Digital Commons Network^™

A Framework For Adaptive Ride-Sharing And Management Of Electric Vehicles, Avinash Nagarajan

Theses

Europe aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, with transportation currently amount- ing 20% of its total emissions. Motivated by the sustained mass transition to Autonomous Electric Vehicles (AEVs) and by the distributed energy generation and storage of local Smart Energy Communities (SECs), this thesis presents the design, implementation and evaluation of a carbon-neutral, community-based, scalable ride-sharing service. Its models formalise the partition of an AEVs fleet over the SECs of a city, as well as the allocation of trip petitions (TPs) to AEVs, their routing and charging scheduling over a simulated time horizon. These models integrate energy generation, allocation and …

Functional Foods For Older Adults: Comparing The Bioactive Properties Of Cheese To Identify Products That Promote Healthy Ageing, Aimee Plante

Theses

Functional foods for the elderly: comparing the bioactive properties of cheese to identify products that promote healthy ageing.

People are living longer, and a healthy ageing population is a key goal of our National Positive Ageing Strategy. One approach to support this initiative is to promote and develop functional foods that can support healthy ageing by reducing age-related conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer. Cheese particularly aged and fermented varieties like cheddar show great potential as a functional food with inherent and established health properties. It naturally contains bioactive peptides, vitamins, minerals, protein and possible cultures that confer …

Addressing Training Challenges Of Generative Adversarial Networks For Biomedical Image Synthesis, Muhammad Muneeb Saad

Theses

Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role in computer-aided diagnosis. In image-based diagnosis, AI systems rely on biomedical images containing sensitive disease-oriented information. AI systems utilize machine learning models to automate this diagnosis. Machine learning models such as deep neural networks require large training datasets to enhance the diagnostic precision of these models. Models can underperform when they are trained on imbalanced datasets. Imbalance in datasets refers to the skewed numbers of images per image class. There is a need to enhance the training of these models via data augmentation. In the context of biomedical imagery, where acquiring large, balanced …

Notes On Reproduction, Seasonality, And Roost Sites For Silver-Haired Bats (Lasionycteris Noctivagans) In Western Nebraska, Joseph W. Paysen, Dawson V. Kosmicki, Keith Geluso

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Silver-haired Bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans) are a migratory species found throughout the United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. Throughout their range, Silver-haired Bats roost in various tree species, generally within decaying features like cavities and exfoliated bark. Herein we report on additional reproductive and seasonal data as well as the first data on trees used as roost sites by Silver-haired Bats in Nebraska. We captured individuals along a small tributary of the North Platte River at Ash Hollow State Historical Park, Garden County, Nebraska, and tracked bats to their roosts. At this location, we documented lactation on 17 …

Agenda (10-3-2025), California State University, San Bernardino - Associated Students, Incorporated

Associated Students, Incorporated records

No abstract provided.

Digging Deeper With Deep Ram Networks, Andrew J. Wagner

Dissertations and Theses

While Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) have driven major breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, their internal complexity often makes their behavior hard to explain, resulting in the well-known “black box” dilemma. This thesis addresses the challenge of interpretability in DNNs and deep reinforcement learning (DRL) through two main contributions.

In Part I, we revisit and extend the use of Deep RAM Networks (DRNs) within the Arcade Learning Environment (ALE), showing that, with modern architectures and careful hyperparameter tuning, RAM-based agents can achieve performance competitive with established pixel-based baselines on Atari 2600 games, while offering additional advantages for research and analysis. We also …

Clubhouse Versus Ips Outcomes In Terms Of Hours Worked And Pay Earned, Daniel Scott Reynolds

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Individuals balance personal needs and societal norms as they attempt to achieve self-fulfillment. However, those who have mental illness face marginalization from the workforce and diminished quality of life. Of the two prominent vocational programs – the Clubhouse and the Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) – that assist this population in integrating into the workforce, and therefore into society. It is unknown which program does better at helping the mental illness population meet their objectives of integration. Such a comparison is important because it will help these people to integrate into the workforce and into society, thereby increasing their quality …

Staff Education Program To Increase Staff Knowledge On Evidence-Based Practices To Reduce Falls, Ariella Carrenan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Falls among older adults in long-term care facilities constitute a pressing concern, affecting 30% to 40% of residents each year due to physiological changes associated with aging. Such incidents precipitated injuries, extended hospitalizations, elevated healthcare costs, and increased the potential for legal liabilities. This project investigated the effect of a structured educational intervention on nursing staff knowledge of fall prevention strategies in a long-term care facility where the fall rate of 3.4% exceeded the state average of 2.5% and the national average of 3.3%. The project explored the question: In a long-term care facility, does staff education increase staff knowledge …

Unh's Vashisth Receives $2.1 Million From Nih Aimed At Advancing Therapeutic Discovery, Unh Communications And Public Affairs

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Digital Danger: A Mixed-Methods And Comparative Analysis Of Cyberstalking Victimization, Kylie E. Mccarthy

Doctoral Works at the University of New Haven

Stalking, and cyberstalking are singular forms of violence, predicated on a victim’s interpretation and perception of events (Campbell & Moore, 2011; Korkodeilou, 2017). With no universal definition, and ambiguity as to which behaviors constitute the crime, understanding remains limited (Maple et al., 2012; Reyns et al., 2012). As technology advances and tech-based harassment rises (Short et al., 2022), it is imperative research examine both the scope of victimization, and the experiences of those victimized. This study analyzed the characteristics and consequences of cyberstalking victimization in a national US sample (n= 73), comparing findings to the 2010-2011 UK Electronic Communication Harassment …

Citytech Algebra Based Physics Exam1 (Brightspace Quiz), Vasiliy S. Znamenskiy, Rafael Niyazov

Open Educational Resources

This Brightspace-based Exam 1 assesses foundational concepts in algebra-based physics through short, auto-graded items designed to provide clear feedback. The exam targets core learning outcomes from the opening units of the course: measurement and unit analysis, significant figures, one-dimensional kinematics with constant acceleration (relationships among 𝑥, 𝑣, 𝑎, 𝑡), and basic problem-solving with proportional reasoning. Question formats include numerical entry multiple choice focused on common misconceptions, and brief conceptual prompts that test qualitative understanding before calculation. The item set emphasizes translating among verbal descriptions, diagrams, formulas, and graphs; checking the reasonableness of results; and communicating precision. Randomized parameters and pooled …

Halal-Friendly Wellness Tourism In Non-Muslim Countries: Perceptions Of Muslim Tourists, Ann Suwaree Ashton, Rasmee Islam

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This study explores the perceptions of Muslim tourists regarding wellness-related activities while travelling in non-Muslim countries. Although halal tourism has witnessed significant global expansion, there remains a notable gap in the literature concerning the development of halal-compliant wellness products and services in destinations outside the Muslim world. Employing a qualitative methodology, in-depth interviews were undertaken with 40 Thai Muslim participants who travelled to non-Muslim countries between 2022 and 2023. The investigation centres on four primary categories of wellness activities: spa, therapy, and massage services; sports, leisure, and adventure experiences; spiritual well-being practices; and the slow food movement. The findings underscore …

Exploring The Drivers Of Tourist Satisfaction At Religious Sites: A Study Of Lumbini In Nepal, Bhim Bahadur Khadka, Prof. Anjani Kumar Malviya, Dipak Singh Rawat

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As a religious destination attracting millions of tourists annually from Nepal and abroad, Lumbini offers a rich cultural and historical heritage. This study is, therefore, significant in exploring drivers of tourist satisfaction and the religious significance of Lumbini. This study employs a correlational research design and a quantitative approach to examine relationships among variables using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Data are collected using a survey questionnaire, yielding 403 valid responses after excluding incomplete data and outliers out of 500 returned questionnaires. Purposive sampling ensured the relevance of …

Santiago Pilgrims Travelling The Portuguese Routes In The Modern Age: A Global Phenomenon, João A.G.R. Nunes Prof. Dr.

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The aim of this work is to study the pilgrims who travelled along the Portuguese Ways to Santiago de Compostela in the Modern Period, namely between XVI and XVIII centuries, regarding their origins, ages, genders, and motivations. Moreover, it attempts to perceive the social and cultural interactions and experiences of the pilgrims. The Jacobean pilgrims, who travelled along the Portuguese routes, were a heterogeneous group. There were not only Portuguese pilgrims, but also many foreigners. There were pious and zealous people, fulfilling the religious precepts of piety and penance. But there were also people, of different ages, who disguised themselves …

Sga 57 Senate 2025-10-03 Minutes, Niu Student Government Association Senate

Student Government Association Archives

No abstract provided.

Rural Community Pilgrimage Tradition To Sacred Graves In Tasikmalaya, West Java, Indonesia: Between Motivation And Social Identity, Ute Lies Siti Khadijah, Yunus Winoto, Rully Khairul Anwar, Shamila Mohamed Shuhidan Dr., Falih Ijlal Septian

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This research explores the pilgrimage tradition of a women’s group in rural areas of Tasikmalaya, West Java. It reveals the phenomenon of pilgrimage activities in the women’s group grounded in social identity theory and their motivation to visit the sacred graves. The study employed a descriptive quantitative approach. It involved a group of women who regularly recite the Holy Quran together and study Islam with a preacher called ustadz or kyai with a sample size of 79 people. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, observation, and documentation studies. The collected data were analysed through quantitative data presentation in diagrams and …

Association Between Embedded No-Cost Materials And Student Success For Undergraduate Students In For-Profit Universities, Gaby Gabriela Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Purchasing educational materials adds to college costs. The problem addressed in this study is the lack of research on the association between student success and the use of no-cost educational materials in for-profit universities. Grounded in Rawls’ principles of justice, the purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the association between student success as measured by pass/fail outcomes and the use of embedded no-cost educational and open educational resources (OER) materials in undergraduate courses at a for-profit university. Academic outcomes of 751 undergraduate students across three courses were analyzed using the chi-square test of association. Results showed a weak …

Assessing Spatial Variability In Observed Infectious Disease Spread In A Prospective Time-Space Series, Chih-Chieh Wu, Chien-Hsiun Chen, Shann-Rong Wang, Sanjay Shete

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Most of the growing prospective analytic methods in space-time disease surveillance and intended functions of disease surveillance systems focus on earlier detection of disease outbreaks, disease clusters, or increased incidence. The spread of the virus such as SARS-CoV-2 has not been spatially and temporally uniform in an outbreak. With the identification of an infectious disease outbreak, recognizing and evaluating anomalies (excess and decline) of disease incidence spread at the time of occurrence during the course of an outbreak is a logical next step. We propose and formulate a hypergeometric probability model that investigates anomalies of infectious disease incidence spread at …

Open Distance Learning’S Transformative Potential To Bridge Educational Disparities While Fostering Inclusive Growth, Khalid Ghoulam

Higher Learning Research Communications

In recent years—during and after COVID-19—the demand for flexible and accessible education surged across the continent, prompting numerous institutions to adopt and expand their Open Distance Learning (ODL) initiatives. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of ODL programs in African universities while exploring the state of ODLs and examining institutional strategies, technological advancements, and ODL’s impact on student accessibility and success. Using case study analyses, which contain data from African universities from various regions, this paper highlights current ODL insights and future directions. This paper also discusses ODL best practices and implementation challenges, and delves into the socioeconomic and cultural …

Exploring Perceived Value Attributes Toward Spiritual Tourism In Vietnam: A Qualitative Approach, Lan Thi Huong Ho, Cuong Khoa Phan, Lien Tran Thi Ngoc, Rodney W. Caldicott

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Customer Perceived Value (CPV) has recently attracted a lot of interest in the tourism industry, both academically and empirically. To succeed in the tourist business, managers in the sector need a comprehensive understanding of how visitors’ perceptions of value dimensions connect to trip outcomes, such as overall satisfaction and behavioral intentions. This study aims to explore the tourists’ perceptions of the value of spiritual tourism services in Vietnam. A qualitative method was employed, which included nine in-depth interviews with tourism providers and representatives of spiritual sites, as well as a brief survey of 127 travellers who had already experienced spiritual …

Enhancing Mindfulness Through Communities Of Practice In Buddhist Spiritual Tourism: A Study Of Transformative Experience At Plum Village, Giang T. Phi, Trang Huong Pham Phd, Nam Vu

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Despite the growing interest in Buddhist spiritual tourism, there is a clear gap in the literature regarding the role of Communities of Practice (CoPs) in fostering transformative tourism experiences. This study investigates how CoPs at Plum Village retreats in France and Thailand facilitate transformative experiences and enhance mindfulness among participants in Buddhist spiritual tourism. Utilising qualitative methods, the study combines autoethnography—drawing on the lead researcher’s personal experience through daily reflexive journals—and participant observation of a focal ‘retreat family’ group of 15 participants at each retreat. Thematic analysis was applied to analyse the data, guided by two frameworks: Kirillova et al.’s …

Evaluation Of Pre-Hajj Multimedia Training Tools: A Case Study Of Prospective Australian Pilgrims, Kholoud M. Munshi, Mustapha Taibi Dr., Kate Richards Ms., Khushnoor Khan Mr.

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Every year, millions of Muslim pilgrims gather in Makkah (Saudi Arabia) for Hajj. These pilgrims come from different parts of the world, with diverse language and cultural backgrounds. Managing such a large and diverse congregation for a successful completion of Hajj requires effective planning, which depends on two important antecedents—knowing the background information of the pilgrims and developing effective pre-Hajj training tools for dissemination of Hajj information for non-Arabic speaking pilgrims. This study evaluates the perceptions of potential Hajj pilgrims regarding community translation usability (CTX) and medium usability (MX) of two existing pre-Hajj media tools developed by Mnask Academy (Booklet …

Evaluating The Religious Experience Of Pilgrims At Kartarpur Corridor: A Qualitative Analysis, Farooq Haq, Anita Medhekar

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This exploratory study analyses experiences of pilgrims from India and all over the world to Kartarpur Peace Corridor for religious tourism. The historic Kartarpur Corridor, the holiest place for the Sikh religion, in Pakistan, was opened for Sikh pilgrimage in November 2019, after 72 years since partition. The qualitative research method of cultural ethnography and netnographic research, was applied to collect secondary data by watching 78 YouTube interviews from November-2019 to March-2020, at the Kartarpur complex by private bloggers. Interview comments by pilgrims relevant to this exploratory research were selected, analysing experiences of pilgrims and spiritual tourists traveling from India …

Religious Festivals In The Age Of ‘Lockdown’ And ‘Social Distancing’: A Comparative Study Of Easter, Eid, Passover, Rama Navami, And Vaisakhi., Irfan Raja, Rev. Ruth Dowson, Abdul Basit Shaikh, Ivan Cohen, Nasser N. Alotaibi

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Religious practices can conjure distinctive ideas and images for different groups of people, especially religious festivals, which are signs of congregations, celebrations, and contentment, usually to mark the completion of religious obligations. All major religions celebrate notable festivals to mark important events and religious obligations that bring together followers of that faith. The year 2020 will be remembered as unique in the history of all faiths. As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, governments across the world announced compulsory measures such as ‘social distancing’ and ‘lockdown’ to avoid the spread of Coronavirus. Thus, all major religions either cancelled or reduced …

Unveiling The Impact: Religious Destination Image And Its Role In Shaping Sustainable Tourist Behaviors, Sabari Shankar Ravichandran Dr

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Historically pivotal for local economies, religious tourism and pilgrimage tackles contemporary challenges such as overconsumption, climate change, and evolving tourist motivations, necessitating a focused commitment to sustainability. This study, utilising a sample size of 153 visitors to a religious site and Structural Equation Modelling, examines the influential role of religious destination image in shaping tourists’ sustainable behaviours. Significant correlations emerge between attributes of religious destination image—sacred site, spiritual attraction, and more—and sustainable tourist behaviours. Key findings encompass green transport use, regenerative behaviour, responsible cues, and waste consciousness as the most evident sustainable behaviours. Beyond academic realms, the research informs destination …

Fort Hays State University Tiger Weekly, October 03, 2025, University Relations

Tiger Weekly Newsletters

No abstract provided.

All-Optical Voltage Interrogation For Probing Synaptic Plasticity In Vivo, Jacques Carolan, Michelle A Land, Xiaoyu Lu, Maxime Beau, Dimitar Kostadinov, François St-Pierre, Beverley A Clark, Michael Häusser

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Measuring synaptic efficacy and defining the rules for induction of synaptic plasticity at identified connections in the mammalian brain is essential for understanding how synapses contribute to learning and memory. This requires new approaches to selectively evoke presynaptic activity and measure postsynaptic responses with high spatiotemporal resolution and high sensitivity over long periods in vivo. Here we develop an all-optical approach to probe synaptic plasticity at identified cerebellar synapses in awake, behaving mice. We developed and applied JEDI-2Psub, a genetically encoded voltage indicator with increased sensitivity around resting membrane potentials, to record subthreshold and suprathreshold activity in Purkinje cell (PC) …

Vaccine Value Profile For Schistosomiasis, Gavin Yamey, Kaci Kennedy Mcdade, Roy M Anderson, Sarah M Bartsch, Maria Elena Bottazzi, David Diemert, Peter J Hotez, Bruce Y Lee, Donald Mcmanus, Adebayo J Molehin, Meta Roestenberg, David Rollinson, Afzal A Siddiqui, Miriam Tendler, Joanne P Webster, Hong You, Raphaël M Zellweger, Caroline Marshall

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Schistosomiasis is caused by parasitic flatworms (Schistosoma). The disease in humans can be caused by seven different species of Schistosoma: S. mansoni, S. japonicum, S. haematobium, S. malayensis, S. mekongi, S. guineensis and S. intercalatum, as well as by hybrids between species, including livestock schistosome species. People are infected when exposed to infested water and the parasite larvae penetrate the skin. Poor and rural communities are typically the most affected, and the general population who lives in affected areas and is exposed to contaminated water is at risk. Areas with poor access to safe water and adequate sanitation are also …

Exploring The Role Of Patient And Public Involvement In Implementation Research Using The Study Of Implementation Of Midwifery Continuity Of Carer (Simca), Susan Channon, Lena Choudary-Salter, Kate Davies, Tina Prendeville, Susan Barry, Heather Strange, Aimee Middlemiss, Rebecca Milton, Julia Sanders, Sara Kenyon, Aled Jones

School of Nursing and Midwifery

BackgroundPatient and Public Involvement (PPI) is a fundamental part of health research. The role of PPI in implementation research, which considers the transfer of evidence into practice, is often less well defined than in studies focussing on recruitment of individual patients and clinical outcomes, and there is limited guidance available. This paper uses an implementation research project, the Study of Implementation of Midwifery Continuity of Carer (SIMCA), to illustrate the types of activities, benefits, challenges and lessons learned to contribute to the development of this growing area.MethodsThe main aim of the PPI work in SIMCA was to embed the service …

Translation, Cultural Adaptation, And Validation Of The German Empathic-30g Questionnaire For Use In The Neonatal Intensive Care Setting, Katja Odermatt, Marie Roumet, Christine Arnold, Juerg Burren, Jos M. Latour, Mark T. Marston, Martin Nagl-Cupal, Ralph C.A. Rippe, Christoph E. Schwarz, Alexander Simma, Hannah Ferentzi, André Kidszun

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Background: Parental satisfaction is a key quality indicator in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). While the EMPATHIC-30 questionnaire is widely used internationally, no validated German version exists for NICU settings. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the EMPATHIC-30G for use in German-speaking NICUs. Methods: A structured Delphi process involving multidisciplinary experts and parents guided the translation and cultural adaptation, including forward-backward translation and cognitive debriefing. The German version was validated in a prospective observational study at a Swiss NICU. Parents of infants hospitalized for ≥24 h completed the questionnaire at discharge. Results: A total of 228 questionnaires …