Digital Commons Network^™

Genomic Epidemiology Of Staphylococcus Aureus Sequence-Type 97, Eva Armao

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a gram-positive bacterial pathogen that colonizes human nasal passages, mucous membranes, or the skin of carriers, with colonization commonly found in 20-30% of healthy people. S. aureus has the potential for two types of infection within human hosts: methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant (MRSA). These infections can be further classified based on their route of infection, either known as community-associated (CA), healthcare-associated (HA), or healthcare-associated community-onset (HACO). Upon further investigation of infected populations, specific genetic subtypes of S. aureus, known as sequence types (ST), have been identified globally, with some exhibiting increased virulence among …

The Yeasty Rise Of Conservatism By Fermenting Sourdough, Sydney M. Mcrae

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Baking has become increasingly popular in the last five years, particularly baking sourdough bread. This is evident through the rise of social media influencers focusing on trad-wife, family, and sourdough content. Trad wife is the term used to describe a a woman who lives a lifestyle that endorses gender roles, child-rearing, and taking care of the family. There is significant crossover between American social conservative ideals and a trad-wife. The emblem for a tradwife has become baking sourdough since the coronavirus pandemic. Previous research has linked the correlation between American social conservatism and the increasingly popular trad-wife phenomenon. Existing literature …

Multi-Criteria Gis Suitability Analysis For Sustainable Agricultural Tourism Site Selection In Peru, Jessica J. Mccord

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Agricultural tourism offers a mechanism to strengthen rural economies while preserving traditional practices and unique cultural identities. In the Peruvian Andes, rural communities confront increasing challenges in the face of a changing climate and reliance on industrialized agriculture. Rural communities attempt to strike a delicate balance between economic development and heritage preservation. This research utilizes a Geographic Information System (GIS)- based analysis to identify areas best positioned for the development of agritourism initiatives. The suitability analysis integrates both local and global sustainability priorities by incorporating a set of defined criteria that together identify areas that are the most appropriate for …

Identification Of Fiducial Points In Seismocardiographic Cycles Using Manual And Automated Annotation Methods, Jasmine-Vy T. Truong

Honors Undergraduate Theses

There is currently a need for complementary methods for non-invasive cardiac monitoring. Seismocardiography (SCG), the measurement of cardiac-induced vibrations at the chest surface, has shown potential clinical utility. Improving the reliability of detecting fiducial points of electrocardiography (ECG) and SCG, which collectively capture the electro-mechanical cardiac activities, could expand ECG/SCG utility as a low-cost, accessible tool for clinical assessment. This study identifies commonly accepted criteria for fiducial point detection in SCG and ECG through an extensive literature review and signal processing techniques. The previous criteria were evaluated to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Based on the findings, an improved set …

Uv- Altered Macrophages: Impact Of Uv Radiation On Phagocytic Receptor Expression In M2 Macrophages And Implications For Tissue Repair And Immunosuppression, Hala Hafez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Ultraviolet radiation is an environmental stressor known to suppress immune function in the skin, but its effect on the immunoregulatory M2 phenotype macrophages is poorly studied. This study aims to investigate the impact of UV exposure on key markers of the M2 macrophage, which are critical for tissue repair and immunosuppression. THP-1 monocytes were differentiated and polarized into the M2 phenotype using Phorbol-12 myristate (PMA) and Cytokines IL-4 and IL-10. Once differentiation was confirmed, the macrophages were exposed to varying durations of UV radiation. Real Time Quantitative PCR was used to analyze expression changes in phagocytic receptors (CD206, CD163, Arg-1), …

Reinforcement Learning-Based Dynamic Field Exploration And Reconstruction Using Multi-Robot Systems For Environmental Monitoring, Thinh Lu, Divyam Sobti, Deepak Talwar, Wencen Wu

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

In the realm of real-time environmental monitoring and hazard detection, multi-robot systems present a promising solution for exploring and mapping dynamic fields, particularly in scenarios where human intervention poses safety risks. This research introduces a strategy for path planning and control of a group of mobile sensing robots to efficiently explore and reconstruct a dynamic field consisting of multiple non-overlapping diffusion sources. Our approach integrates a reinforcement learning-based path planning algorithm to guide the multi-robot formation in identifying diffusion sources, with a clustering-based method for destination selection once a new source is detected, to enhance coverage and accelerate exploration in …

Artificial Intelligence Event Video Collection (2025), Peaaii Umass Boston

Paul English Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute Publications

This submission contains a collection of recorded videos and promotional materials from artificial intelligence events organized by the Paul English Applied AI Institute (PEAAII) at the University of Massachusetts Boston in 2025. These events include AI Frontier Day, the Fall Symposium, and the AI Applications Hackathon.

The video collection highlights student research, academic collaboration, and applied learning experiences in artificial intelligence. These materials are intended to support education, increase accessibility to AI-related content, and showcase the work of students and faculty involved in PEAAII programs.

Collective Liberation Through Critical Pedagogy, Robert A. Marx, Anne E. Dufault, Miriam R. Arbeit

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The collective liberation of queer and trans people—which is inherently tied to the liberation of those oppressed by white supremacy and racism, ableism, classism, ageism, and other asymmetrical power distributions—is possible when we develop critical consciousness through critical pedagogy. As young people develop an awareness of the contradictions and falsehoods they are taught (e.g., the myth of meritocracy), they begin to work to change their environments and offer resistance to the structures that inequitably shape their world. The vast majority of research on queer and trans adolescents, though, has been shaped by dominant, deficit-based views of queerness that presuppose that …

Individual Differences In The Evolution Of Strategies In Spatial Problem Solving, Jade T. Moussa

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Navigating the world requires a strategy – you must choose which information to attend to and use from a wealth of internal and external cues in order to find your way. People have biases to prioritize some kinds of information over other. This is, in part, determined by individual differences in cognitive abilities. For instance, some individuals have a bias for spatial information that leads them to not only solve spatial tasks faster but are also more likely to use spatial information to solve tasks even when other information is available. However, peoples' navigation strategies also evolve over time. Although …

Inductions Of Long-Term Potentiation With Biomimetic Electromagnetic Fields In Primary Neurons, Cooper E. Kansala

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Endogenous brain rhythms guide neural communication and plasticity, raising the question of whether weak, temporally structured electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that mimic these rhythms can modulate neuronal activity in a targeted, biomimetic manner. This thesis investigates whether patterned EMFs designed to reflect the temporal structure of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) are more effective at inducing neural plasticity than conventional sinusoidal fields or no stimulation at all. Cortical neurons cultured from postnatal rats were exposed to patterned EMFs for 30 minutes and assessed across three distinct experimental domains. In Chapter 2, microelectrode array (MEA) recordings revealed that the LTP-patterned field significantly increased …

Neon, Isabella Dilorenzo, Ellie Scarsilloni

CHM 103 Honors, Elements, Fall 2025

Student presentation from the Fall 2025 semester of CHM 103, taught by Professor George Dombi.

Calcium: "The Element Of Stability", Paige Doolittle, Dahlia Debarros

CHM 103 Honors, Elements, Fall 2025

Student presentation from the Fall 2025 semester of CHM 103 Honors, Elements, taught by Professor George Dombi.

Iron, Alannah Gallagher, Mia Ott

CHM 103 Honors, Elements, Fall 2025

Student presentation from the Fall 2025 semester of CHM 103 Honors, taught by Professor George Dombi.

V1804 Table Of Contents

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

table of contents

The Petrology And Geochemistry Of The Montagna Grande-Monte Gibele Trachytic Shield Volcano (Pantelleria, Italy)., John C. White, Ray Macdonald, Pierangelo Romano, Boguslaw Baginski, Silvio G. Rotolo, Beata Marciniak-Maliszewska, Alessandra Cinquegrani

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The 45.7 ± 1.0 ka (2σ) eruption of the compositionally zoned (comenditic trachyte to pantellerite) Green Tuff ignimbrite on the volcanic island of Pantelleria, Italy, was followed by the extrusion of a series of post-caldera metaluminous to mildly peralkaline trachyte lavas between 26.2 ± 2.0 and 22.3 ± 2.9 ka (2σ). This study uses whole-rock major- and trace-element compositions, mineral compositions, geothermobarometry, and petrogenetic models to examine the role of trachytes in the evolution of the Pantelleria magma system. Although previous studies have suggested that all of these units are consanguineous and form a liquid line of descent (LLOD) from …

Exploring Biostimulant Efficacy Under Limited Fertilizer And Water In Utah's Watermelon Production, Evan Christensen, Milena Oliveira, Prakriti Nepal, Youping Sun

Plants, Soils and Climate Student Research

The western U.S. has recently experienced some of the driest conditions on record, and Utah has been in a multi-year drought (2019-2023) that affected the agricultural sector, including vegetable producers. While vegetables are not a primary agricultural crop in Utah, they are still an important part of the horticultural economy with 763 farms growing 6,138 acres. As the fourth largest acreage vegetable crop in Utah (almost 10% of the acreage) watermelon and related crops in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae (nearly 36% of total vegetable acreage) are important to vegetable growers. Watermelon is a water-intensive crop and requires an adequate supply …

Biomarkers In Coronary Artery Disease: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Nicola King, Neil A. Smart, Theodore Bungon, Martin Peacock, Shakil A. Awan

Faculty of Science and Engineering Datasets

Little information exists regarding the detection of early coronary heart disease protein biomarkers. The aim of this study was to investigate several potential candidates. Systematic review was carried out followed by meta-analysis. The standardized mean difference (95% confidence intervals) for each comparison was: Troponins 2.31 (1.18, 3.4), iL-6 1.3 (0.8, 1.81), fibrinogen 1.55 (1.16, 1.94), NT-proBNP 1.05 (0.72, 1.38), lipoprotein a 0.75 (0.48, 1.03) osteoprotegerin 0.92 (0.23, 1.62), VCAM-1 1.53 (0.87, 2.18), pentraxin 3 0.87 (−0.13, 1.87), PAI-1 2.51 (−0.65, 5.66) MMP9 1.25 (0.36, 2.14), MCP-1 1.99 (1.12, 2.85) and adiponectin −1.11 (−1.49, −0.73). Multiple biomarkers that could potentially be …

Compensation Under The Microscope: Connecticut, Jeffrey Gutman

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

With the exception of the District of Columbia, Connecticut has paid exonerees the highest annual amount of compensation for wrongful convictions in the country, almost four times the national average. Perhaps in part because of this, Connecticut is one of a few states that has attempted to limit the scope and generosity of its statute. It, however, later backpedaled on some of those limits.

Then, in a burst of activity in early January 2025, the Connecticut Claims Commissioner cleared a backlog of pending cases, awarding more than $36 million in compensation. The Connecticut statute has thus had three lives, having …

Compensation Under The Microscope: A Tale Of Three States: The New Wrongful Conviction Compensation Statutes In Arizona, Delaware And Georgia, Jeffrey Gutman

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

In 2025, three states passed new wrongful conviction compensation statutes: Arizona, Delaware, and Georgia. They are a diverse group. These states lie in the West, East and South. Delaware is led by a Democratic governor and legislature, while Georgia’s are Republican. Arizona has a Democratic governor, but both houses of the state legislature have Republican majorities. Delaware has just four exonerees listed in the National Registry of Exonerations. Arizona has 25 and Georgia 52. Before passing its statute, Georgia had the second most exonerees (behind Pennsylvania) in a state without a statute.

Given these varying backgrounds, one might expect substantial …

Precedential Trauma: Integrating Trauma-Informed Judging In Federal Courts Of Appeals Through Opinion Writing, Alison Brochu

Roger Williams University Law Review

No abstract provided.

State V. Garcia, 316 A.3d 1223 (R.I. 2024), Isabelle Ryan

Roger Williams University Law Review

No abstract provided.

Judge William E. Smith: Portrait Of A Jurist And Leader, Gregory W. Bowman

Roger Williams University Law Review

No abstract provided.

Reading The Tea Leaves: Unrealized Income, Separation Of Powers, And An Examination Of Whether There Is More To The Moore Case Than The Mandatory Repatriation Tax, Natasha Varyani

Roger Williams University Law Review

No abstract provided.

Neves V. State Of Rhode Island, 316 A.3d 1197 (R.I. 2024), Evan Degaitas

Roger Williams University Law Review

No abstract provided.

Tribal Recognition And Rhode Island: Towards A Recognition Process For The Ocean State, Declan Smith

Roger Williams University Law Review

No abstract provided.

Last Resort: Advocating For Rhode Island To Adopt A More Comprehensive Homeless Bill Of Rights In The Wake Of Grants Pass V. Johnson, Casey Rivera

Roger Williams University Law Review

No abstract provided.

Changemakers: Steven Colantuono: Juris Doctorate: Embracing The Road To Success, Roger Williams University School Of Law

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

Quantum-Resilient Architectures For Enterprise And Cloud Information Systems, Implications Of Quantum Computing For Enterprise Cybersecurity And Data Integrity, Manikantha Varaprasad Inakollu

Computer Science and Engineering Faculty Publications

The emergence of quantum computing presents unprecedented challenges to contemporary enterprise cybersecurity frameworks. Current cryptographic systems that protect sensitive data and secure communications will become vulnerable to quantum attacks within the next decade. This research examines the implications of quantum computing advancement for enterprise and cloud information systems, proposing quantum-resilient architectural frameworks that can withstand both classical and quantum threats. We analyze the timeline of quantum computing development, assess vulnerabilities in existing enterprise security infrastructures, and evaluate post-quantum cryptographic approaches suitable for organizational implementation. Through comparative analysis of quantum-resistant algorithms and architectural patterns, this study demonstrates that enterprises must begin …

Blockchain-Enabled Trust Frameworks For Enterprise Information Systems, Establishing Verifiable Trust In Distributed Organizational Environments, Manikantha Varaprasad Inakollu

Computer Science and Engineering Faculty Publications

Enterprise information systems increasingly operate in distributed environments where traditional trust mechanisms based on centralized authority prove insufficient. This research develops a comprehensive blockchain-enabled trust framework that establishes verifiable, decentralized trust mechanisms for enterprise systems operating across organizational boundaries. The study addresses critical gaps in current enterprise architectures where trust depends on centralized intermediaries, creating single points of failure and limiting inter-organizational collaboration. Through examination of existing trust models and blockchain capabilities, we propose an integrated framework that combines cryptographic verification, distributed consensus, and smart contract automation to establish trust without centralized control. Our framework enables organizations to verify data …

Social And Commercial Crowdfunding Through The Lens Of The Theory Of Planned Behaviour And Financial Well-Being, Joanna Adamska, Urszula Mrzygłód

Journal of Banking and Financial Economics

A unique feature of crowdfunding is that it relies on numerous individuals contributing financially to the project, which sets it apart from traditional financing channels. Unlike banks, where funding decisions are subject to strict prudential criteria and the creditworthiness of the borrowing entity, crowdfunding projects appeal to various worldviews and values held by potential backers. Therefore, the financial decision to support the crowdfunding project becomes a unique problem in personal finance. This study aims to analyse the psychological and financial factors influencing crowdfunding participation, comparing social and commercial projects using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (hereinafter: TPB) and subjective financial …