Digital Commons Network^™

Analyzing The Framing Of President John D. Mahama’S Maiden Press Encounter In State And Independent Media Outlets, Daniel Ofosu Obeng

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

ABSTRACT Presidential press encounters are landmark moments in political communication which, as a result of media mediation, significantly impact people's perception of leadership and governance. The paper examines the depiction of the first press meeting of John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana, during his second term by state-owned and independent media in Ghana. This study, with Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Media Capture Theory as its theoretical frameworks, delves into how the language and institutional orientations influence the portrayal of the president's communication to the public by the media. By using a qualitative research design, the study decided on sixteen …

An Empirically Validated Adjustment Factor Level Of Traffic Stress Framework For Urban Bicycle Network Planning, Logan Sirbaugh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Bicyclist safety remains a critical challenge for transportation agencies seeking to expand bicycle networks while reducing crash severity and risk. To address this need, planners have used a range of evaluation approaches; however, many are costly, time-intensive, difficult to scale, and limited in transferability across jurisdictions. In response, Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) frameworks emerged as a practical tool for evaluating bicycling comfort and identifying low-stress routes using widely available roadway data. Despite widespread adoption, most LTS approaches rely on assumed design thresholds and perception-based criteria rather than observed safety outcomes, limiting their empirical grounding and consistency. This dissertation addresses …

Prevalence And Correlates Of Dietary Behaviors And Association With Metabolic Syndrome Among Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors, Lindsey Corder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Background: Adult childhood cancer survivors (CCS) face an elevated risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS), contributing to adverse long-term cardiovascular outcomes. Dietary behaviors are modifiable risk factors for MetS, yet investigations remain limited in this at-risk population. Notably, gaps persist in evidence regarding how overall adherence to preventive dietary behaviors and sex differences relate to MetS within the context of social determinants of health (SDOH). Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study analyzed baseline data from adult CCS enrolled in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort. Dietary adherence was assessed using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), derived from a validated block food frequency …

Developing Violin Exercises Informed By The Alexander Technique: A Study Of Maurice Ravel’S Tzigane Concert Rhapsody For Violin And Piano, Idil Belgin Kucukdogan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders are highly prevalent among professional musicians, with violinists particularly vulnerable due to the instrument’s asymmetry and repetitive demands. Although research in performing arts medicine has expanded in recent decades, preventive strategies are not consistently integrated into violin pedagogy. This dissertation presents a structured set of preparatory exercises for Maurice Ravel’s Tzigane Concert Rhapsody for Violin and Piano, informed by the principles of the Alexander Technique, as a model for integrating a somatic awareness method into advanced violin practice. As an expressive and virtuoso showpiece firmly established in the violin canon, Tzigane presents distinctive technical challenges. Composed in …

Writing And Singing The Self: Gendered Expression In The Songcraft Of Trans And Bisexual Singer-Songwriters In Memphis, Kara Leann Stewart Meredith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This dissertation contains four case studies of trans and/or bisexual singer-songwriters in the Memphis, Tennessee area. Trans and bisexual people break down the gender binary through sexual attraction or through gender identity, and must constantly “come out” to maintain visibility. The artists interviewed for this project are W1ND0W (she/they), also known as Jill Johnson, a mostly-sapphic bisexual and nonbinary singer-songwriter of hyperemo, electronic, and improvisational performance music; Suroor (she/her), a trans woman singer-songwriter of hyperpop music; Alex da Ponte (he/him), a trans man solo singer-songwriter of pop and indie rock; and Maggie Trisler of the band Mystic Light Casino (she/her), …

The Social Constructions Of Musical Listening: Audience Etiquette From The Nineteenth Century To Today, Catherine Elise Balsamo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Audiences and performers of the twenty-first century are primarily of the belief that the cultural norms of the concert hall are rules of etiquette that have been codified for centuries when they are newer than we think. Researchers have studied the background of audience behavioral trends to try to trace back to when the rules of audience etiquette became commonplace, with some scholars citing the French Revolution as a primary catalyst and others tying it to nineteenth and twentieth century conductor “cults.” By analyzing primary source material and synthesizing existing research on cultural shifts in the Western concert hall, I …

Tone And Resonance In The Congregational Singing Pedagogical Strategies For The Church Choir Context, Karen Zeferino

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This study explores pedagogical strategies in vocal technique for church choir. In the context of church choral ensembles, congregational singing plays a crucial role in worship, fostering community building. Therefore, developing vocal tone and resonance is essential for enhancing both musical expression and participant engagement. This dissertation argues that, despite the limitations of weekly rehearsal time, church choir directors should prioritize specific vocal exercises to address members' interests in improving tone, blend, vowel, and resonance. By incorporating pedagogical strategies tailored to the church setting, directors can promote individual vocal growth without extending rehearsal sessions. Drawing on vocal pedagogy literature and …

Louise Farrenc’S Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 35: A Historical Informed Performance Guide, Fabian Schneider

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Schneider, Fabian. DMA. The University of Memphis. March 2026. A historical informed performance guide Louise Farrenc’s Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 35. Major Professor: Daniel Brier. This project develops a historically informed performance framework for Louise Farrenc’s Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 35. Through close structural and stylistic analysis, the study situates the work within the broader symphonic traditions of nineteenth-century France and Germany, comparing Farrenc’s compositional strategies with those of selected contemporaries. Particular attention is given to formal design, thematic construction, orchestration, and harmonic language to assess both shared conventions and individual characteristics. Engaging with …

Nikolai Medtner's Skazki, Op. 51: Three Movements Transcribed For Wind Band With Commentary, Erin Nicole Duke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This dissertation contributes to the wind band’s long-standing tradition of transcription by producing a performable wind ensemble transcription of three movements of Nikolai Medtner’s Six Skazki, op. 51 (Nos. 1, 3, and 6) and documenting the orchestrational decisions that shape the transfer from piano to band. Although transcriptions have historically been a staple in wind repertoire, major composers and styles are still missing, and contemporary wind culture increasingly champions the revitalization of old standards. The selected skazki offer narrative and folk-like motives that can be heard as conceptually adjacent to early twentieth-century wind literature, while remaining singular to Medtner’s distinctive …

Evolution Of Korean Dansaekhwa Monochrome Painting: Are Contemporary Korean Artists Still Carrying The Torch?, Mary Anne Mccraw

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The first abstract and uniquely Korean artistic movement to emerge from South Korea, Korean Dansaekhwa is now globally popular and can be considered the embodiment of Korean contemporary art. The original founders developed a practice that was groundbreaking in its significance, involving both a new relationship between art and materials and a distinctly Korean ideology. Dansaekhwa artists in the 1960s and 1970s imbued their painting rituals with an intense study of the materiality of the art tools and supplies, infused it with the Korean meditative practice of ancient ink painting and calligraphy, and immersed it with a connection to nature. …

Nanostructured Mn-Oxide And Composites For Supercapacitor Applications: Synthesis And Characterization, Alisha Dhakal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The global transition toward sustainable energy systems has intensified the need for high-performance, low-cost, and environmentally benign electrochemical energy storage materials. Among transition metal oxides, manganese-based compounds offer rich redox chemistry, natural abundance, and structural tunability, making them promising candidates for next-generation supercapacitors. This dissertation presents a comprehensive investigation into the structure–property–performance relationships of Mn oxide–based electrodes, emphasizing morphology engineering, precursor chemistry, electrolyte optimization, and composite formation. Three classes of materials were extensively studied: (i) MnO2, Mn2O3, and Mn3O4; (ii) morphology-controlled Mn2O3 synthesized via urea and piperazine-assisted hydrothermal routes; and (iii) advanced heterostructures including Mn2O3–Co3O4 and LaMnO3-based composites. MnO2 exhibited …

Civil, Construction, And Environmental Engineering Apr 2026 Self-Study Report & Documents, Unm Academic Program Review

UNM Academic Program Review

Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering APR self-study report, review team report, response report, and initial action plan for AY2025, fulfilling requirements of the Higher Learning Commission.

Philosophy Apr 2026 Self-Study Report & Documents, Unm Academic Program Review

UNM Academic Program Review

Philosophy APR self-study report, review team report, response report, and initial action plan for AY2025, fulfilling requirements of the Higher Learning Commission.

American Studies Apr 2025 Self-Study Report & Documents, Unm Academic Program Review

UNM Academic Program Review

American Studies APR self-study report, review team report, response report, and initial action plan for AY2025, fulfilling requirements of the Higher Learning Commission.

Public Policy Apr 2025 Self-Study Report & Documents, Unm Academic Program Review

UNM Academic Program Review

Public Policy APR self-study report, review team report, response report, and initial action plan for AY2025, fulfilling requirements of the Higher Learning Commission.

Geography And Environmental Studies Apr 2025 Self-Study Report & Documents, Unm Academic Program Review

UNM Academic Program Review

NM Geography and Environmental Studies APR self-study report, review team report, response report, and initial action plan for AY2025, fulfilling requirements of the Higher Learning Commission.

Film And Digital Arts Apr 2025 Self-Study Report & Documents, Unm Academic Program Review

UNM Academic Program Review

NM Film and Digital Arts APR self-study report, review team report, response report, and initial action plan for AY2025, fulfilling requirements of the Higher Learning Commission.

How Do Social Network Models Compare To All-To-All Models For Forecasting Tuberculosis Epidemics? A Mathematical Modeling Study, Masabho Peter Milali, Hae-Young Kim, George Corliss, Anna Bershteyn

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Background. Mathematical models guide tuberculosis (TB) target-setting, yet most assume homogeneous “all-to-all” mixing. We compared projected intervention impacts between an all-to-all compartmental model and a Barabási–Albert (BA) scale‑free social network model under otherwise identical disease assumptions.

Methods. We calibrated transmission parameters so both models produced similar baseline trends, then introduced vaccination (coverage 30–70%; efficacy 80–95%) and treatment (20–50% increases in recovery) after a 400‑day burn‑in. Outcomes were assessed 300 days post‑intervention.

Results. Under 60% coverage, increasing vaccine efficacy from 80% to 95% yielded smaller projected reductions in active TB with the network model than with all‑to‑all mixing. Treatment improvements showed …

Electronic Book Acquisition Strategies In Academic Libraries: A Review Of The Literature, Rachel E. Scott, Michael A. Arthur

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

Electronic book (e-book) acquisition models have evolved over the decades they have been available to library customers. This review leverages findings from scholarly literature to document the proliferation and evolution of e-book acquisitions models, their strengths and weaknesses in various contexts, and their role in the collection development strategies of academic libraries. From firm orders and subscription packages to demand-driven and evidence-based acquisitions, engagement with e-book acquisitions models varies considerably based on factors such as library budget and staffing, institutional curriculum and programs, consortial affiliations, support for textbook affordability initiatives, and COVID-19 responses. The findings from this literature review suggest …

Sharksrx Newsletter Spring 2026, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Sharks Rx

No abstract provided.

State: The Magazine Of Illinois State University, Spring 2026, Illinois State University, University Marketing And Communications

State: The Magazine of Illinois State University (1999-present)

Illinois State University alumni magazine

Predictors Of Total Hip Arthroplasty Among Patients With Chronic Comorbidities: A Multivariate Analysis Of A Medically Underserved Region, Blake C. Martin, Manoj Peiris

School of Medicine Publications

Background

THA is a common orthopedic procedure that is expected to increase in the coming years. Obesity and osteoarthritis are major factors that increase the risk of individuals requiring THA. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is a distinctive health professional shortage area with high rates of obesity, arthritis, and diabetes. This study aims to examine the relationship between chronic medical conditions and the need for THA in this at-risk, medically underserved population.

Methods

This investigation employed a retrospective chart review encompassing patient records from January 1, 2018, through January 1, 2025, using the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley electronic …

Diagnostic Ambiguity Of Encephalopathy In Advanced Kidney Disease: Multisystem Overlap In A Patient With Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (Adpkd), Heart Failure, And Stiff Person Syndrome, Christopher M. Ahmad, Rae-Anne Kastle, Ishita Agarwal, Samantha Elliott-Ventura, Muhammad Farooq

Student Publications

Altered mental status (AMS) in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) frequently reflects overlapping metabolic, cardiopulmonary, and neurologic contributors rather than a single unifying diagnosis. We present a 59-year-old woman with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) progressing to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), congestive heart failure (CHF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and stiff person syndrome (SPS) who developed recurrent encephalopathy accompanied by equivocal pulmonary findings and elevated cardiac troponin without electrocardiographic evidence of acute ischemia. Her hospital course was marked by severe renal dysfunction, metabolic acidosis, anemia, and intermittent electrolyte abnormalities. Management required iterative reassessment rather than reliance on a …

Late-Onset Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease Treated With Varus Derotation Femoral Osteotomy: A Case Report, Mark Gamadia, Sami Habboub, Bianca Gamadia, Himanshu Panchal

Student Publications

Introduction: Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is categorized as idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head, most common in children between the ages of 5 and 7. Prognosis is strongly influenced by age and lateral pillar classification, with children older than 8 years and those with Herring Group C disease typically experiencing poor outcomes. Delayed diagnosis represents a significant barrier to care, often limiting treatment options and worsening prognosis. This case highlights such a scenario while demonstrating that favorable functional and radiographic results remain achievable through meticulous surgical containment in late-presenting, severe disease.

Case report: An 11-year-old boy with no history of …

An Integrated Tracking Technique For Underwater Navigation Using Acoustic And Imu Measurements, Mainul Islam Chowdhury, Quoc Viet Phung, Iftekhar Ahmed, Daryoush Habibi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Accurate navigation is essential for underwater vehicles like AUVs, which often operate in deep or remote areas. However, complex ocean dynamics, cumulative inertial-measurement unit (IMU) drift, and diverse noise sources often result in erratic and unreliable position estimates. To overcome these challenges, we proposed a method that combines underwater acoustic signals with onboard motion sensor data to improve the underwater position tracking system. The proposed system uses a long baseline (LBL) acoustic array of surface buoys to capture the Time-difference-of-Arrival (TDoA) of a multi-pulse beacon. We extract arrival times using a superimposed-envelope-spectrum (SES) detector, which exploits the beacon’s periodic structure …

Lactation-Stage Specific Protein Shifts In Koala Milk Mirror The Joey's Growth Needs, Manujaya W. Jayamanna Mohottige, Angéla Juhász, Emma Peel, Mitchell G. Nye-Wood, Katherine A. Farquharson, Tawfeek Khedr, Katherine Belov, Carolyn J. Hogg, Michelle L. Colgrave

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

AbstractKoalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) give birth to highly altricial young that rely on maternal milk for nutritional support and immune protection in the first year of life. This study applied proteomics to analyse stage-specific shifts in the koala milk proteome across early-, mid-, and late-lactation. Proteins were extracted from seven samples and analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Quantitative profiling identified 874, 1220, and 498 proteins in early-, mid- and late-lactation stages, respectively. The most abundant proteins—including β-lactoglobulin, caseins, clusterin, trichosurin, albumin and lactotransferrin—were consistently detected across all stages, reflecting crucial roles in nutrition, immune function, and detoxification. Protein–protein interaction analyses …

Exchanging Genes Within A City: Analysis Of Pollen Flow Patterns In A Narrow Endemic Plant Species Threatened By Urbanisation, Nicola Delnevo, Andrea Piotti, Eddie J. Van Etten, William D. Stock, David L. Field, Margaret Byrne

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Human-driven habitat fragmentation is known to disrupt gene flow in a wide range of species. However, its consequences for endemic plant species that depend on specialised invertebrate pollinators remain poorly understood. Although honeybees are capable of travelling considerable distances while foraging, many small-bodied native bee species lack the capacity to expand their foraging ranges or cross anthropogenic barriers, rendering habitat fragmentation the most significant threat to these ecological interactions. In many long-lived plants, the time since fragmentation has not been long enough for detectable changes in the genetic composition of standing populations. Changes in dispersal patterns observed in seedlings may …

Relational Practices Underpinning Person-Centred Care In Long-Term Residential Care Settings., Gary Hodge, Sam Ebden, Susie Pearce

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Recent figures indicate that there are just over 441,000 people living in long-term residential care homes across the United Kingdom (UK) (Berg, 2025), of which 70% are living with dementia or a severe cognitive impairment (Alzheimer’s Society, 2024). The percentage of people living in permanent residential aged care with dementia in Australia is slightly lower (54%) but still represents most residents and is rising (AIHW, 2025; Dementia Australia, 2025).This article is based on the findings and reflections of a qualitative multiple-case study exploring person-centred care across seven residential care homes in the United Kingdom (UK; Hodge et al., 2023). Findings …

Prioritising Follow-Up For People With Suspected Epilepsy Using A Digital Eeg Biomarker, Rohit Shankar, John Terry

Peninsula Medical School

Lengthy waits for follow-up testing are common for people with suspected epilepsy. This delays diagnosis, prolongs uncertainty and increases seizure risk. Initial EEGs are frequently inconclusive, yet follow-ups are often dictated by referral date, and there is no established method for risk-based prioritisation. Here, we tested whether an established digital EEG biomarker could help prioritise those most likely to have epilepsy for expedited follow-up EEG testing. We analysed 196 normal non-contributory (non-diagnostic) initial EEGs collected from six National Health Service (NHS) sites in England. From these recordings, we extracted eight previously validated computational features that quantify the likelihood that the …

Promoting Positive Youth Development With Adolescent Boys In Uk Schools: A Theory-Driven Evaluation Of The “Becoming A Man” Programme, Finlay Green, Cristina Preece, Kate Allen, Sean Manzi, Julia Mannes, Lynne Callaghan, Vashti Berry, Ediane Santana De Lima, Amy Woodburn, Tim Hobbs, Julie Harris, Nick Axford

Peninsula Medical School

Youth violence, including gender-based violence, is a major public health issue in the UK, yet evidence on effective interventions in the UK remains limited. Becoming a Man (BAM) is a two-year school-based positive youth development programme for adolescent boys, developed in Chicago, US, where two RCTs found reduced violent crime arrests and improved academic engagement. This study evaluated BAM’s potential in the UK using a theory-driven design (no comparison group). 97 boys aged 12–14 years (66% Black/Black British) in three London schools enrolled in BAM. Data sources included: implementation records (recruitment, attendance, adherence, quality, youth socio-demographics); school data (attendance, exclusions, …