Digital Commons Network^™

The Pussyhat And Performative Activism: What Happens When Protest Becomes Fashionable?, Layla Hanissian

Comm-entary

No abstract provided.

Validation Framework For Robust And Explainable Machine Learning Models In Autism Spectrum Disorder Triage, Ghadeer Ghazi Shayea, Mohd Hazli Mohammed Zabil, A. S. Albahri, Rula A. Hamid, O. S. Albahri, A. H. Alamoodi, Iman Mohamad Sharaf

Mesopotamian Journal of Big Data

The development of real-time triage applications for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a critical challenge due to the rising prevalence of ASD and the urgent need for efficient resource allocation in healthcare systems. Previous studies have applied machine learning (ML) to ASD triage; however, most approaches overlook robustness against adversarial attacks, provide limited benchmarking across multiple evaluation criteria, and lack explainability to support clinical adoption. Building on our earlier work, which introduced a fuzzy evaluation and benchmarking framework using the 2-Tuple Linguistic Fermatean Fuzzy Decision by Opinion Score Method (2TLFFDOSM), this study proposes a comprehensive five-stage validation and evaluation framework. …

3d-Printed Polylactide Structures Do Not Affect The Demography Of The Threatened Coral Acropora Cervicornis, Gabriela Baerga-Jiménez, Alex E. Mercado-Molina

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The development of artificial structures using emerging 3D printing technology has been proposed as a possible strategy to promote the recovery of degraded coral reef ecosystems. Current technologies allow 3D printers to faithfully replicate the morphology of coral reef attributes (e.g., substrate and coral colonies). Thus, 3D printing can be used to create artificial structures that replicate microhabitats resembling those found by reef organisms in nature. However, the use of 3D printing technology for reef conservation and restoration purposes is still in its early developmental stages. Consequently, the potential benefits or detriments of the technology on coral reef health and …

Stakeholder Perspectives On The Status And Conservation Management Of Critically Endangered Nassau Grouper In The Bahamas, Krista D. Sherman, Lester Gittens

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Ensuring the sustainability of marine resources that provide food, economic security and other critical ecosystem services is a major challenge globally. Assessing stakeholders’ knowledge and perceptions of the status of fisheries and how they should be managed can yield important insights to facilitate the development of management frameworks that are likely to assist with achieving sustainability. As a socioeconomically and culturally important and critically endangered species, evaluating stakeholder perspectives on the status of the Nassau Grouper fishery is critical to help inform policy. Knowledge and perceptions of stakeholders working in The Bahamas were assessed using voluntary participatory approaches, including a …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Silicon-Containing Ternary Transition Metal Borides For High Performance Applications, Godswill Ngige

Theses and Dissertations

Binary borides are well known for their exceptional mechanical and thermal properties, including high strength, high melting points, outstanding hardness, and excellent chemical stability, making them suitable for high-temperature structural applications such as components in hypersonic vehicles, jet engines, nose cones, and the leading edges of aircraft. Despite these advantages, they are inherently brittle and suffer from low fracture toughness, limiting their ability to absorb impact or resist crack propagation.

To this end, attention shifted to ternary transition metal borides which are materials composed of a transition metal, boron, and a third element. These ternary compounds exhibit a broader range …

Advancing Human-Computer Interaction Systems Through Explainable And Secure Ai Integration, Ifiok Udoidiok

Theses and Dissertations

As artificial intelligence (AI) systems increasingly shape how humans interact with digital environments, the need for transparency, security, and robustness in intelligent decision making has become critical. This thesis explores how explainable and secure AI techniques can be integrated into modern human-computer interaction (HCI) systems to enhance trust, resilience, and alignment with human operators.

We present three related studies, each addressing a distinct challenge in the design of human-centered AI. First, we apply XAI methods, specifically Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME), to deep learning (DL) based CAPTCHA solvers. By interpreting model attention patterns, we uncover exploitable weaknesses in text CAPTCHA …

Modus Operandi And Blockchain Analysis Of Romance Scams: Cryptocurrency-Driven Victimization, Amy Lim, Kyung-Shick Choi

International Journal of Cybersecurity Intelligence & Cybercrime

No abstract provided.

The Legal Response To The Intrusion Into Digital Identity In Social Media, Maria González-García Vinuela

International Journal of Cybersecurity Intelligence & Cybercrime

No abstract provided.

Anthropology In The Real World, Chastity B. Nix, Cheyenne Taylor

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

Anthropology is a field that likely isn’t the first to come to mind for many. Despite this, it has proven to be a great major for learning skills that are applicable to many different career paths. ANT 4861, Beyond the Anthropology Major, has not only taught us this but also made us realize just how much the general public as well as employers are missing by not being educated on Anthropological skills. Our project here is meant to highlight how little the average person is aware of what anthropology is and how employers, even those looking for anthropological knowledge, are …

Addressing Society’S Needs Through Research, Kazi S. Salsabil

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

The Focused Volunteer Community Service course, part of the U-LEAD program at the University of Central Florida (UCF), is a service-learning course. This course emphasizes the significance of community service, engagement, and leadership, all of which I applied in my volunteer role as a research assistant at the Adult Development and Decision-Making Lab. In this role, I participated in research projects exploring the impact of misinformation, specifically examining whether individuals can accurately distinguish between real and fake information based on personal characteristics and neural mechanisms. The goal is to utilize the findings to inform future interventions designed to reduce the …

The Impact Of Caffeine On Neurotransmitter Production By Lactobacillus Spp., Angela Caruso

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

Caffeine, a prevalent stimulant, has inconclusive effects on the gut-brain axis. Key probiotics such as Lactobacillus play a chief role in gut health and neurotransmitter production. These bacteria are able to effectively influence brain function and overall health. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of caffeine on Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus reuteri to determine antagonistic or synergistic effects on the bacteria’s gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production and synthesis of serotonin-related metabolites.

The methodology for this work begins with treating bacterial cultures with varying concentrations of caffeine and then incubating at 37ºC for 48 hours. Supernatants …

Stay Ahead Of Your Health: Screen And Educate, Ananda Amritt

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

This service-learning project aims to promote the importance of preventative healthcare screenings, focusing on Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) testing for detecting Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and Electrocardiograms (EKGs) to monitor heart health. Through this initiative, I have developed and distributed 50 educational brochures to inform patients about the significance of these screenings in identifying cardiovascular risks early and taking preventive measures to avoid more serious health complications.

The project has involved collaborating with Orlando Health Clinic LLC, to distribute these materials to various communities. The goal is to empower individuals with knowledge about their health, encourage proactive measures, and reduce the …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Fish Oil Supplements At Reducing The Recurrence Of Atrial Fibrillation, Timothy J. Horanic

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2025

The purpose of my project, Evaluating the Effectiveness of Fish Oil Supplements at Reducing the Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation, was to analyze whether omega-3 fatty acids could lower the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence compared to a placebo. AF is an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm that can lead to serious complications such as stroke or heart failure. Through review and analysis of clinical trial data, patients who took fish oil experienced a lower recurrence rate of AF (46.8%) compared to the placebo group (73.4%), though the difference was not statistically significant. I also examined two supplemental studies …

Assisting Orlando Health With Patient Experience & Logistics, Usman S. Ahmed

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2025

This showcase is a narrative of my experience as a volunteer for the Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, operated by Orlando Health. Orlando Health is a non-profit organization that operates a network of general and specialty hospitals across Orlando. Their stated mission is “To improve the health and quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve”. One of their largest clusters of healthcare facilities by far is located in the Doctor Phillips area of Orlando, which includes the hospital where I volunteered. As a volunteer, my job was to improve the background operations of the fifth floor. More specifically, …

Effect Of Cequa™ In Subjects With Dry Eye Disease, Lillian Nguyen, Linda Canales, Caitlyn Kelly

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

This project evaluated the clinical efficacy of Cequa™ (Cyclosporine 0.09%) in individuals with Dry Eye Disease (DED) who showed minimal improvement with lower-dose cyclosporine (0.05%). The study explored real-world pharmaceutical applications, focusing on clinical trial design, patient-centered outcomes, and treatment limitations. A review of peer-reviewed literature demonstrated that Cequa 0.09% produced statistically significant improvements in both corneal health and symptom reduction when compared to Restasis® and Lifitegrast (Xiidra®).

The project was developed within the framework of a Health Sciences Seminar course and adhered to a structured timeline with instructor feedback. Emphasis was placed on scientific analysis, effective communication, and teamwork. …

Levetiracetam-Induced Acute Kidney Injury In A Pediatric Patient, Makaila A. Geese Pharmd Candidate, Norm Fenn Bcps, Bcpps

Parkview Pharmacy Department

Presented at PPA Meeting.

Objective: To describe a case of acute kidney injury following levetiracetam administration in an adolescent patient.

Key takeaways:

Acute kidney injury (AKI) following levetiracetam is rare, especially in pediatric patients

Kidney injury was not correlated with supratherapeutic levetiracetam concentrations

Morganella Morganii Meningitis In A Neonate: A Case Report, Madelin Vessels Pharmd Candiadate, Cassie Rough Pharmd Candidate, Robyn Schmucker Md, Mph, Norm Fenn Bcps, Bcpps

Parkview Pharmacy Department

Presented at Midyear Clinical Meeting

Objective: To summarize the interventions that took place to add to the limited data that exists in the world surrounding the treatment and outcomes of M. morganii infections.

Key takeaways: 

• M. morganii meningitis is highly rare in neonates
• There are no defined treatment guidelines or outcomes available to date
• Cefepime sufficiently treated M. morganii meningitis, bacteremia, and concurrent E. coli urinary tract infection

Comparison Of Isoflurane To Sevoflurane In A Pediatric Patient With Refractory Status Asthmaticus: A Case Report, Janella Rianna N. Benitez Mba, Pharmd, Norm Fenn Bcps, Bcpps, Fashp

Parkview Pharmacy Department

Presented at Midyear Clinical Meeting.

Objective: To describe the use of inhaled anesthetics in a pediatric patient with severe, refractory status asthmaticus unresponsive to conventional therapies.

Inorganic Arsenite [I-As (Iii)] Represses Human Renal Progenitor Cell Characteristics And Induces Neoplastic-Like Transformation, Md Ehsanul Haque

Theses and Dissertations

Studies on populations exposed to inorganic arsenic (iAs) have shown an association between this particular exposure and the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, there are few studies addressing how acute exposure of the human kidney to iAs might lead to long-term alterations that might lead to CKD or RCC. This study’s hypothesis is that renal exposure to iAs might alter the renal cells responsible for the repair and regeneration of nephrons damaged by iAs exposure or other renal toxicants. The kidney possesses a minority epithelial cell population that co-express PROM1 and CD24 that …

Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity And Adaptive Responses In Renal Progenitor Cells: Molecular Insights From Transcriptomic And Proteomic Analyses, Eloho Ighofose

Theses and Dissertations

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent known for its efficacy against various solid tumors, but its clinical utility is limited by dose-dependent nephrotoxicity. The renal proximal tubule, particularly its epithelial cell population, is highly susceptible to cisplatin-induced injury due to its role in solute transport and high metabolic activity. Recent advances suggest that renal progenitor cells play a key role in epithelial repair following nephrotoxic injury; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying their response to cisplatin remain poorly understood.This study investigates the impact of both acute and chronic cisplatin exposure on immortalized human renal progenitor cells (HRTPT, CD24⁺/CD133⁺) using a …

Sharing Your Science: Special 2025 Edition, Wilson Gonzalez-Espada

Faculty Research at Morehead State University

The Sharing your Science stories were completed as part of a 2025 Science Communication Summer Internship (COMM 647), a collaboration between the Kentucky Academy of Science and the Departments of Engineering Sciences and Communication, Media, Art & Design, Morehead State University, KY. This work was made available as an Open Educational Resource thanks to the Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning, the Camden-Carroll Library, and the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs, Morehead State University.

Evolving Perceptions Of Self And Others: The Effects Of Communing With Nature While Thru Hiking The Florida National Scenic Trail, Stella P. Arbeláez Tascón

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This body of artwork comprises a thesis that documents and exposes the artist’s inner workings as she regained balance after experiencing deep emotional trauma. This individual’s healing transformation was prompted by her immersion in nature while walking the Florida National Scenic Trail in its entirety, 1,130 miles (or 1,818 km), from the Everglades to the panhandle, in three and a half months. The artistic research conducted, and autobiographical body of work created from it, aims to help others reconnect with their own strengths and to seek wellness in the restorative properties of Nature, while advocating for an empathetic approach to …

Reusable Generic Clinical Decision Support System Module For Immunization Recommendations In Resource-Constraint Settings, Samuil Orlioglu, Akash Shanmugan Boobalan, Kojo Abanyie, Richard D Boyce, Hua Min, Yang Gong, Dean F Sittig, Paul Biondich, Adam Wright, Christian Nøhr, Timothy Law, David Robinson, Arild Faxvaag, Nina Hubig, Ronald Gimbel, Lior Rennert, Xia Jing

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) are routinely employed in clinical settings to improve quality of care, ensure patient safety, and deliver consistent medical care. However, rule-based CDSS, currently available, do not feature reusable rules. In this study, we present CDSS with reusable rules. Our solution includes a common CDSS module, electronic medical record (EMR) specific adapters, CDSS rules written in the clinical quality language (CQL) (derived from CDC immunization recommendations), and patient records in fast healthcare interoperability resources (FHIR) format. The proposed CDSS is entirely browser-based and reachable within the user's EMR interface at the client-side. This helps to avoid …

Environmental Fate Of Trace Anionic Fission Byproducts: An Analysis Of Redox, Sorption, And Incorporation Pathways Of Iodine And Selenium, Ilana B. Szlamkowicz

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The environmental chemistry and mobility of iodine and selenium contaminants were investigated through redox interactions with manganese oxides and incorporation into carbonate minerals. The study examined iodide (I^-) and selenite (SeO₃^2-) oxidation under varying pH conditions using manganese oxide minerals, which are geochemical regulators. Using tandem ion chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (IC-ICP-MS), the oxidation and speciation of iodine and selenium were quantified under environmentally relevant conditions. The results demonstrate that oxidation of I^- and SeO₃^2- by manganese oxides are highly concentration dependent. Acid birnessite, a common manganese oxide, exhibited significant reactivity toward …

Increasing Access Through Graduate Teaching Assistant Training: A Udl-Informed, Video-Based Professional Development Approach For Inclusive Chemistry Instruction, Kathleen Lugo Charriez

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

STEM courses pose concealed barriers to learning for students with disabilities, a demographic that constitutes a significant portion of postsecondary science and engineering undergraduate student populations. While extensive research has examined access and inclusiveness in K–12 education and, to a more limited extent, in higher education, there remains a critical gap in understanding how to proactively design undergraduate chemistry curricula that are both accessible and inclusive for a diverse range of learners. In particular, limited attention has been given to supporting Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) in adopting inclusive instructional practices in higher education chemistry courses.

In large academic institutions, GTAs …

Exploring The Inequitable Impact Of Data Missingness On Fairness In Machine Learning, Sitao Min, Hafiz Asif, Jaideep Vaidya

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Today, data-driven models and artificial intelligence / machine learning underlie decision making in almost all aspects of society. However, significant concerns have been raised over the fairness of such models. While various aspects of algorithmic fairness have been studied, the effect of missing data on fairness remains understudied. This is a significant problem since data in real-world settings is almost never complete, and may often suffer from systemic missingness. This article systematically evaluates how missing data, particularly when correlated with protected classes and outcome variables, affects the fairness of classifiers. Utilizing a comprehensive framework covering various missing data patterns, rates, …

Evaluating Health And Immune Proxies Within And Across Sea Turtle Life Stages, Tiffany M. Dawson

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Understanding variations in health and immune function across life stages or physiological states is important for population monitoring and for understanding species’ responses to anthropogenic disturbances. Sea turtles are a model species for evaluating these changes within and across life stages due to their long lifespans with ontogenetic habitat and diet shifts. In this dissertation, I tested whether health and immune hematological proxies (Packed Cell Volume [PCV], white blood cell counts, total protein [TP], biochemistry) differed: (1) across the reproductive season, (2) between species and (3) foraging groups, and (4) with reproductive output for adult female turtles (Chapter 2). In …

Unraveling The Impacts Of Online Secondhand Resellers On Brick-And-Mortar Thrift Stores, Neely Connor

Honors Theses - Providence Campus

The purpose of this study is to provide insight into the current online controversy debating the effects of online secondhand resellers on brick-and-mortar thrift stores. While this debate has been featured in consumer media sources (e.g., Heydari, 2022), there is a lack of scholarly research on this topic. This study seeks to fill that gap by examining the effects of online secondhand resellers on brick-and-mortar thrift stores, particularly concerning price increases, product availability, and quality of items. Online qualitative surveys and interviews were conducted to develop an understanding of the perceptions on this topic held by both online resellers and …

Trash To Textiles: The Journey Of Recycled Plastic In Fashion, Abigael Rasmussen

Honors Theses - Providence Campus

Plastic is all around us in modern America and in the world. Plastic is found in our vehicles, clothing, houses—it’s even made its way into our food, our septic systems, our oceans, and even our rain (Seferian). Plastic waste is a very pressing issue that brings up many environmental challenges: microplastics, landfill buildup, air pollution, soil contamination, water contamination etc. The textile industry is a major contributor to plastic pollution with the rise of fast fashion (Bandera). To combat this, textile and environmental scientists are exploring ways to transform plastic waste into usable textile materials through upcycling, “transforming mixed plastic …

Advanced Subspace Estimation Techniques For Statistical Analysis And Machine Learning, Kang Li

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The rapid expansion of data volume and complexity across diverse domains has underscored the need for robust and efficient techniques capable of extracting meaningful information from high-dimensional datasets. Subspace estimation—identifying the underlying low-dimensional structures within high-dimensional data—has emerged as a cornerstone method in modern data analysis and machine learning. This dissertation aims to advance both the theoretical and practical aspects of subspace estimation problems.

In the first part, we investigate Fréchet central subspace estimation, a critical component of sufficient dimension reduction (SDR) challenges. Traditional SDR methods often fall short when dealing with non-Euclidean responses. To address this, we propose a …