Welcome To OpenBU
OpenBU is Boston University’s digital institutional repository for scholarly articles, theses and dissertations, preprints, and grey literature. This repository enables BU researchers to share, disseminate, and preserve their scholarship, and makes their research more accessible
If you are looking for information on BU's opt-out open access policy, please visit the BU Open Access Policy page.
Communities in OpenBU
Select a community to browse its collections.
Recent Submissions
Dominic Ignatius Ekandem
(2016-07) Chief Olusegun Obasanjo
David Lonkibiri Windibiziri
(2016-07) Chief Olusegun Obasanjo
Abiodun Babatunde Lawrence
(2016-07) Chief Olusegun Obasanjo
History of the New England Female Medical College : 1848 - 1874
(Boston University School of Medicine, 1950) Waite, Frederick C.
Spectrally sharp magnetic excitations above the critical temperature in a frustrated Weyl semimetal
(Nature Portfolio, 2025-07-17) Terilli, Michael; Jia, Xun; Liu, Xiaoran; Laurell, Pontus; Nedic, Ana-Marija; Chang, Yueqing; Wu, Tsung-Chi; Chen, Huyongqing; Li, Hongze; Upton, Mary H.; Kim, Jungho; Kim, Jong-Woo; Ryan, Philip J.; Nelson, Christie; Zhou, Jianshi; Kareev, Mikhail; Hu, Wanzheng; Pixley, Jedediah H.; Fiete, Gregory A.; Cao, Yue; Chakhalian, Jak
The rare-earth α-pyrochlore iridates are a prospective class of conducting frustrated magnets where electronic correlations, large spin-orbit coupling, and geometrical frustration interplay, leading to a rich set of magnetic and electronic phases. Despite their intriguing properties, the magnetic order and excitations in this fundamental class of topological quantum materials remain poorly understood due to challenges in growing large single crystals and insufficient microscopic information on their temperature-dependent phases. Here, by combining state-of-the-art thin-film synthesis, resonant elastic and inelastic X-ray scattering, spin wave analysis, and dynamical spin susceptibility calculations, we unequivocally reveal the presence of spectrally sharp, gapped magnetic excitations in Y2Ir2O7 that surprisingly persist well above the Néel transition temperature, signaling the presence of a quasi-universal regime connected to fluctuations on frustrated lattices. This finding implies the existence of a highly unusual cooperative paramagnetic (CP) phase above the ordering temperature and offers an explanation for the puzzling high-temperature magnetic behavior observed across the family of metallic pyrochlore crystals. Understanding such magnetic excitations at technologically relevant temperatures opens up possibilities for novel topological spintronic devices.
Innovative pathways: leveraging AI adoption and team dynamics for multinational corporation success
(MDPI AG, 2025-07-04) Javed, Hasnain; Goncalves, Marcus; Thirunavukkarasu, Shobana
This study examines the impact of AI adoption orientation on innovation performance in multinational corporations (MNCs), emphasizing team innovativeness as an intervening mechanism and technology orientation as a moderating factor. Using data from 410 respondents collected via a snowball sampling strategy and analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), the findings reveal that artificial intelligence (AI) adoption orientation positively influences team innovativeness and innovation performance. Team innovativeness partially mediates this relationship, while technology orientation moderates the link between AI adoption and team innovativeness, underscoring the role of technological preparedness in enhancing innovation. The study contributes to theoretical understanding by integrating team dynamics and technology preparedness in AI-driven innovation. It provides practical insights for managers, policymakers, and organizational leaders on fostering an innovative culture and investing in technology skills to drive MNC competitiveness.
Exploring barriers and enablers for women entrepreneurs in urban Ireland: a qualitative study of the Greater Dublin Area
(MDPI AG, 2025-06-30) Goncalves, Marcus; Trainor, Megan; Ursini, Andreana
This research investigates the pivotal role of women’s entrepreneurship in urban Ireland. Utilizing a demand–constraint–choice framework for analysis, it explores the diverse motivations behind Irish women’s entrepreneurial ventures, emphasizing the impact of time- and place-specific factors. The study also assesses gender equality and disparities. This qualitative research presents a comparative analysis of motivations, perceptions, and experiences conducted through semi-structured interviews in Ireland’s diverse cultural and economic contexts. The findings highlight the influence of cultural factors on women’s entrepreneurial choices and the significance of government support systems. They underscore the necessity of proactive government intervention for gender-inclusive economic development, offering insights applicable beyond Ireland. Valuable for policymakers, researchers, and entrepreneurs, the findings enhance understanding of women’s entrepreneurial leadership, contributing to global strategies for empowering women in entrepreneurship. Several policy recommendations are provided.
Fabrication of ophthalmic lenses by Fluidic Shaping
(Elsevier BV, 2025-07) Elgarisi, Mor; Luria, Omer; Katzman, Yotam; Widerker, Daniel; Frumkin, Valeri; Bercovici, Moran
Limited access to corrective eyewear remains a significant medical, societal, and economic challenge in developing countries, with more than 1 billion people suffering from uncorrected vision impairment. Philanthropy has failed to meet the demand, and local manufacturing using standard technologies remains beyond reach due to
inadequate resources. We present a fluidic approach, leveraging the surface tension of liquid polymers, with which high-quality solid lenses, with any prescription, can be created without machining, polishing or any postprocessing steps. We provide an experimentally-validated analytical model relating the geometrical degrees of freedom to the desired prescription. Using a compact low-power device, we demonstrate that the fluidic
approach allows the fabrication of industry-standard eyeglasses in several minutes, opening the door to advanced manufacturing in low-resource settings.
Optical coherence tomography imaging application in endodontics
(2025) Kaur , Harkomal; Chogle, Sami
INTRODUCTION: Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging modality that uses near-infrared light to visualize microstructural details of biological tissues. In endodontics, OCT presents an opportunity for real-time, radiation-free assessment of root canal anatomy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) as a diagnostic imaging modality for quantifying internal root canal defects. OCT measurements were compared against Micro-Computed Tomography (MCT), the gold standard, and Digital Caliper Measurements (DCM), a conventional external reference, to determine their relative reliability in detecting and measuring standardized canal defects. METHODS: Twelve extracted human teeth were standardized and prepared with simulated root canal defects of four perforation sizes (using Munce burs #1/4 to #2) and internal resorption lesions. OCT scans were obtained using a modified Dragonfly OPTIS Imaging Catheter adapted for endodontic use. Measurements were also taken using MCT and DCM. A three-way ANOVA and linear regression were used to assess the consistency and accuracy of measurements. A paired t-test was performed to evaluate the agreement between OCT and MCT measurements for internal resorption defects. RESULTS: All three modalities demonstrated a statistically significant increase in measured defect size with increasing perforation level (p < 0.001). OCT showed the lowest rate of increase compared to MCT and DCM, indicating potential underestimation for smaller defects. However, this discrepancy diminished as defect size increased. The paired t-test comparing OCT and MCT for internal resorption lesions revealed no significant difference (p = 0.56), supporting OCT’s ability to reliably assess larger defects. Differences in measurement methodology—specifically internal (OCT and MCT) versus external (DCM)—were identified as contributing factors to observed discrepancies. CONCLUSION: OCT demonstrates promising accuracy for moderate to large internal root canal defects, showing potential advantages over traditional methods in specific clinical scenarios. While its resolution may limit the detection of small structural irregularities, its high-resolution capabilities, combined with a non-ionizing radiation profile, make it a valuable adjunct for diagnostic imaging. Further technological advancements, including catheter miniaturization and improved resolution, are necessary to expand its clinical applicability, particularly in narrow or calcified canals.
Association between periodontitis and cognitive impairment in the US population stratified by race/ethnicity
(2025) Ortiz, Maria Cristina; Kaye, Elizabeth
INTRODUCTION: Previous evidence suggests a potential link between periodontal disease and cognitive impairment, but little is known about how this association may differ across racial and ethnic groups. Understanding these differences is critical for addressing disparities in both oral and cognitive health among diverse populations in the United States.
METHODS: This study analyzed data from 2,139 adults aged 65 and older using NHANES 2011–2014. Participants underwent full-mouth periodontal exams and cognitive assessments through four standardized tests (CERAD-IR, CERAD-DR, AFT, and DSST). Periodontal disease was classified into no/mild, moderate, or severe. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the association between periodontal status and low cognitive performance, with analyses stratified by race/ethnicity.
RESULTS: The prevalence of cognitive impairment increased with greater periodontal disease severity. Participants with severe periodontitis had the highest prevalence of impairment in DSST (28%), AFT (21%), and CERAD-IR (23%). Logistic regression analysis showed that severe periodontitis was significantly associated with low DSST scores overall (OR=2.3, 95% CI: 1.4–4.0, p=0.01), with the strongest association observed among Hispanic participants (OR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.1–6.1, p=0.0342). A significant interaction by race/ethnicity was observed for AFT (p=0.0273), where an unexpected inverse association was found in the “Other” race group (OR=0.4, 95% CI: 0.1–0.9, p=0.0074).
CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates that the link between periodontitis and cognitive impairment differs by racial/ethnic group, with a notably stronger association among Hispanic individuals and a possible inverse relationship in the "Other" group, potentially due to random error or unmeasured factors. These findings highlight the importance of inclusive research and cautious interpretation of subgroup data. Periodontitis may be a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline, with effects varying by race, emphasizing the need for future longitudinal and interventional studies to assess causality and treatment impact across diverse populations.