Digital Commons Network^™

Use Of A Preliminary Artificial Intelligence-Based Laryngeal Cancer Screening Framework For Low-Resource Settings: Development And Validation Study, Shao Wei Sean Lam, Min Hun Lee, Michael Dorosan, Samuel Altonji, Hiang Khoon Tan, Walter T. Lee

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Background: Early-stage diagnosis of laryngeal cancer significantly improves patient survival and quality of life. However, the scarcity of specialists in low-resource settings hinders the timely review of flexible nasopharyngoscopy (FNS) videos, which are essential for accurate triage of at-risk patients.Objective: We introduce a preliminary AI-based screening framework to address this challenge for the triaging of at-risk patients in low-resource settings. This formative research addresses multiple challenges common in high-dimensional FNS videos: (1) selecting clear, informative images; (2) deriving regions within frames that show an anatomical landmark of interest; and (3) classifying patients into referral grades based on the FNS video …

Causalabstain: Enhancing Multilingual Llms With Causal Reasoning For Trustworthy Abstention, Yuxi Sun, Aoqi Zuo, Wei Gao, Jing Ma

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Large Language Models (LLMs) often exhibit knowledge disparities across languages. Encouraging LLMs to abstain when faced with knowledge gaps is a promising strategy to reduce hallucinations in multilingual settings. Current abstention strategies for multilingual scenarios primarily rely on generating feedback in various languages using LLMs and performing self-reflection. However, these methods can be adversely impacted by inaccuracies and biases in the generated feedback. To address this, from a causal perspective, we introduce CausalAbstain, a method that helps LLMs determine whether to utilize multiple generated feedback responses and how to identify the most useful ones. Extensive experiments demonstrate that CausalAbstain effectively …

Han Feizi On Reputation-Driven Disobedience: A Comparative Study, Antong Liu

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Must absolutist states resort to intimidation and coercion to tackle subjects' disobedience driven by their pursuit of reputation? Since canonical early modern Western thinkers broached but did not solve this question, I turn to the most renowned ancient Chinese Legalist Han Feizi's understudied account of reputation for answers. Whether as a means or an end, individuals' pursuit of reputation always challenges the authority of the absolute monarchy that endeavors to centralize state power. Forcefully confronting this pursuit is the barely but only acceptable way for the state to tackle this challenge, as non-confrontational strategies favored by many Western thinkers inevitably …

B.R. Wells Arkansas Rice Research Studies 2024, J. Hardke, X. Sha, N. Bateman

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

Research reports contained in the publication may represent preliminary or only a single year of results; therefore, these results should not be read as a basis for long-term recommendations.

Several research reports in this publication will appear in other University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station publications. This duplication is the result of the overlap in research coverage between disciplines and our effort to inform Arkansas rice producers of all the research being conducted with funds from the rice check-off program. This publication also contains research funded by industry, federal, and state agencies.

Use of products …

Multi-Crop Systems And Crop-Switching Strategies To Enhance Water Use Efficiency And Climate Resilience In Arid Agricultural Regions, Shahryar Fazli, Wenzhao Li, Surendra Maharjan, Hesham El-Askary

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Agriculture in the Lower Colorado River (LCR) region faces mounting challenges from climate change, arid conditions, and water scarcity. This study evaluates water use efficiency (WUEc) and crop-switching strategies under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios for 2025–2049, 2050–2074, and 2075–2099. Using historical data, climatic drivers such as temperature and precipitation were analyzed for their influence on key crops, including durum wheat, winter wheat, and corn. Results show SSP2-4.5 supports water use reductions up to 16%, stable profits (80–90%), and modest calorie increases (up to 15%), while SSP5-8.5 poses severe challenges, with water use reductions of 2–5%, profits dropping to around 20%, …

Wildfires Classification In Canadian Boreal Forest: A Comparative Study Of Logistic Regression And Xgboost Models, Brandon Tran, Elijah James Duran, Mike Luu, Hesham Morgan, Surendra Maharjan, Wenzhao Li, Hesham El-Askary

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

In recent years, Canada has faced a growing number of wildfires. These events have devastated ecosystems, displaced communities, and posed severe health risks. To minimize the damage caused by such disasters, this study aims to develop an early warning system that predicts wildfire occurrences. Two machine learning models for binary classification of wildfire occurrence in Canadian wild forests, Logistic regression and XGBoost, will be compared and evaluated. The models are used to predict the likelihood of wildfire events based on various environmental and climatic factors. The models are evaluated using a 70-30 split validation approach and their performance is assessed …

Decoding Teleconnection Impacts On Hydrological Switches In The Conus Using Wavelet Analysis, Surendra Maharjan, Wenzhao Li, Shahryar Fazli, Hesham Morgan, Hesham El-Askary

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Hydrometeorological teleconnections are key drivers of hydrological processes, representing the influence of large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns on regional climates. Understanding these teleconnections provides crucial insights into the mechanisms underlying hydrometeorological phenomena, particularly hydrological switches—rapid transitions between extreme events such as droughts and floods. These switches have become increasingly prevalent across the contiguous United States (CONUS), fueled by climate variability and evolving atmospheric patterns. This study utilizes cross-wavelet transform analysis to examine the spatial and temporal dynamics of hydrological switches and their correlations with major teleconnection indices, including NAO, ONI, WP, PDO, PNA, and QBO. The findings indicate significant coherence between …

Insights From Swot Data On Transboundary Upstream-Downstream Impacts In The Nile Basin, Hesham Morgan, Wenzhao Li, Ali Elgendy, Surendra Maharjan, Rejoice Thomas, Hesham El-Askary

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

This study utilizes high-resolution data from NASA's Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission to investigate water dynamics and upstream-downstream impacts across key reservoirs in the Nile Basin. Focusing on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Rosaries Dam, Merowe Dam, and the Aswan High Dam, the analysis spans 15 months (August 2023 to October 2024). By systematically selecting 30 points across each reservoir, monthly boxplots of surface water elevation were generated, revealing significant temporal and spatial variability. The results show that GERD’s filling phase led to a steady increase in water levels (peaking at ~615 meters from June to October …

Assessing Meteorological Impacts On Hydrological Switches In The Conus, Surendra Maharjan, Wenzhao Li, Sujan Shrestha, Hesham El-Askary

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Hydrological switches, defined as rapid transitions between extreme meteorological events such as droughts and floods, are becoming increasingly frequent across the contiguous United States (CONUS) due to climate variability. This study analyzes the spatial and temporal patterns of these hydrological switches and their correlation with large-scale meteorological indices, such as the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). Streamflow data from the US Geological Survey (USGS) is analyzed to investigate the impact of meteorological drivers on hydrological variability. Results indicate that regions dependent on snowmelt exhibit delayed hydrological responses to climatic conditions, while areas in the Eastern …

How Do Ceos Communicate Their Activism For Social Change?: A Content Analysis Of Fortune 500 Ceos’ Activism Statements, Katharine E. Miller, Young Kim

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this study is to explore the social actions taken by organizational leaders in the pursuit of activism. In recent years, corporate leaders, namely CEOs, have garnered substantial public notice due to their activism and personal rhetoric around social issues, therefore attracting attention within organizational scholarship and practice. By applying the theoretical frameworks of framing, this study conducted a content analysis of activism statements (N = 199) from CEOs of Fortune 500 companies using a mixed-methods approach involving manual coding and computational methods (NVivo). By doing so, this study advances CEO activism communication research by identifying dominant …

Reconstruction Of A Pelvic Nonunion Secondary To Metastatic Breast Cancer And Palliative Radiation., Ronald Peirish, Landon Reading, Cesar Cereijo

Surgery Articles

Pathologic pelvic nonunions are uncommon, although they remain a difficult problem and require meticulous surgical planning and execution for desired outcomes. In this paper, we discuss a patient who sustained a pathologic pelvic insufficiency fracture secondary to radiation therapy for metastatic breast cancer, who subsequently developed a symptomatic nonunion that required surgical intervention secondary to debilitating pain and inability to ambulate. We also discuss the classification of insufficiency fractures of the pelvis to guide treatment, in addition to complications associated with surgical intervention. A 51-year-old female with a 12-year history of metastatic breast cancer. She presented to an outside facility …

Hypertension, Diabetes, And Chronic Kidney Disease In Young Adults: Nhanes Data From 2013-2018, Ashly Rodriguez Reyes

Undergraduate Scholarship and Creative Works

Background. Several studies have reported the link between diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and obesity as risk factors for the onset of chronic kidney disease (CKD), ultimately leading to renal replacement therapies such as dialysis and kidney transplantation. Although extensively researched in adults aged 55 years and older, CKD remains under-researched for young adults. Despite its emergence as a healthcare concern, limited data exists on risk factors impacting young adults without major comorbidities.

Objective. This research study aims to understand the potential risk factors unique to this population, seeking to guide prevention strategies and improve prognosis in already diagnosed individuals. Additionally, …

Right To Work Laws – The Effects On Unionization With A Theatrical Emphasis, Jade A. Randle

Political Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

A look at the impacts that right to work laws may have on theatrical unions.

Fostering Economic Advancement Through Tourism Development In Dangriga, Belize, Ella S. Baker

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper discusses the relationship between economic development and the development of the tourism industry, based on a two-month project in Dangriga, Belize, which existed through collaboration of four University of Arkansas students, local community members and business owners, and organizational partners. This project explored sustainable tourism with the goal of benefiting the community's continued economic advancement.

Quantifying The Impacts Of Land Use And Land Cover Change On Urbanizing Agricultural Systems, Carli Beisel

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Western water supplies are increasingly stressed by the compounding impacts of population growth, urbanization, and climate change. Rising temperatures in Idaho are shifting precipitation patterns, with more falling as rain rather than snow. This reduces snowpack and the resulting snowmelt, which serves as the predominant water source for agriculture. At the same time, urbanization of agricultural land decreases surface permeability, replaces irrigated fields, and amplifies the impacts of climate change. The Treasure Valley, located in southwestern Idaho, has been rapidly urbanizing; urban land cover has grown by 52% from 1985 to 2021. Understanding how land use and land cover changes …

Exploring Communication, Connection, And Culture During Technology Implementation: An Autoethnography, Paula Bryant Blue

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Numerous studies have been undertaken on technological innovation in the classroom; however there is a lack of study on innovation at the organizational level and there is also a lack of focus on experiences of individuals leading the transformation. Individuals who are spearheading change can gain and offer valuable insights into their behaviors during the change process by reflecting on and examining their interactions, inclinations, and objectives. Furthermore, it is crucial to take into account the organization's culture and structure in order to comprehend how leadership operates throughout periods of change. This analytical and evocative autoethnography documents the experiences of …

Veterans Of Color At The Crossroads: Unraveling The Intersection Of Military And Racial Identity When Receiving Mental Health Care From White Providers In The Current Sociopolitical Context, Tabitha Alverio

Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of post-9/11 veterans of color (VoCs) who have received mental health services from White mental health providers (WMHPs) within the current sociopolitical context. Specifically, this study addressed two research questions: (a) How do VoCs describe their experiences of receiving mental health care from White providers in the current sociopolitical environment? and (b) How can White mental health providers improve their understanding of the identities of VoCs to provide greater quality of care, to improve treatment retention, and ultimately help to achieve better mental health outcomes for VoCs? Twelve …

Response Rates And Response Quality Of Online Course Survey For Deaf College Students: A Mixed-Method Study, Abdulaziz Abdullah M. Alqahtani

Dissertations

The purpose of the current dissertation study was to investigate how different delivery formats (written vs. sign language) of the course survey evaluation affect the response rate, psychometric properties and experiences of deaf and hard of hearing students taking course evaluation of total effectiveness. The following research questions guided this study:

Q1 To what extent do the different delivery formats of the online course evaluation of total effectiveness affect the response rate of DHH college students in KSA? (Quantitative question)

Q2 Do psychometric characteristics of the online course evaluation of total effectiveness differ by the design format of the online …

Teachers’ Perceptions On Success And Effectiveness Of Required Professional Development In A Midwest Middle School, Genevieve Kate Adams

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine how teacher voice could be meaningfully integrated into the structure and development of site based professional development. This participatory action research study investigated teachers’ perceptions of the structure, delivery, and impact of weekly, site-based professional development (PD) at a middle school in Northern Colorado. Grounded in a constructivist theoretical framework, the study sought to elevate teacher voice and promote collaborative reflection on how professional learning could be more relevant, responsive, and empowering. The study explored the following research questions:

Q1 What professional development structures do teaching staff view as beneficial to their …

Legislative Speech & Decorum, Sean J. Kealy

Buffalo Law Review

Decorum requires legislators to self-limit their free speech rights as citizens; things that may be said and done in the public square would violate legislative decorum rules. In 2023, two legislatures made headlines by using decorum rules to silence young legislators with minority views. In Tennessee, the House expelled two representatives after they walked into the House well and led protestors in the galleries in several chants demanding the House take up gun control legislation. In Montana, the House excluded a representative from the House Floor after she spoke against a bill to forbid minors access to gender affirming care. …

Whose Art Is It Anyway? Guidelines For Returning Cultural Property Removed Prior To World War Ii, Amy Bitterman

Buffalo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Private Equity And The Public Good, Daniel J. Morrissey

Buffalo Law Review

Private Equity (PE) is a term for large funds that use mostly borrowed money to buy and restructure companies, supposedly to make them more profitable. They manage trillions of dollars in holdings and have come to dominate many sectors of our economy, often not for the better. Private Equity is perhaps a more genteel form of the hostile take-overs that were so prevalent several decades ago, because now instead of ousting management of the firms they acquire, Private Equity offers their officials sweet deals to stay on. Those arrangements often raise conflicts which result in the shareholders of the target …

Regulating Algorithmic Accountability In Financial Advising: Rethinking The Sec’S Ai Proposal, Chen Wang

Buffalo Law Review

As artificial intelligence increasingly reshapes financial advising, the SEC has proposed new rules requiring brokerdealers and investment advisers to eliminate or neutralize conflicts of interest arising from AI use. This Article critically assesses the proposal’s scope, rationale, and feasibility, contending that its sweeping definitions and prescriptive mandates risk overregulation and conflict with the SEC’s longstanding disclosure-based regulatory approach. Drawing on case law, fiduciary duties, Regulation Best Interest, and existing antifraud provisions, this Article argues that the current legal framework, grounded in disclosure and informed consent, remains sufficient to manage AI related conflicts. It cautions against imposing categorical conflict elimination requirements …

Table Of Contents, Buffalo Law Review

Buffalo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Front Matter, Buffalo Law Review

Buffalo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Climbing Mount Laurel: Federal Land Use And Zoning Policy As The Bipartisan Solution To The Affordable Housing Crisis, Nina Stockman

Buffalo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Concordia Seminary Magazine Summer 2025, Vicki Biggs

Concordia Seminary Magazine

Bearing Witness to the Truth

Usm Student Guide To Ai And Learning, University Of Southern Maine's Ai Task Force

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Access to technologies that use artificial intelligence (AI) has expanded greatly. As with any technology, there are pros and cons for using AI in any aspect of our lives. This guide offers a set of considerations for if, how, and when to use AI as a USM student.

Shale Investment Dashboard In Ohio Q1 And Q2 2024, Andrew R. Thomas, Mark Henning, Samuel Owusu-Agyemang

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

This report presents findings from an investigation into shale-related investment in Ohio, looking at up, mid, and downstream activities. The investment estimates are for January through June of 2024. The report also includes an estimate of cumulative investment into shale in Ohio from 2012 through June 2024. Prior biannual investments are included in previously posted reports that are available from Cleveland State University.

Experimental Evaluation And Comparison Of Football-Related Head Impacts Among Ovine, Human, And Hybrid Iii Headforms, Madysn D. Cardinal

All Dissertations

Concussions and traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant public health concern, especially in American football, where repeated head impacts pose long-term risks to athlete health. While current helmet testing standards rely heavily on the Hybrid III surrogate headform to evaluate protective performance, these surrogate models lack anatomical accuracy and exclude the presence of a brain component, limiting their ability to capture the true mechanics of concussion. To address this limitation, this research developed and validated a novel inverted impact testing method that allows the impact testing of a Hybrid III headform and a cadaveric specimen. Additionally, this fixture preserves …