Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating The Impact Of Waterhead, Time And Temperature On Dam Displacement: Application Of Computer Aided Models, Maaz Abdullah

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

Dam displacement is a crucial indicator for assessing the safety of a concrete dam through structural health monitoring. Since the displacement data exhibits a non-linear and complex relationship with influencing factors like waterhead, time and temperature, machine learning models are deployed to accurately predict dam displacement. Furthermore, the limited availability of monitored data in the majority of the dams renders the studies conducted with a large number of observations valueless. In order to address the aforementioned issues, this study proposes a feature selection approach to predict dam displacement by examining the ability of four ensemble machine learning models on different …

Investigating The Differential Effects Of Smote Variants On Class Imbalance And Exploring Their Applicability To A Thalassemia Prediction Model, Hussam Mezher Merdas, Ayad Hameed Mousa

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

Researchers work around the clock on many datasets provided by various institutions. These researchers strive to come up with highly efficient Artificial Intelligence models. Often, researchers face the problem of imbalance in the distribution of classes in a particular feature in the selected dataset, which creates an Artificial Intelligence model biased towards one class at the expense of another class that is no less important than the first. On the other hand, thalassemia is a disease that affects people of different ages. The degree of disease varies according to the thalassemia class. This study proposes an improved Machine Learning model …

Large Language Model Enabled Mental Health App Recommendations Using Structured Datasets, Kris Prasad, Md Abdullah Al Hafiz Khan

Symposium of Student Scholars

The increasing use of large language models (LLMs) in mental health support necessitates detailed evaluation of their recommendation capabilities. This study compares four modern LLMs—GPT-4o, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, and dataset-enhanced Gemma 2 and GPT-3.5-Turbo—in recommending mental health applications. We constructed a structured dataset of 55 mental health apps using RoBERTa-based sentiment analysis and keyword similarity scoring, focusing on depression, anxiety, ADHD, and insomnia. Standard LLMs demonstrated inconsistent accuracy and often relied on outdated or generic information. In contrast, our retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipeline enabled lower-cost models to achieve up to 55% higher accuracy than baseline models while recommending apps with …

Properties Of Eigenvalues Of The Fractal Laplacian, Eric Stachura, Andrew Chincea

Symposium of Student Scholars

We investigate the properties of the eigenvalues of the fractal Laplacian. We begin by defining the fractal Laplacian operator in one dimension and formulate the corresponding Dirichlet eigenvalue problem. Analytical solutions are obtained for specific fractal parameters, and computational results illustrate the structure of eigenvalues and their associated eigenfunctions. We extend our analysis to two dimensions using separation of variables. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how fractal geometry affects the spectral characteristics of differential operators.

Older Groundwater Reservoirs In Nebraska, Marvin P. Carlson, Steven S. Sibray

Conservation and Survey Division: Faculty and Staff Publications

Sedimentary rocks below Nebraska's regional water table are saturated down to the crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks of Precambrian age. The total thickness of these sedimentary rocks ranges from about 600 feet to over 10,000 feet. Nearly all current wells in Nebraska produce water from the near-surface, unconsolidated or partly consolidated rocks. Most studies to date -- interpretive reports, test drilling, inventory of wells, monitoring water levels, and water quality determinations -- have concentrated on these near-surface sources of groundwater.

Opioid Epidemic In Maine: An Analysis Of Increasing Overdose-Related Deaths Following The Coronavirus, Aysel S. Hamlin

Thinking Matters Symposium

The rate of drug overdose resulting in death doubled in Maine following the COVID-19 pandemic from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019 through 2022. The correlation between increased isolation during the pandemic and overdose death rates sheds a concerning light on the insufficient resources for people struggling with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) throughout Maine. The increasing trade and access to fentanyl following the pandemic accounted for the majority of drug-related deaths in Maine in 2021 and 2022. This study examines the need for long-term access to drug treatment in rural and urban Maine, both environments with varying …

Enhancing The Accuracy And Performance Of Eye Tracking In Head-Mounted Displays, Jason Spencer

Defensive Publications Series

Eye tracking on head-mounted displays (HMDs) is computationally intensive and requires multiple illuminators. The wide gaze angles at which eye-tracking cameras are positioned on HMDs make it difficult to obtain optimally good views of the eye. Further, it is difficult to determine the optical axis of the eye with high accuracy since the human physique does not always conform perfectly with the geometric shapes used to model it. This disclosure describes techniques that can establish the optical axis of the eye by leveraging the refracted view of the pupil under general illumination to infer the shape and position of the …

Predicting Healthcare Service Quality Based On A Kalman-Optimized Bi-Lstm-Inspired Deep Learning Model, Mohammed K. Al-Khafaji, Eman S. Al-Shamery

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Health is one of the most important aspects of human well-being, and access to high-quality healthcare is essential for a good quality of life. Providing top-level health services at all times is crucial. However, the research in healthcare poses significant challenges due to the diversity and variations of medical practices across different hospitals. This paper aims to tackle the challenge of data missing and scattering during data collection. Then, the quality of services (QoS) offered by healthcare facilities will be analyzed and predicted from the patient's perspective. The model begins preprocessing data by data cleaning, handling missing values, and scattering …

Analytic Hierarchy Process Based Interpretable Decision-Making Structure Of Gpt In Unified Developer Efficiency Modeling, Fuming Guo, Biju Abraham

Defensive Publications Series

The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) based interpretable decision-making structure of Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) in unified developer efficiency modeling. The method includes receiving and preprocessing a plurality of metrics from one or more data sources. The method further generates pairwise comparison scores for each metric of the plurality of metrics. Additionally, an AHP comparison matrix is constructed based on the generated comparison scores. The method further includes performing a consistency check on the comparison matrix to confirm the reliability of the pairwise comparisons. When inconsistencies are identified, the method includes …

The Role Of Individual Values In Bryant University's Sustainability Efforts, John Boccuzzi Iii

Honors Projects in Data Science

This research examines student, faculty, and staff perspectives on sustainability at Bryant University, with the goal of understanding how individual values align with the university's environmental initiatives. The objective is to assess perceptions of Bryant's current sustainability practices, explore how effectively these efforts are communicated across campus, and identify potential gaps between institutional action and community awareness. To achieve this, the study gathers qualitative data through an open-ended survey and applies sentiment analysis to interpret student attitudes toward sustainability. By analyzing these responses alongside Bryant's sustainability marketing efforts, this research will identify gaps between student engagement and institutional messaging The …

Promoting Sustainable Drinking Water Consumption At Bryant University, Matthew Gerdenich

Honors Projects in Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Many higher education institutions have either banned or restricted the sale of disposable plastic water bottles to address environmental pollution and climate change. This project seeks to gather knowledge and data related to disposable water bottle consumption at Bryant University that can be used to provide recommendations for promoting reusable water bottle use on campus. Additionally, the project seeks to find out why community members choose single-use water bottles over reusables ones and how to make reusable water bottle use more attractive and accessible. Primary research included a survey distributed to undergraduate students on campus as well as water samples …

Commonwealth Times 2025-04-30

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Evolution Of Global Warming Discourse: A Twitter-Based Analysis Across The United States, United Kingdom, And India, Trevor Christensen

Honors Projects in Data Science

Global warming has gained increasing attention over the past decade, with public discourse intensifying on social media platforms, particularly on Twitter. This increased discussion stems from political controversies surrounding climate change and the rise in extreme weather events. This study explores the evolution of global warming discourse on Twitter, with a focus on the United States, United Kingdom, and India. This research used a dataset of historical tweets ranging from 2010 to 2023 containing the keyword "global warming." Using natural language processing (NLP) techniques such as emotion analysis, word cloud visualization, and topic modeling (LDA), approximately twenty-eight million tweets were …

Utah State University Commencement, 2025 – Blanding Campus, Utah State University

Commencement Programs

2025 Commencement Ceremony for the Blanding Campus of Utah State University.

Testing For Normality In Regression Models: Mistakes Abound (But May Not Matter), Stephen Midway, J. Wilson White

Faculty Publications

This study examines the misuse of normality tests in linear regression within ecology and biology, focusing on common misconceptions. A bibliometric review found that over 70% of ecology papers and 90% of biology papers incorrectly applied normality tests to raw data instead of model residuals. To assess the impact of this error, we simulated datasets with normal, interval, and skewed distributions across various sample and effect sizes. We compared statistical power between two approaches: testing the whole dataset for normality (incorrect) versus testing model residuals (correct) to determine whether to use a parametric (t-test) or nonparametric (Mann-Whitney U test) method. …

Synthesis Of Surface Bound Ligands Through Click Chemistry For A Tethered Catalyst System Towards The Reduction Of Carbon Dioxide, Emma J. Goehner

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) offers a promising strategy for reducing excess atmospheric CO₂ by converting it into valuable chemical products. This process can be catalyzed by transition metal complexes, particularly those with extended aromatic ligands such as terpyridines which coordinate with metals in a tridentate fashion. When tethered to an electrode, the terpyridine-metal catalyst complex allows for stable binding and reusability without the need for chemical separation to recover the catalyst. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of (3-bromopropyl) phosphonic acid were formed on copper surfaces, enabling attachment of terpyridine ligands through a click reaction between a …

Bibliometric Analysis Of Swimming Learning Models For Students (2002-2024): Trends, Gaps, And Future Directions, Sandra Arhesa, Amung Ma'mun, Andreas J. F. Lumba, Jusuf Blegur, Buena D. Calunsag

Jurnal Keolahragaan

Drowning during swimming has become a significant public health concern that urged the World Health Organization to call for all school-aged children to be taught basic swimming skills, water safety, and rescue techniques. In this teaching, efficiency shall be obtained with the help of an effective learning model. This study will investigate the publication trends of research about swimming learning models carried out for students during the last 22 years, from 2002 until 2024, using the data from the Scopus database. The search was carried out on August 7, 2024, by title, abstract, and keywords, using the sets of words …

Community Colleges In Pakistan: Promoting Access And Quality Education, Aisha Naz Ansari, Sohail Ahmad, Sadia Muzaffar Bhutta

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

Inspired by the access-driven mission of U.S. community colleges and their success in reaching underserved student populations—especially in rural areas—a network of five institutions, Community Colleges (CCs), was recently established by a public sector university in Sindh, Pakistan, with provincial government support. While these institutions provide educational opportunities at the K-12 level rather than at the postsecondary level and thus differ from community colleges in the U.S. and other countries, Pakistan’s CCs are similar to their global counterparts in that they address issues of access and quality education for marginalized communities, especially in rural contexts; aim to create pathways for …

April 30, 2025 General Faculty Minutes, University Of South Carolina

Faculty Senate

No abstract provided.

Heathy Aging In A Sustainable Manner, Karin Volkwein-Caplan

Sustainability Research & Practice Seminar Presentations

Dr. Karin Volkwein-Caplan, Kinesiology, presents "Healthy Aging in a Sustainable Manner".

Cross-Cultural Adaptation And Psychometric Validation Of The Medication Compliance Questionnaire (Mcq) For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients In Indonesia, Much Ilham Novalisa Aji Wibowo, Angelia Yuliana Safitri, Didik Setiawan

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Medication adherence is critical for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The Medication Compliance Questionnaire (MCQ) is a widely recognized tool for assessing adherence but has not been adapted for T2DM in Indonesia. This study aimed to adapt and validate the MCQ in the Indonesian socio-cultural context.

Methods: A cross-sectional study at community health centers (May–Aug 2024) involved forward/back translation, content validation using Aiken’s V, and psychometric assessment among 230 patients. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) assessed construct validity, including convergent, discriminant, and reliability.

Results: Aiken's V index indicated strong content validity (average = 0.881). EFA identified …

Artificial Intelligence In Orthopedic Medical Education: A Comprehensive Review Of Emerging Technologies And Their Applications, Kyle Sporn, Rahul Kumar, Phani Paladugu, Tejas Sekhar, Swapna Vaja, Tamer Hage, Ethan Waisberg, Chirag Gowda, Ram Jagadeesan, Nasif Zaman, Alireza Tavakkoli

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and mixed reality (MR) into orthopedic education has transformed learning. This review examines AI-powered platforms like Microsoft HoloLens, Apple Vision Pro, and HTC Vive Pro, which enhance anatomical visualization, surgical simulation, and clinical decision-making. These technologies improve the spatial understanding of musculoskeletal structures, refine procedural skills with haptic feedback, and personalize learning through AI-driven adaptive algorithms. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT further support knowledge retention and provide evidence-based insights on orthopedic topics. AI-enabled platforms and generative AI tools help address challenges in standardizing orthopedic education. However, we still face many barriers that relate to standardizing data, …

A Fuzzy Based Framework For Sustainable Technology Selection In Small-Scale Gold Mining Operations, John M. Kafuku

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Small-scale gold mining (SSGM) operations in Tanzania has been operating inefficiently due to inadequate mining processing technologies, poor working tools, lack of enough capital, and insufficient electricity. Despite the efforts made by different stakeholders in boosting the sustainability of SSGM yet the sector has not reached the expected goal. This paper proposes a framework for appropriate technology selection to help small scale gold miners in evaluating various gold mineral processing technologies. The framework utilizes the fuzzy logic set theory for technology evaluation and selection. The developed framework for technology selection upon validation provided results that technology adequacy of more than …

Microwave Ore Pre-Treatment Review And Process Flowsheet Conceptualization, Baker F. Giyani

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The global demand for mineral commodities has increased dramatically over the years, and this is largely due to several factors, including technological advancements, industrialization, and a rise in population. Further, the demand keeps increasing because the ore being mined is becoming more complex, and the feed grade is declining over the years, prompting the need for innovative technologies to treat such ores more efficiently. Microwave ore pre-treatment is one of the potential technologies that can be employed to improve process performance. This is possible because ores are composed of both good-microwave heaters and poor microwave heaters, which creates thermal stresses …

Sundanese Performing Arts In The Us As Legacy Of The Center For World Music, Kathy Foley

Wacana, Journal of the Humanities of Indonesia

Presentation of Sundanese arts in the US by non-Sundanese grew from a program of the Center for World Music (CWM), an incubator for Sundanese performing arts practice in the San Francisco Bay area in the 1970s. Those (both Sundanese and American) coming out of that encounter engaged in intercultural teaching and performance of music, dance, and wayang (puppet/human dance theatre) in the US in the then developing programs leading to a BA or graduate degree in ethnomusicology, dance, or theatre arts. Performances by Sundanese gamelan groups with American artists in and beyond the university also developed. While such groups persist, …

Pendekatan Pembelajaran Berdiferensiasi Melalui Model Pembelajaran Kooperatif Tipe Tgt Pada Mata Pelajaran Pkn, Shalsabila Kharisma Dini Kartika

Journal of Innovation and Teacher Professionalism

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menjelaskan implementasi pendekatan pembelajaran berdiferensiasi melalui model pembelajaran Kooperatif Tipe TGT (Teams Games Tournament) pada mata pelajaran PKn di SMP Negeri 15 Malang. Metode penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif dengan teknik pengumpulan data berupa wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi dengan masing-masing sumber data berupa informan guru PKn SMP Negeri 15 Malang, dokumen terkait berupa perangkat ajar dan catatan lapangan. Proses pembelajaran menggunakan pendekatan berdiferensiasi melalui model pembelajaran Kooperatif tipe TGT (Teams Games Tournament). Analisis data yang digunakan berupa analisis interaktif Miles dan Huberman, meliputi: reduksi data, penyajian data dan verifikasi. Hasil dari kajian ini menunjukkan bahwa model …

Integrated Coastal Science And Dune Management: A South Carolina Perspective, Michelle Harris

Theses and Dissertations

Historically, coastal dunes have been poorly understood from a societal perspective despite their protective role in attenuating incoming waves to reduce onshore flood risk. As developed coastlines promote strategies to design and maintain managed dune systems, it is necessary to ensure these strategies are optimized for dune health and resilience, particularly given the increasing threat of natural and anthropogenic stressors. This dissertation work aims to identify strategies that influence coastal dune management in South Carolina (SC), USA from an integrated approach, including a current use assessment, a mesoscale field-based study on strategy efficacy, and by incorporating a societal assessment and …

Thematic Geo-Inquiry In Seventh Grade Geography, Rebekah Driscoll Austing

Theses and Dissertations

With the growth of globalization, geography is an important subject for students of the 21^st Century to understand. Being adept in geography will aid our future generations to be able to use geographic skills to answer complex world issues. Unfortunately, geography has been a long-neglected subject of social studies; often considered boring and not worthwhile with teachers using teacher-centered curriculum methods and memorization. A teacher’s job is to provide appropriate experiences, materials, and context for students to construct and connect knowledge that is useful and beneficial to them. Through a constructivist lens, inquiry-based thematic units can be used by …

Out Of The Ashes: One Teacher's Journey Implementing A Blended Learning Intervention Integrating The Flipped Classroom Model And Student-Selected Independent Reading, Michael John Hockwater

Theses and Dissertations

Sixth-grade Academic Intervention Services (AIS) students at Wyndemere Middle School (WMS) in Western New York demonstrated a lack of engagement in AIS English Language Arts (ELA) class. In hopes of increasing their engagement, the teacher-researcher implemented a blended learning intervention that incorporated aspects of the flipped classroom model and student-selected texts. The results of this action research qualitative case study were promising, with many student participants expressing an increased sense of engagement and enjoyment of AIS ELA class.

On Finite Groups With Essential Dimension 2 Over ℚ, Michael Huggins

Theses and Dissertations

We determine all finite subgroups of Aut(X) which have essential dimension 2 over ℚ, where X is a minimal Del Pezzo surface of degree at least 5. Additionally, finite groups with essential dimension 2 whose order is divisible only by the prime numbers 2 and 3 are classified with the exception of the groups dic ₁₂ , C₁₂, and Dih₂₄, whose essential dimensions remain unknown, but may possibly be equal to 2.