Digital Commons Network^™

Disc: Decentralized Identity System With Self-Sovereign Credential Aggregation, Yang Yang, Wai Keung Ching, Minming Huang, Supachate Innet, Guomin Yang, Hwee Hwa Pang, Robert H. Deng

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The evolution of decentralized identity (DID) and self-sovereign identity (SSI) frameworks, as endorsed by W3C Verifiable Credentials (VC) and eIDAS 2.0, underscores the need for secure, efficient, and privacy-preserving credential management. However, existing credential systems often depend on centralized issuers, lack efficient aggregation mechanisms, or fail to ensure unlinkability across authentication sessions. To address these challenges, we propose DISC (Decentralized Identity System with Self-Sovereign Credential Aggregation), a novel credential system that enables multi-authority credential issuance, user-controlled credential aggregation, and unlinkable authentication. DISC allows users to aggregate credentials from multiple issuers while maintaining constant-size authentication tokens and supporting batch verification for …

Towards Goal-Oriented Intelligent Tutoring Systems In Online Education, Yang Deng, Zifeng Ren, An Zhang, Tat-Seng Chua

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Interactive Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITSs) enhance the learning experience in online education byfostering effective learning through interactive problem-solving. However, many current ITS models do notfully incorporate proactive engagement strategies that optimize educational resources through thoughtfulplanning and assessment. In this work, we propose a novel and practical task of Goal-oriented IntelligentTutoring Systems (GITS), designed to help students achieve proficiency in specific concepts through a tailoredsequence of exercises and evaluations. We introduce a novel graph-based reinforcement learning framework,named Planning-Assessment-Interaction (PAI), to tackle the challenges of goal-oriented policy learningwithin GITS. This framework utilizes cognitive structure information to refine state representation andguide the selection …

Micronuclei As A Marker Of Genotoxicity In An Urban Songbird., Elise Mittlestat

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

A rise in industry and vehicle emissions in the last 20 years has led to an increase in exposure to air pollution. Air pollution has been identified as a major threat to both human and animal health and it has been linked to elevated oxidative stress. One of the most severe consequences of oxidative stress is genotoxic damage. Birds have been identified as promising sentinels for human health, but the effects of air pollution on genotoxicity in birds is understudied. In this study, I evaluated the association between air pollution and markers of genotoxicity in American Robins (Turdus migratorius) to …

Active Galactic Nuclie In Diverse Galactic Environments, Divya A. Patel

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

We examine how the presence of active galactic nuclei (AGN) correlates with location in large-scale cosmic structures using the Galaxy and Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey across the G09, G12, and G15 fields. Our sample contains 18,927, 9,273, and 1,148 galaxies {with} highly dense filaments, moderately dense tendrils, and highly underdense voids, respectively. AGN galaxies were identified using Baldwin-Phillips-Telverich (BPT) diagnostic diagrams based on [NII], [SII], and [OI]. We compare AGN fractions in filament, tendril, and void regions, and as a function of distance from the nearest filament centerline. Our results reveal a mild excess in filament compared to void, when …

Odor Concentration Matters: How Odor Concentration Guides Consummatory Behavior And Formation Of Odor-Taste Associations In Rats, Dinna N. Ferreira

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Taste concentration is a key determinant of palatability. For example, higher concentrations of sucrose, a sweet taste, are typically preferred to lower ones, whereas the opposite is true for citric acid, a sour taste. Yet taste is not the only determinant of food preference. Flavor arises from the integration of taste and olfactory cues, and repeated exposure to odor-taste combinations can lead odors to acquire the hedonic value of their associated taste. However, the contribution of odor concentration, independent of taste, in guiding consummatory behavior is not well understood.

To address this, we conducted two experiments using a two-bottle brief-access …

Front Matter, North Carolina Journal Of Law & Technology

North Carolina Journal of Law & Technology

No abstract provided.

Take It Down Or Take It Too Far? The Legal Fallout Of New Online Takedown Powers, Taylor Greeno

North Carolina Journal of Law & Technology

No abstract provided.

Code As Counselor: How Robo-Will Platforms Are Productizing Estate Planning Services, John Speirs

North Carolina Journal of Law & Technology

No abstract provided.

Piggy Banks To Paychecks: Ensuring Child Content Creators' Protection Against Financial Exploitation By Parents And Guardians, Spencer S. Vora

North Carolina Journal of Law & Technology

No abstract provided.

2026 Georgia Library Association Election Results, John Mack Freeman, Casey Wallace

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.

Legal Realignment, Richard Re

University of Chicago Law Review

The United States is undergoing a legal realignment, in that salient legal views recently associated with the right are now being espoused by the left, and vice versa. The clearest example involves Chevron deference: a doctrine once championed by conservatives like Justice Antonin Scalia has now been overruled in Loper Bright v. Raimondo—over dissenting votes by all three of the Court’s liberals. Similar points can be made about standing, stare decisis, textualism, positivism, and more. The basic reason for this transformation is straightforward: legal ideologies in power favor discretion, whereas those out of power favor constraint. Conservatives now firmly control …

Communication Monographs Fall 2025 Newsletter, Shannon Burth, Srividya Ramasubramanian

CODE^SHIFT Research

No abstract provided.

The Progression Of Deinstitutionalization And Its Effects On The American South: A Judicial Analysis Of 20th-Century United States Supreme Court Decisions, Eva-Marie V. Jones

Honors College Theses

This thesis explores the effects of four landmark Supreme Court cases on the deinstitutionalization movement in the American south. Previous literature frequently discusses the legislative implications of this era; however, no law is applicable without the interpretation and application of the judiciary, which so often contextualizes the greater public perspective. Rarely has an analysis of judicial decisions involving psychiatric care merged with regional focus, and certainly not in a format accessible to the average individual.

From unmarked graves to abandoned infrastructure, the legacy of historic psychiatric care in the United States has been largely obscured – yet its consequences continue …

Consumers Stabilize Grassland Ecosystem Functions By Destabilizing Belowground Communities Under Abiotic Stress, Jane M. Lucas, Michelle L. Budny, Nathan P. Lemoine

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Consumers play a critical role in mediating plant and ecosystem responses to abiotic stress, yet their influence on belowground processes under changing environmental conditions remains underexplored. Insect consumers are vital components of grassland ecosystems that can shape ecosystem function and stability by mitigating how plant and microbial communities respond to abiotic stress, like drought. This study investigates how small-bodied consumers influence the magnitude and stability of grassland belowground functions across gradients of abiotic stress. We conducted a fully factorial field experiment manipulating consumer presence and induced drought over a growing season. Our results reveal that the presence of consumers stabilizes …

Do Sports Develop Leadership? The Impact Of College Varsity Sports On Leadership Capacity And Self-Efficacy, Benjamin Correia-Harker, Lindsey M. Clark, Jacob J. Capin

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction: Effective leadership in sports is associated with better team functioning, physical and psychosocial wellbeing, and reduced incidence of severe injuries. In spite of widespread anecdotal support, few studies have empirically evaluated leadership development in athletes. The purpose of this study was to investigate socially responsible leadership capacity and self-efficacy in college varsity athletes and determine the impact of competitive sports participation on leadership capacity and self-efficacy. We hypothesized that college varsity athletes would (1) exhibit greater leadership capacity and self-efficacy than nonathletes and (2) demonstrate greater growth in leadership capacity and self-efficacy than nonathletes.

Methods: The Multi-Institutional Study of …

Book Review - Board-Shareholder Dialogue: Policy Debate, Legal Constraints And Best Practices Edited By Luca Enriques And Giovanni Strampelli, Cambridge, Cup, 2024, 574 Pp., £130.00 (Hardback) Isbn: 9781009360760, Martin Petrin

Articles & Book Chapters

No abstract provided.

What Doesn’T Kill You, Makes You Stronger, Michelle C. Dziurgot

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The editorial describes the significant damage caused to a dental office in August 2025 by an "all-out power surge" resulting from a direct lightning strike, which fried equipment including dental chairs, computers, and HVAC. This forced the practice to close and reschedule patients. The experience highlighted the critical importance of having property and business interruption insurance through MDA Insurance to cover physical damages and lost scheduled procedures. Dentists are advised to install surge protectors at their fuse boxes, review their policies, document all damage with photos and receipts, and advocate aggressively for timely claim payments to ensure the practice is …

The New Professional: Evaluating A Practice Purchase: Guidance For The First-Time Buyer, Amrita Patel Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This guidance for first-time dental practice buyers stresses that evaluating a practice involves more than just the price tag, encompassing financials, people, culture, and potential growth. Buyers must analyze at least three years of financial statements, paying close attention to collection trends, accounts receivable, overhead, net income, and the mix of insurance plans. Patient loyalty is critical; buyers must assess the number of "active" patients (seen in the last 18–24 months) and recognize that attrition may occur if loyalty was tied strongly to the selling doctor. Inheriting experienced, welcoming staff and a positive office culture is crucial for success. Practical …

Staff Matters: My Dental Assistant Asked For A Work Accommodation — What Are My Obligations?, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This column addresses an employer's obligations when a dental assistant requests an accommodation for a medical condition that makes prolonged standing difficult. Both the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, for 15+ employees) and the Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act (PDCRA, for 1+ employee) mandate providing a "reasonable accommodation" unless it poses an "undue hardship". The employer must initiate the "interactive process"—a good-faith dialogue—to identify the employee's limitations and explore feasible accommodations. Medical documentation can be requested to substantiate the need. Examples of reasonable adjustments include providing a stool, offering schedule flexibility, or reassigning non-essential duties. Undue hardship …

Mda Services: 4 Reasons To Call In The Embezzlement Protection And Investigation Professionals, Reva Darling

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

With over 50% of dentists experiencing embezzlement, often due to over-trusting staff with financial tasks, the MDA endorses Prosperident for protection and investigation. Four reasons to seek their help include: inheriting an office manager who knows more about the practice management software than the new owner; financial reports showing income is lower than expected based on patient volume; identifying "red flags" such as an employee refusing vacation or cross-training; and needing proactive strategies to protect cash flow. The average loss is about $109,000. Prosperident offers a $1,500 "First Look" service to covertly review records and identify anomalies, providing evidence needed …

Fisheries Research Report No. 355: Recreational Fishing For Western Rock Lobster In 2024/25: Estimates Of Participation, Effort And Catch, Claire B. Smallwood, Karina L. Ryan, Alissa Tate

Fisheries Research Reports

The Western Rock Lobster (WRL) (Panulirus cygnus) is the most commonly caught Rock Lobster (RL) species in Australia. Catches from the commercial and recreational sectors are required to determine and monitor Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC), Total Allowable Recreational Catch (TARC) and the proportion of Allowable Harvest Level (AHL) achieved. The TARC is evaluated annually based on a 5-year average.

Data for the recreational sector are obtained using phone-recall surveys to provide annual estimates of participation, fishing effort and retained catch (by numbers) from recreational fishers who hold a RL licence. Average weight, obtained from boat ramp surveys, are used …

Small For Gestational Age Subgroups Have Differential Morbidity, Growth, And Neurodevelopment At Age 2: The Interbio-21st Newborn Study, Aris Papageorghiou, María Restrepo-Méndez, Rose Mcgready, Fernando Barros, Francois Nosten, Shama Munim, R. Ochieng, Rachel Craik, Hellen Barsosio, James Berkley

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

BACKGROUND: Small for gestational age is a complex perinatal syndrome associated with increased neonatal morbidity, mortality, and impaired childhood growth and neurodevelopment. Current classifications rely primarily on birthweight, which does not capture the heterogeneity of the condition nor predict long-term health outcomes. Here we aim to identify and characterize distinct small for gestational age subgroups and assess their neonatal and early childhood health trajectories.

OBJECTIVE: To refine the classification of small for gestational age by identifying subgroups based on maternal, fetal, and environmental factors and evaluating their associations with neonatal morbidity, growth, and neurodevelopment at age 2.

STUDY …

A Cross-National Study Of Female Fertility Intention And Family Welfare Policies In China And South Korea, Jingshuang Gao

SOC 605 Comparative Social Policy Research Project - Student Works

Against the backdrop of chronically low fertility rates in China and South Korea, this study investigates the relationship between female fertility intentions and family welfare policies in these two East Asian societies. It aims to identify the multidimensional challenges women face, analyze the disjuncture between existing fertility support policies and women's fundamental needs, and propose pathways for policy optimization. Employing a mixed-methods approach including online observation, critical discourse analysis of policy texts, and small-scale semi-structured interviews, the research reveals that women's fertility intentions are constrained by physiological risks, economic pressures, the cultural expectations of "motherhood," and conflicts with personal development. …

Proceedings Of The Global Conference On Business And Economics, Bhuvan Unhelkar, Valentina Della Corte, Cihan Cobanoglu, Mehmet Erdem

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

This is the third volume of the Global Conference on Business and Economics Proceedings Series. This volume also includes papers presented at the Global Conference on Technology & AI in Hospitality and Tourism.

Local Injection Of Particles For Retinoic Acid Drug Delivery Improves Muscle Structure And Modulates Inflammation In Mice Recovering From Cast Immobilization, Candice V. Cheung, Regina A. Searcy, Kidochukwu J. Atube, Nicholas A. Colonna, Kelsey E. Krusen, Kate J. Cappage, Khufu M. Holly, R. Paul Ward Pratz, Jessie H. Fournier, Vitali Sikirzhytski Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Disuse muscle atrophy secondary to acute illness or injury prolongs recovery and increases risk of permanent disability as a result of reduced muscle strength and myofiber damage upon reambulation. However, there are no pharmacotherapies to support muscle growth and repair following prolonged immobility. We propose that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) may support recovery of atrophied muscle via modulation of satellite cells and macrophages. Clinical application of ATRA is hindered by solubility, stability, and the need for high systemic doses. Therefore, in the current study, we developed poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) particles for local injection and extended release of ATRA (ATRA-PLG) and investigated …

Bridgewater Review Volume 43 Number 2 2025

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

The Helsinki Accords Turned Fifty. How Should We Celebrate It?, Paul Rubinson

Bridgewater Review

In 2023, Lech Walesa spoke at BSU. More than anything else that night, I remember the ovation. The cheering lasted so long that at one point Walesa slowly checked his watch, as if to ask How long will this go on? Walesa is probably one of the few human beings who merits such adulation. His stubborn defiance in organizing non-communist trade unions eventually forced his government to concede and recognize them in the Gdansk agreement of 1980. A Nobel Peace Prize followed in 1983, and he was elected Polish president in free elections in 1990.

Graphic Design For Visual Narratives: The Semiotics Of Diegetic Retrofuturism, Brooke Luke Ballard

Theses

While semiotics, diegesis, and retrofuturism have all been discussed at length in academia, it is uncommon to find the synthesis of all three. When these concepts are combined, it forms what I argue is a new genre of graphic design now prevalent enough in contemporary media to warrant definition and analysis. This thesis first explores the theories of visual semiotics, narrative diegesis, and retrofuturistic aesthetics individually before uniting them as a new design genre. Several candidates for this design classification will then be examined in case studies that meet the criteria of 1) containing a visual language that a modern …

Does A Ceo Turnover Lead To A Cfo Turnover? Evidence From Voluntary And Forced Turnover, Bakhtear Talukdar, Sabur Mollah, Suchismita Mishra, Junhong Yang

Management Faculty Publications

The role of CFO has become increasingly important since the enactment of SOX 2002. The existing literature suggests that CFOs tend to leave office within 6 to 12 months of a CEO’s departure, but studies addressing whether forced and voluntary turnover behave differently are unexplored. There is also no attempt to explore whether financial performance or institutional shareholding play moderating roles in mitigating successive CFO and CEO turnovers. These scholars find that forced (voluntary) CEO turnover has a higher significant marginal effect on forced (voluntary) CFO turnover. They also find that, in general, higher financial performance and institutional ownership play …

From The Editor, Ashley T. Hoffman

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.