Digital Commons Network^™

What Copyright Can't Do, Blake E. Reid

Pepperdine Law Review

Copyright has become a powerful regulatory regime for modern American life. Copyrighted works, including text, images, video, sounds, music, and software, coupled with routine, frictionless copying, form a large part of the information, cultural and social context, and infrastructure of our increasingly digital society. Copyright law’s powerful remedies are now positioned to intervene in a wide range of everyday activities. As a result, scholars, policymakers, and advocates have increasingly called for modifying and applying U.S. copyright law to solve a wide range of public policy problems, from vindicating disability rights to protecting privacy to promoting competition among wireless carriers. But …

Troubling Trends: Ada Definition-Of-Disability Cases 2019–2023, Nicole Buonocore Porter

Pepperdine Law Review

This empirical Article continues my every-five-year tradition of examining every federal case discussing the definition of disability since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was amended, effective 2009. The results of this research from the third five-year period (2019–2023) are disappointing in both familiar and surprising ways. Similar to the 2014–2018 period, we continue to see way too many courts incorrectly applying (or not even citing to) the ADA Amendments Act. Moreover, I discovered several new troubling trends in this dataset that raise the possibility that we might be heading toward another backlash against ADA plaintiffs. This Article presents my …

Geochronology Of Pfas In Jamaica Bay Sediment Cores, Grace Capili Lira

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Sediment is a key component of aquatic ecosystems, as they provide habitats and nutrients for benthic plants and animals. This research is investigating the PFAS content in sediment cores from Jamaica Bay, New York. Using an approach of geochronology, the goal of this research is to produce a timeline displaying the concentration distribution of PFAS. This will allow the analysis of the efficacy of phasing out PFAS, as they are persistent chemicals that are extremely harmful to human and ecological health. We found that PFCA and PFSA concentrations are not decreasing, indicating there is continued environmental input.

Ecosystem Stability In The Late Cretaceous Preceding The Chicxulub Impact, Anna Gamal, Anthony Uriarte

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

The K-Pg mass extinction significantly altered the course of life on Earth— nearly 75% of all life went extinct. However, we still do not know the exact cause of this extinction event. There are two hypotheses: 1) the extinction was created solely by the Chicxulub meteor impact; 2) the global ecosystem was already in decline before the meteor. Here, we test these hypotheses using fossils from the Lance Creek Formation of Wyoming. We gathered data on taxonomic richness, abundance, evenness and compared our data to historically well-sampled sites. Continued testing on these two hypotheses will allow us to gather support …

The Highest Stakes Data Visualizations: Climate Change Data, Nabeha Sajid, Kathryn Glasgow, Shaquan Coombs

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This study examines how design elements of data visualizations affect attention and urgency toward climate change. Specifically, we focused on climate crisis data visualizations, adjusting the position of key takeaways and manipulating images to amplify the message. Our experimental conditions enabled us to show how viewers interpreted the climate data visualizations and how viewers engaged with the visualizations. In our study, we utilized eye-tracking technology to gain insights into how participants process information while observing the impact on viewer attitudes via surveys. The outcomes help us recommend the best ways to present climate change visualizations to capture viewers' attention.

Investigating The Stabilization Degree In Cold Temperatures Of The Microtubule Associated Protein Spm-1 Of The Malaria Parasite Plasmodium., Tanya Stoeva

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

The protozoan malaria parasite Plasmodium maintains its cellular shape with a network of cytoskeletal structures under its plasma membrane known as the subpellicular complex. Microtubules play a key part in this stabilizing complex. The novel microtubule inner proteins SPM-1and TrxL-1 are hypothesized to form stabilization complexes inside the microtubules for regulation and structural reinforcement. My project investigates the role of SPM-1 in microtubule stabilization by utilizing a human cell line as a model system. The results of my research will give us new insights into the adaptive mechanisms of the malaria parasite.

The Peace Trap: Corporate Behavior And Human Rights, Alexis Schnelker, Jack Blumenshine, Michael Clausen

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

How does domestic corporate behavior affect government protections of human rights? Using data on large corporate participation in the UN Global Compact, positive and negative corporate behavior (Melin 2021), and national latent human rights scores from Farriss et al. (2019) and Cingranelli et al. (2023), we examine the effects of corporate behavior on the protection of various human rights by the host state. Our findings will shed light on the opportunity for domestic corporations to affect the protection of human rights and will deepen the existing links of study between human rights attainment and the activity of the private sector.

Parents’ Risk And Protective Factors Within Immigrant Preschool Families: The Role Of Parental Experiences On Youth Socioemotional Development, Sara Gilchrist

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

While adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been extensively studied, research on positive childhood experiences (PCEs) is emerging, particularly in the context of immigrant families. This study examines the socioemotional adjustment of low-income preschoolers. We hypothesize that preschoolers’ well-being is positively associated with protective factors and negatively related to risk factors, with stronger associations among immigrant families. Preliminary findings indicate significant correlations between parents’ PCEs and preschoolers’ socioemotional competencies. Acculturation stress and negative caregiving were associated with preschoolers’ reduced well-being. Research suggests that parents’ past experiences influence socioemotional development. PCEs appear to be a protective factor for both parents and children.

#Nodapl: Victory In Defeat, Sydney Dulak

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This presentation uses Dr. Kyle Powys Whyte’s Theory of Collective Continuance to understand the historic strength of the Lakota Sioux People and, after decades of colonialism and genocide, the ironic revival of that strength despite the tribe’s 2017 ‘defeat’ over the construction and operation of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The presentation analyzes the basis of that revival using Whyte’s concepts of ‘interdependent relationships,’ ‘systems of responsibilities,’ and ‘migration strategies.’

"Conversae: The Sorbonne Cartulary And Jewish Converts Of 13th Century Paris, Andrew Ms Zero

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This mentored research project supports medieval historian Dr. Stabler-Miller’s work on 13thcentury Paris, focusing on Jewish converts to Christianity, or conversae, who were not fully accepted as Christians. Using the Sorbonne cartulary—a record of property transactions from the early 1200s to 1300s—this project examines interfaith interactions before the expulsion of Jews from France. The cartulary documents King Louis IX’s policy of housing Jewish converts on the Left Bank, contributing to the development of the Sorbonne. These first-generation converts likely received royal pensions, reflecting broader Capetian conversion efforts. By analyzing printed and manuscript sources, this project contextualizes Jewish convert life, interfaith …

Comparative Population Genetics Of Astragalus Lentiginosus And Its Toxic Fungal Endophyte, Zoe Smutko

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Astragalus L. (Leguminosae, Fabaceae) is the most species-rich plant genus in the world, with roughly 3,000 species. These “locoweeds” cause grazing animals to suffer from chronic neurological wasting disease leading to an estimated loss of 100 million dollars annually. These conditions are the result of the toxin swainsonine, which is present in certain species of Astragalus. Swainsonine is not produced by the plant but is a secondary metabolite synthesized by mutualistic fungal endophytes. However, natural swainsonine levels are variable both across and within Astragalus species causing some questions about why some Astragalus varieties exhibit this mutualism and others do not.

The Religious Organization Behind Shen Yun - Falun Gong, Ellin Liu

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Falun Gong is a religious organization that has grown in popularity throughout America. They have a reach all around the world, mostly due to their dance show, Shen Yun, which has gone on multiple world tours. But what is this religious organization, who is their founder and history, and what is their motive?

Prenatal Stress Effects On Sex Differences In Recognition Memory And Synaptic Expression Of Ampa-Type Glutamate Receptors, Rumyr Sobrepena

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Prenatal stress (PRS) increases the risk of cognitive deficits in male but not female offspring. This study investigates sex-specific effects of PRS on RNA editing, AMPA receptor expression, and dendritic spine density in the dorsal CA1 hippocampus—critical for memory. Behavioral assays revealed impaired recognition memory in PRS males only. We hypothesize that reduced RNA editing and synaptic AMPA receptor localization underlie these deficits. Through immunohistochemistry, confocal imaging, and qPCR, we will assess correlations between molecular alterations and cognition. Findings may uncover mechanisms of female resilience to PRS and identify targets for treating neurodevelopmental disorders marked by cognitive impairments.

Examining The Response Of River Discharge To Accelerated Hydrologic Cycle In High Latitude Eurasia, Eve Owens, Debjani Ghatak

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Global warming causes an increase in evapotranspiration from the surface, leading to an acceleration of the hydrologic cycle on a global scale. This is especially occurring in the Arctic over high-latitude regions of northern Eurasia. The change of Arctic climate leads to rapid sea ice loss, increased streamflow in rivers, early onset snowmelt and increased precipitation. More discharge from rivers draining into the Arctic Ocean means a stark change in the salinity of the ocean as well. Utilizing Arctic River station discharge data and surface air temperature data the recent and historical changes in Arctic River flow are examined. Using …

The Conspiracy Of All Theories, Kassidy Serek

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Most conspiracy theories are seen as a joke and are typically laughed at, but no one usually considers the real cause behind why they are made in the first place. One of the leading causes of conspiracy theories found is believed to be anxiety and/or paranoia, but does social influence have a bigger effect on them or is it mostly internal? I will be sharing findings on what possible causes are behind conspiracy theories and how do conspiracy theorists so confidently use science denial. How do these theories get so crazy and why does it tear so many people apart.

Do Individual Differences Impact How A Child Learns From Gesture?, Leah Curtis

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Gestures are hand movements that accompany speech and express information. Research suggests gestures support learning in various domains, but not all individuals benefit equally. This study examines how individual differences, such as working memory, prior knowledge, and the propensity to see gesture as meaningful, shape learning outcomes from seeing versus doing gestures to learn the concept of linear measurement. We focus on measurement because it is a pillar of early math education that many children in the U.S. struggle to master. Our results will have implications for how gesture can be used most effectively as a teaching tool.

Crisis Book Monthly Review, Anwar Shaikh Phd

Archives of Anwar Shaikh

This collection includes:

• An annotated draft chapter titled Revised chapter—Monthly Review, discussing Baran and Sweezy’s Monopoly capital (December 1985).

• An outline titled Part II: The possibilities of a state-generated solution in Sweezy’s theory, including a proposed agenda for a crisis meeting (January 24–26, 1986).

• An outline titled Outline for political section of MR (January 1986).

• Handwritten notes comparing perfect and imperfect competition theories.

• Handwritten notes titled Crisis group: Monopoly capital & Sweezy/Baran (January 15, 1981).

• A document titled An analysis of Monthly Review and Economic Notes for the RRFE by Mary Malloy.

• An annotated document titled URPE Crisis Group—Analysis of …

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Book Outline + Working Drafts, Anwar Shaikh Phd

Archives of Anwar Shaikh

This collection includes:

• Annotated working draft section on post-Marx Marxist political economy (pages 4-19)
• Handwritten notes titled New outline (October 26, 1982)
• Handwritten notes titled Prospectus
• Typed page 10 from the first draft chapter section (duplicate)
• Annotated working draft titled Ch 2 B 3 on Rudolf Hilferding's Finance capital (October 5, 1984)
• Annotated working draft titled Ch 2 B. 3 X on post-1873 Marxist political economy (September 1984)
• Annotated working draft titled Hilferding on his Finance capital, crisis theory, imperialism, and politics

The Social And Cultural Effects Of Advertising, Martijn Wolff, William E. Biernatzki S.J.

Communication Research Trends

Volume 14 (1994) Nos. 1 and 2

Legislative Policy And Measuring The Impact Of Legislations In The Uae, Alia Saif Aljabri

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This study aims to measure the current situation in the UAE in terms of applying the methodology of measuring the impact of legislation, and the extent of the necessity of establishing binding federal legislation, whether in the form of a federal law or a regulatory decision that regulates the most important legal provisions and procedural details of the process or methodology of measuring the impact of national legislation, or whether it requires re-studying the legislative cycle according to which laws and regulatory decisions are issued in the country, analyzing the processes, and introducing the process of measuring the impact of …

Sustainable Concrete Solutions For Green Infrastructure Development: A Review, Abdur Rahman Siddiqui, Rizwan Khan, Md Nazeem Akhtar

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

This review paper explores the utilization of sustainable concrete materials in the development of green infrastructure. The primary objective is to investigate various concrete solutions that enhance environmental performance while maintaining structural integrity. The study inte- grates concrete with green infrastructure elements such as permeable concrete, green roofs, vegetated systems, bioswales, and vegetated channels. These elements are essential for man- aging stormwater, reducing urban heat islands, and promoting biodiversity in urban areas. The paper also examines optimized concrete mixtures designed to improve durability and reduce carbon emissions by incorporating alternative materials like recycled aggregates and supplementary cementitious materials. Additionally, innovative …

Analyzing The Knowledge And Attitudes Of Architects In Türkiye On Circular Economy In The Built Environment, Ömer Şükrü Deniz, Zeynep Melis Oğuz

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The circular economy (CE) model offers solutions to prevent environmental and ecological degradation, aiming for sustainability. This study aims to analyze CE awareness among ar- chitects in Türkiye. A descriptive research approach was conducted using a structured survey to determine architects' awareness of CE principles and strategies in the built environment. Based on the survey data, explanatory research was undertaken to explore the relationships between variables, test the proposed hypotheses, and provide more precise insights. The study found that architects in Türkiye have a low level of knowledge about CE but demonstrate a high level of positive attitude towards CE. …

Evaluating The Use Of Eggshell Powder And Sawdust Ash As Cement Replacements In Sustainable Concrete Development, Farhan Fahad, Kaysarul Islam Bhuiyan, Faysal Montasir, Pritom Dey, Arif Arman Akash, Ajoy Kumer

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Concrete, the most widely utilized material in construction worldwide, contributes significantly to the consumption of natural resources and energy. The construction sector is a major source of waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making it essential to improve the environmental impact of concrete to address climate change and pollution concerns. Evaluating the environmental footprint of concrete is crucial for advancing sustainable building practices. Cement, a key binder in concrete, is particularly responsible for GHG emissions due to its energy-intensive production process. This study applies the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, using SimaPro software and the Ecoinvent database, to assess the …

Nature-Based Solutions For Sustainable Cities: A Review Of The State Of The Art Of Green Roof Research, Agustina Gutierrez, Vanesa Y. Bohn, Pablo Marinangeli

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The study of green roofs is an interdisciplinary field recognized for its eco-friendly roofing solutions. Green roofs offer ecological, economic, and societal benefits, making them an ef- fective way to address urbanization's negative impacts. This review explores the evolution of green roofs from ancient prototypes to modern innovations. Using the Google Scholar da- tabase, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of 50 articles to assess publication rates in the "green roof " area. Descriptive statistics were used to identify key contributors, ecosystem ser- vices, research methodologies, and spatial scales in green roof studies. Our analysis showed a rise in research on …

Environmental Risks And The Impact Of Rehabilitation On The Sustainability Of Affected Buildings In Urban Communities, Ammar Tawashi, Soleman Alamoudi, Madiha Akkash

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

This work explores how the rehabilitation sector can significantly minimize environmental risk by restoring, maintaining, strengthening, and installing practices in rehabilitation or new construction projects. The rehabilitation of affected buildings is considered an effective strat- egy to reduce the impact of pollution on the construction industry and rebuild the resilience of urban communities by preserving the structures and improving their performance capacity. Encouraging the reuse of more efficient materials and modern technologies and applying sus- tainability principles (Green, Local, and Digital). The results of the sample of 45 buildings sur- veyed and rehabilitated in the field show that around 80% …

Palm Fruit Bunch Fiber Impact On Compressive Strength Of Cement Mortar With Different Fine Aggregate Types, Kenneth A. Tutu, Akua Boadiwaa Yeboah, Michael Owusu Ampofo, Tungteiyah Suad Mohammed, Abdul-Samed Aziz, Nasara Hafiz Arif, Chenti Sa-Ad Alhassan

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Depletion of high-quality natural sand deposits and sustainability concerns are popularizing manufactured sand use in cementitious composites. Meanwhile, palm fruit bunch fiber (PFBF) improves the properties of cementitious composites, but it is unclear how PFBF interacts with different fine aggregates to affect mortar strength. This study investigated the impact of PFBF on the compressive strength of cement mortars containing manufactured sand (granite quar- ry dust) and natural sands (river and pit). The aggregates were used with Portland cement to fabricate mortar cubes, which were tested after 28 days. The control mortars (0% PFBF) of quarry dust, river sand, and pit …

Investigation Of Coconut Shell Biochar As An Eco-Friendly Additive To Mitigate The Alkali-Silica Reaction In Recycled Aggregate Concrete, Kokıla Arandara, G. N. Paranavithana, S. T. Priyadarshana, H Pitawala, R Dissanayake

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) in Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC) is one of the main chal- lenges in using demolished concrete in construction. Several methods are available to mitigate the impact of ASR, and they have less circular economic potential. This study aims - to investi- gate the possibility of coconut shell biochar (CSB) as an eco-friendly additive to mitigate ASR in RAC. In this investigation, the authors have conducted cement mortar bar test experiments according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM 1260) standard, Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Studies have found a higher rate …

Informative Integration Of Modern Spolia In Public Landscapes, Deniz Üçer Erduran

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Spolia refers to repurposing components from older buildings into new constructions, a concept with a rich history. Traditionally, unique components were the primary focus; however, this ap- proach remains relevant today for mass-produced components. By diverting materials from waste streams, spolia preserves their inherent properties and facilitates the rapid transfer of stylistic fea- tures in the modern world. When a 1970s movie theatre in Moscow, Russia, was demolished in 2019, a substantial amount of steel was recycled, while brick and concrete were sent to landfills. This study investigates potential spolia options as an alternative to demolition. The research involved documenting …

Flexural Behavior Of Sustainable High-Strength Rc Beams With Ggbs And Iron Filings Incorporation, Sawsan Akram Hassan, Saif Altai

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

This experimental study investigates the behavior of sustainable high-strength reinforced concrete (HSRC) beams when cement is partially replaced with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and sand with iron filings (IF). Eight rectangular HSRC beams were experienced to four-point loading to examine the effects of these substitutions. The cement was replaced with GGBS at three percentages (10%, 30%, and 50%), with and without a 10% substitution of sand by IF. The results showed that substituting 30% GGBS caused a minor reduction in beam strength, while higher GGBS percentages (above 30%) led to a more significant decrease. However, adding 10% IF …

Accelerated Alkali-Silica Reaction After A Seven-Year Asr-Dormancy Period, Ahsanollah Beglarigale

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The ongoing alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in concrete can be halted by dryness, which is important for repairing ASR-suffered concrete structures. Drying of the concrete establishes an ASR-dormancy period until the end of the dryness. The residual expansion of such concrete after the ingress of water—the end of the dormancy period is a significant risk, especially for repair works. In this experimental study, the post-dormancy expansion of various mixtures prepared by eight different Portland cement and three different supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) were tested using an accelerated mortar bar test. After accelerated ASR ex- pansions, an ASR-dormancy period was established by …