Digital Commons Network^™

The Second Bite At The Apple Watch Through The United States Customs And Border Protection: A Further Whittling Of Patent Rights Post-Ebay, Thomas R. Langdon

Missouri Law Review

Underlying the patent system is a bargain between the general public and patent owners. In exchange for the limited-time right of the patentee to exclude others from making, using, or selling their patented invention or process, the public receives the benefit of both the disclosure of new and useful inventions and processes and the increased incentive to innovate. The Supreme Court’s eBay v. MercExchange decision, however, fundamentally changed this bargain by removing the presumption of injunctive relief for patent owners upon a finding of infringement in Article III courts. The Court replaced this presumption with a four-factor test, making it …

A Return To The Wild West: Missouri’S Heightened Standard Under The Known Third Person Exception, Liz Eastlund

Missouri Law Review

Picture this: a crowded saloon packed with patrons enjoying food, drinks, and each other’s company—for the Western movie lover, the imagery is familiar. While establishments like saloons were essential social centers of the West in the later years of the nineteenth century, violence from brawls took the lives of many. Lawmen were tasked with keeping the peace and tracking down dangerous outlaws on the American frontier. Despite the existence of these fabled sheriffs, revolvers and alcohol were a lethal combination that led to dangerous gun battles between community members.

Burdening Caregivers With But-For Causation, Jessie L. O'Brien

Missouri Law Review

It is human nature to depend on one another. You may depend on your friend for a laugh after a hard day or your classmate to bring a strong work ethic to a group project. Whether the dependence stems from a comfortable bond, a familiar relationship, or a passing expectation, we rely on each other daily. However, some people experience a deeper level of need where they are dependent on another person to navigate even the basic necessities of life. Imagine if your loved one required this level of dependence—where even the smallest of tasks required your support. Now imagine …

Pfas Litigation And Industry “Science”: Combating Deceptive Industry Practices, Dayna Smith

Western New England Law Review

PFAS have become a hot spot of litigation due to their growing notoriety as one of the greatest chemical threats of our time. Yet, due to concerted efforts by the PFAS industry, PFAS cases are likely to face a significant hurdle in the courtroom. Historically, industry groups have funded studies to lend support to their products, leading to a high risk of bias that has potentially far-reaching consequences. Further, there is mounting evidence that the PFAS industry actively used funding to manipulate science, while also engaging in other deceptive practices to hide potential health risks. This industry “science” then makes …

Amending The Flsa: Time For Congress To Break The Tie And Define Student Athletes As Employees, Alison Izzi

Western New England Law Review

Some may argue that waiting for Congress to legislate a solution to an issue is futile, however, in some cases, advocating for such action is the next best step forward. Therefore, it is time for Congress to break its silence on the issue of collegiate athlete employment status. Historically, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has relied on backing from courts and a lack of legislative regulation to maintain its monopoly over the collegiate athletics market and control over its participating student athletes. Courts have been cautious to make rulings against the NCAA, until recently. In 2021, the Supreme Court …

Duty To Protect: Updating Law Enforcement Tort Liability To Align With Contemporary Standards, Nicholas Emanuel, Lauren Loeb, Gavin Partington

Western New England Law Review

Can civil tort law make law enforcement services safer and more effective? The purpose of tort law is to protect the public by imposing an obligation to act responsibly and avoid causing harm to others. But tort law is generally inapplicable to the profession of policing because of the public duty doctrine, the theory that police owe a duty only to the public at large, not to any individual. That doctrine and similar rules render police immune from civil liability even in cases of egregious failure to protect the public. Public safety—and confidence in law enforcement—suffer as a result.

As …

Bankruptcy Blitz: How Courts Penalize Debtors Despite Lack Of Cause And Jurisdiction Under The Appropriations Act, Emily Levesque

Western New England Law Review

Suppose you currently reside in one of the many states that have legalized the use of marijuana. In that case, you have the right to confidently walk into a dispensary and purchase marijuana products—you would not be arrested the second you hand cash to the teller. You could legally take the product back home to do with it as you please within the bounds of state law. If you were ever a cannabis connoisseur, you could decide to purchase a percentage of that dispensary. At the highest level, if you felt particularly entrepreneurial, you could legally apply for and open …

Dc To Ac Voltage Source Converter Control System, Mohummad Tark Elgassier, Jordan M. Reichhardt, Brayden Richard Young

Electrical Engineering

The Voltage Source Converter Control System integrates a control system for a 2-phase half-bridge voltage source converter (VSC) utilizing a TMS320F2837xD Dual-Core Real-Time Microcontroller. VSCs are critical for the integration of power production into the power grid. They allow for accurate control over DC-AC energy conversion. Additionally with the improvement of renewable energies VSCs play a critical role in controlling the flow of these environmentally controlled and more unpredictable sources of energy. The control system regulates the output current and voltage, regulates switching patterns, and maintains power stability under varying loads. Within the control system Digital control systems, PWM generation, …

A Cadaver Story: Relationality In The Anatomy Laboratory, Stephanie Teasley

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Cadavers in the human anatomy laboratory occupy a liminal social space, a circumstance that presents a variety of challenges for anatomy students. Cadavers are intended to be scientific objects for study, but their human status makes dissection uniquely challenging. Many of the obstacles to working in the laboratory result from discomfort experienced at the thought of cutting a person (i.e. a social being). In this project, I use ‘cadaver’ to indicate a category of being created in and for the anatomy laboratory. This is distinct from the more general ‘dead body’ in that the category cadaver enables emotional distance and …

Recycling The Rules: How Coca-Cola’S Recent Legal Battles Highlight The Need For Modernizing Sustainability Advertising Laws To Protect Consumers And Businesses, Joshua James Weatherwax

Western New England Law Review

Should the FTC’s sustainability marketing guidelines be thrown out, or can they be recycled? In 2022, Coca-Cola faced two separate challenges from environmental groups alleging deceptive marketing practices based on the company’s unsubstantiated recycling and sustainability claims. In Swartz v. Coca-Cola Co., environmental groups sued the company for allegedly violating California consumer protection laws by marketing plastic bottles as “100% recyclable.” In Earth Island Inst. v. Coca-Cola Co., environmental groups targeted Coca-Cola’s broader marketing efforts where the company asserted that it was committed to reducing plastic pollution and using sustainable practices. In both instances, the court held in favor of …

Movement And Activity Of Burbot, (Mizay; Lota Lota) In A Spring-Fed Minnesota Lake, Abigail M. Fountain

Biology Graduate Theses

Burbot (Mizay; Lota lota) are a relatively unmanaged freshwater fish, important in many local Indigenous cultures, but often overlooked or maltreated in research, conservation, and fishing practices. As such, relatively little research has been conducted on Burbot, despite ecological significance as an indicator species. A recent resurgence in popularity as a target species, however, has prompted new research to inform management policies. The objectives of this study were to summarize Burbot movement by identifying patterns in swimming activity and identify possible predictors of the movement observed. This study investigated the movements of 39 individuals implanted with acoustic transmitters in Bad …

A Vexing Case: A Newly Discovered Autoinflammatory Disease, Ashley Edwards, Md, Caroline Mcculley

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Introduction: Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) Syndrome is a recently recognized adult-onset autoinflammatory disease that can lead to potentially lifethreatening multi-system inflammation with estimated prevalence of up to 1 in 5,000 males over the age of 50. Given its significant morbidity and mortality and high prevalence, increased awareness of this condition is of foremost importance. Herein we outline a case of VEXAS syndrome. Case Presentation: Mr. N is a 73-year-old male with a past medical history significant for hypertension and recent episode of uveitis who first presented to the hospital for significant unintentional weight loss, fevers, and abdominal …

Trends In Science Outreach Research Through Social Media (2000-2023): A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis, María Del Pilar Quezada Castro, Marco Antonio Rodríguez Vega, María Del Pilar Castro Arellano, Guillermo Alexander Quezada Castro

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Scientific dissemination is key to transmitting specialized knowledge to society, using social networks and digital platforms as essential tools. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to identify trends, key themes, and collaboration networks in scientific outreach research.

Methods: A bibliometric analysis of 1577 papers indexed in the Scopus database between 2000 and 2023 was conducted using advanced tools such as Biblioshiny and VOSviewer. The analysis focused on co-authorship patterns, citation networks, and emerging thematic trends.

Results: The findings showed exponential growth in scientific output over the last four years, shaped by the impact of the COVID-19 …

Teaching Humanities To Medical Students: Moving From The Classroom To The Clinic, Andrew S. Freiberg, Cheryl Dellasega, F. Jeffrey Lorenz, Matthew Darok, Maria Holstrom-Mercader

Health Professions Education

Purpose: While humanistic practice is an essential component of medical school curricula, there are few applied experiences that instill humanistic behaviors. Since 2008, we have offered an innovative clinical rotation, where instead of clinical duties, students “shadow” pediatric oncology patients and their families, employing narrative medicine to provide insights into the experience of illness, navigating health systems issues, and the complexity of interdisciplinary care.

Methods: Using qualitative methods, a trained research team analyzed the 120 student narratives submitted from 2008 through 2019. Statements that exhibited humanism were extracted and reduced to five common themes.

Results: The narratives …

A Collaborative Experiential Learning Model For Interprofessional Education In Pediatrics, Ashleigh Dough, Davina Lane, Kayla Perry, Mary Spencer, Andrea Fergus

Health Professions Education

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to implement a model for a collaborative experiential learning experience (CELE) in pediatrics and interprofessional collaboration (IPC) with physical therapy and music therapy students (SPTs and SMTs) and to explore the perspectives of the participants.

Method: Over 2 years, 4 families, 15 SPTs, 6 SMTs, 6 PT and 3 MT clinical instructors (CIs) participated in the CELE. Children with various diagnoses received PT/MT for 8 weekly sessions with PT and MT students supervised by CIs. After both years, participants participated in semi-structured interviews. CIs and students completed a questionnaire prior to year 2. …

From Scrubs To Scars: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Bullying Experiences Among Alexandria Faculty Of Medicine Students, Sara A Ghitani, Hanaa S Elhoshy, Maram A Moustafa

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Although medical students have been affected by experiencing bullying, the stressful medical training and competitive pressures makes bullying the least prioritized problem. The aim of current work is evaluating the prevalence of bullying among students at Alexandria Faculty of Medicine, Egypt, following concerted efforts by the university and governmental initiatives to address this issue, with emphasizing on forms of bullying, perpetrators, risk factors, consequences, and the response of bullied students after exposure.

Methods: A cross-sectional study included 565 students with voluntary and anonymous participation. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire.

Results: Only (19.6%) of the respondents reported experiencing …

Development And Validation Of An Instrument Measuring Pharmacy Students’ Knowledge And Perception Of Polypharmacy And Caregivers For Geriatric Patients (Forgiver 19), Rahmawati Rahmawati, Tjokorde Istri Armina Padmasawitri, Pratiwi Wikaningtyas, I Ketut Adnyana

Health Professions Education

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and validate an instrument to measure pharmacy students' knowledge and perceptions of polypharmacy and caregivers for the elderly.

Methods: This study was conducted on pharmacy students in Indonesia. The questionnaire items were developed based on a literature review, followed by a series of validation processes that included content validity using the Delphi method and face validity. Item Response Theory (IRT) analysis was used to validate the knowledge domain. The perception domain was validated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Results: The validation process resulted in a questionnaire consisting of three …

Relationship Between Teaching Methods And Self-Regulated Learning Among Moroccan Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study, Asma Bouriami, Mounia Amane, Samia Boussaa, Ahmed Rhassane El Adib

Health Professions Education

Purpose: To explore self-regulated learning among nursing students and the relationship between the teaching methods used and self-regulated learning.

Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey is conducted with 208 nursing students using the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ).

Results: In relation to self-regulated learning, the results demonstrate that students had moderate scores in both motivation (4.43) and learning strategies (4.58). Men students showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to women students regarding test anxiety included on motivation section. Generally, a preference for active teaching methods was observed. Additionally, results demonstrate that there was a moderate positive correlation between score of motivation and project-based learning (r =0,481; p ppp<0.001).

Conclusion: The findings will provide valuable insights for educators seeking to enhance their methods to foster self-regulated learning in their students. In this regard, prioritizing active teaching methods …

Exploring Approaches To Teaching Communication Practices For Shared Decision-Making In Medical Education: A Scoping Review, Sarah A. E. Aboushawareb, Saki Sultana, Peter Nugus, Tracie Barnett, Amalia M. . Issa, Gillian Bartlett-Esquilant

Health Professions Education

Objective

Health professional education researchers have documented increased training on shared decision-making (SDM) skills in undergraduate as well as continuing professional development (CPD). In this review, we seek to understand the current methods and approaches to teaching SDM for healthcare providers and trainees.

Methods

This scoping review involved the systematic search of 4 databases: MEDLINE, ERIC, PsycINFO, and Scopus for qualitative and quantitative studies literature covering the topic of teaching SDM in medical education.

Results

We identified 20 records that met our search criteria and were included in this study. We found that SDM training provided in medical education included …

Sleep Accelerometry Predicts Academic Performance In First-Term Student Physical Therapists: A Single Center Cohort Study, Evan M. Pucillo, Catherine M. Andrea, Gabriela Perez, Leiselle Pilgrim

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Sleep is widely known to influence aspects of neurocognitive health and performance. In various students, sleep is related to academic performance and cognitive tasks. However, the association of sleep to academic performance among Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to objectively measure sleep characteristics and academic performance in a cohort of DPT students.

Methods: This observational cohort study sampled n=24 first-term DPT students. Subjects wore ActiGraph® GT9X-BT wrist accelerometry 24 hours/day for 30 consecutive days during a 15-week academic term. Investigators collected ActiGraph® sleep duration (ASD), efficiency (ASE), and self-reported …

Analysis Of Mutations In Bmpr2 Gene Associated With Hypertension, Elaine Vanterpool, Keury C. Ruiz

Student Posters

Mutations in the BMPR2 gene are primarily recognized for their role in the development of blood vessels, however, they have also been associated with the pathogenesis of high blood pressure, specifically in regards to altered vascular function and the endothelial cell signal. Early detection and targeted treatment, as well as lifestyle changes, are pivotal in reducing the risk of serious complications associated with high blood pressure. Recent genetic research and personalized medicine have demonstrated the potential to enhance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of high blood pressure, particularly through the identification of genetic mutations in the BMPR2 gene.

Caregiver Perspectives On Sensory Diets, Naomi Sosa, Catharina Smith, Skylar Simpson, Giavanna Stavros

Occupational Therapy | OTD Research Papers

A sensory diet, a targeted sensory intervention designed to address an individual’s sensory needs, requires a child to engage in frequent, brief activities throughout their day that promote an adaptive response and improve occupational performance. While occupational therapists formulate the sensory diet, the role of administering the sensory diet ultimately lies with the child’s caregiver. Several studies have examined the effectiveness of sensory-based interventions and how caregivers support children with sensory processing disorders; however, caregiver perspectives on implementing sensory diets for their children have yet to be studied. Methods: This study used a descriptive, mixed-methods survey approach capturing quantitative data …

Professional Identity Levels Of Occupational Therapists In Different Practice Settings, Megan Maekawa, Alyssa Vessel, Ryan Yambao

Occupational Therapy | OTD Research Papers

Occupational therapists may experience weakened professional identity when their practice settings’ cultures, policies, resources, or interdisciplinary teams do not support occupational therapy’s core philosophies and values. Each practice environment has different workplace cultures and resources that influence an occupational therapist's ability to provide quality service for their clients. For example, when an occupational therapist works in a practice setting that does not support a core philosophy like occupation-based practice, they may experience a blurring of roles and responsibilities with other professionals. Overlap and confusion of responsibilities can lead to unclear expectations about their unique contribution to the client’s care. Additionally, …

An Analysis Of Ftl Variants Associated With Cataracts Disease, Elaine Vanterpool, Joram Kisaka

Student Posters

Cataract is an eye disease that clouds the eye's natural lens, which is used to focus light on the retina. This eye disease causes symptoms such as blurry vision, double vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty seeing at night. Cataracts are tied to the gene called Ferritin Light Chain (FLT), which is found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and plays a role in encoding the light subunits of the ferritin protein. The purpose of this research study was to identify the Ferritin Light Chain mutations that cause cataracts.

Vaccines And Publics: A Variety Of Engagement Experiences, David H. Lee

Publications and Research

This chapter is about some of the sites and scenes where members of the public are exposed to (and engage in) vaccination discourse. To preview, after a brief introduction, we begin with messaging models of communication, followed by the move from messaging to engagement. Next, case examples of public engagement with vaccines are introduced, from pandemic influenza preparedness in the U.S., to polio eradication initiatives in India, and then to COVID-19 public engagement events in England. Settings of public engagement are noted, including online, in churches and museums. Then, there’s a section about communication and public participation, seen as either …

The Duality Of The Bard1 Gene, Elaine Vanterpool, Khadra Burden

Student Posters

Breast cancer is the 2nd most diagnosed cancer in women in the United States (Mayo Clinic). Cancer is the overproduction of cells. In other words, cancer-infected cells continue to grow and may cause large growths called tumors. Although there have been innumerable strides in breast cancer research, the exact cause for breast cancer is not yet known (Mayo Clinic). It is believed that factors such as family history of the disease, early menstruation age, and obesity can increase an individual’s chances of having breast cancer. One of the well-known genes associated with breast cancer is BRCA1. A much less researched …

An Analysis Of Androgen Receptor (Ar) Variants In Breast Cancer, Elaine Vanterpool, Jordae Smith

Student Posters

The androgen receptor (AR) is a steroid-hormone activated transcription factor that regulates gene expression in response to testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). While AR has been extensively studied in prostate cancer, emerging research suggests its role in breast cancer, particularly in estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This study investigates AR variants associated with breast cancer, assessing their pathogenicity and potential impact on prognosis and treatment.

An Analysis Of Dnajc13 Variants Associated With Parkinson’S Disease, Elaine Vanterpool, Rhadames M. Batista-Mendez

Student Posters

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons, leading to motor impairments such as tremors, rigidity, and postural instability. Affecting millions worldwide, PD has been linked to both genetic and environmental factors. This study aims to identify and assess the pathogenicity of DNAJC13 variants associated with Parkinson's disease.

An Analysis Of Dguok Variants Associated With Mitochondrial Dna Depletion Syndrome, Elaine Vanterpool, Ethan Harris

Student Posters

Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome(MDDS) is a clinically heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive mitochondrial disorders that reduces the number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the affected cells. This disease is characterized by the disruption of hepatocytes, skeletal muscle, and cerebral function. This study's purpose is to identify and assess the pathogenicity of DGUOK variants associated with MDDS.

Analysis Of Dmd Variants Associated With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Elaine Vanterpool, K’Sia Byass

Student Posters

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is an X-linked recessive disorder that causes muscle weakness. This disease is characterized by frequent falls, difficulty walking, running, jumping, or scoliosis. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy 1 in every 5000 boys worldwide causes a gene tic mutation that prevents the production of dystrophin. This study aims to identify and assess the pathogenicity of DMD variants associated with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Genetic mutations responsible for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy have been reported. Studies regarding DMD and its specific role in causing Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy have been reported to be accurate and effective. X-linked inheritance patterns are applied to this disease's …