Digital Commons Network^™

Efficient Dynamic Mechanism Design Without A Common Prior, Dirk Bergemann, Marek Bojko

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

No abstract provided.

The Bridwell Quill, April-September, Issues 92–97, Anthony Elia

Bridwell Library Publications

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Stigma On The Mmpi-3 Scores Of An Indo-Caribbean Community Sample, Julia Persaud-Naipaul

Theses and Dissertations

Evaluation of personality and psychological disorders is accomplished through the use of psychometric measures. However, tests require interpretation of test responses using a normative criterion based on a particular population that may not fully consider the effect of cultural influences on an individual’s level of willingness to report psychological difficulties. For example, individuals in collectivistic cultures may not be as willing to self-report problems because mental illness is often perceived as a source of embarrassment and shame. One culturally unique population that has been overlooked in psychological assessment is the Indo-Caribbean population. Their specific cultural values, beliefs, attitudes, and practices …

Flexural Performance Of Deficient Rc Beams Repaired With Gfrp Composite, Zena Aljazaeri, Hayder Alghazali, Zuhair Al-Jaberi, John J. Myers

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials have been improved for use in repairing and strengthening existing infrastructure over the past few decades. This case study focuses on the effect of confinement with GFRP strips on the structural performance of out-of-service beams in bridge applications due to the impact of over-height vehicles or inadequate lap-spliced reinforcements. In this study, beams with inadequate lap splices in the tension zone were utilized to mimic the damaged area in out-of-service RC beams. The proposed repair technique is a glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite in the form of longitudinal sheets and U-wrapped strips. The experimental study determined …

Analysis Of Traffic Crash Data In Kentucky 2021-2025, Paul Ross, Eric Green, Tony Fields, Christopher Blackden, Christopher Van Dyke

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

Opposition To Renewable Energy Facilities In The United States: September 2026 Edition, Romany M. Webb, Ivonne Norman

Sabin Center for Climate Change Law

For the first time in nearly 2 decades, the United States is seeing rapid growth in electricity demand, driven by the data center boom as well as expanding electrification. Total electricity use in the United States reached a record high of 4,430 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2025 — almost 3 percent above 2024 levels — and is expected to continue growing at a similar rate through 2050. Meeting this increased demand, while continuing to advance action on climate change, will require a massive ramp up in renewable energy development. Notable progress was made in 2025, with utility-scale solar generation in …

Deterring Political Deceit: A Constitutional Argument To Defend The People's Democracy (2026), David Chang

Books

More than ever, influencers and politicians communicate political messages that they do not believe to be true. This political deceit is constitutionally valueless, harms public discourse, and impedes effective public decision-making. Yet, under current doctrine, the Supreme Court would invalidate any regulation of deceitful political advocacy as an abridgment of political speech.

In Deterring Political Deceit, David Chang explores why traditional efforts to target falsity in political speech have been rooted in constitutional error. While the Court has determined that the defamation of public officials is unprotected, it wrongly declared that false statements of fact lack constitutional value, and …

Influence Of Material Composition And Constitutive Representation Of Cold Recycled Asphalt Mixtures On Mechanical Response And Pavement Performance, Fausto Bisanti

Doctoral Dissertations

Cold recycling technologies provide a sustainable approach for pavement rehabilitation by reusing existing materials while reducing the consumption of virgin resources, transportation requirements, production temperatures, and construction-related environmental impacts. However, the mechanical response of cold recycled mixtures (CRM) differs from that of both conventional hot mix asphalt and unbound granular materials and is influenced by material composition, volumetric characteristics, confinement, curing, and stress state. These characteristics create uncertainty regarding material selection, mechanical characterization, and the prediction of the structural contribution of cold recycled layers. Further opportunities to enhance the sustainability of cold recycling lie in the incorporation of alternative recycled …

Assessing The Skill Of Stock Mutual Fund Managers, Rupsha Dey

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation explores whether active equity mutual fund managers are skilled enough topick stocks and create portfolios that outperform the market on average. Much of the existing literature finds marginal or negligible evidence of skill which is in line with the standard theory of efficient market hypothesis. In this study I explore the role of investment style in assessing skill among active mutual funds. In chapter 1 of my dissertation, I use cross section method to investigate skill among active mutual funds. In this method, a bootstrap analysis is performed to estimate the distribution of outperformance that arises purely by …

Multiaxial Characterization And Machine Learning – Enhanced Modeling Of Anisotropic Materials For Forming Applications, Abrar Salam Ebrahim

Doctoral Dissertations

Reliable prediction of material deformation in forming processes requires constitutive models that accurately capture anisotropy while remaining practical to calibrate. This dissertation combines mechanical testing, full-field deformation measurements, finite element (FE) analysis, and artificial neural networks (ANNs) to address three complementary requirements: representation of complex material behavior, characterization across an expanded multiaxial loading space, and experiment-efficient identification of advanced anisotropic yield functions using machine learning. Chapter 2 develops a hybrid ANN-enhanced constitutive framework for Grade 1 commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) sheet metal to describe temperature and strain rate-dependent hardening and anisotropy. Implemented in an Abaqus user material subroutine, the framework …

Cultural Food Security And Alternative Food Network Participation: Participatory Research With Sub-Saharan African Immigrants In The Northeastern United States, Luyue Zheng

Doctoral Dissertations

Sub-Saharan African (SSA) immigrants are a growing population in the U.S. and experience a high prevalence of food insecurity. As many report challenges accessing healthy and culturally appropriate foods after migration, cultural food security is a growing concern. Alternative food networks (AFNs), such as farmers markets and community gardens, provide opportunities for immigrant communities to produce and access culturally important foods to support their cultural food security. Beyond improving food access, AFNs may also enhance the agency and sustainability dimensions of food security by creating opportunities for immigrants to produce, distribute, and access culturally appropriate foods through local food systems, …

A Systematic Study Of Solar Wind Tangential Discontinuity Inclination And Their Impact On Dayside Magnetospheric Dynamics Using Global Mhd Simulations, Neha Srivastava

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation presents a systematic investigation of how the inclination of solar wind tangential discontinuities controls the dayside magnetospheric response using global MHD simulations conducted with the OpenGGCM model. This study is motivated by the need to understand how TD orientation controls dayside magnetospheric response, and adopts the view that the bow shock (BS) and magnetopause (MP) can be treated as large-scale discontinuities, such that their interaction with an interplanetary TD may be interpreted as a nonlinear discontinuity–discontinuity interaction. Within this framework, the role of TD orientation in governing the coupled evolution of disturbances across the dayside magnetospheric system is …

Theology As The Queen Of The Sciences? Kuyper, Bavinck, And Dooyeweerd, Steve Bishop, Renato Coletto

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

A Kuyperian Solution To The Contemporary Problem Of Individualism Manifested In Eucharistic Practice, Isaac Krommendyk

Pro Rege

Issac Krommendyk, a senior at Dordt University majoring in History and Spanish, submitted this winning paper to the Lambertus Verberg Prize for Excellence in Kuyperian Scholarship, 2026

Autonomy, Adolescents, And Artificial Intelligence, Michael J. S. Beauvais

Journal of Science & Technology Law

In this essay, I explore the potential implications of adolescent use of AI assistants on the development of adolescents’ capacities for autonomy. Thinking through these issues from the perspective of first principles is, I believe, needed in order to sharpen our understanding of some of the issues AI assistants pose for young people. A clear analysis will suggest which legal or policy prescriptions should follow.

I first give an overview of adolescent use of AI assistants, noting their popularity and the variety of use contexts. Drawing upon the work of Catriona Mackenzie, I then outline a relational conception of autonomy …

Inflation-Differential Rule Versus (De Facto Soft-Peg) Discretion: Exchange-Rate Management Approach In Developing Economies, Behnam Ebrahimi, Mohammad Vaez Barzani Dr.

Bulletin of Monetary Economics and Banking

Many developing and emerging economies officially report a managed floating exchange-rate regime tailored with a fundamental exchange rate management approach, while in practice operating a de facto soft peg, characterized by discretionary, near-constant exchange-rate depreciation aimed at dampening inflation expectations. This discretionary approach—often justified as a pragmatic response to inflationary pressure—produces a hybrid regime that lacks the transparency and credibility emphasized in IMF policy guidance. This study evaluates whether substituting Discretionary Soft-Peg Exchange Rate Management approach with an Inflation-Differential Rule of Exchange Rate Management approach, which links exchange-rate adjustments to the inflation differential between domestic and rest of the world, …

Fiscal Decentralization, Local Government Size, And Regional Economic Growth: Evidence From Indonesia, Faizul Mubarok, Hasta Dwi Pradana, Etty Puji Lestari

Bulletin of Monetary Economics and Banking

This study investigates the dynamic relationship between fiscal decentralization, local government size, and regional economic growth in Indonesia. Integrating fiscal federalism theory with the Armey curve framework, the study examines whether decentralization reshapes the scale of subnational governments and how this influences growth outcomes. Using balanced panel data from 26 Indonesian provinces over the period 1995–2020, the analysis employs dynamic panel estimators based on the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) to address endogeneity, persistence, and unobserved heterogeneity. The results reveal a nuanced relationship between fiscal decentralization and government size. Greater revenue autonomy is associated with a contraction in government size …

Oil Futures Reactions To Monetary Policy Surprises: A High-Frequency Analysis, Syed Mujahid Hussain Dr., Basel Awartani, Farrukh Javed, Iqbal Khadaroo Dr., Nader Virk Dr.

Bulletin of Monetary Economics and Banking

This study examines how oil futures respond to monetary policy shocks arising from FOMC and ECB target-rate announcements, using high-frequency data. The results indicate that both sets of announcements significantly influence oil futures prices. However, FOMC decisions have a more pronounced effect on oil futures, whereas ECB interest rate surprises predominantly have a limited impact on the oil futures return and volatility. The analysis further uncovers an asymmetric response to positive versus negative interest rate shocks. These findings enhance the understanding of how monetary policy surprises are transmitted to oil futures markets. Therefore, these results have important implications for policymakers …

The Nusantara Capital City (Ikn) Relocation: Autocratic Legalism And The Marginalization Of Local Communities, Imam Syafi'i, Dian Aulia

The Indonesian Journal of Socio-Legal Studies

The first phase (2022–2024) of the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) relocation prioritizes the construction of the city's physical infrastructure under the “Nusa Rimba Raya” concept. During this phase, the massive development of supporting infrastructure, including government buildings, official residences, toll roads, ports, and the VVIP airport, has driven increased demand for materials and land, impacting areas beyond the delineation of IKN. However, the power-driven approach in the capital relocation policy has led to socio-ecological injustices for indigenous and local communities by disregarding meaningful public participation and environmental sustainability. Land acquisition through the Land Bank (Bank Tanah), which prioritizes investment, along …

Comparative Legal Study On Corruption In The Construction Sector: Indonesia And China, Seng Hansen, Liang Qi

The Indonesian Journal of Socio-Legal Studies

This study aims to compare the legal approaches to corruption in the construction sector in Indonesia and China. The construction sector in both countries is often fertile ground for corruption, which harms the economy and creates social inequality. This study employs a comparative legal analysis method to examine regulations, policies, and the effectiveness of law enforcement in combating corruption within the construction sector in both countries. The primary focus of this study is a comparison of applicable anti-corruption laws and the roles of law enforcement agencies, such as the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in Indonesia and the Central Commission for …

Medical Liability In The Age Of Ai-Driven Healthcare: Ethical Challenges And Legal Framework Recommendations, Rani Tiyas Budiyanti, Roro Isyawati Permata Ganggi, Penggalih Mahardika Herlambang

The Indonesian Journal of Socio-Legal Studies

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is progressing rapidly and is applied to various aspects of medical practice, including diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient care. However, the integration of AI in healthcare raises complex legal and ethical issues, particularly regarding medical liability. The growing development of AI technology is blurring the concepts of responsibility and accountability in medical practice. Furthermore, with AI systems becoming increasingly autonomous in their decision-making processes, it becomes increasingly difficult to determine responsibility in cases of medical errors or actions that harm patients. In view of this situation this article argues that it is …

A Framework For Automated Quantity Extraction From .Ifc Models And Normalized Bid Comparison, Asmaa Mohamed Farouk

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate bid comparison remains a major challenge in construction tendering due to

differences in Bill of Quantities formats, item naming conventions, and pricing methods across

contractor submissions. These variations require time-consuming manual work and often lead to

subjective decisions. This research presents a computational framework that uses Building

Information Modeling through the .ifc file format, combined with text analysis techniques for

automated bid normalization.

The developed system uses a dual-component approach. Phase 1 extracts quantities from .ifc

model files using 3D geometric calculations, automated element classification. Phase 2 uses text

mining with a domain-specific dictionary of construction terms to interpret …

The Game Within: An Anthropological Approach To Games And Play, Nehal Maged Mohamed

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is based on an eighteen-month ethnography of El Ghawasa, an Egyptian play-based organization that designs educational games, tools, and services. Claiming that El Ghawasa, with its ethos of play, seeks to create an alternative to the capitalist corporate structure. Through tracking how this organization navigates ruptures, negotiates constraints, and experiments with different practices and internal restructuring, I explore the possibilities and limitations of El Ghawasa, while attempting to resist absorption by the very system it opposes. I ask: when the rules keep changing (while the logic of the capitalist corporate structure remains the same), and the boundaries of …

Neutrosophic Sets And Systems, Vol. 101, 2026, Proceedings Of The International Conference On Artificial Intelligence, Indeterminacy, And Education, University O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile, Florentin Smarandache, Maikel Yelandi Leyva Vazquez

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

Legal Geographies Of The Public Trust Doctrine, Alida Cantor, John P. Casellas Connors, Elizabeth Carlino

Geography Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Public Trust Doctrine (PTD) is a legal principle that recognizes a duty of the government to hold certain natural resources in trust for public benefit. The doctrine has been extended within the United States to address issues of water, coastal access, wildlife conservation, and climate change. Its implementation is spatially uneven and subjective, however, raising geographic questions around scale, power, and political economy. This article uses a legal geographic approach to understand the PTD. Focusing on water, wildlife, and atmospheric resources, we analyze themes of scale and jurisdiction, property and commons, and legal and environmental subjectivity. We argue that …

Lytic Reactivation Of Ebv By Hiv Proteins And Antiretroviral Therapy With The Heightened Expression Of Mef-2 Oncogenes Implicated In Aids-Related Cancer, Alesha Philip, Thomas A. Premeaux, Adhikarimayum Lakhikumar Sharma, Cabirou Mounchili Shintouo, Aykan Karabudak, Liudi Tang, Salwa Ahmed, Alekhya Rani Chunduri, Sai Chaitanya R. Gaekwar, Elias Haddad, Ryan Hoffmann, Mudit Tyagi, Pooja Jain

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with HIV (PLWH) remain at a higher risk of developing AIDS-related cancers. The factors attributed to this increased risk are multifactorial, including long-term ART use, prolonged exposure to soluble HIV proteins, and drugs of abuse. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common driver of many malignancies, such as Burkitt’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While ART effectively suppresses HIV replication, it is not curative and prolonged use imposes health risks, including an accelerated course of cancers. Herein, we investigated the effects of various factors that can impact EBV latency in PLWH in cooperation with cellular …

Smart Service Experience And Consumer Loyalty In Saudi Arabian Smart Hotels: The Mediating Roles Of Tourist Happiness And Value Co-Creation, Fahad M. Alhuqbani

Journal of Global Business Insights

Drawing on Cognitive-Affective System Theory (CAST), this study investigates the mediating roles of tourist happiness and willingness to co-create value in the relationship between Smart Service Experience (SSE) and loyalty among consumers of smart hotels in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from 367 guests who had stayed in a smart hotel in Saudi Arabia within the past year and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. The findings reveal that SSE positively influences both tourist happiness and co-creation willingness, which in turn drive guest loyalty. Notably, the affective pathway through tourist happiness exerts a stronger effect on loyalty than …

Motivation, Empowerment, And Entrepreneurial Intentions: A Pls-Sem Analysis Of Female Students In Algeria, Lotfi Mekhzoumi, Salima Ben Omar, Abderrazak Laouid, Sabrina Chikh-Amnache

Journal of Global Business Insights

This paper investigates the multidimensional nature of women’s empowerment and its impact on entrepreneurial intentions among female students at the University of El Oued, Algeria. It aims to clarify how motivational factors and perceived barriers interact with psychological, social, political, and economic empowerment to shape entrepreneurial aspirations in a developing economy context. A stratified sample of 353 female university students was used for quantitative research. A validated online questionnaire assessed entrepreneurial intention, motivation, empowerment, and barriers. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to test direct, indirect, and mediating effects between constructs, along with rigorous reliability and validity …

Catalytic Synthesis Of Protoberberine Alkaloids And Their Evaluation As Selective Dopamine Receptor Ligands, Ashok Reddy Gudipally

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Dopamine regulates motor control, cognition, reward, motivation, and neuroendocrine signaling. Disruption of dopaminergic neurotransmission is closely linked to central nervous system disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, addiction, and related neuropsychiatric conditions. Because these functions are mediated by multiple dopamine receptor subtypes with distinct roles in physiology and disease, the discovery of subtype-selective ligands remains an important goal in neuropharmacology. Within this context, protoberberine alkaloids, particularly tetrahydroprotoberberines (THPBs), are attractive molecular frameworks because they combine structural complexity with broad biological relevance, including measurable activity in CNS-related diseases. Prior work from our laboratory and others established (–)-stepholidine (1.60) as an important lead …

Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementias Risk Profiles And Health Literacy Among South Asian Seniors, Sandra A. Kennedy

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) pose significant health challenges globally, with South Asian seniors in the United States facing elevated risks due to high rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and limited health literacy. This study assessed dementia literacy and the prevalence of cardiovascular, psychosocial, and lifestyle risk factors among South Asian seniors in New York City, utilizing community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles in collaboration with India Home, a community-based organization. Fifty-six (N=56) South Asian seniors aged 55 and older (M = 69.05, SD = 6.36), primarily of Indian or Bangladeshi origin, participated in the study. Data collection involved a …