Digital Commons Network^™

Mental Health Implications Of Substance Use Among Queer College Students, Samia L. Neeley

McNair Scholars Research Journal

Studies reveal that sexual minorities are at greater risk for tobacco and nicotine use (Harlow et al., 2023). In addition, experiences with discrimination and harassment are related to substance use in queer adults (Blackwell & López Castillo, 2020). Building on previous research, this study aims to investigate the relationship between substance use, mental health, and sexual/gender identity among queer college students. We asked undergraduate students (anticipated N = 100) to report their alcohol, e-cigarette, and cannabis use as well as depression and anxiety symptoms. We anticipate that queer students will report greater substance use and greater mental health challenges than …

The Energy Consumption Of Artificial Intelligence And Sustainable Strategies For Reducing Its Environmental Impact, Haley M. Johnson

McNair Scholars Research Journal

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is swiftly transforming the world, yet its environmental impact is often unknown. Training AI models, deploying AI models, and storing large volumes of AI’s data in data centers all contribute to both positive and negative environmental outcomes. While many studies highlight the benefits of AI, there are also a few that address how AI’s widespread use results in unsustainable environmental impacts. This literature review investigates the negative environmental impacts of AI, including environmental degradation, increased energy consumption, and carbon emissions. From the rise of unpredictable weather and natural disasters, to the melting of icebergs, the impact of …

Differential Effects Of Amiloride And Benzamil On Salt Taste Physiology And Behavior: The Case For Phasic Responses In The Generation Of Sodium Appetite, Amyra M. Issa

McNair Scholars Research Journal

The current experiment aims to investigate the relationship between the early phasic portion of salt taste transduction and sodium appetite. Prior research has identified two salt transduction pathways: a sodium-selective pathway, which is inhibited by amiloride or benzamil, and a non-selective pathway, which is insensitive to these blockers (Breslin & Spector, 2008). When presented with sodium solutions, sodium-depleted mice exhibit a behavior termed the “sodium appetite,” which results in voracious sodium consumption. The prevailing theory is that this behavior depends on neural activity of sodium-selective neurons (Breza & Contreras, 2012; Roitman & Bernstein, 1999). While previous studies have demonstrated that …

Contrasting Disparities Between Desi Populations And The Michigan Healthcare System In The Metro Detroit Atrea, Ramin Areeb

McNair Scholars Research Journal

This study investigated the healthcare disparities experienced by the Desi population (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepali, etc.), ages 18 and higher, in the Metro Detroit area. Despite the ever-growing population of South Asian communities in the United States, research on their interactions with Michigan healthcare remained very limited. The lack of consistent reports, population-specific studies, and overall popularity of the discussion proves this. Using a survey-based methodology, this study collected accounts from participants regarding their healthcare experiences, perceived inequities, and barriers to accessing high-quality medical services. The data then underwent a thematic review to identify recurring patterns, including issues …

Introduction, Kimberly J. Brown Ph.D., Brandie Bentley, Ph.D., Msw

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Front Materials

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

A Smart Contract Framework For Project Financing In Gold Mining Operations: Implications For Improved Financial Forecasting, Silvia Lydia Priskilla, Mohammed Ali Berawi, Mustika Sari Dr.

Smart City

Gold mining projects are characterized by high capital intensity and significant operational variability, making financial forecasting particularly sensitive to the quality and timing of cash-flow data. In practice, conventional financing systems rely on multi-stage administrative processes that create delays between work completion and payment realization, reducing the reliability of financial records used for investment evaluation.

This study aims to develop a smart contract-based financing framework to improve the accuracy of profitability projections in gold mining projects. A case study approach is employed using operational and financial data from a mining project in Sumatra over the period 2023–2026. The analysis combines …

To What Extent Could Quantum Computing Pose A Threat To Global Modern Data Security?, Aniket Maheshwari

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Quantum computing has emerged as a transformative technology with the potential to fundamentally disrupt modern cryptographic systems that underpin global data security. This paper examines the extent to which quantum computing could pose a threat to modern global data security by synthesising existing technical, institutional, and policy-oriented literature. Drawing on a narrative review of scholarly research, industry reports, and government frameworks, the analysis focuses on the implications of quantum algorithms such as Shor’s and Grover’s, which challenge the mathematical foundations of widely used cryptographic schemes. The findings suggest that while quantum computing presents a credible long-term threat to asymmetric encryption …

Using Galex Uv Excess To Search For Metal-Poor Halo Stars, Chase L. Smith, Maxwell Moe, Megan Frank, Raven Cilley, Javier Fregoso, Alexander Gleason, Grace Nelson, Et Al.

Michigan Tech Publications

Metal-poor solar-type stars display a significant reduction in metal-line blanketing at short wavelengths, leading to an excess of near-ultraviolet (NUV) flux compared to their metal-rich counterparts. We utilize Galaxy Evolution Explorer Satellite (GALEX) NUV and Gaia DR3 photometry along with ground-based spectroscopy to establish a correlation between NUV excess and [Fe/H]. We construct a sample of 492 solar-type (F5-G9) halo stars with NUV excess and measured metallicities. We perform our own observations with the KOSMOS spectrograph at Apache Point Observatory’s 3.5 m telescope to measure the abundances of 13 halo stars, 11 of which did not have previous metallicity measurements. …

Long-Term Monitoring Of The Optical Performance Of The Primary Mirrors At The Coihueco And Loma Amarilla Sites Of The Pierre Auger Observatory, A. Abdul Halim, P. Abreu, M. Aglietta, M. Ahmed, I. Allekotte, K. Almeida Cheminant, B. Fick, K. Nguyen, D. Nitz, Et Al.

Michigan Tech Publications

This paper presents the results of an optical performance monitoring campaign for the primary mirrors installed in fluorescence telescopes at the Coihueco and Loma Amarilla sites at the Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina. Since the end of 2003, this effort has developed into a unique long-term dataset that addresses the performance of the primary mirrors. We have focused on the scattering characteristics and specular reflectance of mirror segments, as well as their evolution over several years of operation. Despite being housed in climate-controlled buildings, dust accumulation, impurities, and natural aging — such as oxidation or other chemical or physical degradation …

An Ai Perspective On Counseling Supervision, Emily A. Brinck, James L. Soldner, Hung Jen Kuo, Scott A. Sabella, Trenton J. Landon, Charles P. Bernacchio, Elizabeth A. Boland

Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Faculty Publications

The increased use of technology-assisted distance counseling practices is one result of COVID’s impact on behavioral health, including in counselor education and the delivery of supervision. First, technology-assisted distance supervision needed for “real time” communication grew. Furthermore, there is an emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that have the potential to contribute to aspects of supervision; however, current evidence remains emerging, context-dependent, and at times mixed, warranting cautious interpretation of their effectiveness. The article offers an overview of using AI in clinical supervision, examines the benefits and potential concerns of AI from different perspectives, and considers the significance of using …

Health Management Practices In Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review Protocol, Davina Sharma, Shané J. Gill, Lizbeth Goodman, Amanda Rabinowitz, Louis N. Hunter, Reinhard Schaler, Kirby L. Wycoff

College of Health Professions Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic brain injury is increasingly recognized as a chronic condition requiring long-term rehabilitation and coordinated care beyond the acute phase. Across Europe, substantial variation exists in healthcare system organization, funding structures, and service delivery models, which may influence access to rehabilitation and long-term functional outcomes for adults with chronic moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury. The objective of this scoping review protocol is to systematically characterize systemic factors and management practices that shape rehabilitation access, continuity of care, and recovery outcomes across European healthcare systems. This review will map published evidence on health management practices influencing chronic traumatic brain injury rehabilitation …

Biologists Study Ways To Increase Food Production For Growing World, Clara Turnage

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – With the world population expected to approach 10 billion by 2050, scientists are searching for ways to feed that many people with fewer resources. A new review outlines scientific advances that could help make food production more sustainable and resilient.

Envisioning Munster Technological University As A Trauma-Sensitive University, Marie Singleton Ms, Margaret Linehan Prof, Judith Butler

Irish Journal of Academic Practice

Universities seeking to provide effective support to students should incorporate trauma-sensitive approaches to ensure services are delivered with empathy and compassion while reducing the risk of re-traumatisation. The main objective of this study was to investigate what it means to be a trauma-sensitive university and what steps are required to achieve this. The study focused on Munster Technological University (MTU) as a qualitative case study and identifies what is required to make MTU the first trauma-sensitive university in Ireland. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff across the university's six campuses. Given the limited research examining how trauma-sensitive principles can be …

Post & Lintel, 2025-2026 Edition, Preservation Eastern

Post & Lintel

No abstract provided.

High Densities Of Large Herbivores Rapidly Disrupt Ecosystem Integrity, Jennifer A Krumins

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Human-induced high densities of large wild herbivores may pose a threat to natural ecosystems, modifying biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Although the negative impacts on individual taxa and processes are well documented, a comprehensive understanding of how ecosystem integrity responds to high herbivore densities remains limited. This study addresses this gap through an extensive herbivore-density manipulation experiment conducted in two Mediterranean woodlands. We established two scenarios of high red deer (Cervus elaphus) density, representative of some protected areas (similar to 30 individuals.km(2)) and intensively managed hunting estates (similar to 90 individuals.km(2)). We monitored 38 metrics encompassing a broad spectrum of biodiversity …

An Evaluation Of The Leader In Me Program’S Influence On Time And Project Management In Secondary Pbl Classrooms, Tiffany L. Brandenburg

Education Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods evaluation examined the implementation of the Leader in Me (LIM) framework and its relationship to secondary students’ time and project management skills within project-based learning (PBL) environments. Conducted across Grades 6–12 in a public charter school district, the study analyzed teacher surveys, student reflections, classroom observations, and Measurable Results Assessment (MRA) data to evaluate perceptions and implementation patterns related to student self-management practices. Findings indicated variability in LIM implementation across classrooms and inconsistencies in how leadership and organizational practices were integrated into daily instruction. Teachers frequently reported challenges related to students’ planning, prioritization, and task management skills, while …

Millennials Will Pay The Price: Demographic Imbalance And Reform Inertia In Canada’S And Spain’S Pension Systems, Javier E. Burgos Oliva

Journal of New Finance

This paper examines how demographic imbalance and policy inertia undermine intergenerational equity in Canada’s partially funded and Spain’s pay-as-you-go pension systems. Despite structural differences, both nations transfer financial risks to Millennials and Gen Z due to aging populations, low fertility, and political resistance to reform. Using a comparative political economy framework and a stylized hyperbolic discounting model, the study shows institutional design alone cannot prevent unsustainability when incentives favor short-term gains. Policy recommendations include automatic adjustment mechanisms, independent fiscal councils, and private pension incentives.

The Other Side Of Peruvian Private Pension System, Paolo Daniel Jara

Journal of New Finance

Between 2020 and 2025, Peru's Congress authorized eight extraordinary withdrawal rounds from the Private Pension System (SPP), liquidating USD 38 billion. This paper argues that the trajectory is the empirical convergence of two analytically distinct failures. The first, from below, reflects the mismatch between the system's behavioral assumptions and a heterogeneous, predominantly informal workforce. The second, from above, reflects short-cycle electoral incentives, institutional asymmetry between Congress and the regulator, and slippery-slope dynamics. The paper proposes a reform combining free disposal of pension funds with individual fiscal responsibility, mediated by a binding waiver of the state-funded solidarity pension.

Skill-Based Occupational Connectivity And Local Labor Market Development, Xiaoyin Li, David H. Nason, Heather M. Stephens

Regional Research Institute Working Papers

Recent decades have witnessed significant economic transitions that have disrupted traditional economic activities and reshaped the labor force. Occupational connectivity, which captures how easily workers transition to other growing occupations, may be an important factor for local labor market resilience and development. Using county employment shares and a skill-based occupational matching matrix built upon O*NET data, this study explores how occupational connectivity affects local labor market outcomes. Our findings suggest that counties with higher levels of occupational connectivity are associated with better labor market outcomes and more stable population dynamics, even after accounting for local industry mix. These results highlight …

Branding, Catalogs, And Institutional Identity: The Libraries Of Edfu And Alexandria In Historical Perspective, Patrick Roughen

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This article examines library catalogs as brand artifacts in the context of two ancient libraries: the Library of Alexandria and the library of the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Egypt. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of symbolic capital and brand theory, this research argues that the catalogs of these two institutions functioned as early branding instruments. The Pinakes, the catalog of the Library of Alexandria, projected a brand of universal knowledge and intellectual prestige, and the inscribed wall catalog at Edfu reflected a brand focused on sacred authority and the sustaining of cosmic order (Ma'at).  Together, they illustrate two opposing …

Sequential Triple Treatment Of Recycled Coarse Aggregates: Mechanical, Durability, And Microstructural Performance Of Concrete With Mechanistic Insights, Ashita Singh, Boksun Kim, Harish Panghal, Sandeep Chaudhary

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

The weak interfacial transition zone (ITZ) and high porosity of recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) limit their use in structural concrete. A sequential triple-treatment: HCl chemical treatment, mechanical abrasion, and cement slurry coating, was developed to densify the ITZ. Testing 198 specimens across six mix designs (0–100% RCA), TTRCA at 25% and 50% retained 92.1% and 87.3% of compressive strength, 93.6% and 87.7% of flexural strength, and 95.6% and 89.9% of splitting tensile strength versus the NCA control. Resistivity reached 81–91% of control; shrinkageremained 8–18% above control. XRD confirmed reduced Ca(OH)2 content with enhanced C–S–H formation; SEM revealed reduced ITZ porosity. …

Quality Improvement Project The Impact Of The Interact “Stop And Watch Tool” In A Skilled Nursing Facility, Lorraine Hicks

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Avoidable hospitalizations from skilled nursing facilities (SNF) contribute to increased healthcare costs, resident distress, and adverse health outcomes. Many readmissions result from delays in identifying and communicating early signs of resident deterioration. The purpose of this project was to implement an evidence-based intervention to recognize early changes in residents’ conditions, empower nursing staff to detect and promptly communicate concerns, and impact 30-day hospital readmission rates. Problems identified included delayed recognition of early changes in residents’ conditions, fragmented staff communication, and the absence of standardized reporting practices, which were associated with preventable hospital readmissions. A quasi-experimental pre-/post-intervention design guided by Jean …

Integrating Spirituality In Management, Josep F. Mària Serrano S.J.

Journal of Management for Global Sustainability

No abstract provided.

Market Channel Preferences And Influencing Factors In The Traditional Rice Enterprise In Abra, Philippines, Kae Ann Marie P. Balingit

Journal of Management for Global Sustainability

This study examines the market channel preferences of traditional rice farmers and traders in Abra, Philippines, and identifies the socio-economic, institutional, and production factors influencing these choices. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 139 respondents through surveys and 52 qualitative interviews. Logistic regression and thematic analysis were employed to explain market behavior. Results show a strong preference for informal, direct-to-consumer channels, driven by immediate cash needs, low transaction costs, and institutional constraints. Production experience and farm scale increase the likelihood of participation in structured markets, while higher production frequency reduces it due to timing and market absorption limitations. …

Resúmenes, Iajbs Ateneo De Manila University

Journal of Management for Global Sustainability

No abstract provided.

Full Issue, Iajbs Ateneo De Manila University

Journal of Management for Global Sustainability

No abstract provided.

La Integración De La Espiritualidad En La Gestión, Josep. F. Mària Serrano S.J.

Journal of Management for Global Sustainability

No abstract provided.

[Excerpt From] A Nurse's Step-By-Step Guide To Writing A Dissertation Or Scholarly Project, Fourth Edition, Karen M. Roush

Sigma Publications: Book Excerpts

Packed with practical steps and tools, this updated fourth edition of A Nurse’s Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Dissertation or Scholarly Project will help you plan, document, organize, and write your dissertation or scholarly project. Don’t go it alone; let author and fellow dissertation survivor Karen Roush help you get from square one to DONE.

Understanding The Needs And Practices Of Cut Flower Growers In Louisiana, Jessie M. Hoover

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The specialty cut flower industry is expanding nationwide, including southeastern states such as Louisiana. Existing studies and market analyses focus on national trends of other regions with established floriculture networks, leaving a critical gap in understanding the unique challenges and opportunities faced by growers in Louisiana. This lack of data limits the ability of extension professionals, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to develop targeted strategies that support local production and market development. This study used qualitative case study methods to investigate the practices, challenges, and needs of 13 specialty cut flower growers in Louisiana. The study utilized Urie Bronfenbrenner’s (1979, 1986) …