Digital Commons Network^™

New Policy Tools And Traditional Policy Models: Better Understanding Behavioural, Digital And Collaborative Instruments, Michael Howlett, Sarah Giest, Ishani Mukherjee, Araz Taeihagh

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

The study of policy tools has been undertaken for several decades. This work has isolated and examined many different types of instruments or levers utilized by governments to implement their policies and examined in detail how they are arranged into mixes, packages, or portfolios of tools. However, recent developments in society and technology have highlighted the potential to use new or previously underutilized policy instruments for both traditional tasks and to address new challenges associated with emerging technologies and other contemporary issues. These tools include social media platforms, collaboration, behavioral insights, and data-driven approaches to policy-making and policy design using …

Art In Public: Potential Public Pedagogy Post-Pandemic, Lyndall Adams, Nicola Kaye, Emma Jayakumar, Clive Barstow, Harrison See

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article speculates how art in public space might evolve in a COVID-19 world. We examine the complexity embedded within the realm of public space using two public art projects as case studies: an artwork produced as part of an artist residency inside the Parliament of Western Australia and a public artwork commission for a highway interchange at Wanneroo, Western Australia. Both projects are used as examples to speculate on how we might navigate the complexity and possibilities for art in public as a consequence of a refiguration of such public spaces resulting from COVID-19 prevention measures. This article postulates …

An English-Swahili Email Spam Detection Model For Improved Accuracy Using Convolutional Neural Networks, Leshan Sankaine, John G. Ndia, Dennis Kaburu

Mesopotamian Journal of CyberSecurity

E-mail has become an essential tool for digital communication, facilitating global networking and information exchange. However, spam emails, particularly those in multilingual contexts, pose a significant threat to cybersecurity. In 2023, cyber-related attacks cost Africa approximately USD 10 billion, with the Kenyan economy suffering losses of USD 383 million, 45% of which resulted from phishing and spam emails. While spam detection has been extensively studied for English, low-resource languages such as Swahili lack sufficient research and datasets. Swahili is spoken by about approximately 200 million people, mainly from East Africa. The same speakers use English as a medium of communication. …

Cnns In Image Forensics: A Systematic Literature Review Of Copy-Move, Splicing, Noise Detection, And Data Poisoning Detection Methods, Mohammed R. Subhi, Salman Yussof, Liyana Adilla Binti Burhanuddin Adilla Binti Burhanuddin, Firas Layth Khaleel, Firas Layth Khaleel

Mesopotamian Journal of CyberSecurity

Image forgery, such as copy-move and splicing, poses significant challenges to the authenticity of digital images, and this challenge is exacerbated by the rapid development of image manipulation tools. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have shown promise in detecting such forgeries, but limitations remain, especially in detecting small duplicate regions and low-contrast regions, as well as in dealing with optical artefacts such as noise and blur. This systematic literature review examines CNN-based approaches to detect image forgery and explores strategies to mitigate data poisoning attacks, which can compromise the integrity of machine learning models. To our knowledge, there are currently no …

Faculty List

Missouri Law Review

No abstract provided.

Doctoral Hooding Program: 2025, Governors State University

Commencement Documents and Videos

A listing of the candidates awarded doctorate degrees in 2025.

Mapping Trends In Gender-Inclusive Legal Language Between Circuit Courts In The United States, Juliette M. Rhinow

Student Publications

This study examines the use of gender-inclusive legal language in federal circuit court opinions in the United States between 2020 and 2024, with a focus on how judicial political ideology influences linguistic behaviors. Drawing on postmodern feminist theory and utilizing content analysis, the research compares six federal circuit courts by coding 46 court opinions for inclusive and exclusive linguistic practices related to transgender and non-binary individuals. Inclusive practices included the use of self-identified names and pronouns, affirming decisions, and acknowledgment of transgender identities, while exclusive practices involved misgendering, outdated terminology, and restrictive rulings. Results show that progressive circuits demonstrated significantly …

El Penacho De Moctezuma Or Kopilli Ketzalli?: A Study Of Colonialism & Featherwork, Natalie Heiland

Student Publications

This paper focuses on an object with many titles: Moctezuma’s Headdress, El Penacho or Kopilli Ketzalli. These names, in English, Spanish and Nahuatl, perfectly highlight the way colonialism has affected the discourse around it. The piece was initially taken during the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the early 16th century and shipped to Vienna, where it has remained ever since. Through analysis of historical sources and modern discussions, I will address how this object has been treated poorly throughout history, from the initial seizure, to its time in storage where it was improperly researched and labeled, the many conservations it …

An Interoperability Framework Across Legacy Emr Systems, Sheena Rogers

Translational Projects (Open Access)

The 21st Century Cures Act (H.R.34 – 114th Congress, 2016) specifies that patients and authorized providers must be able to receive copies of their medical records with standard medical history details upon request. While the data archival system, DRIS (Data Retention Interoperability Solution), has comprehensive patient summary reports centralizing over 100 legacy electronic health records (EHR) with broad data elements, it is not 100% compliant with the upcoming 21st Century Cures Act’s interoperability standards. As a result, patients and providers are not receiving copies of their medical records with all of the required medical history and fields in this new …

Deadtime In The Vale Of Soul-Making: Hermeneutics, Humanization, And Higher Education In Prison, Dale Michael Brown

Dissertations

This body of work examines higher education with and for justice-involved people from a descriptive, theoretical, and empirical perspective—pulling together multiple disciplines and employing different methodologies from the humanities and social sciences. The investigation is written from a philosophical perspective via educational foundations and a social science perspective via qualitative research, including an examination of carceral higher education’s connections to teaching and experiential learning. This approach reflects the interdisciplinary nature of both the author’s degree program and the topic itself, which (as a field of academic inquiry) is part theoretical and part empirical (both qualitative and quantitative). The papers in …

A Multiple Case Study Of Four-Year Public, Non-Flagship Universities: Meeting Common Institutional Goals Of Increased Enrollment And Academic Profile, Alicia Kornowa

Dissertations

For several reasons, the number of students seeking and enrolling in a postsecondary education has started to decline in the United States (U.S.) and the decrease is expected to intensify for the foreseeable future. This trend is cause for concern among higher education enrollment leaders, especially those who serve at institutions not among the most elite universities or without a national brand—the campuses researchers project will have the greatest difficulty maintaining enrollment levels. Using strategic enrollment management (SEM) as an example of general systems theory and systems thinking, this multiple case study explored how four public, four-year, non-flagship institutions increased …

Recent Trends In Energy-Efficient Design Of Mechatronic Systems: A Comprehensive Review, Ivan I. Gorial

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

The push for sustainability and energy efficiency is driving innovation in the design of modern mechatronic systems. This review examines key developments from 2019 to 2025 in reducing energy consumption across mechanical, electrical, and control components. It highlights practical strategies such as low-power electronics, efficient control algorithms (e.g., model predictive, adaptive control), and energy-harvesting techniques. This review explores how smart materials—such as piezoelectrics and shape memory alloys—can enhance the efficiency of actuators. It also examines emerging approaches like co-design optimization, digital twins, and predictive maintenance powered by AI, all of which aim to reduce energy consumption throughout a system’s life. …

Unveiling Narrative In Liszt’S Dante Sonata Through Topical Analysis, Jasmine Olivia Harry

Theses and Dissertations

Narrative theory and its application in music have increasingly captured the interest of musicologists. Despite this growing attention, the analytical model remains relatively new compared to more established methods. Continued exploration and application are necessary to demonstrate its value alongside traditional theoretical frameworks. This dissertation employs narrative theory to examine the ironic comedy archetype in Franz Liszt’s Dante sonata, utilizing a bottom-up approach to construct a detailed musical narrative across three analytical tiers. Chapter two, representing the primary level, analyzes the sonata-fantasy macro-structure, uncovering key themes and the dynamic interplay between contrasting dichotomies. Chapter three, the secondary level, investigates semiotics, …

Contemporary Voices Of China: Biographical Introduction Of Four Contemporary Chinese Composers And Their Chinese Language Art Songs, Xintian Xu

Theses and Dissertations

This document primarily explores the rich developmental journey of Chinese modern art songs from the early 20th century to the present. It provides an overview of the lives, compositional activities, and contributions to Chinese art songs of four contemporary composers: Zheng Qiufeng, Wang Liping, Lu Zaiyi, and Zhao Jiping. To provide more specific resources, this study includes a table of selected works by the four composers, detailing the composer, song title, poet/lyricist, vocal range, and difficulty level. This section aims to serve as a practical reference for researchers, performing artists, and music educators interested in Chinese art songs.

Essays In Real Estate And Household Finance, Paul Freed

Theses and Dissertations

The first chapter examines how the deterioration of a household’s balance sheet alters its propensity to sue another entity for damages in civil court. Using state-level administrative judicial data longitudinally linked to the value of individual plaintiffs’ real estate holdings, this study finds that a 5% decline in housing value is associated with an 8% increase in the probability of filing a civil suit. Similarly, a household entering a negative equity position on its mortgage is associated with a 14% increase. When facing distress, households are more likely to engage in civil action against both firms and other households, particularly …

Corporate Evolution, Omari Scott Simmons

Cardozo Law Review

Political entrepreneurs have declared war on environmental, social, and governance policies ("ESG"), going so far as to attempt to criminalize ESG-influenced investing. They seek a return to some real or imagined past. They amplify and elevate their efforts into mainstream public discourse. They pursue extraordinary goals and tactics to disrupt and even dismantle institutional structures, norms, and established processes. The contemporary anti-ESG backlash is not simply a battle over corporate purpose and the dueling perspectives of shareholder primacy versus stakeholderism or disputes concerning sustainable investment and operational strategies. It reflects aggressive political entrepreneurship and the tension between competing narratives: stasis, …

Activity And Function Of The Endothelial Sodium Channel Is Regulated By The Effector Domain Of Marcks-Like Protein 1 In Mouse Aortic Endothelial Cells, Ling Yu, Niharika Bala, Van-Anh L. Nguyen, Leah Kessler, John F. Ladisa Jr., Abdel A. Alli

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Enhanced endothelial sodium channel (EnNaC) functioning causes an increase in vessel stiffness. Here, we investigated the regulation of EnNaC in mouse aortic endothelial cells (mAoECs) by the actin cytoskeleton and lipid raft association protein myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate-like protein 1 (MLP1). We hypothesized that mutation of specific amino acid residues within the effector domain of MLP1 or loss of association between MLP1 and the anionic phospholipid phosphate PIP2 would significantly alter membrane association and EnNaC activity in mAoECs. mAoECs transiently transfected with a mutant MLP1 construct (three serine residues in the effector domain replaced with aspartate residues) showed a significant …

Shaping Effective Food Action Groups: Participant Perspectives On Structure And Stakeholder Involvement In Regional And Remote Western Australia, Stephanie L. Godrich, Sarah Goodwin, Jess Doe, Melissa Stoneham, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Issue Addressed: Food systems strongly influence food security outcomes. Food Action Groups (often termed Food Policy Councils/Coalitions/Networks internationally) offer a co-ordinated and collaborative approach to local food system issues. Their organisational structure and stakeholder membership significantly impact their focus and impact. Therefore, it is imperative to understanding community member and food system stakeholders' perspectives on how regional and remote Australian Food Action Groups should be structured to maximise their impact on local food systems, and identify the most appropriate stakeholders to facilitate and drive their action. Methods: A qualitative study using focus groups, was conducted in regional and remote townships …

Beyond Climate Change: A Model Of Sustainable Development For The Maritime Industry, David Adkins

Plymouth Business School

Recent discussions on sustainable development in the maritime industry have focused on climate change, emissions reduction, and future fuels. While vital for global trade and climate management, these topics are only part of the broader sustainable development agenda. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) highlight the need to expand this conversation. Through a series of interviews, this study aims to develop a sustainable development model tailored to the maritime industry. Defining the maritime industry, and contextualising sustainable development to the sector provides significant challenges. The industry’s diversity complicates any definition as it encompasses shipping, maritime services, shipbuilding, education, …

A Research Proposal: The Scapegoating Of Transgender Americans By Us Presidential Candidates From 2016 To 2024, Savannah Torres

Posters - 2025

This study will employ a qualitative content analysis to analyze the scapegoating of transgender Americans by U.S. presidential candidates from 2016 to the 2024 elections. This approach will allow for an in-depth exploration of political rhetoric, policy proposals, and public discourse regarding the trans community. In doing so, this study will highlight the lived experiences of transgender Americans in which they have faced both support, indifference, and marginalization from candidates. The content analyzed will include political rhetoric expressed by the candidates through their campaign and administrations. This analysis is with the intent to find recurring themes relating to the scapegoating …

Understanding Threats To Public Officials - 2025, Peter Simi, Seamus Hughes

Reports, Projects, and Research

The project’s third year is underway and continues to work toward a comprehensive assessment of the threat landscape between 2013 and the present. The project focuses on federal charges that involve communicated threats against public officials working in the following sectors: education, elected office and elections, health care, and law enforcement/ military. In addition to conducting trend analyses, the research team has combed through tens of thousands of court documents to identify characteristics related to the incident, perpetrators, and victims.

Rapid Review B: Risk Factors In Terrorist Use Of Unmanned Aerial Systems, Suat Cubukcu

Reports, Projects, and Research

The National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE) has been tasked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to support evidenced, novel frameworks that accurately represent the current nature and future trajectory of the terrorist use of unmanned aerial system (UAS) threat. In support of a subject matter expert summit meeting to be hosted in early 2025, the project team has completed three rapid review reports, which focus on key dimensions of the issue, which include emerging trends, the logic of terrorist UAS exploitation, and related risk factors.

Determinants Of Voting Behavior In The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election: Issues, Demographics, And The Pandemic's Influence, Julissa Cavazos

Posters - 2025

• The 2020 election caused many shifts in how certain groups voted based on their views on several issues which is why this research is essential.

• Leading up to the election, the top issues among voters according to news sites were the state of the economy, attitudes on how the government handled the COVID-19 pandemic, and concern over the immigration crisis.

• COVID-19 was a main factor in causing individuals to vote for Joe Biden as president.

A Protocol To Investigate The Acute Effects Of Contrast Therapy Vs. Heat Therapy On Cardiovascular Health Outcomes, René Barbier, Jace Nicolet, Annahy Pesina

Posters - 2025

There is a growing number of people being affected by hypertension, often referred to as high blood pressure. Chronic high blood pressure (>130/80 mmHg) affects 45% of U.S. adults (Huguet et at., 2021). Chronic hypertension can have catastrophic outcomes, as it significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and heart failure. On top of this, this cardiovascular disease is often referred to as a "silent killer," because it tends to not present symptoms until serious damage already occurred. In addition to the negative effects on the individual, hypertension constitutes a large public heath burden, costing over …

The Misuse Of Ratification-Era Sources By Unitary Executive Theorists, Jed Handelsman Shugerman

Faculty Scholarship

This symposium essay suggests that, given an ostensibly originalist Supreme Court, the future depends on getting the past right. The unitary executive theory is approaching its political and doctrinal zenith in 2025, at the very moment it is approaching an evidentiary crisis. This essay details that crisis: a subset of misuses and misrepresentations of sources in the unitary executive scholarship. This subset focuses on serious misrepresentations of the Ratifications debates.

The Ratification debates appropriately have become the primary source of evidence for original public meaning, the dominant theory of originalism. The Ratification debates have always been a significant problem for …

Gold & Blue Law Edition, Spring 2025, St. Mary's University - San Antonio, Texas

Gold & Blue Law Edition

This is the Spring 2025 edition of Gold & Blue Law Edition which is St. Mary's University's official School of Law publication.

Just To Be Safe, Let’S Keep Ignoring What “Arms” Meant In 1791, Jack Thorlin

Dickinson Law Review (2017-Present)

The Supreme Court held in District of Columbia v. Heller and reaffirmed in New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen that “arms,” referred to in the Second Amendment, are common weapons useful for lawful purposes. The majority argued that militiamen fought with whatever common weapons they had on hand for civilian purposes, such as self-defense and hunting. Therefore, under Heller, only those weapons are covered by the Second Amendment. However, Heller did little to ground the “self-defense” theory of “arms” in original public meaning or even actual history. Commonality and lawful purpose have proved difficult for lower …

Riding On Horseback To The Moon: Consent Searches In The Age Of Smartphones And Digital Tracking, Jonathan Kerr

Washington and Lee Law Review

In 2014, when the Supreme Court ruled in Riley v. California that police must get a warrant before conducting a search of a cell phone, Chief Justice John Roberts described comparing a search of data on a cell phone to a search of other physical items as “like saying a ride on horseback is materially indistinguishable from a flight to the moon.” A decade later, an overwhelming majority of Americans carry cell phones that contain an ever-expanding set of data showing their habits, routines, and the minutiae of their everyday lives, offering a potential wealth of information to law enforcement …

Los Muxes De Juchitán: Resistance, Identity, And Expressions Of Gender In The Zapotec Culture, Leah Mack

Audre Lorde Prize

This work is a cultural analysis of the Indigenous Zapotec third-gender community in Juchitán, México called the muxes. It examines the historical context that explains how the muxes have survived the process of Spanish colonization: a history of resistance and pride in their Indigenous identities. This essay also explains the European norms of the gender binary and how the norms in Juchitán are different and unique. Then, it analyzes a few cultural spaces that are important to the Zapotec Indigenous identity and the gender identity of the muxes, such as the market and the festive celebrations known as Las Velas. …

A Quarter Century Of Scholarship: Trends In The St Mary’S Law Scholar’S Journal, Trenton Boudreaux

Capstone Projects

This project catalogs the trends of the articles published in The Scholar: St Mary’s Law Review on Race and Social Justice. Over its 25-year history, The Scholar has published 26 volumes discussing issues related specifically to minority and social justice issues. The project catalogs the topics covered in the volumes, and explores this data for historical trends. The project posts these results on the St. Mary’s Law School History page and provides historical context for some of the topics covered. This information provides a valuable resource for researchers into The Scholar as a publication.