalty and execution of Christa Pike
• Notre Dame Exoneration Justice Clinic continues annual summer internship program with students from Notre Dame, St. Olaf College, Kenya, and Mexico

Student News

• 3L Aashiyana Adhikari

Faculty Briefs

• Jimmy Gurulé
• Rick Garnett
• Haley Proctor
• Jay Tidmarsh
• Derek Muller
• Nicole Stelle Garnett
• Paolo Carozza
• Patrick Corrigan
• Diane Desierto
• Carter Snead
• Sherif Girgis
• David McIlroy
• Patrick Corrigan, Maria Maciá, …

Environmental And Professional Influences On Social Participation In Community Recreation In The Niagara Region Of Ontario, Canada: A Secondary Qualitative Analysis With Implications For Autism-Supportive Practice, Budor H. Saigh, Shuaa A. Mutawally

Journal of Medical Rehabilitation Science

Background: Meaningful participation in community recreation depends on more than physical accessibility. Environmental usability, activity structure, peer opportunities, and the manner in which professional support is provided may also be associated with opportunities for social participation among children with diverse developmental and support needs.
Objective: This secondary qualitative analysis examined how environmental and professional characteristics were represented in relation to opportunities for social participation across community recreational settings in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada. A secondary objective was to consider the potential relevance of these findings to autism-supportive recreational practice.
Methods: The analysis revisited selected qualitative materials originating from …

Do Research Day Program 2026, Lincoln Memorial University, Debusk College Of Osteopathic Medicine

DO Research Day

DO Research Day was hosted by the DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine at Lincoln Memorial University. This program features abstracts from the LMU-DCOM community.

Mmu: 10/05/26-10/11/26, Student Bar Association

Monday Morning Update

This Week @ NDLS

Mass Times

Commons Daily Menu

Saint of the Week

General Announcements

Shu World Review- October 5th 2026, Diplolab, Seton Hall University

SHU World Review

No abstract provided.

Funding And Financing Mechanisms For Decarbonization At Higher Education Institutions, Emma Coopersmith, Dimitra Prassa, Alexander R. Barron

Environmental Science and Policy: Faculty Publications

A growing number of higher education institutions (HEIs) are decarbonizing their campuses, with thermal energy networks supported by ground-source-heat pumps (GSHPs) as the most common approach (Barron et al., 2025). The value proposition of these systems includes net savings on energy and maintenance, increasing occupant comfort, reducing air pollution and addressing deferred maintenance, guarding against future regulatory risk, providing education and research opportunities, and helping institutions meet climate goals. Despite the many benefits of decarbonization, funding and financing pose a significant challenge given the high upfront costs for GSHPs and building retrofits. “How will we pay for this?” is likely …

Initiating The Development Of An In Vitro Model To Elucidate The Therapeutic Potential Of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, Mahmoud Ajjaoui, Christopher Root, Alex Wiser, Michael Operti, Christian Greer, Debasis Mondal

DO Research Day

• OMT is a technique used by DOs to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal dysfunctions. • An OMT technique commonly utilized in patients with musculoskeletal pain is Myofascial Release (MFR), which involves the stretching, holding and releasing of myofascial tissue to provide localized pain relief. • Despite patient attestation of the therapeutic benefits of MFR, in vitro studies to understand the molecular mechanism(s) is currently lacking. • In vitro algorithm that mimics high intensity exercise (HIE): Previously published studies using myofascial stem cells (MSCs) have documented that multiple cycles of rapid stretch and release can alter the proliferation and …

Horticultural Diplomacy: A Framework For Growing Culturally Aware Gardeners, Stephen Stresow-Cortez, Stephen Reiners, Ashley Miller Helmholdt

Journal of Extension

Derived from person-to-person diplomacy models, a ``horticultural diplomacy'' framework was implemented in a statewide vegetable variety trial program for two seasons to introduce Master Gardeners to diverse crops and cultures. Scaffolding learning with relevant recipes, bed groupings, community tasting events, and collecting community (citizen) science data helped participants build garden skills, gain a greater appreciation for other cultures, and inform new educational materials. Horticultural diplomacy is part of a deliberate effort aimed at growing food and building understanding among (primarily White) volunteers. The techniques that helped make this program successful, adaptable to other garden programs, and aspects that require improvements …

Navigating Text-To-Speech (Tts): Ethical Leadership In The Use Of Generative Ai For Extension, Xue A Dong, Paul A Hill

Journal of Extension

Text-to-speech (TTS) AI technology transforms written content into natural-sounding speech, offering a useful tool to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in Extension work. This article examines the role of TTS AI in bridging communication gaps, particularly for diverse and multilingual communities, and demonstrates the importance of ethical leadership in its adoption. By prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, Extension professionals can leverage TTS AI to foster greater connection and engagement. Practical applications and examples are provided to guide the integration of TTS AI into programs. The article also offers recommendations for experimenting with innovative technologies to improve educational outcomes and increase the …

Faculty Senate Agenda October 5, 2026, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

3:00 Call to Order

Approval of Minutes - September 8, 2026

3:05 University Business

3:20 Faculty Senate Business

3:35 Report

Honors Program Annual Report

3:45 Information

EPC Report - September 3, 2026

4:00 Additional Business

Faculty Authored Course Materials Policy

Adjourn: 4:30 pm

Virginia Team Nutrition Training Grant Workshop Participation Increased Intention To Change In Specific Topics, Rachel A Liebe, Kathleen J Porter, Valisa Hedrick, Elena Serrano, Kelly Shomo, Sandra Curwood, Sarah Misyak

Journal of Extension

Team Nutrition is implemented nationally to improve school food environments. Yet evidence on factors impacting implementation is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the execution of the Team Nutrition Training Grant (TNTG) in Virginia elementary schools using the RE-AIM (Reach, Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework. The TNTG grant was implemented through two train-the-trainer workshops that were conducted with school nutrition directors (SNDs). Overall, SNDs from 84% of school divisions attended at least one workshop. Intention to change increased significantly from pre- to post- for both workshops in some target areas. This evaluation could help practitioners guide the development of evaluation …

How Wisconsin Extension Educators Talk About Climate Change Without Talking About ``Climate Change'', Sky Hershberger, Todd P. Newman

Journal of Extension

Climate change touches all areas of Extension's programming. To understand how educators approach talking about climate change with constituents, we interviewed 15 Extension educators and three program managers in Wisconsin. Crops and Soils educators view climate change as interwoven with their work, Financial Education educators view it as mostly disconnected, and Community Economic Development educators range between these extremes. Educators in all three programs avoid the polarizing phrase ``climate change,'' instead focusing on specific, local, and relatable issues. Educators show empathy and emphasize resilience (adaptation) rather than mitigation. These findings can inform Extension's organizational strategy on climate change.

The Evolving Wildfire Crisis: The Need To Adapt Statewide Extension Efforts To Address Diverse Challenges, Alison L. Deak, Kathryn E. Low, Luca Carmignani, Ryan E. Tompkins, Barbara Satink Wolfson

Journal of Extension

There are many factors that contribute to wildfire preparedness in California. Although effective wildfire preparedness requires tailored regional approaches, it is crucial to understand how statewide Extension programs can address shared challenges while augmenting region-specific strategies. For the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Fire Network to meet the growing demands for fire-related Extension programming, a team of advisors surveyed California residents to refine the goals of our Extension programs. Survey results highlight key gaps in fire-related Extension education that residents in California and beyond need to reduce their wildfire risk.

Early Cardiometabolic Risk Assessment In Young Adults: The Emerging Role Of Body Roundness Index And Growth Differentiation Factor-15, Omar Jasim Mohammed, Hassanain K. Mehdi

Muthanna Medical Journal

Background: Cardiometabolic disorders in young adults often develop silently, years before clinical disease becomes apparent. Body mass index (BMI), the most widely used anthropometric measure of obesity, does not capture how fat is distributed in the body, and so misses much of the risk carried specifically by visceral adiposity. Two markers have drawn increasing attention as ways to address this gap: The Body Roundness Index (BRI), derived from waist circumference and height, and Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15), a stress-responsive cytokine.
Methods: This narrative review synthesizes current literature on the biological rationale, clinical applications, and limitations of BRI and GDF-15 …

Energy-Efficient Routing Protocols In Wireless Sensor Networks For Iot Applications: A Machine Learning Approach Using Xgbm And Color Harmony Algorithm, Subhieh El-Salhi, Bashar Igried, Sari Awwad

Mesopotamian Journal of CyberSecurity

Energy efficiency is a central constraint in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) used for Internet of Things (IoT) applications because sensor nodes have limited batteries, processing capacity, and communication bandwidth. This study combines eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBM) with the Color Harmony Algorithm (CHA) to predict energy-efficient paths and optimize model and routing parameters. The analysis uses 58,847 validated network-event records generated with NS-3 and a custom Python simulator; the Intel Berkeley Research Lab sensor trace was used only as an external range check. In a 50-run simulated evaluation, the proposed configuration showed an 18% reduction in energy consumption, a 22% increase …

Impacts Of Climate Variability On Infiltration And Groundwater Recharge In The Southeastern Coastal Region Of Côte D'Ivoire, Oulai Jean-Gautier Kpan, Assa Fabrice Yapi, Malan Ketcha Armand Kablan, Yeï Marie Solange Oga, Jean Biemi

Engineering and Technology Journal

This study assesses the impacts of climate variability on infiltration and groundwater recharge within the southeastern coastal corridor of Côte d'Ivoire, spanning from Abidjan to Aboisso. The methodology integrates the Pettitt test to detect rainfall stationarity breaks, followed by water balance modeling using the Thornthwaite and Tixeront–Berkaloff methods to quantify infiltration. The analysis relies on a multi-decadal meteorological dataset, including a 54-year rainfall series (1960–2014) and a 43-year temperature record (1971–2014), coupled with a 23-year historical groundwater level monitoring dataset (1982–2005) obtained from deep boreholes. precipitation fluctuations were correlated with piezometric level variations across 30 shallow wells and 9 deep …

An Exploration Of Psychosocial Determinants Of Cybercrime Intention Among Youths In Oyo State, Nigeria, Moromoke Nimota Raji, Musa Adeyemi Ogunsola, Jamiu Agbolade Ogunsola

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

Cybercrime has become a pressing issue among adolescents and youths, particularly in Nigeria, where a growing number of young individuals engage in cyber-related offences. This study explores the relationship between key risk factors and the intention to commit cybercrime. Utilizing a descriptive correlational survey design, 300 students from six secondary schools in Ibarapa East were randomly selected as participants. Data collection was conducted using validated instruments, including the Cybercrime Intention Scale (α = 0.88), Levenson’s IPC scale  (α = 0.78), Materialistic Value Scale (α = 0.74), Parenting Style Scale (α = 0.77) and Peer Influence Scale …

Indigenous Religion And Community Order: Crime Prevention Strategies Among Worshippers Of Igbe Orhe In Nigeria, Onoseme Fortune Afatakpa Dr

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

This ethnographic study examines crime prevention strategies within Igbe Orhe, an indigenous African religious tradition practiced in Delta State, Nigeria. While existing security studies primarily emphasize formal and direct approaches to crime prevention, this research foregrounds the less explored structural mechanisms embedded in cultural spirituality. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with purposively selected participants, including the Uku Supreme (global leader), High Priests (Uku), High Priestess (Omote Uku), Chief Priests (Inori), Chief Priestesses (Ini Igbe), and Votary Singers (Akpine). Two focus group discussions were also conducted with female and youth members of selected …

Victim Behaviour And Phone Snatching In Kano Metropolis: A Literature Review Based On Victim Precipitation Theory, Mu'azu Ya'u Abdullahi

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

This paper reviews studies on the problem of phone snatching in Kano Metropolis, with focus on the behaviour of victims. Many studies have explained the crime by linking it to poverty, unemployment, and weak policing among others. However, less attention has been given to how people’s everyday actions may increase their risk. Using Victim Precipitation Theory, this review shows that behaviours such as openly displaying phones, walking alone in unsafe places, or using phones while distracted create easy chances for offenders. The review also notes that wider issues, such as poor street lighting and active black markets, combine with victim …

Alternative Dispute Resolution And Legal Pluralism In Practice: Grassroots Mediation In The Akamba Counties Of Kenya, Victoria M. Time, Daniel K. Pryce

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

Abstract

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), the process of employing a third party, outside of the state apparatus, to help resolve disputes between opposing parties, has been used on the African continent for hundreds of years. In Kenya, the focus of the current study, ADRs have included mediation, negotiation, and arbitration. To have a better understanding of why Kenyans are embracing mediation instead of the formal courts to resolve disputes, the study relies on the legal pluralism theoretical framework and the results of a study that employed two ethnographic techniques – interviews and participant observation – from three Kenyan counties: Makueni, …

Workplace Stress And Coping Mechanisms Among Law Enforcement Officers In Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria: An Empirical Study, Akaninyene O. Unaam, Akanimo A. Unaam Esq.

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

Law enforcement officers face unique occupational stressors that can impair well-being and performance. This study examined stress levels and coping mechanisms among police officers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, within Lazarus and Folkman's transactional framework. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 400 randomly selected officers. Data were collected using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Brief COPE inventory. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and hierarchical multiple regression were employed. Moderate stress levels predominated (52.5%), with high stress reported by 32.5% of officers. The mean PSS score was 24.6 (SD = 5.8). Significant associations emerged between stress and years of service …

Language As A Strategic Security Resource: Criminological Perspectives On Collective Efficacy, Cultural Security, And Community Resilience, Declan Onwudiwe

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

Language is typically examined as a medium of communication, identity formation, cultural transmission, and education. This article advances a broader argument: language should also be understood as a strategic security resource and a significant criminological variable. Drawing on collective efficacy theory, societal security scholarship, linguistic relativity, decolonial language theory, and ethnolinguistic vitality theory, the article argues that language can facilitate social cohesion, informal social control, intelligence gathering, conflict resolution, procedural legitimacy, and community resilience. Indigenous African languages serve as repositories of historical memory, customary law, social norms, and security-relevant knowledge that may contribute to public safety and social order. The …

Editors' Note: From Scientific Discourse To Clinical Competence: Preserving Human Accountability In The Age Of Generative Ai, Arvie Vitente, Rolando Lazaro

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

From Anatomy To Safe Action: The A2d And Scope-D Frameworks For Teaching Clinical Reasoning And Referral Communication In Physical Therapist Education, Arvie Vitente, Pamela Taylor, Christopher Dela Rosa, Art Lubinski

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction. Physical therapist learners may accurately recall anatomy yet struggle to translate it into testable hypotheses, recognize discordant findings, select proportionate actions, and communicate uncertainty within scope. Existing frameworks address clinical reasoning or structured communication, but limited guidance connects anatomy-based hypothesis testing directly to patient-centered referral communication when findings do not fit. This theory piece pairs Anatomy-to-Decision (A2D) with SCOPE-D to address that curricular gap.

Methods. Integrative conceptual design drew on literature concerning physical therapist clinical reasoning, illness scripts, cognitive load, dual-process reasoning, hypothesis-oriented patient management, safety screening, and communication of diagnostic uncertainty. These foundations were translated into features intended …

Whose Burden Is It Anyway? A Historical Resolution To Burden Allocation Under Federal Rule Of Civil Procedure 12(B)(3), Curtis Valencia

Northwestern University Law Review

Today, venue is generally treated as secondary to jurisdiction: statutory, waivable, and concerned with where litigation should proceed, rather than whether it should proceed at all. Yet the courts of appeals remain split over a basic question of federal venue procedure: who bears the burden of proof when a defendant moves to dismiss for improper venue under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(3)? Though seemingly technical, in practice, burden allocation can determine whether a suit survives.

This Note offers the first historically grounded approach to resolving Rule 12(b)(3)’s burden allocation problem and argues that the circuit majority approach rests on …

Artificial Neural Network-Based Modelling And Prediction Of Key Performance Indicators In Road Construction Projects, Hussein Mativila, John M. Kafuku, Beatus A. T. Kundi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Road construction projects in developing countries including Tanzania experience several challenges including cost overruns, schedule delays and poor quality. The causes of these challenges include complex interdependencies project’s uncertainty factors. This makes traditional methods for predicting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) less effective. This study has developed a robust Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model for accurate modelling and predicting KPIs for road construction projects in Tanzania. The analysis was based on data obtained from 281 projects implemented by TANROADS in 11 regions from 2015 to 2025. Fourteen uncertainty factors were measured on a five-point Likert scale and screened using Principal Component …

Fake News From Fake Dudes: Why State Statutes Regulating Political Deepfakes Are Both Necessary And Constitutional, Jay Kennedy

Northwestern University Law Review

As technology advances and more Americans use the internet to get their news, AI-generated “deepfakes” have become a powerful tool for misinformation. One common use of deepfakes is to make fake, but convincing, videos of electoral candidates or government officials. Deepfakes pose particular harm to local governments and officials because, unlike federal leaders, local leaders usually do not have the financial resources to fund the counterspeech sufficient to disprove deepfakes. Thus, to help defend the integrity of local governments, this Note argues that every state should enact legislation prohibiting deepfakes of public officials and proposes a First Amendment-compliant framework for …

A Leg Up: Flap Choice In The Management Of Defects Of The Distal Third Of The Leg, Nikitha Bhavani

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Learning From Curricular Innovations In Health Professions Education: A Scoping Review, Andrew J. Notebaert Dr., Sherrill Morris, Elizabeth Sterner, Beverly W. Henry

Journal of Innovation in Health Sciences Education

Introduction: It is important to learn how health professions education (HPE) programs respond to recommendations across countries and disciplines, including their preparation of students to work in health care systems, the reorganization of programmatic curricula, and strategies to overcome challenges encountered in the change process.

Methods: Following the JBI scoping review methodology, we systematically reviewed literature from 2013 to 2024. We selected articles that specifically mentioned HPE curriculum modification for pre-licensure and clinical programs to address health care system problem(s). Data extraction included: aim/purpose of the study, intervention/implementation components, curricular scope, study population, context and participants, types of data …

Ornamental Letters In J.R.R. Tolkien's Manuscripts, Eduardo Boheme Kumamoto

Journal of Tolkien Research

The purpose of this article is to examine ornamental letters and decoration that in some way interacts with letterforms in J.R.R. Tolkien’s manuscripts. I explore Tolkien’s use of elements such as double strokes, color, dots, and flourishes to add prominence and beauty to the letterforms; where possible I also try to establish a relation between these ornaments and medieval manuscripts.