Digital Commons Network^™

Call Off The Dogs: Rethinking Sniffer Dog Searches In Canadian Criminal Law, Sara Gordon

All Faculty Publications

The Supreme Court of Canada has repeatedly held that police sniffer dog searches are Charter-compliant based on a low standard of reasonable suspicion because they are minimally intrusive, narrowly targeted, and can be highly accurate. Since the Court last considered their constitutionality, however, extensive empirical research has fundamentally challenged assumptions about the reliability and accuracy of police sniffer dogs, as well as the harm to individuals subjected to these searches. Moreover, the phenomenon of handler cueing can operate to transmit a police officer’s unconscious biases—even those they would consciously reject—to their dogs, further reducing accuracy and leading to false alerts …

Native American Law Explainer, Kincaid Brown

Law Librarian Scholarship

Native American tribes are the original sovereign peoples of the lands that now comprise the United States, with histories, governments, and cultures that predate the founding of the nation by thousands of years. Long before European colonization, hundreds of distinct tribal nations exercised independent political authority over their territories. Although the United States entered hundreds of treaties recognizing tribes as distinct political entities, federal Indian policy evolved over time through periods of treaty-making, forced removal, allotment, assimilation, termination, and, since the 1970s, tribal self-determination. The legal relationship between tribes and the federal government is grounded in the U.S. Constitution, as …

Social Justice In The Implementation Of Section 504 Accommodation Plans For High School Students In Low-Socioeconomic Situations, Jonas Asamoah Boateng

Educational and Organizational Learning and Leadership Dissertations

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was designed to eliminate disability-based discrimination in federally funded educational institutions. However, its practical application remains inconsistent, often resulting in systemic inequities for students in low-socioeconomic situations. This dissertation study critically examines how social justice issues manifest in the implementation of Section 504 plans for high school students in low-socioeconomic situations and was conducted in one school district located within Washington State. The study is grounded in an integrated framework comprised of the Social Justice Approach, Disability Justice Framework, Critical Race Theory and Dis/ability Critical Race Studies (DisCrit), and Transformative Leadership Theory. …

Use Of Generative Ai In Scholarly Research: Challenges And Opportunities, Marco Marabelli, Robert M. Davison, Giovanni Gatti, Ankita Srivastava, Monideepa Tarafdar

Computer Information Systems Faculty Publications

The focus of this panel report is to present evidence of a panel discussion that took place in October 2025 on the use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) in academic research and publishing. The panel included publishers (Elsevier, Emerald, Gailot Press, MIT Press, Nature/Springer, Wiley) and editors in chief (representing the Information Systems Journal, Journal of the AIS, Journal of Data Science and ICES Journal of Marine Science). Key outcomes of the panel are the following: 1) publishers and editors have some disagreements regarding GAI use; 2) besides disagreements, all recognize that GAI is here to stay, therefore outstanding issues …

First-Generation Medical School Applicants: A Quantitative Study Designed To Identify Areas Of Educational Support, Bethsabe Romero, Amanda K. Burbage

EVMS School of Health Professions Faculty Publications

First-generation (First Gen) students are unique medical school applicants. Due to their lived experience, they approach patient care by prioritizing trust, comfort and understanding. They have proven ability to overcome obstacles and were found to be more resilient than their continuing generation (Cont Gen) peers. Despite these notable attributes, they face unique challenges in gaining medical school acceptance. There are very few quantitative studies examining this student subpopulation, and our study identifies characteristics of first-generation medical school applicants while highlighting areas of needed support. This cross-sectional study used deidentified Application and Matriculating Student Questionnaire survey data that was obtained from …

Computational Modeling And Machine Learning For The Design Of Polymer-Based Protective Systems Under Dynamic Loading, Jonathan Tate Villada

Open Access Dissertations

Computational modeling and machine learning offer powerful pathways for designing polymer-based protective systems subjected to dynamic loading, particularly for mitigating the early shock-dominated response generated by near-field underwater explosions (UNDEX). As naval, offshore, and submerged infrastructure systems continue to grow in strategic importance, there is an increasing need for lightweight, damage-tolerant protective solutions capable of reducing transmitted pressure, deformation, and energy transfer under extreme impulsive environments. Since large-scale experimental testing under such conditions are costly and limited, validated numerical frameworks provide an efficient means to evaluate polymeric coatings, architected metastructures, and data-driven predictive tools across broad design spaces. The first …

Generating Template Banks For Intermediate Duration Gravitational Waves, Michael St. Pierre

Open Access Dissertations

There are a multitude of astrophysical sources which carry the potential to produce perturbations in spacetime, known as gravitational waves, across a wide spectrum of frequencies. Over the brief history of gravitational wave astronomy, short-duration “chirp” signals emitted from black hole mergers, highly energetic “burst” signals emitted from supernovae and Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs), and long duration “continuous” signals emitted from galactic neutron stars and the stochastic gravitational wave background have traditionally been at the forefront of search development, leaving a class of intermediate duration  ($10² - 10⁴ seconds) gravitational wave signals poorly suited for detection. The conventional way …

Submesoscale Dynamics Of Phytoplankton And Carbon Export Revealed By High-Resolution Airborne And Satellite Remote Sensing Of Currents And Ocean Color, Sarah E. Lang

Open Access Dissertations

Satellites and airborne sensors reveal submesoscale (1 - 10 km) variability in ocean color in the form of filaments, eddies, and patches. The variability in ocean color is closely tied to the physical dynamics that restructure phytoplankton distributions and drive active biological responses like changes in primary productivity and community structure. As the base of the marine food web and a key component of the biological carbon pump, phytoplankton are crucial to the overall health of marine ecosystems and to the ocean's role in climate. This dissertation focuses on the use of airborne and satellite remote sensing to study the …

Proof-Of-Concept Development And Preclinical Evaluation Of A Microarray Patch Platform For Codelivery Of Multiple Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies For Hiv Prevention, M. Melissa Peet, Vivek Agrahari, Parbeen Singh, Lam Luong Hoai Nguyen, Louise A. Ouattara, Eun Sung Yang, Carolina Herrera, Amarendra Pegu, Theodore C. Pierson, Thanh D. Nguyen, Gustavo F. Doncel

CONRAD Publications

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) are advancing as a preventative or treatment option for HIV infection, but currently must be administered parenterally, typically as a large injection or infusion, an invasive method of delivery, especially for the pediatric population. Here, we present proof-of-concept data on a minimally invasive microneedle (MN) patch platform codelivering three bnAbs, PGT121, VRC07-523LS, and PGDM1400LS, from separate MN patch units or pixels. Each 1 cm² patch pixel, fabricated via solvent casting, contained ∼2 mg of one bnAb. In ex vivo porcine skin tests, the MNs effectively penetrated the skin. When tested in vitro in PBS buffer, MNs …

Proof-Of-Concept Development And Preclinical Evaluation Of A Microarray Patch Platform For Codelivery Of Multiple Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies For Hiv Prevention, M. Melissa Peet, Vivek Agrahari, Parbeen Singh, Lam Luong Hoai Nguyen, Louise A. Ouattara, Eun Sung Yang, Carolina Herrera, Amarendra Pegu, Theodore C. Pierson, Thanh D. Nguyen, Gustavo F. Doncel

CONRAD Publications

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) are advancing as a preventative or treatment option for HIV infection, but currently must be administered parenterally, typically as a large injection or infusion, an invasive method of delivery, especially for the pediatric population. Here, we present proof-of-concept data on a minimally invasive microneedle (MN) patch platform codelivering three bnAbs, PGT121, VRC07-523LS, and PGDM1400LS, from separate MN patch units or pixels. Each 1 cm² patch pixel, fabricated via solvent casting, contained similar to 2 mg of one bnAb. In ex vivo porcine skin tests, the MNs effectively penetrated the skin. When tested in vitro in PBS …

Antiviral Activity And Mucosal Safety Of Novel Human-Milk-Inspired Antimicrobial Peptides, Nazita Yousefieh, Louise A. Ouattara, Maimoona Bhutta, Ishita M. Shah, Carolina Herrera, Gustavo F. Doncel

CONRAD Publications

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major global health concern, with over one million new curable cases reported daily and limited long-term treatment options. Additionally, there are limited treatment options for women with bacterial vaginosis (BV), a dysbiotic condition predisposing them to STIs. Computationally designed human-milk-inspired antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising candidates for novel antiviral and antibacterial therapies. This study evaluated the cervicovaginal mucosal safety and antiviral activity of three human-milk-inspired AMPs (MAT-006, UCD-MAT-001, and UCD-MAT-002) previously shown to exhibit antimicrobial activity against BV-causing pathogens. Methods: AMP cytotoxicity and inflammatory responses were assessed in relevant genital tract cell lines …

Predicting Oral Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Efficacy In Cisgender Women Across Pregnancy And Postpartum, Yifan Yu, Kristina M. Brooks, Gustavo F. Doncel, Brookie M. Best, Mark A. Marzinke, Mark Mirochnick, Peter L. Anderson, Landon Myer, Connie Celum, Renee Heffron, Jenell Coleman, Dvora L. Joseph Davey, Lanxin Zhang, Max Von Kleist, Craig W. Hendrix, Jeremiah D. Momper, Robert Bies, Rachel K. Scott

CONRAD Publications

Cisgender women face an increased risk of HIV acquisition during pregnancy and postpartum. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (F/TDF) is recommended in pregnancy despite limited published pharmacokinetic (PK) and efficacy data during pregnancy. Altered PK during pregnancy may reduce prophylactic efficacy and necessitate higher adherence. Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is a newer tenofovir prodrug with higher tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) exposure in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), but the prophylactic efficacy of F/TAF across different reproductive stages in women is understudied. We adapted a multiscale modeling framework to predict the prophylactic efficacy of F/TDF and F/TAF across …

Review Of Human Body Decomposition, Alexander Curry

Nebraska Anthropologist

Review of Human Body Decomposition (2016) by Jarvis Hayman and Marc Oxenham.

Review Of Plundered Skulls And Stolen Spirits: Inside The Fight To Reclaim Native America's Culture, Christine Parker

Nebraska Anthropologist

Review of Plundered Skulls and Stolen Spirits: Inside the Fight to Reclaim Native America's Culture (2018) by Chip Colwell.

Interpreting Anti-Boycott Laws In The Shadow Of The First Amendment, Joseph A. Tomain

Articles by Maurer Faculty

Thirty-eight states have enacted “anti-BDS” laws. These laws require people or entities doing business with the state to certify that they do not participate in the Boycott Divestment Sanction movement against Israel. Typically, these laws define boycott as a “refusal to deal, terminating business, or other actions” that limit commercial relations with Israel or Israeli entities. It is highly contested in the courts and commentary whether these anti-boycott laws violate the First Amendment. Assuming arguendo that the “refusal to deal” and “terminating business” clauses do not implicate the First Amendment, that leaves the residual clause. At least one court and …

The Impacts Of Experiential Learning On Moral Development, Jacob Tyler Greenfield

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Burnout remains a widely studied phenomenon in the healthcare literature, with much of the focus placed on reactive mitigation strategies that lack meaningful engagement with moral development. Healthcare education programs rarely incorporate formal learning experiences that promote moral development as a means of addressing burnout symptoms. This qualitative single case study examined how health professions students describe the impact of experiential learning on their moral development. Participants engaged in adapted photovoice methods, focus groups, and interviews to reflect on how serving as a Project MUSHROOM student leader influenced their morality. Four themes emerged: 1) recognizing bias and the need to …

Trust, Literacy, And Choice: Exploring How Taxpayers Decide Between Self-Preparation And Professional Assistance, Bethany Jo Elam

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Each year, taxpayers must decide whether to self-prepare their tax return or hire a tax professional. While the decline in paper filing has made electronic filing the standard, the ease of access to both DIY tax software and tax professionals allows taxpayers to switch between these options each year if they wish. While previous research has focused on tangible predictors such as cost and accuracy, psychological factors, such as trust, remain largely unexplored in the modern tax-filing environment. This study investigates the relationship among perceived tax literacy among taxpayers, various dimensions of trust, and the intention to use tax software. …

Interpersonal Dark Side Of Impostor Thoughts: Predicting Workplace Ostracism Via Surface Acting And Cognitive Dissonance, And The Moderating Role Of Self-Leadership, Asiye Zeytonli

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation investigates the "interpersonal dark side" of workplace impostor thoughts

(WIT), exploring how the internal experience of feeling like a professional fraud translates into

the social exclusion of colleagues through defensive ostracism. While prior literature has

extensively documented the intrapersonal distress associated with the impostor phenomenon,

such as anxiety and burnout this research addresses a critical gap by examining how these

internal states drive behaviors that harm the organizational social fabric. Drawing upon an

integration of Conservation of Resources (COR) theory and Cognitive Dissonance Theory

(CDT), I propose and test a dual-pathway model. The first pathway (COR) suggests that …

Understanding Housing Market Adjustment: Evidence From Population Shocks, Regulation, And Monetary Policy, Michael Tyler Duncan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation studies how housing markets adjust to demographic shocks, local regulation, and macroeconomic policy through three related essays. Chapter 1 develops a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model and panel VECM evidence to study how population volatility affects housing prices, rents, and construction. It finds that population shocks generate strong price responses across housing markets and more pronounced effects in tight housing markets and declining regions. Chapter 2 examines local rental registry policies using county-level difference-in-differences analysis and finds limited aggregate effects but meaningful heterogeneity across treatment intensity and market segments. Chapter 3 revisits the macro-housing VAR literature on …

Multi-Grade Deep Learning, Yuesheng Xu

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Deep learning requires solving a nonconvex optimization problem of a large size to learn a deep neural network (DNN). The current deep learning model is of a single-grade, that is, it trains a DNN end-to-end, by solving a single nonconvex optimization problem. When the layer number of the neural network is large, it is computationally challenging to carry out such a task efficiently. The complexity of the task comes from learning all weight matrices and bias vectors from one single nonconvex optimization problem of a large size. Inspired by the human education process which arranges learning in grades, we …

A New Functional Setting For Term Structure Modeling Using The Health-Jarrow-Morton Framework, Michael Pokojovy, Ebenezer Nkum, Thomas M. Fullerton Jr.

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

The well-known Heath–Jarrow–Morton (HJM) framework provides a universal and efficacious instrument for modeling the stochastic evolution of an entire yield curve by explaining the interest rate dynamics in continuous time under no-arbitrage conditions. Existing implementations involve exponentially weighted function spaces as theoretical settings for the former stochastic evolution. While the choice of weight can have a drastic effect on model calibration and subsequent forecasting, it cannot be estimated from market data and does not allow for any objective interpretation. The proposed approach does not have this shortcoming as it adopts a suitably designed unweighted function space. The HJM equation is …

The Mercury 2026

The Mercury

No abstract provided.

Gettysburg Historical Journal 2026

The Gettysburg Historical Journal

Complete issue of the Gettysburg Historical Journal 2026

Front Matter

The Gettysburg Historical Journal

Front matter of the Gettysburg Historical Journal 2026

Welfare Litigation, State Courts, And Social Citizenship, Andrew Hammond

Articles by Maurer Faculty

For half a century, federal courts have stood at the center of welfare rights enforcement. That era is ending. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s historic cuts to Medicaid and SNAP will generate an avalanche of benefit terminations, work requirement sanctions, and overpayment actions from state agencies. And with a federal judiciary increasingly hostile to the private enforcement of public law, state courts will become not just a concurrent forum for welfare litigation, but an increasingly important one. Understanding how state courts have handled welfare litigation over the past three decades, then, is essential to anticipating what comes next. This …

Statistical Abstract, Fiscal Year 2026, Tennessee. Department Of Correction

Annual Statistical Abstract

This document is the annual statistical report for the Tennessee Department of Correction during the fiscal year.

Letter From The Editors, Madeleine G. Ulman, Marcella Zimmer

The Gettysburg Historical Journal

We are proud to present the twenty-fifth edition of The Gettysburg Historical Journal. The journal embodies the History Department’s dedication to diverse learning and excellence in academics. Each year, the journal publishes the top student work in a range of topics across the spectrum of academic disciplines with different methodological approaches to the study of history. This year, The Gettysburg Historical Journal received a plethora of submissions from both Gettysburg College students and other students around the country. The works accepted this semester focus on the diverse relationships between individuals and the state throughout history, spanning from the western frontier …

Little Better Than One Of The Savages, Michael J. Aaron

The Gettysburg Historical Journal

Western Pennsylvania was one of the earliest frontiers in US history, but is often overlooked and oversimplified. The frontier just west of the Appalachian Mountains was a complicated place of settler and Native American interaction, varied permanent settlement, and wilderness. The journal and letters of Major Ebenezer Denny show a complicated frontier of danger, wilderness, and chaos that is often not seen within historical views of the region. Through Denny and other Western Pennsylvania settlers, this paper complicates the common view of the Western Pennsylvania as a simply and quickly colonized region by showing the area as an unsettled frontier …

Soviet Sympathies On-Screen: Cinema As A Cultural Apparatus In The Stalinist Era, Anne E. Bolenbaugh

The Gettysburg Historical Journal

The Stalinist era of the Soviet Union (1924-1956) is marked by its incredible pace of forced industrialization, extreme cultural repression, and an atmosphere of immense fear and paranoia, resulting in the Great Terror. Among the various mechanisms to enforce the state program, cinema offers a unique insight into specific state ideologies at key points in Stalin’s regime. By examining the three key phases of the Stalinist era consisting of his initial years, the Second World War, and the years of High Stalinism, it is possible to trace notable shifts in the Soviet authority’s approach to cinema as a propagandistically advantageous …

Certifying Widowhood: Lizzie Booth And The Making Of Black Widow Pension Entitlement During The Civil War, Michael B. Cox Ii

The Gettysburg Historical Journal

This article argues that Mary Elizabeth Wayt Lanning Booth, most commonly known as Lizzie Booth, played a decisive and underrecognized role in securing pension rights for Black widows during the Civil War. In the wake of her husband’s death at the Fort Pillow Massacre in 1864, Booth personally lobbied President Abraham Lincoln and Senator Charles Sumner for pension reform, catalyzing the passage of the Supplemental Pension Act. This reform permitted formerly enslaved women—whose marriages had been deemed extralegal—to prove their unions through eyewitness testimony and access federal benefits. Drawing primarily on pension files, the article demonstrates that while the Act …