Digital Commons Network^™

Improving Data Curation With Spectral Clustering And Shannon Entropy: An Unsupervised Approach Within The Data Washing Machine, Erin Hathorn

Theses and Dissertations

In the ever-expanding landscape of digital technologies, the exponential growth of data presents both challenges and opportunities, demanding innovative approaches to data curation. Effective data curation is pivotal for extracting meaningful insights from vast and complex datasets. This study explores the integration of spectral clustering and Shannon Entropy within the Data Washing Machine (DWM), a novel tool designed to streamline unsupervised data curation processes. The DWM incorporates Shannon Entropy into its clustering process, allowing for adaptive refinement of clustering strategies based on entropy levels observed within data clusters. Spectral clustering, known for its ability to handle complex and non-linearly separable …

The Last Word On The Ohio Constitution, Jonathan L. Entin

Et Cetera

This essay offers a detailed overview of Steinglass & Scarselli’s significantly revised and expanded second edition of The Ohio Constitution, the leading analysis of that subject. The essay explores some broad themes, including judicial review, judicial independence, the relationship between the judiciary and the political branches of Ohio government, separation of powers, race and gender, the new judicial federalism, and the process for amending the Ohio Constitution. The book is an extraordinary resource for the Ohio bench and bar as well as for the general public. The essay explains why that is so and suggests that readers will use this …

Systems And Methods For Classifying Mosquitoes Based On Extracted Masks Of Anatomical Components From Images, Sriram Chellappan, Mona Minakshi, Pratool Bharti, Ryan M Carney

USF Patents

Images of an insect are subjected to at least a first convolutional neural network to develop feature maps based on anatomical pixels at corresponding image locations in the respective feature maps. The anatomical pixels correspond to a body part of the insect. A computer calculates an outer product of the first feature map and the second feature map to form an integrated feature map. Extracting fully connected layers from respective sets of integrated feature maps and applying the fully connected layers to a classification network for identifying the genus and the species of the insect.

Computing 2-Body Statistics On Graphics Processing Units (Gpus), Yicheng Tu, Napath Pitaksirianan

USF Patents

Disclosed are various embodiments for computing 2-body statistics on graphics processing units (GPUs). Various types of two-body statistics (2-BS) are regarded as essential components of data analysis in many scientific and computing domains. However, the quadratic complexity of these computations hinders timely processing of data. According, various embodiments of the present disclosure involve parallel algorithms for 2-BS computation on Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). Although the typical 2-BS problems can be summarized into a straightforward parallel computing pattern, traditional wisdom from (general) parallel computing often falls short in delivering the best possible performance. Therefore, various embodiments of the present disclosure involve …

The Mediating Effect Of Recognizing Racism And Biases Within The Workplace: Cross-Race Friendships And Allyship Behaviors, Amber Kaiser

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

In this study, engagement in allyship behaviors were tested in a sample of part- and full-time workers that worked either in a fully in-person or hybrid work environment. Participants (N = 271) responded to an online survey. Drawing on friendship and intergroup contact theories, the effect of cross-race friendships on allyship behaviors was tested. Recognition of racism and biases was proposed as the distinct candidate mediator in this relationship. All constructs consisted of individual measures, each tested through a series of linear regressions and multiple mediation models. Specifically, cross-race friendships included close cross-race friendship and cross-race friendship behaviors; recognition …

Charging Toward Sustainability: Mgcl2 Doped Chitosan-Dextran Polyblend Electrolytes For Energy Storage Device Applications, Pradeep Nayak, Ismayil, Y. N. Sudhakar, Supriya K. Shetty

Open Access archive

In this study, chitosan (CS), dextran (DN), and magnesium chloride (MgCl2) salt-based soild blend polymer electrolyte (SBPE) membranes that conduct Mg²⁺ ions have been developed. XRD revealed changes in the microstructure by incorporating MgCl2 salt into the polymer host due to polyblend-ion interaction, verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. At room temperature, the electrolyte membrane containing 30 wt% MgCl2 reached an ionic conductivity of 1.79 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹. An ion transference number (tion) of about 0.73 was achieved for 30 wt% of magnesium salt, suggesting the dominance of ion conduction in the SBPE sample. The …

Mediator Kinase Inhibitors Suppress Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Growth And Extend Tumor Suppression By Mtor And Akt Inhibitors, Xiaokai Ding, Jiaxin Liang, Amanda C. Sharko, Thomas A. Hilimire, Jing Li, Jürgen Loskutov, Zachary T. Mack, Hao Ji, Gary P. Schools, Chao Cai, Elena N. Pugacheva, Mengqian Chen, Igor Roninson, Eugenia Broude

Faculty Publications

Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) are treated primarily by chemotherapy and lack clinically validated therapeutic targets. In particular, inhibitors of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, abnormally activated in many breast cancers, failed to achieve clinical efficacy in TNBC due to the development of adaptive drug resistance, which is largely driven by the transcriptomic plasticity of TNBC. Expression of CDK8/19 Mediator kinases that control transcriptional reprogramming correlates with relapse-free survival and treatment failure in breast cancer patients, including TNBC. We now investigated how CDK8/19 inhibitors affect the growth of TNBC tumors and their response to mTOR and AKT inhibitors. In contrast to the effects …

Predicting Rail Transit Impacts With Endogenous Worker Choice: Evidence From Oahu, Justin Tyndall

Upjohn Institute Working Papers

The provision of public transportation can improve the accessibility of work opportunities. However, predicting the labor market effects of new transit infrastructure is difficult because of endogenous worker decisions. I examine a large public-transit rail project on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Using block-level commuter-flow and travel-time estimates, I propose and estimate a quantitative spatial model of location and mode choice for workers. I estimate that the new rail system increases public-transit-mode share and the employment rate but does not reduce the average commute duration, because of endogenous worker sorting. Low-income workers on Oahu capture a significant share of transit’s …

The Basis For Election Exceptionalism In Justiciability And Related Doctrines: Constitutional Compensation In Light Of Purcell, Vikram D. Amar, Evan H. Caminker

Articles

Pursuant to the so-called Purcell doctrine, lower federal courts (and perhaps the U.S. Supreme Court itself) are supposed to refrain from issuing remedies that would alter the rules for election administration in the run-up to Election Day. Whether or not the Purcell rule’s purported justifications are persuasive (e.g., concerns about voter confusion, candidate and campaign expectations, smooth operation of election logistics), one tremendously problematic entailment of Purcell is that elections are held (and candidates are elected and policies are determined) even when serious doubt exists about the legality of the contests under federal statutes and the Constitution. Because of these …

Teaching Motivational Interviewing To Staff In A Mental Health Clinic To Improve Retention Rates Among The Homeless, Barry Godwin, Chinemerem Uzoechi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary Poor treatment retention rates are significant problems in mental health, with adverse outcomes being more profound for vulnerable populations, such as individuals experiencing homelessness. The current project was vital because the lack of engaging strategies in working with individuals experiencing homelessness contributes to high rates of treatment dropout. The purpose of the project was to equip mental health clinical staff with knowledge and skills in motivational interviewing (MI) to use MI in clinical settings to improve treatment retention for homeless populations. The practice-focused question that guided the project was: For staff in a mental health clinic, will training on …

Perceptions Of Women With Cardiovascular Disease Who Chose Conservative Therapy Over Advanced Therapy, Vanessa Pugh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women. Women with cardiovascular diseases are less likely to receive the available advanced therapies such as defibrillators, pacemakers, and left ventricular assist devices as part of their cardiovascular care plan when compared to their male counterparts. Kelly’s theory of personal constructs and his11 corollaries were used as the theoretical foundation for this basic qualitative study to help explore and understand the perceptions of women who chose a conservative therapy instead of a more advanced therapy for their cardiovascular disease. Social media platforms and snowballing technique were used to recruit the six …

Integrated Coordinated Care Policies In Alameda County For The Unhoused Population, Stacey R. Perry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Alameda County departments and organizations have continually provided varying services to members in the unhoused community to increase pathways to stabilization for those served, with little success for over 37 years. While there were studies that discussed the issues of high service utilization faced by unhoused behavioral health care recipients, there was little to no literature that discussed these issues in Alameda County, where the numbers of unhoused persons total more than 9,500. There was very little known as to what policy barriers, and conversely, facilitators and key stakeholders in clinical and penal institutions face in implementing integrated coordinated care …

Can The Effluent From Wastewater Stabilization Ponds Be Effectively Managed For Health And Nutrient Recovery?, Michael Glass

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Wastewater stabilization ponds, such as facultative and maturation lagoons, have been shown to be effective processes to manage conventional water quality parameters found in domestic wastewater. The main goal of this thesis is to explore whether wastewater stabilization ponds can simultaneously reduce pathogens to safe levels while supporting agricultural activities through nutrient recovery. A large dataset for water quality of wastewater lagoon effluent in the U.S. was obtained at the state level and combined into regional southern and northern locations. Analysis of data showed there was significant difference in lagoon effluent concentration between northern and southern states for the water …

Compliant Structures Facilitate Less Invasive And Biomechanically Improved Lumbar Spinal Implants, Daniel J. Orr

Theses and Dissertations

Implants used in lumbar spinal fusion and lumbar total disc replacement procedures have improved substantially over the years, however, the opportunity remains to improve either the adjustability, durability, motion, or minimally invasive characteristics which could aid in achieving optimal surgical outcomes. It is hypothesized that the inherent advantages of compliant mechanisms specifically Deployable Euler Spiral Connectors (DESCs) and a new mechanism known as the interior contact aided rolling element (I-CORE) are well suited for each of these applications and will be explored and utilized as the basis of these proposed designs. By addressing these challenges, the research endeavors to improve …

Efficacy Of High-Definition Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (Hd-Tacs) At The M1 Hotspot Versus C3 Site In Modulating Corticospinal Tract Excitability, Hao Meng, Michael Houston, Nicholas Dias, Chen Guo, Gerard Francisco, Yingchun Zhang, Sheng Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Previous studies have shown that beta-band transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) applied at the M1 hotspot can modulate corticospinal excitability. However, it remains controversial whether tACS can influence motor unit activities at the spinal cord level. This study aims to compare the efficacy of applying tACS over the hotspot versus the conventional C3 site on motor unit activities and subsequent behavioral changes. This study used a randomized crossover trial design, where fifteen healthy participants performed a paced ball-squeezing exercise while receiving high-definition tACS (HD-tACS) at 21 Hz and 2 mA for 20 min. HD-tACS targeted either the flexor digitorum superficialis …

Endovascular Treatment Of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke With Tandem Lesions Presenting With Low Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score, Milagros Galecio-Castillo, Mudassir Farooqui, Waldo R Guerrero, Marc Ribo, Ameer E Hassan, Mouhammad A Jumaa, Afshin A Divani, Michael G Abraham, Nils H Petersen, Johanna T Fifi, Amer Malik, James E Siegler, Thanh N Nguyen, Sunil A Sheth, Guillermo Linares, Nazli Janjua, Jazba Soomro, Darko Quispe-Orozco, Marta Olivé-Gadea, Wondewossen G Tekle, Syed F Zaidi, Sara Y Sabbagh, Tiffany Barkley, Ayush Prasad, Reade A De Leacy, Mohamad Abdalkader, Sergio Salazar-Marioni, Weston Gordon, Charoskhon Turabova, Aaron Rodriguez-Calienes, Mahmoud Dibas, Maxim Mokin, Dileep R Yavagal, Albert J Yoo, Amrou Sarraj, Tudor G Jovin, Santiago Ortega-Gutierrez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Recent trials confirmed the efficacy and safety of endovascular thrombectomy in patients with low Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS); however, evidence in tandem lesions is limited. This study evaluates endovascular thrombectomy safety and efficacy in patients with acute large-vessel occlusion with tandem lesions, stratified by baseline ASPECTS.

Methods and results: We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from 16 centers. Inclusion criteria included the following: age ≥18 years, anterior circulation tandem lesions, endovascular thrombectomy < 24 hours of symptom onset, and ≥70% internal carotid artery stenosis/occlusion. Patients were categorized into low (0-5) and high (6-10) ASPECTS. Inverse probability of treatment weighting matching was used to balance the groups. Primary outcomes included the following: 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0 to 2 and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Secondary outcomes included the following: ordinal mRS, mRS 0 to 3, modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction ≥2b and 2c-3, petechial hemorrhage, parenchymal hematoma (1/2), early neurologic improvement, and mortality. Of 691 patients, 44 had ASPECTS 0 to 5 and 505 had ASPECTS 6 to 10. Patients with low ASPECTS had lower odds of 90-day mRS 0 to 2 (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.48; P=0.036) and higher odds of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (adjusted OR, 3.78; P=0.014). Additional significant differences were found in mRS shift, …

Strategies To Alleviate Flickering: Bayesian And Smoothing Methods For Deep Learning Classification In Video, Noah Miller, Glen Ryan Drumm, Lance Champagne, Bruce A. Cox, Trevor Bihl

Faculty Publications

Excerpt: Increasing reliance on autonomous systems requires confidence in the accuracies produced from computer vision classification algorithms. Computer vision (CV) for video classification provides phenomenal abilities, but it often suffers from “flickering” of results. Flickering occurs when the CV algorithm switches between declared classes over successive frames. Such behavior causes a loss of trust and confidence in their operations.

Otolaryngological Presentations Of Klippel-Feil Syndrome: A Systematic Review, Christopher Stewart, Alex Otto, Mitchell Fisher, Abbigail Niewchas, Salma Alkhatib, Andrew Simonsen, Randall Hansen, Suporn Sukpraprut-Braaten, Kent Mcintire

Student Publications

Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is a rare congenital condition characterized by the fusion of cervical vertebrae. It classically presents with a triad of symptoms: limited cervical range of motion, a low posterior hairline, and a short neck. Common otolaryngological manifestations include hearing loss, dysphagia, cleft palate, jaw disorders, thyroid abnormalities, and ear malformations, highlighting the importance of KFS awareness in the field of otolaryngology. Recognizing these symptoms can enhance patient care and outcomes. This systematic review analyzed all case reports on KFS published in the last 10 years on PubMed. Cases were classified using the Samartzis classification, Mallampati score, and Cormack-Lehane …

A Retrospective Analysis Of Mortality Due To Pneumonia And Renal Disease In A Midwestern Patient Population, Robert Hillard, Joselyn Schmitz, Benjamin Kossman, Lane Mittler, Vishnu Basude, Nova Beyersdorfer, Kerry Johnson, John Paulson

Student Publications

Background: The impact of pneumonia (PNA) with concomitant renal disease (RD) has not been fully investigated in a United States Midwestern patient population, despite the morbidity and mortality associated with such diseases.

Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) data from a hospital system located in Southwest Missouri. Data was acquired from patients admitted between January 2019 and December 2021. Patients were separated into five groups (disease categories): acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), PNA, AKI with PNA, and CKD with PNA. The data were analyzed, and subset …

Network-Based Biomarkers In Background Electroencephalography In Childhood Epilepsies – A Scoping Review And Narrative Synthesis, Rohit Shankar, John Terry

Peninsula Medical School

BackgroundBrain network analysis is an emerging field of research that could lead to the development, testing and validation of novel biomarkers for epilepsy. This could shorten the diagnostic uncertainty period, improve treatment, decrease seizure risk and lead to better management. This scoping review summarises the current state of electroencephalogram (EEG)-based network abnormalities for childhood epilepsies. The review assesses the overall robustness, potential generalisability, strengths, and limitations of the methodological frameworks of the identified research studies.Reporting MethodsPRISMA guidelines for Scoping Reviews and the PICO framework was used to guide this review. Studies that evaluated candidate network-based features from EEG in children …

The Recreational Value Of Birding And Crane Abundance, Richard T. Melstrom, Alex Nielsen, Carson Reeling

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

We estimate the economic value of birding, which is an important ecosystem service produced by bird populations in recreation areas. Our research identifies the link between values and species richness as well as the abundance of the sandhill crane (Grus canadensis), which migrates each year through our study area. Sandhill crane stopovers at state and federal wildlife areas can attract many birders. We estimate this nonmarket value using the zonal travel cost method and data from the eBird project on wildlife areas in Indiana. We compare crane counts based on eBird with those from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources …

Feminist Narrative Inquiry: Stories Of Five Young Adults Who Aged Out Of Florida Foster Care, Amy E. Nourie

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

There are approximately 400,000 children in foster care in the United States and, each year, more than 20,000 reach the age of majority without achieving permanency, also known as aging out (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2022a). Research has consistently called attention to the negative effects of foster care on youth including issues relating to substance use, housing instability, educational obstacles, and mental health concerns (Forkey & Szilagyi, 2014; Sarri et al., 2016). These negative outcomes are often even more pronounced for young adults aging out of foster care and transitioning into adulthood (Haggman-Laitila et al., 2019). Despite the decades of …

Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions Of Their Level Of Preparedness To Support Students Who Encounter Adverse Childhood Experiences, Lanicia P. Marshall

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to explore preservice teachers’ perceptions of their preparedness to support students who have been exposed to or/are currently encountering adverse childhood experiences. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a form of trauma and are very likely to occur among students. Due to students spending a significant amount of time in classroom settings, teachers are the first to identify possible issues that can interfere with academic performance. The present study was built upon the few studies that have focused on preservice teachers and their perceptions of preparedness to support students experiencing ACEs. Data were collected using an online survey …

Preserving Shell & Bone, Tarrant County Archeological Society

North Texas Archeological Society Records

A paper that provides solutions to deteriorating shells.

Some Notes On Seth Kreeger’S “Metaphysical Considerations In Eä. Creation And Providence In Tolkien And Aquinas”, Claudio Antonio Testi

Journal of Tolkien Research

Seth Kreeger, in his interesting article “Metaphysical Considerations in Eä. Creation and Providence in Tolkien and Aquinas”, moves some critics to Claudio A.Testi: here are Testi’s replies.

The Shetland Site Report, Nolan E. Preston

North Texas Archeological Society Records

A report about the Shetland Site.

Archeologist To Work Mills County, Del Barnett

North Texas Archeological Society Records

A announcement about Dr. Steve Howard working in Goldthwaite.

The Shetland Site, Nolan E. Preston

North Texas Archeological Society Records

A report on The Shetland Site, published in a magazine format.

Nurse Education On Icu Liberation To Improve Sedation Practices For Mechanical Ventilated Patients In Icu, Renae Sybesma

St. Joseph Hospital, Orange, CA. Evidence Based Practice Conference

No abstract provided.

Comparing National Benchmark Quantitative Literacy Paper-Based Tests Scores With Its Computer-Based Counterparts, Robert N. Prince

Numeracy

One of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic was the rapid shift to replacing traditional, paper-based tests with their computer-based counterparts. In many cases, these new modes of delivering tests will remain in place for the foreseeable future. In South Africa, the National Benchmark Quantitative Literacy (QL) test was impelled to make this rapid shift. While test-makers attempted to ensure comparability between the computer-based and paper-based versions, some scholars have questioned the efficacy of these efforts. The International Test Commission (2005) declared that the equivalency of test scores obtained from computer-based and conventional paper-based testing should be established to ensure …