Digital Commons Network^™

Law Schools Should Teach How To Integrate Ai Tools Into Practice, Robert A. Mackenzie, David J. Reiss

Cornell Law Faculty Publications

Now that artificial intelligence tools for lawyers are widely available, we decided to integrate them for a semester in our Entrepreneurship Clinic. We have some important takeaways for legal education in general and the transactional practice of law in particular.

First, employers and educators need to account for law students who already are using AI tools in their legal work and guide new lawyers about how to use such tools appropriately.

Second, different AI products lead to wildly different results. Just demonstrating this to law students is very valuable, as it dispels the notion that AI responses can replace their …

Patent Pending: How The Current Patent Utility Requirement Hinders Biotechnological Innovation, Madison Drlik

Journal of Law and Health

The legal system is always playing catch up to adapt to new legal landscapes, doctrines, and technology; however, patent law needs help to compete with biotechnological research in the race towards innovation. Biotechnological research in the realm of human health and medicine often involves the use of therapeutic drugs. The field of healthcare biotechnology takes biological systems and processes and generates novel, creative solutions to a number of human health conditions. However, the translation process for a new drug, therapy, or process is long and expensive which requires investors to help the researchers and scientists move their creations from inception …

Evaluating The Fate And Variability Of Soil Organic Carbon And Nitrogen Species Under Conservation Practices In The Raccoon River Watershed, Zhonglong Zhang, May Wu

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study evaluates the fate and variability of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and nitrogen species using the latest version of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool– Carbon (SWAT-C) and assesses how conservation practices influence their dynamics in the Raccoon River Watershed (RRW). Dominated by intensive agricultural pro- duction, the RRW is a significant contributor of sediment and nutrient loads to local rivers and the Mississippi River. This SWAT-C model simulates the export of SOC and nitrogen species and evaluates their responses under varying management scenarios. Model calibration was performed for streamflow, sediment, nitrate, total nitrogen, and organic carbon with …

First Results On The Search For Lepton Number Violating Neutrinoless Double-Β Decay With The Legend-200 Experiment, H. Acharya, N. Ackermann, M. Agostini, A. Alexander, C. Andreoiu, G. R. Araujo, Frank Avignone Iii, M. Babicz, W. Bae, A. M. Bakalyarov, M. Balata, A. S. Barabash, C. J. Barton, L. Baudis, C. Bauer, E. Bernieri, L. Bezrukov, K. H. Bhimani, V. Biancaccu, E. Blalock, Et. Al.

Faculty Publications

The LEGEND Collaboration is searching for neutrinoless double-beta (0νββ) decay by operating high-purity germanium detectors enriched in ⁷⁶Ge in a low-background liquid argon environment. Building on key technological innovations from the GERmanium Detector Array (GERDA) experiment and the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR experiment, LEGEND-200 has performed a first 0νββ decay search based on 61.0 kg yr of data. Over half of this exposure comes from our highest performing detectors, including newly developed inverted-coaxial detectors, and is characterized by an estimated background level of 0.5^+0.3_−0.2 cts/(keV ton yr) in the 0νββ decay signal region. A combined …

Human Capital And Development, Philippe Aghion, Ingvild Almås, Costas Meghir

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

Human capital is central to efforts to promote growth, convergence, and the elimination of poverty. Drawing on seminal macroeconomic frameworks by Nelson-Phelps, Lucas, and subsequent developments, alongside macro and microeconomic evidence, the chapter examines the role of human capital in driving innovation and growth, emphasizing how different types of human capital matter at different stages of development, and discussing obstacles to accumulation and evidence from policy interventions.

Probability Cueing In Large-Scale Environmental Search: The Role Of Landmark Cues In Statistical Learning, Shaun Dordoy, Rory Baxter, Alastair Smith

School of Psychology

Efficient environmental search is an important and adaptive everyday skill. A particular feature of theoretical interest is whether large-scale search is informed by the spatial statistics of the environment - probability cueing is a robust effect in two-dimensional visual search tasks, but studies of large-scale search have generated equivocal findings. Here, we examined whether sensitivity to a statistical cue specified within an allocentric reference frame is modulated by the presence and location of environmental landmarks. Participants explored fully immersive virtual environments, wherein they were presented with an array of locations (columns) and required to search them for a hidden target …

Fda's New Approval Plan For Covid-19 Vaccines: An Inquiry Of "Benefit" Rather Than The Statutory Scope Of "Safety, Purity, And Potency"?, Henry Yat-Shing Kwan

Journal of Law and Health

This article analyzes the FDA's proposed policy plan issued in May 2025 regarding the approval of Covid-19 boosters for different groups of persons. It offers two constructive recommendations that will help prevent constitutionality challenge on impermissible intrusion of the freedom of health.

The first is to avoid using the confusing term "benefit" but instead focus on the statutory parameters of "safety, purity, and potency." The affected group can make a strong case that their free choice of vaccination should not be deprived, as long as the vaccine qualifies for the statutory thresholds of being safe, pure, and potent. They are …

Distribution System Reliability Evaluation Considering Protection Coordination Using Petri Nets, Rani Kumari, Bhukya Krishna Naick

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Maintaining reliable and high-quality power delivery becomes increasingly complex with expanding power grids. The lack of protection coordination poses a significant threat, compromising overall system reliability. This research addresses this challenge by proposing a method for coordinating protective devices within the distribution system, specifically during network faults. The proposed approach utilizes a stochastic timed Petri net (STPN) based methodology to model protective device coordination across various fault scenarios. This technique effectively captures the dynamic behavior and interactions of protective equipment, allowing for the anticipation of potential disturbances. This proactive insight facilitates preventative measures to address prewarning situations, thereby preventing cascading …

A Programmable Genetic Platform For Engineering Noninvasive Biosensors, Asish N Chacko, Kaamini M Dhanabalan, Jinyang Wan, Roy Chien, Nolan T Anderson, Binzhi Xu, Katie Pham, Ritu Tiwari, Arnab Mukherjee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Creating genetic sensors for noninvasive visualization of biological activities in optically opaque tissues holds immense potential for basic research and the development of genetic and cell-based therapies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) stands out among deep tissue imaging methods for its ability to generate high-resolution images without ionizing radiation. However, the adoption of MRI as a mainstream biomolecular technology has been hindered by the lack of adaptable methods to link molecular events with genetically encodable contrast. Here, we introduce modular aquaporin-based protease-activatable probes for enhanced reporting (MAPPER), a platform for the systematic creation of genetic sensors for MRI. To develop MAPPER, …

The Itrail Making Test (Itmt): An Evaluation Of Novel Testing Paradigms, Hidden Indices Of Measurement, And Diagnostic Accuracy In Parkinson’S Disease, Donnchadh Murphy, Jonathan Scott, Craig Newman, Rupert Noad

Peninsula Medical School

Introduction: The Trail Making Test (TMT) is an important test when assessing for cognitive difficulties in people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). However, the pencil-and-paper format can be susceptible to administration and scoring errors and may disproportionately reflect motor impairments rather than cognitive performance. The current study sought to evaluate the reliability and diagnostic accuracy of two novel computerized versions of the TMT: iTMT-Tap and iTMT-Drag. Method: This study used a quasi-experimental diagnostic accuracy design, and included 34 healthy controls, 28 people with Parkinson’s disease with normal cognition (PD-NC), and 31 people with Parkinson’s disease mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI). Participants were …

Fsec Meeting Minutes January 16, 2026, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

Explaining Transformer-Based Classification Of Radiology Reports, M Courtman, G Abdelhalim, L Sun, E Ifeachor, S Mullin, M Thurston

Peninsula Medical School

ObjectivesDeep learning models developed for the classification of radiological reports have lacked explainability. We aimed to validate and explain a pretrained classification model by applying it to the removal of confounding data from a radiological dataset.MethodsTwo radiologists categorized 2038 anonymized MRI head free-text radiology reports for abnormality and for small vessel disease presence. Of these reports, 80% (n = 1630) were used to fine-tune pretrained transformer models to classify scans. Five-fold cross-validation was used in model development. The models were tested on the remaining 20% of the reports (n = 408). SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) were used to explain the …

College Students' Barriers To Mental Health Support Services: A Practitioner's Perspective, Rebecca C. Johnson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to identify barriers to accessing mental health support for college students from the perspective of college faculty counselors. In 2022, research indicated that over 60% of college students met the criteria for one or more mental health conditions (Lipson et al., 2022), though data published in the same year revealed that practitioners employed at colleges and universities are only supporting an average of 12.2% of the student population (Bruns et al., 2023). While college counseling centers have reported increasing usage rates, there remains a gap in the number of students utilizing services versus those …

Ai Derivation And Exploration Of Antibiotic Class Spaces, Adam Bess, Sean Rowland, Chris Alvin, Supratik Mukhopadhyay

Open Access Fund Publications

Purpose The rapid evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses an urgent global health crisis. A key gap in current antibiotic discovery approaches is the absence of automated chemical synthesis methods designed to systematically generate and evaluate compounds within specific antibiotic classes. We address this gap through fragment-based computational experiments that systematically explore antibiotic chemical spaces.

Methods Our computational methodology consists of three steps: fragmentation of known compounds (eMolFrag), generating new molecular structures by recombining fragments (eSynth), and filtering of candidates based on desired properties (eFilter). eFilter combines structural analysis, pathway information, and protein targets …

Access Is The Outcome: Rethinking Metrics, Worthiness, And Human Rights Across Philanthropy And Development, Stephanie Zabriskie

Faculty Publications

This thought paper examines how philanthropic evaluation frameworks misclassify access to basic human rights as a preliminary step rather than a complete outcome. In competitive funding environments, post-access behavioral metrics such as utilization and compliance are often elevated to outcome status and used to assess program worthiness. Drawing on rights-based and systems-level evaluation frameworks, the paper argues that access itself constitutes a sufficient and legitimate outcome, and that post-access data should function as program management inputs rather than legitimacy or financial thresholds. Reframing access as the outcome has implications for philanthropic accountability, administrative burden, and the ethical consistency of funding …

A Robust Deep Learning Ensemble Framework For Waterbody Detection Using High-Resolution X-Band Sar Under Data-Constrained Conditions, Soyeon Choi, Seung Hee Kim, Son V. Nghiem, Menas Kafatos, Minha Choi, Jinsoo Kim, Yangwon Lee

Institute for ECHO Articles and Research

Accurate delineation of inland waterbodies is critical for applications such as hydrological monitoring, disaster response preparedness and response, and environmental management. While optical satellite imagery is hindered by cloud cover or low-light conditions, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) provides consistent surface observations regardless of weather or illumination. This study introduces a deep learning-based ensemble framework for precise inland waterbody detection using high-resolution X-band Capella SAR imagery. To improve the discrimination of water from spectrally similar non-water surfaces (e.g., roads and urban structures), an 8-channel input configuration was developed by incorporating auxiliary geospatial features such as height above nearest drainage (HAND), slope, …

20260113: Physical Education And Wellness, 1970-1997, College Of Education And Professional Development

Guides to University Archives

These items include materials from the College of Education and Professional Development at Marshall University from 1970-1997. Items were received in the 1980s and were processed in 2026 and include notable materials from two separate areas... the first one is a WMUL & closed circuit television services, and the second set of materials in this collection is a newsletter titled Well/Fit News that ranges from 1993-1997. Please download the finding aid for a full list of contents.

Student Success And Well-Being: Library Resources For The Whole Student, Kimberly Shotick

Navigating the Future Together: Student Success Symposium

This poster will outline the rationale and methods for developing and maximizing library collections designed to foster student success. While academic library collections generally support the academic curriculum, students’ needs extend far beyond coursework. At Northern Illinois University, the Student Success and Well-being Collection was created to foster positive emotions, promote self-care, and enhance academic achievement. Alongside practical titles on topics such as time management, the collection also features identity-based works that strengthen belonging for diverse student groups. Usage data shows that the collection circulates at significantly higher rates than the general collection, demonstrating its relevancy and potential impact. The …

Law & Morals: Creating A Tactile Map Of An Inaccessible Library, Kristin Peace, Ben Mendez

Navigating the Future Together: Student Success Symposium

Short Description:

Under the ADA, colleges are required to make all programs equally accessible to all students. In the Summer of 2025, the Technology & Makerspace Librarian and Social Sciences Librarian at Occidental College set out to create a tactile map of their library. This is their story.

Abstract:

Although legally required under the American Disabilities Act (1990), the Mary Norton Clapp Library at Occidental College lacks many basic accessibility accommodations. Not surprisingly, few students, faculty or staff with disabilities choose to become part of the Occidental College community. This past summer, the Technology & Makerspace Librarian and Social Sciences …

A Makerspace For Grieving Students: An Exploration Of Memory And Making For Bereaved Students At The University Of Georgia, Lindsey H. Allison

Navigating the Future Together: Student Success Symposium

With origins in grief counseling, conversations regarding continuing bonds have supported and encouraged a connection between the living and the dead as a means for processing loss. Some bereaved individuals turn to physical mediums, such as archiving the belongings of the deceased or creating original artwork, to remain connected to their loved ones and find peace in their wake. As student success librarians, we aim to view students holistically, acknowledging aspects of their identities that lay beyond the scope of their academic endeavors, including aspects pertaining to grief and loneliness. In order to help students develop and succeed at university, …

Cite Right: How A Pop-Up Help Desk Addresses Service Gaps, Nicholas D'Andrea, Amy Windham, Mia Mcgee

Navigating the Future Together: Student Success Symposium

During the middle of the 2025 spring semester, we noticed two intertwined problems that required addressing: students were unaware of the full range of our services, and our lack of a reference desk reduced organic interactions with students. This lack of understanding and excess of physical distance, combined with other issues such as an individual's hesitation in approaching a librarian for help, presented us with obstacles to providing high-touch service. To overcome these obstacles, we launched a citation help desk the week before final exams. This alternative reference model created an approachable format where students could receive citation assistance and …

The "Helping Hand" In Trade Agreements: An Analysis Of And Proposal For Labor Provisions In U.S. Free Trade Agreements, Marisa Anne Pagnattaro

Florida Journal of International Law

The purpose of this Article is not to argue in favor of protectionism or to shield domestic manufacturers and workers from foreign competition. Rather, it is to illustrate that the promotion of fundamental labor rights allows for fair competition for American workers and supports the right of international workers to enjoy the most basic threshold of workplace standards. U.S. workers and companies should not be pitted against foreign competitors who take advantage of their nation’s lack of or failure to enforce labor and employment laws—exploiting workers’ lack of bargaining power is not legitimate competition. If workers are not able to …

"The Technology Dog Ate My Job": The Dog-Eat-Dog World Of Offshore Labor Outsourcing, Mark B. Baker

Florida Journal of International Law

This Article specifically examines the legal implications of outsourcing, particularly in the high-technology sector. This Article will discuss the public debate on outsourcing and the relevant policy considerations in order to lay the groundwork for analysis of the legal aspects of this issue.

The inquiry at hand shall be as follows: first, recent legislation relevant to outsourcing at both the state and federal levels will be examined. Next, there will be a discussion on how far state legislators are permitted to regulate outsourcing without violating the Constitution, and the issue of implied and express preemption will also be analyzed. Next, …

Setting Our Priorities Right: (Human) Security As Defined From The Bottom-Up, Zsófia Hacsek, David Curran, Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor, Anna Gillions

Peace and Conflict Studies Journal Conference

One of the most persisting challenges of the human security concept are to decide what issues should be prioritised, what resources should be used to solve them and by whom, and who bears responsibility for this process. In this discourse, it is crucial to involve voices from the bottom-up: UK residents whose lives are directly affected by the answers given to the above questions. Our research project, the Alternative Security Review, used a mixed-methods approach to find out what security means to individuals residing in the UK. We argue that their priorities should be taken into account in top-down decision-making …

What Is Federalism?: On Piccone's Late Political Philosophy, Robert D'Amico

Fast Capitalism

No abstract provided.

The Editor, The Journal, The Project, Russell A. Berman

Fast Capitalism

No abstract provided.

Café Narcissism, Jamie Dangler, Mark P. Worrell

Fast Capitalism

The 1979 Cortland Conference marked a decisive shift in the adventures of Telos by opening up a debate on narcissism that would pave the way for later contests that, in turn, symbolize in the eyes of many, the errant swerve of Marxism and post-Marxist critical theory. In what follows we examine the vibrant theoretical community at Cortland during the late-70s and early 80s, revisit the conference itself, and reflect on the narcissism concept and its relationship to anti-capitalist struggle in a way that is both attuned to debates surrounding the 1979 conference as well as its ongoing relevance for critical …

Paul Piccone: Outside Academe, Russell Jacoby

Fast Capitalism

No abstract provided.

Absolutizing The Particular, Robert J. Antonio

Fast Capitalism

From the late-1960s to the mid-1980s, Telos brought the Frankfurt School, Western Marxism, and other critical Continental thought to North America and the English speaking world; it was the critical theory organ of that era and best ever English language journal on the topic. Its left lean did not compromise its critical view of communist regimes and left-wing parties and thinkers. Its contribution with regard to critical theories, with Hegelian-Marxist roots, was so substantial and widely acknowledged that many former readers and, I expect, even some journal editors, who have advertised in Telos, during the last 25 years, did not …

Addressing Moral Imperatives In Public Health, Locally And Globally, Amy Acton, Levar Burton, Suzanne M. Rivera

The International Journal of Ethical Leadership

No abstract provided.