Digital Commons Network^™

Impact Of Anatomical Changes On Treatment Plan Robustness: A Comparative Study Of Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy And Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy In Head And Neck Cancer., Jennifer Croft

Masters Projects

Head and neck cancer patients often experience anatomical changes during radiation therapy, including weight loss and tumor regression. These changes can alter planned dose distribution and affect treatment accuracy. Based on the previous understanding, IMPT offers highly conformal dose delivery but is sensitive to the patient’s geometry changes and daily setup uncertainties, while VMAT may provide greater stability under these uncertainties. However, as of today, there is no quantitative analysis and comparison between the two modalities using real clinical data. The purpose of this study is to compare the robustness of IMPT and VMAT for head and neck cancer by …

Current Status And Prospects Of Complex Scene Reconstruction Based On Gaussian Splatting, Hong'an Li, Jiale Yang, Qingfang Liu, Yu Shi

Journal of System Simulation

Three-dimensional Gaussian splatting (3DGS) provides an alternative approach for novel view synthesis from the perspective of explicit representation. By reconstructing scenes using 3D Gaussian primitives and replacing traditional ray integration with a point-based rasterization process, it not only improves training and rendering efficiency but also offers new insights for complex scene reconstruction. This paper divided 3DGS-based complex scene reconstruction methods into three major categories and elaborated on them around large-scale scenes, sparse views, and dynamic scenes. It reviewed the current development status of this field and pointed out possible future research directions.

Friction Stir Processing Of Cobalt-Chromium-Molybdenum For Improvements In Biomedical Applications, Kaleb Kiyoshi Bates

Theses and Dissertations

Friction Stir Processing (FSP) has been investigated as a means of microstructural modification aimed at improving mechanical properties such as corrosion resistance and wear resistance of biomedical-grade cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloy. FSP was successfully completed on high-carbon ASTM F1537 CoCrMo plates with operating temperatures ranging from 630°C to 850°C by adjusting spindle speed, traverse speed, and forge force. Hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance testing were performed, along with Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) to analyze grain refinement and phase structure. FSP produced grain refinement up to 97% relative to the untreated baseline across the investigated temperature range, with lower processing temperatures …

Guide To Conservation Easement Sections, Sara Callaghan

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Feedback Literacy In Colombian High School Students: A Phenomenological Approach, Maria Eugenia Cárdenas, Marcela Valencia Serrano

The Qualitative Report

This study aimed to understand 11^th-grade students' experiences with feedback during the first thematic unit of the mathematics class. It was based on the theoretical model of feedback literacy and used a transcendental-phenomenological design to fulfill its purpose. The participants were seven students from a private school in Cali, Colombia. These students were in the first unit of the mathematics class and interviewed in depth. The data analysis had several phases: epoche, horizontalization and units of meaning, textural and structural description, and composite description. We found that students' relation to feedback was characterized by a predominantly passive-receptive role …

Discourse In Youth Organizations Functioning In Poland: Constructing A Platform For Dialogue, Magdalena Cuprjak, Celina Czech-Włodarczyk

The Qualitative Report

Our research explores the degree to which youth organizations serve as platforms for open dialogue and examines how their discourse aligns with established principles of dialogism, as articulated by van Dijk (2001), Bakhtin (1982), and the 'authentic turn' concept proposed by Ostrowska (2017). In conducting this study, we anticipated finding variability in communication styles, expecting that some organizations—particularly those affiliated with the Polish Council of Youth Organizations (PROM)—would promote more inclusive, dialogic interactions. Conversely, we suspected that groups outside PROM, especially nationalist organizations like the All-Polish Youth, might display more exclusionary or ideologically driven messaging. Our expectations were rooted in …

Frequency And Radiative Analysis Of Random Yagi-Uhf/Vhf Phased Array, Luis M. Bres, Luis A. Hernandez, Teviet Creighton

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

This study investigates a phased array ground station capable of tracking multiple sources, multi-beamforming, electronic steering, easy scaling, and low cost. The project will develop a 20-pair dual-polarized Yagi-UHF/VHF phased array, comparing the parameters of random and uniform layouts. This study will be divided into two domains: frequency, and radiative domain. The frequency domain will explore the reception and transmission spectra analysis under several scenarios for our antennas. The radiative domain will explore the following: general side lobe analysis across both elevation and azimuth, antenna element sweep analysis, electronic beam steering analysis, electro-mechanical beam steering analysis, array density analysis, and …

Tea Polyphenol-Assisted Green Synthesis Of Silver Nanoparticle-Boron-Doped Diamond Nanoparticles For Theophylline Electrochemical Detection, Prastika Krisma Jiwanti, Adira Ainun Tsalsabilla, Angellita Wijaya Gunawan, Siti Wafiroh, Mohammad Kalimanjaro, Mai Tomisaki

Makara Journal of Science

Drug theophylline is a bronchodilator used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but precise monitoring is required to avoid side effects. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a screen-printed electrode (SPE) modified with a composite of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles and boron-doped diamond nanoparticles using tea polyphenols (Ag-BDDTP/SPE) for detecting theophylline. Formation of AgNPs was confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, which showed a localized surface plasmon resonance peak at ~450 nm. Transmission electron microscopy revealed polydisperse nanoparticles with an average diameter of 39.94 nm. During the electrochemical detection of theophylline, square-wave voltammetry (SWV) was employed to evaluate signal-to-background (S/B) …

Mutation Screening For Confirming Suspected Spinal Muscular Atrophy Using Dried Blood Spotted On In-House Cellulose-Based Cards, Yogik Onky Silvana Wijaya, Farda Tsaqouva Ahza, Annisa Naufal Almaszahra, Mawaddah Ar Rochmah, Dian Kesumapramudya Nurputra

Makara Journal of Science

Early and accurate diagnosis for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has gained relevance in an era of emerging therapies to improve patient outcomes. While screening of dried blood spots (DBS) effectively detects deletion-type SMA, non-deletion cases are often missed. Mutation screening from DBS is needed to address this gap. Here, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility of an in-house, cellulose-based card for direct Sanger sequencing for variant hunting, avoiding DNA extraction and offering an alternative to commercial cards. As a proof of concept, sequences obtained from DBSs of 23 healthy individuals were compared with sequences derived from isolated genomic DNA (gDNA). …

Lafe0.925ti0.075o3 Perovskite Coated With Ethyl Cellulose: A High-Stability, Low-Hysteresis Platform For Advanced Humidity Sensing, Akhmad Futukhillah Fataba Alaih, Djoko Triyono, Rifqi Almusawi Rafsanjani

Makara Journal of Science

Humidity sensors are pivotal in numerous sectors, such as environmental monitoring, industrial automation, and health-care. This study presents the fabrication and detailed evaluation of an advanced humidity sensor using ethyl cellulose (EC)-coated LaFe_0.925Ti_0.075O₃ (LFTO) perovskite nanoparticles synthesized via the sol-gel method. The LFTO nanopar-ticles exhibited a mesoporous structure with an enhanced surface area, which significantly improved their moisture adsorption capabilities. The innovative application of EC coating addresses critical substrate adhesion issues, enhancing mechanical stability without compromising sensor sensitivity. Comprehensive performance evaluations revealed minimal hysteresis (

Performance Of A Fertilizer Sludge Contaminated With Heavy Metals Collected From Two Wastewater Treatment Plants On (Lactuca Sativa), Leila Lila Belkhedim, Yamina Tahri

Makara Journal of Science

The improper management of sewage sludge poses a significant global risk to environmental and public health. In this study, the valorization of sludge as an organic fertilizer for lettuce cultivation was evaluated, offering a sustainable waste-to-resource solution. Sludge from two wastewater treatment plants (Mazouna and El Kerma) were collected between 2019 and 2021. Comprehensive physicochemical analysis was conducted to determine its nutrient value and contaminant levels. In addition, the efficacy and safety of the fertilizer were assessed by measuring lettuce growth and the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in plant tissues. The analyzed sludge, with an organic matter content of 9.91%–83% …

In Silico And Toxicological Evaluation Of Crescentia Cujete Aqueous Extract: Potential Anticancer Activity Against Breast Cancer, Rahma Diyan Martha, Fatimah Fatimah, Syahputra Wibowo, Bantari Wisynu Kusuma Wardhani, Josephine Elizabeth Siregar, Elisabeth Farah Novita Coutrier, Alfia Fitrianita, Andri Pramesyanti Pramono, Ita Margaretha Nainggolan, Yudhi Nugraha, Danar Danar, Naufal Abiyyu, Lalu Unsunnidhal, Aswin Rafif Khairullah, Arif Nur Muhammad Ansori, Hesty Parbuntari, Wimbuh Tri Widodo

Makara Journal of Science

Majapahit plant (Crescentia cujete), commonly found in Indonesia, has not been extensively explored for its medicinal properties. Given that many cancer treatments are derived from plants, this study aimed to examine the effects of plants on cancer chemical composition of the C. cujete fruit pulp extract, identify its primary compounds, and assess its potential as an antioxidant, anticancer agent, particularly for breast cancer. An insilico approach was used to evaluate the toxicity and interactions, of the compounds with cancer biomarker proteins, in addition to an in vivo Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT) for BSLT, toxicity screening using six …

Morphometric And Genetic Analyses Of The Sheat Catfish Genus Ompok And Kryptopterus (Siluriidae) From The Mahakam River, East Kalimantan, Indone-Sia, Jusmaldi Jusmaldi, Rudhy Gustiano, Haryono Haryono, Rusdianto Rusdianto, Gema Wahyudewantoro, Syahroma Husni Nasution, Yulianto Yulianto, Muhammad Hunaina Fariduddin Aththar, Safar Dody, Amran Ronny Syam, Irin Iriana Kusmini, Yosmaniar Yosmaniar

Makara Journal of Science

Anthropogenic impacts within the watershed threaten the survival of sheat catfish. Therefore, species of the genera Ompok and Kryptopterus should be conserved and domesticated to ensure their long-term persistence. Moreover, the accurate documentation of the existence and taxonomic validity of Ompok and Kryptopterus species is crucial. Accordingly, this study aims to assess the species diversity of the genera Ompok and Kryptopterus in the Mahakam River, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. The study was conducted between June and December 2014, with an update in August 2024. Fish samples were collected from the upstream and middle reaches of the Mahakam River. A total of …

Screening For The Suitable Signal Peptide For Secreted Nattokinase Expression In E. Coli Using An In Silico Approach: Precursor Vs. Mature Forms, Dewi Purwani Caya Ningsih, Kartika Sari Dewi, I Wayan Martadi Santika, Ade Andriani, Joko Pebrianto Trinugroho, Muhammad Yusuf

Makara Journal of Science

Nattokinase (NK), an enzyme with thrombolytic activity, has been widely used in treating cardiovascular disease. The expression of NK in the E. coli cell host is favored due to its several benefits, though it often results in inclusion bodies. Appropriate signal peptides can be attached to the N-terminus of a protein to initiate a secretory expression system, thus preventing the nascent protein from aggregating in the cytoplasm. This study aimed to identify suitable signal peptides for the secretory expression of active NK in E. coli and to investigate the impact of pre-protein in NK secretion using an in silico approach. …

Unraveling The Role Of Tree Species Diversity In Climate Change Mitigation: A Case Study Of Ecuadorian Tropical Forests, Carlos Alfredo Salas-Macías, Ezequiel Zamora-Ledezma, Karime Montes-Escobar, Grover García-Saltos, Jerry Toth, Moises Tenorio-Mendoza, Juan Manuel Moreira-Castro, María Belen Vinces-Obando, Luis David Balarezo-Saltos

Makara Journal of Science

To address climate change, a crucial environmental challenge, strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are essential. This study examines the relationship between tree species diversity, aboveground biomass (AGB), and carbon storage across tropical forests. The research was carried out in the Jama-Coaque Ecological Reserve and the Bosque Seco Lalo Loor Ecological Reserve in northwestern Ecuador, using 16 sample plots across five forest types: Mature Moist Forest (MMF), Cloud Forest (CLF), Early Succession Forest (ESF), Tropical Dry Forest (TDF), and Mature Semi-Deciduous Forest (MSF). To obtain indices of diversity and evenness, individual species were measured within plots, along with assessments of …

Ecological Patterns Of Culture-Recoverable Entomopathogenic Fungi From The Maize Rhizosphere Across Three Elevation Zones In West Java, Indonesia, Lilian Rizkie, Tjandra Anggraeni, I Nyoman Pugeg Aryantha, Agus Susanto

Makara Journal of Science

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are important components of soil ecosystems and may support sustainable pest management in agricultural systems. This study characterized culture-recoverable EPF in maize (Zea mays L.) rhizospheric soils collected from 45 points across three elevation zones in West Java, Indonesia, using a spatially nested sampling design. Fungi were isolated by insect baiting with Tenebrio molitor larvae and direct soil plating. The isolates recovered were assigned to genera based on colony morphology and microscopic characteristics. Four EPF genera— Verticillium, Paecilomyces, Beauveria, and Metarhizium—were detected, with 34/45 samples (75.6%) positive for at least one recoverable …

Effectiveness Of Lay Workers Delivering Behavioural Activation For People With Depression: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Shwikar Othman, Lauren Blekkenhorst, Asangaedem Akpan, Irene Ngune, Nilufeur Mckay, Alison Kennedy, Elizabeth Armstrong, Michael Hunter, Kevin Murray, Mathew Coleman, Richard Gray, Emma Jones, Christopher Lee, Martin Jones

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background Behavioural activation is effective for depression, but its effectiveness in treating adults with depression when delivered by lay workers remains unclear. Aims To examine the effectiveness of behavioural activation delivered by lay workers, compared with any control group, in reducing depressive symptoms in adults. Method This systematic review searched six databases from inception to January 2025, for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing behavioural activation and any control conditions for individuals with depression when delivered by lay workers. Additional searches were conducted in the international trial registries and reference lists (PROSPERO registration CRD42024625620). Risk of bias was assessed using the …

Effect Of Heat Treatments On The Corrosion Resistance Of A Trip Steel And Its Evaluation By Non-Destructive Testing, Karla Ivette Vega-Nava, Ariosto Medina-Flores, Marco Antonio Espinosa-Medina, José Sergio Pacheco-Cedeño, Héctor Guillermo Carreón-Garcidueñas, Francisco Fernando Curiel-López, Jose Jaime Taha-Tijerina

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

The development of advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) for the automotive industry requires optimizing the balance between mechanical properties and durability in aggressive environments. This study investigates the effects of two heat treatment routes on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of a transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steel (Fe-0.2C-1.75Mn-0.5Si-1Al). Route A includes a full austenitizing step at 1000 °C prior to intercritical annealing, whereas Route B omits this step and begins directly with intercritical annealing at 800 °C. Microstructural characterization (SEM/XRD), electrochemical assays, and eddy current tests were employed. The results revealed that Route A yields a homogeneous microstructure with 12.7% retained austenite, …

His Brother's Keeper: Examining The Relationship Between Social Support Within The Black Barbershop And Help-Seeking Behaviors Among African American Men, Diarra Jana'e Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This study sought to examine the role the Black barbershop environment may play in lessening the gap between mental-health stigma and help-seeking behaviors among African American men. It is the first to examine the impact of peer-support received in the Black barbershop in comparison to a traditional medical setting on referral follow-through among this demographic. Black men experience significant physical health disparities in comparison to all other race-sex demographic groups in the United States. These health disparities are often due to systemic inequities like lack of access to health care, cost of care, and a lack of insurance. With much …

Managing Prairie Dogs On Agricultural Lands, Cory Farnsworth, S. Nicole Frey

All Current Publications

While prairie dogs are an important species in the region because their burrows provide shelter for many wildlife species, they are also preyed upon by many mammals and birds. However, because of the damage they can cause to cropping and range systems, their populations may occasionally need to be controlled. After you have identified which prairie dog species you are in conflict with and the scope of the damage, you will want to decide how to manage them. This fact sheet provides information on control options and the general ecology of the three prairie dog species in Utah.

Geothermal Energy In Utah: Massive Potential To Meet Growing Electricity Needs, Emily Labonty, Kendall Becker, Logan Mitchell, Jennifer Bodine, Scott Hotaling

All Current Publications

Including more geothermal energy in Utah's energy mix would help address issues of concern for many Utahns: poor air quality, climate change, and the need to support renewable energy research. Geothermal energy, heat from within the Earth, is a renewable energy source that can provide flexible, baseload electricity––like coal or natural gas––but without the climate-warming and polluting effects. This fact sheet provides information about geothermal energy, generating electricity from geothermal energy, and current geothermal projects in Utah.

Geothermal Energy In Utah: A Safe Technology With Limited Environmental Impacts, Joseph Harding, Kendall Becker, Logan Mitchell, Jennifer Bodine, Scott Hotaling

All Current Publications

Geothermal energy has the potential to transform Utah’s electricity landscape, driving a future with improved air quality, lower carbon emissions, and fewer environmental impacts. In this fact sheet, we provide an overview of geothermal energy and its potential environmental implications in Utah. We highlight that recent geothermal projects in Utah do not use fresh water and that new well designs are expected to reduce the consumption of salty, brackish water. If these efforts are successful, geothermal energy would have lower water consumption, reduced seismic risk, and a similarly low land-use footprint compared to fossil fuel sources of electricity.

Temporal And Spatial Variation In Temperature And Oxygen At The Microscale: Key Niche Axes For Aquatic Life, W. C.E.P. Verberk, David T Bilton

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

To understand animal adaptations, we need accurate estimates of the ecological factors impacting organisms in nature. While temperature is a well-established driver of physiological performance, its effects in aquatic systems are closely linked to water oxygenation. Oxygen levels are expected to differ spatially and fluctuate temporally much more strongly in water than on land, but our understanding of variation in temperature and oxygen levels in freshwaters remains limited. It is essential that environmental variation is recorded at spatial and temporal resolutions relevant to the organism. Here, we analyse spatial and temporal variation in water temperature and oxygenation across running and …

Does Set Configuration Influence Long-Term Adaptations To Complex Training In National-Level Wrestlers? A Volumematched Randomized Trial, Yueqiang Ma, Pengpeng Gou, Yuxiong Huang, Jialiang Yu, Lijia Zhou, Kai Xu, Binbin Jia, Danyang Li

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: Complex training is commonly used to enhance strength and explosive performance in athletes; however, the long-term influence of set configuration within complex training remains unclear in highly trained wrestlers. This randomized, volumematched trial investigated whether set configuration influences long-term adaptations to complex training (CT) in national-level male Chinese-style wrestlers. Specifically, the study compared the effects of cluster-set complex training (CS-CT) and traditional-set complex training (TS-CT) on maximal strength, lower-limb explosive performance, anaerobic power, and sport-specific performance.

Methods: Sixteen highly trained wrestlers (Tier 3; n=16) completed an 8-week lowerbody CT program performed twice weekly. Participants were randomly allocated to either …

Contextualized Classroom Management For Local Philippine Higher Education: A Faculty-Driven Framework, Jestoni Pueblos Babia

Irish Journal of Academic Practice

Higher education classroom management is now recognized as an essential policy and pedagogical issue, especially in the Philippines, where local universities serve the diverse needs of Generation Z students. Participatory Action Research with 50 faculty members from a local university supports this study in developing a faculty-driven classroom management framework. Guided by Bandura's social learning theory, this framework emphasizes student involvement, restorative discipline, inclusion, digital integration, teacher leadership and institutional support. It draws on learning theory, Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, Deci and Ryan's self-determination theory, and Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, among others. Results indicate that systems combining faculty creativity with consistent …

Ai El Realty Corp V. Maquilan

All Decisions

In this nonpayment proceeding, the court granted tenant's motion for an interim order to correct on landlord's default. There were 68 open HPD violations — 19 Class A, 26 Class B, and 23 Class C — in the apartment, plus 5 Class B common-area violations. Landlord failed to interpose any cognizable defense. Failure to gain access is not a defense to an order to correct, per D'Agostino v Forty-Three E. Equities Corp., 12 Misc 3d 486 (Civ Ct NY 2006). Corrections ordered within statutory time frames upon first access.

From Deficit To Dialogue: Reassessing The Role Of Institutional Data In Library Resource Deployment, Rebecca Bryant Penrose, Geoff Walton, Kirsty Fife, Mary K. Bolin

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Universities increasingly foreground institutional research (IR) dashboards to steer ‘student success’ agendas, yet much of the library’s contribution operates through relationships that IR cannot readily capture. As a result, the library’s engagement with IR efforts remains underexplored in library and information science scholarship. Drawing on descriptive survey data from 66 academic librarians and library administrators, together with nine semi-structured interviews conducted across the California State University system, this study examines how library resources are allocated at course level and whether IR data inform those decisions. Findings indicate that librarians rely far more on local relationships, timing within the academic calendar …

Intersectional Pathways To Prison And Sentence Disparities: Exploring The Role Of Race, Gender Identity, And Sexuality In Women’S Sentencing Outcomes, Jae Collett

Dissertations and Theses

This study explores the relationship between race, gender identity, sexuality, and prison sentence length using data from the Survey of Prison Inmates, 2016. While state and federal guidelines are ostensibly in place to prevent disparate sentencing outcomes, research still finds disparities in prison sentence lengths across identities of defendants. Women generally receive more lenient sentences than men, and may be shown chivalry when processed through the criminal legal system. However, qualifications for chivalrous treatment have historically only been accessible to certain women (i.e. cisgender, heterosexual, white women). The social and institutional exclusion queer women and/or women of color experience may …

The Development And Evaluation Of The Functional Analysis Screening Tool For Athletic Performance (Fast-Ap), Sharayah S. M. Tai

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

There is a growing focus of ABA within sports performance, however, there is a lack of standardized assessments to aid in the development of individualized programming for athletes that is based on the behavior-reinforcing effects to promote optimal athletic performance. The Functional Analysis Screening Tool for Athletic Performance (FAST-AP) is a 16-item questionnaire developed to identify environmental variables that influence athletic performance and identify strategies that can be used to improve motivation and performance of athletes. This allows for the development of function-based interventions and identifying individualized coaching strategies to improve motivation and increase athletic performance more consistently overtime. Study …

Building Trustworthy Information Systems: A Unified Framework For Comparative Risk Detection, Parisa Momeni

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Risk detection in large scale information systems increasingly depends on heterogeneous data generatedby both centralized and distributed ecosystems. While centralized systems provide curated and validated reports, distributed environments produce large-scale and real-time observational evidence. Existing computational approaches analyze these ecosystems in isolation, limiting systematic comparison of risk repre-sentations across heterogeneous sources.

This dissertation presents a unified computational framework for comparative risk detection across centralized and distributed information systems. The framework provides a domain independent methodology for transforming heterogeneous risk reporting data into comparable multidimensional representations. To enable interpretable comparison of heterogeneous risk distributions, this work introduces the Geometric Overlap Score …