Digital Commons Network^™

2025-2026 School Year, St. Mary's University School Of Law

The Witan

No abstract provided.

Fear And Free Speech, Helen Norton

Publications

No abstract provided.

Ethical Issues In Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, And Response, Govind Persad

Publications

Pandemic policies raise complex ethical challenges, as well as scientific and technical ones. This chapter examines four critical areas where ethical analysis is essential for effective pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response: spending decisions, clinical research, restrictions on rights and freedoms, and fair allocation of scarce medical resources.

Spending on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response often involves trade-offs with other societal priorities, such as education, infrastructure, and environment. Navigating these trade-offs requires careful consideration of opportunity costs and distributional impacts.

Rights and freedoms can likewise present difficult trade-offs when pandemic policies restrict individual liberties, requiring clear goals and proportionate responses that …

Mementos, Zixuan Guo

Theses and Dissertations

Relevance:

Personal Relevance: This project merges my passion for film photography and modern technology, aiming to create a design that bridges traditional and modern practices.

Local Relevance: Richmond’s rich historical context provides an ideal setting to illystrate that traditional arts like analog photography can be preserved while integrating modern digital technology.

Global Relevance: Globally, there is an increasing trend toward combining traditional and modern design approaches, particularly in architecture and interior design. Synthesizing analog and digital means is used to meet the balance between materiality and modern technology (Rose, 2014; Pelizzari & Scrivano, 2011). Designers balance tactile materials like wood …

Anchoring Digital Sovereignty, Vivek Krishnamurthy

Publications

For a quarter-century, a consensus has prevailed that territorial sovereignty applies online as it does offline. Since practically all the Internet's infrastructure and its billions of users reside on the territory of states, conventional wisdom holds that sovereignty must extend to cyberspace. Such accounts ignore how people experience cyberspace as a distinctive place, and how current international law lacks safeguards to prevent states from exercising their sovereignty to splinter the Internet into a set of national networks. Territorial sovereignty is also hard to square with pledges by the world's democracies to keep the Internet free, open, and global; yet it …

Nist's Software Un-Standards, Bryan H. Choi

Publications

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has become a beacon of hope for those who trust in federal standards for software and AI safety. Moreover, lawmakers and commentators have indicated that compliance with NIST standards ought to shield entities from liability. With more than a century of expertise in scientific research and standard setting, NIST would seem to be uniquely qualified to develop such standards.

But as I argue in this Article, this faith is misplaced. NIST’s latest forays in risk management frameworks disavow concrete metrics or outcomes, and solicit voluntary participation instead of providing stable mandates. That …

Impacted Stakeholder Participation In Ai And Data Governance, Margot Kaminski, Gianclaudio Malgieri

Publications

Privacy law has long centered on the individual. But we observe a meaningful shift toward group harm and rights. There is growing recognition that data-driven practices, including the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, affect not just atomized individuals but also their neighborhoods and communities, including and especially situationally vulnerable and historically marginalized groups.

This Article explores a recent shift in both data privacy law and the newly developing law of AI: a turn towards stakeholder participation in the governance of AI and data systems, specifically by impacted groups often though not always representing historically marginalized communities. In …

Admiring Ukrainian Authors, Paul B. Mojzes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

"These personal stories, filled with such profound suffering and yet also extraordinary resilience, reflect the reality that many of our Ukrainian colleagues live with daily. Despite the constant threat to their lives, many Ukrainian scholars continue to write and contribute to academic discourse. Their commitment to their work and their unwavering dedication to knowledge in the face of such adversity is a testament to the power of the human spirit."

Steering Towards A Permanent Schism? The Establishment Of The Russian Orthodox Exarchate In Africa, Pål Kolstø

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

When the Ecumenical Patriarch granted the Orthodox Church of Ukraine autocephalous status in 2019, in what was hitherto recognized as the the canonical territory the Moscow patriarchate (MP), the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) retaliated two years later by establishing an Exarchate in the territory of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, one of the churches which sided with the Ecumenical Patriarch. In a few years’ time ROC had recruited more than 200 clerics in Africa who formerly served in the Patriarchate of Alexandria.

By moving from verbal protests to confrontational action, Moscow has drastically reduced the possibility of finding a compromise solution. …

Muslim Communities In Post-Communist Bulgaria (Challenges And Perspectives For Communication Between Orthodox Christians And Muslims), Klara Toneva

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The paper explores the challenges and prospects for communication between Orthodox Christians and Muslims in post-communist Bulgaria. After providing a brief overview of the Bulgarian ethnic model, it presents the current situation of Muslim communities in the country. The paper examines the ongoing processes within these communities and the different paths they may take: adherence to tradition, re-Islamization, secularization, or religious radicalization. It outlines the prerequisites and causes that contribute to manifestations of religious radicalization. The integration of Muslim communities into Bulgarian society, the role of religious education, and the presence of a strong spiritual elite are emphasized as key …

The Challenge Of Implementing Social Justice In A Developing Market Economy: The Case Of Slovakia, Michal Valčo, Kamil Kardis

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Our paper explores the challenges of implementing social justice in Slovakia, a developing market economy with a complex historical background. We provide an overview of Slovakia’s political and socio-economic transformations in the 20th century, focusing on the transition from a state-planned to a market economy (1990–2000). While analyzing contemporary challenges, we explore the role of Michael Novak’s democratic capitalism and Catholic social teaching as moral frameworks for fostering a society with a high level of social justice and cohesion. These approaches, centered on human dignity, solidarity, and ethical entrepreneurship, are contrasted and complemented with Amartya Sen’s capability approach, which offers …

Dialogue Between The Eastern Orthodox Church And Armenian Community In Bulgaria, Kostadin Kirilov Nushev

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Relations between Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria and the Armenian community date back centuries and are based on deep historical ties. This is mainly due to the Armenian diaspora, which took place on Bulgarian territory for centuries, and to the amicable encounters between Bulgarians and Armenians over the centuries. Most recently, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has maintained healthy, fraternal inter-church relations with representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church at the official level. These relations were built and developed within the framework of the traditional inter-church relations between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Oriental Orthodox churches.

Frontmatter (Volume 45, Issue 9), Paul B. Mojzes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Sibling Rivalry In The Financial Safety Net: Governance Arrangements For Bank Resolution And Deposit Insurance (2025), Atilla Arda, Jan Nolte

Documents

No abstract provided.

Decolonizing Educational Research: Pláticas As Sites Of Reciprocity, Vulnerability, And Reflexivity, Miryam Espinosa-Dulanto

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Editors’ State Of The Journal, Nancy E. Krusen, Stacy Smallfield, M Nicole Martino

Translational Science in Occupation

No abstract provided.

Value Of Case Studies For Translating Evidence In Occupational Therapy: A New 3-Dimensional Model, George S. Tomlin, Bonnie Riley, Aimee Piller, Jessica Mchugh Conlin, Ashlea D. Cardin, Katrina M. Serwe, Deborah A. Dougherty

Translational Science in Occupation

Importance: Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners often address complex occupational performance needs of diverse consumers. Professional reasoning, theory, and trial and error interventions can be demonstrated in case studies. Case studies are usually relegated to the lowest level in evidence hierarchies. Yet they have a long tradition in health care literature, and may particularly document the holism, inclusivity, uniqueness, and complexity of OT practice.

Objective: To determine how case studies make a distinct contribution to professional knowledge, using a new model for categorizing them.

Evidence Review: 103 case studies published in AJOT from 1990-2023 were rated by the authors “1” or …

Gazing In The Mirror: Reflecting On Student Perspectives In Work-Integrated Learning In Healthcare Education, Cassidy P. Johnson, Simone C. Regnier, Leah M. Stade Otd, Mhptt, Otr/L

Translational Science in Occupation

Abstract: Student engagement is typically woven into the curriculum of healthcare education through hands-on experiences, lectures, discussions, active learning, and lab components. This engagement is critical to developing student confidence, efficacy, and esteem in important skills that will serve them as they enter their profession. In our doctoral program, we are allowed additional engagement opportunities, including belonging to a research project with professionals. Upon reflection, our experience on an interprofessional research team has helped to translate our classroom knowledge to research and professional practice skills.

Plain-Language Summary: This paper is a reflection on the value of adding work skills beyond …

Retrospective Chart Review Of The Acute Care Psychosocial Evaluation Process For Females Diagnosed With Breast Cancer, Kimberly Conrad, Lou Jensen, Shelley Ashcroft, Antoine Bailliard, Vanessa D. Jewell

Translational Science in Occupation

Background: A breast cancer diagnosis can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. This retrospective chart review explored the occupational therapy evaluation process with female patients in an inpatient acute care hospital with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Methods: This descriptive retrospective chart review analyzed 134 occupational therapy evaluations of female patients with breast cancer admitted to a southeastern US academic medical center. Data were extracted and categorized using the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework.

Results: The most frequently administered assessments were non-standardized and the AM-PAC "6-Clicks." Documented short-term goals primarily focused on self-care (56.6%), gross motor skills (24.7%), and instrumental activities …

Integration Of The Science Of Team Science (Scits) With Applied Healthcare Frameworks: Interprofessional Education Through A University-Based Head Injury Clinic, Part I: Theory, Emily Balog, Susan Paparella, Natalia Noce, Stephanie Hubbell, Kelly Pena

Translational Science in Occupation

Background: Wicked problems in healthcare, such as the complex health condition of head injury, demand interprofessional collaboration that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. These complex clinical challenges call for theoretical frameworks that integrate both disciplinary expertise and interdisciplinary processes.

Definitions and Concepts: Grounded in Repko and Szostak’s (2017) framework of interdisciplinary studies, this paper integrates the Science of Team Science (SciTS), the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) competencies, and TeamSTEPPS® to construct a novel heuristic that informs the design of an interprofessional education (IPE) and practice model.

Relationships Between Concepts: We align SciTS’ four phases with IPEC and TeamSTEPPS® to enhance team-based …

Effect Of The Development Of Social Networks On Expansion Of Social Entrepreneurship: Moderating Role Of Digital Technology Infrastructure And Social Norms, Mahdi Maskani, Reza Mohammadkazemi, Fargol Saberi Qomi

AMTP Proceedings 2025

In today's era, social networks, which are an effective tool in promoting ideas and innovations, have met with global acceptance and popularity. The communication that is formed between people in society through them can be the basis for ideas and opportunities for social entrepreneurship and voluntary social activities, and it is expected that this global platform will be the basis for the expansion of social entrepreneurship. The study aimed to examine the effect of the development of social networks on the expansion of social entrepreneurship by explaining the moderating role of digital technology infrastructure and social norms. The findings revealed …

The Development Of A Rag-Based Artificial Intelligence Research Assistant (Aira), Hamid Vakilzadeh, David A. Wood

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

2025 Fall Commencement, Georgia Southern University

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Book Banning: The Post-Pico Epidemic Upon Nationwide Academic Curricula, Brian Gomberg

Journal of Race, Gender, and Ethnicity

This Note explores the growing wave of book bans across the United States, highlighting the increasing role of state legislators in advancing policies that restrict access to literature in public schools. While historically driven by private individuals or local challenges, contemporary bans are now often state-sanctioned, with states like Texas, Florida, Missouri, Utah, and South Carolina leading the movement. These actions not only suppress specific titles but also target entire genres, disproportionately affecting books dealing with race, gender, and LGBTQ+ identities. Drawing on sources such as the PEN America Index of School Book Bans, the Note analyzes the historical context …

"Caesaropapism" In The Religious And Political Struggle For The Restoration Of The Orthodox Church In The 20th And Early 21st Centuries: Parallels Between The Roc And The Ukrainian Church, Bohdan Synchak, Iryna Vakulova

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article characterizes the phenomenon of caesaropapism as a model of state governance in which the church and its structures are entirely dependent on secular authority. Within the context of the stated issue, the primary periods and contexts of the religious and political struggle for the restoration of the Orthodox Church in the 20th and early 21st centuries are identified. Parallels are drawn between the struggle for the legitimization of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC)'s fight for self-governance and independence from the Moscow Patriarchate. In the church-historical context, the article describes several declassified KGB …

Implementation Of The Novel Nurse Intuition Patient Deterioration Scale To Assess For A Correlation Among Nurse Intuition And Patients Returning To The Intensive Care Unit, Janie L. Walsh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction/Background: Adult hospitalized medical and surgical patients at an academic medical center are being transferred out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to the step-down floor and having rapid response calls in less than 48 hours after the transfer. Nurse intuition is not a consideration in the decision to transfer a patient. Physiological variables such as Modified Early Warning Scores (MEWS) and vital signs are relied on heavily as indicators for escalation or de-escalation of care. There is evidence supporting the use of acknowledging nurse intuition to better predict a patient’s readiness for transitions of care.

Purpose: To evaluate the …

An Investigation Into Energy Consumption And V2g Potential Of An Electric School Bus Fleet, Rupesh Dahal

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The transition towards sustainable public transportation demands detailed evaluation of alternative fuel technologies. This thesis presents a comprehensive energy assessment and comparative analysis of diesel and electric school buses (ESBs) operating within the Monongalia County school district, its Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) potential, and efficiency analysis of charging system. Utilizing real-world operational data collected from buses running identical routes, the study quantifies and compares their mileage specific energy consumption. The analysis reveals an average fuel economy of approximately 6.17 miles per gallon (MPG) for the conventional diesel school bus, contrasted with an average energy consumption rate of 0.46 miles per kilowatt-hour (miles/kWh) …

Three-Dimensional Spreading Of Magnetic Reconnection Between Non-Parallel Flux Ropes With A Guide Field, Regis John

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental plasma process that facilitates the rapid conversion of magnetic energy into particle acceleration, plasma flows, and heating. It plays a central role in explosive astrophysical events such as solar flares, where vast amounts of magnetic energy are released on short time scales. A key structure in many reconnection sites is the magnetic flux rope, a column of plasma carrying current threaded by helical magnetic fields, which is frequently involved in or generated by reconnection. Understanding how reconnection unfolds in such flux rope systems is critical for interpreting both space weather phenomena and laboratory plasma dynamics. …

Community-Wide Impacts Assessment Of Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix) In The Ohio River, Luka Marques

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Invasive species can cause measurable impacts on the properties of recipient ecosystems, with effects that often vary spatially and temporally. One of the most complex and pressing invasion cases in the United States involves invasive carp. Invasive carp have quickly expanded throughout the Mississippi River Basin, with ecological impacts that may vary across space and time. Silver Carp has the potential to provoke community-wide impacts on native fish abundances and food webs of native fish communities. My study area ranged from the confluence of the Mississippi River and the Ohio River to R.C. Byrd Lock and Dam. The Ohio River …

A Limb-Speed-Driven Locomotor Control System And Its Ability To Adapt, Emily Marie Herrick

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Despite how simple walking may seem, the locomotor control system is structurally and functionally complex. Its hierarchical organization of supraspinal and spinal networks with forward and feedback pathways has many interactions at multiple levels that are dependent on the dynamics of a high-dimensional musculoskeletal system. Having a comprehensive understanding of sensorimotor integration within a healthy locomotor control system is crucial for understanding changes to the system due to age or neurologic disease and developing effective technologies to recover mobility in those populations. In this dissertation, we address persistent gaps in knowledge pertaining to how the nervous system controls locomotion.

In …