Digital Commons Network^™

Survival Patterns Among Adult And Pediatric Bone Cancer Patients, Ethan Estes

Mathematical Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Recently noted, Huang et al. (2023), machine learning (ML) models, while offering great advantages over traditional statistical predictive modeling methods, are less explored in the analysis of survival and other similar time-to-event predictive data modeling. ML methods such as neural networks offer a great deal of promise but need to be further explored to investigate their comparative power in predicting survival outcomes. Focusing specifically on survival analysis in adult and pediatric bone cancer patients, traditional methods, like shown in Emmert-Streib and Dehmer (2019), will be shown with machine learning models using methods in Hothorn, Hornik, and Zeileis (2006). In this …

Geospatial Science And The Changing Environment: Applied Methods For Sustainable Agriculture And Landscape Management, Harrison Wakefield Smith

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Rapid environmental change is disrupting agricultural productivity, ecological function, and the long-term resilience of managed landscapes. At the same time, the rapid growth of geospatial data science has improved our understanding of environmental change and increasingly is being used to improve sustainability in agricultural and environmental management. However, critical gaps remain that limit the applicability of data-driven insights in landscape management. This dissertation investigates the potential of geospatial analytics for sustainable agriculture and landscape management, with a focus on applied methods that operate across spatial and temporal scales. Using field, landscape, regional, and national datasets, it explores the capabilities and …

Investigating The Taxonomic Uncertainties Of Potentilla Rupincola, Natalie Elizabeth Hieber

Master's Theses

Landscape stewardship is an integral role for land managers that becomes more important when rare or endangered species occur within managed areas. Conservation across the landscape is a primary concern for land managers, but resources allocated for conservation can be limited due to many competing goals. Taxonomic uncertainty surrounding rare and endangered taxa, particularly plant taxa, that have historically been classified solely using morphological features further complicates conservation planning. One such taxon is Potentilla rupincola, a rare plant endemic to the eastern Rocky Mountains in Colorado. For over a century, botanists have debated whether P. rupincola is a distinct species …

The Effects Of Impervious Land Cover And Red Tide (Karenia Brevis) On The Florida Manatee (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) In The Gulf Coast Of Florida, Anna Compton

Honors College Theses

Red tide, caused by the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis, is an algal bloom event that occurs annually in the West Florida Continental Shelf. The algae releases brevetoxin, a toxin that can be fatal to wildlife in high concentrations. These algal bloom events are thought to be exacerbated by warming ocean temperatures and increased nutrient runoff from urbanization. Red tide is responsible for the mass mortality of various marine organisms like the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris). This study analyzes the changes in nutrient runoff and sea surface temperatures, and how these factors affected red tide cell concentrations and Florida manatee mortalities …

2026 Workshop On Bridging The Gaps: Tackling Microplastics And Nanoplastics Challenges In Coastal Ecosystems, Shenghua Wu, Kaushik Venkiteshwaran, Melike Dizbay-Onat, Alexandra Stenson, Jinhui Wang, Tina Miller-Way, Ebenezer Nyadjro, Bhuvnesh Bharti, John Weinstein, Yi Bao, Shihui Shen, Valerie Longa, Shenghua Zha, John Cleary, Marty Lind

Workshops

This report presents the findings from the 2026 Workshop on Tackling Microplastics and Nanoplastics (MNPs) in Coastal Ecosystems, which took place in Mobile, Alabama. More than 140 experts from universities, government, industry, and community organizations gathered to address the increasing issue of MNPs in coastal regions.

Barriers To Climate Change And Sustainability Action: Nursing Education And Practice, Dawn Marie Smith

Dissertations

Climate change is one of the most pressing public health emergencies of our time and nurses can have a great impact in their current practice and in the education of future nurses (The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, n.d.; American Nurses Association, 2023; Health Care without Harm, 2025). Deaths due to rising temperatures, vector-borne illness, and food insecurity related to drought and extreme weather are on the rise (WHO, 2024). It has been estimated that globally over 250,000 additional deaths will be attributed to climate related effects between 2030 and 2050 (Watts et al., 2020; WHO, 2023).

A primary …

Active And Passive Seismic Studies Across Glacial And Geothermal Environments, Lucia Fernanda Gonzalez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The collection of passive and active-source seismic data remains central to the detailed investigation and understanding of complex Earth processes across diverse and often inaccessible environments. Of equal importance is the selection of methodologies that must be tailored to the geological setting and dataset resolution to accurately depict the subsurface. In this dissertation, we apply a range of classic and/or "newly" developed algorithms, unique to each chapter, on seismic datasets from distinct glaciological and geothermal settings to evaluate their performance and enhance subsurface interpretation. In Chapter 1, we analyze active-source seismic data from Lemon Creek Glacier in Juneau, Alaska, using …

Mississippi Early Childhood Math Resource Guide: Supporting Mathematical Development From Birth Through Age Eight, Melissa Luckett, Systems Change Lab, Mississippi State University, Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University

Books

The Mississippi Early Childhood Math Resource Guide is a comprehensive, research-informed digital publication designed to support the development of foundational mathematical skills in children from birth through age eight. Developed by the Systems Change Lab at Mississippi State University's Social Science Research Center, the guide translates evidence-based early mathematics concepts into practical, accessible strategies for educators, families, and caregivers. 

Organized by developmental stages, the guide integrates learning domains, age-appropriate math skills, and everyday instructional practices to promote the use of "math talk" and embedded learning opportunities across settings. It incorporates activities, instructional strategies, and resources aligned to support both formal …

Teaching Machines To Deter: Exploring Strategic Deterrence In Ai Models, Will Taylor

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This capstone project investigates whether deterrence can emerge as a meaningful strategy within a zero-sum stochastic game using multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL). After outlining core concepts in game theory and deterrence, the study models a simplified deterrence environment in which two minimax-Q agents repeatedly interact under uncertainty and adversarial incentives. The agents learn from rewards shaped by escalation costs, unilateral vulnerability, and the stabilizing benefits of restraint. Results show that both agents consistently converge toward a conservative, status-quo strategy, overwhelmingly selecting the Maintain action while avoiding both escalation and restraint in most scenarios. This behavior reflects the risk-averse logic of …

The Environment, Health, And Vector Nexus: Evaluating The Spatiotemporal Variability And Societal Impact Of Ticks In Arkansas, Dalton Williams

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are a surging public health and veterinary concern in the United States. In states like Arkansas, climate change and shifting land use have recalibrated the ecological niches of vector species. This research utilizes species distribution and ecological niche modeling to assess the spatiotemporal suitability of ixodid tick habitats, specifically where environmental and socioeconomic factors intersect. By integrating spatial science with public health frameworks, this study identifies priority intervention areas in underserved rural regions where healthcare resources are often constrained. This study provides a comprehensive methodological framework, leveraging remote sensing datasets and historic disease data to delineate exposure …

Improving Online Political Discussion With Automated Bot Intervention, Bethanie E. Hackett

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

The quality of political discussions occurring on online platforms or social media sites has been deemed quite poor. To address this issue, I investigated whether a Large Language Model (LLM) can be used to promote civil and productive political discussions by identifying and responding to unproductive dialogue. I fine-tuned an existing LLM to detect elements of problematic dialogue, namely misinformation, misrepresentation of sources, logical fallacies, bias, and toxic language, and then respond in a corrective yet non-confrontational manner. The resulting model is referred to as FroBot and was evaluated through an experiment in which a human participant was placed in …

Augmented Reality In Fashion Retail: A Walmart Unlimited Study, Chloe A. Mcpherson

Apparel Merchandising and Product Development Undergraduate Honors Theses

As technology continues to evolve, augmented reality (AR) has become increasingly common within the retail and fashion industries. This study explored Gen Z consumers’ perceptions of immersive AR shopping experiences through Walmart Unlimited, an interactive digital shopping platform. The purpose of this research was to better understand how younger consumers respond to AR-enhanced shopping environments and whether these technologies influence attitudes toward convenience, engagement, and sustainability in retail.

A quantitative research design was used for this study. Participants completed the Walmart Unlimited shopping experience and then responded to a Qualtrics survey measuring areas such as immersion, satisfaction, ease of use, …

Leveraging The Iron Oxide Archive Of Mineralization, Deformation, And Exhumation Across Geologic Time, Jordan L. Jensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The iron oxide mineral hematite commonly forms from groundwater near Earth’s surface and can preserve a history of fluid flow, fault slip, and landscape evolution. This record can be decoded using (U-Th)/He thermochronology, a dating method based on the temperature-sensitive ingrowth of helium from uranium and thorium decay. Because later heating and natural variation in hematite crystals can produce ambiguous (U-Th)/He results, I integrate dating with tools that reveal differences in hematite chemistry and textures. I apply these techniques to two distinct settings: ancient granitic rocks in Colorado and an active fault zone in the southern San Andreas fault (SSAF) …

Fisheries Management Paper No. 313: Western Australian Statewide Small Pelagic Scalefish Resource Harvest Strategy, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

Harvest strategies for Western Australia’s (WA) aquatic resources are formal documents developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, the Department) to support decision-making processes that ensure the outcomes are consistent with the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD; Fletcher 2002a) and Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM; Fletcher et al. 2012).

Harvest strategies are a key component of all contemporary fishery management systems and a requirement for certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC; Marine Stewardship Council 2018). The objectives of ESD are reflected in the objects of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA).

This Statewide …

Post-Quantum Cryptography Encryption Implementation For Messaging App, Callum S. Ward

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This paper and complementary capstone project aim to explore the state of post-quantum cryptography today by defining the algorithms with which quantum computers can decipher modern asymmetric cryptographic algorithms in exponentially accelerated time, exploring national standards body NIST’s recommendations to circumvent these weaknesses with post-quantum solutions, and implementing recommended algorithms in my group’s project for the UNO Computer Science Capstone course, LockTalk. After having decided on ML-KEM for quantum-resistant asymmetric key transfer and AES-256 for symmetric message encryption and decryption, I was able to cryptographically encode messages to obscure their plaintext values from communication interceptions without any discernible increase in …

Blockchain Message Integrity For Messaging App: Python-Based Implementation Of Blockchain-Backed Verification And Tamper Detection, Brendan J. Farrell

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

With the rapid development and use of digital communication, the need for maintaining the integrity and authenticity of transmitted information becomes more pressing than ever.  However, existing methods of data exchange have several flaws and drawbacks such as reliance on centralized networks which are subject to manipulation, modifications, and potential failures.  Thus, the current project offers an innovative approach to improving the integrity and detection capabilities of messages in real-time communication platforms using the power of blockchain technology.  The proposed solution uses the inherent features of blockchain-based systems to ensure secure and safe message transmission.

Message Malware: File Vulnerability Scanning In Messaging Apps, Miah Mason

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

As messaging platforms become primary communication hubs within highly secure environments, they introduce significant vulnerabilities regarding file sharing with potential malicious content. This research, an honors extension of the Northrop Grumman sponsored Capstone project ‘LockTalk’, evaluates the technical abilities of automated file scanning methods within messaging platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or our own developed platform LockTalk. This paper investigates a variety of scanning methods and their applications, with particular emphasis on comparing the qualities of static scanning, used in signature-based detection, and dynamic scanning with heuristics. Furthermore, this paper investigates the differences and advantages of both End-to-End Encryption (E2EE), …

Using Ai For Data Loss Prevention, Camden A. Wright

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) systems play a critical role in protecting modern systems that handle sensitive information from both accidental and malicious exposure. Traditional DLP approaches often rely on static rules and methods that can struggle to adapt to complex and evolving data patterns. This paper presents a hybrid DPL system that integrates machine learning-based message classification, rule based policy enforcement, and context-aware access control to improve both detection accuracy and decision reliability. In addition, the system introduces a second stage access control model that evaluates user context, including role of clearance level and job title to determine whether access …

Urea-Based Boronium Salts As Antimicrobial Agents, Gabriel Allen Merchant

Honors Theses

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are widely used in disinfectants due to their ability to inhibit the growth of and eliminate microbes. The potency, broad-spectrum activity, and low cost of QACs have made them a cornerstone of modem hygiene. In recent years, QACs have garnered many health and safety concerns due to their overuse and subsequent accumulation in the environment. The increased use of QACs has further led to an increase in antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, making the synthesis of novel antibacterial compounds vital to combat this growing threat. Recent advances in boronium salts offer a unique alternative to address these adverse effects. …

Exploring The Effects Of Polymer-Graphene Interactions On Bulk Composite Properties Using Finite Element Analysis, Bryant Grove

Dissertations

As a filler in high performance materials, graphene significantly enhances the mechanical properties of polymer composites. Experimental characterization of graphene composite enhancements is limited by labor-intensive processes in both synthesizing composites for different purposes and in characterizing the interactions between graphene and polymer composites that lead to these enhancements. Computational approaches such as finite element analysis (FEA) are suitable alternatives that go beyond experimental analysis. This dissertation demonstrates the utility of FEA in analyzing polymer graphene composites with an emphasis on modeling the interaction between graphene fillers and the matrix within the interphase formed between them. The accessible design framework …

Sustainability Savvy: The Role Of Competence And Efficacy In Promoting Pro-Environmental Behavior, Lorenna Graham

Environmental Studies Honors Projects

Combatting environmental issues requires both large-scale and individual change. While many understand that personal pro-environmental behavior (PEB) is necessary, individuals do not always engage in this behavior (Hines, 1986, Goh, 2022). Thus, there is a need to investigate psychological factors which encourage PEB. Prior research suggests competence and outcome efficacy as likely PEB predictors (Bentler, 2023, Lavergne & Pelletier, 2015, Priolo, 2016), while cognitive dissonance has been shown to both encourage and discourage PEB (Bouwman, 2022, Dickerson, 1992, Ehrich & Irwin, 2005). Study 1 investigates the relationship between cognitive dissonance and PEB with competence and outcome efficacy as potential moderators. …

Integrating Ai Into Collection Development Workflows: Prompts, Rubrics, And Responsible Use, Ivan Portillo, David Carson, Margaret Puentes

Library Presentations, Posters, and Audiovisual Materials

AI technologies are advancing at a rapid pace and offer new opportunities for library advancement. This session highlights practical ways AI can support collection development and discusses opportunities to improve library workflows.  Attendees will also learn how AI can strengthen library resource management by optimizing decision making and use of resources.

Learning Outcomes: 

• Attendees will learn about approaches to integrating artificial intelligence into collection development
• Attendees will learn about artificial intelligence tools and their applicability to collections 
• Attendees will learn about the ethical use of artificial intelligence tools 

The Impact Of Community On Professional Identity In Computer Science Education, Ian A. Kollipara

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis explores the application of Communities of Practice (CoPs) in Computer Science Education. The work consists of two qualitative studies examining related but distinct populations: (1) K–12 CS teachers and (2) undergraduate CS students. The first study presents a retrospective analysis of conneCTION, an online CoP for K–12 CS educators, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and design considerations that inform future platform development. The second study investigates how participation in a CoP can mitigate negative and exclusionary stereotypes in CS. This study was conducted in an under-explored context: a small, private, religious, Midwestern university, and examines an existing community, the Programming …

Advancement In Electrochemical Generation-Collection: Snapshot Redox Cycling Voltammetry For Rapid Analysis At Chip-Based, Individually Addressable Microband Electrode Arrays, Blake Aleck Sterling

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Snapshot redox cycling voltammetry (Snapshot RCV) is introduced as a rapid electrochemical technique that reconstructs the current-potential profile of a redox active species using a microband electrode array. By simultaneously biasing individual generator electrodes alternating in the array to different voltages across the analyte’s potential range while individually holding collector electrodes at a reversing potential, “spatial” voltammetry is achieved in as little as 1 s with the temporal speed of chronoamperometry, rapidly capturing the steady-state redox cycling (RC) profiles. During RC (a mode of generation-collection), the analyte is oxidized (or reduced) at generator electrodes and converted back at neighboring collector …

College Of Natural Sciences Spring Newsletter, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

[Page 1] Dean's Message
[Page] 2 Awards & Recognitions // Student Spotlights
[Page] 3 Zhang Named to Landsat Science Team // The Power of Teaching
[Page] 4 “Science as Art” Competition Welcomes High School Artists
[Page] 5 Testing for “Forever Chemicals” in Surface Water // New Faculty Spotlight
[Page] 6 Ambassador Initiated Outreach
[Page] 7 57th Annual Geography Convention
[Page] 8 Twice the Impact on On Call with the Prairie Doc
[Page] 9 Making Staple Foods Healthier // Halaweish & Cole-Dai Retire
[Page] 10 Drone Day 2026
[Page] 11 Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Day (SRSCAD)
[Page] 12 Ceremony …

Model Stormwater Standards 2026, Unh Stormwater Center

UNH Stormwater Center

The purpose of post-construction stormwater management standards is to provide reasonable guidance for the regulation of stormwater runoff to protect local natural resources from degradation and prevent adverse impacts to adjacent and downstream land, property, facilities, and infrastructure. These standards regulate discharges from stormwater and runoff from land development projects and other construction activities to control and minimize increases in stormwater runoff rates and volumes, soil erosion, stream channel erosion, and nonpoint source pollution associated with stormwater runoff.

Comparative Development Of Mof‑Based And Mof‑Free Agnp Functionalized Zno Nanorod–Cotton Fabric Composites For Photocatalytic Applications, Md Al Mamun

Master's Theses

Photocatalysis offers a cost‑effective and environmentally friendly strategy for degrading organic pollutants and addressing energy and environmental challenges. This study initially explored MOF‑based cotton‑fabric‑supported ZnO nanorod composites but found that the MOF component primarily acted as an adsorbent rather than an effective photocatalyst. Consequently, MOF‑free composites were developed by directly growing ZnO nanorods on cotton fabric and functionalizing them with silver nanoparticles. Photocatalytic testing revealed that AgNP‑modified ZnO nanorods, particularly at 10 mM AgNP, exhibited superior dye degradation efficiency, thereby demonstrating a scalable and effective photocatalytic platform.

The Privacy Paradox: How Does Concern About Privacy Impact Actions In The Digital Age?, Julia Laduke

Honors Theses

The privacy paradox occurs when people claim to care about their digital privacy, but do not take actions to keep their data from being spread across the internet. This study examines college students, being primarily Generation Z, and their concerns and actions regarding digital privacy and security. A survey of 15 college students, 7 in humanities and 8 in STEM, was used to analyze their thoughts and concerns about their digital privacy. This survey also asked whether they took actions concerning their privacy, and if so, what tools they used to protect it. The results show that about 50% of …

Calibrating Human Trust In The Age Of Generative Ai: An Examination Of Ethical And Social Challenges, Abigail M. Mondido

Honors Theses

Generative AI (GenAI), a set of AI technologies with the ability to generate original, human-like outputs, is beginning to transform the way that information is distributed, composed, published, obtained, analyzed, and consumed. GenAI has seen massive adoption by internet users, businesses, and organizations in recent years despite the persistence of major ethical concerns and social implications. In particular, existing research has identified multiple critical trust-related issues associated with AI in general, including widespread mistrust and distrust, overreliance on AI, and a lack of trustworthiness of AI. There remains a need for a broader understanding of these issues as they relate …

Evaluating The Effects Of Urbanization On Meiofauna Biodiversity In Chattanooga’S Lentic Ecosystems Through Gis Applications, Keyle M. Bryant

Honors Theses

Urbanization is a leading driver of biodiversity loss in freshwater ecosystems, yet its effects on meiofauna—microscopic invertebrates that serve as key bioindicators of ecosystem health—remain poorly understood in lentic environments. This study evaluated the effects of urbanization on meiofaunal biodiversity in ten lentic waterbodies across Hamilton County, Chattanooga, Tennessee, by integrating environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding, in-situ abiotic measurements, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based land use analysis. Water samples were collected between January and April 2023 and processed using 18S rRNA amplicon sequencing to assess biodiversity as richness (amplicon sequence variants or ASVs, phylogenetic diversity or PD, and community composition). Land …