Digital Commons Network^™

Torso Synthetic Ct Generation By Integrating Deep Learning And Segmentation For Fdg-Pet/Mr Attenuation Correction, Jin Uk Heo, Robert S. Jones, Theodore Higgins Arsenault, Jennifer Dorth, Tithi Biswas, Raymond F. Muzic Jr

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction. Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance (PET/MR) offers benefits over PET/CT including simultaneous PET and MR acquisition, intrinsic spatial registration accuracy, MR-based functional information, and superior soft tissue contrast. However, accurate attenuation correction (AC) for PET remains challenging as MR signals do not directly correspond to attenuation. Using deep learning algorithms that learn complex relationships, we generate synthetic CT (sCT) from MR for AC. Our novel method for AC, merges deep learning with threshold-based segmentation, to produce an AC map for the entire torso from Dixon MR images, which heretofore has not been demonstrated. Method. Twenty-nine prospectively collected, paired FDG-PET/CT and …

The Transformational Moments Of Online Students In Doctoral Programs: A Lived Experience, Nicole Reid

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the transformational learning experiences of students enrolled in online doctoral programs. Guided by Mezirow’s transformative learning theory, this study addressed the research questions: How do students in online doctoral programs experience transformative moments at public institutions in the United States? How is the curriculum connected to the students’ transformational experiences in online doctoral programs at public institutions in the United States? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with online doctoral students to capture their lived experiences across programs.

Analysis revealed three key findings. First, participants described how program structures, including curriculum design, …

Survival Analysis Of Breast Cancer Patients In Texas Using Classical And Machine Learning Methods, Sidketa Fofana, Tamer Oraby, Salique H. Shaham, Everardo Cobos, Manish K. Tripathi

School of Medicine Publications

Background

Breast cancer is considered one of the most common cancers in women worldwide. In this study, we used an 11-year cohort of malignant breast cancer survival data in Texas to investigate the factors that might explain why some breast cancer patients live longer than others.

Methods

We performed standard survival analyses, including generating Kaplan‒Meier survival curves, using the log-rank test, and applying Cox proportional hazards regression to identify the unique features of breast cancer patients and determine the main factors influencing long-term survival. We also conducted a Random Survival Forest analysis for classification and prediction. Finally, we used Mahalanobis …

Thermal Properties Of Novel Materials, Wilarachchige D.C. Bhagya Gunatilleke

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Thermal properties play an important role in various aspects of applications of technology startingfrom the materials property determinations to device performance improvements and their safety and stability. Measurements of the thermal properties of such materials of interest pose challenges due to the demands of these measurements for determination of intrinsic materials properties. The research included in this dissertation involved both synthesis of novel materials and their measurement of thermal properties. Solid-state materials synthesis involves various synthesis and processing techniques, while specific technological applications demand synthesis of defect-free single crystals. Such synthesis techniques were explored for the research included in this …

Mathematics And Growth Mindset: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Interventions At The Post-Secondary Level, Sean E. Murphy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Growth mindset interventions have been implemented in academic settings for over three decades (C. S. Dweck et al., 1995a). One academic field where growth mindset may be most needed is mathematics, as it is not unusual for a student to claim, “I’m not a math person.” Notably, no meta-analysis of mindset interventions in post-secondary mathematics classrooms existed prior to the current study. To close this gap in the literature, the present study included a systematic review and meta-analysis, drawing on two search methods: Boolean and snowballing. The results from both methods were screened using inclusion/exclusion criteria. Snowballing search was hypothesized …

Middle School Counselors' Perceptions Of Meeting Career Counseling Needs Of Middle School Students, Mario Oscar Garcia

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examined middle school counselors' perceptions of their effectiveness in delivering career counseling to students. Middle school is a pivotal time for career exploration and planning, yet disparities in guidance persist, particularly for students not on a traditional college pathway. Guided by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model, this study employed a survey method. An online survey developed by the researcher assessed counselors' time allocation across academic, career, social-emotional, and duties unrelated to their essential school counseling roles. Additionally, the survey inquired about counselors’ perceived effectiveness in meeting the career needs of diverse student populations (advanced academic, …

Geographic Patterns Of Educational Achievement: A Methodological Case Study Of Regression Modeling Approaches, Leokadia Lipien

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This methodological case study introduces a novel approach to investigate the impact of student, teacher, and geographic factors on the academic achievement of virtual school students in Florida. Traditional linear regression models, and even multilevel models, often overlook spatial dependencies, which can lead to biased estimates and incomplete inferences. This research addresses this limitation by comparing a cross-classified multilevel model (CCMM) with a novel cross-classified spatial model (CCSM) that incorporates coefficients from geographically weighted regression (GWR). Utilizing secondary data from a statewide virtual school, including student demographics, teacher characteristics, and standardized test scores, along with U.S. Census Bureau data, the …

The Simulation Of Hyperspectral Observations By The Upcoming Spacecraft “Arab Satellite 813”, With The Radiative Transfer Model Sciatran, Sara Maher Alhasan

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The space mission “813 Satellite” has been awarded by the UAE Space Agency to the National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) in the UAEU as prime contractor. The 813 satellite is an Arab satellite scheduled for launch in the year 2025. The spacecraft is designed to monitor Earth and climate change dynamics specifically over the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. The outcomes of the 813 Satellite are anticipated to support evidence-based decision-making processes and facilitate the implementation of sustainable environmental management strategies in the MENA region. Consistent with that, the proposed MSc project seeks to contribute to …

Fostering Entrepreneurial Thinking And Practice Through Teaching And Learning Integration, Mohammad G. Sabbir

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

This session explores an innovative, evidence-based approach to integrating entrepreneurial thinking into undergraduate neuroscience education through hands-on gene editing experiences. Using the commercially available Bio-Rad CRISPR/Cas9-based “Out of the Blue” kit for bacterial LacZ gene editing, students are guided not only through the scientific principles underlying modern gene editing technologies but also through the entrepreneurial challenge of replicating and manufacturing the kit using existing lab resources. This model empowers students to extend their learning beyond the classroom by engaging in cost-effective, scalable biotechnology practices—particularly valuable for institutions with limited funding. Classroom-based research demonstrates increased student engagement, deeper conceptual understanding, and …

Engaging With Ai In A Technical Writing Course: A Collaboration Between A Writing Instructor And A Librarian, Isabel Baca, Joy Urbina

HIIT 2025

After describing our collaboration (a Technical Writing Instructor and a Librarian) on teaching students how to use artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen their writing, we will engage attendees by having them reflect and practice with AI. For our workshop presentation, attendees will:

• Learn how a librarian and a writing instructor collaborated to teach students to use AI effectively and ethically in their writing.
• Reflect on how they can incorporate AI in their classroom or workplace.
• Learn how a librarian can help them incorporate AI into their courses.
• Practice using AI and developing their prompt engineering skills.

Our workshop presentation will …

Conditions Of Coherent-Phonon Excitation In Srmnsb2 Films And Crystals, Manita Rai, Sujan Subedi, Hannah E. Aguirre, Hans A. Bechtel, Renee Chapla, Javier Garcia De Castro, Dennis D. Klug, Jinyu Liu, Madison G. Masten, Trung Hieu Nguyen, Thomas J. Rehaag, Yiyi Wang, Zhiqiang Mao, Gavin R. Bell, Darius H. Torchinsky, Christopher Weber

Physics

Excitation of coherent phonons has the potential to dramatically alter the electronic structure of Dirac and Weyl semimetals, enabling sub-picosecond control of their optical and electronic properties. The Dirac semimetal SrMnSb is a candidate for such control, with a coherent-phonon mode that is predicted to close and reopen a gap at the Dirac node. Here, through a series of ultrafast pump-probe experiments, we establish suitable samples and conditions for driving the coherent phonon to high amplitude and attempting to observe the gap’s closure. Films of SrMnSb grown by molecular-beam epitaxy are shown to have phononic properties matching those of bulk …

Physics 2426 Lecture Slides Volume 3, Chapters 3-4: Interference And Diffraction, Raji Kannampuzha Ph.D.

Physics

Lecture slides for PHYS 2426 (University Physics II) were developed using OpenStax Physics Volume II and III from Rice University. These materials were created as part of Collin College’s 2023-2024 OER Faculty Development Grant. Supported by State Farm Insurance Company, these grants are designed to help faculty develop and integrate open educational resources (OER) into their classrooms and expand the use of OER. All materials were peer-reviewed by Collin College faculty and administrators as part of the grant process to ensure quality and alignment with course objectives.

Sunburned Plankton: Ultraviolet Radiation Inhibition Of Phytoplankton Photosynthesis In The Community Earth System Model Version 2, Joshua Coupe, Nicole S. Lovenduski, Luise S. Gleason, Michael N. Levy, Kristen Krumhardt, Keith Lindsay, Charles Bardeen, Clay Tabor, Cheryl Harrison, Kenneth G. Macleod, Siddhartha Mitra, Julio Sepúlveda

Faculty Publications

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage DNA and kill cells. We use laboratory and observational studies of the harmful effect of UV radiation on marine photosynthesizers to inform the implementation of a UV radiation damage function for phytoplankton photosynthesis in a modified version of the Community Earth System Model version 2 (CESM2-UVphyto). CESM2-UVphyto is capable of simulating UV inhibition of photosynthesis among modeled phytoplankton and ocean column penetration of UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C radiation. We conduct a series of simulations with CESM2-UVphyto using the Marine Biogeochemistry Library (MARBL) ecosystem model to understand the sensitivity of phytoplankton productivity to UV radiation. Results …

Physics 2426 Lecture Slides Volume 2, Chapter 6: Gauss's Law, Raji Kannampuzha Ph.D.

Physics

Lecture slides for PHYS 2426 (University Physics II) were developed using OpenStax Physics Volume II and III from Rice University. These materials were created as part of Collin College’s 2023-2024 OER Faculty Development Grant. Supported by State Farm Insurance Company, these grants are designed to help faculty develop and integrate open educational resources (OER) into their classrooms and expand the use of OER. All materials were peer-reviewed by Collin College faculty and administrators as part of the grant process to ensure quality and alignment with course objectives.

Physics 2426 Lecture Slides Volume 2, Chapter 5: Electric Charge And Field, Raji Kannampuzha Ph.D.

Physics

Lecture slides for PHYS 2426 (University Physics II) were developed using OpenStax Physics Volume II and III from Rice University. These materials were created as part of Collin College’s 2023-2024 OER Faculty Development Grant. Supported by State Farm Insurance Company, these grants are designed to help faculty develop and integrate open educational resources (OER) into their classrooms and expand the use of OER. All materials were peer-reviewed by Collin College faculty and administrators as part of the grant process to ensure quality and alignment with course objectives.

Energy Input-Output Meta-Analysis Reveals Algal Diesel Struggles To Break Even (Supplemental Information), Michelle Arnold

Browse all Datasets

1. Algal biofuels have been investigated as an alternative to traditional fossil fuels for transportation in the United States since the 1970s. Yet after five decades of development, scalability and implementation remain limited. To evaluate the state of progress, this study harmonized energy inputs and outputs across 39 papers, encompassing 508 observations on the production of algal biofuel energy return on energy investment (EROEI) in the United States. The analysis produced a mean EROEI of 1.01—essentially the break-even point—irrespective of system boundaries. This is lower than bioethanol (2.8) and far below oil (8.7). Life-cycle analysis results showed that hydrothermal liquefaction in …

The State Of Our Streams: A Land Trust's Approach To Monitoring The Health Of Three Headwater Streams, Lauren Mcgrath

Sustainability Research & Practice Seminar Presentations

Lauren McGrath, Director of Watershed Protection Program, Willistown Conservation Trust, presents "The State of Our Streams: a land trust's approach to monitoring the health of three headwater streams."

Increasing Complexity Leads To Declining Productivity Of Innovation In The Algal Biofuel Industry (Supplemental Information), Michelle Arnold

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Liquid biofuels are widely promoted as renewable, lower-emission alternatives to fossil fuels. Yet despite their promise, this sector faces a critical constraint: a long-term decline in the productivity of innovation. This decline—measured by a decreasing number of patents per inventor—suggests that generating technological breakthroughs is becoming more difficult, expensive, and uncertain. As innovation becomes more resource-intensive, the feasibility of replacing petroleum with liquid biofuels grows more tenuous. This is especially problematic given the pre-existing technical disadvantages of biofuels, including their relatively low energy return on energy investment (EROEI) and energy density compared to fossil fuels. Our findings show that the …

Investigating The Relationship Between Noun Classes And Plant Folk Taxonomy In Chasu Language Of Kilimanjaro Region In Tanzania, Peter Rabson Mziray

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The current study investigates the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu (G 22). The study focuses on two objectives: the first objective is to describe the plant folk taxonomy in Chasu and the second objective is to determine the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu. Data were collected from rural villages in Same and Mwanga districts by using free listing, field interviews (jungle-walk-and-identify), and written texts containing Chasu plant names. The findings reveal that Chasu folk taxonomy reflects different ethnobotanical categories; including a unique beginner which is mmea/mimea ‘plant(s)’, and three life …

Computational Data Analysis, Kathryn S. Biles

LSU Master's Theses

Data science has emerged as a cornerstone of innovation, shaping an ever-expanding range

of professional careers. As technology advances and the volume of data expands expo-

nentially, the ability to extract meaningful insights from data has become indispensable

across industries. Far from representing a single career path, data science enables profes-

sionals in nearly every domain to make informed decisions, optimize systems, and drive

innovation. Yet, many high school students and incoming college freshmen have limited

exposure to data science fundamentals or the career opportunities they unlock. This is

the gap that Computational Data Analysis, a high school-level curriculum I …

Data Accompanying "Landscape Composition Surrounding Restoration Projects Modulates Use By Wildlife: A Case Study Of Mule Deer In Utah", Jaylin Solberg

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With mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), hereafter, deer, populations in decline, wildlife managers have increased their efforts to improve factors that limit population growth. In the State of Utah (hereafter, Utah), these efforts have included habitat restoration which is expected to improve environmental conditions for deer. Some of these efforts include pinon-juniper removal, prescribed burning, and spraying of invasive plant species. Although previous work has demonstrated the local impacts of restoration on deer populations, it is unknown how the environmental conditions in the landscape surrounding restoration treatments may modify local restoration impacts. Identifying how both local and landscape-scale conditions influence deer …

Circulating Levels Of Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (Igf-I) And Risk Ofmultiple Myeloma: An Observational And Mendelian Randomisation Study, Yolanda Benavente, Sara Hermosa, Nikos Papadimitriou, Alyssa I. Clay-Gilmour Ph.D., Elizabeth E. Brown, Jonathan N. Hofmann, Nathaniel Rothman, Qing Lan, Sonja I. Berndt, Demetrius Albanes, Mark Purdue, Mitchell J. Machiela, Stephen J. Chanock, Parveen Bhatti, Wendy Cozen, Aaron Norman, Susan L. Slager, James R. Cerhan, Vincent Rajkumar, Shaji J. Kumar, Et. Al.

Faculty Publications

Evidence for an association between insulin-like growth factors (IGF) and multiple myeloma (MM) is inconsistent. We examined total IGF-I concentrations and risk of MM by combining baseline serological data among UK Biobank participants (n = 444 187; 732 incident MM) with a two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis using identified genetic variants associated with circulating total IGF-I and IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) in the InterLymph consortium (2434 MM and their 2567 controls). Finally, additional lymphoid neoplasm (LN) subtypes were included for comparison with the main hypothesis. Circulating IGF-I level was positively associated with MM risk Hazard ratio-HR-per one standard deviation-SD-increase …

Research Experiences For Students At Njit & Nsf Fall 2025, Cristo Leon

STEM for Success Resources

No abstract provided.

Lexical Density And Readability Of Reading Texts In English For Nusantara Eight Grade Textbook, Amin Basir, Hanifa Nurliasari, Sutiadi Rahmansyah, Hendi Hidayat

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

Reading is crucial for learning as it allows students to comprehend texts across various subjects. Effective texts play a significant role in enhancing students' reading skills. To determine suitable reading materials for students, evaluating lexical density and readability is essential. This study examines the lexical density and readability of reading passages in the “English for Nusantara” textbook used by eighth-grade students. A qualitative descriptive method and content analysis were used in this research, by analyzing 20 selected texts from each chapter of the textbook. The study aims to (1) assess the lexical density of the selected passages, (2) evaluate their …

Advancing Road Safety Through Data Integration, Location Accuracy, And Risk-Based Route Optimization, Lars Skaug

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This dissertation advances transportation safety through three interconnected contributions that address fundamental challenges in crash data analysis and application. First, we present a comprehensive survey of road crash analysis methodologies, tracing the evolution from traditional statistical approaches to modern machine learning techniques while identifying critical gaps between research sophistication and practical implementation. This survey reveals that while methodological advances have been substantial, ongoing data quality issues, particularly in location accuracy and completeness, limit the effectiveness of even the most sophisticated analytical approaches.

Building on these findings, we develop a novel system to validate and correct crash location data using multi-modal …

Elucidating The Effects Of Water Activity On The Hydration Kinetics And Thermodynamics Of Ye’Elimite–Calcium Sulfate Hydrate Systems, Godwin I. Ogbuehi, Rupack R. Halder, Aditya Kumar, Gaurav Sant, Monday U. Okoronkwo

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Relative humidity and water activity (aH) reductions have been known to suppress the hydration of anhydrous cement clinker phases. However, the relationship between ye'elimite (C4A3$) hydration kinetics and water activity remain unclear. This study employs experimental and thermodynamic modeling approaches to investigate the influence of water activity on ye'elimite hydration in the "C4A3$ + water", and "C4A3$ + gypsum + water" systems. Experimental findings indicate that as water activity decreases, C4A3$ hydration diminishes until the reaction is brought to a halt at a threshold aH. The critical aHand corresponding solubility constant of C4A3$ (KC4A3S¯) estimated from thermodynamic analysis are 0.46 …

A Generalized Lehmer Conjecture For The Trace Of T ₃, Liubomir Chiriac, Erin Williams

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications and Presentations

The expectation that Ramanujan’s tau function does not vanish, commonly known as Lehmer’s Conjecture, has inspired several extensions to broader settings. In this paper, we focus on one such direction, proposed by Rouse, concerning the non-vanishing of traces of Hecke operators Tn. We refine an algorithm originally introduced by Rouse to resolve the case n = 2, and, together with tools from our earlier work on the case n = 3 in level one, we settle the conjecture for T₃ in full generality. We also discuss an implication of our result for the non-vanishing of all coefficients of the …

The Chinese Research Library In Transition: Yuan Tongli: A Chronicle, Mindi Zhang

Journal of East Asian Libraries

No abstract provided.

Assessing Soil Quality Indicators In Agricultural Fields Of Western Kentucky, Kassidi D. Metcalf, Elizabeth J. Hiter, Sean J. Walters, Anna C. Griggs

Scholars Week

Assessing Soil Quality Indicators in Agricultural Fields of Western Kentucky

Kassidi Metcalf, Elizabeth Hiter, Sean Walters, & Anna Claire Griggs

Mentor Dr. I.P. Handayani

Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Murray, KY, USA

Abstract

Improving soil quality in Western Kentucky has been highlighted as a way to help mitigate the effects of modern agricultural practices and climatic effects. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different cropping and management practices on soil quality indicators for sustainability. The indicators of soil quality focused on in this experiment were soil water holding capacity (SWHC), soil water content …

Shaping The Soil: A Comparison Of Equine, Bovine, And Ungrazed Hay Fields, Brody Ellis Higgs, Taylor Madison Wynn, Scottie Craig Berry

Scholars Week

Shaping the Soil: A Comparison of Equine, Bovine, and Ungrazed Hay Fields

Brody Higgs, Taylor Wynn, and Scottie Berry

Mentor: Dr. Iin. P. Handayani, PhD.

Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky, USA

ABSTRACT

Kentucky raises grazing species for multiple reasons, including food, recreation, and show. The most common of them are equine and bovine. These animals graze many acres across the state of Kentucky and impact soil properties in their pastures. This study was conducted on three pasturelands across Caldwell and Calloway counties in Kentucky. The pastures consisted of a cow pasture, a horse pasture, and a …