Digital Commons Network^™

Guest Artist Recital: April 1, 2025, Ji-Youn Shin

School of Music Programs

Center for the Performing Arts

April 1, 2025

Tuesday Evening

8:00 p.m.

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Safety Management System Regulations: An Informal Policy Evaluation, Brian J. Roggow

Publications

The United States (US) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revised 14 CFR § Part 5 Safety Management Systems, effective May 28, 2024. US air carriers have one year to modify their existing Safety Management System (SMS), whereas commuter and on-demand operators, commercial air tour operators, certain production certificate holders, and certain holders of a type certificate must implement an SMS within three years. The sociopolitical and legal rule-making processes are complex. This research evaluates the most recently revised FAA SMS regulations through the lens of prevailing literature, theories, and standard practices. Policy assessments and evaluations by non-governmental stakeholders can further inform …

Detecting Software Anomalies In Microservices Using Spectrograms, Scalograms, And Convolutional Neural Networks, Snehith Jonnaikode

Master's Theses

The growing complexity of cloud-native microservices has intensified the need for robust anomaly detection mechanisms, particularly for misconfiguration-induced failures that often manifest subtly and propagate across service boundaries. This thesis proposes a comparative framework for runtime anomaly detection by transforming system metrics into frequency-domain representations—spectrograms using Short-Time Fourier Transform and scalograms using Continuous Wavelet Transform—and classifying them with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). Evaluated on DeathStarBench, a production-grade microservices benchmark with injected anomalies in the Reservation and Recommendation services, the framework also includes baseline Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models trained on raw time-series features. Stratified 5-fold cross-validation shows that CNNs trained …

Peerproxy: A Webrtc Proxy For Http, Nathan Li-En Lee

Master's Theses

Advances in networking technologies have empowered individuals to easily self-host digital services such as websites and smart home systems. However, accessing these services externally often requires port forwarding, which requires manual router configuration, technical expertise in networking, and is sometimes restricted by internet service providers. Proxy-based services such as Ngrok and Cloudflare Tunnels simplify external access by using publicly hosted proxy servers, but introduce increased infrastructure costs and privacy concerns due to reliance on third-party servers that can inspect or store traffic.

This thesis presents PeerProxy, a novel framework that simplifies access to self-hosted web services without manual network configuration, …

Surviving Swarthmore: Safe Spaces For Student Survivors Of Sexual Violence, Olivia Han , '25

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

No abstract provided.

Cryo-Em Captures The Coordination Of Asymmetric Electron Transfer Through A Di-Copper Site In Dpor, Rajnandani Kashyap, Natalie Walsh, Jaigeeth Deveryshetty, Monika Tokmina-Lukaszewska, Kewei Zhao, Yunqiao J. Gan, Brian M. Hoffman, Ritimukta Sarangi, Brian Bothner, Brian Bennett, Edwin Antony

Physics Faculty Research and Publications

Enzymes that catalyze long-range electron transfer (ET) reactions often function as higher order complexes that possess two structurally symmetrical halves. The functional advantages for such an architecture remain a mystery. Using cryoelectron microscopy we capture snapshots of the nitrogenase-like dark-operative protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (DPOR) during substrate binding and turnover. DPOR catalyzes reduction of the C17 = C18 double bond in protochlorophyllide during the dark chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway. DPOR is composed of electron donor (L-protein) and acceptor (NB-protein) component proteins that transiently form a complex in the presence of ATP to facilitate ET. NB-protein is an α2β2 heterotetramer with two structurally identical …

Bitter Rot, Liza Degenring

Advisory Council

No abstract provided.

The Employment Situation Of Veterans: April 2025, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

In April 2025, the U.S. added 177,000 jobs, with the national unemployment rate holding at 4.2%. Veteran unemployment declined to 3.5% from 3.8% in March, while Post-9/11 veterans saw a drop to 2.9%. Male veteran unemployment fell to 3.1%, but female veteran unemployment rose to 5.9%. Black and Hispanic veterans experienced significant improvements, with rates falling to 4.8% and 2.9%, respectively—both lower than their nonveteran peers. Younger veterans (25–34) and those aged 45–54 saw notable declines, while veterans aged 55–64 experienced a slight increase. Despite gains, disparities remain, especially for female and older veterans.

Leads Data Insights: Learning Core Value Metrics Summary — Spring 2025, University Of North Dakota

LEADS Implementation Documents

Summary and analysis of Spring 2025 metrics for the LEARNING core value of UND LEADS. The document reviews data sources, levels of achievement, and rationale for Learning strategic priorities, including experiential learning, global perspectives, digital technologies, student support, learning spaces, advising and mentoring, dynamic learning approaches, credential pathways, and credit and non-credit learning opportunities.

Leads Data Insights: Learning — Spring 2025, University Of North Dakota

LEADS Implementation Documents

Spring 2025 Data Insights presentation for the LEARNING core value of UND LEADS. The slides analyze currently available data as of March 2025, including levels of achievement for Learning strategic priorities, Activity Inventory summaries, and strategic-priority-level metrics related to experiential learning, global perspectives, digital technologies, student support, learning spaces, advising, mentoring, and credential pathways.

Chek2 In Cancer Suppression: Investigating Genetic Variants And Their Impact, Elaine Vanterpool, Nicevarlyn Philippe

Student Posters

Cancer develops when cells grow uncontrollably, often due to mutations in genes that maintain genome stability. One such gene is CHEK2 (Checkpoint Kinase 2), a tumor suppressor activated in response to DNA damage. CHEK2 halts the cell cycle to allow for DNA repair, stabilizes TP53, and phosphorylates BRCA1 , all of which help prevent the spread of mutations. CHEK2 belongs to the CDS1 family of serine/threonine kinases and contains an FHA domain that facilitates interaction with other DNA damage response proteins. Upon activation, CHEK2 inhibits CDC25C phosphatase, preventing premature mitosis, and contributes to G1 arrest through p53 stabilization. Itsrole in …

Eed Gene Variants And Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Genetic Approach To Understanding Ibs, Elaine Vanterpool, Ted Howard

Student Posters

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disease associated with the gastrointestinal tract that can cause abdominal discomfort, bloating, and alterations in the digestive tract. Its etiology remains complex, involving both genetic and environmental factors. Recent studies suggest that genetic variations may contribute to the pathogenesis of IBS. One such gene, the EED (Embryonic Ectoderm Development) gene, has been implicated in regulating various biological processes, including gene expression, cellular development, and gastrointestinal functions. In this research, we explore the potential relationship between the EED gene and IBS, with a focus on the variation rs798256, documented in the ClinVar database. We examine how …

An Analysis Of Dagla Variants Associated With Adhd, Elaine Vanterpool, Zahra Dulan

Student Posters

The human genome is largely responsible for each individual’s unique physical and physiological development. It contains thousands of genes with multiple alleles that code for proteins with various functions. Mutations in these genes have the potential to lead to the development of human diseases and disorders. Therefore, properly analyzing mutated genes is essential to understanding their potential pathogenicity in various diseases and disorders. It may also provide a basis for the development of new therapies. The DAGLA gene encodes a protein called diacylglycerol lipase alpha. This enzyme is involved in the biosynthesis of 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol, a key player in the endocannabinoid …

Frozen Section Mohs: A Hybrid Technique And One Plastic Surgeon's Experience With 1714 Consecutive Skin Cancer Removals, Michael L. Chang, Steven L. Chang, Fady Gerges, Matthew M. Delancy, Amanda C. Yang, Lawrence D. Chang

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

While US nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) mortality rate has decreased in the past decade, its incidence is rising. Traditional surgical treatments include wide local excision, intraoperative frozen section analysis (IFSA), and Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). IFSA and MMS are techniques that provide intraoperative analysis allowing the surgeon to confirm margins clear of malignancy and minimize tissue damage, especially in cosmetically sensitive subunits. MMS, with cure rates up to 99%-100%, is considered the gold standard but is limited geographically and financially because of specialized training. We report a hybrid surgical technique that effectively excises cutaneous malignancy but can be utilized by …

Barriers To Telehealth Uptake And Use: A Scoping Review, Mackenzie Kemp, Kristin L. Rising, Gregory Laynor, Jessica Miao, Brooke Worster, Anna Marie Chang, Andrew J. Monick, Amanda Guth, Tracy Esteves Camacho, Kiana Mcintosh, Grace Amadio, Lindsey Shughart, Tingann Hsiao, Amy E. Leader

Jefferson Center for Connected Care Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a scoping review to identify barriers to telehealth use and uptake from the perspective of patient, provider, and system that were documented in the literature. In addition to identifying and categorizing the barriers, we aimed to assess how barriers differed for studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as how barriers differed between the United States vs internationally based studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comprehensive searches of the PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Scopus databases conducted on December 29, 2021 yielded 17 887 results, with 11 221 potentially eligible documents after duplicates were removed. The team conducted an initial …

Unaccompanied Double Bass Literature: History, Pedagogy, And Performance Practice, Joseph Lee Gaskins

Theses and Dissertations

While most solo recitals featuring the double bass employ the piano as accompaniment, this ensemble configuration presents several problems for the performer in terms of balance and sound production. These challenges can cause students who are still developing their technique and musicianship to form bad habits in an effort to meet the demands of playing with piano. Over time, double bassists have developed a multitude of strategies to solve the problem of projecting a soloistic sound that will project over the accompaniment. However, the question must be asked: Why not remove the accompaniment from the equation entirely? While the double …

Swvl: A Custom Ai-Powered Face Tracking Camera Gimbal, Alexander J. Anderson-Mcleod, Jakub Jerzmanowski, Michael Laitarovsky, Trevor Allison, Jagger Tanner

Senior Theses

In response to the growing demand for smarter, more responsive face tracking cameras in the post-pandemic world, our team designed SWVL, a custom AI-powered face tracking gimbal meant to address the limitations commonly encountered by the commercial models currently on the market. These commercially available gimbals come with several issues, such as frequently losing track of the person in the frame and requiring manual resets, which we sought to fix with our implementation. We designed a system with fully custom hardware and software including a 3D printed dual-axis camera gimbal driven by stepper motors, a control PCB based around an …

Assessing Bioactivity Of Green Leaf Volatiles In Various Plant Systems, Fallon S. Tomlin

Senior Theses

Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) are chemical compounds essential in plant communication. Plants emit these volatiles due to abiotic and biotic stressors and, when perceived, these GLVs activate defense responses. Though GLVs play an important role in plant survival, it is still unknown where they localize, how they are perceived, and what structural factors influence perception. To elucidate these structural determinants, we tested the bioactivity of (Z)-3-fatty alcohols with four to nine carbons. Through root growth inhibition assays with tomato (Solanum peruvianum) seedlings, we found that (Z)-3-octenol and (Z)-3-nonenol were more bioactive than (Z)-3 hexenol and (Z)-3-heptenol. Thus, higher bioactivity was …

How New Mathematics Teachers Develop Teacher-Student Relational Pedagogy, Dustin Kinser

Dissertations

This study investigated the support structures implemented with new mathematics teachers to help them build relational pedagogy with their students to determine their effectiveness. The literature review examines topical research, gaps in literature and theoretical frameworks to justify the study. The case study investigated new math teachers and their processes of building positive teacher-student relationships using the support structures that they were taught on their way to becoming a teacher. Math teachers were interviewed to find any common themes across the study and find out what is truly working or not working so that the process can be improved. Another …

Examining A Unl College Success Program Through The Culturally Engaging Campus Environments Model, Osvaldo Palma Vargas

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Higher education institutions have faced difficulties in providing environments designed to promote positive success outcomes among diverse student populations, especially first-generation students. While literature has focused on college success programs’ practices as a solution, there is a noticeable gap in what these programs do that integrate first-generation students’ cultures. This ethnographic-inspired study sought to identify what cultural practices within a college success program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Trenchard Foundation Institute of Excellence (TFIOE), contributed to creating culturally engaging campus environments for first-generation college students. Using Museus’s (2014) culturally engaging campus environments model (CECE) as a framework, I conducted …

Pecan Grove Review Volume 22, St. Mary's University

Pecan Grove Review

Creative writings by students, faculty, and staff of the St. Mary's University community.

The Effect Of Different Incentives On Student Attendance Of Campus Events, Liam M. Riley

Posters - 2025

Research has shown that students who attend more events tend to perform better academically (Bergen-Cico & Viscomi, 2013). Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between incentives and student attendance of events at St. Mary’s University. Events hosted during the 2023-2024 academic year were used as a sample. However, events hosted after February 21 st , 2024, were excluded due to staff turnover in the student life office. It was hypothesized that a food and giveaway item would result in the highest attendance, followed by food only, then prize only events. It was also hypothesized that events that …

Modeling Student Depression With Decision Trees: Predictive Insights From Data, Ahloe Feomaia, David Montoya, Israel De Leon, Oluwabunmi V. Sanusi

Posters - 2025

• Student depression is a growing public health concern that adversely affects academic performance and general well-being.

• According to Ibrahim et al. (2013), the prevalence of depression among university students ranges from 10% to 85%, with an overall weighted mean of 30.6%.

• Factors such as financial challenges, academic stress, and social adjustments significantly contribute to higher depression rates among students compared to the general population.

• Studies have shown that female students are more prone to depression due to hormonal, psychological, and social factors (Altemus et al., 2014). Depression impacts academic performance, reducing cognitive function and increasing dropout …

Navigating Outsourced Manufacturing: General Motors' Strategic Challenges In Mexico, Alvaro Soler, Jose Maria Gallegos

Posters - 2025

Outsourcing manufacturing has become a strategic necessity for many global corporations in today’s fast-changing global economy. Over the past decades, many U.S. companies have outsourced production to regions like Latin America and China, seeking geographical advantages, lower labor costs, and access to skilled workforces to remain competitive. General Motors, one of the largest automobile manufacturers globally, exemplifies this trend. By outsourcing production to Mexico since 1935, GM highlights how multinational companies strategically use outsourcing to optimize costs and improve efficiency. Employing over 25,000 workers and contributing over 12% of its annual production in 2023, GM demonstrates the broader significance of …

El Campanario (Volume 1, Issue 2), St. Mary's University

Honors Program Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Texas' Ev Tax: Right Or Wrong?, Andrew Ponce

Posters - 2025

This poster was created for the 5th annual Research Showcase. From the poster:

Texas passed SB505 in, May 2023.

Enacted in September 2023.

SB505 → $200 annual fee (bundled with the $50.75 auto registration). Additional $400 fee for initial EV purchase. This would mean the EV owners pay for their two years of ownership upfront.

Critics say SB505 targets EV’s and disincentivizes a greener societal approach.

Does this law unfairly target EV’s and/or does it make owning an EV more expensive than gas-powered?

Importance Of Intervention, Megan Lexi Maldonado

Posters - 2025

Domestic violence is a global issue, and research extensively highlights its impact on individuals, especially children. This poster examines the detrimental effects of exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) on children, such as attachment problems, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), resilience, cognitive abilities, and trust. Despite growing awareness, there is still a lack of information on effective community and school interventions to aid affected children. The intent of this poster is to promote discussion on strategies for communities and schools to better assist children impacted by IPV.

Storage Batteries (Renewable Energies/Cars) - Background For Cure "Battery Discharge" Project, Alexa Miner, Clarissa Cortez, James Gonzalez, Ryan Romine

Posters - 2025

In the past, and even today, Texas is known for its oil rigs and non-renewable energy sources, but it has also become a pillar for solar and wind turbine created power. As of late, the usage of these kinds of renewable resources has become essential to keep Texas as efficient as we once were in an ever growing world, where more people need more energy. However, a caveat concerning renewable energy resources is how available they are. At first, this unfamiliar territory led to people doubting its productivity when there was a lack of wind or sunshine. The solution to …

A Protocol To Investigate The Acute Effects Of Contrast Therapy Vs. Heat Therapy On Cardiovascular Health Outcomes, René Barbier, Jace Nicolet, Annahy Pesina

Posters - 2025

There is a growing number of people being affected by hypertension, often referred to as high blood pressure. Chronic high blood pressure (>130/80 mmHg) affects 45% of U.S. adults (Huguet et at., 2021). Chronic hypertension can have catastrophic outcomes, as it significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and heart failure. On top of this, this cardiovascular disease is often referred to as a "silent killer," because it tends to not present symptoms until serious damage already occurred. In addition to the negative effects on the individual, hypertension constitutes a large public heath burden, costing over …

Catholic Church Involvement Across Different Cultures, Lucia Martinez

Posters - 2025

There is a widespread religious deconversion in Western culture (Hardy & Taylor, 2024).

• Data from The Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) shows that 29.7 million US Hispanics identify as Catholic, which translates to approximately 59% of the Hispanic population in the Unites States (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, n.d.).

• This study examined the difference between Catholic church involvement in predominantly Hispanic cities versus predominantly Caucasian cities.