Digital Commons Network^™

Corruption And Foreign Direct Investment In Ghana: Empirical Assessment Of The Mediating Role Of Institutional Quality And Political Stability, Isaac K. Yeboah

Graduate Research Posters

Background: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) provides more than just capital; it introduces technology and managerial expertise, contributing significantly to economic growth. However, corruption, measured by the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), deters inflows. This study examines how Ghana’s CPI relates to FDI, with institutional quality and political stability as mediators accounting for GDP, inflation, and exchange rates as covariates.

Methods: A non-experimental quantitative design that adopts a multivariate deductive approach is used to test the theoretical propositions, and uses data from 1995 to 2022. CPI data are sourced from Transparency International, FDI from the IMF, and institutional quality and …

On! Original Flavor Oral Nicotine Pouch Characterization: Biorelevant In Vitro Nicotine Release Apparatus Assessment, Jason C. Funderburk, Melissa Morgan, Maria Lasaosa Garcia, Andreas S. L. Mendez, Matthew S. Halquist

Graduate Research Posters

Background: Oral nicotine pouch (ONP) use is rising. The sales of ONPs in 2019 were 126 million units, increasing to 808 million units in 2022. Understanding ONP in vitro release is critical for assessing exposure to ONP products.

Methods: The commercial brand ON! ONPs with nicotine label claims of 2, 4, and 8 mg, were evaluated in vitro for cumulative nicotine release using the bidirectional transmucosal apparatus (BTA) for 90 minutes. Nicotine quantification was performed by HPLC-PDA. For pH determination, ONP samples were prepared in water or artificial saliva (pH 6.8) with measurements for 30 minutes. BTA results were compared …

Developing Novel Therapeutic Strategies For Mcrc With A Brafv600e Mutation, Mariah Geisen

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The overall incidence rates of CRC have decreased in those over 50, but there is an increasing incidence rate in those under 50. Risk factors for CRC include diet, family history, and a sedentary lifestyle. Early detection of CRC is key to patient survival and treatment response. Localized CRC has a survival rate of 90% and allows for surgical resection and chemotherapy. The 5-year survival for metastatic CRC (mCRC) is significantly reduced to around 14%. Despite early detection, 50% of patients will develop metastasis after surgical resection and …

Nf-Κb-Mediated Oxidative Stress Drives Cigarette Smoke-Induced Emt In Human Bronchial Cells, Sarah M. Alqithami

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, many being carcinogens and proinflammatory agents contributing to chronic respiratory diseases like COPD and lung cancer. This study investigated responses of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) to cigarette smoke condensate (CSC), focusing on oxidative stress and NF-κB signaling. Three HBEC lines were exposed to non-cytotoxic CSC doses for 48 hours, inducing morphological changes consistent with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). RNA sequencing revealed transcriptomic shifts in all cell lines, particularly affecting genes related to oxidative stress, inflammation, hypoxia, and metabolism. Enrichment analyses confirmed activation of NRF2 antioxidant, NF-κB and IL-17 inflammatory, and hypoxiainducible factor pathways, indicating …

Elucidating The Adverse Effects Of Chronic Pfos Exposure On Gastrointestinal Pathology And Colorectal Cancer, Jerika Durham

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Commonly referred to as "forever chemicals," per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been linked to a number of detrimental health effects, including an elevated risk of cancer. One "long-chain" subtype of PFAS, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), has a long elimination half-life and a significant propensity for bioaccumulation. Because PFOS is commonly found in drinking water, the gastrointestinal system absorbs it at a high rate. Recent studies demonstrate that PFAS exposures promote intestinal inflammation and gut barrier dysfunction. However, how a long-term PFOS exposure affects colorectal cancer (CRC) progression is not known. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to understand how …

Investigating Plk1 In Pulmonary Fibrosis, Tempany Arbogast

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal interstitial lung disease, with a median survival of only 2–3 years following diagnosis. In the United States, the disease contributes to more than 40,000 deaths annually, underscoring its severe clinical burden. Alveolar type II (AT2) lung epithelial cells serve as progenitors that maintain alveolar integrity by replenishing epithelial populations and producing surfactants, while fibroblasts and myofibroblasts regulate the extracellular matrix and structural support. In pulmonary fibrosis (PF) injury to AT2 cells promotes cytokine and growth factor release, driving inflammation, fibroblast proliferation, myofibroblast accumulation, and excessive extracellular matrix deposition. Aberrant AT2 cell …

Counselors’ Role In Supporting Lgbtgeqiap+ Teens Living In The Foster Care System, Elizabeth K. Kurt

Graduate Research Posters

Background: Queer youth in the United States are overrepresented and simultaneously unseen in the foster care system. They experience more negative mental health outcomes than their non-queer peers, and the child welfare system does not always provide safe or affirming care for these marginalized youth. LGBTGEQIAP+ teens are placed in congregate care at high rates and face a myriad of challenges in these settings that exasperate existing mental health concerns. This poster examines the injustices of out-of-home care and the maltreatment that gender and sexual minority youth experience in the foster care system, as well as exploring factors that improve …

Hss 404-006: Biotechnology And The Law, Mary X. Mitchell

History Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Hss 404-H02: History Seminar:Movement Of Migrants And Refugees In The Eastern Mediterranean, Elektra Kostopoulou

History Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Hss 404-002: History Seminar:Movement Of Migrants And Refugees In The Eastern Mediterranean, Elektra Kostopoulou

History Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Hss 404-004: History Of Murder, Alision Lefkovitz

History Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Masthead

Missouri Law Review

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents

Missouri Law Review

No abstract provided.

Faculty List

Missouri Law Review

No abstract provided.

Silenced On Campus: Unveiling The Injustice Of Speaker-Based Restrictions In Public University Spaces, Emily E. Bomball

Missouri Law Review

The preservation of free speech within public universities is essential to fostering open dialogue and cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives can flourish without fear of censorship. As a result, public universities have often found themselves at the center of First Amendment disputes. While First Amendment freedom of speech cases have traditionally focused on content-based discrimination, the Supreme Court has recently addressed the problematic nature of discrimination based on the identity of the speaker as well. In the landmark case, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the Court stated: “The First Amendment protects speech and speaker, and the ideas that …

Copyright

Missouri Law Review

No abstract provided.

Federalism And The Blue Sky Laws: Reevaluating U.S. Securities Regulation, Jessica E. Lees

Missouri Law Review

Securities regulation in the United States is an important example of federalism-in-action, given the overlapping jurisdiction of state and federal authorities over securities-related matters. However, the existing system has long been criticized as both overly burdensome and ineffective at achieving its core aims. In particular, the extensive network of state securities laws, often referred to as the “blue sky” laws, has been the subject of, and has exacerbated, many of these critiques. Tensions between federal and state activities in this area are ongoing and subject to numerous reform proposals. Yet, recent proposals to refashion the U.S. securities regulatory scheme have …

The Second Bite At The Apple Watch Through The United States Customs And Border Protection: A Further Whittling Of Patent Rights Post-Ebay, Thomas R. Langdon

Missouri Law Review

Underlying the patent system is a bargain between the general public and patent owners. In exchange for the limited-time right of the patentee to exclude others from making, using, or selling their patented invention or process, the public receives the benefit of both the disclosure of new and useful inventions and processes and the increased incentive to innovate. The Supreme Court’s eBay v. MercExchange decision, however, fundamentally changed this bargain by removing the presumption of injunctive relief for patent owners upon a finding of infringement in Article III courts. The Court replaced this presumption with a four-factor test, making it …

A Return To The Wild West: Missouri’S Heightened Standard Under The Known Third Person Exception, Liz Eastlund

Missouri Law Review

Picture this: a crowded saloon packed with patrons enjoying food, drinks, and each other’s company—for the Western movie lover, the imagery is familiar. While establishments like saloons were essential social centers of the West in the later years of the nineteenth century, violence from brawls took the lives of many. Lawmen were tasked with keeping the peace and tracking down dangerous outlaws on the American frontier. Despite the existence of these fabled sheriffs, revolvers and alcohol were a lethal combination that led to dangerous gun battles between community members.

Burdening Caregivers With But-For Causation, Jessie L. O'Brien

Missouri Law Review

It is human nature to depend on one another. You may depend on your friend for a laugh after a hard day or your classmate to bring a strong work ethic to a group project. Whether the dependence stems from a comfortable bond, a familiar relationship, or a passing expectation, we rely on each other daily. However, some people experience a deeper level of need where they are dependent on another person to navigate even the basic necessities of life. Imagine if your loved one required this level of dependence—where even the smallest of tasks required your support. Now imagine …

Match Accuracy Of Burned Teeth: A Pilot Study Of Allied Dental Professionals, Brenda T. Bradshaw, Marsha A. Voelker, Samantha C. Vest, Sinjini Sikdar

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess allied dental professionals' match accuracy of burned teeth; a skill required by disaster victim identification (DVI) team members.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used a convenience sample of registered dental hygienists (RDH) (n=15) and dental assistants (DA) (n=15) to assess their match accuracy of burned teeth with simulated antemortem (AM) and postmortem (PM) images. Fifteen human teeth were heated at 400°C for 15 minutes. Prior to and following heat alteration, each tooth was photographed and radiographed. Images were presented to participants in randomized order, and they were instructed to correctly match …

Un©Ertainty And Dis©Omfort, Richard H. Chused

Articles & Chapters

This essay explores creative works that produce powerful reactions of discernment, hostility, or deep uncertainty from mysterious forms of "blankness." They all use silence or similarly ineffable qualities to challenge the thoughtfulness and tolerance of audience members. They force us to understand that creativity sometimes manifests itself in strange and bizarre ways that test not only our viewing tolerance, but also our traditional notions of creativity and of intellectual property boundary lines. It is like forcing fully sensory-enabled people to think about creativity in ways that may mimic a small fragment of the daily experience of those with limited sight …

Comparative Diagnostic Accuracy Study Of Point Of Care Ultrasound Techniques For Detection Of Left Atrial Enlargement By Hospital Medicine Physicians From Archived Echocardiogram Images, Christopher J. Smith, Jesse Umbra, Sofia Quintero, Austin Wilson, Elizabeth Lyden, Nidish Tiwari, Brian Shahan, Jana L. Wardian

Journal Articles: Hospital Medicine

BACKGROUND: Left atrial enlargement (LAE) is predictive of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Prior studies of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) interpretation methods for identifying LAE utilized older echocardiographic reference ranges.

OBJECTIVES: Compare the test characteristics of hospitalist-performed POCUS techniques for identifying LAE as compared to contemporary echocardiographic reference ranges.

METHODS: Fully paired, comparative diagnostic accuracy study of two index tests applied to archived echocardiogram images: visual assessment of the left atrium to aorta diameter (LAE sign) and left atrial (LA) anteroposterior diameter >4 cm in the parasternal long axis view. The reference test was moderate to severe LAE by echocardiography-derived left atrial …

Interventions Designed To Increase Scholarly Activity And Achieve Promotion Among Primarily Junior Clinical Faculty In The United States: A Scoping Review, Heather A. Billings, Ashlee Mills Duffy, Gary L. Beck Dallaghan, Emily Glenn, Eric S. Peeples, Matthew R. Sandbulte, Jason F. Shiffermiller, Carrie Valenta, Bethany Lowndes, Jana L. Wardian

Journal Articles: Hospital Medicine

BACKGROUND: For many U.S. academic physicians, direct patient care is the primary focus of daily work and the most important professional responsibility. Concurrently, some degree of scholarly activity is often required for career advancement. Junior clinical faculty often face challenges that limit their success in this area such as heavy clinical workloads or other time constraints, a lack of personal expertise or experience, mentorship, and institutional infrastructure. Support systems and faculty development interventions may mitigate these challenges and contribute to increased academic productivity and promotion. The objective of this study was to perform a scoping review of literature on strategies …

Pfas Litigation And Industry “Science”: Combating Deceptive Industry Practices, Dayna Smith

Western New England Law Review

PFAS have become a hot spot of litigation due to their growing notoriety as one of the greatest chemical threats of our time. Yet, due to concerted efforts by the PFAS industry, PFAS cases are likely to face a significant hurdle in the courtroom. Historically, industry groups have funded studies to lend support to their products, leading to a high risk of bias that has potentially far-reaching consequences. Further, there is mounting evidence that the PFAS industry actively used funding to manipulate science, while also engaging in other deceptive practices to hide potential health risks. This industry “science” then makes …

Amending The Flsa: Time For Congress To Break The Tie And Define Student Athletes As Employees, Alison Izzi

Western New England Law Review

Some may argue that waiting for Congress to legislate a solution to an issue is futile, however, in some cases, advocating for such action is the next best step forward. Therefore, it is time for Congress to break its silence on the issue of collegiate athlete employment status. Historically, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has relied on backing from courts and a lack of legislative regulation to maintain its monopoly over the collegiate athletics market and control over its participating student athletes. Courts have been cautious to make rulings against the NCAA, until recently. In 2021, the Supreme Court …

Duty To Protect: Updating Law Enforcement Tort Liability To Align With Contemporary Standards, Nicholas Emanuel, Lauren Loeb, Gavin Partington

Western New England Law Review

Can civil tort law make law enforcement services safer and more effective? The purpose of tort law is to protect the public by imposing an obligation to act responsibly and avoid causing harm to others. But tort law is generally inapplicable to the profession of policing because of the public duty doctrine, the theory that police owe a duty only to the public at large, not to any individual. That doctrine and similar rules render police immune from civil liability even in cases of egregious failure to protect the public. Public safety—and confidence in law enforcement—suffer as a result.

As …

Congress Versus The Executive Branch: The Role Of The Office Of Legal Counsel, Billy Monroe

Western New England Law Review

The U.S. Constitution creates a system where the Presidency and Congress are meant to have an adversarial relationship. The best example is through Congressional oversight of Executive Branch activities and the inevitable response through executive actions. The Office of Legal Counsel is often an integral part of the coordinated response because this often-understudied part of the U.S. Department of Justice is responsible for providing constitutional arguments to defend the President’s decisions, especially for executive orders. This article traces the historical evolution of OLC opinions that have played a key role in defining the relationship between the Executive Branch and Congress …

Bankruptcy Blitz: How Courts Penalize Debtors Despite Lack Of Cause And Jurisdiction Under The Appropriations Act, Emily Levesque

Western New England Law Review

Suppose you currently reside in one of the many states that have legalized the use of marijuana. In that case, you have the right to confidently walk into a dispensary and purchase marijuana products—you would not be arrested the second you hand cash to the teller. You could legally take the product back home to do with it as you please within the bounds of state law. If you were ever a cannabis connoisseur, you could decide to purchase a percentage of that dispensary. At the highest level, if you felt particularly entrepreneurial, you could legally apply for and open …

Into Eternity: Legacy Of The Saint Patrick's Battalion, Preston S. Dyess

2025 Symposium

“The Saint Patrick’s Battalion” was a rogue unit of Irish-Catholic soldiers who deserted from the U.S. Army shortly before or during the Mexican-American War. Disillusioned by their mistreatment in the American army, they found common ground with the Mexican people over their shared faith and national story. John Riley, the battalion’s eventual leader, deserted shortly before the war broke out and was captured by Mexican forces. After some convincing, he was given a commission by Mexican General Pedro de Ampudia and instructed to raise a company of fellow deserters. The unit served courageously, garnering praise and honor in the eyes …