Digital Commons Network^™

Air Pollution Assessment Around Al-Rumaila Combined Cycle Power Plant, Basrah Governorate Under Dry Climatic Conditions, Mariam S. Nasser, Monim H. Al-Jiboori, Jinan S. Al-Hassany

Baghdad Science Journal

The paper addresses the potential air pollution levels resulting from the combustion of natural gas in the Rumaila combined cycle power plant in Basrah city. The study aims to evaluate the concentrations of pollutants (carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter) at distances of 100, 500, and 1000 meters from the plant using a Gaussian dispersion model. This includes calculating the emission rates of pollutants from the stacks and estimating atmospheric stability based on data from the Iraqi Meteorological Authority. The study also determines the Turner-Pasquill stability classes for August 2023 and the wind speed and direction at …

Oscillation Conditions For Solutions Of First Order Piecewise Constant Neutral Differential Equations, Sora Ali Majeed, Hussain Ali Mohamad

Baghdad Science Journal

The research seeks to examine a new form of equations as well as possible criteria for oscillation and non-oscillation for all solutions of first-order neutral differential equations with the piecewise constant, whether these oscillatory solutions are convergent or non-convergent, by finding sufficient conditions that guarantee the oscillation of all solutions of these equations. According to NDEPC, these equations contain three delays and three coefficients, which requires that part of the coefficients in this equation be piecewise continuous. In witch A function that assumes constant values over predetermined intervals is known as a piecewise constant argument (PCA). The biggest integer function …

Galina Kiep's Bassoon Studio Recital: February 24, 2026, Illinois State University School Of Music

School of Music Programs

This is the one hundred and sixth program of the 2025-2026 season

Kemp Recital Hall

February 24, 2026

Tuesday Evening

7:30 p.m.

The Philosophy Of Wonder, Sophia A. Stone

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

Dr. Professor Sophia Stone delivers a lecture, "The Philosophy of Wonder," at the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology. The presentation gives a compelling case for adopting the approach to teaching through discussion using p4cHI (philosophy for children, Hawai'i) methods. In the age of alienation, disinformation and the ubiquitous adoption of A.I. in nearly every technological transaction we do, gently Socratic Inquiry, Intellectual Safety and philosophical discussion just may be the antidote we need to strengthen democracies and their civil societies.

An Examination Of Trends And Factors Influencing Teen Retention In 4-H Youth Development Program: A Case Study, Bethany R. Corona

LSU Master's Theses

Teen participation in 4-H has declined nationally in recent years, raising concerns about long-term program sustainability and youth engagement. Understanding the factors that influence teens’ decisions to remain involved in 4-H is critical for informing program design and delivery. Guided by the theory of planned behavior, this qualitative study explored teen perceptions of 4-H programming, youth voice, social influences, communication, and barriers to participation. Data were collected through two group interviews with teen 4-H members representing multiple parishes. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the constant comparative method through a three-phase coding process consisting of open, axial, …

Spartan Daily, February 24, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 165, Issue 14

Uas Path Planning With Dynamic Rerouting Using A Space-Time Graph, Kimoy Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

UAS systems have emerged as multifaceted technologies with applications across a wide range of sectors. Their ability to access areas that are difficult or unsafe for manned systems has made them invaluable tools in various domains. As a result, UAS have transformed numerous industries, including infrastructure inspection, delivery and logistics, military and defense, as well as precision agriculture and environmental monitoring.

The advancement in UAS technology is fundamentally reliant upon ongoing research efforts in the specialized area of UAS path planning. Optimal flight planning is essential for a UAV to effectively execute its mission’s task safely, effectively, and in congruence …

Microbiome-Responsive Hydrogels: From Biological Cues To Smart Biomaterials, Rajesh Vadlapatla, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi, Ajoy Koomer, Judy Weng, Matthew Ernest Ghilarducci, Alai Qudus, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Stimuli-responsive hydrogels (SRHs) are smart polymeric materials that undergo reversible physicochemical changes in response to abiotic cues and externally applied fields, enabling applications in drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue engineering. However, they exhibit limited biological specificity and do not adequately reflect the dynamic, disease-relevant complexity of native tissue microenvironments. Microbe-colonized tissues display distinctive biochemical features driven, shaped by microbial metabolism, including localized pH gradients, short-chain fatty acid production, secretion of quorum-sensing molecules, biofilm formation, and expression of specialized enzymes. These endogenous, spatiotemporally regulated signals are closely linked to host physiology and pathology but remain underutilized in hydrogel …

Algorithmic Opacity In Opioid Risk Scoring And The Need For Transparent Ai Regulation, Sherry Yun Wang, Ryan Stofer, Zhouzhou Chu, Xiao Huang, Ang Li

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

NarxCare®, a proprietary opioid risk scoring system embedded in Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), has generated significant patient complaints. We adhered to the technical specifications and applied them to PDMP and IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus Closed Health Plan claims database. Despite adding socioeconomic covariates, precision (0.01–0.32) was far below the reported benchmark of 0.75, and F1 scores (0.02–0.39) were also substantially lower than the benchmark value of 0.65, across all our reconstructed models.

Austrian Again Book Talk, Cardozo Law Institute In Holocaust And Human Rights (Clihhr)

2025–2026 Flyers

The Cardozo Law Institute in Holocaust and Human Rights hosted a special book talk featuring author Anne Hand, discussing her memoir Austrian Again. In her book, Hand explores her journey to uncover her family’s hidden history during the Holocaust while pursuing Austrian citizenship, tracing her Austrian and Czechoslovakian roots through personal stories and historical records.

The program also featured Evelyn Konrad, Cardozo alumna and Holocaust survivor, who joined the conversation and shared her personal reflections. Moderated by Konrad, the event examined themes of identity, migration, heritage, and historical memory.

Nursing Student Perceptions Of Clinical Experiences With Practicing Nurses: A Descriptive Research Study, Carolyn E. Smith, Jenna E. Davis

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Clinical education is an essential part of the nursing curriculum contributing to critical thinking skills and nursing judgment. The students’ experiences within the clinical setting sets a precedence for their future careers and how they interact with their peers and interprofessional team members (Mamaghani et al., 2019). Communication between the bedside nurses and the students is a key factor to student success and confidence at the bedside. The tone, topic, and timing of the conversation between students, nurses, and/or peers, may impact the student view of bedside nursing. Positive interactions and supportive feedback leads to improved patient care, clinical judgment, …

Student’S Experience With Cognitive Rehearsal To Address Incivility, Penny A. Sauer, Margaret M. Verzella

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Nurses need to be able to advocate for their patients, even if they face verbal abuse or incivility. Current literature indicates that 66.2%-95.1% of nurses experience verbal abuse (Dadfar & Lester, 2021) with younger, inexperienced nurses having higher levels of abuse (Zulfan et al., 2022). Nurses who face workplace violence, including verbal abuse, have higher levels of stress, impacting their mental and physical health (Sauer & McCoy, 2017).

A mixed-method study was conducted with undergraduate nursing students to determine their response to a simulation that included difficult communication with a healthcare provider. Students were provided with tools and strategies to …

Theoretical Contributions To A Positive Work Environment, Sharon Prawl

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Objectives: Examination of the success of nurse preceptors is moving toward the need for co-creation between nurse leaders and nurses in the role of nurse preceptors. The current nursing workforce has five generations in the cohort of healthcare workers: Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials (Generation Y), and Generation Z (Bacon, 2023). Each group may have different characteristics and traits; supporting them can be challenging. As noted, the demographics of the workforce have changed. Therefore, Nurse Leaders (NL) must demonstrate inclusive leadership behaviors that result in practice environments where all individuals, diverse in their ages, experiences, and education, …

Organizational Trust And Burnout Among Registered Nurses And Patient Care Aides: A Qualitative Study, Katherine C. Brewer, Andrew Dierkes, Allison A. Norful

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: Healthcare worker wellbeing has emerged as a pivotal topic in workforce research. Organizational factors may impact well-being as much as individual and personal factors. One organizational determinant of well-being includes institutional trust; specifically, how the relationship between clinician and employer influences well-being (e.g., burnout). Institutional trust is an important factor in human caring professions, due to the moral and emotional nature of the work and the expectation for safety and provision among clinicians by employers. Existing clinician well-being research rarely studies institutional trust among registered nurses (RNs) and patient care aides (PCAs), despite their important frontline role in patient …

Weaponizing The First Amendment: Captive Audience Laws Recast From Shield To Sword, Seth Freeman

Seattle University Law Review Online

This Comment examines the evolution and misuse of captive audience laws in the United States, particularly as they have shifted from narrow exceptions in First Amendment jurisprudence to expansive tools for ideological suppression. Originally designed to protect individuals from unavoidable and coercive speech, especially in private spaces like the home, captive audience laws have increasingly been utilized in regulating workplace speech, with a recent focus on suppressing conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Through an analysis of foundational Supreme Court cases and an exploration of recent legislative trends, this Comment reveals how state legislatures have weaponized captive audience doctrine …

Increasing Ketamine Administration In Children's Hospitals For Youth With Sickle Cell Disease., Ashley M. Jenkins, Erin Hendry, Alexandra Power-Hays, Marin Valentino, Matthew Hall, Kathyrn Kyler, James W. Antoon, Sonya Tang Girdwood, Jennifer Goldman, Armand N. Morel, Timothy J. Savage, Lucas E. Orth, Natasha M. Archer

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Ketamine is recommended as an opioid-sparing adjunct for sickle cell disease (SCD)-related pain management. Little is known regarding its use in hospitalized youth with SCD. We aimed to describe trends in ketamine administration and examine associations between ketamine administration and outcomes in hospitalized youth with SCD. We conducted a cross-sectional, multicenter study examining hospital admissions for youth with SCD from 44 children's hospitals in the United States from 2016 to 2023. Youth aged ≥6 months with SCD were identified using International Classification of Diseases tenth revision codes. Exposures included age, sex, race, payor, childhood opportunity index, hydroxyurea administration, and concomitant …

Novel Csf Biomarkers For Facilitating Diagnosis Of Cns-Hlh From Other Neuroinflammatory Disorders, Nathan Luebbering, Aaron Webster, Kelsey E Poisson, Kristen S Fisher, Kristi Smiley, Rebecca A Marsh, Michael B Jordan, Stella M Davies

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Central nervous system (CNS)-hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) can mimic other neuroinflammatory disorders (ONID), often leading to misdiagnosis. Current diagnostic studies do not reliably distinguish CNS-HLH from ONID. We hypothesized that novel cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers identified using unbiased proteomic analysis can facilitate diagnosis of CNS-HLH from ONID. Banked CSF samples were categorized into 3 groups, CNS-HLH, ONID, and controls without CNS inflammation. Proteomic analysis was performed on 25 samples per group (total N = 75). Proteins demonstrating significant changes (>1.5-fold higher and P< .05) in the CNS-HLH compared with ONID and associated with HLH pathophysiology were selected as candidate biomarkers. Cross-platform validation of candidate biomarkers, along with known biomarkers CXCL9 and osteopontin, was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). One hundred twenty-two proteins were identified on CSF proteomic analysis at 99% confidence. Of these, 10 proteins demonstrated a >1.5-fold change with a P< .05 in CNS-HLH compared with ONID. SerpinG1, lysozyme, and CD14 were selected as candidate biomarkers. ELISA confirmed significant elevation of all 5 biomarkers in CNS-HLH relative to ONID. Median SerpinG1 levels were1242.9 ng/mL in CNS-HLH vs 292.2 ng/mL in ONID (P ≤ .001), lysozyme 222.2 ng/mL vs 65.6 ng/mL (P = .001), and CD14 180.3 ng/mL vs 64.5 ng/mL (P ≤ .001). Median CXCL9 levels were 223.7 ng/mL in CNS-HLH vs 15.5 ng/mL in ONID (P ≤ .001), and osteopontin levels were 356.5 ng/mL vs 92.9 ng/mL (P = .001). These findings demonstrate that novel CSF biomarkers SerpinG1, lysozyme, CD14, and CXCL9 can facilitate diagnosis of CNS-HLH from ONID.

Cle Program: Putting People At The Center Of Representation 2-24-2026, Roger Williams University School Of Law

School of Law Conferences, Lectures & Events

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of St. John’S Wort Solution On Climbing Activity Reflecting Depressive-Like Behavior In Drosophila Melanogaster To Model Seasonal Depression In Low Sunlight Exposure, Madison Simon

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Although depression is a known substantial threat to public health, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is under-researched. SAD refers to recurrent seasonal patterns of depression. This depressive disorder has few accepted treatments. The purpose of this study was to test whether St. John’s Wort (SJW), a natural supplement with researched antidepressant properties, could be a cheaper alternative with fewer limitations for treating SAD. SJW’s efficacy as a seasonal depression inhibitor was tested through a Drosophila depression-like model using climbing activity to reflect depressive behavior. It was hypothesized that as the concentration of SJW solution increases, the climbing activity of stressed Drosophila …

Biological Opinion Monitoring Of Riparian Habitat And Forest Stand Resources, Peter D. Howe

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Automated, High-Resolution, Three-Dimensional Pest Scouting In Orchards Using Aerial And Ground Vehicles, Sierra N. Young

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Granite State Issues: Guns In Colleges, Ice In Merrimack, Public School Choice Limits, Marijuana Legalization 2/24/2026, Unh Survey Center

All UNH Survey Center Polls

Majorities of New Hampshire residents oppose a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility in Merrimack and the elimination of vaccine requirements in public schools. Pluralities oppose a bill allowing guns and other weapons at public colleges and universities and a bill prohibiting public school districts from limiting the number of students they accept from other districts or who wish to leave and go to another district. A majority approve of legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Overall, the most important problems facing New Hampshire are housing and taxes. Finally, Governor Kelly Ayotte’s approval rating has slipped to the lowest …

Interfacial Engineering Of Electrodes And Solid-State Electrolytes For High-Performance Lithium-Ion And Sodium-Ion Batteries, Ahmad Helaley

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

The rapid expansion of electrified transportation and renewable energy integration demands advanced lithium-ion (Li-ion) and sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries with enhanced safety, long-term reliability, and high energy efficiency. However, conventional systems employing liquid electrolytes continue to exhibit persistent failure modes, including thermal instability, parasitic interfacial reactions, transition-metal dissolution, and electrode degradation under high-voltage or fast-charging conditions. These limitations become even more critical in solid-state configurations, where insufficient ion mobility and interfacial incompatibility can severely restrict electrochemical performance. The first part of this dissertation develops an atomic-layer-scale interfacial stabilization strategy using atomic layer deposition (ALD) coatings. ZnO-modified graphite anodes in Li-ion cells …

Motion In Defense Of Academic Freedom And Tenure, Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Motions

A Motion in Defense of Academic Freedom and Tenure

Motion To Approve Revisions To The Articles Of Authorities - April 2013 Version – Article Ii And Article Iii, Faculty Senate, Academic Policies Committee

Faculty Senate Motions

A Motion to Approve Revisions to the Articles of Authorities - April 2013 version – Article II and Article III

Jazz Ensembles Ii & Iii

Bailey School of Music Concert Programs

Wes Funderburk & Rob Opitz, Conductors

Only Americans Left Behind: Iran’S Illegal Use Of Hostages As Political Pawns To Advance Their Foreign Policy, Ava Namazi

San Diego International Law Journal

The Islamic Republic of Iran has emerged as one of the most prominent contemporary practitioners of hostage diplomacy—a strategy rooted in the 1979 Hostage Crisis and sustained through recurring detentions of foreign nationals on fabricated security charges. The government uses innocent foreign nationals as political pawns to coerce Western states, including the United States, to release frozen Iranian assets held abroad. This Comment situates Iran’s use of hostage diplomacy within its post-revolutionary foreign policy, examining how the collapse of the Pahlavi dynasty contributed to this tactic. Additionally, this Comment will analyze the current international legal frameworks governing hostage diplomacy and …

An International Human Rights-Based Approach To Reducing Maternal Mortality And Enhancing Safe Motherhood In Africa, John Mukum Mbaku

San Diego International Law Journal

In 2015, the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) noted that almost fifteen years after the global community had agreed to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which provided an important framework for economic and human development, significant progress has been made in several areas. However, the UNGA explained that many developing countries have not been able to achieve the MDGs, especially those goals related to maternal and reproductive health. Although the global maternal mortality rate has declined significantly, only 50% of pregnant women in developing countries receive the recommended minimum of four antenatal care visits. Additionally, complications suffered during pregnancy and childbirth …

Seamless Security: Reforming Export Controls For A Stronger Allied Defense Industrial Base, Justin Belcher

San Diego International Law Journal

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s accelerating military modernization underscore the need for the United States and its allies to reinforce their defense industrial bases to deter and prevail in future conflicts. This paper examines the historical and strategic foundations driving the need for export control reform, identifies key U.S. export control laws governing defense coproduction and co-development, and analyzes how current regulations constrain allied industrial integration. It concludes by proposing solutions to streamline export control regulations to improve the strength and resilience of the modern defense industrial base.

Beyond The Cisg: Utilizing Unidroit Principles To Synchronize International Contract Law Beyond Sales Of Goods, Noor Albandar

San Diego International Law Journal

Modern advancements have made it easier than ever for individuals and businesses to enter into cross-border transactions. Contract law in the United States employs legal instruments such as the UCC to aid contracting parties, and international law consists of tools such as the CISG supporting cross-border contracts for the sale of goods. Such tools are important because international transactions for goods occur frequently. This Comment will examine the complexities that arise in the face of international contracts, discuss tools for uniform law that are currently utilized by various governing bodies, and propose further implementation of uniform international contract law. In …