Digital Commons Network^™

Designing A Statistical Plan For Measuring Self-Efficacy Using A 2k Factorial Design​, Rachel A. Hart, Eugene H. Thompson

Mathematics, Computer Science & Statistics Presentations

This study focuses on designing a statistical plan that measures the effects of self-efficacy using a 2k factorial design. Specifically, we simulated data on physical, mental, spiritual, and social health, so we could focus on their interaction with self-efficacy. By using ANOVA to see the main and interaction effects, we can see the impact of individual autonomy on health. Our findings show the need for experimental data on the demographic of interest, peri-and post-menopausal women.

Exploring The Role Of Azoreductase Enzymes In Drug Metabolism: Implications For Personalized Medicine, Najoude Claude, Robert Ghergurovich

Chemistry & Biochemistry Student Scholarship

Najoude Claude ’26, Biology major

Robert Ghergurovich ’26, Biochemistry major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Tyler Stack, Chemistry and Biochemistry

The gut microbiome hosts trillions of microorganisms that metabolize xenobiotics such as drugs and food dyes. Individual differences lead to variable drug metabolism. We studied two azoreductases: E. coli’s P41407 and Alistipes sp. CHKCL003’s A0A143XFE8. Enzyme P41407 acted on methyl red and ethyl red, while A0A143XFE8 acted on these and also on phenol blue, HMND, and sunset yellow. We propose these enzymes function as quinone reductases, requiring a quinone-like intermediate. Three synthesized compounds confirmed similar kinetics. In conclusion, these insights significantly advance …

Sample Preparation And Acquisition Strategies To Improve Accessibility And Proteome Depth In Single-Cell And Low-Input Proteomics, Sara Madisyn Johnston

Theses and Dissertations

Proteins are responsible for important cellular functions and processes including regulation, structural integrity, signaling, transport, and immune functions. Proteomics directly identifies these proteins and enables deeper characterization of the dynamic cellular environment beyond the capabilities of genomics and transcriptomics. Single-cell proteomics further enhances this approach by capturing cellular heterogeneity, which bulk proteomics obscures due to averaging protein expression across large cell populations. Despite significant advances in single-cell proteomics, continued innovation is necessary to increase workflow accessibility and throughput, minimize peptide losses, and achieve comprehensive coverage of the proteome. This dissertation addresses these challenges by developing improved sample preparation methods, two-dimensional …

Diversity And Habitat Use Of Bats In Modified Suburban Landscapes, Brittany Morgera

Biology Presentations

Bats occupy critical ecological niches and perform important ecosystem services like controlling insect populations. However, humans have altered bat habitat substantially, resulting in the reduction of bat populations. The goals of this research are to assess bat diversity and habitat use across different levels of suburban habitat modification. To accomplish this, we deployed passive acoustic recorders at twelve locations with varying human impact in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In accordance with The North American Bat Monitoring Program’s standards, acoustic analysis software was used to identify bat species. Manual identification methods from The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative were used to verify these …

Analyzing Northwest Ohio Industries And Utilizing The Shape Program To Increase Sustainable Practices, Abigail Stucker

Honors Projects

The purpose of this project is to dive deeper into the corporate perspective on sustainability and why manufacturing companies should take action on such an important topic. Is there a true balance for businesses between increasing profits and reducing waste? Why should businesses care about being branded as a sustainable company? What efforts do companies need to take to truly be branded as “sustainable?” These are questions that drove the research and development of this project. After looking into these guiding questions, this project develops a program to help monitor and measure the successful sustainability practices that various Northwest Ohio …

Innovations In Sample Handling Automation To Increase Accessibility Of Sample-Limited Proteomics, Nathaniel Ben Axtell

Theses and Dissertations

Innovation is the vehicle that drives scientific research forward in virtually every field. Advances in genome sequencing propelled the human genome project to completion in 2003 and set the stage for the era of proteomics. Now decades of innovation in liquid chromatography (LC) and mass spectrometry (MS) have improved sensitivity sufficiently to enable single-cell proteomics and other sample-limited studies. Single-cell proteomics reveal patterns of gene expression that are often obscured by bulk-scale proteomics, leading to the identification of new protein biomarker candidates. Sensitive targeted proteomics is the key to successful translation of low-abundance protein assays into clinical applications. With a …

Environmental Risk And Alpha-Gal Syndrome (Ags) In The Mid-Atlantic United States, Brandon D. Hollingsworth Ph.D., Margaret Wiener, Dana A. Giandimenico, Scott P. Commins, Ross M. Boyce

Faculty Publications

Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), commonly referred to as the tick bite red meat allergy, has been reported worldwide with the number of suspected cases in the United States increasing from 24 in 2009 to over 34,000 in 2019. Within the US, AGS is associated with the bite of two tick species, Amblyomma americanum and Ixodes scapularis, and has particularly high incidence rates in the mid-Atlantic region. Because AGS is associated with tick bites, the risk of developing AGS is affected by the environment individuals visit. Despite this, as well as the numerous studies associating the environment with Am. americanum, …

Volume 16, Maggie Duncan, Madeline Little, Alicia Hoffman, Megan Livesay, Gabrielle Quaresma, Serenity Allen, Laina Pfountz, Ainslie Allred, Sabrina Robles, Nicholas J. Duellman, Trinity L. Deguzman, Melissa H. Savage, Margaret Dudley, Jocelyn Escobar, Olivia Hildreth, Olivia Hopkins, Benjamin Gettier, Lee Kassay, Jade Riddle, Ashley Seiders

Incite: The Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Introduction Dr. Amorette Barber, Director, Office of Student Research

From the Editor Dr. Hannah Dudley-Shotwell

Artist’s Statement Maggie Duncan

On Mentoring Dr. Lee Millar Bidwell

The Hujum Campaign in Uzbekistan and its Consequences by Madeline Little

Wet Cupping Compared to Dry Needling for Treatment of Patients with Low Back Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic by Alicia Hoffman and Megan Livesay

Optimization of eDNA Air Sampling Via 3D Printed Fan by Gabrielle Quaresma

Beyond the Classroom: A Qualitative Study of Teacher Attrition and Retention by Serenity Allen and Laina Pfountz

The Treatment of Subacromial Impingement Syndrome with Platelet-Rich plasma Injections Verses …

Draft Final 2022 Unreclaimed Sites Sampling: Ur-28 Site Evaluation Summary Report, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Examining The Effects Of Symbiotic State And Environmental Pollution On Wound Healing In Coral, Jonathan De Montagnac

College Honors Program

Understanding coral reef health requires comprehension of the biological processes that support live coral cover. Corals are frequently exposed to physical abrasion from various sources, thereby necessitating vital resources be directed towards wound recovery. For corals and other organisms that harbor photosynthetic symbionts, the balance between autotrophic versus heterotrophic energy contributions influences their fitness. Experimentally disentangling the individual effects of environmental stress and symbiotic state on coral health is difficult in most tropical corals due to the obligate nature of their symbiosis. However, determining how nutritional dynamics, environmental stressors, and health interact is crucial to understanding coral resilience. To examine …

Inhibition Of Mif With An Allosteric Inhibitor Triggers Cell Cycle Arrest In Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Georgios Pantouris, Leepakshi Khurana, Pathricia Tilstam, Alison Benner, Thomas Yoonsang Cho, Martin Lelaidier, Mathieu Perrée, Zoe Rosenbaum, Lin Leng, Francine Foss, Vineet Bhandari, Amit Verma, Richard Bucala, Elias J. Lolis

Pacific Faculty Work

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a key modulator of innate and adaptive immunity that has been extensively reported to promote tumor cell survival, proliferation, and metastasis. A recent study focusing on the microenvironment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) showed that pharmacological inhibition of MIF signaling, in vitro as well as in vivo, reduces AML cell survival. Such data highlights the crucial role of MIF in AML pathogenesis and support the efforts for developing selective MIF modulators. Here, we report the identification and crystallographic characterization of a MIF inhibitor (compound 1) with an allosteric binding motif. Single point screening of …

A Performance Comparison Between Two Speech-To-Asl-Gesture-Projection Translation Implementations, Alexandra Kashani Motlagh, Shikha Mehta, Ishfaq Ahmad, Addison Clark, Hansheng Lei

Informatics and Engineering Systems Faculty Publications

Millions of people with hearing disabilities use sign language for communication, creating a communication gap with those who are not fluent in ASL (American Sign Language). This paper aims to introduce an ASL interpreter system using a smart-glasses-based augmented reality system. We begin by introducing and comparing two models that translate spoken language into ASL poses. The first system translates spoken text to ASL Gloss, an intermediate representation, before generating ASL poses. The second system directly translates the text to ASL poses. Our analysis shows that using ASL Gloss as an intermediate step significantly improves the translation speed. We then …

A New Turn Off Fluorescent Nir Probe For Hypochlorous Acid And Its Applications, Ayten Ibrahimova, Ayşe Nur Önem, Mehmet Altun, Emi̇n Ahmet Yeşi̇l, Asli Baysal, Hasan Saygin, Ahu Soyocak, Mustafa Özyürek

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a potent nonradical oxidant involved in various physiological processes, particularly within the human immune system. In this study, we introduce a novel, rapid, and highly efficient fluorometric method for the detection of HOCl. The method utilizes a near-infrared (NIR)-based fluorescent probe, NIR-QBH, which is characterized by its high sensitivity and chemical stability. NIR-QBH, containing olefinic C=C bonds, exhibits strong NIR emission at 660 nm (λex = 618 nm). The detection mechanism relies on the oxidation of the C=C bond in the NIR-QBH structure by HOCl, resulting in the formation of non-fluorescent products. With a detection limit …

Ensemble Learning With Explainable Ai For Improved Heart Disease Prediction Based On Multiple Datasets, Shahid Mohammad Ganie, Pijush Kanti Dutta Pramanik, Zhongming Zhao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Predicting and detecting heart disease early is crucial, as it allows medical professionals to take appropriate and necessary actions at earlier stages. Healthcare professionals can diagnose cardiac conditions more accurately by applying machine learning technology. This study aimed to enhance heart disease prediction using stacking and voting ensemble methods. Fifteen base models were trained on two different heart disease datasets. After evaluating various combinations, six base models were pipelined to develop ensemble models employing a meta-model (stacking) and a majority vote (voting). The performance of the stacking and voting …

Ontologies For Smart Agriculture: A Path Toward Explainable Ai-A Systematic Literature Review, Rima Grati, Najla Fattouch, Khouloud Boukadi

All Works

Smart agriculture has grown significantly over the last few years, particularly with the integration of advanced technologies (e.g., the Internet of Things, robots, artificial intelligence, etc.), leading to the development of intelligent agricultural systems. However, these systems often lack data integration, interoperability, and semantic explainability. Various approaches have been proposed to address these challenges. This study provides a comprehensive literature review that addresses, on the one hand, the use of semantic resources (e.g., semantic web technologies and ontologies) to tackle data integration and interoperability in smart agriculture systems and, on the other hand, the integration of explainable artificial intelligence into …

Speed Of Shear Waves As A Function Of Frequency In Micellar Fluid, Michael Basha

Honors Theses

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the frequency dependence of shear wave speed in a micellar fluid. A high-concentration CTAB-NaSal micellar fluid seeded with microspheres was used in the experiment. Shear waves were generated using a wave driver and a function generator, while a high-speed camera captured video recordings. Since the frequency of the wave driver producing the shear waves in the micellar fluid is a constant value set by the experimenter, changes in shear wave speed can be determined by measuring their wavelengths at different frequencies.The captured video was then broken down into frames using MATLAB. These …

Re: Bpsou Superfund Stormwater Operation And Maintenance (O&M) Request For Maintenance – Kelley Stormwater Channels, Josh Bryson

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Synthesis Of Low Ph Stable, Highly Photocatalytic Alginate Hydrogels For Methylene Blue Removal From Wastewater, Emi̇rcan Uysal, Hali̇de Nur Dursun, Emre Can Uysal, Sebahatti̇n Gürmen

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Chemical compounds in wastewater, including dye molecules, have been identified as significant concerns for environmental integrity and human health. In this study, adsorbent materials were synthesized from biodegradable polymers to remove methylene blue (MB) from wastewater. Calcium alginate hydrogels were produced and coated with chitosan to enhance their pH stability. Furthermore, the calcium alginate gels were doped with silver nanoparticles to improve their photocatalytic properties, promoting MB degradation and enabling gel reuse. The adsorption behavior of the gels was comprehensively examined under dark conditions, considering factors such as time, solid-to-liquid ratio, temperature, and pollutant concentration, all of which significantly impact …

Synthesis Of Thiazole-Integrated Pyrrolotriazinones: Evaluations Of Cytotoxicity And Effects On Pi3k Levels In Cancer Cells, Eylem Kuzu, Ege Arzuk, Fuat Karakuş, Burak Kuzu, Hasan Genç

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

The synthesis of novel heterocyclic compounds, particularly those targeting critical signaling pathways in cancer, represents a promising approach to drug development. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of thiazole-integrated pyrrolotriazinone derivatives, aiming to combine the antiproliferative properties of thiazole with the PI3K inhibitory activity of pyrrolotriazinones. The PI3K pathway, which plays a critical role in regulating cell growth, proliferation, and survival, is frequently dysregulated in cancer, making it an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. The synthesized derivatives were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, A549, and HepG2 cancer cell lines. Their effect on PI3K protein levels …

Ai Meets Economics: Can Deep Learning Surpass Machine Learning And Traditional Statistical Models In Inflation Time Series Forecasting?, Ezekiel N.N. Nortey, Edmund F. Agyemang, Enoch Sakyi-Yeboah, Obu-Amoah Ampomah, Louis Agyekum

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

This study examined the forecasting ability of deep learning (DL) and machine learning (ML) models against benchmark traditional statistical models for the monthly inflation rates in the USA. The study compared various DL and ML models like transformers, linear regression, gradient boosting (GB), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and adaptive boosting (AdaBoost) with traditional baseline time-series models like autoregressive integrated moving averages (ARIMA) and exponential smoothing (ETS) with Holt-Winters seasonal method utilizing data sourced from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The study consistently showed that all DL and ML models outperformed the traditional approaches. In particular, the Transformer (RMSE …

Expanding The Horizons Of Nonagonal Neutrosophic Numbers As A Versatile Framework For Decision-Making And Scientific Applications In Covid-19, Muhammad Naveed Jafar, Kainat Muniba, Hamiden Abd El-Wahed Khalifa, Fahd Jarad

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

In this article, the concept of nonagonal neutrosophic numbers has been introducing in the disjunctive frame of reference. We also proposed the dependency and independency of membership function in regards to nonagonal neutrosophic number. We also introduce a new score function and its computation also formulated in a distinct rational viewpoint. We developed the concept of weighted arithmetic averaging operator and weighted geometric averaging operator for nonagonal neutrosophic numbers. It will open new doors for MCDM and develop the concept with new approaches. Additionally, we analyze the effect of COVID-19 for different ages.

Assessing The Sustainable Blockchain-Metaverse-Iot Platform In The Healthcare Industry: An Intelligent Decision Support Model, Ibrahim M. Hezam, Ahmed M. Ali, Ibrahim A. Hameed, Karam Sallam, Mohamed Abdel-Basset

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

Healthcare services must fulfill patients' desires for secure data sharing and high accessibility. Blockchain technology, through blockchain platforms (BPs), can overcome healthcare challenges. This study develops a decision-making methodology for selecting the best BP, by integrating blockchain with IoT and Metaverse, the proposed approach ensures data integrity, quality, privacy and security, secure data sharing, and interoperability. The decision-making methodology uses the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodology to handle conflicting criteria. Two MCDM methods are used in this study: CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) for weight computation, and Ranking of Alternatives with Weights of Criterion (RAWEC) for alternative ranking. To deal …

Appraisal Of Uncertainty-Driven Financial Performance: Bringing Multi-Criteria Decision Making Techniques With Neutrosophic Theory, Mona Mohamed, Nurhan Alaa, Eman Sayed

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

Evaluating financial performance is essential yet challenging due to various factors, including ambiguity, insufficient information, and conflicting evaluation criteria. Conventional Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) techniques often struggle to manage these complexities effectively. To address these limitations and enhance financial performance assessments, this research proposes an innovative approach integrating Single-Valued Neutrosophic Sets (SVNS) with established MCDM methodologies. SVNS uniquely manages uncertainty by concurrently quantifying degrees of truth, indeterminacy, and falsity within financial data. This research specifically employs entropy-based weighting methods integrated with Additive Ratio Assessment (ARAS) and Multi-Objective Optimization by Ratio Analysis (MOORA) methodologies in the SVNS environment to systematically rank enterprises …

Leveraging Hypersoft Set To Optimize Livestock In The Era Of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Alaa Salem, Mona Mohamed, Nebojsa Bacanin, Mohamed Abouhawwash

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

Due to urbanization and industrialization, rapid global change and the potential loss of arable land, agricultural output must rise in production levels and harvest, distribute, and use resources more efficiently. It is believed that using technology on livestock would help meet the expanding population's demand for food. Internet of Things (IoT) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) integration in conventional farming has transformed operations, providing farmers with greater productivity, improved decision-making, and sustainability. We assume that there are enough UAVs to cover the entire pasture, and our goal is to identify the best UAVs. Accordingly, determining the best type of UAVs …

A Novel Neutrosophic Decision-Making Approach For Optimizing Metaverse Headphone Design: Balancing Technical Performance And User Emotional Needs, Mai Mohamed, Amira Salam, Karam Sallam, Bilal Arain

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

The concept of the metaverse, which combines various technologies to create a wide range of virtual experiences, has gained significant popularity in recent years. To fully engage in these metaverse environments, users rely on access devices such as virtual reality (VR) headsets and smartphones for augmented reality (AR). These devices must be lightweight, compact, and user-friendly to ensure comfort and enhance customer satisfaction. There is a growing focus on innovating and designing products that not only meet technical requirements but also address the emotional needs of users, ultimately improving the overall experience. Selecting the ideal design for Metaverse headphones is …

Meta-Clustering For Specialized Language Models: Enhancing Contextual Adaptation And Mitigating Hallucinations In Diverse Healthcare Environments, Joshit Mohanty, Vaishali Vaishali, Sandeep Kumar Nayak, Sumit Lahiri

Graduate Student Government Association Research Conference

Large Language Models (LLMs) have significantly advanced conversational AI by enabling dialogic information-seeking and task execution across diverse domains. However, their extensive parameters and broad domain scope lead to “data hallucinations.” These shortcomings are particularly evident in dynamic and diverse environments like India’s healthcare sector, where myriad languages, regional practices, and cultural nuances demand specialized, localized expertise rather than one-size-fits-all generalist models. This paper introduces a meta-clustering framework that integrates Distilled Language Models (DLMs) and Small/Specialized Language Models (SLMs) with meta-learning principles to address these limitations. By drawing on evidence from works such as MedHalu and Med-HALT, the framework seeks …

Synthesis Of Novel Five-Membered Heterocycles As Bioactive Agents, Subrata Roy

Student Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation outlines the synthesis of various types of heterocyclic small molecules across three chapters. The first chapter discusses the efficient synthesis of seventy-one fluorinated pyrazole molecules and thirty-five 3,4-dihydroxy and 4-hydroxy phenyl-substituted thiazole molecules. These molecules were designed and synthesized for their potential antibacterial properties. The second chapter discusses the synthesis of fused thiazole molecules with enone-based steroidal natural products. This chapter reports on sixty-five novel fused thiazole molecules distributed across three libraries featuring different steroidal natural products: ethisterone, bisnoralcohol, and diosgenin. These molecules were designed and synthesized as potential anticancer agents. The third chapter comprises the development of …

04.21.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

ORED Stakeholder Meetings

SEC Travel Grants

Impacts Of Extreme Weather Conditions On Coastal Fisheries Near Bayou Teche, Louisiana From 2019–2023, Georgia C. Davis

LSU Master's Theses

The region of Southcentral Louisiana, particularly around Bayou Teche, thrives on its commercial and recreational fisheries. These fisheries are occasionally subject to events like extreme weather that cause sudden and unexpected losses (NOAA Fisheries, 2024a). Between 2019 and 2023, a series of extreme weather events impacted southcentral Louisiana near Bayou Teche. This series of extreme events includes Hurricane Barry (2019), Hurricane Laura (2020), Hurricane Delta (2020), Hurricane Zeta (2020), Hurricane Ida (2021), and a United States Drought Monitor (USDM) D4 drought (2023). This study analyzes the impacts of the extreme weather series on coastal fish observed species richness (SR) in …

2025 Academic Conference Program

Holy Cross Undergraduate Academic Conference

No abstract provided.