Digital Commons Network^™

Elevating Next Generation Wireless Devices Towards Contactless Sensing For Healthcare Applications, Aakriti Adhikari

Theses and Dissertations

There is an increasing interest in technologies that can understand and perceive at-home human activities to provide personalized healthcare monitoring, aimed at early detection of disease markers and assisting physicians in making clinical decisions. Existing approaches, such as wearables, require users to wear sensors that can be cumbersome and cause discomfort. Vision based solutions, such as optical cameras, IRs, LiDARs, etc., can be used to design contactless at-home monitoring systems. However, these systems are limited by poor lighting and occlusion, and they are privacy-invasive. Fortunately, high-frequency millimeter-wave wireless devices provide an effective alternative to the existing systems to enable fine-grained …

The Role Of Symmetries In Atomic, Electromagnetic, And Particle Physics, Joshua Martin O'Connor

Theses and Dissertations

Symmetries in atomic, electromagnetic, and weak interaction physics are explored to understand symmetry-breaking extensions of the Standard Model of particle physics. Lorentz-violating field theories are extremely interesting theoretically, since they possess many new features that are absent in Lorentz-invariant models. We outline the formalism and experimental status of the Lorentz- and CPT-violating Standard Model Extension, in both the classical and quantum regimes. Processes such as vacuum Cerenkov radiation, which are kinematically forbidden when Lorentz symmetry is exact may become allowed when this symmetry is weakly broken. Particle decays, such as pion and kaon decays, although allowed in Lorentz-invariant theories, are …

Students’ Experiences Using Peer Review To Affect Writing Self-Efficacy And Writing Performance In An Undergraduate Mass Communications Writing Course, Nina Morrison Brook

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research was to examine the impact of peer review on writing self-efficacy and writing performance in an undergraduate online writing for mass communications course. The study focused on two research questions: (1) How and to what extent does structured peer review affect undergraduate students’ writing self-efficacy in an online writing for mass communications course in a large public Southeastern university? and (2) How and to what extent does structured peer review affect undergraduate students’ writing performance in an online writing for mass communications course in a large public Southeastern university? This research used peer review …

Play, Guide, Aspire: How Game Type And Trainer Involvement Shape Orientation Training Outcomes, Damla Sonmez

Theses and Dissertations

The use of gamification in orientation training has gained attention in organizational settings, yet questions remain regarding how different gamified training designs influence new employees’ emotional commitment, willingness to participate in future training, and long-term aspirations. Drawing on Stimulus–Organism–Response (SO-R) theory, Achievement Goal Theory, and Ecological Systems Theory, this dissertation investigates how game type (individual vs. team) and trainer involvement (active vs. passive) shape these outcomes.

Two experimental studies using vignette-based scenarios were conducted. Study 1 tested the direct effects of game type on emotional commitment and willingness to participate. Study 2 employed a 2 (game type) × 2 (trainer …

Sex-Dependent Modulation Of Behavioral Allocation Via Ventral Tegmental Area-Nucleus Accumbens Shell Circuitry, Kristen A. Mclaurin, Jessica M. Illenberger, Hailong Li, Rosemarie M. Booze, Charles F. Mactutus

Faculty Publications

Diagnostic criteria for substance use disorder, cocaine type (i.e., cocaine use disorder), outlined in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, imply that the disorder arises, at least in part, from the maladaptive allocation of behavior to drug use. To date, however, the neural circuits involved in the allocation of behavior have not been systematically evaluated. Herein, a chemogenetics approach (i.e., designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs)) was utilized in combination with a concurrent choice self-administration experimental paradigm to evaluate the role of the mesolimbic neurocircuit in the allocation of behavior. Pharmacological activation …

Stepping Into Who I Fully Am: A Creative Exploration Of Autistic Menopause, Mx Rose Matthews, Christine A. Jenkins, Margaret Janse Van Rensburg, Miranda J. Brady, Rachel L. Moseley, Julie M. Gamble-Turner

Faculty and Staff Publications

Research suggests that perimenopause can compound existing struggles for some Autistic people, with potentially catastrophic consequences. Barriers to self-expression due to communication differences are also well-documented. Acknowledging this, our neurodiverse research team invited creative submissions themed around Autistic experiences of menopause, receiving works from six Autistic participants including paintings, poetry, and graphic works. Engaging with the six creative submissions, Autistic Community Researchers on our team produced reflexive, polytextual response works. Creative exploration of Autistic menopause encouraged emotional catharsis, self-understanding, and activism/artivism. Autistic Community Researchers noted transcendent, almost “magical” dimensions of connecting with other Autistic people’s lived experiences. Our creative emancipatory …

High-Frequency Impedance Spectroscopy: Measurement Reproducibility, Electromagnetic, And Ionic Effects In Cylindrical Lithium-Ion Cells, Matthew R. King, Paul T. Coman, Rafid Mollah, Md Rayhan Khan, Saranraj Karuppuswami, Taylor R. Garrick, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

Accurate high-frequency electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (HF EIS) is critical for understanding lithium-ion battery (LIB) behavior under AC perturbations, relevant to electric vehicle systems and charging infrastructure. However, measurements at high frequencies are often distorted by external electromagnetic interference, poor contact quality, and wiring artifacts. This study investigates four experimental testbench configurations for HF EIS of cylindrical LIBs, highlighting the impact of contact resistance, Faraday shielding, wire twisting, and calibration. A coupled electrochemical-electromagnetic model is developed to isolate and analyze the skin effect and frequency-dependent electrolyte conductivity. Results show that spot-welded connections, twisted and shielded wiring, and calibration within a Faraday …

Daily Movement Activities Are Associated With Within-Person Instability Of Cognitive Function In Older Adults: Evidence From An Ambulatory Assessment Study, Chih-Hsiang Yang, Donald Hedeker, Jongwon Lee, Halle Prine, Donna Coffman, Jingkai Wei, Jonathan George Hakun

Faculty Publications

Background and Objectives

Physical inactivity and excessive sedentary time (ST) are associated with poor cognitive health in older adults. However, current literature largely relies on cross-sectional designs or in-lab cognitive assessments, which do not adequately reflect cognitive function in naturalistic settings. Further, existing studies have largely overlooked the variability or the instability in daily cognitive function, which represents a critical marker of cognitive decline. This ambulatory assessment study examined the temporal associations of daily movement behaviors with the mean levels and the variability of cognition among older adults at risk of dementia. Research Design and Methods

96 older adults from …

3d Nano-Architected Polymer Shell Enables Reconfigurable Stabilized Blue Phase Soft Crystals, Sephideh Norouzi, Yazael R. Morales-Flores, Tadej Emersic, Jeremy Money, Otillo E. Rodriguez-Lopez, Andrew Casale, Juan J. De Pablo, Jose A. Martinez-Gonzalez, Monirosadat Sadati

Faculty Publications

Blue phases (BPs), formed through the self-assembly of chiral liquid crystal molecules into 3D nanolattices with cubic symmetries, exhibit dynamic photonic bandgaps in the visible spectrum, offering transformative opportunities for advanced optical circuits, sensing and communication technologies. However, their thermal stability is restricted to a narrow temperature range (0.5–1.0 K), limiting practical applications. Polymer stabilization of bulk BPs has extended thermal stability but often compromises the dynamic behavior essential for fast-response functionalities. Here, experimental and computational approaches are integrated to investigate the effect of curvature and interfacial interactions on BP polymer stabilization. It is demonstrated that photo-polymerization of reactive monomers …

Evaluating Potential Changes From Nitrogen To Phosphorus Nutrient Limitation Of Phytoplankton Growth In North Inlet Estuary, Catherine Schlenker, James L. Pinckney

Faculty Publications

In marine systems, molar ratios of the biolimiting inorganic nutrients, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), are assumed to follow the “Redfield ratio” (N:P = 16:1), which is often used to infer nutrient limitation of phytoplankton biomass. Traditionally, estuaries are considered N-limited (N:P <  16) but with higher coastal N-loading, reports of P-limitation (N:P > 16) have increased. In recent decades, nutrient loading in North Inlet Estuary (NIE) has changed such that dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN):dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) ratios increased from ca. 7 to 20 (2002–2021). This suggests that primary production in NIE may be transitioning from N-limitation to NP co-limitation or primary P-limitation. Due to high N:P ratios, we hypothesized that …

High Field Performance Of Si-Doped N-Aln Layers Grown Using Pulsed Mocvd, Abdullah Al Mamun Mazumder, Tariq Jamil, Mafruda Rahman, Muhammad Ali, Grigory Simin, Asif Khan

Faculty Publications

We report on the study of high-field performance of Si-doped n-AlN layers that were grown using a pulsed metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (PMOCVD) process. In the past we showed this pulsed doping approach to lead to doping efficiency superior to that in the conventional MOCVD process. Here using them as the drift layer for a quasi-vertical conduction Schottky barrier, we show their ability to withstand high reverse bias voltages and sustain an electrical field as high as 9.9 MV cm−1. Our study thus demonstrates the viability of the PMOCVD growth and doping approach to yield n-AlN layers suitable …

Bkk1/Bak7 And Tcp21 Form A Positive Feedback Loop To Facilitate Submergence Tolerance In Plants, Yiyi Guo, Yuanbin Zhang, Yuanyuan Li, Jie Liu, Yiyang Hu, Jiazhi Jiang, Qi Li, Yeke Chen, Weizhen Hu, Lixi Jiang, Ronghui Pan, Dezhi Wu, Jie Dong

Publications

Submergence poses a deleterious threat to plant development and the agricultural production of Brassica napus (B. napus), an important worldwide oil crop. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying submergence tolerance in B. napus remain elusive. Here, through a genome-wide association study, we identify a SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE, BKK1/BAK7, which is crucial for plant survival after submergence stress. Submergence rapidly activates the expression of BAK7 and induces the accumulation of its kinase domain in the nucleus. BAK7 interacts with and phosphorylates class I TEOSINTE BRANCHED1, CYCLOIDEA, PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR 1 and 2 (TCP) transcription factor TCP21, thereby stabilizing it and modulating …

Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy And Perinatal Outcomes: Two Prospective Cohort Studies Of Nulliparous Women In India And Tanzania, Andrea B. Pembe, Pratibha Dwarkanath, Amani Kikula, John Michael Raj, Nandita Perumal Phd, Heavenlight A. Paulo, Rajalakshmi M, Christopher P. Duggan, Honorati M. Masanja, Nandini Chopra, Mary M. Sando, Tinku Thomas, Cara A. Yelverton, Alfa Muhihi, Anura V. Kurpad, Wafaie E. Fawzi, Blair J. Wylie, Christopher R. Sudfeld

Faculty Publications

Introduction Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) have been linked with increased risk for maternal and offspring complications in high-income settings. However, in resource-limited settings, studies with robust measurement of HDP, including severity and timing, and perinatal outcomes are limited.

Methods We analysed data from two prospective cohorts of nulliparous women in India (n=10 570 pregnancies) and Tanzania (n=10 299 pregnancies) who were enrolled in calcium supplementation trials and had blood pressure and proteinuria assessments throughout pregnancy and at the time of labour and delivery. Generalised estimating equations were used to assess the relationship between HDP severity categories (gestational hypertension, preeclampsia …

Understanding The Effects Of Binder Dissolution Dynamics On The Chemistry And Performance Of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries, Saheed A. Lateef, John Chmiola, Fabio Albano, William E. Mustain, Golareh Jalilvand

Faculty Publications

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are promising next-generation energy storage devices due to their higher theoretical specific energy and lower cost compared to conventional Lithium-ion batteries. However, their practical implementation has been hindered by severe performance degradation during extended cycling, primarily driven by shuttling of soluble sulfur discharge products (polysulfides) between the cathode and anode leading to capacity loss. In this work, we investigate the impact of selected binders and solvents, highlighting the effect of the dissolution process of the binder in solvent, on the structural properties and electrochemical performance of sulfur cathode. It is demonstrated for a variety of binders that …

Writing At The Speed Of Hype: Officers’ Post-Experimental Perceptions Of Ai Report Writing, Hunter M. Boehme, Ian T. Adams, Matt Barter, Irick A. Geary Jr., Kyle Mclean

Faculty Publications

Objective

This study examines patrol officer and supervisor perceptions of an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to assist with officer report writing. We compare attitudes among patrol officers randomly assigned to use the AI tool against those who were not.

Methods

Following a randomized controlled trial within a single agency, we conducted a post-intervention survey of patrol officers and supervisors.

Results

Patrol officers expressed generally favorable perceptions toward AI-assisted report writing, though no significant differences emerged between treatment and control groups in perceived utility, speed improvement, or quality enhancement. Despite these non-significant differences, 48% of treated officers reported time savings. Supervisors …

Cellular Automaton Simulation Of Grain And Sub-Grain Evolution With Eutectic Growth In Laser Scanned And Rescanned Al–10si, With Experimental Validation, Kai Kang, Lang Yuan, Can Sun, Javier Miranda, André B. Phillion

Faculty Publications

This study presents a three-dimensional Cellular Automaton (3D CA) model incorporating eutectic growth mechanisms to simulate grain and sub-grain structure evolution in an additive manufacturing (AM) scenario, with surface laser rescanning of Al–10Si alloy as a case study. Unlike conventional CA models in AM, this work introduces a eutectic solidification framework within the CA approach, allowing dynamical transitions between dendritic and eutectic growth modes based on local thermal and solute conditions. The CA model integrates finite element analysis (FEA)-derived thermal data, solute redistribution tracking, nucleation behaviors, and growth kinetics under rapid solidification conditions in laser scanning and rescanning. The simulation …

Uncovering Multiscale Structure-Property Correlations Via Active Learning In Scanning Tunneling Microscopy, Ganesh Narasimha, Deja Kong, Paras Regmi, Rongying Jin, Zheng Gai, Rama Vasudevan, Maxim Ziatdinov

Faculty Publications

Atomic arrangements and local sub-structures fundamentally influence emergent material functionalities. These structures are conventionally probed using spatially resolved studies and the property correlations are deciphered by a researcher based on sequential explorations, thereby limiting the efficiency and scope. Here we demonstrate a multi-scale Bayesian deep-learning based framework that automatically correlates material structure with its electronic properties using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements in real-time. Its predictions are used to autonomously direct exploration toward regions of the sample that optimize a given material property. This method is deployed on a low-temperature ultra-high vacuum STM to understand the structure-property relationship in a …

Partial Least Squares Multimodal Analysis Of Brain Network Correlates Of Language Deficits In Aphasia, Sigfus Kristinsson Ph.D., Dirk B. Den Ouden, Chris Rorden, Roger Newman-Norlund, Lisa Johnson, Janina Wilmskoetter, Ezequiel Gleichgerrcht, Argye E. Hillis, Gregory Hickok, Julius Fridriksson Ph.D., Leonardo Bonilha

Faculty Publications

Lesion-symptom mapping techniques are essential to determine brain regions critical for language functions. However, high collinearity in neuroimaging and behavioural data remains a challenge for distinguishing neural substrates supporting multiple language domains (shared variance) and those subserving specific language functions (unique variance). Here, we employed a novel approach to multimodal lesion-symptom mapping using multivariate partial least squares regression to delineate the latent structure of lesion-behavioural mapping in aphasia and decompose the shared and unique neural determinants of language impairments. A total of 86 participants with chronic (>12-month post-stroke) aphasia after left hemisphere strokes were examined. Language impairment was assessed …

The 29th Scientific Conference Of The Society On Neuroimmune Pharmacology In Omaha, Ne, June 8–12, 2025, Allison M. Andrews, Linda Chang, Rosemarie M. Booze, Sabita Roy, Santhi Gorantla, Iiker K. Sariyer, Jerel Fields, Eliseo Eugenin, Howard E. Gendelman

Faculty Publications

The 29th Scientific Conference of the Society on Neuroimmune Pharmacology (SNIP) in Omaha, NE, will occur from June 8th to 11th, 2025. This four-day conference showcases world-renowned biomedical research, providing insights into the latest advancements in the intersecting fields of neuroscience, immunology, pharmacology, and virology. Presentation abstracts are organized into sections that include early career development investigators, mouse models, neurodegenerative diseases, therapeutics, substance use disorders, counseling, drug targeting, disease pathobiology, Blood-Brain Barrier integrity, educational opportunities, young investigator talks, and translational medicine. SNIP remains the sole global meeting dedicated to neuroimmune pharmacology. The focus of research centers on how the neuroimmune …

Adsorption And Electron Transfer Of Metal-Reducing Decaheme Cytochrome Protein Mtrf On Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Surfaces, Jiahuiyu Fang, Pranab Sarker, Xiaoxue Qin, Shuting Zhang, Size Zheng, Tao Wei

Faculty Publications

Dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria (DMRB) transfer electrons to extracellular metal oxides via a multiheme cytochrome network. Coupling DMRB with iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) enables continuous redox processes for various applications such as bioremediation and bioenergy. The conformation of the terminal decaheme cytochrome MtrF on the surface critically influences electron transfer (ET) efficiency. In this work, we used molecular dynamics simulations and master equations to study MtrF adsorption on 3.6 and 6.0 nm α-Fe2O3 NPs and its steady-state ET in water. Our study shows that the heme cofactors can have strong electrostatic interactions with iron oxide NP surfaces, promoting protein adsorption and …

Photo-Crosslinked Persistent Micelle Templates With Near Universal Solvent Compatibility, Coby S. Collins, Mengxue Zhang, Cj Strurgill, Christian X. Ruff, Bryce Melton, Morgan Stefik

Faculty Publications

The controlled preparation of porous nanomaterials from block polymer templates is important for diverse applications from energy devices to optical coatings and sorbents. The architectural dimensions determine the overall performance for many of these applications, however the independent control of these dimensions has remained limited to a narrow range of solvent conditions for kinetically trapped (“persistent”) micelle templates. Polymers with a photo-reactive chemistry are shown to enable cross-linked micelle templates that universally remain persistent under diverse solvent conditions. Specifically, poly(poly(ethylene glycol methacrylate))-b-poly(butyl methacrylate-co-coumarin methacrylate) (OBC) was prepared by RAFT polymerization and the resulting micelles were crosslinked …

Association Between Dietary Inflammatory And Antioxidant Potential And Systemic Inflammatory And Oxidative Status With The Risk And Severity Of Coronary Artery Disease, Zahara Namkhah, Elham Alipoor, Manhnaz Salmani, Negar Ebrahimi, Monireh Ahmadpanahi, Ali Vasheghani-Farahani, Mehdi Yaseri, Michael David Wirth, Longgang Zhao, James Hébert Scd, Javad Hosseinzadeh-Attar

Faculty Publications

Background and aims

Unhealthy diets have pro-inflammatory properties that have been shown to contribute to coronary artery disease (CAD). The dietary inflammatory index (DII®) and the dietary antioxidant quality score (DAQS) quantify the anti-/pro-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of a diet. This study aims to investigate the association between the energy-adjusted DII (E-DIITM), DAQS, oxidant/anti-oxidant biomarkers, and CAD risk and severity.

Methods and results

This cross-sectional study investigated 158 participants for the presence and severity of CAD based on coronary angiography. E-DII and DAQS scores, malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and conventional …

October 7 And International Police Cooperation:The Silence Of Interpol, Mathieu Deflem

Faculty Publications

Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the background and interpretation of Interpol’s silence following the terrorist attacks committed by Hamas against Israel on October 7, 2023. The author examines the international policing implications of the events, with special attention to why the world’s largest police organization failed to issue any substantive response.

Methodology: The research is based on a sociological analysis combining a historical and institutional overview of Interpol’s counterterrorism activities with the examination of the organization’s communications and institutional decisions. It relies on qualitative sources and an interpretive, case study-based approach using public documents, records, and …

Associations Between 24-Hour Movement Compositions And Cardiometabolic Health In Children And Adolescents: A Five-Part Compositional Analysis Using Data From The International Children’S Accelerometery Database (Icad), Zoë A. Marshall, Adam Runacres, Pedro Curi Hallal, Russ Jago, Soyang Kwon, Kate Northstone, Russell R. Pate, Jardena Puder, John J. Reilly, Luis B. Sardinha, Niels Wedderkopp, Ester Van Slujis

Faculty Publications

Objectives The benefits of physical activity (PA) and the negative impacts of sedentary time (SED) on health in youth are well established. However, uncertainty remains surrounding how PA and SED jointly influence cardiometabolic risk (CMR) factors. The aim of this study was to determine the joint influence of SED, light-, moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA (LPA, MPA and VPA), and sleep on CMR factors using five-part compositional analyses.

Methods Data were pooled from 16 cohort studies comprising 22 474 children and adolescents from the International Children’s Accelerometery Database. PA was measured using hip-mounted accelerometers with sleep self-reported. CMRs included body mass …

Relocation Post-Dobbs Among Clinicians Providing Abortions, Dana Howard, Marta Bornstein Phd, Mph, Jocelyn Wascher, Alison H. Norris, Katherine Rivlin

Faculty Publications

Introduction

Intensifying state-level abortion restrictions following the Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) decision could lead clinicians to leave states that ban abortion.¹ While large-scale changes are not yet apparent among obstetrician-gynecologists, the abortion care workforce may be uniquely at risk.² We examined the proportion of abortion-providing clinicians who changed primary state of practice, comparing those who left states that banned abortion with those who left states that did not ban abortion after Dobbs, and the ban status of the states to which they relocated.

Methods

This survey study was approved by The Ohio State University …

Human Gut Commensal Alistipes Timonensis Modulates The Host Lipidome And Delivers Anti-Inflammatory Outer Membrane Vesicles To Suppress Colitis In An Il10-Deficient Mouse Model, Ethan Older, Mary K. Mitchell, Andrew Campbell, Xiaoying Lian, Michael Madden, Yuzhen Wang, Lauren E. Van De Wal, Thelma Zaw, Brandon N. Vanderveen, Rodney Tatum, E. Angela Murphy, Yan-Hua Chen, Daping Fang, Melissa Ellermann, Jie Li

Faculty Publications

Correlative studies have linked human gut microbes to specific health conditions. Alistipes is one such microbial genus negatively linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the protective role of Alistipes in IBD is understudied, and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, colonization of Il10-deficient mice with Alistipes timonensis DSM 27924 delays colitis development. Colonization does not significantly alter the gut microbiome composition, but instead shifts the host plasma lipidome, increasing phosphatidic acids while decreasing triglycerides. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) derived from Alistipes are detected in the plasma of colonized mice, carrying potentially immunomodulatory metabolites into the …

Behavioral And Neural Correlates Of Post-Stroke Fatigue: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol, Kuan-Chun Liao, Isabellle Christian, Jill C. Stewart, Elaine Trudelle-Jackson, Wanyi Wang, Ty Shang, Hui-Ting Goh

Faculty Publications

Introduction

Post-stroke fatigue (PSF) is highly prevalent and lacks of effective management. Recent evidence suggest the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to reduce PSF. However, the effect was not lasting and the working mechanisms was unclear. The purpose of this study is to determine the behavioral and neurophysiological effects of five daily sessions of tDCS on PSF.

Methods and analysis

This will be a double-blind randomized controlled trial targeting an enrollment of 32 participants with subacute-chronic stroke and significant fatigue (average Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) > 4). Participants will be equally randomized to either anodal tDCS or sham tDCS …

Low-Cost, High-Performance Electrodes For Pgm-Free Aem Water Electrolyzers: Structural Optimization Of Nimo-Based Cathodes, Mahmoud Amirsalehi, Noor Ul Hassan, Venkata Sai Sriram Mosali, Ian Street, Marjanul Manjum, Saheed Adewale Lateef, Jasmine Bohannon, Sam Mckinney, Ashutosh G. Divekar, Paul A. Kohl, Mustain E. William

Faculty Publications

Water electrolysis technologies for hydrogen production are receiving significant attention due to a drastic reduction in the cost of renewable energy sources in recent years. Though traditional alkaline and proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers are receiving the most commercial attention, the anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMEL) has the potential to be much lower in cost. AEMELs have recently shown remarkable progress in terms of performance and durability. However, they are still mostly operated with expensive platinum group metal (PGM) catalysts on both the anode and cathode. To achieve low cost, either PGM-free or ultra-low loading PGM catalysts are needed. …

An International Perspective On Geography Curricula: Paving A Way Forward For Geographical Thinking, Tomáš Bendl, Hilde Storrøsæter, Lene Møller Madsen, David Trokšiar, Raphaële De La Martinière, Shanshan Liu, Sizakele Serame, Jerry T. Mitchell, Péter Bagoly-Simó, Yushan Duan, Gillian Kidman

Faculty Publications

Geographical thinking is a cornerstone of modern geography education. Despite its universal value, no large-scale international study has systematically examined its integration into diverse curricular documents. This study investigates how geographical thinking is embedded in the curricula of nine countries, focusing on content and procedural dimensions. Using a structured analytical framework, the research reveals significant patterns and gaps, particularly the underrepresentation of place as a central concept, the lack of explicit focus on geographical thinking, and the limited emphasis on its procedural dimension. The findings emphasise the need for stronger interconnections between these dimensions to promote a more comprehensive approach …

Prevalence And Predictors Of Intimate Partner Violence Against Men In Kisumu Slums, Kenya, Elizabeth Akello Odemba, Edward A. Frongillo Jr. Ph.D., Sheri D. Weiser

Faculty Publications

Background

Men in sub-Saharan Africa experience intimate partner violence, with few reporting their cases to the legal authorities or coming out for assistance. Consequently, data on the prevalence and drivers of intimate partner violence in different parts of sub-Saharan Africa are inadequate. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of intimate partner violence against men in Kisumu slums, Kenya.

Methods

This retrospective cross-sectional study included 398 randomly selected men in intimate relationships aged 18–54 years and residing in Kisumu slums. The sampling frame used was from Community Health Volunteers covering the area of study. Data collection …