Digital Commons Network^™

2023-02-21 Executive Council Minutes, Susie Salazar

Executive Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

2023-03-21 Leadership Council Minutes, Susie Salazar

Executive Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

2021-08-03 Executive Council Minutes, Susie Salazar

Executive Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

2022-03-01 Leadership Council Minutes, St. Mary's University

Executive Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

2022-03-15 Executive Council Minutes, St. Mary's University

Executive Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

2022-04-26 Leadership Council Minutes, St. Mary's University

Executive Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

Localization Of Alpha Power Deficits In First Episode Psychosis, Crystal A. Garcia, Juan Bustillo

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

The purpose of this study was to determine where in the brain there may be a difference in brain activity in patients during their first episode of psychosis (FEP) compared to healthy controls (HCs) while performing an auditory oddball task. Time-frequency analysis allows for spectral decomposition where the signal measured by magnetoencephalography (MEG) is used to characterize changes in neural oscillations and their synchronization over time and region. Previous EEG studies report reduced alpha (8-12Hz, 70-160ms) power but most studies focused on patients with chronic schizophrenia and with limited source localization.

Understanding The Metallic And Oxide Phases In Platinum-Based Bimetallic Heterogeneous Catalysts After High-Temperature Oxidation, Stephen John Porter Jr

Nanoscience and Microsystems ETDs

Platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd) are critical components in diesel emission control systems, enabling the conversion of harmful pollutants under demanding conditions. However, Pt’s effectiveness is hindered by sintering under high-temperature oxidizing environments. This dissertation investigates how Pt and Pd evolve under oxidizing conditions at 800°C, highlighting their distinct thermodynamic behaviors and interactions. Using TEM, EDS, EELS, XRF, XRD, and EXAFS, we show that Pd suppresses Pt sintering by reducing the volatility of PtO₂, leading to the formation of stable particles. Both Pt and Pd are present in metallic and oxide states, forming biphasic 'Janus' particles with conjoined metal and …

Advancing Diamond Quantum Sensors: Isotropic Flux Concentrators And Phase Noise Mitigation, Maziar Saleh Ziabari

Optical Science and Engineering ETDs

Two methods for improving the sensitivity of nitrogen vacancy quantum sensors in diamond are explored. First, by passively concentrating the magnetic flux, three orthogonally oriented ferrite truncated cone pairs amplify the field isotropically by 19 times, allowing measurement of Earth's field without a bias field and increasing sensitivity. Through thorough analysis, modeling and tuning a novel 3-dimensional flux concentrator system, we achieve a fractional standard deviation of less than 1% anisotropy and quantify minimal deadzones and ambient temperature-limited variations below 40 nT/hour. Second, we characterize, model and calculate phase noise in NV experiments, which in NV sensors is effectively indistinguishable …

Predicting Leakage From Nuclear Material Containers At Los Alamos National Laboratory Through Drop Testing, Leak Testing, Finite Element Analysis And Digital Image Correlation, Jude M. Oka, Yu-Lin Shen, Osman Anderoglu, Pankaj Kumar, Rajendra Vaidya

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) relies on containment vessels to safely manage special nuclear material. These containers are subject to rigorous testing—such as drop, fire, and water ingress testing—to ensure integrity under adverse conditions. While elastomer-based seals are well studied, metal-to-metal sealing mechanisms remain under investigation, particularly under dynamic loading. This research focuses on the relationship between container mating surfaces and impact loading through drop testing. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models were developed and validated using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) to measure strain during impact. Drop tests at varying heights showed strong correlation between FEA and DIC results, confirming the …

Networked Systems: Synchronization, Decomposition And Transient Dynamics, Amirhossein Nazerian

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

This dissertation investigates synchronization, transient dynamics, control, and signal amplification in networked dynamical systems. First, it examines complete and cluster synchronization, including cases with large parametric mismatches, in both natural (e.g., brain networks, fireflies) and technological systems (e.g., power grids, robotics). Second, it studies transient dynamics in consensus processes, designing synchronization strategies that link reactivity, contraction theory, and Lyapunov exponents. Third, it addresses the computational limits of Model Predictive Control (MPC) for large networks by introducing an algebraic decomposition method that enables parallel online computation of smaller subproblems, enhancing MPC performance under hardware constraints. Finally, it analyzes the structural role …

Instability Analysis In Cylindrical Thin Film–Compliant Core Structures: Numerical Simulations And Effects Of Inelastic Deformation, Md Al Rifat Anan

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

When a thin film bonded to a thick compliant substrate is subject to in-plane compression, wrinkles can develop if the critical state for instability is reached. In various applications the film/substrate system may also take the form of cylindrical fibers, where an axial compressive loading can trigger axisymmetric wrinkles. A straightforward computational approach to simulate such wrinkling behavior is needed for material design, to either prevent wrinkling or to exploit its benefits for flexible device applications. In this work a comprehensive numerical study is undertaken by employing the finite element method. The embedded imperfection approach used previously for planar structures …

Multiscale And Multi-Model Studies Of Metal Plasticity, Luo Li

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Plastic deformation is the process in which the material deforms permanently due to external effects. Twinning and slip are two main mechanisms of plastic deformation in metallic materials. The prominent mechanism of plastic deformation in metals that have FCC crystal structures is slip or gliding movement of dislocations, which is mainly focused on here. In the current study, frameworks for investigating plasticity phenomena of metals at different scales ranging from microscale to macroscale are demonstrated. Specifically, the macroscale modeling of plastic response of metallic materials induced by indentations are emulated by nonlinear FEA simulations. Simulation results of macroscale modeling are …

Advancements In Microarray Manufacturing Enable Emerging Technologies, Kendall Hoff

Biomedical Engineering ETDs

Significant advances in manufacturing technologies have enabled the production of new DNA microarrays for use in emergent technology. Photolithography, wafer scale manufacturing, and improvements in synthesis chemistry and design enable high-throughput production of extremely high-quality arrays. These new arrays offer extremely high oligonucleotide densities, in the range of tens of thousands of oligonucleotides per square micron. They also offer smaller features sizes, with millions of features per square centimeter. Furthermore, they can be manufactured with the DNA tethered at either end to the surface, leaving either the 5’ or 3’ end free and available for use in enzymatic reactions; and …

Single-Nuclei Multiomics Analysis Identifies Abnormal Cardiomyocytes In A Murine Model Of Cardiac Development., Riley Leonard, Yi Zhao, Steven Eliason, Kathy Zimmerman, Ariana Batz, Cathy J. Hatcher, Robert M Weiss, Mason Sweat, Xiao Li, Brad A Amendt

PCOM Scholarly Works

Transcription factors such as Tbx5, Gata4, Mef2c and Pitx2 are required during cardiac development, and in adult cardiac homeostasis. We demonstrate that the gene dosage and modulation of these factors are mediated in vivo by the miR-200 family. Inhibition of a single miR-200 family member within the cluster results in defects of the left ventricle and cardiomyocyte maturation during development. Inhibition of the entire miR-200 family results in a ventricular septal defect and embryonic lethality by embryonic day (E)16.5. Inhibition of each miR-200 family has distinct heart phenotypes in cell specific differentiation and maturation. snRNA-sequencing reveals an immature cardiomyocyte cell …

Exploring Adversarial Threats To Neuralhash: A Perceptual Hashing Algorithm, Gurleen Kaur

Student Theses

Perceptual hashing algorithms are algorithms that generate content-based image hashes by extracting perceptual features from the images. Unlike cryptographic hashes, which exhibit significant changes with even slight input alterations, perceptual hashes do not change when modifications like compression, color correction and brightness are applied to the images. These hashes are designed to remain similar for inputs that are visually or perceptually alike, which has led to their widespread application in detecting duplicate images, finding similar images for reverse image search and to detecting inappropriate content of Child sexual abuse (CSAM) images by comparing image hashes with dataset of known perceptual …

Datasets Associated With Caballero Et Al. (2025): Sentinel-3 Coastal Analysis Ready Data (S3card): An Operational Framework For Coastal Water Applications, Cassia B. Caballero, Vitor S. Martins, Rejane S. Paulino, Thainara M. A. Lima, Elliott Butler, Eric Sparks

Research Data

This dataset provides access to twelve .zip archives containing pre-processed tiles from the S3CARD (Sentinel-3 Coastal Analysis Ready Data) framework. Each archive corresponds to a 2.5° × 2.5° coastal grid that includes an AERONET-OC (Aerosol Robotic Network – Ocean Color) station used for validation in Caballero et al. (2025). The data include atmospherically corrected, glint- and adjacency-corrected surface reflectance images derived from Sentinel-3 OLCI imagery.

Each tile includes:

- 21-band surface reflectance images in GeoTIFF format (valid water pixels only)

- Metadata files with acquisition geometry and processing details

These datasets support reproducibility and enable users to evaluate the S3CARD …

Comparing P62 And Lc3 As Autophagy Biomarkers: Insights Into Cellular Homeostasis, Riya Roychan

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Autophagy is a fundamental cellular process that maintains homeostasis by the degradation of damaged organelles and proteins. It plays crucial roles in cellular remodelling, development, and disease progression. These roles apply to the study of neurodegenerative diseases which is heavily linked to the toxicity produced by unwarranted accumulation of cellular material. A key player in autophagy is LC3, which translocate to autophagosomal membranes during the process. Detecting fluorescently labelled LC3-II through immunofluorescence provides a valuable method for assessing autophagy levels in samples. In a similar premise p62, also known as sequestosome-1 (SQSTM-1), is an adaptor between LC3 and ubiquitinated substrates, …

Clinician And Caregiver Perspectives On A Community-Based Dynamic Temporal And Tactile Cueing Treatment Trial For Childhood Apraxia Of Speech: Exploring Perceptions Of Research And Routine Clinical Practice, Donna C. Thomas, Geraldine Bricker-Katz, Elizabeth Murray, Shelley L. Velleman, Jenya Iuzzini-Seigel

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose:

Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) is an evidence-based treatment for children with childhood apraxia of speech. In clinical practice, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) frequently use an eclectic approach incorporating aspects of DTTC, for reasons that are not well understood. This research note describes a qualitative investigation of the experiences of SLPs and caregivers who participated in protocolized research DTTC for a 24-session treatment efficacy study. Specifically, we sought to understand the perspectives of these SLPs and caregivers regarding (a) DTTC treatment, as provided during the study, and (b) participating in a treatment research study.

Method:

Four SLPs and three …

Durkheim’S Structural Functionalism And The Integration Of Genocide In His Sociological Framework, Anthonie Holslag

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

No abstract provided.

Full Issue 19.1

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

No abstract provided.

Where Are The Criminologists?: The Persistent Absence Of The Field In Genocide Research, Grace Allbaugh, Susan A. Woollen, Jacqueline L. Schneider, Joanne Savage

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

The rallying cry of “Never Again” was heard worldwide after the Nazis’ annihilation of Jews and other victims were discovered after WWII. The global community promised that the crime of genocide would be prevented and signatory parties of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide (December 9, 1948) would do everything in their power to prevent another Holocaust from occurring. Unfortunately the “crime of all crimes” remains an almost permanent fixture in international news while signatory parties remain reluctant to call the ongoing conditions genocide. The field of genocide studies is built upon an interdisciplinary field …

Improving Infiltration Model Performance In Arid And Urban Regions, Samuel Stephen Coulter

Civil Engineering ETDs

Flooding in arid regions is infrequent but damaging and limited historical data makes flood modeling an important tool for flood infrastructure design. This study improves flood modeling guidance by using plot-scale tests to determine the impact of slope, compaction, gravel mulch and landscape fabric on infiltration and runoff rates in sandy soil types. This data will be used as guidance for the linear and constant model. The performance of this model was compared with the curve number model for a hypothetical 100-year design storm. Results showed that gravel mulch increased infiltration rates by 66% and reduced erosion on steep and …

Idehen V. Stoute-Phillip

All Decisions

An attorney for the landlord was sanctioned for submitting motion papers that cited numerous non-existent cases, which were determined to be the result of using an AI-based research tool without proper verification. The court found this to be frivolous conduct under 22 NYCRR § 130-1.1, warranting a $1, 000 sanction and a referral to the State of New York Grievance Committee. This decision highlights the legal risks and ethical obligations associated with using artificial intelligence for legal research, emphasizing the duty of an attorney to verify all citations and factual statements. The attorney's subsequent filing of a 94-page document with …

Epigenomic Diagnosis And Prognosis Of Acute Myeloid Leukemia., Francisco Marchi, Vivek M. Shastri, Richard J. Marrero, Nam H K Nguyen, Antonella Öttl, Ann-Kathrin Schade, Marieke Landwehr, Olga Krali, Jessica Nordlund, Matin Ghavami, Fernando Sckaff, Vikash K. Mansinghka, Xueyuan Cao, William Slayton, Petr Starostik, Christopher R. Cogle, Raul C. Ribeiro, Jeffrey E. Rubnitz, Jeffery Klco, Abdelrahman Elsayed, Alan S. Gamis, Timothy J. Triche, Rhonda Ries, E Anders Kolb, Richard Aplenc, Todd Alonzo, Stanley Pounds, Soheil Meshinchi, Jatinder K. Lamba

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Despite the critical role of DNA methylation, clinical implementations harnessing its promise have not been described in acute myeloid leukemia. Utilizing DNA methylation from 3314 leukemia patient samples across 11 harmonized cohorts, we describe the Acute Leukemia Methylome Atlas, which includes robust models capable of accurately predicting AML subtypes. A genome-wide prognostic model as well as a targeted panel of 38 CpGs significantly predict five-year survival in our pediatric and adult test cohorts. To accelerate rapid clinical utility, we develop a specimen-to-result protocol that uses long-read nanopore sequencing and machine learning to characterize patients' whole genomes and epigenomes. Clinical validation …

Optimizing Distributed Boundary Exchanges For Benchmarks, Solvers And Sparse Matrix Operations, Gerald Collom

Computer Science ETDs

Boundary exchanges dominate the cost of both stenciled codes and those that rely on sparse matrix operations. The performance of large boundary exchanges is limited by synchronization overheads and injection bandwidth limitations. Irregular boundary exchanges incur additional overheads due to the large number of required messages. This thesis investigates multiple methods for improving the performance and scalability of both Cartesian and irregular boundary exchanges. Since boundary exchanges are typically performed iteratively, persistent communication presents an opportunity for optimization by sharing and amortizing setup costs. Partitioned communication is also explored to increase asynchrony, reducing bottlenecks from synchronization overheads and data congestion. …

Self-Initiated Action Rescues Visual Targets From Backwards Masking, Amber R. Hopkins, Tian Lan, Aaron Schurger

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

When a visual target is followed by a visual mask stimulus, the target sometimes goes unseen. This is visual masking. In an experiment treating a masked visual stimulus as the sensory outcome of self-initiated action, we demonstrate that self-initiated action can rescue visual targets from backwards masks. Specifically, participants were correct about a visual target more often when the target-mask sequence appeared after their self-initiated action than when its onset was triggered externally. While self-initiated action sometimes induces sensory attenuation, whereby the perception of sensory events that follow actions is dampened, we observed that self-initiated action promotes the perception of …

Nursing Turnover Based On Age, Race, And Gender In Community Hospitals In Michigan, Laura Lawhorn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospitals struggle to maintain nursing staff to meet patient needs for a population that requires continuous care and experiences multiple illnesses. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the variations in reasons for leaving the nursing profession (dependent variable) based on age, race, and gender (independent variables) within community hospitals in Michigan. The theoretical framework for this study was the Nursing Neuman Systems Model, which posits that nursing comprises four key components: environment, individual, nursing practice, and health. A correlational research design was utilized to address the research question and analyze the relationships between the variables. The secondary …

Secured Through Stone: The Power, Monuments, And Memory Of Thyra Danmarkarbót And The Jelling Dynasty, Jacquelyn Truitt

History ETDs

Sometime in the mid-tenth century on the Jutland peninsula of Denmark, the Viking Age Queen Thyra (d. ca. 958/9) passed away and the epithet Danmarkarbót—Denmark’s Adornment—was skillfully carved onto her memorial runestone. Yet Thyra’s story has been clouded by few and unreliable textual sources, by differing assessments of her familial background that have emerged from those sources, and by misrepresentations of the material culture relating to her. This thesis explores Thyra and her place within the Viking Age Jelling dynasty through textual and material evidence and considers how the construction of both medieval and modern memory work and memorialization …

From Backstage To Front Stage : Understanding Dramaturgical Work Behavior In The Workplace, Yufei Cheng

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

Modern organizations often reward “looking busy” rather than genuinely contributing, prompting employees to engage in superficial displays of productivity. This type of behavior can be considered as a previously unexplored yet important form of impression management. While impression management research has predominantly examined outcome-oriented tactics, it has not fully captured the subtler, non-contributory forms of performative behavior that permeate everyday work life. To address this gap, this dissertation introduces Dramaturgical Work Behavior (DWB), a concept grounded in Goffman’ s dramaturgical theory, which outlines how employees enact symbolic “front-stage” performances—such as feigned urgency or exaggerated busyness—to signal conformity without adding real …