Digital Commons Network^™

Unraveling The Nanoscopic Characteristics Of The Heterogeneous Deep Eutectic Solvent Formed By Lauric Acid And N-Methylacetamide: An Experimental And Computational Approach, Laura X. Sepulveda

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are attractive systems for extraction and separation of compounds. One example of this is the DES formed by the combination of lauric acid (LA) and N-methylacetamide (NMA), system that has been shown to efficiently separate oil/water mixtures through gel formation between LA and oil molecules. Structural characterization of this system using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and vibrational spectroscopy revealed the existence of nanometer-scale LA domains embedded in a continuous polar NMA phase, where LA and NMA interact through hydrogen bonding. These LA domains are responsible for the separation efficiency of linear organic molecules. However, this DES …

Lubricating Abilities Of Choline Amino Acid Protic Ionic Liquids Under High Temperature And Electrified Conditions, Esmond Lau

Theses

This work explores the tribological properties of choline amino acid protic ionic liquids (PILs) as environmentally friendly lubricants under high temperatures and electrified conditions. These conditions are found in the automotive sector, notably in internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs). Lubrication technologies are vital to improving the efficiency and operating lifetime of moving components in automotive drivetrains. The use of ionic liquids (ILs) is actively being researched, with ongoing exploration of their lubricating potential and unique physicochemical characteristics. Compared to traditional petroleum-based lubricants, ILs’ ability to thrive in these conditions will offer substantial benefits, immediately extend operational …

The Commons Of The Mind: Modeling Repeat-Player Behavior In Intellectual Property Infringement Disputes, Eliot Bridges Warner

University Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the applicability of Marc Galanter's 1974 model of repeat-player (RP) and one-shotter (OS) civil litigation to the domain of intellectual property (IP) infringement disputes. While Galanter's framework predicts that repeat players will enjoy structural advantages over one-shotters, this paper argues that IP deviates from that model in consequential ways. Unique features of IP infringement litigation, including the duty to enforce, the risk of invalidation at trial, the inverse relationship between firm size and infringement stakes, and compounding advantages accruing to large firms, produce a hierarchy of strategic advantage that is more steeply resource-dependent than Galanter anticipates.

Drawing …

Whole-Genome Variant Detection In Long-Read Sequencing Data From Ultra-Low Input Patient Samples, Katherine Wang, Cera J Aex, Hayan Lee, Lucas Finot, Kevin Zhu, Julianna R Chang, Aaron M Horning, William J Rowell, Philip Li, Sarah B Kingan, Michael P Snyder, Graham Scott Erwin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Long-read sequencing provides a more complete view of the genome than short-read sequencing, with improved detection of structural variants, tandem repeats, and small variants (single nucleotide variants and insertions and deletions) in difficult-to-map regions. One limitation of long-read sequencing has been high input DNA requirements, with several micrograms required per sample. Here, we evaluate two methods of amplification-based long-read, whole-genome sequencing: ultra-low input HiFi (ULI-HiFi) sequencing and droplet multiple displacement amplification (dMDA) sequencing. When benchmarked against the Genome in a Bottle reference set (NA24385), we observe high precision and recall of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) with ULI-HiFi compared to the …

Modis And Viirs Invariant Target Stability Assessment And Radiometric Scaling For The Nasa Ceres Edition 5 Products, David Doelling, Prathana Khakurel, Arun Gopalan, Conor Haney

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

The NASA Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) project provides globally observed fluxes and clouds to monitor the Earth’s energy imbalance and to validate climate model energetics. The CERES data products consist of overlapping Terra, Aqua, SNPP, and NOAA-20 CERES instrument records. The CERES SSF1deg single satellite products utilize MODIS and VIIRS cloud properties for scene identification to convert the CERES observed radiances into fluxes using angular directional models. Consistent MODIS and VIIRS cloud properties are crucial to retrieve uniform CERES fluxes across satellite platforms.

The NASA CERES project is preparing for the Edition 5 reprocessing of the …

Teaching The Eye To Slow Down: Attentive Noticing As Ecological Practice, Sara Ko

Artizein: Arts and Teaching Journal

This visual essay unfolds through acts of careful noticing. Drawing from materials encountered through repeated walks across forested landscapes on Vancouver Island, it translates moss, soil, plant matter, and animal traces into immersive digital environments. Working through atmosphere, texture, and shifting forms rather than fixed representation, the project explores how perception is shaped by time spent with what is often overlooked. Digital processes are used not to stabilize or explain, but to hold uncertainty, fragility, and partial presence. The work invites readers to slow their looking and consider how learning, relation, and meaning can emerge through sustained attention.

Arcstone: Calibration Of Lunar Spectral Reflectance From Space, Cindy Young, M. Cooney, A. Thurston, L. Morrill, N. Ryan, M. Banchy, C. Stimson, B. Magill, J. Campbell, C. Roithmayr, R. Swanson, G. Kopp, T. Stone, C. Lukashin

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

In remote sensing of the Earth system, accuracy is key for developing reliable, long-term environmental data records built from data collected by multiple instruments, for quickly detecting trends in the quantities being observed, and for determining the confidence with which conclusions can be drawn from those data. For sensors measuring light in the reflected solar wavelengths from Earth orbit, measurement accuracy has historically been limited by the techniques used in calibration (e.g., using onboard lamps and/or solar diffusers that increase instrument mass/complexity and degrade over time, or viewing ground sites through the Earth’s atmosphere, requiring an additional correction, etc.). The …

Initial Operation Results Of A Barium-Sulfate-Coated Integrating Sphere Equipped With Led And Halogen Lamps, Kazunori Asakura, Masahiro Suganuma, Makoto Hirose, Toshiyoshi Kimura, Tadashi Imai, Yasuhiro Nakajima

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) operates integrating spheres (barium-sulfate-coated, gold-coated, and PTFEcoated) at Tsukuba Space Center for radiometric calibration in the visible and short-wave infrared spectral bands, and several JAXA missions have utilized these spheres for the ground calibration test of their onboard sensors. The bariumsulfate- coated integrating sphere has the largest aperture diameter (36 cm), and it has been employed for calibration of satellite-borne cameras (e.g., PLANET-C, Hayabusa-2). However, the spatial uniformity of this sphere has gradually deteriorated due to long-term aging of the barium sulfate coating, after more than two decades of operation. Although its performance is periodically …

Appropriate Use Of Medical Billing And Coding Procedures After Classroom Instruction: Knowledge And Confidence In Doctor Of Physical Therapy Student Across Two Universities, Jamie S. Way, Breanna Reynolds, Teresa Elliott-Burke, Kristina M. Latva

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Accurate billing practices are essential for clinicians, insurance payers, patients and employers. Proper documentation ensures high-quality care, justifies medical necessity, and protects stakeholders. Existing literature covers ethical dilemmas and inadequacies in healthcare educational programs. The purpose of this study was to assess Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student knowledge and confidence in the application of medical billing and coding. Methods: Prospective analysis of written exams and self-reported confidence before and after classroom instruction in two DPT programs. Instruction covered documentation, common physical therapy CPT code selection and application of units billed based on payor guidelines (Medicare, private insurance). Results: …

Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In A Hybrid Dpt Program: Student Opinions On Use, Cheating, And Plagiarism, Jennifaye V. Brown, Keiba Shaw, Otis L. Owens

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: To prepare students with digital competencies needed for modern clinical practice, AI should be responsibly integrated into healthcare education programs. However, concerns exist about students misusing AI for admissions statements and academic assignments. This study examined Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students' perceptions of ChatGPT use and whether they consider its use cheating or plagiarism. Method: This retrospective multi-methods analysis compared two DPT student cohorts' online essay responses to the following questions: 1) Is using AI or specifically, ChatGPT considered cheating and/or plagiarism? and 2) What are students' opinions on ChatGPT use in the DPT curriculum? One hundred forty-seven …

Understanding Dysgraphia: Teaching Students With Dysgraphia, Elizabeth Klein Ms.

The Language and Literacy Spectrum

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In today’s inclusive classrooms, the ability to develop skilled, confident writers is a core competency for every educator. However, while reading disabilities …

Speaking Her Truth: Sarah Aronson On Bella Abzug And Developing A New Generation Of Activists, Roxanne F. Owens Phd

The Language and Literacy Spectrum

Sarah Aronson is an award-winning author of children’s literature whose books have appeared on numerous recommended state and professional organization reading lists. She is the recipient of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Crystal Kite Award and the Prairie State Author of the Year Award. She is a sought-after presenter and writing instructor through organizations such as the Highlights Foundation and Writers on the Net. This article draws upon interviews and professional correspondence between Aronson and the author who is a university children’s literature professor. It examines Aronson’s creative motivations, the influence of activist Bella Abzug on …

Prevalence Of Hyperprolactinemia And Its Association With Menstrual Abnormalities And Hypothyroidism Among Infertile Women: A Cross-Sectional Study From Saudi Arabia, Aseel Y. Alwahhabi, Rahaf H. Labban, Maryam Y. Alshaikh, Amal M. Alanazi, Samaher S. Alfaraj, Fahad M. Alsalman, Hayat A. Alrabiea

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of hyperprolactinemia among infertile women and assess its association with menstrual irregularities and hypothyroidism in a tertiary-care setting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2022 and August 2023 at the Reproductive Endocrinology and IVF Unit, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh. Electronic medical records of 480 infertile women who met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Data on demographic characteristics, infertility type, thyroid status, and serum prolactin levels were collected and analyzed using SAS version 9.4. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Hyperprolactinemia was identified in 27.7% of infertile women, …

Immunoinformatic Based Development Of A Multi-Epitope Precision Vaccine Targeting Glycoprotein And Rdrp Of Oropouche Virus: An Innovative Approach To Counter Emerging Public Health Threats, Mohammed Alissa, Muhammad Suleman

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To design high immunogenic vaccine against the Oropouche virus (OROV). The OROV is a neglected arbovirus endemic to Central and South America, causes oropouche fever, which can progress to severe complications such as meningitis and hemorrhagic symptoms.

Methods: We utilized immunoinformatic and molecular dynamic simulation approaches to design highly immunogenic vaccines against OROV. This observational study, carried out between January and August 2024 in Saudi Arabia. As it involves an in-silico method, ethical consent was not required.

Results: Docking analysis confirmed the stable interaction of the designed vaccines with human toll-like receptors (TLR)-3, producing binding scores of –300.78, –306.19, …

Comparison Of The Effects Of Incubator And Radiant Environments On Physiological Criteria And Pain-Stress Levels During Heel Lance In Neonates In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Sezin Gürsu, Birsen Karaca Saydam, Oğuzhan Kalkanl\I

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To compare the effects of incubator and radiant heat on physiological criteria and pain-stress levels during heel prick procedures in newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Methods: This randomized controlled quasi-experimental study was conducted between June and December 2023 with newborns diagnosed with IHB hospitalized at a NICU in Turkey. Prior to the heel prick procedure, 72 newborns (gestational age: 37–41 weeks) were randomly and equally assigned to either a radiant heater or an incubator setting. Physiological parameters (temperature, SpO₂, heart rate [HR]) and pain-stress scores of the newborns were measured and compared in both …

Etiology, Management, And Outcomes Of Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients: A Single-Center Study, Adil I. Jumani, Ghada A. Rashwan, Hadiza O. Ibrahim, Safaa M. Almohdar, Khaled M. Alfakih

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics, etiologies, management patterns, and outcomes of hospitalized heart failure patients in a tertiary care military hospital in United Arab Emirates (UAE), and to benchmark guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) uptake and care models against regional and international registries.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of heart failure between January and December 2024, at Zayed Military Hospital, UAE. Clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records. The GDMT adherence was assessed according to the 2022 American Heart Association (AHA)/ American College of Cardiology (ACC) and 2023 European Society of …

Evaluation Of Raqeem Health Information System In Primary Healthcare Centers In Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Using The Delone And Mclean Information System Success Model, Ali M. Alzahrani, Holly C. Felix

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To evaluate the implementation of Raqeem, a new Electronic Health Information Systems (EHIS) implemented at primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in Makkah. Implementing EHIS requires huge investments, making evaluation of systems success important.

Methods: In this cross-sectional survey design study, a developed questionnaire guided by DeLone and McLean Information System success model (D&M model) was used to collect data from PHCs' providers. Descriptive and structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques were performed to describe and examine the association between the model's constructs and assess Raqeem success.

Results: A total of 490 providers submitted completed records and were included in this study. …

Diagnostic Timeliness And Pre-Implant Nonverbal Development In Thai Children With Severe-To-Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A 2017–2024 Retrospective Review, Wanpen Ritthita, Sureelak Sutchritpongsa, Pat Rojmahamongol, Prakasit Wannapaschaiyong

Journal of Child Science

Background: Congenital severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) may compromise early development, and timely cochlear implantation (CI) is essential; however, data from low- and middle-income countries, where universal newborn hearing screening is limited and referral is delayed, remain scarce. This study describes diagnostic timeliness and CI referral in Thai children with congenital severe-to-profound SNHL, and reports age-stratified pre-implant nonverbal developmental profiles as secondary contextual descriptive data. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Children with congenital severe-to-profound SNHL who underwent pre-CI developmental or non-verbal cognitive assessments between January 2017 and December 2024 were enrolled. Data on …

Enhancing Visual-Spatial And Social Communication Skills In Children With Autism Through The Autistic Ready To Play Program, Adidsuda Fuengfoo, Nipontorn Saengthongsri, Pentrakarn Saengthongsri, Netsai Thongchamrat, Nutchanat Promiam, Montika Rattanaruengsin, Lutlawan Lamomsai, Pongpun Jinpla

Journal of Child Science

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social communication and repetitive behavioral patterns. Leveraging the strong visual learning abilities of children with ASD, the Autistic Ready to Play (ARP) program was developed to improve visual-spatial skills, spatial reasoning, and social communication through structured, play-based activities. Objective: This study aims to identify the impacts of the ARP program on language, social communication, sensory perception, physical health, and behavioral dimensions in autistic children. Methods: This study included 99 children with ASD, aged 4–10 years, who were randomly assigned to three groups. Group 1 received standard developmental care, while Groups …

Craig Kimmel V. Massachusetts Bay Insurance Co

2026 Decisions

USDC for the District of New Jersey

Determinants Of Public-To-Private Transitions: Evidence From Firm-Level Selection Patterns, Joshua S. Wolfson

Economics Undergraduate Senior Theses

This paper considers which publicly traded firms are most likely to exit public markets through acquisition, and how those patterns differ between financial sponsors and strategic acquirers. Using a panel of 3,320 U.S. public firms from 2000 to 2024, I estimate discrete-time hazard models and find that lower valuation multiples, higher leverage, and stronger free cash flow predict going private. These characteristics vary for financial sponsors and strategic acquirers who select on different criteria. Strategic selection is driven mainly by leverage and valuation while private equity is also driven by free cash flow. These criteria are not stable over time, …

Context-Sensitive Control-Flow Analysis For Non-Standard Language Semantics, Tim Whiting

Theses and Dissertations

Control-Flow Analysis (CFA) is a static technique for understanding the execution of higher-order programs without running the code. CFA aids in identifying bugs, assisting program comprehension, and exposing optimization opportunities. Constructing a CFA typically begins with an idealized evaluator--such as an abstract machine or interpreter--and proceeds by approximating components of evaluation to ensure that: (a) the analysis is sound (representing all possible behaviors), and (b) the analysis is guaranteed to terminate (finitely representable). These constraints necessitate a loss of precision, providing an approximation of the values that flow to program locations rather than exact execution traces. This imprecision causes the …

Automated Detection Of Bacterial Flagellar Motors, Eben J. Lonsdale

Undergraduate Honors Theses

With advances in cryogenic electron tomography, the ability to study bacterial structures in their cellular context has improved. However, 3D images of bacteria, called tomograms, have a low signal-to-noise ratio. This makes annotating structures of interest difficult, as traditional computer vision models struggle with tomograms and manual annotation is time consuming. We build on the results of the BYU Kaggle competition to create an ensemble model capable of automatically annotating flagellar models with nearly around 85% accuracy.

Methylglyoxal And Glyoxal In High-Puff Disposable Electronic Cigarette Liquids: Unexpected Accumulation And Enhanced Cytotoxicity, Esther E. Omaiye, Wentai Luo, Kevin J. Mcwhirter, Man Wong, Prue Talbot

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Despite concerns regarding the potential health risks associated with EC use, their design, puff count, and e-liquid formulations have continued to evolve. Aldehydes are a key class of thermal degradation byproducts generated during the vaporization of EC fluids. This study tested the hypothesis that aldehyde concentrations would be elevated in used ECs with high puff numbers. Devices from multiple brands were analyzed to assess the impact of extended use on aldehyde formation. E-fluids were extracted from field-collected and user-donated devices and analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to quantify 178 flavor chemicals, two synthetic coolants, nicotine, solvents, and aldehydes (methylglyoxal (MGO), …

Practical Engineering Design: Hands-On Learning In An Undergraduate Embedded Systems Design Course, Nadieh Moghadam

School of Engineering: Faculty Scholarship

Hands-on engineering design can help bridge the gap between theoretical coursework and real-world engineering practice, particularly during the middle years of undergraduate programs. This paper presents the implementation and outcomes of an open-ended final project in ELEC 310: Embedded Systems Design at the University of San Diego. Student teams designed and prototyped smart environmental monitoring systems using STM32 microcontrollers, selecting sensors and defining system objectives under realistic constraints. Project outcomes were evaluated using prototype demonstrations, team technical reports, and post-project student reflections analyzed through inductive thematic analysis. Reflections and project artifacts suggest that debugging and hardware–software integration functioned as key …

Flourishing, Social Participation And Reintegration Difficulties: A 2-Year Cohort Study Of Us Military Veterans With Invisible Injuries, Nicholas A. Rattray, Mindy Flanagan, Richard M. Frankel, Marina Kukla

Health Services and Informatics Research

Introduction:

Longitudinal research examining community reintegration among military veterans with invisible injuries remains limited, despite widespread recognition that post-separation adjustment encompasses multiple interconnected domains including mental health, physical health, social functioning, and overall well-being. This study investigated associations between changes in reintegration outcomes and changes in health-related quality of life, social support, and flourishing over a two-year period among U.S. military veterans with invisible injuries who separated from service within the previous five years.

Methods:

Seventy-five veterans diagnosed with invisible injuries (post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, traumatic brain injury, or adjustment disorder) completed assessments at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and …

Uranyl Complex Of 1,3-Bis(Ditertbutylphosphinoxidomethyl)Benzene, Maha M. Alotaibi, Md Abdul Goni, Eric Reinheimer, Tasneem A. Siddiquee

Chemistry Faculty Research

This short note presents a new molecule isolated and characterized from the reaction of uranyl nitrate with the PCP-type pincer ligand 1,3-bis(ditertbutylphosphinomethyl)benzene in the presence of UV light under ambient conditions. The new dinuclear uranyl-PCP complex was characterized by using FT-IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. As revealed by the crystal structure, the new complex had oxygen atoms coordinating from the phosphinoxides that were oxidized under ambient conditions. Each uranium atom of this dinuclear complex was found to exhibit pentagonal bipyramidal coordination geometry.

June 9, 2026 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Measurement Discipline For Sustainable Industrial Transition: Frontier Productivity Evidence From Shandong And Jiangsu Manufacturing, 2013-2023, Shaopu Wu, Jianguang Hou, Danlin Yu

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Sustainable industrial transition requires productivity evidence that separates real efficiency improvement from scale expansion, capital deepening, and reporting change. This study develops a reproducible frontier-productivity diagnostic for provincial leading industry policy, using official 2013-2023 sector panels for 23 two-digit manufacturing sectors in Shandong Province and a matched 2019-2023 benchmark against Jiangsu. The framework combines input-oriented Banker-Charnes-Cooper (BCC) data envelopment analysis (DEA), Simar-Wilson bootstrap bias correction, Malmquist total factor productivity change (TFPCH) decomposition, producer price index (PPI) deflation diagnostics, scale-productivity classification, and targeted sensitivity tests. Bootstrap correction lowers mean BCC efficiency from 0.77 to 0.69 in Shandong and from 0.79 to …

Educational Smart Ai Multi-Functional Robot, Chengxu Tang, Jiayan Wen, Bill Zhang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Theses

Over the past decade, advances in embedded computing, robotics frameworks, and AI have significantly lowered the barrier to developing intelligent robotic systems. Some single board computers such as the Raspberry Pi are now capable of running operating systems like Ubuntu and frameworks such as ROS2, allowing us to build robots that can perform tasks including autonomous navigation, computer vision, sensor fusion, and speech interaction. As a result, technologies that were once limited to large research labs are becoming increasingly accessible in educational and lower level research environments.

At the same time, recent developments in AI have changed expectations for how …