Digital Commons Network^™

Novel Corporate Governance Structures, Jennifer S. Fan, Xuan-Thao Nguyen

Law Faculty Research and Publications

Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) startups have taken center stage, rapidly disrupting conventional industries at an unprecedented pace with their groundbreaking innovations. Hailed by many as the most significant technological advancement of our era, AI’s profound societal impact has garnered heightened public and governmental scrutiny. The spotlight has recently fallen on OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, which weathered a tumultuous period marked by the ouster and subsequent rehiring of CEO Sam Altman, a board reconfiguration, and Altman’s later return to the board. Concerns over AI safety were offered as the rationale for the tandem corporate governance structure of nonprofit and for-profit at …

Mda Foundation: Two Great Opportunities To Help Your Foundation, Anne Berquist

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This announcement promotes two upcoming MDA Foundation fundraising events supporting scholarships and grants for dental care access initiatives.

The "Motown Magic" Sparkling Smiles event will be held April 23 during the MDA Annual Session in Detroit, featuring wine tasting, gourmet food, a silent auction, and entertainment. The MDA Foundation Golf Classic, sponsored by MDA Insurance and Services, takes place May 30 at Centennial Acres with an entry fee of $150 per person. Last year's golf event raised nearly $25,000, with proceeds benefiting oral health initiatives for underserved Michigan residents.

2025 April, Morehead State University. Office Of Communications & Marketing.

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for April of 2025.

Arab American Well-Being And Impacts Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Rawan H. Atari-Khan, Katrina S. Rbeiz, Lawrence H. Gerstein

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African Americans experience various forms of racial–ethnic trauma in the United States, including historical and intergenerational trauma (IGT). The population has been migrating to the United States since the 1800s, and the number of migrants has risen in recent decades due to war, persecution, and family reunification. As a result, the children of these migrants may be exposed to IGT, with research suggesting that descendants of individuals who have experienced trauma are more susceptible to poor mental health outcomes. Using semistructured interviews, alongside the art of storytelling and empowerment through critical consciousness, this study investigated …

Discrimination And Adverse Birth Outcomes Among Latina Women: The Protective Role Of Social Support., Sabrina R. Liu, Kimberly D'Anna-Hernandez, Curt A. Sandman, Elysia Poggi Davis, Laura M. Glynn

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Interpersonal discrimination has been associated with adverse birth outcomes among Black populations, but few studies have examined the impact of discrimination among Latinx/Hispanic populations in the United States, especially in conjunction with resources that could be protective. The present study examined (a) if exposure to discrimination is associated with adverse birth outcomes for Latina/Hispanic women and (b) if prenatal social support buffers these links. Method: In two independent prospective studies of Latina/Hispanic women in Southern California (N = 84 and N = 102), the relation between maternal experience of discrimination and birth outcomes (length of gestation and birth weight) …

Commentary: Caring About Caregivers And The Importance Of Refining Methodology In Caregiver-Focused Studies, Johanna Michlig, Astrida S. Kaugars

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Significant progress has been made in advancing caregiver wellbeing research and clinical application in the last decade (Salley et al., 2024). This commentary on the work of Badovinac et al. (2024) will highlight the importance of more comprehensively examining context in caregiver responses. Caregivers live within the push and pull between social and family demands, and it is vital to expand our view to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their experience. Consequently, the methodology of future studies with caregivers must reflect those demands and complexities.

Pandemic-Related Stress Increases Ptsd And Depression Risk In Traumatic Injury Patients: A Comparative Study Of Pre- And Peri-Pandemic Trauma Cases, Juan Pablo Zapata, Carissa W. Tomas, Sydney Timmer-Murillo, Terri A. Deroon-Cassini, Christine Larson, Lucas Torres, Amber Brandolino, Timothy J. Geier, Hason Khan, Andrew T. Schramm

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the psychological well-being of the general population. However, there are limited studies that examine its mental health effects on patients who have experienced traumatic injuries and tracked their recovery over time. This study aimed to: (1) compare the rates and severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression between patients who sustained traumatic injuries before the COVID-19 pandemic (pre-pandemic) and those injured during the pandemic (peri-pandemic); and (2) assess whether the degree of pandemic-related stress (e.g., worry about infection, social isolation, loss of home/job) predicted the severity of PTSD or depression symptoms. Participants (N …

Color Constancy In Virtual Environments With Head-Mounted And Flat-Panel Displays Across Different Illuminants And Lightness Levels, Andrea Avendano Martinez

Theses

Virtual reality (VR) is commonly used as a tool for enhancing immersion within virtual environments, with one of its primary goals being to approximate real-world perception as closely as possible. In everyday life, variations in lighting conditions significantly influence how colors are perceived across different times and settings. However, the human visual system compensates for these changes, maintaining relatively stable color perception; a phenomenon known as color constancy. This process is driven by chromatic adaptation, the visual system’s adjustment to changes in illumination. Despite the growing use of VR, little research has explored how color constancy operates in virtual environments …

Navigating Food Insecurity: Families’ Coping Strategies, Challenges, And Insights For Educators, Ndũcũ Ngũgĩ

Theses & Dissertations

Food is essential for life. It fuels growth, well-being, and stability. Yet, food insecurity -uncertain or inadequate access to sufficient food- remains a jarring reality for millions. In the U.S. alone, 47 million people, including 14 million children, experience food insecurity despite government efforts. Addressing this crisis is essential for public health, socioeconomic progress, and societal welfare. This narrative study’s main objective was to understand the lived experiences of food-insecure families by examining how they navigate the challenges they face, their inventive coping mechanisms, and the insights they can provide for educators. While research has shown the adverse effects of …

A Holistic Perspective On Pain Assessments, Focusing On The Multidimensional Measurement Of Comfort Levels: A Quantitative Analysis And Psychometric Evaluation Of The 13-Item Shortened General Comfort Questionnaire, Victoria A. Marner

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Pain is multidimensional. It is a physical, psychospiritual, environmental, and sociocultural experience (Ebrahimpour & Hoseini, 2018). Current measures of pain tend to be unidimensional, only focusing on the physical aspect of pain. The entire experience of pain may not be effectively communicated by patients or adequately controlled by interventions (e.g., analgesics, repositioning, physical therapy). Adults in pain may struggle to participate in daily activities and responsibilities. A scale encompassing all pain contexts and comfort levels could provide a more comprehensive view of the patient’s experience. Transitioning from measuring pain to measuring comfort holistically would provide patient satisfaction and improved …

Teacher Special Education Certification And Self-Efficacy To Address Students With Disabilities' Needs In An Inclusive Nonpublic School Setting, Chelsea Christy

Theses & Dissertations

In New York State, the inclusion of students with disabilities (SWD) in nonpublic schools is governed by individual institutional policies, as state legislation does not require standardized training or certification for nonpublic school educators (New York Education Law § 3204.2, n.d.). This mixed-methods study investigates how teachers’ special education (SPED) certification status and demographic characteristics influence their attitudes toward inclusion and self-efficacy in supporting SWD in urban nonpublic school settings. Findings reveal that SPEDcertified teachers consistently reported more positive attitudes toward inclusion and greater selfefficacy in areas such as instructional differentiation, classroom behavior management, and curricular adaptation compared to their …

Isolated, Accommodated, Or Elevated? English Language Development Teachers In Professional Learning Communities, Kristina Robertson

Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the experiences of ten elementary English Language Development (ELD) teachers in interdisciplinary Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) across the Twin Cities metro area. Although PLC teamwork improves student academic outcomes through collaboration and collective efficacy, ELD teachers often faced challenges integrating their language expertise into these structures, limiting their ability to address English Learner (EL) academic achievement and language growth. Guided by DuFour’s six elements of effective PLCs and Wenger’s Communities of Practice (CoP) theory, the study analyzed data from ten semi-structured interviews, teacher-submitted artifacts, and district guidance documents. Data were coded and thematically analyzed to explore …

A Psychometric Validation Of The Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Exploring Neonatal Nurses' Attitudes, Knowledge, And Practice Tool, Megan A. Ventrello

Theses & Dissertations

Background:

The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics estimates that as of 2020, 3.8% of American adults have abused opioids in their lifetime (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). In addition, around 7% of women self-reported that they were using opioid pain relievers during their pregnancy, and 1 in 5 of these women reported misusing these medications while pregnant (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022a; Ko, 2020). Women who use opioids throughout their pregnancy give birth to infants who are born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. The symptoms can be marked by a signature high-pitched cry and inconsolability, making …

Empowering Educators: Culturally Responsive Teaching And Teacher Self-Efficacy For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jamie Margaret Capriola

Theses & Dissertations

The evolving education landscape calls for teachers to adapt their instruction to reflect students’ backgrounds and cultures. educators are expected to foster inclusive learning environments while equipping students with the critical thinking skills necessary to challenge social injustices – a practice known as culturally responsive teaching (CRT). While scholars have explored teachers’ self-efficacy in implementing CRT, limited research exists on how special education teachers, particularly those working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), perceive their CRT self-efficacy (CRTSE) and professional preparation. This sequential mixed methods study examined the CRTSE levels of special education teachers working with students with autism. …

How Do Black Student Leaders Make Sense Of Mattering And Marginality Within A Small Predominantly White Institution?, Barbara A. Calissi

Theses & Dissertations

Historically, colleges and universities have struggled to meet the needs of their Black students, who remain underrepresented in higher education and graduate at lower rates than their peers. Black students at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) experience discrimination in classrooms, during campus events, and in their dormitories. Consequently, the non-dominant narratives of Black students provide valuable insights into the necessary changes for creating a more inclusive campus environment. In this study, I employed a phenomenological approach grounded in a constructivist worldview to investigate the experiences of belonging among eight Black student leaders at a PWI in New York. The study was …

Can Llms Replace Manual Annotation Of Software Engineering Artifacts?, Toufique Ahmed, Premkumar Devanbu, Christoph Treude, Michael Pradel

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Experimental evaluations of software engineering innovations, e.g., tools and processes, often include human-subject studies as a component of a multi-pronged strategy to obtain greater generalizability of the findings. However, human-subject studies in our field are challenging, due to the cost and difficulty of finding and employing suitable subjects, ideally, professional programmers with varying degrees of experience. Meanwhile, large language models (LLMs) have recently started to demonstrate human-level performance in several areas. This paper explores the possibility of substituting costly human subjects with much cheaper LLM queries in evaluations of code and code-related artifacts. We study this idea by applying six …

Graph-Assisted Offline-Online Deep Reinforcement Learning For Dynamic Workflow Scheduling, Yifan Yang, Gang Chen, Hui Ma, Cong Zhang, Zhiguang Cao, Mengjie Zhang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Dynamic workflow scheduling (DWS) in cloud computing presents substantial challenges due to heterogeneous machine configurations, unpredictable workflow arrivals/patterns, and constantly evolving environments. However, existing research often assumes homogeneous setups and static conditions, limiting flexibility and adaptability in real-world scenarios. In this paper, we propose a novel Graph assisted Offline-Online Deep Reinforcement Learning (GOODRL) approach to building an effective and efficient scheduling agent for DWS. Our approach features three key innovations: (1) a task-specific graph representation and a Graph Attention Actor Network that enable the agent to dynamically assign focused tasks to heterogeneous machines while explicitly considering the future impact of …

Rethinking Light Decoder-Based Solvers For Vehicle Routing Problems, Ziwei Huang, Jianan Zhou, Zhiguang Cao, Yixin Xu

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Light decoder-based solvers have gained popularity for solving vehicle routing problems (VRPs) due to their efficiency and ease of integration with reinforcement learning algorithms. However, they often struggle with generalization to larger problem instances or different VRP variants. This paper revisits light decoder-based approaches, analyzing the implications of their reliance on static embeddings and the inherent challenges that arise. Specifically, we demonstrate that in the light decoder paradigm, the encoder is implicitly tasked with capturing information for all potential decision scenarios during solution construction within a single set of embeddings, resulting in high information density. Furthermore, our empirical analysis reveals …

Node-Time Conditional Prompt Learning In Dynamic Graphs, Xingtong Yu, Zhenghao Liu, Xinming Zhang, Yuan Fang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Dynamic graphs capture evolving interactions between entities, such as in social networks, online learning platforms, and crowdsourcing projects. For dynamic graph modeling, dynamic graph neural networks (DGNNs) have emerged as a mainstream technique. However, they are generally pre-trained on the link prediction task, leaving a significant gap from the objectives of downstream tasks such as node classification. To bridge the gap, prompt-based learning has gained traction on graphs, but most existing efforts focus on static graphs and neglect the evolution of dynamic graphs. In this paper, we propose DYGPROMPT, a novel pre-training and prompt learning framework for dynamic graph modeling. …

Comadice: Offline Cooperative Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning With Stationary Distribution Shift Regularization, The Viet Bui, Tien Mai, Hong Thanh Nguyen

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Offline reinforcement learning (RL) has garnered significant attention for its ability to learn effective policies from pre-collected datasets without the need for further environmental interactions. While promising results have been demonstrated in single-agent settings, offline multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) presents additional challenges due to the large joint state-action space and the complexity of multi-agent behaviors. A key issue in offline RL is the distributional shift, which arises when the target policy being optimized deviates from the behavior policy that generated the data. This problem is exacerbated in MARL due to the interdependence between agents' local policies and the expansive joint …

Bootstrapping Language Models With Dpo Implicit Rewards, Changyu Chen, Zichen Liu, Chao Du, Tianyu Pang, Qian Liu, Arunesh Sinha, Pradeep Varakantham, Min Lin

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Human alignment in large language models (LLMs) is an active area of research. A recent groundbreaking work, direct preference optimization (DPO), has greatly simplified the process from past work in reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF) by bypassing the reward learning stage in RLHF. DPO, after training, provides an implicit reward model. In this work, we make a novel observation that this implicit reward model can by itself be used in a bootstrapping fashion to further align the LLM. Our approach is to use the rewards from a current LLM model to construct a preference dataset, which is then used …

An Evaluation And Improvement Of The Quality Of The Smart Ration Card By Iso 37301:2023, Shaimaa Salah Saifi Gomair Elias, Ghani Dahham Al Zubaidi

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

In evaluating the Iraqi smart ration card system in ISO 37301:2023 compliance management, this study reveals how far the system is compliant with international requirements, what gaps exist, and what areas need strengthening for efficiency and transparency purposes. Case study methods greatly complemented by the use of checklists, interviews, and various forms of statistical analysis, were employed to study the level of compliance of the smart ration card. The results show that there exist considerable gaps in documentation, compliance risk assessment, and resource support, which weakens the system's ability to ensure food security and prevent fraud. While high levels of …

The Role Of Leadership Talent Management In Strategic Supremacy: Analytical Research, Munther Sami Qasim, Suheir Adel Hamed

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

This paper investigates the impact of leadership talent management on strategic supremacy within medical colleges in the Baghdad governorate. Specifically, this study aims to assess the relationships between the components of leadership talent management, namely development, retention, succession, and motivation, and their roles in achieving strategic advantages. The descriptive-analytical method was employed. Data was collected using a questionnaire-based survey on a sample size of 208 faculty members belonging to selected medical colleges. Analysis was performed using SPSS and AMOS: confirmatory factor analysis, path analysis, and structural equation modeling. Leadership talent management has a positively significant impact on strategic supremacy, according …

The Role Of The Digital Economy In Enhancing Economic Development In Iraq: A Strategic Analysis Of Transformation Opportunities And Challenges, Aveen Khalid Ahmed

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

This study examines the role of the digital economy in enhancing economic development in Iraq, focusing on the period from 2003 to 2022. Utilizing an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, the research analyzes the relationship between GDP growth and key digital economy indicators, including the E-Government Development Index (EGDI), E-Participation Index (EPI), Online Service Index (OSI), Telecommunication Infrastructure Index (TII), and Internet Usage (UI). Data were sourced from the World Bank, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and United Nations E-Government Survey. The ARDL model, selected based on the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), was employed to capture both short-term dynamics and long-term …

The Role Of Sustainable Human Resources Management On The Effectiveness Of The Organization: An Analytical Study At The University Of Anbar, Saja Saleh, Mohammed Yaseen Raheem

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

This research aims to examine the influence that sustainable human resource management (HRM) has on organizational effectiveness at the university level. In view of that, the research debates sustainable HRM practices, such as selection, participation, and empowerment, which have a stake in the success of the institution by harmonizing employee development with the long-term goals of the organization. This study used a quantitative survey method to collect data from 169 university employees and analysis through the use of statistical techniques using SPSS. The outcome suggests that sustainable HRM positively and directly affects organizational effectiveness. The evidence supports employee empowerment as …

Analyzing The Impact Of Foreign Investment On Trade Balance In Iraq: Evidence From 2005 To 2023, Burhan Ali Mohammed, Biaban Nwri Rostam, Nabard Abdallah Sharif

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

The paper investigates the impact of foreign investment on Iraq's trade balance between 2005 and 2023, particularly on exports and imports. Given the extreme reliance of the nation upon oil revenues and political-economic fluctuations, seasonal capital inflows are evaluated with respect to their influence on the trade dynamics of the country. Annual data and econometric methodological techniques, including stationary tests, cointegration analysis, Granger's causality test, and Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model, will be used to assess the long-run relationship between foreign investment and trade balance. Results show a significant and long-run relationship between foreign investment and Iraq's exports and imports. Foreign …

The Effect Of Aggressive Tax Practices On Equity Financing Decisions Under The Interactive Role Of The Profitability Variable: An Applied Study In A Sample Of Non-Financial Companies Listed In The Iraq Stock Exchange, Maryam Bahaa Babat, Mohammed Hwueish Al-Shujairi

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and test the relationship between aggressive tax practices and decisions to choose the appropriate financing structure in companies listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange. Aggressive tax policies of a company may have an impact on the specific considerations related to equity issuance as a financing method, and the impact of aggressive tax practices on equity financing decisions in non-financial companies listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange can be formulated as a research problem by examining the relationship between tax practices and equity financing. Both the descriptive inductive approach and the quantitative inductive …

Digital Transformation And The Future Of Work: Closing The Digital Skills Gap, Siu Loon Hoe

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The purpose of this article is to discuss the near future digital technology landscape and propose several specific in-demand digital skills for organizations and individuals in the next few years. This article reviews some recent publications from representative inter-governmental, governmental, non-governmental, and commercial organizations on the rise of digital technologies and corresponding growth in digital jobs. Within this context, several specific in-demand skills are proposed by the author who has written a book on the topic of digital transformation. Rapid advancements in digital technologies continue to shape organizational practices and the future of work. To take advantage of emerging digital …

Out Of Many: The Study Of African American Diasporas On Social Media, Brianna M. Savage, Sindy Chapa

AMTP Proceedings 2025

This study uses a one-ad experimental design to test the effect of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) on Black Twitter, employing an online survey with a convenience sample. It examines cultural differences within Black African co-cultures, emphasizing how language variation influences consumer behavior in social media advertising. The findings indicate that Black consumers with positive attitudes toward advertisements featuring AAVE are more likely to engage with the content on Twitter and subsequently purchase the promoted brand. This supports attitude theory (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975) and social distinctiveness theory (Grier, 2001), demonstrating a significant correlation between ethnic resolution and purchasing behavior.

Membership Support For A Professional Organization Based On Member Satisfaction, Value, And Commitment, Shawn F, Clouse, Simona Stan, Nader Shooshtari

AMTP Proceedings 2025

Members of professional associations join these associations for reasons that include benefits and services to members, advocacy and lobbying on behalf of members and their interests, networking opportunities and a sense of community and identification with fellow association members. Members are likely to commit to the association and remain as members to the extent they are satisfied with what the association provides and if they perceive the benefits to exceed the cost (not just monetary) of membership. This survey of members of a professional association investigates the relationship between personal benefits, professional benefits, customer service satisfaction, membership satisfaction, membership value, …