Digital Commons Network^™

Foothill Boulevard Corridor Plan, Alexander Tassos

City and Regional Planning

This plan evaluates existing conditions, opportunities, challenges, and recommendations for bicycle mobility, accessibility, safety, and comfort along the Foothill Boulevard corridor in San Luis Obispo. The plan builds on the City of San Luis Obispo’s Complete Streets and Active Transportation policies, as well as the regional priorities outlined in the SLOCOG Active Transportation Plan. Findings from this plan will inform future Foothill Boulevard Corridor improvements, guide coordination with the City’s Vision Zero initiatives, and support updates to the City’s Active Transportation planning framework. In addition, the plan presents conceptual alternatives for corridor improvements with a focus on creating a safer …

The History Of Philanthropic Wealth In Maine, Jillian Foley Mppm, Timothy Atkinson Mppm, Emma Schwartz

Justice Policy

This report (March 2026) was developed in collaboration with the Maine Philanthropy Center to invite readers to engage in an honest exploration of how wealth was accumulated in Maine and how our history continues to shape our communities today. Grounded in research and interviews with historians and philanthropic leaders, the report examines the connections between extractive histories and modern-day philanthropic structures. The authors aim to guide readers to explore the historical context, reflect on their own histories, and consider more equitable, restorative approaches to community-centered giving. While this report was designed with funders and nonprofit leaders in mind, the authors …

The Impact Of Human Myoblasts On Macrophage Polarization In A Coculture Model, Elisabeth Ann Stodola

Biomedical Engineering

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque in the lower extremities that occludes blood flow, and affects over 200 million people worldwide. Without effective treatment, PAD can lead to claudication, ischemia, ulcers, and gangrene. PAD causes more amputations in the United States than any other condition, and for severe cases that require revascularization, procedures benefit fewer than 50% of patients. This demonstrates a clear need for alternative therapies. Potential therapies for PAD target expansion of collateral blood vessels around the area of occlusion – a process called arteriogenesis to compensate for loss of blood flow …

Move Fast And Don’T Break Things: Collaborative Privacy Governance In Higher Education, Tyler Schroder, Chad Fenner

Research & Publications

Student-developed applications increasingly replicate or replace official university platforms, often prioritizing speed over security and privacy. This “shadow IT” ecosystem emerges from gaps in institutional tools and is amplified by AI-assisted development, which can introduce insecure defaults. These informal systems risk exposing FERPA‑protected or sensitive institutional data, as seen in student‑built directory and club‑information apps that redistributed restricted information more permissively than intended. While most universities lack clear governance mechanisms for student developers, Yale’s structured, student‑specific data‑use policy offers a notable model. This paper examines these risks and proposes a collaborative, API‑first framework that supports innovation while enforcing privacy, security, …

When A Man Is Stressed, It Replicates In The House”: Kenyan Women’S Perspectives On The Influence Of Male Partners On Perinatal Mental Health Among Women Affected By Hiv, Hellen Moraa, Joan Mutahi, Winnie Atieno, Grace John-Stewart, John Kinuthia, Manasi Kumar, Mary Marwa, Ben Odhiambo, Felix Abuna, Jillian Pintye

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Mental health conditions are a major public health concern in the African region, where women experience a high prevalence of maternal mental health conditions and limited access to adequate care. This issue is particularly severe among women living with HIV (WLHIV), who face a heightened risk of depression and anxiety. Despite the well-documented association between male partner-related factors and maternal/child health outcomes, their impact on perinatal mental health from the perspective of women is not well understood. We conducted semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with women affected by HIV. Thematic analysis revealed common sources of mental distress they experienced. …

Stemflow Dynamics In The Jamari National Forest (Brazilian Amazon): Ii. Solute Concentrations And Flux Dynamics, Jeferson Alberto De Lima, John T. Van Stan Ii, Karolina Lewińska, Agnieszka Dradrach, Jakub Ceglarek, Kelly Cristina Tonello

Biological, Geological, and Environmental Faculty Publications

Trees can redirect large volumes of rainwater to the base of their stems. This stemflow not only redistributes water but also channels canopy-derived solutes to the forest floor. Building on research showing canopy geometry and bark properties govern stemflow volumes, we examined how those same traits modulate the biogeochemical side of this flux. Over a 12-month period in Jamari National Forest (Brazil), we quantified stemflow volume and solute chemistry for 19 trees grouped by diameter at breast height (D: < 10, 10-20 and > 20 cm), crown area (CA: < 30, 30-60 and > 60 m(2)) and bark texture (smooth, fissured and rough). Small-stemmed, smooth-barked trees produced the greatest stemflow …

Feasibility Of Using Recycled Waste Plastic In Concrete Pavements In Nebraska, Amasi Hajahja, Jamilla Teixeira, George Morcous

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

Waste plastic (WP) is a growing environmental concern due to its non-biodegradable nature, large-scale production, and harmful impact on natural resources. With nearly 75% of WP in the U.S. ending up in landfills, effective recycling strategies are urgently needed. In parallel, the limited availability of natural aggregates highlights the need for alternative materials in concrete construction. This study investigates the feasibility of using recycled waste plastic (RWP) in concrete mixtures, both as aggregates and fibers for rigid pavement applications in Nebraska. Concrete mixtures were prepared by partially replacing natural fine aggregates with recycled plastic aggregates (RPA) at replacement levels of …

The Use Of Video Modeling To Teach Algebraic Equations To Secondary Students With And At-Risk For Disabilities, Maria Mcgrath, Emily Hornung, Shannon Gormley Budin

The Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship

Identifying mathematics interventions that are efficient, effective, and increase independence are vital for students with or at-risk for mathematics disabilities. Interventions used in general education or instructional support settings must also be feasible and allow teachers to meet both individual as well as whole-class needs. Digital technologies such as video modeling can embody several high-leverage instructional practices at once to facilitate the learning of fundamental mathematics concepts, such as algebra. A multiple baseline across participant design with an additional nonconcurrent replication in an applied setting was used to evaluate the effectiveness of video modeling on student ability to solve two-step …

Experience And Response To Disability Stigma In South Asian Communities, Sudha Krishnan

The Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship

This qualitative study explored the experiences of stigma and responses to stigmatization among 13 South Asian parents of children with extensive support needs (ESN). Existing research indicates that students with intellectual disabilities often experience negative emotions such as shame, powerlessness, and frustration due to their disability status. Cultural beliefs significantly influence the experiences of disabled children and their families, with stigma perceived and felt differently across cultural groups. Participants were interviewed about their family and cultural beliefs, perceptions of disability, and experiences with school collaborations and social stigma. Thematic analysis revealed that South Asian families with children with ESN faced …

Transition Teacher Perspectives Of Community-Based Vocational Education Programs For Students With Disabilities, Vincent Spevack, Janna L. Brendle, Robin H. Lock

The Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship

The transition from school to work can be an especially challenging time for adolescents and young adults with disabilities, and their families, as they navigate the complex postsecondary transition process. Community-based vocational education (CBVE) is a coordinated transition service that provides students with opportunities for the acquisition of career and life skills in real-world environments. The goal of CBVE is to best prepare individuals with disabilities for employment and subsequentially important life skills necessary for the transition to a more independent life. The study was designed to explore special education transition educators’ perceptions of the barriers to implementing CBVE programs …

Coaching Parents To Use Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions, Lin Zhu, Kerry Kisinger

The Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship

This practitioner article examines the use of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) to enhance communication skills through the vignette of a 4-year-old with speech delays. Through brief coaching sessions, the child’s parents learned techniques like imitation and prompting, integrating them into daily routines to improve vocal communication. The intervention highlighted the effectiveness of engaging caregivers as active participants and tailoring strategies to family contexts, leading to positive outcomes for both the child and family. This article outlines the procedures for practitioners to coach parents to implement evidence-based practices that can promote academic and behavioral growth in a naturalistic setting.

The Fourth Amendment's Right To Be Secure, Thomas K. Clancy

William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal

Beginning with a 1998 article and through the editions of my treatise, I have argued that the right to be “secure” must be properly understood. The right to be secure is the powerful ability to exclude the government, and it protects against physical and technological intrusions. As will be discussed, my interpretation has had some influence among courts and scholars. Several academics have taken time to discuss it, and it has been noticed in the Supreme Court. This Essay seeks to dispel some of those characterizations and clarify the meaning of the right to be secure.

The Amendment in its …

Ymca Changes Lives: Social Media Campaign, Savannah Nicole Rivera

Communication Studies

This project examines how the YMCA of San Luis Obispo constructs its organizational identity through digital messaging by applying framing theory (Entman, 1993). Drawing from scholarship on framing, nonprofit organizational identity, dual-identity tensions, and nonprofit storytelling, I conduct an applied framing analysis of the YMCA’s website and Instagram content. Specifically, I analyze how the organization defines community problems, attributes causes to them, assigns moral values to them, and proposes solutions in its messaging. I argue that while the YMCA references its mission, its current digital communication often makes utilitarian identity elements, such as services, memberships, and facilities, more salient than …

A Framework For Biological Weapons Deterrence, Center For The Study Of Weapons Of Mass Destruction

Research and Case Studies

The United States faces a growing range of biological threats, including the potential use of increasingly sophisticated biological weapons. As advances in science and technology expand the scope of these risks, deterring biological attacks has become an urgent national security challenge. This study examines the U.S. Government's current approach to biological weapons deterrence, assesses existing tools and capabilities, and identifies key challenges to developing a more effective strategy. Drawing on research, expert interviews, and roundtable discussions, the paper argues that deterring biological threats requires a coordinated whole-of-government approach that integrates the capabilities and expertise of multiple federal agencies. This NDU …

Clinical Validation Of Targeted Somatic Structural Variant Detection In Pediatric Cancer Via Long-Read Sequencing, Aravindh Nagarajan, Byunggil Yoo, Emily Farrow, John Herriges, Lei Zhang, Elena Repnikova, Tomi Pastinen, Carol J. Saunders, Midhat Farooqi, Lisa Lansdon

Posters

Introduction: Structural variants (SVs) leading to gene fusions are one of the most common classes of driver mutations in pediatric cancer. Clinical SV detection relies on a combination of techniques including karyotyping, FISH, microarray and RNA fusion testing, and, more recently, optical genome mapping. SV detection via long-read genome sequencing (lr-GS) offers the advantage of breakpoint and complex event resolution; however, its implementation has been limited by the lack of an optimized somatic SV caller, among other factors. Here we describe the clinical validation of lr-GS for targeted somatic SV detection in pediatric cancer using Severus, a newly available somatic …

Lessons Learned: Targeted Rna Sequencing As A Tool For Resolving Variants Of Uncertain Significance, Allison Kalinousky, Vitoria Paolillo, Florencia Del Viso, Elena Repnikova, Ana S A Cohen, Joseph Alaimo, Emily Farrow, Carol J. Saunders, Isabelle Thiffault

Posters

Our study demonstrated the utility of RNA studies in providing sufficient evidence to reinterpret VUS in a small cohort of clinically diverse pediatric patients who received ES/GS-based testing. Fifteen patients (68%) received an updated clinical report. Notably, in 59% the RNAseq data resulted in a molecular diagnosis. Moreover, ~47% of our positive variants were not located at splicing junctions, and therefore, would most likely not be flagged as a likely candidate in ES/GS analysis pipelines. While most variants with low TPM in blood failed, two positive variants had TPM less than 0.1, indicating that while TPM values can help narrow …

Table Of Contents

Marquette Law Review

None

Masthead

The Business, Entrepreneurship & Tax Law Review

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents

The Business, Entrepreneurship & Tax Law Review

No abstract provided.

Pirated Ai Training Data And The Future Of Recovery For Creatives, Cassie Anderson

The Business, Entrepreneurship & Tax Law Review

The explosive growth of generative AI necessarily relies on near-limitless amounts of creative works, such as books, articles, music, and art for training. Data sourcing and training practices advanced by large technology companies have defaulted to piracy, which presupposes unfettered access to high-quality creative data at minimal cost. In a growing number of markets, generative AI presents an appealing alternative to human-made creative works—an alternative that directly competes with the very human creatives whose works are necessary to power such technology. Facing mass-scale piracy and creative markets diluted by AI content, creative professionals are in an even more precarious position …

Note, Kiera L. Doughty

The Business, Entrepreneurship & Tax Law Review

No abstract provided.

A Synthetic Marketplace: Rethinking First Amendment Theory In The Age Of Ai-Generated Video, Jared Schroeder, Heesoo Jang

The Business, Entrepreneurship & Tax Law Review

First Amendment theory is unprepared for the synthetic-media era. AI-generated videos, which fundamentally portray events and actions that never happened, are changing the ways people construct reality in fundamental ways. These believable videos raise substantial concerns about foundational assumptions of First Amendment theory, particularly the marketplace of ideas. Synthetic videos challenge citizens to discern truth from falsity in new ways. These challenges are multiplied by the nature of video, which scholars have noted audiences find uniquely believable. This article examines First Amendment theory, as well as the nature of video, ultimately contending that the rationales the Supreme Court has traditionally …

Between Expression And Restraint: Reconciling First Amendment Protections With Antitrust Enforcement In Social Media Advertising, Michael Patton

The Business, Entrepreneurship & Tax Law Review

The contemporary advertising ecosystem is increasingly dominated by social media platforms, prompting advertisers to devote substantial resources to these venues and, in many cases, to coordinate their efforts through umbrella organizations. When these organizations recommend that members withdraw or redirect advertising away from specific platforms, the line between coordinated market behavior and protected expressive conduct becomes blurred. A pending lawsuit by a major social media company alleges that such a coordinated refusal to deal constitutes an unlawful group boycott rather than protected First Amendment activity. Although the Supreme Court has developed frameworks for distinguishing between expressive boycotts and anticompetitive conduct, …

At The Crossroads: Sports Betting In Missouri And Proposals For Regulations, Jimin Shumate

The Business, Entrepreneurship & Tax Law Review

Sports betting is a rapidly growing industry nationwide, and Missouri became the 39th state to legalize the practice. Although states hope to reap the benefits of a regulated sports gambling market, the activity carries significant mental, physical, and socioeconomic risks due to its inherently addictive nature. The hyper-accessibility of modern platforms, particularly those enabling unlimited micro betting, magnifies longstanding concerns in a new digital context. Compounding these risks, the absence of federal standards for minimum wagering ages and the aggressive marketing strategies employed by sportsbooks draw in young adults. This article proposes a coordinated federal and state regulatory framework that …

Beyond The Prompt: The Social Costs Of Generative Artificial Intelligence, J. Scott Christianson, Josh Rickard

The Business, Entrepreneurship & Tax Law Review

The rapid commercialization of generative artificial intelligence has produced extraordinary value for technology companies while systematically externalizing costs onto society. This Article provides a review of these externalities across three domains: environmental, human health, and digital infrastructure. The environmental burden includes massive energy and water consumption alongside ecologically destructive mining for rare earth elements and accelerating electronic waste. The human toll encompasses a documented pattern of AI-induced mental health crises, including suicide and self-harm linked to anthropomorphic chatbot design, raising novel questions of product liability in cases like Garcia v. Character.AI. The digital commons face degradation through industrialized data scraping …

Handling Item-Level Missing Data In Linear Regression: A Tutorial, Guyin Zhang, Lihan Chen, Dexin Shen

Faculty Publications

With advances in methodology and statistical software, modern methods for handling missing data have become more accessible and straightforward to apply. In psychological studies, researchers often use questionnaires or scales composed of multiple items to measure constructs of interest. As a result, missing values frequently occur at the item level, whereas data analyses are typically conducted at the scale (composite) level. However, properly addressing item-level missing data remains a common challenge for many applied psychologists, including researchers who are otherwise well experienced in handling missing data at the scale level. In this tutorial, we introduce six approaches for handling item-level …

Stress Management And Resilience Among Students Enrolled In The Entry Level Master Of Science In Nursing (Elmsn) Program, Pius Omolewa, Adekemi Adedipe, Nassrine Noureddine, Destiny Roberts

All Faculty Scholarship

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of mindfulness exercises on stress management and resilience among ELMSN students. Methods: The study was a quasi-experimental design that used a paired samples t-test to compare pre-test and post-test of students’ scores on both GAD-7 anxiety screening tool and short version of Grit-scale. Statistical tests were conducted with significance set at p < 0.05 (two-sided). All analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 31.0 to compare pre-/post-test scores, determine differences, and statistical significance of interventions among the cohort. And a priori power analysis was conducted to determine the required sample size for a paired samples t-test. With an alpha level of 0.05 and a medium effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.50), a total sample size of N = 34 was determined to be sufficient to achieve a power of 0.80. Results: A convenience sample of 40 students (35 females and 5 males) participated in the study. Students had more anxiety before mindfulness exercises (M = 7.00, SD = 5.5) compared to after the mindfulness exercises (M = 6.2, SD = 3.4), t(39) = 1.41, p = 0.17. The effect size was small, d = 0.22. However, the difference in the students’ anxiety levels after the mindfulness exercises was not statistically significant, with a p-value of 0.17. On the resilience, students were less resilient before mindfulness exercises (M = 3.58, SD …

The Use Of High-Fidelity Simulation In Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs: A Systematic Review, Pius Omolewa, John Bressan, Feng Ping Sarah Lee

All Faculty Scholarship

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of high-fidelity simulation in prelicensure nursing programs as it relates to the confidence, knowledge, and skills of student nurses. Background: Initiatives to improve the quality of prelicensure education in nursing programs include high-fidelity simulations, but research on their impact on student nurses’ confidence, knowledge, and skills remains limited. Nurses’ confidence in practical settings is essential for quality patient care and therapeutic use of self. Methods: Articles published between 2014-2025 that used experimental and quasi-experimental studies on high-fidelity simulations were searched in EBSCO host, Google Scholar, ProQuest, Medline, and Cumulative Index to Nursing …

Varicella Zoster Encephalitis In An Immunocompetent Middle-Aged Female With Benign Neurological Presentation, Kopalle Bhanu Sriram, Swathi B.S, Bernice Roberts

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) is a neurotropic human herpesvirus that typically presents as herpes zoster following reactivation of latent infection. Central nervous system involvement such as encephalitis is uncommon and is more frequently described in immunocompromised individuals. Increasing use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostics has enabled improved recognition of VZV-related neurological disease in immunocompetent hosts.

We describe a middle-aged immunocompetent female who presented with a 15-day history of persistent headache associated with vomiting and low-grade fever. Examination revealed vesicular eruptions in the T8–T9 dermatomes, while neurological examination and neuroimaging were normal. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis demonstrated lymphocytic pleocytosis, elevated …

Information Technology Investment Efficiency In Federal Government Agencies: A Data Envelopment Analysis Approach, Angel Blanchard Littlejohn

Dissertations

Federal agencies invest over $115 billion annually in information technology, yet persistent questions remain about whether these substantial investments translate into improved operational efficiency and mission outcomes. Despite transparency requirements established by the Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) of 2014 and the creation of the federal IT Dashboard, agency leaders lack systematic frameworks for evaluating optimal IT investment levels and allocation patterns across different technology asset types.

This dissertation examines the relationship between information technology investment clusters and operational efficiency across 24 federal government agencies subject to the CFO Act. Using comprehensive data from the federal IT Dashboard spanning …