Digital Commons Network^™

Blockchain-Based Nostrification: A Privacy-Preserving Framework For Documents Verification, Mohamad Badra, Rouba Borghol

All Works

Many employers and institutions will not complete a hire until they verify a candidate's foreign qualifications. This nostrification step exists for a simple reason: they need to know that certificates, medical records, financial papers, and other official documents are real and not forged. For years, signatures and stamps were enough. But the shift to online applications changed the game. Today, anyone can upload a polished PDF, and with basic editing tools, fake documents can be created in minutes. The old system no longer protects anyone. On the other hand, the blockchain offers a stronger and more practical solution. Instead of …

Cliffinsight: An Educational Web Application That Visualizes The Calculation Of Effect-Sizes Using Cliff's Delta, Mohamed El-Attar, Ahmed Shuhaiber, Rima Grati, Sarah Kohail

All Works

The purpose of calculating effect sizes in statistics is to quantify the practical significance of observed differences beyond mere statistical significance. While standardized mean difference measures such as Cohen’s d are widely used, they require normally distributed data, an assumption frequently violated in educational and social science research. Non-parametric alternatives such as Cliff’s delta (δ) are more robust under these conditions yet remain underused due to perceived computational complexity and limited accessible resources. Existing web-based tools for Cliff’s delta function primarily as numerical calculators and do not expose the underlying dominance structure that gives the statistic its meaning. This paper …

Thyroid Function Abnormalities Among Reproductive-Aged Women With Menstrual Irregularities In A Tertiary Teaching Hospital, Ahmed Alsayed Kassab, Amira Yones Mohamed

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background and Objective:Menstrual irregularities are a common gynecological complaint, often linked to thyroid dysfunction, which disrupts the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis. This study sought to assess prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among reproductive-aged women with menstrual irregularities and to evaluate the specific clinical and hormonal correlations between different menstrual patterns and Thyroid Status. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 women presenting with menstrual irregularities. Participants were classified as Euthyroid, Subclinical Hypothyroid, Overt Hypothyroid, or Hyperthyroid. Descriptive statistics summarized baseline data (e.g., mean Age = 29.63 plus or minus 7.97 years). The association between Menstrual Irregularity Type and Thyroid Status was assessed using …

A Comparison Of Haemodialysis And Renal Transplantation On Male Sexual Function And Hormonal Abnormalities, Hala Ibrahim Mohamed, Ahmad Mohamad Abbas Elseasi

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background Sexual dysfunction and hormonal imbalance are common in males with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), particularly among those on chronic hemodialysis. Kidney transplantation may restore endocrine homeostasis and improve sexual function. This study aimed to compare the effects of hemodialysis and renal transplantation on male sexual function and related hormonal profiles. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 40 married men (≥18 years) with ESRD at National Institute of Urology and Nephrology from October 2024 to October 2025. Participants were divided into two groups: Group I (hemodialysis) and Group II (renal transplantation). Clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, and hormonal assays (Folliclestimulating …

The Postoperative Analgesic Effect Of Lumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus Pericapsular Nerve Group Block In Patients Undergoing Hip Surgeries, Islam M. El-Desoky, Mohamed Elshafey, Amal Ismail Abdelrahman

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Hip surgery requires effective pain control for proper recovery and decreasing the length of hospital stay. Aims: We aimed to assess the analgesic effect of Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and pericapsular nerve group (PENG) blocks in pain control after hip operations. Methods: This randomized clinical trial included 69 ASA I–II patients scheduled for hip surgery were randomly allocated into three groups: PENG block, ESPB, and control groups (23 each). The primary outcome was postoperative pain assessed via the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at rest and during movement. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative and 48-hour morphine consumption, time to first …

Effect Of Lateral And Backward Walking Training On Balance In Children With Hemiparesis: A Comparative Randomized Controlled Trial, Seham M. Abd El-Moghny, Mohamed I. Elsepaee

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Hemiparesis, a common consequence of cerebral palsy (CP), significantly impairs motor function, leading to asymmetrical gait, poor balance, and reduced mobility in affected children. The resulting functional limitations can negatively impact a child's participation in daily activities, social interactions, and overall quality of life. Purpose: To investigate and compare the effectiveness of lateral and backward walking training with mirror visual feedback on standing balance in children with hemiparesis. Methods: Ninety children with hemiparesis, ages five to seven, of both sexes who met the following inclusion criteria were included in the study: They have spasticity at grades 1+ to 2 …

Heart-Type Fatty Acid Binding Protein In Early Diagnosis Of Acute Myocardial Infarction, Reem Safwat Mohamad, Asmaa Younis Elsary, Mohamed M. Elbably

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Timely identification of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) plays a vital role in ensuring prompt treatment and better clinical outcomes. Traditional cardiac indicators involving creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) demonstrate reduced diagnostic accuracy through the initial hours after symptom presentation.

Aim: This research aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) in comparison with cTnI, CK-MB, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) among cases presenting with acute chest pain, with particular focus on its role in early AMI detection.

Methods: A case-control investigation was conducted involving 60 AMI patients from the National Heart Institute …

Comparison Of Suture Materials In Pfannensteil Incision Closure, Ali Elsayed Khayal, Ahmed Alsayed Kassab

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Surgeons worldwide perform C-sections more often than almost any other procedure, a trend that shows a steady and ongoing increase. Despite its safety profile, postoperative wound complications remain a significant source of maternal morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs. Optimal skin closure technique following Pfannenstiel incision remains controversial, particularly regarding the choice between absorbable braided and non-absorbable monofilament sutures.

Objective: To compare wound morbidity and surgical outcomes following Pfannenstiel skin closure using polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) versus polypropylene (Prolene) in women undergoing cesarean delivery.

Methods: This prospective randomized controlled trial included 200 women undergoing elective or emergency cesarean section …

Patient Pathways And Outcomes Following Referral To A Dedicated Clinic For Tavi Program: Insights From The Egyptian National Heart Institute, Ramy Mohamed Omar, Ahmad Hassanen Gaber, Tarek M Abdel Aziz Elkholy

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background

The most common valvular heart disease in elderly populations and with a dismal prognosis in the case of its development is degenerative aortic stenosis. The use of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has transformed the treatment of the entire surgical risk spectrum, but there is limited real-world data that define the patterns of treatment and post-treatment results in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Objectives

To characterize the pattern of treatment allocation, clinical and procedural outcome, and predictors at the baselines of six months mortality in patients in a row who were referred to a specialist assessment …

Role Of Complete Blood Cells Indices In Predicting Neonatal Sepsis Mortality, Sohaila Ali Abd El-Halim, Marwa Taha, Fifi Helmy Aboualy, Raghda Samir Abdellatif, Mai Mohammed Mostafa

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Neonatal sepsis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in newborns. Identifying reliable prognostic markers is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and increased platelet distribution width (PDW) have been associated with adverse outcomes in septic neonates. Objective: This study was performed in an attempt to assess the predictive value of Complete Blood Count (CBC) indices, including red cell distribution width (RDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), and PDW for mortality in septic neonates. Patients and Methods: This cohort study was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Mataria Teaching Hospital …

Identification Of The Seventh Cervical Vertebra By Palpation With Neck Rotation And Side Bending In Patients With Neck Pain., Eslam Elsayed Ali Shohda, Malaka Abdelmoniem Ibrahim El Khawaga, Amr Abdelaziz Hanafi Mohamed

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Precise localization of vertebral levels through clinical examination represents an essential competency for healthcare professionals across multiple disciplines. The present study sought to assess the reliability of identifying the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) via palpation during cervical rotation and side bending in individuals experiencing neck pain.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the physiotherapy outpatient department of Al-Ahrar Teaching Hospital, located in Zagazig, Egypt. Thirty individuals with complaints of neck pain were recruited for participation. The seventh cervical vertebra (C7) was determined by palpating the most mobile vertebra among the three most prominent cervical segments …

Meeting The Occupational Needs Of Older Adults With Long-Term Conditions: An Exploration Of Occupational Therapy In Primary Care, Sam Wakley

School of Health Professions Theses

This thesis investigated the occupational needs of older adults with long-term conditions to determine how these needs could be met through primary care, acknowledging this as a contemporary area of occupational therapy practice. Combining three studies offered a comprehensive, occupationally centred analysis of a growing area of practice that remains underexplored. Strand One involved conducting a scoping review to map existing models of primary care for adults with long-term conditions. It demonstrated that current approaches largely neglect occupation, favouring biomedical outcomes and fiscally related priorities. However, growing awareness to quality of life and the role of an integrated multidisciplinary team …

Temperature-Dependent Dielectric Function Of Solids From Coupled Oscillators With Radiation Reaction: Application To Atom–Surface Interactions, Tuhin Kanti Das

Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation, we propose a uniform functional form of the dielectric function of solids that is applicable over a wide range of frequencies. We apply our model to describe the dielectric function of two technologically important materials: silicon and calcium fluoride. The temperature dependence of their dielectric functions is also described using simple analytic forms. We found that a generalized Sellmeier-type model with complex denominators (“damped oscillators”) does not lead to a satisfactory fit of experimental data for the dielectric function. In contrast, our model, which is analytically only slightly more involved (“complex oscillator strengths”, complex numerators), allows us …

Assessment Of Simulation Software Used For Cubesat Gnc Verification And Validation By University Research Teams, Alexander Taiyo Newett

Masters Theses

As the growth in university satellite teams continues, along with the greater trend in the small satellite market, the need for a guidance, navigation, and control verification and validation pipeline suitable for these young and inexperienced teams becomes evident. Much of the mathematical theory and software implementation of GNC concepts are large hurdles for teams largely composed of undergraduate students.

Many software packages exist that can help these teams achieve GNC verification and validation. If the learning curves of these software packages can be overcome, new satellite teams have the opportunity to better build and test GNC algorithms that are …

Investigating The Dynamic Rating Method: Effects Of Flood Wave Geometry On Discharge Estimation, Daniel James Read

Masters Theses

Rating curves are a vital tool to convert from observed stage to discharge in streamflow monitoring. Most gaging sites utilize a simple rating curve, which assumes a monotonic relationship between stage and discharge. In most cases, this assumption is valid; however, dynamic effects of flood waves often cause significant error in discharge estimation for mildly sloped streams. The dynamic rating method utilizes a numerical solution of the St. Venant Equations applied to time series stage data to compute discharge. Within this method, there is a flood wave parameter called the flood wave factor. The researchers designed a formal computational model …

Validating A Low-Cost Radio Frequency Characterization Framework For Development-Grade Software-Defined Radios In Short-Duration Cubesat Missions, Thomas Wayne Francois

Masters Theses

Software-defined radios (SDRs) and CubeSat platforms have reduced the cost and complexity of space-based communication systems, enabling broader participation in satellite missions. While low-cost radio hardware is increasingly accessible, the ability to characterize and validate its performance remains constrained by the high cost and limited access to traditional RF test equipment. This disparity creates a challenge for small satellite development teams, which must characterize communication-system technical performance with limited access to laboratory-grade instrumentation.

This thesis presents a low-cost RF characterization framework for assessing key radio-frequency performance metrics using readily available hardware and measurement techniques. The approach integrates frequency translation, SDR-based …

Transformer-Based Language Models For Bitcoin Market Prediction And Interpretation, Erich Gozebina

Masters Theses

"In the context of a Master's thesis in applied mathematics, this work investigates compact transformer-based language models as an instrument for Bitcoin-related predictions and decision support. The work connects three topics: the structure of the Bitcoin system and its data, the mathematical and algorithmic foundations of deep autoregressive transformers, and the design of practical training pipelines for financial applications. On this foundation, a reproducible ETL pipeline for Bitcoin data is developed and two forecasting experiments are conducted with the compact language model nanochat. The first experiment approaches the prediction of next-day price movements through autoregressive next-token generation based on structured …

Characterizing A Delay-Programmable Two-Color Femtosecond Light Source For Coherent Control Of Atomic Multi-Photon Ionization Processes, Mason Tanner Toombs

Masters Theses

"In this work a delay-programmable two-color femtosecond laser based on a chirped-seed noncollinear optical parametric amplifier was characterized. This design utilizes a titanium-sapphire crystal oscillator to generate broadband pulses of light spanning approximately 600-1200 nm, with a pulse duration of ~5 fs, repetition rate of 80 MHz, and pulse energy of ~2.5 nJ. An infrared portion of the light, spanning approximately 1020-1060 nm, is split off from the pulse and used to generate a pump beam. By dispersing the remaining seed beam and controlling the relative timing delay between the seed and the pump, tunable frequencies within the seed can …

Structured Decomposition And Efficient Adaptation For Scientific Data Movement: From Transfer Concurrency To Genomic Data Acquisition, Rasman Mubtasim Swargo

Masters Theses

"The end-to-end performance of scientific data movement is increasingly limited not by raw network capacity but by whichever resource along the path is momentarily slowest, a bottleneck that no single static configuration can track. This thesis argues that the right response is to decompose each problem along the resource or workflow axis where bottlenecks vary, adapt only the genuinely dynamic control variables at runtime, and make that adaptation efficient through utility-guided or offline-learned control rather than expensive online search. The thesis develops this principle through four systems of widening scope. AutoMDT decomposes a transfer by operation, assigning separate concurrency levels …

Dean's Update, January 2026, Neil W. Schluger

SOM Dean's Research Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Linking Women’S Empowerment And Community Contexts To Intimate Partner Violence: Evidence From Ten West African Countries, Winfred A. Avogo

Faculty Publications – Sociology and Anthropology

Abstract Purpose Intimate partner violence (IPV) is experienced by over one-third of women in sub-Saharan Africa, yet evidence on the associations between women’s empowerment, community contexts, and IPV risk remains limited and inconsistent. This study examines the association between individual empowerment and community socioeconomic conditions and different forms of IPV across West Africa, using the Survey-based Women’s Empowerment Index. Method Demographic and Health Survey data (2018–2022) from ten West African countries were pooled, yielding a sample of 38,434 ever-married or cohabiting women who completed the domestic violence module. Multilevel binary logistic regression models estimated associations between empowerment dimensions, community characteristics, …

Caterpillar's Spatial Metamorphosis: Heavy Equipment Manufacturing In The 21st Century, Utkarsh Kumar, Michael L. Dougherty

Faculty Publications – Sociology and Anthropology

Caterpillar Inc., the world's largest heavy equipment manufacturer, grew rapidly in the 20th century before a crisis of overproduction in the early 1980s threatened its survival. In response, it launched the $2.8 billion “Plant with a Future” (PWAF) program, a sweeping material and ideological overhaul that remade the firm for the post-Fordist global economy. This article advances three interventions. First, it shows how post-Fordism as a spatial and ideological project emphasized decentralization, accountability, and customer orientation, which helped legitimize and institutionalize corporate restructuring. Second, it demonstrates that flexibilization operated as a spatial strategy, implemented through four interrelated processes: bureaucratic restructuring, …

Student Perceptions Of The Learning Environment In A Hospital School Program, Hannah Buck

Brehm Scholars Research

Most research related to hospital school programs has focused on adult perspectives (e.g., teachers, administrators, parents, and clinical staff) rather than on the perspectives of hospitalized students. This study examined the education-related perspectives of hospitalized K–12 students (N = 10) who had engaged with the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital School Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Participants completed one semi-structured interview and two short surveys. Sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, in vivo coded, and thematically analyzed. Despite the challenges associated with hospitalization, participants generally reported equal or greater enjoyment of in-hospital schooling compared to non-hospital schooling. Survey responses revealed that higher …

Implementation Of The Four Pediatric Feeding Disorder Domains By The Elementary School-Based Speech-Language Pathologist: A Research Plan, Kelsi Szakovits

Brehm Scholars Research

No abstract provided.

Extradigital Glomus Tumor Mimicking Incisional Neuroma After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Report, James W. Li, Michael J. Sayegh, Heng Hong, Zhongyu Li

This case report describes a patient who was presented with severe incisional pain following an uncomplicated total knee arthroplasty. There was suspicion for an incisional neuroma; however, excisional biopsy revealed an extradigital glomus tumor. The patient had immediate symptom resolution post-operatively. Clinicians should maintain a suspicion for the possibility of extra-digital glomus tumors at sites of prior extremity surgery, causing exquisite tenderness and pain.

Development And Evaluation Of A Modular 3-D Printed Adapter For Hands-Free Tissue Retraction, Fady E. Attia, Vijay A. Chhabra, Vaibhav Tadepalli,, Joseph Attia, Michael M. Hadeed

Fracture fixation procedures typically require precise retraction of soft tissues in order to provide adequate exposure of bone fragments for reduction and fixation. Such procedures require the use of multiple surgical assistants to maintain proper tissue retraction. This manual retraction using traditional instruments, such as Hohmann and Weitlaner retractors, can lead to inefficiencies and poor labor allocation within the operating room (OR). The purpose therefore is to develop and evaluate a three dimensional (3D)-printed Nylon PA12 adapter designed to dock Hohmann retractors onto Weitlaner retractors, enabling hands-free retraction during fracture fixation procedures and potentially improving labor allocation in the OR. …

Benign Painful Soft Tissue Tumors Of The Digits: A Contemporary Review, Nethmi Withanage, Athikur Rahman, Lawrence Hurst, Samantha Muhlrad

Purpose: Benign painful tumors of the digit are commonly encountered in hand surgery yet frequently pose diagnostic challenges due to overlapping clinical presentations. This review synthesizes current evidence on eight benign soft tissue tumors and cystic lesions that commonly cause digital pain: glomus tumor, giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS), digital mucous cyst, digital ganglion cyst, epidermoid inclusion cyst, pyogenic granuloma, nerve sheath tumors, and angioleiomyoma.

Methods: A comprehensive review of PubMed/MEDLINE was performed, supplemented by hand surgery textbooks and online educational resources. Case series, retrospective cohort studies, and review articles were included.

Results: Each tumor exhibits a …

Acute Lower Leg Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Increases Leg Blood Flow And Exercise Capacity In Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease, Thomas K. Pellinger, Catherine B. Neighbors, Joshua C. Hefta, Patrick H. Luo, Carl B. Suarez, Erotokritos T. Varlas, Grant H. Simmons, Brett J. Wong

EVMS School of Health Professions Faculty Publications

We tested the hypothesis that two different durations of lower leg transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) increase post-TENS popliteal artery blood flow (PABF), popliteal vascular conductance (PVC), and 6-min walk distance (6MWD) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Seven subjects (5 male, 2 female) with PAD (67.9 ± 7.4 years; claudication: ankle-brachial index (ABI) < 0.90) participated in three randomized treatment sessions: control or bilateral TENS (3.0 Hz burst mode, 250 µs) for either 15 or 45 min. PABF (Doppler ultrasound) was measured before and after treatment. 6MWD and time/distance to claudication onset were measured 25 min post-treatment during each session. PABF, PVC and 6MWD increased after both 15 and 45 min of TENS (P < 0.05, post-TENS vs. pre-TENS baseline/control). Our preliminary results suggest that as little as 15 min of lower leg TENS increases leg blood flow and exercise capacity in individuals with PAD.

Contextualizing The Aspe Standards Of Best Practice: Reflecting On The Past, Present, And Future Of Sp Methodology, Amelia M. Wallace, Cory Krebsbach, Janice Radway, Lou Clark

EVMS School of Health Professions Faculty Publications

As we celebrate the publication of the Association of SP Educators Standards of Best Practice (ASPE SOBP) for Physical Exam Teaching Associates (PETAs) and corresponding literature review, we, elected leaders of ASPE, offer reflections on SP methodology history, current practices, and future opportunities. Our aim is to contextualize this addition to what is now the third SOBP publication [1, 2] that guides the global simulation community on best practices of simulated participant (SP) methodology.

Thank you to the ASPE members and SP Educators who made time to share their expertise as authors on these new standards- in addition to their …

Perspectives Of Poetry: Peering Into Poetry And Aphasia, Kristian M. Perez

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

People with aphasia often experience significant barriers to communication, emotional expression, and participation in meaningful life activities following stroke or neurological injury. Although poetry and creative expression have been explored in broader therapeutic contexts, limited research has examined how people with aphasia perceive poetry. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of people with aphasia regarding definitions of poetry, level of interest in poetry and the factors influencing said interest. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adults with aphasia recruited through convenience sampling. Participants responded to questions before and after exposure to the poem Trust by Mark …