Digital Commons Network^™

Case Study: Left Ventricular Thrombus, Lena Pham

Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Ultrasound Projects

No abstract provided.

Development And Mechanistic Investigation Of Recombinant Type Iii Humanized Collagen Gel For Mid-Facial Soft Tissue Repair, Qian Wang, Qifei An, Yuanzhou Wang, Jingbo Yang, Xiujuan Zhang, Shibo Jiang, Min Chen, Lu Lu, Yun Zhu

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

Mid-facial depression is a key sign of facial aging, primarily caused by the loss of collagen leading to depletion of the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, the existing fillers for soft tissue augmentation have shown certain limitations in repairing mid-facial depression. Therefore, we herein report the development of a novel recombinant humanized type III collagen gel (C3Gel) through rational design and modification of a commercially available recombinant type III humanized collagen lyophilized fiber product. Both biological activity and tissue repair mechanisms of C3Gel were systematically evaluated in vitro and in vivo. C3Gel formed a dense fibrous structure around cells, significantly improving …

Ending War, But Beginning Peace?, Alain Tschudin

New England Journal of Public Policy

The end of war, conventionally marked by the implementation of a ceasefire agreement, is popularly celebrated and politically lauded in the aftermath of extreme violence. However, the so- called “silencing of the guns” is regarded only as “negative peace” or first steps away from direct violence. What about beginning Peace? Johan Galtung, esteemed for his life work in peace studies, suggests that the situation after the cessation of hostilities might be worse than the status quo ante. With reference to contemporary violent conflict in the Middle East, focusing on hostilities between Israel and Palestine, I suggest that pursuing lasting “positive …

The Heart Of The Defense: Exploring The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence, Cultural Competence, And Client-Centered Lawyering In Public Defense, Cherise Burdeen

Dissertations

This dissertation explores the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI), cultural competence, and client-centered lawyering (CCL) within the public defense system. Using a mixed-methods design, this study analyzed quantitative data from 96 White public defenders and qualitative data from a focus group of 7 experienced public defense trainers. Because of the disparate racialized impact of the criminal legal system and anti-Blackness as a foundational component of the United States, cultural competence was operationalized as antiracism. Pearson correlations revealed significant, positive relationships between EI and CCL, r = .483, p < .001; antiracism and CCL, r = .356, p < .001; and EI and antiracism, r = .225, p = .027). Regression analyses indicated that EI significantly predicted both antiracism (β = .225, p =.027) and CCL (β = .483, p < .001), and that antiracism independently predicted CCL (β = .260, p =.004). A combined model including both EI and antiracism accounted for 29.7% of the variance in CCL scores, R² = .297, p < .001. Qualitative findings revealed that CCL and cultural competence are often viewed by attorneys as intuitive or already mastered, yet training on these skills typically provokes emotional dysregulation and resistance. The qualitative and quantitative analysis resulted in the Emotion-First Praxis Theory (EFPT), which posits that EI is a prerequisite for antiracist and client-centered practice, and that if contextualized in antiracist work, emotionally developed White facilitators should work with White people, to prepare them for the kinds of collaborations needed to ensure tangible results. Recommendations are offered to improve antiracism work in and beyond public defense systems. Future research should validate the CCL measure with clients, expand sampling, and empirically test EFPT in diverse settings.

Land Access As Liberation: A Qualitative Study On Faith, Food, And Farming Of Urban And Rural Black Land Stewards In The United States, Dominique Edwards

Dissertations

Since 1920, Black farmers in the United States have held less than 2% of the nation's farmland, a direct result of race-based discriminatory policies embedded within federal, state, local, and county-level institutions (Daniel, 2013). Structural barriers—ranging from exclusionary lending practices by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to the systematic dispossession of land through legal loopholes, heirs’ property laws, and violent racial terror—have contributed to this staggering decline in Black land ownership (Gilbert et al., 2002). The erosion of Black agrarian landholdings intensified in the latter half of the 20th century, as government programs, civil rights legislation, and technological advancements, …

The Day You Begin: A Case Study Of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy In Early Childhood Classrooms, Kim Shelton

Dissertations

Culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) has garnered growing attention in early childhood education due to its potential to cultivate inclusive and equitable learning environments for increasingly diverse student populations. This qualitative case study examines how early childhood educators perceive and implement CRP in classrooms with high concentrations of immigrant and culturally diverse students. Additionally, it explores the perceived impact of these practices on instructional effectiveness, classroom climate, and teacher-student interactions.

Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. Thematic analysis yielded four central findings: (1) teachers’ understandings of CRP varied considerably, with some demonstrating strong intentionality and others …

Becoming Relaxed, Chung Gil Lee

KAUPA Letters

No abstract provided.

Understanding The Impact Of Labs Unleashed, An Applied Math Program: Instructor Perceptions Of Student Motivation And Achievement, Christine S. Columb

All NMU Master's Theses

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to gain an understanding of the Labs Unleashed instructors' perceptions and experiences of student motivation and achievement in the applied math program. This study includes findings from five interviews with instructors of the 2024 Labs Unleashed Program. The following themes were revealed during the interviews:

1. Real-world relevance and applied learning were the drivers of student engagement and motivation.

2. The supportive environment cultivated confidence and helped to overcome learning barriers.

3. Seamless integration of classroom content and lab practice was essential.

4. The program structure and instructor approaches contributed to student success.

The results of …

Langlands Reciprocity And The Splitting Behavior Of Primes In Number Fields, Skip E. Moses

Master's Theses

This thesis explores the evolution of reciprocity laws in number theory in order to provide a conceptual bridge between the classical ideas of quadratic reciprocity and the modern framework of the Langlands program. We develop the necessary algebraic background to understand how the splitting behavior of primes in number fields reflects deep arithmetic structure in ℚ. Starting with quadratic fields and cyclotomic extensions, we motivate the development of the Kronecker–Weber theorem and the characterization of abelian extensions of ℚ. We then introduce Artin reciprocity and show how it generalizes quadratic reciprocity through the formalism of Frobenius elements and Artin L-functions. …

The Lesson Of Confucius For Today’S America: Education In Ethics Is The Road To Building A Just And Peaceful Society, Yeomin Yoon

KAUPA Letters

According to Confucius, what confers humans their special status and dignity among beings in nature is the moral virtues they can achieve. Humans should build good character, for which they need education to acquire values. He found no correlation between the ability to learn and the socio-economic status. He believed that people with the ability to learn deserved an opportunity to learn. Confucius would not approve of the prevalent American conception of education as transmitting technical knowledge and skills to students without an education in the values to promote by their use. Purely technical education would be an oxymoron for …

Words Of Wisdom, Semoon Chang

KAUPA Letters

No abstract provided.

University Leadership, Singapore Management University

Asian Management Insights

The future belongs to institutions that advance impact and prepare minds for lifelong learning. An interview with Dr Andrew Hamilton, President Emeritus of New York University and former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University.

Shipping Container Library Project: Preconstruction Strategy And Planning, Chris Lochner

Construction Management

This report outlines the preconstruction planning phase for the development of a shipping container library to be deployed to a community in Sub-Saharan Africa. The library is designed as a modular and sustainable solution for delivering access to educational resources. Preconstruction efforts have focused on finalizing design documentation, procurement planning, trade coordination, permitting considerations, and site logistics. While no construction has begun, two 40-foot high-cube containers have been ordered—one for prototyping and one for shipment. One container is currently staged at Tilden-Coil Constructors’ yard in Riverside, California, and the project is approaching the procurement and mobilization phase. All tracking of …

Aeroallergen Exposure As Short-Term Predictor Of Respiratory Viral Infections In Two Health Regions (Caguas And San Juan) In Puerto Rico: A Seasonal And Machine Learning Approach, Félix E. Rivera-Mariani, Armando J. Borrero-Aponte, Benjamín Bolaños-Rosero

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

In this late-breaking abstract, we investigated whether seasonal and short-term variations in airborne fungal spores and pollen are associated with, and predictive of, influenza and COVID-19 incidence in the San Juan and Caguas health regions of Puerto Rico from 2022 to 2024. Using correlation analyses, lag modeling, logistic regression, and machine learning approaches, the study found that fungal spore concentrations—but not pollen—were consistently associated with and predictive of high-incidence influenza and COVID-19 days, particularly during the fall season. Peak associations occurred at short lags of 2–4 days, and random forest models demonstrated strong predictive performance for both influenza and COVID-19 …

The Right To Exit Religion, Zalman Rothschild

Articles

This Article argues that just over fifty years ago, in Wisconsin v. Yoder, the Supreme Court recognized what might be called a right to exit religion. In this decision, the Court expressed appreciation for preserving insular religious communities, while simultaneously articulating the principle that accommodations for such communities must not unduly restrict community members’ ability to exit should they wish to do so. Yet courts and scholars have largely overlooked Yoder’s recognition of a right to exit religion. To make this “right” more concrete, the Article examines impediments to it through a case study of one large insular religious community—the …

Multi-Point And Multi-Station Orbit Propagation For Non-Functional Drifting Geo Satellites, Hritik Mitra

Theses

Currently, there are thousands of man-made space objects that are orbiting the Earth. These satellites serve a host of essential purposes (scientific research, technical applications, services) and they are all required to remain within their mission parameters. Most critical for them is to maintain the orbital parameters that are specified to achieve a particular mission’s objectives. If a satellite deviates beyond a certain limit, there is not only a risk of mission failure but there is a major hazard for possible collisions with other objects such as active satellites, space debris and even natural objects in some cases. There is …

Associations Between Vitamin D Deficiency And Sociodemographic Factors, Lifestyle Behaviors, And Metabolic Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Study From The Hnnhs In Greece, Asmae Mohamad Sadek

Theses

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a widespread global health concern associated with various sociodemographic, lifestyle, dietary, and metabolic factors. While previous studies examined VDD in Greece, few provided a comprehensive analysis across multiple determinants using representative national data. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of VDD among Greek adults and to examine its associations with sociodemographic, dietary, behavioral, and metabolic variables using data from the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS). A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 978 adults (≥19 years) from the HNNHS. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations < 20 ng/mL were defined as deficient and ≥20 ng/mL as normal. The median age of participants was 40.2 years, and 62.0% were female. The overall prevalence of VDD was 46.0%, with the highest rate observed among adults aged ≥60 years (62.2%). VDD was significantly associated with older age (p < 0.001), retirement status (62.9% among retired; p < 0.001), low and sedentary physical activity (32.7% and 32.6% vs. 50.8% among highly active; p < 0.001), higher HDL (median 52.0 vs. 49.0 mg/dL among VDD vs Normal; p = 0.001), elevated serum calcium (median 9.4 vs. 9.2 mg/dL among VDD vs Normal; p = 0.020), and lower insulin levels (median 7.5 vs. 8.0 μIU/mL among VDD vs Normal; p = 0.044). Dietary intake (total energy and macronutrients) and body composition were not significantly associated with VDD. In the multivariate model, significant independent predictors of VDD included being retired (AOR = 2.383; 95% CI: 1.596–3.558; p < 0.001), having higher serum calcium levels (AOR = 1.563; 95% CI: 1.078–2.266; p = 0.019), and higher HDL levels (AOR = 1.016; 95% CI: 1.005–1.027; p = 0.001). Physical activity level was also a key determinant; participants classified as sedentary or low active had significantly higher odds of deficiency compared to highly active individuals (AOR = 0.468; 95% CI: 0.319–0.690; p < 0.001). This counterintuitive result may be influenced by factors such as increased indoor physical activity, and warrants further investigation. Dietary intake and body composition were not significantly associated with VDD. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating sociodemographic and lifestyle factors into prevention strategies. Interventions should particularly focus on older adults, retired individuals, even if they have higher HDL and calcium levels, and are physically active.

Advancing Fake News Detection With Graph Neural Network And Deep Learning, Haji Gul, Feras Al-Obeidat, Muhammad Wasim, Adnan Amin, Fernando Moreira

All Works

In the modern era of digital technology, the rapid distribution of news via social media platforms substantially contributes to the propagation of false information, presenting challenges in upholding the accuracy and reliability of information. This study presents an updated approach that utilizes graph neural networks (GNNs) alongside with advanced deep learning techniques to improve the identification of false information. In contrast to traditional approaches that primarily rely on analyzing text and assessing the credibility of sources, our methodology utilizes the structural information of news propagation networks. This allows for a detailed comprehension of the interconnections and patterns that are indicative …

A Novel Fractional Order Model For Analyzing Counterterrorism Operations And Mitigating Extremism, Mutaz Mohammad, Isa Abdullahi Baba, Evren Hincal, Fathalla A. Rihan

All Works

This study examines the profound impact of terrorism on individuals and society by developing a fractional-order mathematical model to analyze and enhance counterterrorism efforts. The model accounts for the persistent and complex nature of extremist behavior, particularly emphasizing the importance of preventing violent extremism before it escalates into terrorism. Real-world data on terrorist activities in Nigeria – specifically from the Boko Haram insurgency – was used to calibrate and validate the model, ensuring its relevance and accuracy. The model reveals that the basic reproduction number (R0) plays a decisive role in determining the long-term success of counterterrorism strategies. Numerical simulations …

Friends And Family: How To Prepare A Themed Recital, Henry Broughton

University Honors Theses

Recital preparation is an essential part of being a successful musician that can be very challenging to students that are unfamiliar with the process. A recital that revolves around a theme can lead to greater audience engagement and make a sense of continuity to multiple pieces on a recital. Though there are countless method books to brass playing, very few of them discuss a method or process for organizing recitals, especially recitals revolving around a theme.

In this paper I will discuss the methods that I used to prepare my senior thesis recital: the techniques I used to practice difficult …

The Necessity Of Improved Pica Assessment Tools And Screening Practices For Harm Reduction, Deborah Arakelian

University Honors Theses

Pica disorder refers to the consumption of non-food items, and has historically been understudied. Dangerous medical complications often arise as result of this behavior, making this a critical area of continued research. This paper reviews literature on the prevalence of pica disorder, as well as its etiologies and risk factors with the intention to identify at-risk groups who would benefit from increased screening. The current assessment tool used for screenings and research is vague and insufficient, and the development of a more comprehensive tool is critical to reduce harm. This paper discusses what should be included in an improved questionnaire, …

Indigenous Language Revitalization: The Klamath And Cherokee Tribes, Josephine Stapleton

University Honors Theses

In recent decades, there have been initiatives to revitalize Indigenous languages all across the globe. This paper explores the efforts of two Native American tribes to revitalize their Indigenous languages in the face of historical and ongoing colonial pressures. Models for language revitalization necessarily differ based on an Indigenous group’s specific historical, cultural, and even geographical contexts, which makes the development of standardized models for Indigenous Language Revitalization challenging. This literature review will examine how the Cherokee Nation and the Klamath Tribes are implementing language revitalization on a tribal level in ways that address each tribe’s unique historical successes and …

Through The Wire: Examining The Experiences Of Formerly Incarcerated Students In Prison Education Programs And The Wraparound Services Needed To Support Their Success, Isabel Castro

Dissertations

This qualitative study examines the experiences of formerly incarcerated individuals in Prison Education Programs (PEPs) and the wraparound services necessary to support their success. Through Schlossberg’s Transition Theory, this study explores how incarcerated students navigate educational transitions and how educators facilitate transformative learning. Using case study and narrative inquiry, interviews were conducted with fifteen formerly incarcerated PEP participants and seven educators.

Thematic analysis revealed six major themes: Access to Education in Carceral Settings, the Impact of Education on Incarcerated Individuals, Wraparound Services and Student Support, Experiences of Formerly Incarcerated Students, the Role of Educators and Program Facilitators, and Best Practices …

Punitive Desire, Belief In Redeemability, And Support For Rehabilitation: A Comparison Of Victimized And Non-Victimized Individuals' Attitudes Toward Criminal Offenders, Caleb Linder

Student Theses

This study examined the attitudes of victimized and non-victimized individuals toward criminal offenders, investigating whether the supportive attitudes observed in Spoo et al. (2018) extend beyond sexual offenses to other types of crime. The study also explored how the perpetrator’s relationship to the victim (family member vs. stranger) and participants’ previous exposure to the justice system influenced their perceptions of offenders. Contrary to our hypothesis, punitive attitudes did not differ between participants with a history of victimization and those without. Additionally, there was no significant difference in punitive attitudes toward stranger offenders compared to offenders known to the victim. Furthermore, …

Segmentation With Artificial Intelligence And Automated Calculation Of The Corpus Callosum Index In Multiple Sclerosis, Selahattin Demirbas, Kamil Karaali, Yalcın Albayrak, Nurdan Fidan

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To determine the corpus callosum index (CCI) differences between chronic phase multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and healthy individuals and to evaluate the corpus callosum segmentation in MS patients using artificial intelligence technologies. The CCI can be reliably measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and has been proposed as a possible marker of brain atrophy in MS. Methods: In this study, 150 MS patients (disease duration 12.6±5.9 years) and 150 healthy control subjects were scanned. Corpus callosum index was manually measured from the mid-sagittal slices on MRI. A deep learning architecture-based U-Net model was used for automatic corpus callosum …

Exploring Faculty Perspectives On Critical Thinking In Medical Education: Challenges, Strategies, And Institutional Support, Munirah A. Batarfi, Sajida Agha

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To uncover faculty members’ understanding, their teaching methods, and the challenges in promoting critical thinking skills among students. Critical thinking (CT) is a reflective process that involves analyzing, evaluating, and applying clinical evidence to make informed decisions that improve patient care. This study delves into the application of critical thinking in medical education, exploring various perspectives. Critical thinking necessitates thoughtful teaching approaches and ongoing educator development. Methods: Utilizing a phenomenographic approach, thirteen faculty members at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences participated in semi-structured interviews conducted via Microsoft Teams. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed using MAXQDA …

Cooking With Confidence: An Inclusive Cooking And Kitchen Safety Course To Promote Quality Of Life And Life Skills Performance For Adults With Disabilities, Leo F. Readey

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Cooking with Confidence is an inclusive life skills cooking course that utilizes the client-centered approach of Occupational Therapy (OT) to teach culinary basics and kitchen safety to community members with disabilities. The program aimed to increase confidence and quality of life of participants through therapeutic cooking for community members that have little or no cooking experience due to physical or intellectual disability and/or diagnosis. This study examined the impact of cooking on independence and confidence in cooking and how it can be beneficial to self-esteem, safety, socialization and overall quality of life.

What Of It? Coding The Unmarked Of-Preposition In Language Samples From Young Aae Speakers, Denise A. Finneran, Maura J. Moyle, Alaina Nash, Sixia Chen

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

We examined the of-preposition in language samples because it is a highly variable feature that can be marked or unmarked (e.g., “out [of] the door”) depending on context. Children who speak African American English (AAE) produce unmarked of-prepositions in contexts that are universal across AAE and General American English (GAE; e.g., “out [of] the window”) and in contexts specific to the AAE dialect (e.g., “out [of] the car”). Guidance in the literature on this variability is limited for language sample analysis. Participants included 113 children who spoke AAE. We examined contexts with unmarked of-prepositions in narrative language samples in a …

Glacier Velocity Estimation Using Adaptive Search Window And Patch Size, Pratik Patil

Master’s Dissertations

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology offers a robust solution for monitoring glacier surface motion, particularly in regions with challenging environmental conditions, since it do not dependence on time of day and weather. This paper presents an enhanced glacier motion monitoring approach based on a Deep Matching Network (DMN), which learns patch-pair correspondences in an end-to-end manner. Unlike traditional shallow feature tracking methods, DMN utilize deep feature similarity through a Siamese network architecture with dense connection blocks to maximize feature reuse and improve training efficiency. To further improve precision and reduce computational cost, the proposed method uses a variable search window …

Modeling And Verification Of Sigma Delta Neural Networks, Sirshendu Das

Master’s Dissertations

In the context of modern day embedded safety-critical systems and low-resource edge devices in particular, Sigma-Delta Neural Networks (SDNNs) offer a promising alternative to traditional Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) by leveraging eventdriven, sparse computations inspired by biological neural processing. This energyefficient paradigm makes SDNNs well-suited for neuromorphic hardware and realtime applications, particularly in scenarios with temporal redundancy, such as video processing. However, as neural networks become integral to safety-critical systems, ensuring their robustness against adversarial perturbations is an absolute necessity. In this work, we propose an end-to-end framework for formal modeling and verification of SDNNs using Satisfiability Modulo Theory (SMT). …