Digital Commons Network^™

The Synergy Between A Silver-Ruthenium Antimicrobial And Aminoglycosides Is Based On Severe Macromolecular Damage, Emmanuel P. Oladokun, Gracious Y. Donkor, Julius K. Narh, Grady D. Jacobson, Cade Ward, Patrick O. Tawiah, Lisa K. Polzer, Kevin A. Edwards, Kyle A. Floyd, Jan-Ulrik Dahl

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

The rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens, including uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), highlights the urgent need for alternative treatment strategies to restore antibiotic efficacy. The silver-ruthenium antimicrobial AGXX exerts potent bactericidal effects through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS); however, its potential synergy with antibiotics has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we show that sublethal concentrations of AGXX strongly enhance aminoglycoside-mediated killing across a diverse panel of Gram-negative and Gram-positive MDR clinical isolates, including highly aminoglycoside-resistant strains. Combinational treatments significantly reduced the effective concentrations of gentamicin, tobramycin, kanamycin, and amikacin required to kill bacteria. Mechanistic analyses revealed that AGXX/aminoglycoside …

The Impact Of School Climate On Student Achievement, Tonia L. Schiro

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This literature review explores the relationship between school climate and student achievement by examining research from education, psychology, and school improvement literature. School climate encompasses many aspects of the educational environment, including perceptions of safety, the quality of relationships among students and staff, levels of engagement, and students’ sense of belonging within the school community. The review investigates how these factors contribute to academic success and influence students’ overall educational experiences. Findings across the literature consistently demonstrate that positive school climates are associated with higher levels of student achievement, stronger engagement, improved attendance, and greater social-emotional well-being. The review also …

Simulation And Characterization Of Fuel Cell System Incorporated Internet Of Things, Ahmad N. Alhjouj

Mechanical Engineering Theses

Small air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) systems are increasingly relevant for portable and distributed applications, yet practical modeling and monitoring methods remain limited: high-fidelity physics-based models are too costly for real-time use, while purely data-driven models discard physical interpretability. This thesis develops an experimentally grounded gray-box framework for the characterization, reduced-order modeling, and IoT-enabled monitoring of a small hydrogen PEMFC system. A low-order nonlinear state-space model couples an electrochemical voltage layer to a lumped thermal layer, with parameters identified in stages using self-adaptive differential evolution. Identifiability analysis shows that static loss parameters are well constrained, while dynamic parameters …

A Painful Diffuse Rash, Bruce M. Lo, Melanie Shoemaker, Kiersten Potter, Katherine Schaffer

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Publications

[Patient presentation]

A 41-year-old male with no past medical history presented with 1 week of ulcers to the left side of his face, followed by several days of a painful rash to the trunk and back after a sexual encounter. The patient denies any fever or previous rash and any illicit drug use. Initial vital signs included a temperature of 97 °F, a heart rate of 89 beats per minute, and blood pressure of 135/79 mm Hg. Physical examination revealed a macular papular rash across his trunk and back (Fig 1) and facial ulcerations with eschar (Fig 2) at the …

Collective Bargaining In The Usa : Union Success Within And Outside Of The Flawed Legal Framework, Angela B. Cornell

Cornell Law Faculty Publications

The labour movement in the US experienced a powerful upswing under President Biden, but even with a labour-friendly administration thousands of new bargaining units labour without collective bargaining agreements years a#er being organised. The many limitations and weaknesses of the collective-bargaining framework under the private-sector statute, the NLRA, contribute to this very unfortunate outcome including enterprise rather than sectoral bargaining, a lack of meaningful remedies for serious bargaining violations, very little interest arbitration when the parties cannot reach agreement and the extremely limited right to strike. Millions of American workers are deprived of the right to bargain collectively because of …

The Role Of Tumor Microenvironment In Glioblastoma Multiforme(Gbm) Therapeutic Resistance, Kwesi E. Taylor

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Despite significant advances in cancer research and treatment, Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat effectively, with minimal improvement in long-term survival rates over the past few decades. This is largely attributed to tumor heterogeneity and the ability of tumor cells to develop adaptive resistance mechanisms supported by the tumor microenvironment (TME). Although the TME is recognized as a key contributor to tumor progression and therapeutic resistance, the underlying molecular pathways and regulatory genes remain incompletely understood. This study investigated the role of the tumor microenvironment in GBM therapeutic resistance using a bioinformatics approach. Single-cell …

Identifying Socio-Economic Areas Of Concern Towards Inclusion In Gis Hazard Management In Detroit, Michigan., Ernestina Osei

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

This study examined the spatial distribution of socio-economic vulnerability and accessibility to essential services in Detroit, Michigan, using a Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based approach. The research aimed to identify areas of greatest concern by integrating socio-economic indicators, including poverty, housing vacancy, income, unemployment, and crime, with spatial measures of access to critical infrastructure such as hospitals, fire stations, police stations, and grocery stores. Both feature-based and raster-based analyses were employed, including buffer and overlay analysis, service area evaluation, Euclidean distance modeling, and multi-criteria suitability analysis.

A mixed-methods framework was adopted to combine quantitative spatial analysis with contextual understanding of urban …

Defend The Fort: Indigenous History, Remembrance, And Memorialization In Ellis County, Kansas, Sarah Keiss

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

This thesis provides an in-depth look into the Indigenous history of the area that would later become Western Kansas and Ellis County. Analyzing the history of the area from before European colonization to the Native American resistance against American expansion in the 1860s, this thesis illustrates the complex and layered history of the area. Even prior to European settler presence in the area, the native tribes felt the effects of European settlement and trade around them, leading to drastic changes in geographic distribution and access to new resources, particularly horses. Over the course of the nineteenth century, white settlement completely …

Bridging The Gap In Patient Attendance: A Dnp-Led Quality Improvement Project To Reduce No-Show Rate By Implementing Text Message Reminders, Charles D. Rogers

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Missed medical appointments contribute to revenue loss, workflow inefficiencies, increased staff burden, and reduced patient access to care in primary care settings. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project evaluated the impact of an automated text message (SMS) reminder system on no-show rates in a privately owned, medium-sized family practice in a rural setting, aiming to reduce the baseline no-show rate of 11.4% to 10% or less. Guided by the Model for Improvement and the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework, automated SMS reminders were sent 48 hours prior to scheduled appointments. Existing 24-hour phone call reminders were maintained. Formative assessments …

Acceleration Battery Predictive Model Utilizing Field-Based Testing, Peterson Bohannon

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Sprint performance is a foundational determinant of success across multiple track and field events, yet many of the biomechanical and physiological factors underlying performance are typically assessed using laboratory-based tools that are not accessible to most coaches. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a practical, field-based testing model capable of predicting 60 m sprint performance and identifying key performance determinants in sprint and jump athletes.

A cohort of 40 collegiate track and field athletes (ages 18–24) completed a comprehensive testing battery including 30 m acceleration, 30 m fly sprint, standing long jump, standing five-bound, vertical jump, …

Advanced Practice Workforce: ​Drivers Of Satisfaction & Retention​, Stephanie Bork, Amber Balzer, Sally Russell, R. K. Elswick Jr., Terry Jone, Kimberlee Ketchersid, Joseph Deranieri

School of Nursing Publications

Problem

The turnover of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) is costly for institutions and creates gaps in care for organizations. The aims of this study are to describe the characteristics of the APRN and PA workforce in a large, integrated academic medical center and examine relationships between APRN and PA workforce characteristics and organizational outcomes.

Background

APRNs encompass a diverse group of licensed clinicians and are integral to healthcare delivery. As APRNs roles expand to support healthcare needs, turnover is costly and adversely affects patient care. The APRN role remains constrained in many healthcare institutions, contributing to burnout and job …

The Impact Of Somali Parental Involvement On Elementary Education In Minnesota: Opportunities And Challenges, Abdiqani Abdullahi Elmi

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract This qualitative study examines the challenges faced by Somali-American parents in Minnesota regarding involvement in their children's education, particularly during elementary school. The elementary level is a critical stage for students' learning and a foundational pillar for both academic development and social integration, making parental involvement during this stage especially important. However, immigrant families, specifically Somali-Americans, face significant challenges that impede their ability to participate actively in their children's educational journey. This qualitative phenomenological research investigated barriers that might stem from limited formal education, low English proficiency, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic challenges. The methodology used in this research is …

The Role Of Mentorship In Women’S Pathways To Senior Superintendency Positions In K–12 Public Education, Tara Falasco

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although women comprise the majority of the K–12 workforce, they remain underrepresented in senior superintendency leadership positions, a disparity attributed to systemic and social factors such as implicit bias, gender stereotypes, limited access to professional networks, and inequitable mentorship and sponsorship structures that restrict advancement opportunities. Mentorship is widely recognized as an important factor in women’s pathways to senior roles; however, women often report less access to advocacy-oriented sponsorship than men, leaving those in building-level leadership (e.g., principals, assistant principals) facing barriers—such as limited access to networks, implicit gender bias, and work–life balance challenges—when seeking senior superintendency positions. This phenomenological, …

Decision-Making Consistency In Mtss And Special Education: Implications For Equity And Student Outcomes, Alyson Renee Reeves

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) are widely used to guide early intervention and data-based decision making in schools; however, variability in how educators interpret data and apply decision-making frameworks may influence student access to interventions and special education services. This study examined decision-making practices within MTSS and special education systems, with particular attention to eligibility determination, reevaluation, and dismissal processes. Drawing on existing research related to MTSS implementation, equity in special education, and professional judgment in data interpretation, this study explored how educators interpreted student data and applied decision-making criteria within Minnesota school systems. The purpose of this research was …

Barriers To Creativity: Addressing Anxiety And Self-Doubt In Secondary Visual Arts Students, Wenlai Fang

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adolescence is a crucial stage for self-development and creativity development. During this period, middle school students will experience creative anxiety and self-doubt about creative expression in multiple dimensions. To help students manage the uncertainties inherent in the creative process and build confidence and resilience, this study, based on Rhodes' (1961) 4P creativity framework (Person, Process, Press, and Product), systematically investigated the obstacles to the development of adolescent creativity and identified teaching intervention measures for fostering a supportive creativity ecosystem.
This study demonstrated that the development of adolescent creativity is a result of multi-faceted and multi-dimensional interactions from the 4P creativity …

Dielectric And Thermal Ageing Characteristics Of Al₂O₃ Nanofluid-Impregnated Cellulose For Power Transformer Applications, Shaymaa A. Qenawy, Basma Eltlhawy, Hussein M. Waly

Mansoura Engineering Journal

As nanotechnology progresses, nanofluids have emerged as promising candidates for transformer insulation due to their enhanced dielectric and thermal properties. This study evaluates the degradation behavior of a mineral oil-cellulose system compared to an alumina (Al₂O₃) nanofluid-cellulose system. Accelerated thermal ageing tests were conducted at 120°C for a 20-day duration, simulating approximately 20 years of field service. Key findings reveal that the nanofluid-impregnated paper exhibited superior mechanical longevity, characterized by a 3% reduction in the tensile strength deterioration rate relative to mineral oil samples. Initially, the AC breakdown voltage (BDV) of the nanofluid was 10.85% higher …

Examining Obsessive-Compulsive Symptomatology And Maternal Functioning During The Postpartum Period: Implications For Disclosure And Assessment, Meghan Collins

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Maternal mental health is a significant global health concern, with nearly one in five new mothers experiencing a mental health disorder during the perinatal period. Timely screening, assessment, and treatment are critical for the well-being of both mother and infant, given the potential adverse effects of unaddressed mental health concerns. While much of the existing literature has focused on perinatal depression and anxiety, research specifically examining obsessive-compulsive symptoms and unwanted or intrusive thoughts remains limited. The present study investigated the relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and maternal functioning, as well as experiences related to the assessment and disclosure of intrusive thoughts. …

The Impact Of Long Covid On Mental Health, Marzena Podkalicka

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Since the emergence of the novel coronavirus, a significant portion of the global population has transitioned from acute infection to Long COVID, a multisystemic condition characterized by persistent symptoms lasting 4 weeks or longer. This study investigated the psychological impact of Long COVID, to explore rates of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and quality of life in people with Long COVID compared to those without it. A quantitative survey-based design was employed with a sample of 310 adults (Aged 18 to 90; M = 48.2). Participants completed validated instruments, including the Long COVID Questionnaire, Short Form Health Survey, General …

Embracing The Green Thumb: Occupation-Based Resources For Stroke Recovery, Brianna Padovano

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Stroke recovery requires ongoing effort from survivors, caregivers, practitioners, and communities to promote meaningful participation in long-term engagement in daily life. Despite the growing amount of evidence supporting continued recovery beyond the acute stages of stroke, accessible resources that address the needs of these stakeholder groups remain limited (Chen et al., 2019). This doctoral capstone experience aimed to bridge these gaps through the development and dissemination of educational, clinical, and advocacy-based resources designed to support stroke rehabilitation across various stakeholders. An evidence-informed, occupation-based stroke recovery guide, which includes relevant theories, decision-making flowcharts, sample protocols, and resources, was created for new …

Breaking Barriers In Bariatric Care, Morgan Lapshanski

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

The doctoral capstone project titled Breaking Barriers in Bariatric Care was established to promote equitable care and increase the quality of healthcare services provided to bariatric patients. Breaking Barriers in Bariatric Care was implemented to address the areas of education, research, and advocacy. With the focus being on these areas, the student worked to promote levels of accessibility and inclusivity within the healthcare system. The capstone project included an asynchronous virtual educational program for healthcare students at Misericordia University to enhance knowledge in the areas of bias reduction, safe handling, and providing appropriate care to bariatric patients. The student conducted …

Harmony In Healing: Addressing The Psychosocial Needs Of Individuals Living With Lymphedema, Bria K. Brombacher

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Lymphedema is a chronic and incurable condition associated with significant physical and psychosocial challenges, including depression, anxiety, social isolation, and reduced quality of life. Despite increasing recognition of these concerns, limited interventions exist that specifically address the psychosocial needs of individuals living with lymphedema. Additionally, individuals within this population often report limited provider awareness of lymphedema within the healthcare system. The purpose of this doctoral capstone project, Harmony in Healing: Addressing the Psychosocial Needs of Individuals Living with Lymphedema, was to promote well-being, improve quality of life, and increase awareness of the psychosocial implications of lymphedema through occupational therapy intervention. …

Restorative Restitution, Lula Hagos

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

How to best meet the needs of crime victims while also furthering the imperative of decarceration has long vexed advocates and scholars alike. This dilemma comes into sharp focus when one examines two developments in criminal procedure that, until now, have been analyzed separately: victim restitution and restorative justice.

Criminal restitution, the monetary payments ordered from defendants to victims, often fails both groups. Because most defendants are indigent, restitution obligations lengthen defendants’ involvement with the criminal legal system without delivering meaningful compensation to victims, making restitution more symbolic than restorative. At the same time, interest in restorative justice has surged …

Transportation Law’S Congestion Problem, Sara C. Bronin

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

Transportation law has a congestion problem: our federalist system of government allows federal and state actors to stymie innovative, locally driven projects that aim to reduce driving. This problem is illustrated in the decades-long legal battles over New York City’s plan to impose “congestion pricing” to toll drivers entering certain parts of Manhattan. Overcoming grandstanding elected officials, lawsuits resting on state and federal supremacy, and even a federal legislative override, congestion pricing was finally launched in January 2025. New Yorkers and suburbanites alike almost immediately started benefiting from cleaner air, faster commutes, safer roads, and increased economic activity and productivity—plus …

Governing Ai Without Agencies: Self-Regulatory Organizations And The Federal Backstop, Aram A. Gavoor

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

Artificial intelligence is accelerating American innovation and strategic advantage. The governance task is to provide predictable compliance baselines that support scale and competitiveness while remaining workable under executive branch policy, statutory baselines, and the rules that now govern the administrative state. Congress remains slow and factional, and agencies face rising procedural and remedial constraints. Recent Supreme Court doctrine has reduced the administrative state’s interpretive and enforcement leverage. Regulated entities can challenge agency rules when those rules newly impose concrete harm, litigate statutory meaning without Chevron-style mandatory deference to agency statutory interpretations with limited exceptions, and invoke strengthened procedural safeguards in …

Feature Comment: Governance As A “Blocker”: How The Pentagon’S New Ai Strategy Trades Oversight For Speed, Jessica Tillipman

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

The Department of Defense's January 2026 AI Strategy memorandum presents governance and speed as a zero-sum tradeoff, labeling core oversight mechanisms such as ATOs, test and evaluation, and contracting processes as "blockers" to be waived through a newly established Barrier Removal Board. By doing so, the memo converts governance from a baseline into a negotiable exception. It also redefines "Responsible AI" in ways that depart from the Department's prior lifecycle-assurance framework, mandates "any lawful use" contract language that shifts risk management responsibility to the government, and elevates undefined criteria like "model objectivity" to primary procurement standards, without providing contracting officers …

Policy Brief: The Occ's Unlawful Proposal To Preempt State Interest-On-Escrow Laws Reveals That The Agency's Ultimate Goal Is To Revive Its Illegal De Facto Field Preemption Regime For National Banks, Arthur E. Wilmarth Jr.

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

In December 2025, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) issued a proposal to preempt all state laws that require national banks and federal savings associations to pay interest on borrowers’ funds held in mortgage escrow accounts. The OCC’s proposal is unlawful and must be rescinded. Under 12 U.S.C. § 25b and the Supreme Court’s decisions in Cuomo v. Clearing House and Cantero v. Bank of America, the OCC does not have authority to preempt state interest-on-escrow (IOE) laws.

The OCC’s proposal for a categorical, across-the-board preemption of state IOE laws violates three requirements set forth in 12 …

What Rights Do Ai Companies Have In Government Contracts?, Jessica Tillipman

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

The Anthropic-Pentagon dispute has generated widespread commentary but fundamental confusion about whether contractors can restrict the government's use of their products. This article argues the question is not novel. The scope of permissible restrictions depends on the acquisition pathway, the contract type, and the negotiated terms. The article surveys the principal pathways through which the federal government acquires AI and examines OpenAI's published Pentagon contract language, which adopts an "any lawful use" standard conditioned on existing legal authorities. A critical tension emerges: although the contract facially permits broad use, OpenAI's retained architectural control over its cloud-only deployment and safety infrastructure …

Justice Kagan’S Presidential Administration Article Twenty-Five Years Later, Richard J. Pierce Jr

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

This article is a contribution to a symposium on the durability of the famous article that Visiting Professor (now Justice) Kagan wrote in 2001 in her successful effort to obtain a tenured position on the Harvard faculty. The title of the article was “Presidential Administration.” Professor Kagan described the history of efforts to govern the administrative state and argued in support of the highly personal and overtly political approach taken by her former boss, President Clinton.

Professor Pierce begins by discussing at length agency adjudication--an important topic that Professor Kagan discussed in only a few paragraphs. He concludes that Professor …

Sex Equality After Skrmetti, Naomi Schoenbaum

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

The Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Skrmetti upholding a ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors marked a foundational shift in constitutional sex equality doctrine. Rather than recognize the challenged ban’s sex-based line-drawing, the Court recast the statute as a neutral regulation of medical purpose and age. In so doing, it narrowed the definition of what constitutes a sex-based classification and embraced a conception of biological sex as a natural kind—objective, apolitical, and outside the scope of constitutional scrutiny.

The Article identifies this move as a doctrinal departure and a conceptual reconfiguration. The law’s challengers argued that it …

Forces Of Movement: How Changing Perceptions Of Slavery And Freedom Affected Black Lives In The Mason-Dixon Borderland, 1861-1872, Rachael B. Nicholas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Mason-Dixon Line, first surveyed between 1763 and 1767, became the symbolic “dividing line” between free and slave states in antebellum America. This perception of the Mason-Dixon Line allowed a larger borderland to grow around it: the Mason-Dixon Borderland, which consisted of northern Maryland, Washington, D.C., southern Pennsylvania, northern Virginia, and the Shenandoah Valley (western Virginia and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia).

Americans used slavery and freedom as referents to make decisions about survival, military policy, politics, and freedom-seeking during the Civil War. Those decisions had consequences for their movement across the Mason-Dixon Borderland, causing it to change as …