Digital Commons Network^™

Spike Timing Depended Plasticity Produces Unsupervised Learning Of Synergistic Muscle Feedback In A Synthetical Neural Network, Mark Allen Pupkiewicz

Dissertations and Theses

This study investigates how type Ia feedback from muscle spindles can be organized into groups representing agonistic muscle pairs through Spike Timing Dependent Plasticity (STDP). A single degree of freedom joint is actuated with four biologically modeled muscles forming two agonistic pairs. In order to emulate the sensory dynamics of biological muscle spindles, sensors in the model record the active length and velocity states of each muscle, the two primary factors eliciting type Ia afferent responses. In biological networks, synapses from Ia sensory neurons frequently activate interneurons representing agonistic muscle sources. This research investigates whether this organization can emerge in …

Chimes: December 8, 2025, Calvin University

Chimes

Women's volleyball's memorable season ends in the DIII quarterfinals by Zach Kern

Facilities expands recycling program on campus by Ian Tjoelker

A history of the liberal arts at Calvin: 1890s to today by McKenna Wilkinson

Christmas beyond Calvin: Letters to Santa by Ellery Johnson

"Energy and vision": Calvin's Black Student Union by Jorie Cho

Running with Sophie by Evangeline Anga

Students prepare for upcoming Fall Film & Media Showcase by Ashley Hamons

Library Guides For Graduate Students: A Content Analysis, Maria Kiriakova, Junli Diao, Joan Kelly Castro

Journal of Graduate Librarianship

This study looked at 117 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) academic library websites and identified 48 library guides that consider graduate students in general as their target audience. The broad and systematic content analysis of these library guides resulted in the discovery of four different types, which we categorized as Checklist, Orientation Module, Directory, and Comprehensive. We identify and describe content patterns that address the different roles graduate students might play as advanced library users, novice researchers, and teaching assistants/instructors. Academic librarians who have already created library guides for graduate students could use the results of …

Recent Developments In International Tax Administration And Enforcement, Randolph W. Thrower

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

The Tax Adviser, Volume 1, Number 7, July 1970, American Institute Of Certified Public Accountants

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Social Development Dynamics Of Students In Inclusive Education In Indonesia, Nur Hidayat Nh

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This narrative review analyses the social development of students with special needs in Indonesian inclusive schools by synthesising five high-quality empirical studies (indexed SINTA 1–3) published between 2018 and 2023. Addressing three research questions, the synthesis reveals heterogeneous and generally limited social development trajectories shaped primarily by ecological interactions rather than inherent disability characteristics. Key barriers include symbolic inclusion, inadequate teacher training in multimodal strategies, low peer acceptance, and systemic resource deficits, whereas facilitators encompass contextualised multimodal communication, active family involvement, and supportive institutional leadership. Effective interventions depend on coordinated teacher–parent–peer triangulation, leveraging local sign language, structured peer-mediated activities, and …

Volume 23 - Front Matter

DePaul Business & Commercial Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Occupational Participation Among Children With Neurodivergent And Related Conditions: A Mixed Methods Study, Shirish Lala, Darian Amacker, Anne Martens, Alexa Rodefeld, Danielle Toth, Elyssa Wider

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Background: This study explored occupational engagement of children with neurodivergent and related conditions in home, school, and community settings. Children aged 6 to 16 years and their caregivers were recruited to investigate how occupational engagement differs across contexts.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach assessed quantitative data from 51 participants using a modified version of the Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation. Qualitative data were collected from 6 semi-structured interviews. The Model of Human Occupation and its components of volition, habituation, and performance capacity, including environmental factors, informed the research process and methodology. Engagement among children with neurodivergent diagnoses is shaped by …

Impact Of Interprofessional Collaboration On Nurses And Occupational Therapists In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Beverly Murphy, Marissa Casamento, Abigail Fleming, Anna Gomolski, Camryn Labrador

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Purpose

This study explores the impact of interprofessional collaboration (IPC) between nurses and occupational therapists (OTs) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It investigates the process of collaboration and stakeholder perceptions of interprofessional teamwork. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of IPC in the NICU setting, specifically between nurses and OTs, and to identify barriers that might hinder optimal collaboration.

Methods

A single survey instrument was distributed via social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn) and completed by 47 participants (21 Nurses, 26 Occupational therapists). The survey, created using REDCap, included scaled items …

Perspectives Of Occupational Therapy-Led Caregiver Education On The Quality Of Life Of Caregivers Of Stroke Survivors, Yu Hsiang Liang-Paultre, Stefani Costanzo, Alaunte Major, Krisyadlee Mercado Lugo, Olivia Schrader

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Purpose

Occupational therapy plays a vital role in equipping caregivers with the knowledge and skills needed to support individuals recovering from a cerebrovascular accident. Caregiver training provided by occupational therapy practitioners helps families manage post-stroke care and reduce the risk of secondary complications. This study explored caregivers’ perspectives on occupational therapy-led education, focusing on the type, quality, and perceived effectiveness of training before discharge.

Methods

Originally designed as a mixed-methods study, the research was modified to a qualitative design after hurricanes affected recruitment. Using a phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with caregivers of individuals who had a cerebrovascular accident …

Effective Representation During A Tax Fraud Investigation, Paul P. Lipton

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Northern Illinois University’S Child Development And Family Center “Diversity Bookshelf” Audit, Marinelle Ortega

Honors Capstones

A classroom bookshelf diversity audit allows students to find “mirrors, windows, and glass sliding doors” in the books they choose to read. This metaphor means students will find their identities reflected in books (mirrors), learn about other’s identities (windows), and finally, be put into other perspectives (glass sliding doors). In this diversity audit, a selection of 100 books at the Child Development and Family Center at Northern Illinois University were read and analyzed. Findings showed diverse representation for race, ethnicity, and family type. However, showed a need for books containing content with religion, disability, and linguistic diversity, as most books …

Southern Adventist University Commencement Winter 2025, Southern Adventist University

Commencement Programs

Program for Southern Adventist University Winter 2025 graduation. The commencement service took place on December 18, 2025 at 7 pm in Iles Physical Education Center.

Smart Pireps: Leveraging Technology To Simplify Pilot Weather Reporting In General Aviation, Emma Hellwege

Honors Projects

This honors project examines how emerging aviation technologies can support or automate components of Pilot Weather Reports (PIREPs) to improve reporting accuracy, reduce pilot workload, and increase participation within the general aviation (GA) community. PIREPs provide essential real-time weather observations—such as turbulence, icing, and visibility—that supplement automated systems and enhance situational awareness for pilots, air traffic control, and meteorologists. However, reports are vastly underutilized due to workload constraints, inconsistent training, voice-only submission methods, and technological disparities across the GA fleet.

Through a structured analysis of federal aviation documentation, sensor capabilities, human factors research, and recent advancements in automation, this study …

Transforming Shrm; Applying The Kotter Method To Niu Shrm, Hunter J. Egelhoff

Honors Capstones

This capstone project examines how Northern Illinois University’s Society for Human Resource Management transformed its organizational structure and programming to better prepare students for today’s competitive job market. With workforce demands shifting toward practical experience, employer expectations have exceeded what traditional classroom education alone provides, creating a growing gap between student readiness and career requirements. To address this disconnect, NIU SHRM applied Kotter’s Eight-Step Change Model to restructure leadership roles, integrate experience-based learning, and enhance student engagement through workshops, partnerships, and leadership development opportunities. This change initiative resulted in increased visibility, participation, and measurable short-term successes that now serve as …

Social Media Classifications: The Impact On Sports Content Consumption, Katie Schmitz

Honors Projects

This study examines how classifications of social media content influence consumer engagement within the context of collegiate athletics. Focusing on the Bowling Green State University football team's official Instagram account, the research analyzes posts from the 2025 football season by exploring how content type, post format, and engagement metrics relate to visibility and reach. Guided by theoretical frameworks including vividness, interactivity, and the Theory of Planned Behavior, the study employs a quantitative analysis using publicly available engagement metrics. This research contributes to growing literature on sport and social media by addressing a gap in classification-based engagement analysis. Findings provide a …

The Heart Of Leadership: What Is The Importance Of Emotional Intelligence In Leadership?, Catherine E. Lee

M.S. in Leadership

Emotional intelligence is a concept that has been gaining traction in recent decades, and organizations have been trying to assess its place within leadership and training. Previous research on this topic has shown the growing importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace, with particular attention to employee retention and satisfaction. By using a mixed methods approach to understand the importance of emotional intelligence (EI), this paper explores the specific components of EI employees look for in an organization and a leader. Using a survey of almost one hundred respondents and six in-depth interviews, EI was determined to have a significant …

Optimizing Xo Throughput At Imerys, Derek Beasley, Brennan Chandler, Baris Erarslan, Cynthia Grogin

Senior Design Project For Engineers

This project is conducted in collaboration with Imerys to optimize the performance of the VSI (Vertical Shaft Impactor) system at their Plant 4 facility, focusing on improving the production of XO, a fine material used in products such as textured coatings, acid neutralization, and water filtration systems. The VSI operates continuously, producing several materials at the Marble Hill, Georgia location, including #1 Chip, #2 Chip, OZ, XO, Z, and 30–50. The main focus of this project is to increase the throughput of XO, as it requires both throughput improvement and product quality consistency to meet growing market demand. Imerys’ quality …

The Importance Of A Pressure Injury Prevention Program In Acute Hospital Settings, Sarah Orial

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: The identified practice problem for this project was the lack of a standardized pressure injury prevention program in a 350-bed acute care hospital. The lack of a standard program could be leading to increased hospital-acquired pressure injuries. PICOT: In adult inpatients in a medical/surgical unit (P), does the implementation of a standard unit-based pressure injury prevention program (I) compared to the current practice (C) increase the percentage of nursing skin risk assessment documentation (O) over a 10-week period (T)?

Evidence: The literature supports the development of standard pressure injury prevention programs and continuing education to …

Improving Communication To Enhance Health Literacy And Self-Management Of Heart Failure: Protocol For A Multimethod Study, Neda Karimi, Francesco De Toni, Walter Abhayaratna, Blake Askelin, Philip Currie, Karol Edge, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Elizabeth Fewster, Liza Goncharov, Nisha Jijo, Susy Macqueen, Nilufeur Mckay, Suzanne Raine, Amineh Rashidi, Christopher Rouen, Rosemary Saunders, Peter Schulz, Rhea Tecson, Diana Slade

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction Self-care plays a pivotal role in the management of heart failure (HF). Health literacy and empowerment are considered the prerequisites of effective self-care. This project aims to improve self-management in people with HF by describing, analysing and enhancing the communication practices of clinicians and patients to support people with HF to increase their health literacy skills and participate in shared decision-making. Methods and analysis A multimethod research design incorporating an interview component, a concurrent mixed-methods component and a pilot intervention study is used. The study is currently being conducted at two Australian hospitals in metropolitan areas (one public and …

Personalized Perioperative Opioid Strategies In Children: Focus On Methadone, Pharmacogenomics And Prevention Of Persistent Postoperative Opioid Use, Hamsa Priya Bhuchakra, Sennaraj Balasubramanian, Alivia G Nair, Isabella Marcos, Victoria Chen Falconett, Dominic Falcon, Ayesha Abdul Bari, Senthilkumar Sadhasivam

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Persistent postoperative opioid use (PPOU) is an emerging challenge in pediatric perioperative care, with rates as high as 4.7% in opioid-naive adolescents. Despite advances in multimodal analgesia, current protocols often fail to prevent long-term opioid exposure, particularly after high-risk surgeries such as spinal fusions. While multiple strategies exist to reduce PPOU in children, including regional anesthesia and non-opioid analgesics, this review specifically focuses on methadone and pharmacogenomic-guided opioid prescribing as promising approaches. Methadone, a long-acting opioid with mu-opioid agonism, NMDA antagonism, and monoamine reuptake inhibition, has shown encouraging outcomes in adult and emerging pediatric studies but remains underutilized due to …

Insm1 Governs A Neuronal Progenitor State That Drives Glioblastoma In A Human Stem Cell Model, Patrick A Desouza, Matthew Ishahak, Xuan Qu, Colin Mccornack, Devi Annamalai, Diane D Mao, Rajanikanth Vangipurapu, Yiwei Fu, Alexandre T Vessoni, Ryan T Cleary, Rowland H Han, Punn Augsornworawat, Timothy Woodiwiss, Darby Agovino, Braxton Sizemore, Jessica Kline, Maryam Borhani-Haghighi, Hao Chen, Sangami Pugazenthi, Hiroko Yano, Ting Wang, Luis F Z Batista, Jeffrey R Millman, Albert H Kim

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Glioblastoma is a lethal brain cancer marked by functional plasticity driven by tumor cell-intrinsic mutations and their interplay with developmental programs. To investigate how canonical glioblastoma mutations promote functional plasticity, we have developed an isogenic human neural stem cell (NSC) model of glioblastoma by sequential addition of TERT promoter, TP53, and PDGFRA point mutations. TP53 loss-of-function increases TERT expression during serial mutagenesis, but only triple mutant NSCs reliably form lethal brain tumors in vivo that recapitulate glioblastoma. Tumor cell evolution triggers stress-related metabolic changes and transitions toward a neuronal progenitor network driven by transcription factor INSM1. INSM1 is highly expressed …

Adaptive Image Acquisition Algorithms For Resource-Constrained Single-Photon Cameras, Yeganeh Jalalpour, Wu-Chi Feng

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Emerging single-photon camera (SPC) technologies have unique challenges in data acquisition and processing. Unlike conventional sensors that produce a single 8- to 16-bit brightness value per pixel, SPCs record photon arrivals with many more samples per pixel, using high floating-point precision for each photon collected. This means that they must handle potentially millions of timestamps, especially at higher spatial resolutions and in the presence of ambient light, creating bottlenecks within the pixel circuitry. To address these challenges associated with SPCs, this paper proposes adaptive algorithms designed to efficiently distribute hardware resources among groups of pixels. By selectively subsampling the data …

The Safety Kuznets Curve: Context In Occupational Safety, Andy Knickerbocker

ASEM Capstones

2025 ASEM 620 Capstone Project

Integrating A “World -Class” Safety System Into Diverse Teams, Mark D. Keller

ASEM Capstones

2025 ASEM 620 Capstone Project

Foundation Gift Benefits Children's Health Care, Bill Dabney

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Some patients at Children's of Mississippi being treated for a craniofacial syndrome, cleft lip and palate or another craniofacial abnormality stand to benefit from a recent gift to the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Rebuilding Trust In The Used Car Industry: A Five Forces Analysis, Ghaika Vera

Honors Capstones

Consumer distrust has become one of the greatest barriers to success in today’s automotive retail environment, especially within the used-car market where skepticism toward dealerships and repair services is widespread. This research investigates how dealerships can rebuild consumer confidence while also improving profitability and long-term competitive positioning. Using Porter’s Five Forces framework, the study analyzes key industry pressures including high buyer power, strong competitive rivalry, and increasing substitute transportation. Findings show that transparency, trust-building communication, and consistent relationship-based service are essential for sustainable differentiation. Strategies such as mobile-friendly scheduling systems, real-time repair updates, transparent pricing and inspection visuals, partnerships with …

Closeness, Conflict, And Achievement: The Role Of Parent–Child Relationships In Homeschooled And Public-Schooled Children, Celeste Gonçalves Tomaz

Honors Capstones

The parent–child relationship has been found to be a predictor of children’s academic and socio-emotional outcomes, with parent-child closeness linked to motivation and persistence (Mo & Singh, 2008; Silinskas & Kikas, 2022) and parent-child conflict associated with emotional and behavioral difficulties (Dotterer et al., 2008; Pinquart, 2017). The homeschooling context may increase these associations since children spend more time with their parents, who have caregiving and instructional roles (Padilla, 2021; Thomas, 2016). Even with growing research on academic and socio-emotional outcomes, few studies have examined whether the strength of the parent–child relationship is influenced negatively or positively by schooling type. …

State Of Technology Usage In Smaller Public Accounting Firms In 2025, Arun Kumararaj, Candice Hux

Honors Capstones

Prior research gives significant attention to technology usage of large public accounting firms, particularly the Big 4. However, limited evidence exists on the smaller public accounting firms, which constitute a majority of the public accounting field. In this study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with eight highly experienced professionals of smaller accounting firms. Findings reveal that firm size does not necessarily predict technological sophistication. Rather, individual leadership, including a single partner, emerges as a critical driver towards technological advancement. AI was primarily used for administrative tasks and, as of yet, the return on investment has been unclear. Despite this, all interviewees …

Technology, Education, Access, Communities And Healthcare: Teach Toward A Healthy Rural Wisconsin, Kathleen Abrahamson, Debbie Walrath, Shanon Brickner, Christine Davidson, Heidi Hansen, Seon Yoon Chung

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose statement: The purpose of this project is to educate the future nursing workforce on tele-healthcare delivery skills that will reduce barriers to care and improve rural chronic illness outcomes in Wisconsin.

Background: Nearly one-third of Wisconsin citizens reside in rural areas (Wisconsin Policy Forum, 2023). Rural Wisconsinites are disproportionately at risk for adverse health outcomes (Rural Health Information Hub, 2023). A lack of available healthcare services and providers in rural Wisconsin compounds this risk. All non-metropolitan counties in Wisconsin experience a shortage of primary care providers (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2023). Nurse-supported telehealth services provide a …