Digital Commons Network^™

Performance Evaluation And Sustainable Benefits Of Using Metakaolin And Recycled Steel Fibers In Concrete, Lova Raju Surla, Ramprasad Naik Desavathu, Raja Murugadoss Jeyaraju

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The rapid accumulation of waste vehicle tires and the increasing demand for cement pose significant environmental challenges through land pollution and CO2 emissions. The combined use of recycled steel fibers (RSFs) recovered from waste tires and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) offers a sustainable solution to these issues. This study investigates concrete incorporating 20% fly ash (FA), varying metakaolin (MK) contents (4–16%), and RSF dosages of 0.5–1.5%. Mechanical properties (compressive, split tensile, and flexural strengths) and durability characteristics (sorptivity, water absorption, chloride permeability, and homogeneity) were evaluated at 7, 28, and 90 days. Results showed that the mixture containing 20% FA …

Climate-Responsive Design For Sustainable Construction: Passive Strategies In Domestic Architecture Supporting Sustainability, Nahed Chakouf

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

This study explores climate-responsive design in domestic architecture, focusing on the application and effectiveness of passive strategies across various climatic regions, including the UK, hot-arid, tropical, and cold climates. A qualitative comparative case study method was used to explore different passive design strategies, integration of sustainability, procurement, the coordination of stakeholders, and compliance with regulations in residential architectural projects under varying climate conditions. Drawing from a combination of historical case studies and original architectural projects, the research evaluates how spatial configuration, material selection, solar orientation, shading, ventilation, and insulation are optimized to achieve thermal comfort and energy efficiency. In temperate …

Not Two Selves But A Relational Field: A Relational Frame Theory Reading Of Gollum, Emilio R. López-Navarro

Journal of Tolkien Research

This article examines Gollum’s divided selfhood in The Lord of the Rings as a phenomenon constructed and enacted through language rather than as a simple moral or psychological split. Building on recent linguistic work on Gollum’s idiolect, it draws on Relational Frame Theory (RFT) as a descriptive framework for analyzing how speech organizes perspective, value, and action. The argument is literary rather than clinical: RFT is used not to diagnose Gollum, but to specify the verbal structures through which Tolkien renders inner conflict audible. Four relational processes are central to the analysis: deictic instability in shifts among “Sméagol,” “Gollum,” “we,” …

Case-Based Method Encyclopedia Of Maros Pangkep Geopark Through A Community Approach In Biraeng Village, Badrizal Al Hazar, Eva Nurrahmi Lukman, Muhammad Ikhsan Iccang, Nur Faizah Alim, Hervina Hervina

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The 21 st-century geography learning requires the use of contextual learning resources that are based on local potential to support deep learning. However, the availability of learning media that integrates geoparks and community knowledge is still limited. Therefore, this research and development aims to produce a community-based encyclopedia using the case-based method. It aims to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of the encyclopedia as a source of geography learning. The learning media was developed by using the Research and Development (R&D) method with the ADDIE model, which includes the stages of analysis, design, development, and implementation. The encyclopedia was developed …

Coupled-Pendulum Modeling In An Ode Class: An Assignment On Fourier-Initialized Gradient Descent In Machine Learning, Huy Truong, Andrew Bennett

CODEE Journal

As data-driven methods are increasingly used in science and engineering, students benefit from learning to integrate machine learning techniques with traditional mathematical modeling. We present a hands-on extra-credit assignment for an undergraduate ordinary differential equations (ODE) course that enables students to compare classical analytical methods with data-driven approaches on the same physical system. Using a coupled-pendulum system---two pendulums connected by a spring---with real experimental data acquired via video tracking of a real physical setup, students work through three models in a guided Jupyter notebook with all code provided. First, they fit a neural network with Fourier features as a purely …

Ai-Resistant And Ai-Resilient Assessment In Higher Education: A Systematic Review Of Validity-Grounded Strategies, Institutional Frameworks, And Equity Implications, Asrat Genet Amnie

Publications and Research

The emergence of large language models has precipitated a fun damental disruption to higher education assessment. Conventional instruments are susceptible to AI-assisted completion, threatening construct validity across disciplines and institutional contexts. When submitted work reflects AI capability rather than student competency, the inferential chain from performance to qualifica tion is invalidated – a problem of design rather than detection. This systematic review makes two contributions. First, it theorises and grounds the distinction between AI-resistant assessment, which seeks to prevent or impede AI access through containment, and AI-resilient assessment, which assesses genuine human cogni tive performance of intrinsic educational value regardless …

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

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

We study efficient dynamic mechanism design with independent private values when agents do not share a common prior over the stochastic environment. Each agent privately observes the stochastic kernel governing the evolution of her own type and may hold arbitrary beliefs about the kernels of others. We extend the agents’ type space to include the kernel itself and show that the dynamic team mechanism of Athey and Segal (2013) and the dynamic pivot mechanism of Bergemann and Välimäki (2010) implement the socially efficient allocation in periodic ex-post equilibrium. We further show that kernels can be elicited only once, at the …

Clinical Outcomes After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction With Palmaris Longus Versus Gracilis Autograft In Baseball Players: A Cohort Analysis, Michael C. Ciccotti, Brooks Martino, Frank Cautela, Nathaniel Tchangou, Daniel Kwak, Eric Didomenico, Harrison S. Fellheimer, Christopher C. Dodson, Steven B. Cohen, Michael G. Ciccotti

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction (UCLR) is a common procedure for overhead athletes, particularly baseball players sustaining partial or full UCL tears. Palmaris longus (PL) and gracilis (GR) autografts are the most frequently used graft sources, yet limited data compare clinical outcomes in baseball athletes.

PURPOSE: To compare patient-reported outcomes after UCLR with PL versus GR autografts in baseball players.

STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS: Patients who underwent isolated UCLR with either PL or GR autograft and a minimum of 2 years of follow-up were identified. All reconstructions were performed using the Modified Jobe or …

Direct Representation And Negotiorum Gestio In Scots Law, Jonathan Brown

Journal of Civil Law Studies

The Scottish Court of Session recognized, in 1887, that “it is a frequent case, if a man is not able to manage his affairs, and has a relative who is willing to take the responsibility, there are many instances in which, without their coming to the court… the management goes on with his assistance.” This being an arguably frequent occurrence has not resulted in it being a commonly litigated occurrence, and the topic of law engaged by this state of affairs—negotiorum gestio—is critically understudied within Scotland (and, arguably, other Civilian and mixed legal systems). Like Louisiana, Scotland is a ‘mixed’ …

The Creation Of Immovable Real Rights By Testament In Kosovo: A Comparative Approach, Bedri Bahtiri, Kastriote Vlahna

Journal of Civil Law Studies

The establishment of real rights over immovable property constitutes a central issue in contemporary civil law. This paper investigates whether a testament (testamentum) may function not merely as an instrument for the mortis causa transfer of existing real rights but also as a juridical title (titulus iuris) capable of constituting new real rights (constitutio iuris). The analysis emphasizes the doctrinal distinction between the transfer of ownership (translatio dominii) and the creation of rights (constitutio iuris) within the legal framework of Kosovo, further examined through a comparative lens with the German Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) and the French Code Civil.
Drawing on …

Collaboration, Coopération Et Intérêt Commun : La Fluidité De L’Exigence De Bonne Foi En Droit Égyptien Et Français Des Contrats, Rana Mohammad Safi

Journal of Civil Law Studies

Le contrat, étant la source d’obligation primordiale dans la société, a connu une évolution remarquable depuis le XIXe siècle. Créant des obligations réciproques, le contrat peut être perçu sous un prisme antagoniste, chaque contractant veillant à ses propres intérêts avant les intérêts du cocontractant. Cependant, le droit des obligations connut une émergence des devoirs contractuels, notamment avec l’introduction de la bonne foi, renforcée au cours du temps pour inclure, en plus de l’honnêteté, les devoirs d’information, de loyauté et de coopération. Certains ont même considéré que cette évolution a conduit à une « crise du contrat » affaiblissant le fondement …

Restrictions For The Modern-Day Child: Act 456, No. 162, Implementing Social Media Restrictions For Minors Under 18 In Louisiana, Elizabeth Kelone

Journal of Civil Law Studies

Student Note

Cover, Masthead & Contents

Journal of Civil Law Studies

Contents

Survey Increases Understanding Of United States Sweetpotato Producer Clean Seed Needs, Lorin Harvey, Mark Shankle, Rachael Carter, Kelsey Harvey

Journal of Extension

A needs assessment of sweetpotato producers across the United States was conducted as part of a strategic planning process to enhance the applicability of research and education. A national survey and a 2-day grant-planning workshop were also used to engage stakeholders to develop a USDA–NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative Proposal to improve and promote clean seed programs. Ninety-five U.S. sweetpotato producers completed the survey, representing more than 73,000 acres of production. Therefore, the survey respondents are estimated to account for nearly half of U.S. sweetpotato production, underscoring the importance and relevance of the results.

Development And Evaluation Of A Community-Based Water Quality Monitoring Program In Mississippi, Beth H. Baker, Lily Langstaff, Mona Dominguez, Sergio Ruiz-Cordova, Eric Sparks, Madison Gnoose

Journal of Extension

Community-based water monitoring (CBWM) programs provide mechanisms for education and water quality data collection. In this pilot program, we adapted a long-standing CBWM program from Alabama to Mississippi. We assessed the efficacy of the initial program implementation in promoting changes in knowledge, skills, and behavior of participants. Results indicated that 94% of survey respondents reported increased knowledge, 96% reported learning a new skill, and 99% reported an intention to start monitoring, but only 33% engaged in active monitoring. This evaluation summary offers data-driven strategies to expand and adopt CBWM into Extension curricula that build knowledge, skills, and capacity for community …

Financial Analysis Tool (Ct-Ft) For Western North Carolina Christmas Tree Growers, Sam Blumenfeld, Solomon Ghezehei, Justin G.A. Whitehill, Elizabeth G. Nichols

Journal of Extension

Western North Carolina is a major national Christmas tree (CT) production region, yet the CT industry faces numerous challenges that threaten its financial sustainability. Little economic research has been done, and limited decision-making tools exist to assist producers, Extension agents, and associated industry stakeholders. We developed an Excel-based financial analysis tool (CT-FT) to assist small and midsize wholesale CT producers in operational planning and financial assessment. The publicly available financial tools will enable CT growers to better understand their finances and operations, interact with financial stakeholders, assess alternative management scenarios, and track yearly costs to improve operational financial sustainability.

Adapting And Delivering An Extension Diabetes Self-Management Support Program To Serve The Hispanic Community, Camden Bryan, Samantha Kanny, Christina Dietz, Danielle Mcfall, Michelle Parisi, Michelle Stancil, Johanna Bruen, Rhonda Matthews, Windsor W Sherrill

Journal of Extension

Expanding Extension education programs to serve the Hispanic community will be important as this population continues to grow. The rate of diabetes is higher among the Hispanic population than the non-Hispanic population; however, the barriers to implementing a health education program and recruiting participants are plentiful. This paper highlights the work conducted by the Clemson Cooperative Extension Service, in partnership with organizations across South Carolina, to adapt and deliver the Health Extension for Diabetes program to the Hispanic community. It offers insights into effective strategies for program adaptation, recruitment, and delivery that agents can use to overcome barriers and increase …

Assessing Knowledge Levels And Learning Preferences Among Organic Grain Farmers And Professionals; The Experience Of The University Of Wisconsin Ograin Program, Lauren Asprooth, Claire G Stedden, Evelyn Hammond, Ayse Okur, Erin Silva

Journal of Extension

With lagging domestic supplies of organic grains, transitioning from conventional to organic grain production is needed, but can be a daunting challenge for farmers. The OGRAIN program began at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2015 to support increased organic grain production in the Midwest. We surveyed 429 OGRAIN participants to assess the most accessed resources, areas of knowledge change, and areas for program improvement. Participants highlighted the importance of networking and the need for additional marketing resources. Differences were found in programming preferences by organic farming experience. These results can improve our understanding of how to best support organic grain …

A Systematic Survey Of Brachyuran Land Crabs In The Online Tropical Aquarium Trade, Ella Xanthe Whitaker, David L. Roberts, John I. Spicer, Lucy Millicent Turner

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Globally the tropical aquatic aquarium trade is a multi-million-dollar industry. Although marine ornamental fish and invertebrates are the main focus, tropical freshwater ornamental species including invertebrates (classed by the sector as semi-aquatic, such as land crabs) are also traded. Land crabs include both brachyurans (true crabs) and anomurans (false crabs, including hermit crabs). These are sourced from wild populations and/or tank-bred for use as ornamental commodity species. This global trade is unregulated and the full extent of the brachyuran land crab trade is unknown. Land crabs are important ecosystem engineers, and collection for the tropical freshwater/semi-aquatic aquarium industry is believed …

Editorial, Olivier Moreteau

Journal of Civil Law Studies

For the first time since the pandemic, the Journal of Civil Law Studies returns to publishing two issues per year, enabling faster publication.

Revisiting The Genesis Of French Louisiana: It’S No Coincidence The Civil Code Was Adopted—We Ain’T Anglos!, Warren Perrin

Journal of Civil Law Studies

This article examines how Louisiana’s distinctive civil law tradition survived the Louisiana Purchase and became embedded in the state’s identity through the interaction of culture, migration, and political compromise. Tracing the development of French Louisiana from the Acadian diaspora to statehood, the article argues that the adoption and preservation of the civil code was not accidental, but rather the product of a deeply rooted Francophone and multicultural society resistant to Anglo-American common law traditions. The study highlights the influence of major historical figures including Thomas Jefferson, William C.C. Claiborne, Julien Poydras, Casa Calvo, and Edward Livingston, while also emphasizing the …

La Place De La Loi Dans Le Code Civil De 1804 : Regard Rétrospectif, Mustapha Mekki

Journal of Civil Law Studies

La loi était conçue en 1804 comme le modèle normatif. Elle était la reine des sources et remplissait une noble fonction pédagogique et morale. Ce constat pouvait être fait également du code civil louisianais. Avec le temps, la concurrence entre les sources, le pluralisme juridique, la globalisation, le dogme de l’efficacité, ont-ils eu raison de cette fonction modèle attribuée à la loi au début du 19e siècle ? Cette étude s’efforce d’exposer cette loi mise à l’épreuve et de présenter ce qu’il reste de ce modèle normatif dans notre paysage juridique.

Civil Code Reforms And Sources Of Law: The French And Quebec Experience Compared, Pascale Deumier, Mathieu Devinat

Journal of Civil Law Studies

Can civil codes be reformed “like any other piece of legislation?” A comparison of the French and Quebec experiences illustrates the methodological challenges that arose from civil code reform projects for the Civil Code of Québec during the last two Centuries. It also reveals the complex relationship that jurists have with “their” own civil code, in a civil law context.

The Civil Law English Terminology (Civlet), A Louisiana Gift To The World, Olivier Moreteau

Journal of Civil Law Studies

In the early 19th century, Louisiana codified its civil law in French and in English. In the 20th century, it translated French civilian doctrine and then produced its own civilian literature in English. Over time, lawmakers and translators have crafted and refined new English legal terminology suited to expressing civilian concepts, thereby setting aside common law terminology. Quebec joined the process once Canada imposed bilingualism, while other English-speaking mixed jurisdictions also contributed. This article shows how, outside the common law English terminology (COMLET), a civil law English terminology (CIVLET) is developing, and is also enriched by a comparative law English …

Digital Surveillance In Remote Work In Ukraine: Privacy And Labor Law, Olena Sereda, Olena Ye. Lutsenko, Dmytro Sirokha, Liubov Kotova, Iliana V. Zinovatna

Journal of Civil Law Studies

This study aims to examine the balance between employers’ rights to monitor employee performance and employees’ rights to privacy in the context of remote work, emphasizing the transformation of labor relations under the influence of digitalization, the COVID-19 pandemic, and martial law in Ukraine.
The research applies comparative legal analysis, synthesis, induction, and deduction to explore international experiences, particularly those of the EU and the United States, and their applicability to Ukrainian labor legislation. The methodology integrates doctrinal legal research with an interdisciplinary perspective on digital governance and employment law.
The paper reveals a significant gap in Ukrainian labor law …

Jurisprudential Approach To The Concept Of Intent In Greek Law 3869/2010 (Personal Bankruptcy) With Comparative Perspectives, Andreas-Nikolaos Koukoulis

Journal of Civil Law Studies

Under Law 3869/2010 in Greece, fraud plays a central role in determining eligibility for debt relief. The law aims to protect individuals from banking practices that have led them to over-indebtedness, except for those who know they cannot or do not wish to repay their debts. Fraud is defined as a subjective element that must be proven by the creditor, highlighting behaviors such as willful avoidance of payments despite having the means to do so. The evaluation of the debtor's actions is examined for intent, particularly considering factors such as the debtor's lack of experience or understanding. Greek courts emphasize …

Variations On Property And Power: Corporations, Absolute Dominium, And Partus Sequitur Ventrem In The 1825 Louisiana Civil Code, John A. Lovett

Journal of Civil Law Studies

Over the past year, the Louisiana legal community has celebrated the bicentennial of the 1825 Louisiana Civil Code with enthusiasm, observing its solidification of the civil law tradition in Louisiana and documenting its importance in the spread of civil law throughout the Americas. This Article focuses on three areas of the 1825 Civil Code that have generally not attracted significant scholarly attention in Louisiana but that have important socio-legal significance. 
First, the Article addresses twenty articles appearing toward the end of Book I of the Civil Code that allow, define, and regulate corporations. Even though private corporations were still rare …

Family Court Proceedings In Baton Rouge, Charlotte Chapel

Journal of Civil Law Studies

Student Note

Complete V. 18.1

Journal of Civil Law Studies

Complete Issue

Act 464 Of The 2023 Regular Session: Prohibition On Acquisition Of Immovable Property By Foreign Adversaries, Miguel Savoy

Journal of Civil Law Studies

Student Note