Digital Commons Network^™

Thermal Analysis Of The Fiber Fuse Effect, John Seekins

Dissertations

The fiber fuse effect is a self-sustaining damage propagation mechanism that can occur in the core of optical fibers. Under sufficient levels of applied power, laser light is absorbed as heat in the fiber. This phenomenon is characterized by a brightly glowing spot in the fiber that propagates towards the source of laser light at about 1 𝑚/𝑠. A numerical simulation of the fiber fuse effect is developed that solves the transient heat equation with source terms in cylindrical coordinates utilizing an explicit finite difference discretization. For the first time in a simulation of this type, a radiation transport equation …

Aster Remote Sensing Satellite Imagery For Regional Mineral Mapping In The Mcmurdo Dry Valleys, South Victoria Land, Antarctica, Khurram Riaz, Amin Beiranvand Pour, Jabar Habashi, Aidy M. Muslim, Iman Masoumi, Ali Moradi Afrapoli, Mazlan Hashim, Kamyar Mehranzamir, Farshid Sattari

Mining Engineering Faculty Publications

The McMurdo Dry Valleys (DVs) of South Victoria Land, Antarctica, constitute the largest ice-free region on the continent and one of Earth’s most Mars-analog environments. Their hyper-arid polar desert conditions offer a unique setting for investigating surface weathering and mineralogical processes under extreme climates. This study presents the first regional-scale mapping of alteration and crystalline weathering minerals across the McMurdo DVs. It uses Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) multispectral data; visible and near-infrared (VNIR) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) bands were analyzed through a Spectral Hourglass Workflow, endmember extraction, and spectral unmixing with Matched Filtering (MF) and Constrained …

Closing The Loop In Sustainable Fashion: Recycling Textile Waste And Its Environmental, Social, And Consumer Impacts, Anthony Amotoe-Bondzie

Sustainability Program Posters and Papers

Fast fashion has intensified textile waste, emissions, and social inequities across global supply chains. This study examines sustainable fashion frameworks and the role of textile recycling in advancing circularity. It employes a qualitative integrative literature review synthesizing interdisciplinary research on waste streams, recycling technologies, policy instruments, and consumer behavior. However, advanced recycling technologies offer environmental benefits but remain limited in scale. Nonetheless, rising consumption offsets efficiency gains, while economic and behavioral barriers hinder systemic change. Technological innovation alone is insufficient; circular design, regulatory enforcement, and reduced overproduction are essential for sustainable transformation.

Modeling The Vibration Of The Steel Tongue Drum, Rj Chandler

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

In this paper, I plan to analyze the tones and frequencies of a steel tongue drum. I will be modeling the vibration and expected frequency of each tongue of the drum based on the solutions to the plate equation with the following boundary conditions: One fixed edge and three free edges. The fundamental frequencies are recognized as the first mode of longitudinal vibration in combination with the zeroth mode of transverse vibration of a rectangular steel plate clamped at one end. Then the first and second harmonics, which correspond to the first and second overtones respectively, are associated with higher …

Frequency Stabilization Of An Affordable Adjustable Repetition Rate Dual Frequency Comb Spectrometer, Michael Moran

Physics, Astronomy and Geophysics Honors Papers

Two affordably home-built optical frequency combs are stabilized for use in molecular spectroscopy. Each comb is paired with a multi-tiered stabilization scheme that will enable the dual-comb spectrometer to perform precision measurements. The two degrees of freedom for an optical frequency comb, the repetition rate frequency and offset frequency, are accounted for in this stabilization scheme. The repetition rate is directly stabilized through control of the laser enclosure temperature and the fiber laser cavity length. The offset frequency is controlled indirectly via the stabilization of an optical beat note, the heterodyned signal resulting from a narrow linewidth laser and the …

Use Of Ai In Expert Testimony: Understanding The Attorney Perspective, Emma S. Puntin

Psychology Honors Papers

Artificial Intelligence is becoming increasingly incorporated into different aspects of society, including our legal system. AI has potential to enter into legal proceedings through the introduction of its evidence in case and expert witness testimony. Expert witnesses are called to offer knowledge on matters relevant to a case and can vary in specialization. This study aimed to explore how attorneys view experts who use AI and how they would approach this in a courtroom setting. Structured interviews were conducted with ten attorneys from various jurisdictions. During these interviews, attorneys were asked what they have encountered during their work in the …

Pathfinder: The Development And Pursuit Of A Fair And Enjoyable Challenge With Godot, Seamus Jackson

Theses & ETDs

In game development, as a project grows if not properly managed and planned the scope can grow unwieldy. This process leads to technical debt, hindering potential scope and potential avenues forward. This thesis aims to encapsulate the process of rebuilding the original game demo “Pathfinder : The Demolouge” into a more sustainable, modular, and enjoyable finished product through a total remake with the Godot game engine. By approaching the rebuild of the game with a fresh and informed attention to modular and extensible features this task aimed to not only fully realize Pathfinder, but to create a better and more …

Searching For The Floridian Sublime In Contrast : An Exploration Of Atmosphere, Memory, And Place In Contemporary Ink Landscapes, Tereza Koniakovska-Bors

Theses & ETDs

Coming from Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic and a city shaped by a diverse architectural landscape, my experience in Florida has been overwhelmingly influential on my perception of the place and its visual identity. Compared to the historical order of Prague, Florida seems defined by its natural qualities, ecological tensions, and the coexistence of natural forces with modern human life rather than by architectural continuity. Through a series of monochromatic paintings, I aim to capture and explore this distinctive visual atmosphere, inviting viewers to reflect on their own perceptions of Florida’s evolving landscape identity amid ecological and cultural …

Correlation Of Nfl Quarterback Statistics And Attributes To Their Contract’S Monetary Value In 2025, Drew Leavell

Theses & ETDs

‘Examining and Analyzing the Correlation of NFL Quarterback Statistics and Attributes to their Contract’s Monetary Value in 2025’ is more than an observation of correlations without causation. In my thesis, I present the correlation numbers from the gathered research of every active NFL quarterback before the start of the 2025 season minus players on rookie-scale contracts. Furthermore, presented is a best-fit equation that may be used to forecast potential future earnings of quarterbacks. I explain the papers I have researched and explain how I can take value from them to develop a strong conclusion, discuss the considerations and process of …

The Language Of Collaboration: Analogs In Digital Media, Orion Martins

Theses & ETDs

To collaborate is to share meaning together, which is already to collaborate; sharing of meaning defi nes language. This co-emergence of collaboration and language happens through interplay between the known and the unknown—what we expect and what surprises us—held open by trust, which is not a precondition but a leap into uncertainty that allows transformation to emerge. Through three collaborative projects—Palm Bike Court Girl, Unruly Subjects, and Eat My Love—I investigate how this dynamic unfolds in artistic practice, documentary witness, and romantic devotion. Understanding collaboration as the ground of meaning-making matters because learning to hold the tension between known and …

Everything’S Going To Be Ok Implementing A Tiny Virtual Machine, Assembler, And Compiler, Gregory O'Neal

Theses & ETDs

This thesis presents the design and implementation of ok, a stack-based virtual machine intended for educational use that prioritizes ease of implementation and minimal resource usage. The system is formally specified and accompanied by a reference implementation written in C. This thesis also introduces MK2, an assembly-like language targeting this virtual machine, as well as a high-level compiled programming language called nude. Together, these components form a usable programming stack that demonstrates how a beginner-friendly and resource-conscious virtual machine and toolchain can support higher-level software development while remaining accessible for instructional use.

Southern Adventist University Undergraduate Catalog 2025-2026, Southern Adventist University

Catalog, Undergraduate

Southern Adventist University's undergraduate catalog for the academic year 2025-2026.

Competitive Equity In Oregon Interscholastic Athletics: Perceptions Of Public High School Varsity Head Coaches, Samuel Nelson

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This quantitative cross-sectional study examined how Oregon public high school varsity head coaches perceive competitive equity between public and private schools in Oregon School Activities Association athletics. Guided by distributive justice theory, the study explored overall fairness perceptions and structural factors influencing those perceptions. A statewide survey yielded 321 usable responses. The instrument included Likert-scale items measuring perceptions of fairness, resources and staffing, enrollment boundaries, competitive success factors, and policy-based multipliers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, t tests, analysis of variance, and multiple regression. Coaches generally disagreed competition between public and private schools is fair. Structural disparities, …

The Information And Communication Behaviors Of Marcus Garvey And The Universal Negro Improvement Association (Unia), Janet Douglas-Pryce

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Marcus Garvey, social activist and founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in the early twentieth century, has been widely studied for his Pan-African approach to the social upliftment of Black communities during a period marked by segregation and systemic injustice. His messages of empowerment attracted global attention and supported the growth of a movement that reached more than one million members worldwide. While Garvey and the UNIA have been examined from historical, political, and cultural perspectives, they have not been systematically studied through the lens of information and communication behavior. This study examines the information and communication behaviors …

Teaching That Resonates: Reimagining High School Literature Through Real-World Connections, Lizzie Galanis

ENG 490 Senior Seminar Capstone

The current high school literature curriculum is overdue for reform. While classic books have value, teaching them in a modern context is crucial so the lessons can be translated to students’ daily lives. Integrating contemporary texts is essential when reimagining the curriculum because students can relate to them and connect with their themes. This paper analyzes five texts that would meaningfully enhance an updated curriculum. These texts promote real-world connections, interdisciplinary learning, and multicultural exposure. Schools and educators must reassess both what they teach and how they teach it to diversify the content and evolve with the times. Students should …

Community Science For Enigmatic Ecosystems: Using Ebird To Assess Avian Biodiversity On Glaciers And Snowfields, William E. Brooks, Jordan Boersma, Neil Paprocki, Peter Wimberger, Scott Hotaling

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

Mountain glaciers and snowfields are rapidly receding because of climate warming. Species living in these habitats remain poorly studied, likely because of the remoteness and ruggedness of their terrain. We leveraged community science data from eBird—an online database of bird observations from around the world—to characterize bird use of mountain glaciers and snowfields. We estimated total bird biodiversity and preference for glaciers and snowfields over nearby, ice-adjacent habitats. We used field notes from eBird users and breeding codes to extend our data set to include insight into habitat usage and behavior. Finally, we compared our community-science approach to previous studies …

Do Algorithms Dream Of Electric Muses? Teaching Creative Writing In The Age Of Generative Ai, Anna Leahy

English Faculty Articles and Research

In Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? androids are given a psychological test to confirm they are not human before killing them. The story’s end suggests that humans will treat a seemingly harmless android as authentically as a human even when humans are aware the android is not human. Students use tools like ChatGPT, which function as autocomplete on steroids, to produce text using probabilistic relationships among words, and instructors can’t always tell the difference between average student writing and Gen AI text. In creative writing classes, instructors might use thinking for oneself as a central …

Insights Into Sustainability: Exploring Undergraduates' Understanding Of Food Energy Water Nexus Connections To Climate Change, Amanda D. Manzanares, Lydia R. Horne, Emily A. Royse, Caterina Azzarello, Meghann E. Jarchow, Daniel L. Druckenbrod, Nicholas L. Babin, Nurcan Atalan-Helicke, Shirley Vincent, Steven W. Anderson, Chelsie Romulo

SPS Student Publications

Purpose

Interdisciplinary environmental and sustainability programs integrate a diverse curriculum that exposes students to the interconnectedness of environmental systems, such as climate change and the Food-Energy-Water Nexus and fosters a holistic understanding of sustainability. However, students’ prior knowledge, alternative conceptions and knowledge gaps can impact student learning. Therefore, the purpose of this study aims to: 1) uncover how students’ knowledge about the relationships between food, energy and water systems relate to their understanding about climate change and 2) reveal what concepts students focus on and potential gaps and/or alternative conceptions in their knowledge. Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data from 115 …

The Relationship Between Implementation Of Effective Schools Practices, School Performance, And Improvement, Kelly Mchugh Massinople

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Effective schools frameworks describe the evidence-based practices implemented at schools, including those with disproportionately high levels of students living in poverty, that have high levels of student achievement (Edmonds, 1979; Lezotte, 1982; Lezotte & McKee Snyder, 2010; Padilla et al., 2020; Sammons et al., 1995). This study examined the relationship between the implementation of effective schools practices, as described in the research, and school performance and school improvement, as reported in state accountability indicators. The analysis focused on improvement efforts initiated at 21 West Virginia schools identified in the fall of 2022 for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) under the …

Ai In The Workplace: Understanding Role Ambiguity, Employee Motivation, And Learning Engagement, Sheena Leah Metzger

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into organizational processes has altered how work is performed and experienced by employees, yet empirical research examining the human implications of AI-driven change remains limited. This study examined the perceived impact of AI implementation on role ambiguity, employee motivation, and training engagement, and investigated the moderating role of perceived organizational support (POS). Grounded in Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) Theory and Organizational Support Theory (OST), the research examined how employees interpreted and responded to AI-related changes in their work environment.

The results offer valuable insights into a shifting perception of how employees experience technology in …

Asymptotic Profiles And Disease Prevalence At The Steady State For An Sis Patch Model, Daozhou Gao, Xin Li

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications

Infected individuals often display mobility patterns that differ significantly from those of healthy individuals-traveling less frequently, covering shorter distances, visiting fewer destinations, and altering their timing and modes of movement. In this paper, to explore the influence of changes in travel frequency and destination on the spatial spread of infectious diseases, we propose a susceptible-infectious-susceptible patch model in which susceptible and infected populations have different dispersal rates and connectivity matrices. We first establish the threshold dynamics in terms of the basic reproduction number R-0 and show the existence and uniqueness of endemic equilibrium (EE) when R-0>1. Then we examine …

Nebraska Statewide Groundwater-Level Monitoring Report 2025, Aaron R. Young, Mark E. Burbach, Sue Olafsen Lackey, Robert Matthew Joeckel, Jeffrey Westrop

Conservation and Survey Division: Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Literacy Professional Development: Evidence-Based Practices And Insights From Virginia, Meleah Ellison, Shelby Garofalo, Vanessa Sekinger, Joan A. Rhodes, Sharrie Merritte, Maggie Szydlowski, Meera Mehtaji, Valerie Robnolt, Thea Racelis

MERC Publications

This report is part of the MERC Literacy Study. It explores recently published research and publicly accessible professional development (PD) offerings frequently used across the Commonwealth to support the implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA). Findings from this report support the ongoing PD of school staff and relevant partners in the VLA’s purpose of improving literacy outcomes for students in grades K-8 across Virginia.

Characterization Of Tomographic Piv System For Single-Phase Immersion Cooling Applications, Joel Joshua Oommen

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses

As the rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure and High-Performance Computing (HPC) pushes power requirements to new heights, traditional air-cooling methods have become inadequate for modern server demands. Consequently, single-phase immersion cooling (SPIC) has emerged as one of the effective and sustainable alternatives, utilizing dielectric fluids to remove heat through direct contact with electronic components. Despite numerous thermal and reliability studies, the complex three-dimensional movement of buoyant thermal plumes around intricate component shapes are not yet fully understood in confined spaces.

This thesis provides a detailed characterization of Tomo-PIV and a component level experimental study of flow patterns in …

Multimodal Deep Learning For Biological Data Understanding, Saiyang Na

Computer Science and Engineering Dissertations

This dissertation presents three contributions to multimodal deep learning for biological data understanding, addressing the fundamental challenge of cross-modal alignment from two complementary perspectives: designing effective multimodal fusion methods for specific biomedical applications, and proposing a general framework for higher-order multimodal alignment that captures hierarchical structure in data.

First, we develop Cmai, a deep learning framework for B cell receptor (BCR) to antigen binding prediction that aligns BCR sequence information with antigen three-dimensional structures using contrastive learning. Cmai achieves an average AUROC of 0.907 across 17 antigens and 5 independent cohorts, and demonstrates clinical utility in predicting immune checkpoint inhibitor …

Using Herbarium Specimens To Morphologically Delineate Three Western Phlox Species, Jack David Hager, Meredith Zettlemoyer

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Western Phlox are incredibly diverse, found in a variety of habitats spanning lowland meadows to high alpine tundra. The genus contains around 65 unique species, often with overlapping trait variation that makes morphological and taxonomic delineation difficult. Phlox missoulensis, a cushion-forming species endemic to the Missoula Valley, inhabits lower-elevation, windy, arid ridgelines that mimic alpine conditions. Two nearby congeners, Phlox kelseyi and Phlox pulvinata, occupy partially overlapping ecological niches: P. kelseyi is found in wet meadows at similar elevations to P. missoulensis, while P. pulvinata is found in higher elevation environments. P. missoulensis exhibits morphological characteristics that are intermediate between …

2025-2026 Common Data Set, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Common Data Sets

This document contains data compiled by the SWOSU Office of Institutional Research for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Unveiling Microplastic Removal And Characteristics In Wastewater From Two Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facilities In Indonesia, Nurul Setiadewi, Prayatni Soewondo, Cynthia Henny

Applied Environmental Research

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered an entrance pathways for microplastic (MP) pollution in aquatic environments. This study reveals the removal and characteristics of MPs in wastewater from two municipal WWTPs in Indonesia. The influent contained 17.1 ± 5.65 particles L-1 (WWTP A) and 15.45 ± 4.31 particles L-1 (WWTP B), whereas the effluent contained 1.41 ± 0.01 and 1.5 ± 0.16 particles L-1. The removal efficiency was 91.75% for WWTP A and 90.32% for WWTP B, with no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). WWTP A employed advanced treatment units, whereas WWTP B used a conventional pond-based system. MPs were …

Assessment Of The Influence Of Human Activities On The Occurrence Of Forest Fires In Thailand Via Multiple Linear Regression (Mlr), Sittipong Ruktamatakul, Jirarat Insuk, Benjaporn Pinwongpet, Sarisa Ruktametakul, Pornpis Yimprayoon

Applied Environmental Research

Forest fires represent one of the most critical environmental challenges in Thailand, with impacts varying depending on forest type, fuel characteristics, terrain conditions, fire intensity, and the frequency of fire occurrence on the same landscape. While forest fires can contribute to ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, and the depletion of natural resources, such effects are not uniformly severe across all forest ecosystems. Understanding the human-induced factors contributing to forest fire occurrence is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies and promoting sustainable forest management. This study aimed to identify the anthropogenic factors influencing forest fire areas in Thailand via multiple linear regression …

Effect Of Chromium Doping On The Uv- And Sunlight-Driven Photocatalytic Performance Of Srtio3, Ro’Ikhatul Jannah, Dianisa Khoirum Sandi, Fahru Nurosyid, Risa Suryana, Didier Fasquelle, Yofentina Iriani

Applied Environmental Research

Chromium (Cr)-doped strontium titanate (SrTiO3, STO) photocatalysts with compositions of SrTi1-xCrxO3 (x = 0, 5, and 10%) were prepared via the coprecipitation method. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Cr doping on structural, morphological, and optical properties. Furthermore, this work aimed to examine the photocatalytic performance of pure and Cr-doped STO against methylene blue (MB) degradation under ultraviolet (UV) and sunlight exposure. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of the cubic STO phase and the insertion of the Cr dopant in the STO structures. Furthermore, Cr doping reduced the lattice constant, crystallite size, and average particle size and narrowed …