Digital Commons Network^™

Vital Environs: Ecologies Of Modernism And The Nature Tradition, Danielle Nasenbeny

Dissertations

Vital Environs: Ecologies of Modernism and the Nature Tradition is an investigation of late nineteenth and early twentieth century British literature that explores the space between the individual and the external world. The project begins by exploring the “mind-body problem,” which is a topic in philosophy that recognizes the difficulty in understanding how the mind emerges from physical matter. While this topic has been in discussion since at least Descartes, science is still making crucial discoveries that challenge our understanding of this connection. I argue that the environmental crisis we find ourselves in today is a mind-body problem of global …

Selling The Spell: The Commodification Of Feminist Witchcraft, Noël Subrina Sucese

Dissertations

"Selling the Spell" argues that Feminist Witches, or Crafters, navigated a fraught relationship with consumer culture, at once resisting commodification, embracing it, and reshaping it in ways that carried spiritual, political, and economic consequences. Drawing on oral histories, archival and digital sources, this dissertation traces the evolution of American Feminist Witchcraft and related Pagan traditions from the 1960s through the early 2000s. It situates the Craft at the intersection of feminism, counterculture, and capitalism, showing how spiritual practices that emphasized female embodiment and communal ritual became entangled with publishing, festivals, consumer goods, and the Internet. The dissertation contributes to four …

“I Like My Eighteenth Century Fresh”: Geofence Warrants, General Warrants, And The Evolving Fourth Amendment, Alexa M. Mascaró

University of Miami Law Review

Almost 250 years ago, our Founding Fathers fought to create a nation free from the confines of British imperial rule. Outrage over governmental intrusions enabled by suspicionless general warrants and writs of assistance galvanized an American polity determined to prevent the abuses that had come to define colonial life. The Fourth Amendment was enacted as a response to executive overreach, and it was deeply informed by the fraught history that led to its adoption—a history that is still used by courts today to define constitutional protections.

In the digital age, the rapid speed of technological innovation has created a precarious …

Roots And Routes: Tracing Identity Through The Life Of One Person, Daniel Rivard

Opinion Matters: Student Analyses of World News

This op-ed highlights the differences between ethnic, national, and collective identity through the story of a first-generation Lithuanian Immigrant. It discusses how ethnic identity remains salient even when national identity changes or deteriorates, exploring how one person’s decisions can seriously affect their family's future culture and identities.

When Disasters Trigger Cyber Vulnerabilities: Mapping Physical-Digital Interdependencies In Critical Infrastructure Systems, Dikshya Panta, Sicheng Wang, Aditya Sapkota, Prakash Ranganathan

Faculty Publications

Critical infrastructure (CI) systems such as power, water, communications, and emergency services are increasingly exposed to compound risks in which natural disasters and cyber incidents interact and amplify one another. Traditional risk assessments often isolate physical and digital threats, overlooking the cascading dependencies that emerge when operational stress, emergency reconfiguration, and adversarial exploitation coincide. This study conducts a 2019–2025 scoping review and introduces a Geographic Information System (GIS) driven six-stage disaster cyber compounding framework that characterizes, maps, and operationalizes compound risk across interdependent CI sectors. The framework integrates a common operating picture, analytic situational understanding, exposure mapping, threat-fingerprint encoding, detection …

Roman–Dutch Law, Scottish Civil Procedure And Fusing Of The Common And Civil Jurisprudence, Zia Akhtar

Notre Dame Journal of International & Comparative Law

The range and breadth of Roman law have extended and been assimilated into the distant corners of Europe based on the concept of Jus Commune. Law of Scotland is one of the countries which has adopted Roman legal principles in its substantive law. The Scots law is a non-codified Civil law in which legal principles have been drawn from both the civilian (i.e. Roman law) and common law traditions. It also owes its evolution to the jurists who developed the causes of action in the civil courts of the country. These Roman law foundations still persist in Scottish law and …

Volume 16 Issue 1 – Full Issue

Notre Dame Journal of International & Comparative Law

No abstract provided.

The Question Of “Territory” In The Wto Jurisprudence: A Critique Of Panel's Decision On Us-Origin Marking Requirement Dispute, Yuanyuan Ren

Notre Dame Journal of International & Comparative Law

This article draws on the US—Origin Marking Requirement case study to critically examine the concept of “territory” under the World Trade Organization (WTO) law, particularly in relation to trade with contested territories among WTO members. It argues that while trade with contentious territories is not explicitly covered in current WTO rules, WTO law does provide a regulatory framework for tackling such issues. Nevertheless, resolving trade disputes involving contested territories at the WTO remains challenging, particularly due to the limited discussion on the notion of “territory” and the national security exceptions in WTO jurisprudence. The US—Origin Marking Requirement case marks the …

Papal Jurisprudence, Chad Marzen, William Woodyard

Notre Dame Journal of International & Comparative Law

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Analysis Of The Rule Of Lenity And National Power Structures, Albert Kwon

Notre Dame Journal of International & Comparative Law

No abstract provided.

The Age And Composition Of The Voyager Seamounts: Evidence For A Long-Lived Marquesas Mantle Source, Andrea Balbas, Hannah Paradis, Kevin Konrad, Valerie A. Finlayson, Michael Bizimis, Stephanie Anderson, Christopher Kelley, Nicole A. Raineault, Beth N. Orcutt

Faculty Publications

We present new observations on the dynamics and locations of deep mantle reservoirs derived from the ages and compositions of Voyager Seamount Chain lava flows. The previously unexplored Voyager Seamount Chain trends NW–SE between the Mid-Pacific Mountains and the Northwestern Hawaiian Ridge. Volcanic samples were recovered from the chain during the Ocean Exploration Trust expedition NA134. The lava flows are alkalic to highly alkalic in composition. Ages ranged from 81 to 86 Ma (n = 8), with the oldest ages in the NW and an age-progression toward the SE. The Voyager age-progression continues southward through the Northern Line Islands …

Smartphone And Sleep, Jesenia Ortiz, Melanie Bonilla, Eduard Reyes, Jose Rivera

Open Educational Resources

The case study and Decision: You are a data analyst advising a university-affiliated research and wellness initiative that is evaluating whether late-night smartphone use should be formally discouraged as part of student wellness guidance. Over the past academic year, administrators have raised concerns about declining sleep quality among students and its potential impact on academic performance, health, and decision-making. While smartphones are an essential tool for communication and learning, their use immediately before bedtime has emerged as a possible contributor to sleep disruption. The initiative must decide whether the available evidence is strong enough to justify recommending that students limit …

When The World Hits Play, Eileen Mazariegos, Danjela Halilaj, Yosmairy Guzman, Freddy Cruz Osorno

Open Educational Resources

The case study and Decision: In 2025, Lehman College administrators face a critical decision: how can music be strategically used to improve student engagement, emotional well-being, and campus connection? The decision must be made now, as rising academic stress, digital isolation, and declining campus interaction are affecting student experience. Leadership must determine whether to invest in a data-driven, campus-focused music platform or continue relying on generalized commercial streaming experiences that do not reflect student needs. The outcome of this decision will shape how students connect emotionally, socially, and academically on campus.

Film Review Of K-Pop Demon Hunters, Emily Stier Adler, Emily Farmer

Sociology Between the Gaps: Forgotten and Neglected Topics

No abstract provided.

High Frobenius Pushforwards Generate The Bounded Derived Category, Matthew R. Ballard, Srikanth B. Iyengar, Pat Lank, Alapan Mukhopadhyay, Josh Pollitz

Faculty Publications

This work concerns generators for the bounded derived category of coherent sheaves over a noetherian scheme X of prime characteristic. The main result is that when the Frobenius map on X is finite, for any compact generator G of D(X) the Frobenius pushforward F^e_*G generates the bounded derived category whenever p^e is larger than the codepth of X, an invariant that is a measure of the singularity of X. The conclusion holds for all positive integers e when X is locally complete intersection. The question of when one can take G = …

Consumer Vs. Code: The Future Of Consumer Smart Contracts From Code To Legal Practice, Amir Bushansky

Fordham International Law Journal

This Article evaluates the feasibility of implementing consumer contracts—including standard-form agreements—as smart contracts and assesses their adaptability through the lens of consumer protection law.

Specifically, it examines whether the traditional consumer contract framework can be meaningfully implemented in the form of smart contracts. It further considers whether such implementation necessitates adaptations—both in the technological architecture of the contracts themselves and in the underlying legal framework. By addressing these questions, the Article aims to contribute to a more coherent and forward-looking approach to regulating automated, code-based contracting in consumer markets.

Improving Surface Analysis Through The Correct Use Of Low Energy Ion Scattering And X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy: Best Practices, Common Errors, And Multimodal Approaches For Material Development, Joshua W. Pinder

Theses and Dissertations

Surface analysis is the study of the atoms at surfaces and their connectivity, including their relative depth distribution, concentration, chemical state, and crystallinity. These characteristics govern many important material properties. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is one of the most widely used surface analysis techniques. Proper interpretation of XPS spectra including the appropriate use of backgrounds, peak shapes, peak positions, and charge compensation, with appropriate constraints on fitting parameters provide valuable information about elemental composition, concentration, depth distribution, and chemical speciation of surface atoms. However, despite widespread use, much of the XPS literature contains poor interpretations and irreproducible results which undermine …

Understanding Early Childhood Community Collaborations (Ecccs) In Relation To Systems Change, Rebecca Waterstone Halperin

Dissertations

The early childhood system in the United States is piecemeal and fragmented (Adams et al., 2017; Gomez & Rendon, 2019; Kagan & Kauerz, 2012; State Capacity Building Center, 2022). The result is that families have unequal access to care, education, and other early childhood services for their young children. There have been various approaches to building, impacting, and changing the early childhood system to move toward equity, and many of these approaches call for collaborative efforts. The state of Illinois is engaged in comprehensive early childhood systems work, and one of the vehicles driving this change has been the work …

Developing A Collaborative Tool To Foster Communication In Sustainability Research, Nina Hunter, Noëlle-Laetitia Perret, Martin Klepal

Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Climate change necessitates urgent responses based on knowledge produced by teams that transcend disciplinary boundaries, and with members whose work focuses on the generation of knowledge and on the application of knowledge, with some integrating both. Almost a third of Europe’s building stock consists of heritage buildings requiring renovation that is ideally sustainable as part of an energy transition response. The European transdisciplinary CALECHE study team with use-cases in France, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland aims to support decision-making on the sustainable renovation of heritage buildings, via research that employs co-design. However, team members are from various disciplines, with different skillsets …

Acculturative Stress And Depression In Latinx Youth: Exploring The Roles Of Emotion Reactivity And Maternal Attachment, Melisa Dangles

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Acculturative stress (AS) is a type of stress that emerges from acculturation challenges and is commonly experienced by families of immigrant backgrounds affecting their mental health and well-being. AS is strongly associated with negative emotion and psychological outcomes, including increased depressive symptoms. While previous research has primarily focused on the direct relation between AS and mental health, fewer studies have examined the mechanisms explaining this association or the factors that may buffer its effects. This study utilizes data from 281 Latinx youth (Mage = 11.4; SD = 0.94) to explore the roles of Emotion Reactivity (ER) and Maternal Attachment in …

Dietary Inflammatory Index And Risk Of Colorectal Cancer In Japanese Men, Ayaka Kotemori, Kumiko Kito, Motoki Iwasaki, Taiki Yamaji, James Hébert Scd, Junko Ishihara, Manami Inoue, Shoichiro Tsugane, Norie Sawada On The Behalf Of Jphc Study Group

Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Unhealthy lifestyles lead to chronic low-grade inflammation, increasing the risk of colorectal cancer. Few studies in East Asia have examined the association between the dietary inflammation potential and colorectal cancer incidence. Therefore, we aimed to investigate this association further in the Japanese population. Methods: This study included 38,807 men aged 45–74 years who participated in the Japan Public Health Center-based prospective study (JPHC Study). The energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (E-DII) was derived from a food frequency questionnaire. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Differences in risk due to a …

Sununu, Pappas Frontrunners In 2026 Nh Senate Race; Ayotte Favored For Re-Election As Governor 1/21/2026, Unh Survey Center

All UNH Survey Center Polls

In the race for the open seat of retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen, her predecessor, former Senator John E. Sununu, leads former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown for the Republican nomination, while Congressman Chris Pappas is the Democratic favorite. Pappas leads both Sununu and Brown in general election matchups. In New Hampshire's First Congressional District, Stefany Shaheen leads a large field of candidates seeking the Democratic nomination while most Republican voters are undecided. In the Second District, incumbent Democrat Maggie Goodlander is well ahead of her primary challenger and leads 2024 Republican opponent Lily Tang Williams in a hypothetical 2026 rematch.

Tidal Flooding Compounded With Extreme Temperatures In Tampa Bay, Jonicia Cardin, Ogugua Onochie, Sidharth Sudheer, Alejandra R. Enriquez

Making Waves REU

Coastal communities, like Tampa Bay, face growing compound hazards as tidal flooding and extreme temperatures increasingly co-occur. Tidal flooding is shallow, recurring inundation during routine king tides and intensifies in frequency and extent with sea level rise. In some instances, its cumulative impact on infrastructure and daily life can amount to that of a major hurricane over time (Moftakhari et al., 2018).

In Florida, this risk is heightened as king tides, peak temperatures, and hurricane season overlap in late summer and early fall. Zhou et al. (2024) identified flood-heat convergence as a global threat, but their focus on extreme sea …

Metabolome Contribution To Sex Differences In The Link Between Alcohol Consumption And Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Analysis In The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study Of Latinos (Hchs/Sol), Brian Wang, Kai Luo, Wenyan Ma, Yanbo Zhang, Christina Cordero, Amber Pirzada, Martha Daviglus, Krista M Perreira, Bing Yu, Eric Boerwinkle, Robert C Kaplan, Qibin Qi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Light-to-moderate alcohol consumption has been linked to improved insulin resistance and lower type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk predominantly in females but not males. Potential mechanisms underlying this sex difference remain unclear.

Objective: This study evaluated associations of sex-specific alcohol-associated metabolomic signatures (AMSs) with insulin resistance and T2D risk in US Hispanic/Latino adults.

Methods: We analyzed serum metabolome data in the HCHS/SOL, a prospective, multicenter, community-based study of Hispanics/Latinos, aged 18 to 74 years old, enrolled from four U.S. metropolitan areas between 2008 and 2011. Sex-specific AMSs were developed using Elastic Net to identify serum metabolites uniquely associated with alcohol …

University Resilience: Examining The Relationship Of Acute, Externally-Driven Crisis Events To University Enrollment And Financial Stability, Amy Kyhos

Dissertations

This dissertation investigated the phenomenon of a significant, acute, externally-driven crisis event on university resilience at four-year, tuition-driven, public and private higher education institutions in the United States of America. The study primarily considered the resilience indicators of university undergraduate enrollment and financial stability through the crisis context of COVID-19. It is theorized that a perceived lack of reliability, flexibility, and pace to evolve that higher education exhibited during and shortly after COVID-19 is a sustained point of vulnerability to a field under increasing review from a range of stakeholders and points of financial and public pressure. The study contemplated …

Low Intensity Vibration With Zoledronate Reduces Musculoskeletal Weakness And Adiposity In Estrogen Deprived Female Mice, Gabriel M Pagnotti, Trupti Trivedi, Laura E Wright, Sutha K John, Sreemala Murthy, Ryan R Pattyn, Monte S Willis, Yun She, Sukanya Suresh, Aji F Touray, William R Thompson, Clinton T Rubin, Khalid S Mohammad, Theresa A Guise

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Aromatase inhibitors are widely used in the treatment of hormone-sensitive breast cancer, but their suppression of estrogen production accelerates bone loss, increases fracture risk, and negatively impacts muscle and fat metabolism. Here, we demonstrate that daily low intensity vibration, serving as a non-drug mimetic for exercise, protects musculoskeletal health in skeletally immature, female mice under complete estrogen deprivation. Subsequent improvements in vertebral bone density are paralleled by greater and leaner skeletal muscle mass and function alongside reduced fat accretion and circulating metabolites. In mature, estrogen deprived mice, vibration enhances weekly bisphosphonate treatment, improving bone density, cortical thickness, and mechanical resistance …

Oer Accessible Syllabus For Political Science 1100: Intro To U.S. Government, Carmen Melillo

Open Educational Resources

This is a sample OER accessible syllabus intended to create a cost-free Introductory level college course in Political Science and American Government.

Qsox1: A Mysterious Golgi-Localized Disulfide Bond Catalyst And An Emerging Cancer Regulator, Shike Wang, Guan-Yu Xiao, Xiaochao Tan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase 1 (QSOX1) is a disulfide bond-forming enzyme with both disulfide isomerase and oxidoreductase activities. It plays an important role in protein folding, stability, and secretion. Growing evidence demonstrates that QSOX1 is upregulated in multiple cancer types and influences key behaviors of cancer cells, including proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis. Elevated QSOX1 expression is also associated with tumor malignancy and disease relapse. However, the molecular mechanisms by which QSOX1 drives cancer progression remain incompletely understood. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of QSOX1 expression and regulation in cancer, discuss its functional roles, and highlight key unanswered questions …

Microfluidic Capillary Transit Velocity As A Functional Measure For Sickle Cell Disease And In Vitro-Derived Red Blood Cells, Solomon Oshabaheebwa, Yuxuan Du, Christopher L. Wirth, Zoe Sekyonda, Zoe Sekyonda, Bryan L. Benson, Payam Fadaei, Yusang B. Ley, Michael A. Suster, Pedram Mohseni, Umut A. Gurkan

Faculty Scholarship

Emerging therapies in sickle cell disease (SCD) aim to restore healthy red blood cell (RBC) function, but they often yield heterogeneous cellular responses. There are no proven techniques to evaluate restored rheological functionality and heterogeneity in these RBCs. We present a biomimetic microcapillary network, high-speed imaging, and computational algorithms to analyze RBC capillary velocity profiles of the entire sample population at single-cell resolution. Using peripheral RBCs from SCD patients and healthy donors, we showed that RBC capillary transit velocity correlated with cell shape, hydrodynamic adaptability, and elongation index. Healthy RBCs exhibited a velocity distribution skewed toward higher values, whereas RBCs …

The Role Of Familism In The Relationship Between Ethnic Identity And Sleep In Hispanic/Latino Adults: Results From The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study Of Latinos (Hchs/Sol), Tetyana Krutsik

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Hispanic/Latino individuals in the U.S. face sleep health disparities, reporting higher rates of short sleep duration and fragmented sleep compared to non-Hispanic white individuals. While Hispanic/Latino immigrants initially report better sleep health than their U.S.-born counterparts, prolonged residence in the U.S. is associated with worsening sleep, possibly due to acculturative stress. Ethnic identity and familism are cultural factors that have been correlated with positive health outcomes, even mitigating the adverse effects of acculturative stress and discrimination. However, little is known about the associations between these cultural factors and sleep health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the effect of ethnic …