Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing Software Effort Estimation: A Comparative Analysis Of Machine Learning Models With Correlation-Based Feature Selection, Muhammad Abid, Momina Liaqat Ali

Sustainable Machine Intelligence Journal

Software effort estimation is a critical process in the management of software projects, essential for predicting the resources and time required for application development. Accurate estimation is paramount for delivering projects on time and computational resources. This paper investigates techniques that utilize machine learning models to ameliorate software effort estimation. We employ four popular machine learning models including the Linear Regression, Gradient Boosting, Random Forest, and Decision Tree and evaluate their performance across five diverse climate-related datasets: Antarctica Hotpoints/Climate Change NASA, Crop Production and Climate Change, Global Warming on Earth (Global Temp), Climate Change, and Climate Treasure (Marine). A key …

Iterative Design For Enhancing Synchrony In Full-Body Interactive Experiences For Children On The Autism Spectrum, Sena Beste Ercan, Olga Galí Pérez, Belén González Mateo, Óscar Delgado Rueda, Andreu Castaño, Gray Atherton, Liam Cross, Narcís Parés

School of Psychology

Interpersonal Synchrony (IPS), the temporal coordination of actions between individuals, plays a crucial role in fostering social interactions, emotion regulation, and communication. While previous research has explored IPS in dyadic settings, little is known about how it can be supported in multi-user full-body interactive environments, especially for neurodivergent populations. This study presents an iterative design investigation of DragonIce, a full-body interactive experience aimed at promoting IPS among children on the Autism Spectrum (AS). Building on findings from a prior study involving 12 male students with autism, we implemented and tested two targeted interaction design modifications: (1) enhanced visual feedback and …

Multiscale Modeling Of Drug-Induced Liver Injury From Organ To Lobule, Alon Malka-Markovitz, Stelian Camara Dit Pinto, Mohammed Cherkaoui, Steven M Levine, Sharmila Anandasabapathy, Gagan K Sood, Sadhna Dhingra, Gao Yujia, John M Vierling, Nicolas R Gallo

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Drug-induced liver injury poses significant challenges in drug development and in clinical care. This study builds on prior work developing a Human Liver Virtual Twin by creating a Multiscale Computational Fluid Dynamics framework that integrates patient-specific anatomical data to predict acetaminophen-induced liver injury as a demonstration of its capability. The model bridges vascular, lobular, and cellular scales to simulate dynamic blood flow, drug transport, and injury mechanisms that accurately reflect clinically observed spatial heterogeneity. Results demonstrate accurate blood flow dynamics, predictions of hepatocellular damage, and a scalable framework for studying spatial heterogeneity applicable to other hepatic pathologies. This work establishes …

The Binaural Interaction Component Is Enhanced With Chirps Relative To Clicks And Produces Better Behavioral Lateralization, Kerry A. Walker, Carol A. Sammeth, Matthew Mavandi, Nathaniel T. Greene, Daniel J. Tollin

Student Publications

The binaural interaction component (BIC) of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) is obtained by subtracting a binaurally-evoked ABR from the sum of monaural left and right ear ABRs. BIC amplitude is modulated by interaural time differences (ITDs) and has been proposed as a biomarker of binaural hearing ability. Traditionally, clicks are used to evoke ABRs; however, chirps are recommended to compensate for the cochlear traveling wave and enhance wave V. Whether chirps improve BIC measurements has not been systematically examined. Here, ABRs and BICs were measured in subjects (n = 6; 21-29 years) for three stimuli; 1) 100-µsec clicks, 2) …

Human Alveolar Macrophage Response To Mycobacterium Tuberculosis: Immune Characteristics Underlying Large Inter-Individual Variability, Wolfgang Sadee, Ian H. Cheeseman, Audrey Papp, Maciej Pietrzak, Michal Seweryn, Xiaofei Zhou, Shili Lin, Hao Zhang, Blanca I. Restrepo, Yufeng Wang

School of Medicine Publications

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection infects human alveolar macrophages (HAMs). In freshly isolated HAMs from 28 healthy adults, we observe large inter-individual differences in bacterial uptake and growth, with tenfold variation in M.tb load by 72 h. While M.tb infection triggers expression changes of numerous host mRNAs, we examined which genes are most variably expressed (VE genes) between donors, as potential biomarkers of individual tuberculosis (TB) risk. The HAM RNA transcriptome following infection revealed thousands of differentially expressed (DE) genes and differential secretion of 25/27 proteins. Yet only 324 DE genes represent VE genes detected exclusively among DE genes in …

Restorative Justice In Legal Education, Lindsey Pointer, Aparna Polavarapu, Alanna Ojibway

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

Restorative Justice And Building Communities Of Radical Belonging In The Law School Classroom, Aparna Polavarapu

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

Incorporating Restorative Justice Into Black-Letter Criminal Law, Shirin Bakhshay

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

Redemption Song: Listening For Justice At An Hbcu Law School, Scott Holmes, Joy Clark

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

Detecting Early Changes In Cartilage Collagen And Proteoglycans Distribution Gradients In Mice Harboring The R992c Collagen Ii Mutant Using 2d Correlation Infrared Spectroscopy, Jolanta Fertala, Andrzej Steplewski, Andrzej Fertala

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Collagen II is a vital structural component in developing bones and mature cartilage. Muta- tions in this protein cause spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, a disease characterized primarily by altered skeletal growth and manifesting with a range of phenotypes, from lethal to mild. This study examined transgenic mice harboring the R992C (p.R1124C) substitution in colla- gen II. Previous research demonstrated significant growth abnormalities and disorganized growth plate structure in these mice, and histological signs of osteoarthritic changes in the knee joints of 9-month-old mice with the R992C mutation. Our study focuses on detecting early structural changes in the articular cartilage that occur before …

Temporal Changes In Soil Organic Carbon And Other Near-Surfacesoil Properties Under Native Tallgrass Prairie In The Arkansasriver Valley, Katie Jansson, Kristofor R. Brye, Mike Richardson, Lisa S. Wood

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

One climate-change mitigation pathway is soil carbon (C) sequestration. Native prairies have long been known for their soil C sequestration abilities, but the full extent of their sequestration capacity is not completely understood, particularly across diverse regions. This study evaluated the effects of soil depth and soil map unit-prairie combination on changes in various soil properties from 2018 to 2022 in the top 20 cm of two native tallgrass prairies in west-central Arkansas. Soil bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, total C (TC), soil organic matter (SOM), and Mehlich-3 extractable soil nutrients were evaluated from the 0- to 10-cm …

Review Of "Modelling The Logistics Of Mantzikert" By Philip Murgatroyd, Vincent Gaffney, John Haldon And Georgios Theodoropoulos, Lucas Mcmahon

Canadian Military History

Review of Modelling the Logistics of Mantzikert by Philip Murgatroyd, Vincent Gaffney, John Haldon and Georgios Theodoropoulos

Review Of "From The Battlefield To The Stage: The Many Lives Of General John Burgoyne" By Norman S. Poser, Matthew Barrett

Canadian Military History

Review of From the Battlefield to the Stage: The Many Lives of General John Burgoyne by Norman S. Poser

Through The Eyes Of A Guard: Watson Kirkconnell And Great War Internment In Canada, Daniel R. Meister

Canadian Military History

Histories of internment in Canada have paid much attention to internees’ experiences but far less to those of the guards. Correcting this trend, this article offers a detailed case study of one soldier, Watson Kirkconnell, who worked at the Fort Henry and Kapuskasing internment camps. Drawing on his valuable but heretofore unutilised archive of material, this article provides a vivid social history of the camps through Kirkconnell’s eyes. Nuancing the historiography of wartime internment, this article demonstrates how commandants determined the experiences of both internees and guards alike and, at the same time, that staff could sometimes mitigate their superior’s …

Genetic Characterization Of Lpai-H4n2 And H4n8 Viruses Recovered From Free-Grazing Ducks In Thailand, Supanat Boonyapisitsopa, Supassama Chaiyawong, Kamonpan Charoenkul, Kitikhun Udom, Ekkapat Chamsai, Napawan Bunpapong, Somsak Pakpinyo, Alongkorn Amonsin Prof. Dr.

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

nfluenza A viruses (IAVs) can infect birds and various mammals. In this study, we retrospectively isolated and characterized IAVs (n=8) from oropharyngeal and cloacal swab samples of free-grazing ducks collected during December 2018 to December 2021, by using egg inoculation and whole-genome sequencing. The IAVs could be subtyped as IAV-H4N2 (n = 3) and IAV-H4N8 (n = 5) using real-time RT-PCR assays. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses revealed that all eight genes of Thai IAV-H4 belong to the Avian Eurasian lineage. Both Thai IAV-H4N2 and IAV-H4N8 exhibited low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) characteristics and were susceptible to oseltamivir and amantadine. This …

Prevalence, Antimicrobial Resistance Characteristics And Virulence Genes Of Streptococcus Suis In Pigs In Upper Northern Thailand, Wanida Mala, Rangsiya Prathan, Si Thu Hein, Sunpetch Angkittitrakul, Asinamai Athliamai Bitrus, Rungtip Chuanchuen

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus suis from pigs in Upper-Northern Thailand. A total of 768 nasal swabs were obtained from pigs at the municipal slaughterhouses in five provinces including Phayao (n=202), Nan (n=190), Chiang Rai (180), Chiang Mai (n=130), and Mae Hong Son (n=66) in 2018-2019. The prevalence of S. suis varied from 3.0%-9.4%, of which the highest prevalence was in Chiang Rai (9.4%) and Mae Hong Son (9.1%). Of all 59 isolates confirmed to be S. suis, serotype 8 (50.8%) was most commonly identified, followed by serotype 10 (3.4%), …

The Enigmatic Samuel Aughey: Nebraska’S Pastor Naturalist, Hugh H. Genoways, Margaret R. Bolick, Mary Anne Andrei

Zea E-Books Collection

Samuel Aughey at age 39 became the first Professor of Natural Science at the new University of Nebraska in Lincoln, serving from 1871 to 1883. He was an ordained pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, with an addendum degree from Pennsylvania College (now Gettysburg College) in 1856 and an A.M. degree two years later. His early pastoral work was in Pennsylvania, but in 1864 he became a home missionary to a church in Dakota City, Nebraska. Aughey’s career at the university was marked with successes and honors, but also criticism and questions about his basic knowledge of the sciences. While …

Auroral Hemispheric Power Asymmetry During Geomagnetic Storms: A Multi-Database Investigation Using Ae And Supermag Indices, Melvin J. Reyes Lozada

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science and Engineering at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Master of Science by Melvin J. Reyes Lozada on June 20, 2025.

Christopher Roberts V. Jennifer Gettle

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Ex Vivo And Simulation Comparison Of Leakage In End-To-End Versus End-To-Side Anastomosed Porcine Large Intestine, Youssef Fahmy, Mohamed Trabia, Brian Ward, Lucas Gallup, Whitney Elks

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

Anastomotic leaks after colorectal resection are serious surgical complications. We have compared the integrity of two common colorectal anastomosis techniques, end-to-side (ES) and end-to-end (EE), to control specimens using a novel experimental setup that mimics anastomotic air leak tests, which are typically performed during surgeries. Freshly harvested porcine colonic sections from 23 F1 cross-species pigs were used. Pressure measurements and video imaging were used to monitor the ex vivo experiments on EE, ES, and Control specimens. Using EE (n = 16), ES (n = 12), and Control (n = 22) specimens, leak pressure was 282.6 ± 3.0 mm Hg for …

Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning (Hrl) In Multi-Goal Spatial Navigation With Autonomous Mobile Robots, Brendon Johnson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hierarchical reinforcement learning (HRL) is hypothesized to be able to take advantage of the inherent hierarchy in robot learning tasks with sparse reward schemes, in contrast to more traditional reinforcement learning algorithms. In this research, hierarchical reinforcement learning is evaluated and contrasted with standard reinforcement learning in complex navigation tasks. We evaluate unique characteristics of HRL, including their ability to create sub-goals and the termination function. We constructed experiments to test the differences between PPO and HRL, different ways of creating sub-goals, manual vs automatic sub-goal creation, and the effects of the frequency of termination on performance. These experiments highlight …

Readiness For The New Science Teks: A Needs Assessment, Roxanne Rodriguez

Masters Theses (Archived)

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Multiple Climate Stressors On Early Life Stages Of North Pacific Kelp Species, Veronica Farrugia Drakard, Jordan A. Hollarsmith, Michael Stekoll

Faculty, Staff, and Students

This study examines the effects on bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) and ribbon kelp (Alaria marginata) of combinations of three climate-related stressors relevant to high-latitude kelp forests: temperature, salinity, and sediment load. Fertile specimens of both species were collected from Juneau, Alaska. Spores produced were cultivated over 40 days in four ecologically relevant stressor treatments: control (all stressor levels normal; CTRL), increased glacial melt (normal temperature, low salinity, high sediment load; GLAC), increased runoff (high temperature, low salinity, normal sediment load; MELT) and climate change (high temperature, low salinity, high sediment load; CLIM). Gametophyte density in both species was reduced in …

Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting The Fimh Adhesin Protect Against Uropathogenic E. Coli Uti, Edward D B Lopatto, Jesús M Santiago-Borges, Denise A Sanick, Sameer Kumar Malladi, Philippe N Azimzadeh, Morgan W Timm, Isabella F Fox, Aaron J Schmitz, Jackson S Turner, Shaza M Sayed Ahmed, Lillian Ortinau, Nathaniel C Gualberto, Jerome S Pinkner, Karen W Dodson, Ali H Ellebedy, Andrew L Kau, Scott J Hultgren

2020-Current year OA Pubs

As antimicrobial resistance increases, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are expected to pose an increased burden in morbidity and expense on the health care system, increasing the need for alternative antibiotic-sparing treatments. Most UTIs are caused by uropathogenic

Evaluation And Validation Of 3d-Printed Anatomical Urinary System Model And Virtual Reality Rirs Simulators In Rirs Training: A Comparative Study, Mehmet Ezer, Tahsi̇n Batuhan Aydoğan, Lazaros Tzelves, Andreas Skolarikos, Mehmet Uslu, Kemal Sarica, Emre Huri̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study evaluates the use of a 3D-printed anatomical urinary system model (3D-AUSM) and a Virtual Reality RIRS Simulator (VRRS), for training in RIRS, based on real user feedback.

Materials and methods: The 3D-AUSM was created using cadaver CT and MRI scans, and the data was transferred to a VR environment for simulation. A total of 43 inexperienced urology trainees participated in the theoretical phase of the RIRS training program. Of these, 32 trainees (Group T) who passed a proficiency exam proceeded to the hands-on training phase with the 3D-AUSM and VRRS models. Additionally, 17 experienced surgeons (Group S) …

Soil Water Contents Affect The Physiological Traits Of Duku Undergoing Sudden Death Disease, In Jambi, Islah Hayati, Sosiawan Nusifera, Mapegau Mapegau, Budiyati Ichwan, Marlina Marlina, Nasamsir Nasamsir

Baghdad Science Journal

Duku, also known as Lancium domesticum Corr, is a plant native to Jambi Province, Indonesia, which is currently facing a sudden death disease. The plant generally grows in the alluvial of the Batanghari River, which is among the widest and longest rivers in Indonesia. Duku is consumed as a fresh fruit that tastes sweet and contains many antioxidants. The phenomenon of duku disease has the potential to cause scarcity, as its population continues to decline. The disease begins with root rot and is prevalent in areas that are often flooded due to the overflow of the Batanghari River. This study …

Influence Percentage Of Additive Materials On The Structural And Physical Characteristics Of Nickel Metal Using Thermal Spraying By Flame, Mohammed M. Hameed, Salih Y. Darweesh, Amer Sh. Mahmood

Baghdad Science Journal

The method of thermal spraying with flame, which was used to conduct a coating consisting of a nickel base and additions of three groups—(C=Ni-WC-B4C), (B=Ni-B4C), and (A=Ni-WC)—and with different reinforcement ratios from these groups, forms the basis of cermet coating. The bases for thermal spraying were made by roughing up and cutting out-of-service turbine blades that were 1 cm square in shape. The spray angle 90°, spray distance of 15 cm, thermal sintering temperature of 1050°C, and mixing ratio of type (C=50%Ni-25%WC-25%B4C) of the three mixes were at their ideal standard conditions. The results of the scanning electron microscope showed …

The Role Of Fear And Predator Dependent Refuge On A Stage Structure Prey-Predator System, Ghaith Jassim Abdulsada, Hiba Abdullah Ibrahim

Baghdad Science Journal

The present paper investigates the role of fear and predator dependent refuge in the prey-predator system. The system describes the interaction between prey and a stage structure of predator that incorporates Holling II functional response. The predator splits into two compartments immature (juvenile) and mature (adult). The mature predators can hunt and reproduce but this capability is not found in the immature predators, the immature depend on their parents. The growth rate of prey decreases due to the existence of mature predators. The existence, uniqueness, and boundedness of the solution of the system are investigated. Three equilibrium points of the …

Applying Ceragenins In Translational Medicine: Activating Mesenchymal Stem Cells And Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections, Aaron L. Zaugg

Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare-associated infections are a major global concern. Increased infections among vulnerable populations lead to millions of deaths, annually, complicated by the emergence of multi-drug resistant pathogens. These infections are often facilitated by medical devices serving as abiotic surfaces that facilitate the formation of biofilms. Notably, colonization of prostheses and other bone-associated medical devices can lead to corrective procedures, revisions and death. To address these issues, inspiration can be drawn from natural sources of bone health and defenses against infection. Cathelicidins are endogenous peptides involved in both bone maintenance and infection control. Ceragenins are small molecule mimics of cathelicidins with broad …

A Meta-Analysis Of The Effects Of Probiotic Supplementation On Type 2 Diabetes Parameters, Mostefa Naimi, Zineb Benmechernene, Méghit Boumédiène Khaled

Baghdad Science Journal

We aimed to assess the effect of probiotic supplementation on type 2 diabetes (T2D) related variables. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were systematically searched from PubMed, Springer-link and Scopus data bases published between 2016 and 2020. Collected studies were independently assessed for eligibility, data extracted and evaluated for risk of bias. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.1. The effects of probiotics were assessed for: body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostasis, model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), insulin, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic …