Digital Commons Network^™

Generative A.I., Virtual Child Pornography, And The First Amendment: Time To Reconsider Ashcroft V. Free Speech Coalition?, Seth Atisha

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

No abstract provided.

United We Bargain, Divided We Beg: Constitutional Concerns Of State Anti-Captive Audience Laws, Ryan Hocking

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

No abstract provided.

Too Much Sunlight: Is Supreme Court Tv A Good Idea?, Harrison Richter

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

No abstract provided.

What’S Wrong With Inflicting Death? Evaluating Marquis’S “Future Of Value” Account, Christopher Kaczor

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

No abstract provided.

The Primacy Of Parental Authority In End-Of-Life Decisions For Children, Patrick A. Tully

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

No abstract provided.

Undue Influence And Religious Donations In The Execution Of Wills, Andrew E. Coffey

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

No abstract provided.

Physician-Assisted Suicide And The Doctrine Of Standing: Deficiencies Of Traditional Standing Application And The Case For Alternatives, Owen D. Macaulay

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

No abstract provided.

Optimizing Death To Effectuate Deterrence, Lucas Brolin

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

No abstract provided.

Remedying Public Disapproval Of The Supreme Court: Expanding The Role Of The Public Information Officer, Brown James

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

No abstract provided.

The End Is Still To Come: How The Law’S Interaction With Digital Replicas And Derivative Digital Replicas Will Shape The Future, Spencer Kweskin

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

No abstract provided.

The World’S Oldest Profession Needs New Answers, Ariana Zaimi

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

No abstract provided.

The Case For Climate Refugee Protection, Nicole Theriot

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

No abstract provided.

Diabetes Potentiates The Emergence And Expansion Of Antibiotic Resistance, John C. Shook, Benjamin P. Darwitz, Kaleb J. Tyson, Amanda Z. Velez, Sophia K. Bridwell, Joshua B. Parsons, Sarah E. Rowe, Christopher Marshall, Brian P. Conlon, Lance R. Thurlow

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Individuals with diabetes mellitus frequently develop severe skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) that are recalcitrant to antibiotic treatment. We examined how diabetes affects the emergence of antibiotic resistance in a Staphylococcus aureus SSTI. We determined that S. aureus evolves antibiotic resistance rapidly in diabetic mice, while resistance did not occur in nondiabetic mice over the course of infection. Diabetes-associated immune cell dysfunction plays a minor role in the emergence of resistance, while hyperglycemia plays a dominant role facilitating the expansion and takeover of resistant mutants in diabetic infections. Furthermore, vancomycin intermediate resistant isolates display a pronounced fitness defect in …

Editorial: Women In Antimicrobials, Resistance And Chemotherapy: 2023, Cindy Shuan Ju Teh, Krassimira R. Hristova, Ana R. Freitas

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of The Accuracy Of The Niti K-Files And Gutta-Percha Cones In Gauging The Apical Foramen Using The Scanning Electron Microscope: An In Vitro Study, Marie-Louise Slim, Roula El Hachem, Lara Nasr, Romy Zouein, Rami Mhanna, Mia Karam, Issam Khalil

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of apical gauging using NiTi K-files and gutta-percha cones and determine the level of agreement between the two methods using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).

Methods: 75 circular and straight canals of mandibular first premolars were used. Canals were shaped using the R-Motion system (RM; FKG Dentaire, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) and gauged using NiTi K-Files and gutta-percha cones matching the shaping instrument. Diameters measured on SEM images were used as the reference standard.

Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the prediction of apical diameter …

Continuous Monitoring Of Sterility: Bacterial Contamination And Disinfectant Performance In Dental Clinics, Nathaly Alsalloum, Tarek Aboajwa, Shuaib Alahmad, Nermin Almouhammad

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Objectives: This study aimed to (1) evaluate contamination levels across three clinics (endodontic, extraction and surgery, and fixed prosthodontics), (2) identify the types and prevalence of bacteria, (3) estimate the effectiveness of a commercial disinfectant, and (4) determine the bacterial species most responsive to the disinfectant.

Methods: Equal surfaces (17.98 cm²) were swabbed, cultured on nutrient agar for the total aerobic microbial count before and after disinfection, and analyzed using settle plates. Bacterial identification was conducted through colony characteristics, Gram staining, and biochemical tests. Data were processed using SPSS version 26.

Results: The endodontic clinic exhibited …

Conservative Non-Surgical Endodontic Management Of A Large Cyst-Like Periapical Tunnel Lesion With 22-Month Cbct Follow-Up: A Case Report, Smriti Rohilla, Sameer Makkar, Sandeep Gupta

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

The present case report epitomises the successful non-surgical management of a large cyst-like periapical tunnel lesion of endodontic origin due to trauma using Lesion Sterilization and Tissue Repair technique. Endodontic orthograde treatment (and re-treatment) was performed in association with triple antibiotic paste as an intra-canal medication in a sixteen-year boy. Preoperative CBCT as well as at the 22 months CBCT followup were used to compare the evolution of the healing of the lesion. Accurate diagnosis in combination with non-surgical orthograde endodontic treatment can lead to can lead to complete healing of large lesions without any need of surgical intervention.

The Association Of Hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) With Cancer Risk: An Updated Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Case-Control Studies (2013-2024), Hajar Heidari

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Abstract:

Cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally, influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors. Among these, the metabolism of homocysteine (HCY), a sulfur-containing amino acid derived from dietary methionine, has attracted growing attention due to its involvement in one-carbon metabolism and its potential link to cancer. Elevated HCY levels, a condition known as hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY), have been shown to disrupt crucial cellular processes such as DNA methylation and promote oxidative stress (OS)—both of which contribute to genomic instability and cancer progression. Disruptions in the folate and methionine cycles, …

Diversity, Genomics And Antimicrobial Resistance Of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus: A Literature Review, Kathleen Okeefe

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Members of the gram-positive bacterial genus Staphylococcus have historically been classified into coagulase-positive Staphylococcus (CoPS) and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS). This classification is based on the ability of clotting of plasma by the coagulase enzyme, which converts fibrinogen to fibrin. CoNS species are ubiquitous commensals that frequently colonize the skin and mucosal surfaces. They are also opportunistic pathogens implicated in many human and animal infections. The evolutionary history of CoNS has generally been overlooked because of the historical lack of recognition for their clinical importance and poor taxonomic sampling. They are often perceived as being less or non-pathogenic, especially compared to …

Antibody-Induced Multicellular Behaviors Of Salmonella Typhimurium, Samantha K. Lindberg

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Salmonella enterica is a globally distributed bacterial pathogen that is commonly acquired through consumption of contaminated food and water. The enterica subspecies includes over 1500 unique subvariants, or serovars, that are classified by antigen presentation. Due to its global environmental prevalence, broad host range, and increasing pathogenicity, serovar Typhimurium is of particular concern for human and animal health, as well as food safety. Once in the gastrointestinal tract, Salmonella Typhimurium (STm) exploits host immune mechanisms, implements an arsenal of virulence factors, and outcompetes the microbiota to invade the intestinal epithelium. While STm infections are generally self-limiting and relatively mild, emerging …

Resources To Study The Isoforms Of The P53 Family Of Transcription Factors, Dana L. Woodstock

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

The p53 family of transcription factors regulates diverse gene regulatory networks such as those involved in DNA damage repair, epidermal commitment, and neuronal development. As a result, dysfunction in these pathways lead to numerous human health conditions, including multiple types of cancer and craniofacial developmental disorders. Each family member regulates a distinct gene network leading to varied cellular and organismal phenotypes, but all are capable of regulating programmed cell death, likely due to considerable similarity between protein structure and binding sites in DNA. Analysis of these shared and distinct functions is complicated by each p53 family member gene (TP53, TP63, …

Weaving A Tapestry Of Community Based Child Trafficking Interventions In High-Trafficking Incidence Areas In Ghana, Crispin Mbamba

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Background: This dissertation addresses the urgent issue of child trafficking in high-incidence areas of Ghana, where sociocultural, economic, and structural factors sustain and exacerbate this complex social challenge. The rationale for the study is grounded in the need for a holistic understanding of child trafficking beyond traditional justice-based approaches. The research emphasizes the necessity of community-led interventions informed by local cultural norms and protective values that have been largely unexplored in the Ghanaian context. Specifically, this dissertation applies an integrative approach, rooted in the Ubuntu philosophy, to explore community interdependence as a central component of sustainable anti-trafficking interventions.

Methods: …

The Dynamics Of Mystical Experiences: Interaction Effects And Distinct Contributions Of Meq-30 Factors, Genevieve Falabella

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Many participants in clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) report mystical experiences. Researchers often use the 30-item Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ-30) to measure mystical experiences. Several studies have validated a four-factor structure of the MEQ-30, but only as a subset of items within broader versions of the scale (e.g., MEQ-43). As such, the factor structure of the standalone MEQ-30 remains unvalidated in English. Additionally, some data suggest that certain factors might be more strongly associated with psychedelic-associated outcomes than others, which could provide insight to enhance the therapeutic potential of PAT. The aim of this study was to examine the …

On The Application Of The Diaconis-Holmes-Neal Sampler To Unimodal Underlying Probabilities, Christopher J. Lange

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Upon the introduction of the Metropolis et. al (1953) [6] algorithm, the question of how many steps in the Markov chain were needed to achieve convergence to stationarity became apparent. Eventually it was found that the convergence was rather slow, i.e. for a process on n states the number of steps needed to achieve convergence to stationarity was found to be on the order of n². [8]

The obvious problem with Metropolis et. al (1953) is that the Markov chain is reversible. [6] In other words, for any state j we can move from j to j + …

Climate Change In The Local News: The Role Of Community Characteristics In Shaping Themes And Diversity, Hyerim Jo

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Despite widespread recognition of climate change and its localized impacts, research on how local media cover this topic remains limited. The first study of this dissertation analyzes 15,788 opinion articles published from 2013 to 2020 by 391 local newspapers in the United States to examine their volume, topics, and thematic emphases. Using automated text analysis methods, including Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) and Analysis of Topic Model Networks (ANTMN), the study identifies 11 topics and three overarching themes. Findings indicate that the volume, topics, and themes evolved over time, likely influenced by the severity of climate-induced hazards and political and socioeconomic …

The Response Of Tropopause Phenomena To Stratospheric Variability: Rossby Wave Breaking And Tropopause Polar Vortices, Cameron R. Paquette

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Variability in the high-latitude wintertime stratospheric flow, often referred to as the stratospheric polar vortex, can precede anomalous conditions in tropospheric flow on subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) timescales and impact surface weather. The range of stratospheric impacts on tropospheric conditions range from shifts in the North Atlantic storm tracks, formation of cold spells, and development of extreme precipitation. Impacts of stratospheric variability are known to persist for up to 60 days, providing ample windows of opportunity in forecasting on S2S timescales. This dissertation focuses on the stratospheric impacts on tropopause-level processes, such as Rossby wave breaking (RWB) events and tropopause polar vortices …

A Theoretical And Empirical Adaptation Of Signaling Theory For Digital Communication: Examining Organizational Brand Identity And Credibility, Victoria Barbeisch

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This dissertation adapts signaling theory for digital communication and tests its relevance in strategic communication, specifically concerning unobservable organizational traits like brand identity values. Signaling theory explains how parties with unequal information (senders/signalers and receivers) use signals to bridge knowledge gaps and influence decision-making. While rooted in biology and economics, its application in computer-mediated communication (CMC) remains limited. This research addresses this gap through two primary aims. Aim 1 presents the first comprehensive theoretical adaptation of signaling theory for digital communication, consolidating fragmented research across multiple disciplines. Aim 2 investigates the theory's relevance in strategic communication related to unobservable brand …

Intention-Setting Among Recreational Psychedelic Users: Associated Acute Effects And Changes In Well-Being, Zi Ling Fiona Low

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Psychedelic intentions play an important role in shaping acute psychedelic experiences and influencing long-term outcomes. Limited existing literature suggests that different types of intentions are linked to acute experiences and outcomes in varying ways. However, data on the types of intentions set by recreational users remain scarce, and their effects lack clarity. This study investigates intention-setting practices among recreational psychedelic users, aiming to establish a taxonomy of intentions in naturalistic use contexts and clarify user perspectives on the impact of intention-setting. We also examine how domain-specific intentions correlate with acute psychedelic effects and changes in well-being. Finally, we test a …

Integration Of Theoretical Frameworks For Problematic Exercise: Toward A Comprehensive Model Of Maladaptive And Adaptive Exercise, Christina M. Sanzari

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Exercise can promote health and well-being, and yet a proportion of individuals who exercise develop a maladaptive relationship with physical activity. Problematic exercise is often associated with significant impairment and psychological distress, yet a consensus has not been reached regarding how problematic exercise should be conceptualized. The literature distinguishes between primary exercise dependence, or excessive exercise driven by its intrinsic reinforcement, and secondary exercise dependence, or excessive exercise driven by compensatory motivations related to weight and shape concerns. However, to date, little is known about the prevalence and nature of exercise dependence in the absence of eating pathology. This incongruity …

Relational Mechanisms In Residential Eating Disorder Treatment: A Moderated Mediation Analysis, Bethany Ah Crawford

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Background. Eating Disorders (ED), previously described as a “disease of disconnection,” appear to have differing trajectories of treatment and behavior change based, in part, on feelings of connectedness to others during and outside of treatment. Patient experience of Relational Connectedness is not well-explored in ED treatment compared to other diagnoses but may be a valuable mechanism of change. Interpersonal problems are also known to impact outcome trajectories. Patients high in interpersonal and relational difficulties exhibit negative compensatory behaviors such as avoidance and hostility, which can deleteriously affect building a trusting relationship. Individual difference variables likely play a role in relationship-outcome …