Digital Commons Network^™

The Study Of Knee And Ankle Sagittal Plane Angles For On-Court Versus Off-Court Cutting, Alexi Rebecca Hempe

Dissertations and Theses

Lower extremity injuries are common among basketball athletes. Majority of these injuries are non-contact and therefore preventable. While previous research has explored high-risk movements associated with lower extremity injuries, limited research has explored the influence of settings for these movement patterns, particularly on a basketball court. This study aims to examine the knee and ankle joint angles in the sagittal plane of a 90-degree cut for on-court versus off court. Thirteen (13) subjects, four males (19.5 ± 1.0 years of age; 198.8 ± 4.8 cm of height; 198.8 ± 13.8 lbs. of weight) and nine females (19.8 ± 1.5 years …

Childhood Betrayal Trauma And Suicidal Ideation: The Role Of Early Maladaptive Schemas And Interpersonal Problems, Christine Yost

Dissertations and Theses

Betrayal trauma (Freyd, 1996) is a specific form of trauma that occurs when a child is significantly harmed by someone they depend on or trust. Prior research has demonstrated that betrayal trauma is more strongly associated with adverse mental health outcomes than traumas lower in interpersonal betrayal, yet few studies have examined its relationship with suicidal ideation or identified mechanisms that explain this association. The present study tested a path model in a sample of 391 young adults aged 18-34 who endorsed suicidal ideation in the past year. The model examined whether specific early maladaptive schemas (emotional deprivation, social isolation/alienation, …

Domain-Constrained Clustering: A Two-Stage Framework For Muscle Fiber Type Identification, Fanchao Yi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation introduces a novel Two-Stage Clustering Framework for the automated identification of human skeletal muscle fiber types using fluorescence microscopy image intensity data. By integrating two complementary clustering methods, this framework overcomes the subjectivity and labor-intensive nature of traditional manual methods, offering an objective and efficient solution for large-scale muscle physiology research. The initial framework combined Density Peaks Clustering (DPC) with a Gaussian Mixture Model employing a t-distribution (GMM-t). This version was validated by comparing its clustering results with manual counts at the individual subject level. We successfully applied this framework in two published studies \cite{brennan2020,hinkley2023}, demonstrating its practical …

A Unified Thermodynamic Framework For Regime Discovery, Entropy-Aware Optimization, And Emergent Leadership In Flocking Systems, Victor Nkwocha

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This thesis presents a unified framework for modeling, optimizing, and analyzing collective behavior in flocking systems through a thermodynamic and statistical lens. In the first study, we employ entropy-regularized Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM) to identify distinct thermodynamic regimes—ordered, transitional, and disordered—based on the energy and entropy profiles of simulated agent-based flocks. The second study introduces the Organic Adaptive Flocking Algorithm (OAFA), a biologically inspired, entropy-aware extension of the Boids model. OAFA dynamically adjusts rule weights based on local entropy signals and is optimized via a multi-objective NSGAII framework to balance cohesion, separation, energy efficiency, and disorder. Results show that entropy …

‘‘I Am Not This, Not Here, This Time’’: Claudia Emerson’S Infusion Suite As A Compelling Account Of The Lived Experience Of Cancer, Chris Foss

English & Linguistics Articles

Claudia Emerson’s Infusion Suite section within her poetry collection Impossible Bottle is a significant contemporary literary representation of cancer. In this twelve-poem sequence, Emerson dispenses with the typical martial metaphors so often used to represent this lived experience. Instead, she focuses on more mundane everyday moments in a way that acknowledges and respects the humanity of all those at the treatment center—especially that of the patients. Emerson refuses to airbrush out the daunting, debilitating aspects of cancer, but she also preserves space for light and life.

In Re Marla C Martin, Northern District Of Illinois Bankruptcy Court

Historical and Topical Legal Documents

No abstract provided.

Leveraging Snomed Ct For Patient Cohort Identification Over Heterogeneous Ehr Data, Xubing Hao, Yan Huang, Licong Cui, Xiaojin Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

SNOMED CT is extensively employed to standardize data across diverse patient datasets and support cohort identification, with studies revealing its benefits and challenges. In this work, we developed a SNOMED CT-driven cohort query system over a heterogeneous Optum® de-identified COVID-19 Electronic Health Record dataset leveraging concept mappings between ICD-9-CM/ICD-10-CM and SNOMED CT. We evaluated the benefits and challenges of using SNOMED CT to perform cohort queries based on both query code sets and actual patients retrieved from the database, leveraging the original ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM as baselines. Manual review of 80 random cases revealed 65 cases containing 148 true positive …

Identifying The Feasible Maximum Contaminant Level For Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances That Ensures Health And Safety While Maintaining Affordability And Equity Of Drinking Water And Implementation Of That Maximum Contaminant Level Within California By The State Water Resources Control Board, Jennifer Aguilar

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a large group of man-made substances that do not occur naturally in the environment and are resistant to heat, water, oil, grease, and stains. PFAS has been used since the 1940s in a variety of commercial products including non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, paper products, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, industrial firefighting foams, and products that resist grease, water, and oil. While 97% of the U.S. population has been shown to have some level of PFAS within their blood, long term exposure to PFAS is potentially harmful to health. Individuals who are exposed regularly have been …

Leveraging Gpt-4o For Automated Extraction Of Neural Projections From Scientific Literature, Rashmie Abeysinghe, Gorbachev Jowah, Licong Cui, Samden D Lhatoo, Guo-Qiang Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is a major cause of death for epilepsy patients having uncontrolled seizures. Understanding the complex neural circuits within the central nervous system is crucial for understanding the mechanisms underlying cardiorespiratory regulation, particularly in the context of SUDEP. This study explores the potential of GPT-4o, a cutting-edge language model, to automate the extraction of neural projections from scientific literature. We developed prompts to extract neuroscientific structures, extract projections, and perform synonym harmonization. Applying the approach to four neuroscientific articles, the method extracted 205 projections. A random sample of 100 projections identified was handed over to …

Indigenous Vs Western Land Management Strategies In The Pacific Islands, Catherine Farley

Pomona Senior Theses

This paper explores the critical role of sustainable land management in the Pacific Islands, focusing on its intersection with climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and cultural preservation. Indigenous land management practices, shaped over generations, are integral in maintaining ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, soil fertility, clean water, and coastal protection. These methods not only enhance resilience to climate change but also preserve species crucial for food security and cultural practices. By comparing traditional and Western land management strategies, this research suggests ways to integrate modern technology with indigenous knowledge to improve adaptive capacity. The paper addresses the gap in …

Humans Among Giants: Urban Vitality And Implications Of Vertical Development In Hong Kong, Laura Jaramillo

Pomona Senior Theses

This thesis explores the complex relationship between vertical urbanism and street life, using Hong Kong as a case study to investigate how human-scale urbanism persists and adapts amidst the dominance of skyscrapers. While vertical structures symbolize modernity, economic growth, and global influence, they often overshadow the vibrancy and social connectivity that characterize ground-level spaces. This research draws on the theoretical frameworks of Jane Jacobs, David Harvey, and David Sibley to examine the interplay between vertical urbanism and street life, focusing on how spatial design impacts community engagement and cultural vibrancy. By analyzing the coexistence of modern skyscrapers and traditional street-level …

Modified N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysts For Polyurethane Synthesis, Charise D. Young

Pomona Senior Theses

Polyurethanes are widely used polymers synthesized from diisocyanate and diol molecules. They are ubiquitous polymeric materials with important industrial applications. Their increasing market value prompts the need for selective and efficient production which can be achieved through N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis. N-heterocyclic carbenes are heterocyclic molecules containing a carbene atom and at least one nitrogen adjacent to the carbene center. The nitrogen substituents on the adjacent nitrogen play an important role in influencing their steric and electronic properties and resultant reactivity.^1,2 There is a lack of a comprehensive understanding of the steric and electronic properties of NHCs and how …

Optimizing And Scaling Up Tcfh–Nmi Pyrrole Acylation For Organic Syntheses, Grant H. Miller

Pomona Senior Theses

Traditional ketone synthesis often depends on toxic reagents and hazardous solvents, which limits its scalability and environmental compatibility. The TCFH–NMI method has shown strong potential for amide, ester, and thioester formation, but its use in ketone synthesis has only been recently described, and only on small scales. This thesis addresses that gap by optimizing a scalable synthesis of 2-(monomethyl succinyl)-3,5-dimethylpyrrole using monomethyl succinate and 2,4-dimethylpyrrole as model substrates. Key reaction parameters were systematically refined to improve yield, reproducibility, and sustainability. The final protocol avoids chromatography, operates at room temperature, and consistently delivers high yields. These features position it as a …

Huchum: The Legacy Of Fire Suppression, Indigenous Land Management, And Media Representation, Carolyn Coyne

Pomona Senior Theses

In my thesis, I examine how various forms of news media from the 1900s to present day in Ohlone territory have framed a particular hegemonic ideology around fire that matches early colonial journal entries – an ideology that is fueled by fear, sensationalism, and exclusion and directly commits violence against the Ohlone people. I investigate this time period because this is when modern news corporations, like The New York Times, rose into prominence. Specifically, I question how media representations of fire inform regulations over controlled burns; what are the similarities in discourse between media framing and policy? What tactics are …

Swimming In Sh*T: Quantifying Lagoon Flushing Impacts On Fecal Indicator Bacteria In Surf Zones Of Three Beaches On The East End Of Long Island, Ny, Brody C. Eggert

Pomona Senior Theses

This thesis investigates how lagoon flushing influences fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) concentrations—specifically enterococcus bacteria—in the surf zones of East Hampton and Southampton, New York. Focusing on the coastal lagoons of Georgica Pond, Sagg Pond, and Mecox Bay, the study analyzes how episodic inlet openings and environmental conditions affect enterococcus levels at adjacent recreational beaches. Using over 700 observations from the Surfrider Foundation’s Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) database, I construct a series of statistical models ranging from ordinary least squares to mixed effects frameworks; this thesis shows my process in developing this model. My analysis reveals that open inlets between …

“Nice To See You”: Addressing Plant Awareness Disparity With Locally Specific Ecological And Cultural Plant Education, Cecilia Muecke

Pomona Senior Theses

Plants form the basis of life on Earth. However, due to the phenomenon of plant awareness disparity, a self-perpetuating cycle whereby plants are overlooked on an individual and global level ensues. Lack of plant awareness leads to a lessened emphasis on plants in sustainability and conservation as well as biology education, resulting in negative impacts on biodiversity and food security. The severity of plant awareness disparity is dependent on cultural context, and Indigenous and/or traditional societies are less likely to experience plant awareness disparity because of they are typically more connected to plants for their everyday needs. Native plants are …

The Chthulucene Is Colonial Ecology: Ontology And Ethics In Anti-Colonial Environmental Theory, Aaron Morgan

Pomona Senior Theses

This thesis interrogates the movement from ontology (what things are) to ethics (what one should do) in the context of environmental theory and settler colonialism. From new materialism to posthumanism, theorists within the “ontological turn” aim to overcome the anti-ecological foundations of modern philosophy (e.g., dualisms of nature and society, matter and meaning, body and mind). Contra dualism, critical environmental theorists argue that relational ontologies can produce more ecologically responsible ethical frameworks, affects, and values. In this thesis, I focus on appeals to climate anxiety and ecological urgency as two common discursive formations that function to redirect philosophical accounts of …

Rwanda's Natural Remedies: A Fresh Look At The Fight Against Malaria, Leandre Nsabimana Ndisanze

Pomona Senior Theses

Malaria remains one of the most devastating parasitic diseases globally, disproportionately affecting sub-Saharan Africa, where Rwanda continues to face high transmission rates and rising resistance to conventional interventions. Despite decades of control efforts, the emergence of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum and insecticide-resistant Anopheles mosquitoes threatens to reverse recent gains. This research responds to the urgent need for sustainable and culturally relevant alternatives by exploring the therapeutic potential of Rwandan traditional medicinal plants. These indigenous remedies, long used by local healers, offer an underexplored reservoir of bioactive compounds that may provide the basis for novel antimalarial drugs.

The central hypothesis of this …

Art As Witness: Carrying Christian Iconographies In The Works Of Henry Ossawa Tanner During The Gilded Age To Contemporary Autobiographical Testimonial Art, Ziona King

Pomona Senior Theses

Culminated in a solo exhibition of three works titled the prodigal daughter and The Great High Priest, Baptism, and The Lord of Hosts, this research explores the implications of the Christian methodologies and iconographies in the works of Henry Ossawa Tanner to influence testimonial artwork containing personal Christian iconographies of water baptism, spiritual encounter in everyday life, the lion of Judah, bowls, and more interpretive motifs.

Identifying Acute Myeloid Leukemia Subtypes Based On Pathway Enrichment, Ling Zhong, Jiangti Luo, Junze Dong, Xiang Yang, Xiaosheng Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults and the second most common in children. Despite the introduction of targeted therapies, AML survival rates have shown limited improvement, particularly among older patients. This study explored personalized treatment strategies for AML by proposing a novel subtyping method. Through unsupervised clustering based on the enrichment scores of 14 pathways related to metabolism, immunity, DNA repair, and oncogenic signaling, we identified three AML subtypes: DNA repair (DR), immune-enriched (ImE), and immune-deprived (ImD), consistent in four independent datasets. DR is marked by high expression of DNA repair and …

Student Success Stories Jan 2025: Defining Student Success, Paul E. Mabrey Iii

Student Success Analytics

Presentation to the JMU community from Student Success Analytics. This session focused on defining student success.

Creating A Short-Form Label Avoidance Measure: A Psychometric, Julia Johanna Cameron

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Stigma is a commonly reported barrier to receiving treatment for mental health concerns. One aspect of stigma, label avoidance, specifically addresses the stigma involved when individuals deny their status as having a mental illness and avoid institutions that may mark them as someone with a mental illness. Despite the importance of label avoidance for understanding treatment seeking, there does not currently exist a psychometrically sound measure of label avoidance. In order to address this gap, the present study used a revised and shortened form of a preliminary measure of label avoidance, the LAM-16, to collect psychometric data over two time …

Climate Goodbyes: Reporting On Loss, Change And The Human Response In Montana, Madeline Jorden

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This portfolio explores how climate-driven environmental change intersects with long-standing tensions over natural resource management, tribal sovereignty, and rural identity in Montana. It consists of three stories: a historically low water year at Flathead Lake that intensified disputes between tribal dam operators and non-tribal waterfront homeowners; the first confirmed presence of invasive smallmouth bass in the Bitterroot River, signaling warming stream conditions and ecological disruption; and a political narrative from Colstrip, where coal industry workers cling to promises of revival amid economic and regulatory decline. Each piece illustrates how climate change acts not only as an environmental force but also …

Development And Validation Of A Subject-Specific Integrated Finite Element Musculoskeletal Model Of Human Trunk With Ergonomic And Clinical Applications, Farshid Ghezelbash, Amir Hossein Eskandari, Amir Jafari Bidhendi, Aboulfazl Shirazi-Adl, Christian Lariviere

Études primaires

Biomechanical modeling of the human trunk is crucial for understanding spinal mechanics and its role in ergonomics and clinical interventions. Traditional models have been limited by only considering the passive structures of the spine in finite element (FE) models or incorporating active muscular components in multi-body musculoskeletal (MS) models with an oversimplified spine. To address those limitations, we developed a subject-specific coupled FE-MS model of the trunk and explored its applications in ergonomics and surgical interventions. A parametric detailed FE model was constructed, integrated with a muscle architecture, and individualized based on existing datasets. Our comprehensive validation encompassed tissue-level responses, …

Budget Recommendations Fy2025-26, Tennessee. Commission On Children And Youth.

Annual Report

No abstract provided.

Academic Support Student Focus Group, Ghilain Kajybwami

Student Success Analytics

Student focus group report on exploring student experiences and strategies around academic support at JMU.

The Role Of Social Media In Students’ Learning: Perceptions From The Us And China, Jia Pang

CGU Theses & Dissertations

In an era where digital technologies permeate nearly every aspect of daily life, social media emerged as a powerful yet contentious tool in education. This study aims to addresses the broader challenge of understanding how social media reshapes student learning experiences, both positively and negatively, in an increasingly interconnected and information-driven world. The theoretical framework of this qualitative study is built on the principles of connectivism and Phillips’s Model. The data sources for this study include interview data from 30 participants in the United States and China, as well as university policy documents related to social media usage from universities …

The Power To Commission: Exploring The Evaluation Capacity And The Transformative Role Of Evaluation Commissioners In The International Development Sector, Ann Marie Castleman

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Evaluation commissioners play a central role in evaluation practice by generating demand for evaluation through issuing calls for evaluation services and managing evaluation contracts (Lemire, Nielsen et al., 2018; Nielsen et al., 2018b), particularly in the international development sector. Yet few competency sets specify the knowledge and skills needed to conduct this work. Even less is known about the evaluation marketplace in the international development sector and the contract mechanisms used to procure evaluation services.

This research explored the capacity to commission evaluation among international nongovernmental organization (INGO) evaluation commissioners, including individual competencies and practices for commissioning an evaluation, factors …

The Effect Of Social Media Use On Academic Procrastination, Mansi Nasair Alsmarah

CGU Theses & Dissertations

This study investigated the effect of TikTok use on academic procrastination among undergraduate students, focusing on the mediating roles of academic self-efficacy and attentional control. TikTok’s popularity among young adults was driven by its short-form videos, infinite scrolling, and algorithmic recommendations, which encouraged prolonged engagement. While the general effects of social media on students had been studied, the specific mechanisms linking TikTok use to academic procrastination remained underexplored. A mixed-methods design was employed to provide a more complete understanding of the phenomenon. Quantitative data were collected from 201 survey responses using validated scales, including the TikTok Addiction Scale, Academic Self-Efficacy …

He Lāhui Ano MaikaʻI Keia: Japanese Immigration And The Intersections Of Ethnicity And Sovereignty In Kalakaua's HawaiʻI, Neal Melela'i Cooper

CGU Theses & Dissertations

The late 19th century was a tumultuous period in Hawaiian history. Characterized by the interrelated questions of royal succession, political sovereignty, and labor immigration, the period of King Kalakaua's reign was the culmination of a building social crisis that had begun the moment American settler-colonials arrived on the shores of the archipelago. Throughout this time, King Kalakaua leveraged his acute political mind to build a coalition of nationalist Hawaiians in order to restore native traditions and seek out allies abroad in the hopes of resisting America's military and economic might. Using the labor supply as a wedge, Kalakaua was able …