Digital Commons Network^™

Machine Learning Driven Ranking To Control Degree Of Personalization In Search Results, Eric Lin, Devora Berlowitz, Olive Guo

Defensive Publications Series

An important problem in introducing personalization to query-based search retrieval and ranking is how to balance the relevance of results to the query with the affinity of the results to the user as oftentimes there is a trade-off between the two. This disclosure describes techniques to train a machine learning model to personalize ranking of search results in a controllable manner. With user permission, training data is constructed by analyzing query logs to identify manual query refinements followed by "long clicks," forming triplets of {original query, manually refined query, click}. These reflect personalized search results that the user found of …

Style-Consistent Video Augmentation That Maintains Visual Style And Subject Identity, Yunyingying Xu, Adam Svystun, Maciej Pęśko

Defensive Publications Series

A media platform can receive client data from a client device including an image of a user’s face. A model framework can generate input data from the client data and provide the input data to a model trained to generate animation frames as output. The model can provide the generated animation frames back to the model framework, which may perform one or more postprocessing operations on the generated animation frames to generate animation data. The animation data is provided back to the client device.

Generating Shared Experience Visual Indicators From Aggregated Physiological Data, Sayantan Paul

Defensive Publications Series

A system for generating shared experience visual indicators can operate by collecting consented, limited physiological data from a group of users in a co-viewing environment. Such data may include heart rate information from wearable devices or audio data from a computing device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet) processed for emotion detection. The system can anonymize this data, for instance, by associating it with a temporary session identifier and then aggregating the anonymized data. If a collective response is detected across a configured threshold of users, such as a synchronized change in heart rate, the system can generate a subtle, optional visual …

Full Issue, Kritika Kultura

Kritika Kultura

Brina (2016), Chhorii (2021), and Jayeshbhai Jordaar (2022).

Helping Children Cope With Sensory Overstimulation At Theme Parks: An Educational Video Series For Parents, Ashley M. Garcia, Steven M. Gerardi Phd, Otd, Mss, Otr

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Parents of children with sensory processing challenges often feel overwhelmed and unprepared when visiting high-stimulation environments such as theme parks. Loud sounds, bright lights, crowded walkways, and unpredictable routines can contribute to sensory overload, creating distress for both children and caregivers. Although theme parks aim to provide joyful family experiences, they may not fully account for the needs of neurodivergent children, including those with autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or sensory processing disorder. Parents of children with debilitating sensory issues are unsure and uncertain on how to prepare to assist their child to cope with the overwhelming sensory stimuli at …

Double-Edged Sword: Opec Production Catalyzing Alternative Energy Development, Daniel P. Sloan

Venture: The University of Mississippi Undergraduate Research Journal

This paper explores how cartel operations may create a longterm paradox of selfharm because research and development into substitutes becomes incentivized. OPEC is used as the case study, and I hypothesize that the intensity of quotas is directly proportional to research and development spending in alternative energy sources, over time diminishing global dependence on oil. To test this, I gathered data from 1965 until 2023 on the global energy market. In conclusion, the data suggested alternative explanations: oil boasts a tenacious price inelasticity of demand, OPEC has foreseen the paradox and counters with moderate quotas, or a combination of the …

Racism And Sexism In Hollywood: Overcoming The Barriers To True Representation Of Women Of Color In The Film Industry, Emily Smith

Venture: The University of Mississippi Undergraduate Research Journal

This research paper dives into the omnipresent issues of gender discrimination and racism that women of color regularly face as professionals in the film industry, emphasizing the need for inclusion and diversity in Hollywood. It examines the disparity in representation among people of color, particularly how women are often denied the same opportunities as their male counterparts. The paper showcases the systemic biases against minority groups and lack of opportunity both on and off screen, as well as racial and gender stereotyping. Specifically, this paper seeks to reveal how obstacles such as colorism, tokenism, and white feminism impact the recognition …

The Impact Of Secularization On The Camino De Santiago In Contemporary Spain, Hannah E. Dear

Venture: The University of Mississippi Undergraduate Research Journal

The Camino de Santiago is a historically Catholic pilgrimage culminating at the alleged burial site of Saint James the Greater in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Originating in 814 CE as a religious journey across the northern Iberian Peninsula, the Camino has since expanded beyond both modernday Spain and its Catholic roots, attracting a diverse and rapidly growing community of pilgrims. This shift reflects broader trends of rising secularism in contemporary Spain, where many religious traditions, including the Camino, have evolved in response to changing societal values. This article explores how the secularization of Spanish society has influenced the cultural and …

Ole Miss Yearbooks From 1960-1980 Reveal How Traditional Southern Gender Roles, Sexual Double Standards, And The Policing Of Women's Behaviors And Bodies Persisted Through The Broader Cultural Shifts Of The Sexual Revolution, Haley Arnold

Venture: The University of Mississippi Undergraduate Research Journal

This study examines the portrayal of men’s and women’s sexuality in Ole Miss yearbooks from 1960 to 1980, analyzing how these depictions reflect the persistence of traditional Southern gender roles and sexual double standards despite the broader cultural shifts of the Sexual Revolution. Drawing from primary sources, including university yearbooks and sorority recruitment materials, as well as scholarly works on gender, sexuality, and Southern culture, this research highlights the ways in which women were consistently scrutinized and held to restrictive moral standards while men were granted greater sexual freedom. The study situates these portrayals within the historical context of shifting …

Identifying And Addressing Maternal Health Needs: Using Occupational Therapy To Empower, Educate, And Support Mothers, Anne K. Lyles

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

There is a critical need for extended maternal support, particularly when viewed through the lens of occupational therapy. This capstone project aimed to address this gap by conducting a needs assessment using the Maternal Occupational Therapy Health & Environment Risk Screening (MOTHERS) to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges mothers face during the prenatal and postpartum periods. Findings from the needs assessment informed the development of practical, evidence-based resources—including digital products, social media content, educational flyers, and a virtual course—designed to support postpartum mothers in a format that is both accessible and empowering.

Enhancing Oral Absorption Of An Ester Prodrug By Coating Drug Crystals With Binary Lipid Systems And Evaluating The Influence Of Compositions, Xiaowei Dong, Tao Zhang, Hellen L. Moreno Sanchez, Jaylen C. Mans, Sung Hun Bae, Liangqiao Bian

Pharmacy Faculty Scholarship

Background/Objectives: Prodrug strategies are a vital aspect of drug development, with ester prodrugs particularly notable for modifying parent drug properties through ester functional groups to enhance oral absorption. However, ester prodrugs are prone to hydrolysis by water and enzymes, making stability in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract prior to absorption a key challenge. Few formulation strategies effectively address this degradation issue. We recently introduced binary lipid systems (BLS), comprising a lipid and a water-soluble surfactant only that form stable microemulsions. This study aimed to explore the application of BLS for enhancing the oral absorption of ester prodrugs by coating drug crystals …

Summit Report: The Russia-Ukraine War: Lessons For Future Conflicts, Heather Ashby, Tad Schnaufer, Heather Ward, Golfo Alexopoulos, Christopher Marsh

GNSI Summit Reports

On March 4-5, 2025, the Global and National Security Institute (GNSI), hosted its fifth Tampa Summit, and the 11th installment in the Great Power Competition Conference Series: The Russia-Ukraine War: Lessons for Future Conflicts. GNSI brought together leading academics, defense experts, and international scholars for thought-provoking discussions on the strategic lessons learned from the Russia-Ukraine War, the evolving role of technology in conflict, and the impact of the war on Europe, NATO, and the rules-based international system. The war in Ukraine is not just a regional crisis; it is a harbinger of the future of warfare. In contrast to …

Prisoner Re-Entry Into Society And Criminal Justice Social Work Practice, Aleeyah S. Norvell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explores the challenges faced by social workers in supporting the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals. Social workers play a critical role in the U.S. criminal justice system, yet they often encounter systemic barriers that limit their ability to meet clients’ basic needs, such as housing, employment, and healthcare. Using a generic qualitative research design, the study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with a sample of eight licensed social workers, using open-ended questions to gather rich, detailed accounts of their experiences. Guided by social learning theory and using thematic analysis, the findings reveal significant obstacles in adapting to …

Don't Say You Love Me, Breanna Dunwell

Masters Theses

Teen dating violence is a silent epidemic that is not talked about enough or taken seriously. This shows that age does not matter when it comes to any type of abuse or harassment – physical, emotional, sexual, stalking, etc. The household that the victim lives in, race, parents marital status, and financial situation do not play a role into who is a victim versus someone who is not. The perpetrator does not care about those kinds of details. They only care about needing to be in control of the other person. Even though this is a snippet, the story shows …

When Quitting Isn't An Option: Learner Perceptions Of Persistence Factors In A Faith-Based Online Global English As An International Language Course, Heather Porter Ugege

Theses and Dissertations

This paper explores the perceptions of learners in an online, global, faith-based, English as an international language (EIL) course. The course is designed to help students with limited access to educational opportunities develop English skills and prepare for enrollment in an online university. Since its launch, course enrollment, retention, engagement, and completion metrics have shown significant gains year over year. However, the number of learners in the course who have met all course completion criteria is still limited. This inquiry aims to gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing learner persistence from the perspectives of both course completers and …

Perceptions Of Trauma-Informed Care Training For Teachers In Early Childhood Education Settings, Molly Michelle Michaels

Theses and Dissertations

The maltreatment of children is currently a global health priority (Chamberlain et al., 2019). By the age of 16, over two-thirds of children report having experienced at least one traumatic event (Toof et al., 2020). Exposure to childhood trauma can negatively impact brain development, leading to problems functioning across community, home, and school settings (Burke Harris, 2018). In response, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration developed a framework for trauma-informed care to address the significant impact of trauma on individuals (Loomis, 2018). However, few studies exist that explore the use of trauma-informed care practices in early childhood education …

October 7 And International Police Cooperation: The Silence Of Interpol, Mathieu Deflem

Faculty Publications

Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the background and interpretation of Interpol’s silence following the terrorist attacks committed by Hamas against Israel on October 7, 2023. The author examines the international policing im-plications of the events, with special attention to why the world’s largest police organization failed to issue any substantive response.

Methodology: The research is based on asociological analysis combining ahistorical and institutional overview of Interpol’s counterterrorism activities with the examination of the organization’s communications and institutional decisions. It relies on qualitative sources and an interpretive, case study-based approach using public documents, records, and statements.

Findings: …

Understanding, Deterring, And Preparing For A Great-Power War In The Twenty-First Century, Antulio J. Echevarria Ii, Larry P. Goodson, Brennan Deveraux

Integrated Research Projects

The US government and the US Army are unprepared for a great-power war. This integrated research project (IRP), sponsored by Vice Chief of Staff of the Army General James J. Mingus, is a critical first step in helping senior US Army leaders increase their knowledge of, and preparations for, deterring or fighting a great-power war in the twenty-first century. No one knows how long the US government and the US Army have to prepare for a future conflict. Consequently, the US Department of Defense faces difficult decisions as it balances preparing for a future war with maintaining readiness to address …

Motivational Factors Affecting Female Students' Choice Of Stem And Non-Stem Majors At Us Universities, Buthaina Ruyyashi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study is the persistently low enrollment of female undergraduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors within U.S. universities. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between female undergraduate students' choice of STEM versus non-STEM majors and their motivational factors, as measured by the Motivations Influencing Course Choice (MICC) survey. The study was grounded in social cognitive career theory, which emphasizes the role of self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and personal goals in academic decision-making. The analysis assessed the predictive power of career aspiration, interest, helping, and loafing in determining major …

Sport And Black/African-Palestinian Transnational Solidarity: A Conversation, Joezer Antoine, Sean Jacobs, Munene Mwaniki, Yasmin Elgoharry, Jess Nachman, Chen Chen, Roc Rochon, Anthony J. Weems

Sport Management Collection

This paper is an edited transcript of an online panel that took place February 11, 2025, exploring the historical and contemporary forms of Black/African solidarity with the Palestinian liberation movement in the context of sport. Foregrounding the long tradition of leveraging sport within various anti-racist, anti-colonial, and anti-imperialist movements worldwide, this conversation emphasizes the urgency of developing sustained and renewed strategies of resistance. First, we outline Black-Palestinian Transnational Solidarity (BPTS) as a historical movement sustained by shared anti-imperialist principles. For decades, radical and revolutionary Black and African peoples have recognized Zionism as an extension of the racialized Western imperial project …

Can The Government Control Hurricanes? New Survey Results On Conspiracies And Science, Lawrence C. Hamilton

Carsey Publications

In this brief, author Lawrence Hamilton explores the results of a nationwide 2025 survey that asked over 1,000 people whether they agreed with conspiratorial claims such as government control of hurricanes, flat Earth, or faked Moon landings. Mixed in with the conspiracy questions were others asking about agreement with basic scientific facts such as Earth orbiting the Sun. Nine to 38 percent agreed with the conspiracies whereas 40 to 75 percent agreed with the science; many others were unsure.

Generation and political identity both correlate with conspiracism. Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z respondents more often agreed with conspiratorial statements; …

Pcsk9–Dyslipidemia Interplay In Children And Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes: A Potential Modulator Of Vasculopathy, Eman Ramadan

Pharmacy

BACKGROUND: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type-9 (PCSK9) has recently emerged as an important vasculopathy modulator. However, limited data exist on its level and expression in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D). AIM: To assess serum PCSK9 and gene expression among children and adolescents with T1D and correlate them with glycemia, dyslipidemia, and microvascular complications. METHODS: Fifty children and adolescents with T1D were compared to 50 matched healthy controls. Serum PCSK9 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) gene expression, glycated-hemoglobin, fundus, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) and fasting lipids were assessed with calculation of the estimated-glucose …

Bring Back The Blue-Book Exam: In An Age Of Ai, We Need To Return To Handwritten Assignments., Katie Day Good

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

When ChatGPT was released three years ago, its ability to mimic human writing unsettled me. I’m a professor of communication; what did it mean that my students now had access to a machine that could communicate for them? My initial unease led to a half-joke with my colleagues. Universities could survive this threat, I ventured, but only if we reverted back to 19th-century teaching methods like Socratic dialogue, oral defenses, and lengthy essay exams. This once-laughable scenario is now a serious consideration for many faculty, including me.

Like many professors, I’ve recently abandoned take-home essays in favor of blue-book exams. …

Seasonal Variation In Modulus Of Cement-Treated Base Layers And Untreated Base Layers In Utah, Mason Robert Kessler Millard

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research was to compare the stiffness of cement-treated base (CTB) layers and untreated base course (UTBC) layers in a cold region through a typical year. The scope of work included testing of three residential pavement segments comprising CTB layers and two comparable pavement segments comprising UTBC layers in northern Utah. Design thicknesses were verified through drilling and dynamic cone penetrometer testing in September 2024. Following 3 to 15 years of service, the sites were evaluated using portable falling-weight deflectometer (PFWD) testing in May 2024, July 2024, September 2024, November 2024, January 2025, and March 2025. After …

Extracting Magnetic Exchange Interactions From Magnetic Pair Distribution Function Data Via Monte Carlo Simulations, Emma Zappala

Theses and Dissertations

The magnetic pair distribution function (mPDF) is a powerful tool used to analyze diffuse magnetic scattering data in real-space. Presently, mPDF is usually used to model real-space spin configurations of materials, offering important insights into the local magnetic structure, but not to directly probe the magnetic interactions giving rise to the magnetic structure in the first place. Using Monte Carlo simulations, a robust algorithm to simulate the magnetic structure of materials, we can connect the underlying magnetic exchange parameters to the spin configurations from experimental mPDF data. We prove this concept using a simple two-dimensional Ising model and then demonstrate …

The Parthenon, August 06, 2025, Baylee Parsons, Kaitlyn Fleming, Ashton Pack, Nate Harrah, Soleil Woolard

The Parthenon

No abstract provided.

Pigs For The Dispossessed Goat Demon: Jesus’ Exorcism In Mark 5 And Animal Interest, Michael Joseph Gossett

Masters Theses

This thesis explores how a historical-literal reading of Mark 5:1-20 can be defended against objections that claim Jesus caused or allowed unnecessary animal suffering. Contextual insights gleaned from 2nd Temple Watchers Traditions and Greco-Roman polytheism illuminate plausible symbolic value present in the deaths of the Gerasene swine. The context of Mark 5:1-20 presents a supernatural conflict compatible with Christian theology and rebel angel theodicies. Jesus’ actions concerning the Gerasene pigs are not necessarily unjustifiable examples of animal mistreatment.

An In-Depth Exploration Into College Students’ Information Acquisition And Evaluation Behaviors During The Covid-19 Infodemic, Nien-Tsu Nancy Chen, Kimmy Kee, Bianca T. Villalobos, Miriam Ortiz, Hyesun Lee

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Introduction: This study examines how vaccination-inclined and vaccination-hesitant U.S. college students acquired and evaluated COVID-19 vaccination information.

Methods: In 2021, we conducted 26 focus group discussions and used thematic analysis to identify patterns in information acquisition behaviors and trust in information sources.

Results: Findings revealed mismatches between frequently used and most trusted sources. Public health agencies were highly trusted but not commonly consulted first. In contrast, social media were frequently used for information scanning despite being the least trusted. Interpersonal sources (e.g., family) were identified as both a most and least trusted source. They were trusted for their good intention …

Nyls Appoints Michael Goodyear As Associate Professor Of Law, Dean Anthony W. Crowell

NYLS Community News

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of School Closing Mandates On Student Performance During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Case Study, Cody Ryan Ratliff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this embedded single case study was to describe the lack of student needs support during the COVID-19 pandemic for parents of middle school students at a county board of education in West Virginia. (Chiwona et al., 2020; Devereux et al., 2020; Dunn et al., 2020). The theory guiding this study was Abraham Maslow’s (1943) theory on the hierarchy of needs, which demonstrated an impact on student performance. This qualitative single-case study utilized an embedded approach. The central research question this study aimed to answer was to describe how a lack of necessary resources affected students during the …