Digital Commons Network^™

Crashes And Injuries On Rural Roads In Alaska - Toward A Better Understanding Of Rural Safety Issues Through Linked Data, Nathan Belz

CSET Project Reports

In this study, motor-vehicle crash records (MVCD) are linked with hospital-based trauma data from the Alaska Trauma Registry (AKTR) using a probabilistic method using open-source record linkage software (FRIL) with the aim of developing a more comprehensive and accurate depiction of transportation-related injuries across the state. The study achieved a successful match for 66% of AKTR cases using demographic, temporal, and geographic identifiers. Injury classifications from both datasets were harmonized through a reclassification scheme to evaluate the accuracy and completeness of MVCD reporting relative to trauma data. Key findings reveal that while most records were either adequately classified or slightly …

Cyclone Intensity Prediction In The Bay Of Bengal Using Deep Learning Methods, Senthil Kumar J

Theses and Dissertations

The Bay of Bengal region's coastlines have been badly devastated by tropical cyclones, as the region experiences an average of five to six cyclones per year, with about two to three of these intensifying into tropical storms or severe cyclones. Thus it necessitates to study the accurate and efficient forecasting of their intensity to improve preparedness and response to natural disasters. The present study compares and examines three distinct approaches to cyclone intensity prediction using historical datasets from 1998 to 2020: hybrid optimisation, deep learning-based, and empirical approaches.The predicted accuracy, computational effectiveness, and feasibility for real-time scenarios of each model …

Toward Multidisciplinary Volcanic Eruption Models And Forecasts In Alaska: Contributions From Automated Seismic And Acoustic Signal Detection, Darren Tan

Geosciences

Explosive, ash-generating volcanic eruptions pose an increasing threat to a growing, globally connected population. Accurate forecasts of volcanic eruptions remain challenging due to the complex­ity of volcanic systems, but recent multidisciplinary synthesis efforts have proven effective. The National Science Foundation Prediction of and Resilience against Extreme Events (PREEVENTS) project aims to re-analyze and combine multidisciplinary observations at eight Alaska volcanoes to develop eruption forecast models. Leading the seismology and infrasound discipline, this dis­sertation details the development of automated tools capable of producing high-resolution catalogs of volcanic unrest signals from continuous seismic and acoustic data. By leveraging these catalogs and synthesizing …

Master Of Social Work Portfolio, Kyla Wright

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Identifying all learned ten competencies of social work incorporated into educational settings. Utilizing theoretical practices and an integrated, justified intervention for mental health success.

The Shorthorn: July 31, 1970

The Shorthorn Newspaper Collection: 1970s

No abstract provided.

The Shorthorn: March 6, 1970

The Shorthorn Newspaper Collection: 1970s

No abstract provided.

The Shorthorn: February 20, 1970

The Shorthorn Newspaper Collection: 1970s

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Incarceration On Men’S Mental Health, Shannon Williams, Shannon Williams

Master of Arts in Human Services

This capstone research paper examines the mental health crisis among incarcerated men in the United States, a population disproportionately affected by mental illness, racial inequality, and systemic neglect. Incarcerated males often enter correctional facilities with pre-existing mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and substance use disorders. Rather than receiving adequate treatment, these individuals are frequently exposed to environments that worsen their conditions. Practices such as solitary confinement, loss of privileges, and isolation from support systems contribute to emotional instability, trauma, and, in some cases, suicidal ideation. This paper explores how detention …

Examining The Relationship Between Volunteerism And Revenue Streams In Youth-Centered Nonprofit Organizations: An Analysis Of Fundraising Revenue, Program Service Revenue, And Government Grants, Stephanie Aguguo-Orelus

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This study examined the relationship between volunteerism and revenue streams in youth-centered nonprofit organizations (NPOs) in the United States. Utilizing financial data from IRS Form 990 filings spanning 2014 to 2023, the research analyzes how the number of annual volunteers impacts three primary revenue sources: donations, program service revenue, and government grants. Fixed-effects regression models are employed to evaluate these relationships across the full study period and in pre- and post-COVID-19 subsamples. The study also investigates the association between volunteerism and revenue diversification using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI). Findings reveal a positive and statistically significant relationship between volunteer involvement and …

Supervised Topic Modeling For Scientific Texts: Bayesian Shrinkage Methods And Domain-Specific Applications In Forensics And Online Aggression Sciences, Amir Alipour Yengejeh

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Topic modeling has become a powerful tool for analyzing large-scale textual corpora across scientific domains. However, traditional unsupervised approaches like Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) often produce redundant or weakly informative topics, limiting their interpretability and predictive utility. This dissertation presents a dual-track study that advances the field of interpretable topic modeling and domain-specific text analysis by (1) quantitatively analyzing research trends in Cyber Aggression and Abuse (CAA), and (2) developing a supervised topic selection framework for forensic science literature.

In the first part, we apply LDA to a corpus of 2,309 journal abstracts on CAA sourced from the Web of …

“Rights Not Rescue”: How Stigma Influences Harmful Legislation Toward Sex Workers In The Deep South, Abigail Mckenzie Conover

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

In the United States, while prostitution or sex work is not explicitly illegal at a federal level, certain characteristics have been criminalized, mainly in indirect ways. This is significant when considering the different ways that sex work is regarded (both positively and negatively) at an institutional level. The current study examines the potential correlation between structural/institutional stigma regarding sex work/sex workers and legislation meant to directly or indirectly harm sex workers. The overall goal of this research was to answer the following question: How does structural/institutional stigma against sex workers present itself in legislation? To accomplish this, I conducted a …

The Association Between The Social Determinants Of Health And Shared Decision Making: An Investigation Of The National Survey Of Children's Health, Vernon T. Headley

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Objective: Shared decision-making (SDM) is defined as a clinical approach that allows both physicians and patients to communicate on the best treatment options that will improve the patient's overall health outcomes. Shared decision-making plays a vital role in how parents engage with their physicians regarding the healthcare needs of their children. This dissertation assessed the association between the social determinants of health and shared decision-making regarding children’s health-related issues.

Methods: The data for the current research were the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), combined 2017-2020. The dependent variable was shared decision-making and included discussing treatment options, raising concerns regarding …

The Impact Of Alternatives To Incarceration And The Motherhood Identity On Mothers And Their Children: A Qualitative Study, Chloe Blau

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The U.S. prison system population increasingly includes women, a significant proportion of whom are mothers, often incarcerated for non-violent crimes. Some research suggests that alternative to incarceration (ATI) programs can help these women to continue supporting their children while serving their sentences and receiving services that may decrease recidivism. However, few studies have explored the lived experiences of women in these programs. This dissertation investigates the impact of participating in ATI programs on mothers and their relationship to their motherhood identity, their ability to mother, and their relationship with their children. Using a qualitative approach to better understand how women …

Evaluation Of Nibin-Generated Leads And Whether They Contribute To Solving Violent Crimes, Massi Martin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The client organization had not previously analyzed the impact of its NIBIN program. This lack of analysis potentially impeded informed decision-making regarding staffing and resource allocation. The purpose of this study was to address the practice-focused research question: What impact do NIBIN leads have on case closure rates for aggravated assaults and homicides involving firearms? A Cox proportional hazards regression model, a type of survival analysis, was used to analyze the data, which was based on the Locard exchange principle. Data were collected from the organization’s record management system. The findings were that NIBIN leads significantly contributed to faster case …

Chantsat-1 Ground Station Planning, Design And Installation - Experiences Gained, Ian Hewitt, Jean French, George Hitt

Small Satellite Conference

Planning, designing, and implementing the ground station for ChantSat-1, Coastal Carolina University’s first small sat mission program, was the first major milestone of the University’s space program. CCU’s ChantSat-1 ground station team presents the experiences gained during the process from inception to completion of the ground station at a liberal arts public University in the southeastern United States with approximately 11,000 students. By sharing both our challenges and successes, our goal is to support others by providing experiences gained in the process.

Building Better Cities With Artificial Intelligence: A Path To Sustainability And Livability, Mona Mahrous Abdel Wahed

Emirates Journal for Engineering Research

The rapid acceleration of urbanization has amplified the multifaceted challenges confronting cities in attaining sustainability and ensuring livability. Artificial Intelligence technologies stand out as transformative tools with the potential to revolutionize urban development through finding innovative solutions to urban challenges. By leveraging AI, cities can optimize resource allocation, enhance decision-making processes, and create urban environments that are both livable and environmentally sustainable. Achieving this transformation requires visionary policymakers, meticulous planning, and a commitment to ethical AI deployment. Through AI's data-driven insights, urban planners can make informed decisions that align with the complex and dynamic needs of urban areas. This research …

Illinois Model Programs Of Study Guide: Human And Public Services, Education Systems Center

Reports, Analyses, and other Publications

First published in October 2022. Significantly revised in April 2025 to incorporate updated labor market information. Key terminology and relationship between concepts sections added in August 2025.

Wmu Board Of Trustee Special Board Meeting, August 13, 2025, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

• Acceptance of the Agenda
• Remarks by the Chair of the Board
• Remarks by the President

Action Item

• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees’ Union (AFSCME)
• Wage Agreement
• Remarks by AFSCME President

Lindenwood Digest, August 13, 2025, Lindenwood University

Lindenwood Digest

The Lindenwood Digest has been a digital employee newsletter since 2009.

Comparative Analysis Of Codes Of Ethical Conduct And Professionalism In Engineering And Project Management Associations, Valarie Denney, James W. Marion

Publications

This research details the similarities and differences in moral values and perspective from 15 engineering and project management association codes of conduct and professionalism. The methodology uses text mining of selected codes counting and summarizing keywords, evaluating document similarities through cosine similarity, and assessing the influence of various ethical schools of thought. Key findings reveal differences in the emphasis of core ethical values like fairness, honesty, and responsibility across different associations. This research is important for engineering and project management professionals to purposefully develop and evolve codes of ethics and professional development to enhance integrity, accountability, and ethical decision-making.

Implications Of The Pending Wisconsin Supreme Court Ruling On Act 10, Carl J. Bryan

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning

This white paper examines the potential implications of the pending Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of 2011 Wisconsin Act 10, a landmark labor law that significantly restricted collective bargaining rights for public sector employees, including teachers and university professors. The ruling stands to reshape the landscape of public sector labor relations in Wisconsin, impacting public educators’ bargaining power, labor-management dynamics, and ultimately, the quality of public education. Drawing on scholarly research, this paper outlines the key challenges posed by the potential legal uncertainty and proposes a multi-pronged approach centered on collaborative labor-management frameworks, contingency planning, inclusive policymaking, capacity …

Autism Awareness Training For Law Enforcement Officers: A Pilot Study, Kaylie Holke, Meghan Cosier, Elissa Green Kaustinen, Cathy Scherer, Andrew Wall

Education Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to pilot a research-based autism training session for law enforcement officers (LEOs), test the Police Self-Efficacy for Autism (PSEA) scale as a measurement tool for the session and provide a preliminary examination of brief training. Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized a pre-post survey approach in which participants completed the PSEA scale pre- and post-training to measure the relationship between the training and self-efficacy scores. Findings

Results show a positive relationship between brief autism-specific training and officers’ self-efficacy scores across items and subscales. All four subscales and seven of thirteen items demonstrated statistical significance. Originality/value …

Educating Health Care Workers To Reduce Stigma And Create A Supportive Environment For Individuals With Substance Use Disorder, Rosette Nakiyemba Wakanabo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project was a staff education project aimed at addressing a critical practice problem within nursing related to stigma faced by individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) in health care settings. The practice-focused question guiding the project addressed whether structured education and skill building could reduce stigma among health care workers toward patients with SUD. The purpose of this project was to enhance health care workers’ understanding of stigma and to equip them with practical tools and strategies to foster inclusive, empathetic, and effective care environments. The training was delivered in a workshop format that combined evidence-based strategies with …

Writings On Political Philosophy, Benedictus De Spinoza

Hannah Arendt Marginalia - All

New York, London D. Appleton-Century Company, incorporated [c1937]

Call #: JC163 .S73 1937

Contains underlining, marginal notes, marginal lining, and endnotes

PDF Information: 70 pages – 39 MB

The Chief Works Of Benedict De Spinoza, V.1, Benedictus De Spinoza

Hannah Arendt Marginalia - All

New York : Dover, 1955, c1951

Call #: B3958 .S758 v.1

contains marginal lining and underlining

PDF Information: 94 pages – 39 MB

Enhanced Navigation Using Wireless Beacons In Infrastructure, Qi Jiang, Danqing Fu

Defensive Publications Series

To address the limitations of conventional navigation systems in dynamic environments, this disclosure presents a system for improving location accuracy and providing real-time data to users. This disclosure describes equipping public infrastructure, such as traffic lights, pedestrian crosswalks, railroad crossings, and other roadside units (RSUs), with low-cost wireless beacons or local transmitters (e.g., Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband, RFID, etc.). These transmitters continuously broadcast or advertise valuable information, like traffic signal timing, status updates, or precise location data. A user's computing device—which could be a smartphone, wearable, or an in-vehicle system within a connected or autonomous vehicle—may then receive these signals as it …

Maria Blandizzi Start Of Year Message, Student Life, Maria Blandizzi

College, School and Department Newsletters, Magazines, and Journals

No abstract provided.

Varona, Federico, San Jose State University

Emeritus and Retired Faculty Biographies

USA:

University of Kansas, Major: Organizational Communication. Minor: Intercultural Communication, 1991 Ph.D.

University of Kansas, Major: Organizational Communication Minor: Intercultural Communication, 1988, M.A. [M.A. Thesis: A Comparative Study of Communication Satisfaction in Two Guatemalan Companies]

FRANCE:

Center AudioVisuel Recherche et Communication, Lyon, France, Audiovisual Communication.1977 Diplome

SPAIN:

Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, Spain, Major: Theology, 1976 Licenciado [Thesis: De Carl Rogers a la Pedagogía de la Fe]

Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, Spain. Major: Psychology. Minor: Clinical and Educational Psychology, 1976 Diplomado

GUATEMALA:

Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala, Psychology, 1972-1974

Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Guatemala, Theology, 1972-1974 …

From Larvae To Livelihoods: Examining The Realities Of Black Soldier Fly Farming In Malawi, Emily Herriott

Capstone Collection

Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae offer a cost-effective, nutrient-rich alternative to synthetic fertilizers and conventional feed inputs such as soy, fishmeal, and maize bran in sub-Saharan Africa. In Malawi, where smallholder farmers grapple with declining soil fertility, high input prices, chronic food insecurity, and livestock nutritional challenges, BSF farming is emerging as a promising circular agricultural innovation. Despite its technical promise, the social, economic, and ecological realities of BSF adoption remain underexplored.This study investigates the early implementation of BSF farming in Malawi through the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, focusing on farmer experiences, challenges, and the social and structural processes shaping uptake …

Immigrant Surveillance In San Diego During A Fascist Era, Jennifer L. Torres Leon

McNair Summer Research Program

The following qualitative study examines a new increase of technological surveillance used on immigrants by San Diego’s local law enforcement. Drawing from in-depth interviews of the San Diego Privacy Advisory Board and Trust SD, insights of technological related violations are sanctioned by the San Diego Police Department. This is done through ambiguous language regarding “criminal investigations” and lack of definitive use policy, despite several memorandums and recommendations by the SD Privacy Advisory Board. Present findings reveal a duality of immigrant surveillance instigating hyper-visible tracking and broadcasting an image of their criminality. This study contributes to scholarship or crimmigration and urban …