Digital Commons Network^™

Application Of Deep Learning In Analysis Of Stellar Spectra, Piyush Yayati

Master’s Dissertations

In recent years, the analysis of high-resolution stellar spectra has become increasingly important for estimating key stellar parameters such as effective temperature (Teff ), surface gravity (log g), metallicity ([M/H]), and rotational velocity (v sin i). Traditional methods often rely on manual calibration or spectrum synthesis, which can be time-consuming and error-prone, especially for M dwarfs whose spectra are dense with molecular features. In this study, we investigate the use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to automate the estimation of stellar parameters using synthetic and observed data.We adopt a StarNet-like CNN architecture trained on synthetic spectra generated from the PHOENIX-ACES …

Causal Explanations In Deep Learning Systems, Dhruv Vansraj Rathore

Master’s Dissertations

Deep learning models often deliver high predictive accuracy; however, their lack of interpretability can hinder their adoption in critical fields such as healthcare and finance. This thesis explores the concept of Intrinsic Causal Contribution (ICC), a novel method for explaining neural network predictions by quantifying each input feature’s intrinsic causal influence on the output, independent of correlated effects. ICC models the network as a Structural Causal Model and employs Causal Normalizing Flows to handle complex dependencies, with efficient estimation via the Jansen Estimator. Analysis on both synthetic and real data sets provides evidence that ICC produces faithful, interpretable attributions, often …

Preliminaries

Journal of English and Applied Linguistics

Abstract not applicable.

Psychotherapeutic Strategies To Cope With The Dark Side Of Religious Engagement, Thomas G. Plante

Psychology

Although spiritual and religious engagement that includes beliefs, practices, and community involvement has been found to offer numerous physical and mental health benefits, it can also be associated with problematic and dysfunctional perspectives and behaviors. Tragically, many people suffer from obsessive scrupulosity, guilt, anxiety, and depression, as well as discrimination, racism, and violence associated with their religious traditions and engagement or those of others. Mental health professionals must be mindful of both the upsides and the downsides of religiosity and find a way to secure appropriate consultation, embrace professional ethical principles, and support health and wellness for clients. This brief …

Theatricality Of The Ephemeral: Media Of Surplus And Spectatorship In Liang Dynasty (南朝梁, 502-557) Palace-Style Poetry And Hou Hsiao-Hsien’S A City Of Sadness (1989), Yingyi Wang

Comparative Literature M.A. Essays

This essay focuses on the mediation of spectatorship experience by “ephemeral media” in Liang Dynasty (南朝梁, 502-557) palace-style poetry and Hou Hsiao-hsien’s film A City of Sadness (1989). Drawing from Alexander Galloway’s “the interface effects” in new media studies, I investigate how the diegetic “ephemeral media” in these two texts, such as dust, candlelight, silence, and writing, function as opaque interfaces that complicate spectatorship. I examine spectatorship experience from the angle of ephemeral media by looking at how they direct spectators’ attention from the world of representations to processes of mediation. Transplanting Xiaofei Tian’s notion of the “surplus” in her …

Physical Activity Levels Among College Students In Saudi Arabia, Sarah S. Bajuaifer, Naif Z. Alrashdi

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To synthesize the literature on Saudi college students physical activity (PA) levels, barriers, and facilitators, as well as the proportion of college students meeting WHO-recommended PA guidelines Methods: A comprehensive search strategy was developed, and the databases PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus were searched for relevant studies. The systematic review protocol was registered in PROSPERO and the PRISMA reporting guidelines were followed. Studies that enrolled Saudi college students and reported PA levels, barriers to PA, facilitators of PA, or adherence to WHO PA recommendations were included. Reviews, animal studies, and conference proceedings were excluded. The quality of the studies …

Association Between Triptan Use And Ischemic Events In Patients With Ischemic Risk Factors: A Meta-Analysis, Fahad M. Aldehaim, Abdulaziz A. Alruways, Abdulaziz A. Alfarhan, Saleh N. Almunyif, Abdulmajeed Z. Alhusainy, Omar H. Albahli, Basil A. Almutairi, Meshari M. Alotaibi, Abdulaziz M. Alotaibi, Anas E. Alotaibi, Sultan S. Aldalbahi, Muhammad Shabbir, Muath A. Alammar

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To investigate the relationship between ischemic events and triptan use in patients having ischemic risk factors and evaluate the safety profile of these medications in vulnerable individuals. Methods: A detailed search was done using Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Medline, up to December 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies focusing on triptan use in individuals having predisposing ischemic risk factors and comparing the incidence of ischemic events between those who use triptans and those who do not. Studies were excluded if they targeted patients without ischemic risk factors, did not assess triptan use, or lacked a comparative …

Trends In Diabetes Mellitus Prevalence And Gender Disparities In Jazan, Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Analysis, Mohammed A. Jeraiby, Jobran M. Moshi, Sama M. Maashi, Ali I. Shubaili, Mayssa S. Nadeem, Siddig I. Abdelwahab, Manal M. Taha, Ajiad Alhazmi

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To analyze the prevalence of DM focusing on demographic trends, gender disparities, and age distribution. Additionally, it evaluates diabetes control rates. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study examined DM trends (2021–2023). It included patients with type 1 or type 2 DM from various healthcare settings. Results: The number overall number of diabetes cases has grown from 41,876 in 2021 to 46,889 in 2023, reflecting an annual rise of 5.7% (2022) and 6% (2023). The majority of cases (85.1%) were observed in individuals aged 40 and above, having the greatest prevalence in the 50–59 age group (25.3%). A significant gender …

Prevalence Of Very High Cholesterol Levels In Asymptomatic Military Recruits: A Single Center Study, Ghada A. Rashwan, Hadiza O. Ibrahim, Adil I. Jumani, Rima Y. Alsayari, Majdi S. Alnajjar, Khalid M. Alfakih

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To determine the prevalence of very high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (≥4.9 mmol/L) among asymptomatic military recruits in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an underdiagnosed genetic disorder associated with significantly elevated LDL-C levels, increasing the risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Zayed Military Hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE, between August 2023 and July 2024. 30,000 UAE national military recruits aged 17 to 40 underwent routine lipid screening. Electronic medical records (EMRs) were reviewed, and individuals with LDL-C ≥4.9 mmol/L were identified. Results: Among the participants, …

Osteoporosis Screening Practice At The National Guard Affiliated Primary Care Centers, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Moath Abdulmohsen Alkathiri, Duaa Abdullah Alammari

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To assess the use of osteoporosis screening tests in average-risk individuals at primary healthcare centers affiliated with the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between 2016 and 2023. Methods: Data were presented using frequencies n (%), mean, and standard deviation. Chi-square, t-test, and ANOVA tests were used for bivariate comparisons to evaluate test completion and prevalence estimates of osteopenia and osteoporosis. Binary logistic regression models were used to identify the factors associated with high odds of bone mineral density (BMD) test ordering and completion. For all analyses, a p ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. …

Factors Influencing Pain, Anxiety, And Comfort In Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography: A Prospective Observational Study, Ganime E. Soysal, Seyma Demir Erbas

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To investigate the factors associated with pain, anxiety and comfort in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Additionally, the relationship between pain, anxiety and comfort was examined. Methods: This observational study included 214 patients who underwent coronary angiography at Abant Izzet Baysal University Hospital in Bolu, Turkey, between October 2022 and December 2023. Demographic information, anxiety, and pain were recorded before and after the procedure, and comfort levels were recorded after the procedure. State-Trait anxiety inventory (STAI-State and Continuous), Paranesthesia Comfort Questionnaire (PCQ), General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ) scales were used for analyses. Results: The patients were mostly male (67.3%) and …

Evaluation Of Hbsag And Hbeag Seroconversion Rates In Patients Diagnosed With Chronic Hepatitis B: A 10-Year Retrospective Analysis

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To analyze the seroconversion rates over a ten-year follow-up period. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a critical public health concern globally. The seroconversion rates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBe Ag) are pivotal in evaluating treatment efficacy. Treatment cessation is guided by the identification of patients who have HBsAg seroclearance and HBeAg seroconversion. Methods: A 2,300 CHB patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) from 2013 to 2023 included the study. Based on their alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and HBeAg status, patients were divided into four phases and assessed the rates of …

Can Engaging In Social Activities Prolong Life?

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Safer Walking And Cycling Crucial For Road Safety And Better Health

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Could Strawberry Tree Extract Prevent And Treat Gastrointestinal Disorders?

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

How “Green” Are Green Acquisitions Really?, Sri V Srinivasan

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Our study finds that 43.14% of global green mergers & acquisitions (GMAs) from 2001 to 2020 may be susceptible to Green Embellishment—the gap between corporate environmental representations and actual performance, regardless of intent. Using a multi-criteria theoretical framework, we show that financial constraints strongly drive Green Embellishment in GMAs, with regulatory stringency and national culture moderating this effect. GMAs in weak regulatory environments are especially vulnerable, particularly under high stakeholder pressure. We further provide empirical evidence that financially constrained GMAs with lower green profiles and those in “browner” industries exhibit a higher propensity for Green Embellishment. Even in stringent …

Exploring How The High Or Low Of Firm Transparency And Speed Of Adjustment In Its Capital Structure Relates To The Implied Cost Of Capital Of A Firm, Yung Chee Leong

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

This dissertation tackles a core challenge in corporate finance — how firms can optimise both their capital structure decisions and the way those decisions are communicated to investors. It shows that while financial responsiveness (SOA) and transparency each help lower a firm’s implied cost of capital (ICC), the most meaningful reduction occurs when both are present and working together. For CFOs, the research offers a practical way to connect capital structure planning with communication strategy to improve market understanding and reduce financing costs. For investors and analysts, it introduces the idea of a transparency–SOA alignment measure to better assess firm …

Cutting Through The Infodemic Efficiently: News Claims Surveillance And Llm-Based Lightweight Fact Verification, Xuan Zhang

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

In the context of the current infodemic, the rapid spread of misinformation poses a severe threat to social stability and public health. Recently, the rise of deep learning technologies has offered the potential for accelerating the development of automated misinformation detection and verification. However, current technological capabilities and computational resources often prove inadequate for the exhaustive scrutiny required, rendering the enhancement of processing efficiency a critical imperative. Given the vast amount of data on the internet, current technology and computational power often fall short in timely and accurate scrutiny of each piece of information, making the improvement of processing efficiency …

Rich Models And Methods For On-Demand Same Day Deliveries, Zhiqin Zhang

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Same-day delivery has brought numerous conveniences to people’s lives, but it has also presented challenges in terms of service management. To effectively optimize on-demand same-day delivery operations within urban logistics, intelligent decision-making strategies capable of adapting to rapidly changing circumstances are essential. Employing effective decisionmaking strategies that account for order allocation, route planning, courier scheduling, and other relevant factors, is pivotal in advancing logistics operations, enhancing efficiency, customer satisfaction, and resource utilization in the context of dynamic same-day delivery problems.

The focus of this thesis revolves around different emerging challenges presented by on-demand same-day delivery problems, with a particular emphasis …

The Association Between Different Succession Methods And Innovation Investments In Family Businesses In China, Lei Wu

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Amidst the deepening of economic globalization, countries around the world are being progressively steered toward paths of innovative development, laying a solid foundation for enhancing national comprehensive strength and elevating international standing. Especially after the implementation of the reform and opening-up policy in our country, technological innovation has become the main direction of our transformation. According to the requirements of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, innovation-driven development will be fully applied to the country's development, creating favorable conditions for the realization of strategic development goals. National development and social progress are directly linked to corporate …

Essays On Empirical Asset Pricing, Ruxue Gong

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

The dissertation consists of three chapters on behavioral finance, arbitrage activities, cryptocurrencies and ETFs. The first chapter examines the existence and trading behavior of triangular arbitrageurs in cryptocurrency markets. Using a novel account-level orderbook dataset from an Indian cryptocurrency exchange, we document persistent price deviations between USD- and INRquoted token pairs, and use the triangular arbitrage opportunities to identify arbitrageurs and noise traders. Our results show that arbitrageurs significantly outperform noise traders on their holding-based returns, after adjusting for market returns and trading fees. However, arbitrageurs are not immune to behavioral biases when making trading decisions. Using a composite behavioral …

Using Multiculturalism To Combat The Negative Creativity Effect Of Cultural Tightness: How It Is Done Matters, Jung Kiu Choi

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

This study investigates the multifaceted influence of cultural tightness and multiculturalism on the global commercial success of pop music. Addressing an under-explored moderating effect of multicultural factors on creative output under tight culture, this research analyzes Billboard Global 200 and Spotify Top 50 chart data from 2013-2021. The empirical analysis reveals that cultural tightness negatively impacts pop song’s success. Conversely, multiculturalism, specifically through diverse languages and performance teams, generally enhances global success. A key finding is that while multicultural production teams do not directly correlate with success, they critically moderate the detrimental effects of cultural tightness, a buffering effect unique …

Carolyn Parker's Electronic Frequencies, Charnell Chasten Long

Faculty Publications

The chapter illustrates what it meant for Carolyn Beatrice Parker (1917–1966) to be a Black woman physicist in the US during the Jim Crow era. Her father, a physician, and her mother, a teacher, shepherded her into Fisk University, an historically Black college. As a physics major she studied infrared spectroscopy with the Black physicist Elmer Imes, graduating with a BS in 1938. She later attended the University of Michigan, obtaining an MA in physics in 1941. But like many Black women, she spent time before and after graduate school teaching in the K–12 system. In 1943, she became a …

Unraveling The Decline: A Phenomenological Narrative Exploration Of Chinese Students' Experiences And Decisions In Selecting U.S. Higher Education, Lorne K. Brandt

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

This study examined the declining trend of Chinese student enrollment in U.S. higher education by incorporating recent enrollment data and findings from the 2024 Open Doors Report. The researcher employed a phenomenological narrative inquiry approach and conducted semi-structured interviews to explore the lived experiences of Chinese international students through the lens of the push-pull theoretical framework. The analysis confirmed several well-established push-pull factors, including the influence of exchange programs and parental guidance. One counter theme emerged as most participants described a desire to avoid China’s high-stakes exam system. The study identified six additional themes: flexible admissions, desire for independence, merit-based …

The Effectiveness Of Digital Tools In Physical Activity Interventions For Individuals With Severe Mental Illness: A Scoping Review, Shannon Aisling Forde, Tara Coppinger, Susan Rea, Sinéad Hanrahan

Publications

Purpose: Severe mental illness (SMi) encompasses a mental, behavioural, or emotional disorder resulting in serious functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits an individual’s life activities. SMi can include disorders such as personality, psychotic, bipolar and major depression. incorporating physical activity (PA) into the daily lives of individuals with SMi offers increasing health benefits. Despite the acknowledged benefits of PA, there are barriers to engagement and participation rates remain low. Digital tools in PA interventions are rapidly increasing amongst this cohort and can mitigate these barriers. However, the broader implications of how a digital PA intervention can impact this …

Digesting The Details: How Cooking Shapes The Microbiome And Influences Obesity, Tracy Lieu

University Honors Theses

Obesity is a growing global health concern linked to chronic diseases and changes in the gut microbiome. While diet is known to affect gut microbes, less attention has been given to how food processing methods, such as heating, fermentation, and cold processing, change food in ways that influence the gut microbiome and health. This thesis reviews research on how different cooking and preparation techniques affect the availability of nutrients for microbial fermentation and the resulting effects on microbial diversity and metabolism. The findings show that fermentation and cold processing are the most supportive of gut health. These methods help preserve …

Structure Vs Agency: The Intersectionality Of Race, Mental Health, And Homelessness, Jayley Martin

University Honors Theses

This project investigates the intersectionality between race, mental health, and homelessness, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between structural factors and individual characteristics. Through an integrative literature review, the research addresses the question of how race, mental health, and homelessness are interconnected. The findings suggest a distinct relationship between untreated mental illness and an increased risk of homelessness, particularly among marginalized racial groups. In addition, some mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression, have a higher incidence among those who face conflict due to racial discrimination. Structural components such as systemic racism in social services and healthcare practices significantly impact access to …

Creating Possibilities: The Ethelind Pope Brown Collection: An Overview Of Who May Have Illustrated America's Oldest Naturalist Paintings, Maksym Dedenko

University Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the Ethelind Pope Brown Collection at the University of South Carolina, a rare assembly of hand-illustrated naturalist artworks depicting an assortment of flora and fauna from the eighteenth century. Despite its artistic and educational value, the creator of the collection remains unidentified. Through close textual and visual analysis, archival research, and comparative stylistic study, this project explores several potential authorship theories while providing background to the necessity of evolving science that facilitated its creation.

Woofs And Warbles: The Influence Of Urban Dog Walking On Birdsong, Grace Phillips

University Honors Theses

Recreational activity in natural areas can disrupt songbird singing during critical learning or courtship periods, increasing the risk of fitness and population declines in sensitive species. Local data on birdsong disturbance caused by recreation can guide management efforts protecting wildlife, such as signage, leash laws, and dog walking bans. This study assessed bird vocalization responses to groups with and without dogs in urban greenspaces. Surveys were conducted in Fall 2024 at three parks in Portland, Oregon, with varying rates of dog and human presence. Throughout two-hour observation periods, bird vocalization activity of seven songbirds was recorded at five-minute intervals and …

Beauty In The Feed: Exploring The Role Of Social Media In Women's Body Image And Emotional Satisfaction, Momina Hassan

University Honors Theses

Through a thematic analysis assessing four peer-reviewed studies, this thesis explores the relationship between social media (e.g., content, engagement factors) and how it impacts women's body image and emotional satisfaction. The studies varied in methodological approach and age demographics, but included only female participants. The research reviewed in this thesis calls attention to the harmful effects social media can have on women's health such as body dissatisfaction, anxiety, depression and disordered eating. The two main themes that emerged were appearance-based social comparison, and psychological impacts on mental health (e.g., anxiety, depression, disordered eating). Exposure to idealized images on social media …