Digital Commons Network^™

Endocrine Roles Of Vitamin D In Female Reproduction: Mechanisms And Clinical Implications, Azza Alsuwaidi, Fatme Alanouti, Dimitrios Papandreou

All Works

Vitamin D a fat-soluble steroid hormone signals through Vitamin D Receptors (VDRs) located throughout the ovaries, uterus, placenta, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland, influencing immune regulation and female reproductive physiology. This review of studies from 2013-2025 found consistent associations between low vitamin D status and various disorders in women of childbearing age. In Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), deficiency correlates with higher symptom severity, and evidence shows that supplementation significantly reduces total PMS scores, particularly improving mood-related domains. For uterine pathologies such as fibroids, endometriosis, and adenomyosis, low vitamin D status is linked to increased risk and severity. Repletion trials suggest antifibrotic and …

Preserving The Past, Innovating The Future: Integrating Metaverse, Blockchain, And Generative Ai For Tourism And Cultural Heritage Preservation, Mousa Al-Kfairy, Amna Ahmed Aaber Ahmed Alqubaisi, Omar Alfandi

All Works

The preservation and accessibility of cultural heritage are seriously threatened by urbanization, mass tourism, neglect, and natural disasters. This study utilizes cutting-edge technologies to address these issues by presenting a novel framework that combines generative AI, blockchain, and the metaverse. The Metaverse provides immersive virtual experiences that lessen the physical strain on delicate locations by enabling the creation of lifelike digital replicas of cultural heritage sites. By creating immutable records, blockchain technology ensures the legitimacy, ownership, and traceability of digital assets, enabling open access and NFT monetization. Rebuilding lost or damaged artifacts, creating lifelike 3D models, and customizing user interactions …

International Rice Outlook: International Rice Baseline Projections 2025-2035, A. Durand-Morat, W. Mulimbi

AAES Research Reports and Research Bulletins

• Over the next ten years, global rice consumption is projected to exceed global rice production, making existing stocks crucial for meeting the global rice market demand. • Global production is projected to grow mostly due to productivity gains and some area expansion, with India’s production performance becoming more relevant. • The global rice consumption is projected to climb, driven mainly by population growth. The average global per capita rice consumption is expected to drop slightly over the next decade, primarily due to slower per capita consumption growth in Asia and Africa. • The international prices of long-grain and medium-grain …

Dairy Cows And Doughnut Holes: The Class Politics Of Municipal Boundaries And Logistics Land Use In Inland Southern California, Anthony Rumbos-Perez , ‘26

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

No abstract provided.

Breaking The Fourth Wall: Structural Accessibility In Theaters, Maddie Adams-Miller , ‘26, Abbey Peters , ‘26

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

Historic theaters, especially those on Broadway, are in high demand but often lack appropriate access for patrons with disabilities. This work evaluates existing barriers to physical accessibility in historic theater spaces and develops a model to address as many of these barriers as possible. Through the implementation of the double diamond research method, it was ensured that the experience of the end user was centered, and prototypes were created to address these identified needs. This two-part design solution includes a scale model of an idealized theater and a prototype of a universally accessible seat, as well as a set of …

Optimization Of Pumping Kite Wind Energy Conversion System, Jamie Pickar , ‘26, Sam Peterson , ‘26, Luke Magnuson , ‘26

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

Airborne wind energy systems (AWES) promise access to higher-altitude wind resources at lower capital cost than conventional turbines. This thesis presents a rigid-wing, ground-generation AWES prototype developed across two coupled subsystems: a kite designed for harnessing wind energy and a generator station designed for efficient pumping-cycle operation.

The kite subsystem progressed through three design generations. We replaced ball-joint wing mounts with fixed joints, derived a tail design using tail volume coefficients, and validated the tail through fusion 360 stress testing and Unity game engine simulation. The final prototype of the kite demonstrated approximately 25 seconds of passive transient flight stability …

Soil Erosion In The Crum Woods: Testing And Mitigation, Andrew Narain , ‘26, Sabina Karabin , ‘26

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

This project aimed to determine the optimal erosion mitigation method for a specific site in the Crum Woods in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Inexpensive and bench-scale laboratory testing protocol was designed to measure the efficiency of retaining walls and of planting native grasses against a baseline, using rainfall simulations over a smaller version of the site slope. Erosion mitigation was measured through increased water infiltration through soil and decreased sediment runoff. It was found that the retaining wall increased infiltration of water into the soil from 2% (control) to 14.7% (retaining wall), but was outperformed by the plant infiltration of 27.5%. While …

Governors State University College Of Business Honors Reception Program 2026, College Of Business

COB Publications

Program for the College of Business Honors Reception held April 13th, 2026.

Language Barriers In The Healthcare System, Gulten Altunbulak

Student Capstone Papers

Language barriers in healthcare can negatively affect quality of care, patient satisfaction, and health equity, particularly among individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). This capstone project aimed to develop and implement an occupational therapy communication protocol in a skilled nursing facility to address these barriers. A mixed-methods approach was used, including a pre-survey of 25 staff members, post-implementation interviews, and observational feedback to evaluate communication practices, interpreter use, and staff confidence. Interventions included staff education on interpreter services and culturally responsive care, as well as bilingual communication tools, personalized resident posters, and a Language Line training video. Guided by the …

Bone Regeneration On Modified Implant Surfaces: A Systematic Review, Irfan Dammar, Ratna S. Dewi, Ira Tanti, Lisa R. Amir, Lilies D. Sulistyanti, Yuniarti Soeroso

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Objective: To describe effective implant surface modifications (ISMs) that enhance bone regeneration.

Methods: This systematic review involved literature searches in the PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases to identify both in vivo and in vitro randomized controlled trials investigating bone regeneration on modified implant surfaces. The search was conducted using predefined population, intervention, comparison, outcome, and study design criteria, eligibility criteria, and relevant MeSH terms. Article selection followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram.

Results: Various ISMs were identified, including elastin-like polypeptides, hydroxyapatite, doxycycline, sandblasted large-grit acid-etched, and others. The average bone-to-implant contact (BIC) in experimental …

Socio-Informed Policing: Applying Bourdieu To Mandatory Police Reform Training, Neil T. Shelton El

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Contemporary U.S. police reform policies rely on officer training as a primary mechanism to address issues of law enforcement legitimacy and accountability. Yet, despite legitimacy-based curricula such as procedural justice, research indicates that this training struggles to produce durable changes in police practice. This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach to examine officers’ perceptions of mandated reform-oriented training. Drawing on Bourdieu’s theory of practice, the study conceptualized police training as a sociological process shaped by habitus, forms of capital, and the policing field. Data were collected from six officers in a large urban police department to examine how they internalize, …

The Relationship Between Culturally Based Mentoring And Academic Persistence In African-American And Latino Male Community College Students, Corey M. Williams

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Men of color, particularly African American and Latino males, continue to experience disproportionately low rates of persistence and degree completion in community colleges. While prior research has often focused on individual deficits, less attention has been given to the institutional conditions and relational supports that shape student success. This study examines how culturally grounded mentoring influences persistence, student involvement, and overall student success among men of color in a community college context. Grounded in Tinto’s theory of student persistence and Astin’s theory of student involvement, this qualitative phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of participants engaged in a structured mentoring …

Regional Price Index 2025, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Statistics

The 2025 Regional Price Index (RPI) is the 12th State Government index comparing the cost of a common basket of goods and services in regional Western Australia to the Perth metropolitan area.

Not Just A Castle In The Sky: A Legal Remedy For Race-Based Takings In Virginia, Michaela R. Hill

William & Mary Law Review

Part I will address federal and state statutes and case law surrounding physical takings and the eminent domain power. Part I will also discuss Virginia’s history of racial discrimination in housing, the Shoe Lane Community in Newport News, and CNU’s expansion into the neighborhood for the elimination of blight. Part II will present the first prong of this Note’s three-pronged approach to correcting Virginia’s abuse of its eminent domain power to take residential properties: adopting stricter statutory blight standards. Part III will present the second prong: a new formula for calculating increased just compensation. Part IV will outline the third …

Hlt 101 Introduction To Public Health, Elyse Gruttadauria

Open Educational Resources

The syllabus, created by Professor Elyse Gruttadauria as part of the CUNY OER Initiatives for HLT 101 contains a course description, course objectives, course readings divided by week and a link to four OER textbooks.

Salvation From The Purgatory Between Personhood And Property: Disinterring Evidence For Property Rights In Human Remains, Harris J. Burton

William & Mary Law Review

This Note argues that next of kin have property rights in the remains of decedents, as opposed to a quasi-property right in their burial. Changing this distinction will allow courts to address wrongs committed against human remains through remedies traditionally available for harms to property, thereby incentivizing institutions, such as prisons, to exercise care and transparency in dealing with human remains. Treating human remains as property will result in courts applying concrete tests, rather than assessing the infringement of a vague quasi-property right, in cases involving human remains. If courts apply a property standard, next of kin will have …

The Cowl - V. 89 N. 17 - April 1, 2026

The Cowl

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Vol. 89 No. 17 - April 1, 2026. 20 pages.

Collaboration Agreement For Use Of Generative Ai In A Research Project Template, University Of New Hampshire

Integrity in Research and Scholarship

Agreeing about generative AI use in a collaborative project at the start is important to promote understanding, ethical use, and research integrity. The University of New Hampshire (UNH) Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) and Scholarly Activity Committee developed this Collaboration Agreement for Use of Generative AI in a Research Project Template to facilitate such discussions. This agreement may also be used/adapted for discussions among advisors, committee members, and students for theses and dissertations.

Aiding Our Heroes: Addressing Gaps In Care For U.S.A. Veterans With Disabilities In Low-Income Areas, Marisa E. Gabriel

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Veterans with disabilities living in low-income areas must overcome significant obstacles to access affordable rehabilitative care. These challenges alongside physical and mental health concerns severely impact their independence, social participation, and overall quality of life. Following military service, many veterans experience additional physical and mental health difficulties that contribute to financial burdens and stressors and increase the demand for community resources. However, inflated healthcare costs and limited service availability leave many veterans without the support they need despite existing resources. Many veterans, particularly those in underserved regions, face further barriers due to geographic isolation, financial constraints, and lack of transportation …

Transforming The Future Of Accessibility In Healthcare For The Hearing-Impaired Population, Loredana Randazzo

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Healthcare is continually evolving to meet society's changing needs; however, accessibility remains a persistent challenge for individuals with hearing impairments. This doctoral capstone project, Transforming the Future of Accessibility in Healthcare for the Hearing- Impaired Population, identified gaps in current healthcare systems through scholarly publication reviews, rounds of needs assessments, AOTA critical appraised topic, and individual interviews. Collected evidence informed the development of educational workshops for current students enrolled in healthcare-related degrees who will shape the future of healthcare practice. Workshops highlighted etiology and functional implications of hearing impairments within healthcare settings, informed participants of existing healthcare gaps, provided evidence-based …

Impact Of Occupational Therapy–Led Education On Adaptive Snow Sports Staff And Volunteers Working With Individuals With Diverse Diagnoses, Olivia L. Hall

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

This doctoral experiential capstone project, titled “Impact of Occupational Therapy–Led Education on Adaptive Snow Sports Staff and Volunteers Working with Individuals with Diverse Diagnoses,” was developed to address a gap in educational training for adaptive snow sports instructors. Notably, there is limited research examining the education and training provided to staff and volunteers within adaptive sports programs, further emphasizing the need for this work. The project was implemented at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area and included three instructors participating in the adaptive program. Educational sessions were delivered through a combination of group-based and individualized formats, conducted live and synchronously via Zoom. …

Factors Associated With Lapses In Care Among People Living With Hiv In South Carolina, Xueying Yang Ph.D., Fanghui Shi, Shujie Chen, Gavi Samuel, Bankole Olatosi Ph.D., Sharon Weissman, Xiaoming Li Ph.D., Jiajia Zhang Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Utilizing statewide electronic health records (EHR) data, this study aims to assess the factors determining the occurrence of lapses in HIV care among people with HIV (PWH) in South Carolina (SC). All adult (≥ 18 years old) PWH who were diagnosed with HIV between 2006 and 2018 with at least two HIV care encounters and at least 1-year follow-up record were included in the analysis. The outcome, a lapse in care, was defined as a repeated measure of HIV care encounter that occurs over a year following the previous visit. Generalized Estimation Equation models were employed. The study cohort had …

2026 (Spring) Ensi Informer Magazine, Morehead State University. Engineering Sciences Department

ENSI Informer Magazine Archive

The ENSI Informer Magazine published in the spring of 2026.

Automated Classification Of Periodontal Bone Loss In Periapical Radiographs Using Convolutional Neural Networks, Ramadhan Hardani Putra, Eha Renwi Astuti, Alhidayati Asymal, Aga Satria Nurrachman, Afifah Salsabila, Nasywa Athaillah Safitri, Fatina Yasmin, Andrew Nalley

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Objective: Periodontal diseases, including periodontitis, affected approximately 951.3 million people worldwide in 2021. Early detection and accurate diagnosis are crucial for determining effective treatment plans. Radiographic examination, particularly periapical radiographs, is a valuable method for assessing periodontal bone loss (PBL). However, classification of PBL stages is often influenced by observer subjectivity due to the complexity of manual measurement. This study aimed to develop and evaluate convolutional neural network (CNN) models for automated PBL classification in periapical radiographs.

Material and Methods: A dataset of 600 periapical radiographs was used, consisting of 480 training images, 60 validation images, and 60 testing images. …

Oral Health–Related Quality Of Life Following Complete Denture Rehabilitation In Diabetic Edentulous Patients: A 6-Month Prospective Study, Eri Hendra Jubhari, Edy Machmud, Mohammad Dharma Utama, Bahruddin Thalib, Stang Stang, Rifaat Nurrahma, Indah Tresnawati

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Objective: Edentulism and diabetes mellitus (DM) are associated with impaired oral function and diminished quality of life. Complete denture rehabilitation plays a pivotal role in the restoration of mastication, comfort, and self-confidence. This study aimed to examine changes in oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) after complete denture insertion in diabetic edentulous patients using the OHIP-14 and Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) questionnaires.

Materials and Methods: This prospective, longitudinal observational study included 25 completely edentulous diabetic patients. Their OHRQoL was evaluated at baseline and at 1, 2, and 6 months postdenture insertion using validated questionnaires, namely, OHIP-14 and GOHAI. …

Euphorbia Tirucalli L. Accelerates Mandibular Bone Healing: Analysis Of Pmns, Fibroblasts, Osteoblasts, And Osteoclasts In Wistar Rats, Florence Meliawaty, Juni Handajani, Heni Susilowati, Poerwati Soetji Rahajoe, Euis Reni Yuslianti, Rahmadaniah Khaerunnisa, Kertamaya Sundawan, Adzra Farah Fajrina, Lorintan Sitepu

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Objective: The present study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic potential of Euphorbia tirucalli L. stem extract in accelerating mandibular bone defect healing through the modulation of inflammatory and regenerative cellular responses, including polymorphonuclear cells, fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts in Wistar rats.

Material and Methods: A laboratory-based experimental study with a randomized post-test only control group design was conducted using 40 male Wistar rats. Standardized mandibular defects were created in the symphysis region utilizing a low-speed round bur. The animals were randomly assigned into four groups, including a negative control and three treatment groups receiving topical Euphorbia tirucalli L. stem extract …

Role Of Notch Intracellular Domain 1 In Lung Metastasis Of Salivary Gland Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, Hermin Aminah Usman, Rakhmiana Rakhmiana, Birgitta Maria Dewayani, Seto A. Sadputranto, Bethy Suryawati Hernowo, Hasrayati Agustina, Anglita Yantisetiasti, Etis Primastari, Okky Husain, Nia Nuraeni

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Background: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC) is a malignant salivary gland tumor characterized by a high rate of metastasis. One of the recurrent genetic alterations in AdCC involves NOTCH1, leading to the activation and release of NOTCH intracellular domain 1 (NICD1). The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), a key process in tumor metastasis, is regulated by NICD1 and Snail. This study aimed to investigate the association between NICD1 expression, Snail expression, and pulmonary metastasis in AdCC.

Methods: This analytical observational case–control study included AdCC samples with and without pulmonary metastasis. NICD1 and Snail immunoexpression levels were assessed using histoscore and analyzed using …

Advancing Dental Research: From Biomaterials And Precision Dentistry To Population-Based Oral Health And Service Delivery, Acing H. Mude, H. Hasanuddin, Nisrina E. Nasrun, Muhammad Ikbal

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Objective: This editorial review aims to synthesize the thematic contributions of 14 manuscripts published in Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science Volume 11 Issue 1, and to identify emerging scientific trends across contemporary dental research.

Methods: A descriptive thematic review was conducted by systematically analyzing the titles, abstracts, study objectives, methodologies, and key findings of all included manuscripts. Articles were grouped through qualitative synthesis into major thematic categories to capture the shared scientific directions and methodological patterns.

Results: The analysis identified six major thematic clusters: (1) biomaterials and oral tissue regeneration, (2) oral hygiene, saliva, microbiology, and vulnerable populations, (3) oral pathology …

Audit Report For Self-Help Chatbot, Keith Porcaro, Carmela D'Antuono, Wilson Jeter, Bridgett Kohno, Alexander Mcelya, Nikolas Osoria, Melinda Xiaong, Demi Yang

Duke Center on Law & Technology

This audit report investigates a self-help chatbot designed for Nevada litigants with family law or probate cases. The audit was conducted in Spring 2026 as part of Duke’s AI Audits and Access to Justice practicum, in partnership with the Nevada Administrative Office of the Courts.

Validating Ai Through Evaluation, Keith Porcaro, Carmela D'Antuno, Wilson Jeter, Bridgett Kohno, Alexander Mcelya, Nicolas Osorio, Melinda Xiaong, Demi Yang

Duke Center on Law & Technology

Stewards of legal information sites are facing enormous funder and partner pressure to "do AI" — but validating the quality of AI implementations remains a critical challenge, especially for client-facing applications. In the spring of 2026, the Duke AI Audits practicum worked with Scale Justice to help articulate the true foundational costs of scoping and building a generative AI application on a statewide LawHelp site.