Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Intimate Partner Relationship Satisfaction Among Women Who Have Experienced Discrimination And Childhood Trauma, Rachel L. Gaglio

Dissertations

Objective: Connections may exist between intimate partner relationship satisfaction outcomes and experiences of childhood trauma and discrimination among women. The majority of existing research highlights individual trauma impacting relationship satisfaction that includes military experience, childhood trauma, domestic violence, and sexual assault, yet there is a gap in research which expands on both childhood trauma and discrimination endured among women in relation to intimate partner relationship satisfaction outcomes, as they relate to intimacy and closeness and resolving conflict and arguments. The present study explored the links between childhood trauma and discrimination experienced by women and their connection in intimate partner relationship …

Beyond Pedagogical Inertia: Understanding And Overcoming The Barriers To Effective Faculty Work In Higher Education, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Learning, Teaching, & Researching Optimization

Academic faculty are among the most educated professionals in the world. Yet a striking body of empirical research demonstrates that they face profound, systematic barriers to performing their own work effectively—barriers that are cognitive, institutional, cultural, and structural in origin. This paper extends the analysis of “pedagogical inertia” beyond the classroom to the full scope of faculty professional life: research, writing, service, advising, and self-directed learning. Drawing on evidence from organizational psychology, cognitive neuroscience, higher education research, and behavioral science, we identify six classes of barriers that consistently impede effective faculty work, and we analyze—with reference to documented successful cases—the …

A Systematic Literature Review On Data-Efficient And Adaptive Learning Techniques For Encrypted Traffic Classification Under Modern Protocols, Muntakimur Rahaman, Azwan Mahmud, Azlan Abd Aziz, Osama M. S. Abujawa, Ji-Jian Chin

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Recent studies suggest that few-shot and zero-shot learning methods, drawing on meta-learning, self-supervised approaches and metric-learning ideas, can classify encrypted traffic (TLS 1.3 and QUIC) with competitive accuracy across different protocol conditions. This systematic literature review (SLR) investigates 22 studies selected from an initial pool of 500 papers using PRISMA 2020, focusing on current methodologies for non-stationary network traffic classification, with particular attention to few-shot, zero-shot, and meta-learning approaches. The research addresses four questions: (1) Which approaches have been employed for non-stationary network traffic classification and threat detection? (2) How do hybrid or cross-domain models improve adaptation, detection and overall …

The Ecotoxicological Impact Of Polystyrene On Lissachatina Fulica: A Study Of Growth,  Pedal Mucus Histological Changes, And Protein Mucus Analysis, Atin Supiyani, Wasmen Manalu, Lina Noviyanti Sutardi, Mawar Subangkit, Andriyanto Andriyanto

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Lissachatina fulica mucin can be used as a nutraceutical agent depending on the  quality of their feed. Polystyrene (PS) waste harms soil and plants consumed by  snails, potentially affecting the quality of mucin production. This study investigated  the impact of PS on growth and mucus-producing cell characteristics as well as the  network pharmacology of mucin protein components. Fifty 5–6 cm L. fulica snails  (20–24 g) were fed organic waste (OW) and organic waste with PS (OWPS). After 28  days of ad libitum access to food, the snails’ mucus, meat, and shells were  collected and weighed. Tissue samples from the anterior …

The Echo: May 18, 2026, Taylor University

2025-2026 (Volume 113)

No abstract provided.

Uneven Ranks: Geographic Deepening Of The All-Volunteer Force, Christine Hogestyn

Master in Public Policy Theses

Who is enlisting in Fiscal Year 2025, and what state-level characteristics are associated with military enlistment rates, service selection, and recruit quality? This study documents the geographic landscape of U.S. military accessions during a period of recruiting recovery, filling a gap in the literature by providing a current, empirical description of who enlists and from where in today’s All-Volunteer Force. Drawing on personnel data from the Department of War, the U.S. Census and Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates, and a federal dataset of military installations, I analyze 203,987 new accessions across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps from …

Silicon Rivalry: Understanding The U.S.-China Ai Competition In Southeast Asia, Daniel Christopher Kent

Master in Public Policy Theses

In the rising global strategic competition between China and the United States, artificial intelligence (AI) has taken on a special significance given its potentially transformative impact upon economics and security. Yet while the dialogue around the “AI race” is typically centered on foundational model capability enhancement, application in security contexts, and chip design and manufacturing, there is much less attention paid to its impact on geopolitics. In particular, AI diplomacy—the work of a state to spread its model of AI governance, evangelize its AI companies, and develop critical AI interdependencies and linkages around the world—is far less studied. Nowhere is …

Global Health Financing Of Diagonal Interventions: Building Resilient And Sustainable Health Systems In Sub-Saharan Africa, Lucy Kim

Master in Public Policy Theses

Background: Global health financing has historically prioritized disease-specific “vertical” programs over broader “horizontal” strengthening of general health systems. Vertical programs in HIV have led to unprecedented reductions in mortality worldwide, but HIV remains a significant public health threat in sub-Saharan Africa, where vertical strategies have long been criticized for creating fragmented health systems. In response, global health strategies have shifted towards combining vertical investments with broader horizontal activities, commonly referred to as “diagonal” programming. While evidence suggests that diagonal programming has the potential to create more resilient and sustainable health systems, evaluating its value for money is challenging due to …

The Digital Rentier State: Saudi Arabia, George Ngoh

Master in Public Policy Theses

As artificial intelligence reshapes Great Power Competition, control over digital infrastructure has become a key measure of global hegemony. In this context, Saudi Arabia is using its Vision 2030 strategy to pivot from traditional hydrocarbon reliance toward diversification into the AI and emerging technology sector, seeking to secure a position of power in an increasingly multipolar world.

This thesis analyzes whether Saudi Arabia’s AI investments signal a transition away from traditional resource rentierism or the creation of a new digital rentier model. Through primary and secondary research, this study argues that the Kingdom is establishing a sustainable pathway toward a …

Beyond The Ban: Chhaupadi Abolition And The Governance Of Menstrual Autonomy In Western Nepal, Nikita Paudel

Master in Public Policy Theses

This thesis examines how two decades of efforts to abolish chhaupadi have shaped the everyday conditions under which women and girls experience menstruation in western Nepal. Chhaupadi, commonly understood as menstrual seclusion, has been addressed through Supreme Court directives, national policy, criminal law, municipal implementation instruments, hut demolition campaigns, public health programming, and rights-based advocacy. Yet the practice has persisted, adapted, and in some cases moved into less visible spaces. Rather than treating this as a simple gap between law and practice, this thesis asks how abolition efforts themselves have become part of the regulatory regime through which menstruation is …

Models, Agency, And Expectations: A Mixed-Methods Study Of How Character Develops In Middle School, Aaron J. Schwindt

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This explanatory sequential mixed-methods study investigated how character develops among middle school students at an international school recognized as a "National School of Character." Despite significant investment in character education (CE), a lack of formal evaluation exists, particularly regarding the process of development during the critical middle school years, a period of intense neurological and social change. Grounded in Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), this study aimed to (1) understand how character develops, (2) compare development before and after program enhancements, and (3) assess the program's impact on discipline. Phase 1 collected Character Growth Index (CGI) survey data from students …

Dna Strand Breaks By Small Molecules: From Genomic Hazard To Therapeutic Strategy, Clerin John

Honors Scholar Theses

DNA strand breaks are among the most critical forms of genomic damage, arising from endogenous metabolic activity, environmental stress, radiation, and diverse chemical agents. Single-strand breaks and double-strand breaks contribute to genome instability, mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and neurodegenerative disorders. Cells rely on DNA repair pathways to detect these breaks and initiate repair. In this review, we conducted a comprehensive literature review to systematically compile and examine the mechanisms underlying small-molecule-induced DNA strand breaks. This review highlights the underlying mechanisms by which these molecules interact with DNA and trigger damage. We further discussed the current methods used for detection and quantification of …

Breaking Down Barriers To Pediatric Respite Care Use, Michelle Montanez

Group: Northern Arizona University School of Nursing, DNP Doctoral Papers

Parents of children with a life-limiting illness provide constant, around-the-clock care, often leaving little time for their well-being. This responsibility is emotionally, mentally, and physically demanding, and without proper support, parents face increased risk of depression, burnout, and deteriorating health. Respite services offer relief by providing a much-needed break and allowing parents the opportunity for self-care and improved well-being. Though the benefits of respite are well documented, these services remain underutilized due to barriers such as limited provider awareness, lack of access, and emotional challenges the parents face. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aims to address these barriers …

Discharge Preparedness Assessment Using The Path-S Tool With Stroke Patient Caregivers, Sue B. Pugh

Group: Samford University Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing

Background of Project:

• Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States.
• Caregivers are a vital component to successful discharge.
• Inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF) are designed to prepare individuals and their caregivers for the transition to home.
• IRF’s measure their success using post discharge surveys.
• The IRF involved in this project measured discharge preparedness against a benchmark score.
• A low score of 3.03/5.0 with a benchmark of 3.4/5.0 resulted in the creation of a key performance initiative regarding discharge preparedness. 

The purpose of this project is to utilize an evidence-based tool in the assessment of stroke caregiver preparedness …

Optimization And Energy Efficiency Analysis Of An Automatic Feed Mixer With A Rotating Drum Mechanism, Kris Witono, Talifatim Machfuroh, Nurlia Pramita Sari, Lisa Agustriyana, Aini Lostari

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

Energy-efficient feed mixer machines are important for improving the productivity and sustainability of small and medium-scale livestock farms. Previous studies primarily focused on either structural performance or mixing efficiency, with limited studies integrating both aspects. Therefore, this study evaluated an automatic rotating-drum feed mixer by combining Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis and energy modeling. The study used FEM simulations for different materials, namely A36 steel alloy, stainless steel 304, aluminium 6061, and galvanized steel, with thicknesses of 3 mm and 4 mm, as well as different drum systems. The FEM results showed that all evaluated materials met the minimum safety …

Serum-Derived Albumin As A Cryoprotective Agent For The Long-Term Storage Of Red Blood Cells: A Preliminary Examination, Thomas Bailey-Schmidt, Christine V Saunders, Chloë E George, Thomas G Scorer, Lynn M R Mccallum, Tracey E Madgett

School of Biomedical Sciences

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation extends the shelf life of red blood cells (RBC) from weeks to years, offering major advantages for blood banking logistics, especially in remote environments. However, current glycerol-based methods, though effective, are limited in scope due to complex post-thaw washing and incompatibility with routine clinical workflows. This study evaluated plasma-derived albumin as a potential alternative cryoprotective agent (CPA) for human RBC.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Donor-derived RBC were suspended in 25% w/v bovine serum albumin (BSA) prepared in various diluents and tested for biocompatibility and cryoprotective efficacy under rapid freezing (immersion in liquid nitrogen) and gradual freezing with storage …

Assessment Of The Bioremediation Potentials Of Biosurfactant-Producing Bacterial Strains Recovered From Spent Engine Oil-Contaminated Environments In Southwest Nigeria, Nafisa Mohammed Babayola, Nasiru Bright Lecky, Chinweizu Obioma Onumaegbu, Olufunmiso Olusola Olajuyigbe, Martins Ajibade Adefisoye

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Environmental pollution from hydrocarbons and their derivatives is predominantly of anthropogenic origin, occurring mainly during mining, transportation, and storage. This often in an annual release of substantial amounts of pollutants into the environment. The effective restoration of petroleum-contaminated environments requires a series of interventions to remediate soil to its natural state. This study aimed to isolate and characterize biosurfactant-producing bacterial strains with potential bioremediation capabilities to assess the potential application for remediating soils polluted with spent engine oil in the Remo district, Ogun State. Bacterial isolates were recovered from soil samples collected from spent engine oil contaminated sites, using standard …

Ndls Communicator: Week Of 05.18.26, Notre Dame Law School

NDLS Communicator

The Latest News

• Commencement Features
• Notre Dame Law graduate Garrett Hofmann selected for FASPE Ethics Fellowship
• Syl and Vicki Schieber Make Generous Gift to Support Death Penalty Abolition Week at Notre Dame Law School for Five Years

Student News

• Perla Khattar, J.S.D. candidate

Faculty Briefs

• Susan Azyndar
• Msgr. John Paul Kimes
• James Seckinger
• Barry Cushman
• G. Marcus Cole
• Carter Snead
• Nicole Garnett & 3L, Jimmy Murphy
• Roger Alford
• Paul Miller
• Diane Desierto
• Frederick Mostert & Alexandria Noble '26 J.D.
• G. Robert Blakey

Events

• All Staff Meeting

Around the Watercooler

• Kresge Law Library Celebrates 40th Anniversary as a participant in the …

Supported Storytelling Through The ‘Life Threads’ Approach For Family Members After Traumatic Brain Injury: “We've Been Through All Of This Trauma, And You're Giving Me Some String?, Alyson Norman

School of Psychology

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) brings inevitable and significant changes for family members, yet there is little to relieve their trauma, resolve their grief, or prevent ongoingsuffering. The aim of this qualitative pre-feasibility study was to understand theclinical potential of storytelling for families after TBI using the ‘Life Threads’ approach(LTA). An in-depth inductive qualitative design was adopted within an interpretivist paradigm. Following informed consent, participants took part in an online focusgroup, then engaged with the LTA over four weeks before completing an unstructured, in-person interview. A final focus group explored participants’ reflections on theLTA. A purposive sample of 20 family members …

A Practical Survival Guide For New Faculty, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

This guide was written for faculty who are new to academic life — or who sometimes feel like they are drowning in it. You will not find technical jargon here. What you will find are honest descriptions of the traps most academics fall into, and clear, practical suggestions for getting out of them. Everything here is based on real research with real faculty — but you do not need to know the research to use the advice. Treat it as a menu: try what sounds useful, skip what does not fit your situation, and come back to it as your …

Unquaint Pigs’ Stakeholder Perspectives On Wild Swine In Central Western Florida, Tyler Koerner

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Anthropocene presents important questions for how to address the continuous transferal of new species into new spaces and the cascading impacts of environmental transformations. Novel ecosystems present one such outline for conservation that acknowledges the modification of historic ecosystems and the social entanglements that arrive with new species. I argue that novel ecosystems can benefit from further anthropological integrations that aid in describing the entanglements of introduced species and the pursuit of best managerial outcomes. For wild swine in Florida, the adoption of a novel approach is especially relevant because of entanglements with historic and modern Floridian stakeholders and …

The Impact Of Microvascular Fluorescence Angiography (Mfa) On Healing And Outcomes Of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Patients Following Lower Extremity Amputations Complicated By Flap Ischemia, Gaurav Narula, Benjamin Banks, Prashan Gunasekera, Dawn Wankowski, David Boulware, Sarah Riutta, Laurie Gesell

Aurora GME

No abstract provided.

Spontaneous Isolated Celiac Artery Dissection - A Case Report, Marina Takawy, Yousef Waly, Mohanad Shehadeh, Mostafa Najim, Richard Alweis

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Introduction: Spontaneous isolated celiac artery dissection (SICAD) is a rare condition, with an unpredictable natural history. It typically affects middle aged men with risk factors including hypertension and smoking. It can remain asymptomatic, and for many patients is detected as an incidental finding. The increasing number of reported cases over the past decade has been attributed to advances in imaging modalities. Management strategies vary depending on presentation. Case presentation: We describe a case of SICAD with atypical demographics. A 77-year-old female with no smoking history presented with progressively worsening abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed an isolated celiac artery dissection. She …

Toxoplasmosis-Associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome In A Patient With Newly Diagnosed Hiv/Aids, Shivam Singh, Divya Samat Md, Viraj Shah, Kelly Brenan-Rothschild, Anthony Donato

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Background: Cerebral toxoplasmosis is a common cause of central nervous system (CNS) lesions in advanced HIV, and initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) can precipitate immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). Toxoplasma-related IRIS is rare but poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Case Presentation: We report a 40-year-old male with advanced HIV (CD4 <35 cells/mm3, viral load 540,000 copies/mL) who initially presented with seizures and multiple ring-enhancing supratentorial lesions. Serology and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmedToxoplasma gondii, and he was treated with high-dose sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, dexamethasone, and ART. A lymph node biopsy revealed granulomatous inflammation with intracellularHistoplasmaspecies. One month later, following brief interruption of anti-toxoplasma therapy, he developed recurrent seizures and radiographic progression despite ART adherence. Repeat evaluation excluded other infections or malignancy. Brain biopsy confirmedT. gondii, and IRIS was diagnosed. The patient improved with re-initiation of high-dose anti-toxoplasma therapy, corticosteroids, and seizure prophylaxis. Discussion: This case illustrates paradoxical toxoplasmosis-associated IRIS in the context of advanced HIV and concurrent opportunistic infection. Early recognition, exclusion of alternative diagnoses, and continuation of ART with targeted antimicrobial therapy are essential. Conclusion: Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for IRIS in HIV patients with CNS …

Ultrasound-Guided Epidural Caudal Block For Lumbar Spinal Stenosis In A Patient With Severe Scoliosis: A Case Report, Theresia Chandra Tania Novy, Daniel Hadimartana, Maria Jessica Yaputri

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Background: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common degenerative condition in the elderly characterized by narrowing of the spinal canal that leads to neural compression and symptoms such as low back pain, neurogenic claudication, and sensory disturbances. LSS may coexist with degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS), which can further complicate clinical presentation and management. While surgical treatment is often considered for severe cases, nonsurgical interventions remain important treatment options, particularly for elderly patients with comorbidities. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 69-year-old male presenting with chronic low back pain for more than two years, accompanied by radiating pain, numbness, …

Appendiceal Neuroendocrine Tumor: A Case Report, Daniel Zipfel, Thomas Russo, Mathew Devine

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare neoplasms that most commonly occur in the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and pancreas but may arise anywhere where there are neuroendocrine cells within the body. When neuroendocrine tumors metastasize to the liver, patients present with carcinoid syndrome, a group of symptoms characterized by flushing, diarrhea, and right-sided heart disease. However, many NETs do not cause carcinoid syndrome, sometimes leading to a unique clinical presentation. Patients may present with symptoms of appendicitis, ovarian torsion, or be completely asymptomatic. We report a case of a 25-year-old male with a Grade 1 neuroendocrine tumor of the appendix, who underwent …

Checkpoint Inhibitor–Associated Autoimmune Diabetes Following Pd-1 Blockade: Severe Diabetic Ketoacidosis After Pembrolizumab, Divya Samat, Osadebamwen Osaghae, Shivam Singh, Mohammad Abu Tineh, Anthony Donato

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed cancer therapy by enhancing antitumor T-cell activity through blockade of inhibitory pathways including programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1). Loss of immune tolerance can lead to immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including endocrine toxicities. Checkpoint inhibitor–associated autoimmune diabetes (CIADM) is rare but clinically significant because it often presents abruptly with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and profound insulin deficiency. We describe an 81-year-old male with stage III clear-cell renal cell carcinoma who developed abrupt-onset autoimmune diabetes 8 weeks after initiating adjuvant pembrolizumab. The patient presented with severe hyperglycemia and high anion-gap metabolic acidosis …

Intravenous Phenytoin-Induced Purple Glove Syndrome With Transient Hyperpigmentation: A Rare Adverse Drug Reaction In An Elderly Patient, Aarthi Ma, Revanth R

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Background: Purple Glove Syndrome (PGS) is an uncommon but potentially serious adverse effect of intravenous (IV) phenytoin, characterized by limb pain, swelling, and purple-blue discoloration near the injection site. Although self-limiting in most cases, it can progress to ischemia or necrosis. Case Presentation: A 68-year-old male with a prior cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and coronary artery disease (CAD) was admitted for seizure management. He received IV phenytoin 100 mg thrice daily. By the evening of Day 1, he developed pain, edema, and purplish discoloration at the right wrist, followed by hyperpigmentation on the left palm and right-hand nails. IV …

Invasive Non-Typhoidal Salmonella Enterocolitis And Bacteraemia With Negative Initial Stool Culture Following Consumption Of ``Ceviche''- A Case Report, Maria Vasnaik, Nimrat Kaur Sandhu, Justin Nistico

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Salmonellosis is a global public health concern, mainly presenting with non-specific signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal illness associated with the consumption of contaminated chicken, meat, eggs, unpasteurized milk, raw fruits and vegetables irrigated with fecally contaminated water. While non-typhoidal serotypes are known to cause mild, self-resolving symptoms, typhoidal serotypes such as Salmonella typhi and paratyphi may present with severe symptoms, including hyperpyrexia, bloody stools, osteomyelitis, and other symptoms. Such diseases are relatively uncommon in developed countries due to improved hygiene practices and are most often related to travel to endemic countries. Although vaccination against the disease has been recommended for …

A Case Of Reversible Acute Kidney Injury And Life-Threatening Gastrointestinal Bleed With Colitis In A Patient Receiving Tucatinib For Her2-Positive Breast Cancer, Geetha Keshav, Shanzae Naeem, Jalila Jafri

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

This case report describes the complex clinical course of a 73-year-old female with HER2-positive breast cancer enrolled in the CompassHER2 RD trial who developed acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring emergent hemodialysis shortly after initiation of tucatinib. In addition to severe renal dysfunction, the patient experienced a life-threatening lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleed in the setting of suspected drug-induced colitis and profound thrombocytopenia while receiving combination therapy with trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1). Although tucatinib has demonstrated promising efficacy in improving outcomes for patients with high-risk HER2-positive disease, serious renal and gastrointestinal complications remain uncommon and underreported. This case underscores the importance of early …