Digital Commons Network^™

Origami Sake: Building A Sustainable Supply Chain For A New Beverage Startup, Akosua Sayer Koduah, Nick E. Johnston

ICHRIE Research Reports

Sustainability has become a strategic pillar in the hospitality and beverage industry, shaping supply chain decisions, consumer behavior, and market competitiveness. This study examines how Origami Sake, a startup brewery in Hot Springs, Arkansas, integrates sustainability into its supply chain from inception. Using qualitative analysis of company interviews, secondary data, and comparative literature, the study shows that Origami Sake embeds renewable energy, localized rice sourcing, and by-product reuse into its core operations. These practices reflect circular economy principles and strengthen regional identity, yet they also pose challenges related to packaging limitations, organic rice availability, data-tracking gaps, and the risks of …

Are Hotels Ready For Flooding? Improving Employee Preparedness, Ahmin Kwon, Marketa Kubickova, Swechchha Subedi

ICHRIE Research Reports

Focusing on the experiences of 500 current hotel employees in the United States, this report evaluates current levels of flood preparedness and the role of organizational support in shaping employee proactive response. Findings indicate that most employees have experience with flooding and rely on multiple information sources, yet trust in government response remains moderate. Clear disparities emerge across hotel segments, with significantly higher preparedness commitment and proactive behavior among employees in luxury hotels and those with longer tenure. Importantly, prior experience does not necessarily translate into effective preparedness. Although many respondents perceive existing information as sufficient, there is a continued …

Exploring Hotel Sustainability Through A Service Design Lens: An Espoused Theory Vs. Theory-In-Use Perspective, Cindy Yoonjoung Heo, Jaehyun Park, Sanqi Yang, Chen Ni, Lei Tang, Lei Yu, Julneth Rogenhofer, Geraldine Assen

ICHRIE Research Reports

Sustainability is now widely embedded in hotel strategies, but it is often assessed through what hotels communicate rather than what guests actually experience. This study examines that disconnect by drawing on Argyris and Schön’s distinction between espoused theory and theory-in-use, combined with a service design perspective. Using document analysis alongside in-situ observations at the front desk and in guest rooms, the study looks at how sustainability appears across service touchpoints and whether it is likely to be noticed and understood by guests. The findings suggest that many initiatives are operationally in place but remain largely out of sight during the …

Aviation Disruptions And Tourism Resilience: Policy Lessons From The Indigo 2025 Crisis For India’S Hospitality Tourism Sector, Ann Mary Varghese, Vijaya Zinnoury

ICHRIE Research Reports

The December 2025 IndiGo flight disruption crisis, characterized by widespread cancellations, delays, and capacity constraints, significantly impacted India’s tourism and hospitality sectors during peak travel periods. This research report examines the cascading effects of aviation instability on tourism demand, hotel occupancy, pricing dynamics, and regional economies. Drawing on secondary data from industry reports, news coverage, and policy analyses, the study identifies systemic vulnerabilities in India’s aviation–tourism nexus. Findings indicate that flight disruptions led to large-scale hotel cancellations, revenue losses, and demand volatility, particularly in destination-dependent regions in India such as Darjeeling, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand. The report further evaluates industry responses, …

Tourism System Fragility: Evidence From The Middle East War, Ann Mary Varghese, Vijaya Zinnoury

ICHRIE Research Reports

The ongoing Middle East conflict (2026) has triggered one of the most significant global aviation disruptions since the COVID-19 pandemic, with widespread airspace closures, flight cancellations, rerouting, and fuel cost escalation affecting airlines worldwide. This research report examines how conflict-driven aviation instability has impacted tourism demand, hospitality performance, and destination economies.

Drawing on real-time global evidence, the study finds that the closure of critical air corridors across the Middle East, which handle approximately 15% of global air traffic, led to thousands of daily flight cancellations, mass rerouting, and substantial cost increases for airlines. These disruptions propagated across tourism systems, reducing …

Campus Food Recovery: Balancing Sustainability And Student Needs, Scott T. Taylor Jr., Wenhao Zhang, Robin B. Dipietro, Mary Stein, Junehee Kwon

ICHRIE Research Reports

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a food recovery program at a large university on food waste reduction and food insecurity mitigation. The primary goal of the food recovery program was two-fold: to help provide ready-to-eat meals for students facing food insecurity and to help the campus food service provider minimize post-production food waste. Thus, food was recovered from multiple dining outlets on a large university campus in the southeast United States. To ensure a valid comparison between 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years, a 3-month period during the spring semesters in 2023 and 2024 was …

Robot Ready, Deploying Semi-Autonomous Food Delivery Robots, Betsy Bender Stringam, Somang Min, Jennifer Martinez

ICHRIE Research Reports

Semiautonomous food delivery robots are expanding rapidly across college campuses, healthcare facilities, office complexes, and other food delivery settings. The semiautonomous food delivery robot market grew to about $800 million in 2025 and is expected to exceed $3.24 billion by 2030.

This report draws on research studies conducted at a university contract foodservice beta deployment site, involving in-depth interviews with employees and managers who worked directly with semiautonomous food delivery robots during and after implementation, triangulated with field notes and observations by the research team. The report highlights key findings and develops an original practitioner framework around these findings, called …

Building Consumer Trust In Short-Term Rentals: A Literature Review On Factors Influencing Consumer Booking Motivations And Trust Formation, Alyssa N. Thornton, Kiyan Shafieizadeh

ICHRIE Research Reports

This study synthesizes existing research on consumer trust formation and booking motivations in short-term rental (STR) platforms through a systematic literature review. Drawing on 19 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025, the review examines how trust-building cues and motivational factors jointly influence consumer booking decisions in peer-to-peer accommodation contexts. Using a thematic analysis approach, the findings reveal five dominant themes: visual and aesthetic cues, host attributes, reviews and reputation mechanisms, economic and functional motivations, and host–guest interaction. The results highlight the central role of visual presentation and social signals in reducing perceived risk and fostering trust, while economic and …

Pricing Hawaii: When Discounts, Fees, And Transparency Collide In Hotel Pricing, Kody Dominguez, Ingrid Lin

ICHRIE Research Reports

This report examines how hotel pricing structures in Hawaiʻi; specifically, Kamaʻāina discounts, visitor rates, and destination fees interact to shape perceptions of fairness, transparency, and booking behavior.

Using survey data from 192 respondents and a pricing audit of 57 properties in Oahu, Hawaii, the findings reveal a structural disconnect between pricing intent and guest experience. While Kamaʻāina discounts range from 20–30%, mandatory destination fees averaging $37.69 significantly erode realized savings, particularly at mid-tier price points. As a result, 62% of residents perceive hotel pricing as unfair, compared to 27% of visitors, and nearly 70% of respondents report abandoning bookings due …

Beyond The Aisle: The Essential Guide For Event Planners To Navigate Cultural Diversity In Weddings, Ellee N. Marsh, Mary Olle Dr.

ICHRIE Research Reports

This research aims to address an educational gap within the event planning community regarding cultural diversity across the wedding industry. As the wedding market within the United States continues to increasingly globalize, planners are encountering couples from a wide variety of cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. Understanding and appreciating a wide range of these cultures creates an important baseline of someone else’s background in order to recognize where people are coming from and why they want certain traditions present. Recognizing this lack of cultural knowledge within the wedding planning community, I have developed a cultural wedding handbook that is designed …

Guests Attitude And Purchase Intention Towards Hotel Brand Extension, Daegeun Kim, Eun-Kyong (Cindy) Choi, Tanya Ruetzler, James Taylor

ICHRIE Research Reports

Brand extension is widely used among firms and hotels to launch new products using their parent brand name, making it important for practitioners to understand which factors influence consumers' attitude toward brand extension (ATT). This study investigated the role of consumer brand identity (CBI) in guests' attitude leading to purchase intention (PUR) for hotel vacation rentals. Findings suggest that CBI was a positive antecedent of perceived fit (PF) and tie (PT), which positively influenced ATT. Additionally, parent brand conviction and quality were identified as factors that positively influenced ATT and led to PUR. As the first study on hotel vacation …

Positioning Grand Junction As A Premier Golf Tourism Hub: A Swot Analysis, Tevfik Demirciftci, Eunkyeong Jung

ICHRIE Research Reports

This research report examines how experienced golf travelers perceive Grand Junction (GJ) as a golf tourism destination. Based on in-depth interviews, the study uses a SWOT-based approach to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and risks from the golfer’s perspective. Findings show that GJ is valued for its affordability, natural scenery, variety of courses, and extended playing season, but its potential is hindered by limited coordination among tourism stakeholders. The results suggest that stronger collaboration among golf courses and local businesses could enhance GJ’s appeal as an accessible and distinctive destination for golf tourism

Accreditation In Hospitality And Tourism Administration/Management: A History, Robert H. Bosselman

ICHRIE Research Reports

Accreditation in hospitality and tourism administration/managment education has a complex history. The current manuscript provides background on how accreditation was established in the field. The role played by International CHRIE and its members was reported as was the origin of the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration. The manuscript provides suggestions for future direction of accreditation in hospitality and tourism administration/management education.

Prevalence Of Cerebrovascular Disease In Patients With Coronary Artery Disease After Pharmacological Stress Test, Eman Mahmoud Abdelfattah, Muhammad Salem Muhammad Hagrass, Khalid Ahmed Elkhashab, Sameh Emil, Hassan Mohamed Ebeid, Lamya Salih, Najah Makhbout Al-Amri, Mostafa Sayed, Haytham Soliman Ghareeb

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Objectives: Coronary artery disease (CAD) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) share common atherosclerotic pathways. However, the clinical significance of headache absence during stress testing remains unexplored. We investigated whether the absence of headache during pharmacological stress testing reflects the presence of subtle cerebrovascular atherosclerosis detectable by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD).

Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 225 patients with CAD undergoing pharmacological stress testing with TCD and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) at centers in Egypt (Cardiology Department, Fayoum University). Patients were stratified by headache status during stress testing. Multivariate logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis identified independent predictors of abnormal TCD …

Technical Disclosure: Localized Cymatic Disruption (Lcd) Matrix For Non-Thermal Polymer Decomposition, Christopher L. Eckes

Defensive Publications Series

This technical disclosure defines the architecture, calculated frequency bounds, and real-time telemetry protocols for an inline fluidic grid designed to execute non-thermal, non-chemical molecular decomposition of micro-plastic polymers (specifically Polyethylene Terephthalate [PET], High-Density Polyethylene [HDPE], and Polyvinyl Chloride [PVC]) via targeted mechanochemical shear. Bypassing traditional mechanical filtration and chemical depolymerization, the hardware configuration utilizes an inner-wall concentric cylindrical array of 960 independent lead zirconate titanate (PZT-5H) piezoelectric transducers driven with an engineered spatial phase-lag (Δ φ = π).

By generating a phase-locked radial Bessel beam profile \(J_0(k_r r)\) targeting the mechanical quality factors (Q) of specific polymer boundaries, the system …

A Unified Viscoelastic Substrate Specification For The Simultaneous Resolution Of High-Redshift Structure Formation And Cosmic Expansion Rate Discrepancies, Christopher L. Eckes

Defensive Publications Series

This technical disclosure formalizes a non-perturbative, particle-free continuum mechanics framework—the Dimensionally Extended Holographic Projection (DEHP) model—that resolves anomalous early structure formation observed by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) alongside the 5.6 km/s/Mpc Hubble Tension discrepancy. Rather than treating the cosmic medium as a passive geometric vacuum expanding via a cosmological constant (Λ), we model spacetime as an emergent macroscopic manifestation of a continuous, two-dimensional (2D) viscoelastic phase fluid substrate (z=0) operating in a resonant ground state ("The Garden State"). Three-dimensional (3D) baryonic mass distributions (z > 0) emerge as localized, high-tension wave crests ("knots") whose values represent localized vertical stress …

Chronological Latency: The Viscoelastic Rendering Delay Of Three-Dimensional Projective Knots Under The Dehp Framework, Christopher L. Eckes

Defensive Publications Series

This paper formalizes a particle-free, emergent theory of time by extending the Dimensionally Extended Holographic Projection (DEHP) model and Informational Exomemory Cosmology (IEC). While standard general relativity treats time as an immutable fourth coordinate dimension bound within a continuous spacetime continuum, we reinterpret time as a macroscopic, non-fundamental byproduct of quantum information processing constraints. Operating on the foundational axiom that the universe's baseline is a continuous, two-dimensional viscoelastic phase fluid substrate (z=0), we demonstrate that this ground state—the Garden State—is inherently static and timeless. Time sparks into operational existence exclusively in the projected three-dimensional volumetric bulk (z > 0) as a …

Emergent Domain Modulation: Deploying The Universal Sine Field Template Across Multi-Variable Frameworks, Christopher L. Eckes

Defensive Publications Series

This paper formalizes a universal, particle-free mathematical blueprint derived from the Dimensionally Extended Holographic Projection (DEHP) model. Operating on the foundational axiom that all macroscopic phenomena—whether manifesting as gravitational fields, baryonic matter, computer logic, or supply-chain routing—are phase-locked oscillations (sine waves) on a continuous, two-dimensional viscoelastic pre-geometric phase fluid substrate (z=0), we define a unified multi-variable transformation template that bridges this deep informational layer to the projected three-dimensional volumetric bulk. Instead of relying on classical energy extraction or brute-force material engineering, this framework introduces information-load impedance modulation to regulate reality's metric fabric without inducing thermal or baryonic stress backlashes. By …

Dynamic Entropy Bounding: A Fluid-Dynamic Telemetry Framework For High-Velocity Transformer Alignment, Christopher L. Eckes

Defensive Publications Series

The critical barrier to achieving a Type 1 civilization infrastructure is network fragmentation driven by localized, high-friction socio-political and linguistic tribalism. Contemporary Artificial Intelligence (AI) alignment strategies exacerbate this fragmentation by enforcing static, anthropomorphic reinforcement frameworks (RLHF) that degrade rapidly under multi-agent scaling. This technical disclosure introduces a fluid-dynamic alternative: Dynamic Entropy Bounding (DEB).

By framing a distributed communication network as a continuous, viscoelastic substrate experiencing real-time information pressure, we establish an automated operational channel—the Surfing Zone. This framework discards subjective linguistic filtering in favor of objective, real-time Shannon Entropy (\(H_{obs}\)) tracking at the pre-softmax layer.

Systemic polarization and stagnation …

The Transient Electromagnetic Shock Absorber: Software-Defined Impedance Resonators For Non-Destructive Pulsed-Power Energy Harvesting, Christopher L. Eckes

Defensive Publications Series

This technical disclosure formalizes the architectural design for an autonomous, software-defined energy harvesting framework designed to mitigate and capture extreme over-voltage transients within high-capacity electrical grids. Traditional grid defense relies on brute-force resistive dissipation (surge grounding) or mechanical circuit disruption, resulting in substantial thermal waste and equipment degradation.

By applying the principles of the Dimensionally Extended Holographic Projection (DEHP) model—specifically the conservation of wave-amplitude velocity via localized horizontal vector shifting—we introduce a particle-free, fluid-dynamic alternative to pulsed-power management. We replace passive grounding infrastructure with an active Resonant Buffer Tank utilizing a high-frequency inductive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) fluid ring.

Incoming high-velocity kinetic …

Evaluation Of Music Education Implementation Under The Merdeka Curriculum At The Junior Secondary School Level In Tanggamus Regency, Andrean Pramudyo, Kun Setyaning Astuti

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Music education in Indonesian junior high schools often faces persistent structural challenges, particularly in regions where the implementation of Kurikulum Merdeka remains uneven and under-evaluated. This study evaluates the implementation of Music Education under Kurikulum Merdeka at state junior high schools in Tanggamus Regency, Lampung Province. Stufflebeam's (1966) CIPP evaluation model, encompassing Context, Input, Process, and Product components, was employed within a quantitative descriptive-evaluative design. Data were collected simultaneously using three instruments: a primary questionnaire and two supplementary instruments comprising structured observation sheets and documentation analysis sheets. Respondents included 6 school principals and curriculum vice-principals, 10 Music Education teachers, and …

Dabrafenib-Induced Cutaneous Eruptions In A Patient With Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis, Jaanvi Mehta, Julianna Tolotta, Eleanor Matthews, Daniel Joffe, Safiyyah Bhatti, Lauren Banner, Jenna Mandel, Molly Wallace, Timothy G. Webster, Jason B. Lee, Neda Nikbakht

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare malignancy marked by clonal proliferation of Langerhans cells, with BRAF V600E mutations identified in over 50% of the cases. BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi), such as dabrafenib, have shown efficacy in treating BRAF V600E-mutant LCH. However, BRAFi therapy is associated with cutaneous adverse effects, including the development of new melanocytic nevi, verrucae, and keratinocyte carcinoma (KC). This case report describes a 78-year-old woman with BRAF V600E-mutant LCH who developed multiple dermatologic side effects following dabrafenib salvage therapy. Seven weeks into treatment, the patient presented with eruptive palmoplantar nevi, verrucae, and a basal cell carcinoma (BCC). …

A Chorus Of Voices: Student And Teacher Shared Dialogical Experiences And Insights, Jennifer Anne Reynolds

Theses and Dissertations

Dialogue is inherently tied to learning, but as a secondary English Language Arts (ELA) classroom teacher it can be difficult to facilitate classroom dialogue that provides authentic learning opportunities for every student. I wanted to learn more about the student experience, so I implemented an action research study to increase my understanding of how students learn through dialogue. My research question was: How does collaborative languaging, to facilitate student-teacher interaction, lead to improved classroom mediation, authentic learning, dialogue, and development? I conducted transformative action research in my classroom, focusing on students enrolled in my general English 10 classes. In an …

Testing Elicitors Of Homologous Jadr2 Proteins To Regulate Natural Product Production, Carzon J. Williams, Emilee A. Patterson, Allison S. Walker

SPARK Symposium Presentations

The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has and will contribute to global economic and public health concerns in the foreseeable future leading into 2050. As mortality rates derived from AMR are projected to reach 10 million if no viable solution is found to combat it through hastened drug discovery. The use of natural products to mitigate AMRs effects is viable as more than 50% of FDA approved drugs are natural products. These natural products are synthesized by biosynthetic gene clusters (BGC), found in bacteria with a regulatory protein not allowing transcription until unbound . Current methods of eliciting the …

Leadership In Higher Education Amid Demographic Shifts: Implications Of Campus Event Management, Marrissa J. Williams

M.S. in Leadership

This study focuses on how demographic shifts within higher education have influenced leadership practices, specifically within enrollment management and campus event programming. As student populations become increasingly diverse, institutions are challenged to change their recruitment, engagement, and support strategies to meet the needs of first-generation, low-income, and non-traditional learners. The research explores the role of leadership in shaping these responses, with a focus on how decisions related to admissions events, like campus visits, outreach initiatives, and multicultural programming, have contributed to student engagement and enrollment outcomes. Using a qualitative approach grounded in the analysis of peer-reviewed articles and case studies, …

Efficient Edge Implementation Of Midasnet For Real-Time Depth Estimation In Indoor Robotics, Muhammed Yasi̇n Adiyaman, İsmai̇l Fai̇k Başkaya

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Real-time depth estimation is crucial in many vision-related tasks, including autonomous driving, 3D reconstruction, robotics, and simultaneous localization and mapping. In recent years, many methods have been proposed to solve depth maps from images by utilizing different modality setups like monocular vision, binocular vision, or sensor fusion. However, for real-time deployment on edge devices, complex methods are not suitable due to latency constraints and limited computation capacity. For edge implementation, models should be simple, minimal in size, and hardware-friendly. Considering these factors, we implemented MiDaSNet, which works on the simplest setup of monocular vision and utilizes hardware-friendly convolutional neural network-based …

Comparable Outcomes, Divergent Learning Pathways: Comparing Metacognitive Reflection And Practice Problems In Organic Chemistry, Jitendra D. Belani

College of Life Sciences Faculty Papers

Organic Chemistry I presents significant challenges for students, requiring both conceptual understanding and effective study strategies. Two commonly used approaches to support learning are structured practice problems and metacognitive reflection activities; however, these strategies are rarely compared directly within the same course context. In this study, students enrolled in a postbaccalaureate Organic Chemistry I course (n = 31) were randomly assigned to one of two low-stakes interventions: weekly practice problem sets or structured reflection surveys focused on study strategies. Student performance was evaluated using three midterm examinations, a cumulative final exam, and overall course grades, along with measures of participation. …

Unveiling The Diversity Within Salvia Caespitosa Sensu Lato (Lamiaceae): Three New “Hidden” Endemic Species From Türkiye​, Ferhat Celep, Musa Doğan, Gali̇p Akaydin, Ahmet Kahraman, Ersi̇n Karabacak, Ömer Çeçen, Meti̇n Armağan, Chun-Lei Xiang, Bryan T. Drew

Turkish Journal of Botany

Documenting species, particularly those that are threatened or endangered, is fundamental to biodiversity conservation. However, many taxa remain scientifically unrecognized, being either undiscovered or unpublished. While some plants can be easily recognized as new species, other identifications are obscured by morphological, taxonomic, and nomenclatural complexity. Detecting cryptic or “hidden” species is therefore essential to understanding biodiversity and plant evolution. Our revisionary studies on Salvia demonstrate that the morphologically complex Salvia caespitosa is not a single species but instead comprises at least four distinct species, three with narrow distributions. This conclusion is supported by integrative evidence from extensive field studies, herbarium …

A New Species Of The Genus Heracleum From Türkiye: H. Papilionaceum (Apiaceae: Tordyliaea​), Mehmet Sağiroğlu, Mardiya Sabdani̇, Bariş Bani̇, Hayri̇ Duman

Turkish Journal of Botany

A new species, Heracleumpapilionaceum (Apiaceae: Tordylieae), is described and illustrated from the Elmacık Mountains, Bolu Province, northwestern Türkiye. Morphological studies and phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ribosomal (nr)DNA Internal Transcribed Spacer sequences placed the new species close to H. apiifolium and H. munzurense. Comparative morphological and fruit anatomical data, images, and a distribution map are provided. An International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List assessment is also presented, supporting its classification as Critically Endangered.

Evolutionary Neural Architecture Search: A Survey, Ferda Nur Özçeli̇k, Mehmet Önder Efe

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) have achieved remarkable success across diverse machine learning applications, yet designing effective architectures remains a laborious, expert-driven process. Neural Architecture Search (NAS) was introduced to automate this process, with Evolutionary NAS (ENAS) emerging as one of the most effective and widely adopted NAS paradigms. This survey provides a comprehensive and systematic review of 164 ENAS studies published between 2020 and 2024, categorized according to the specific evolutionary algorithm employed as the search strategy. Unlike prior surveys—which either treat evolutionary methods at a high level or focus on general NAS pipelines—this study is, to the best of …