Digital Commons Network^™

Training Aba Service Providers To Use Phonemic Transcription: A Comparison Of Two Alphabets, Kristin Marie Albert

Theses and Dissertations

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) service providers regularly develop speech and shape articulation when working with minimally vocal children with autism. However, these providers usually have not received training in related subject areas as part of their certification coursework. This results in a gap between their scopes of competence and practice. The present study aimed to lessen this gap by training ABA service providers to take phonemic transcription. The author, in consultation with a speech-language pathologist, developed and implemented a computer-based programmed instruction training package. Studies 1 and 2 employed a concurrent multiple-probe design with an embedded adapted alternating treatments design …

Instance-Adaptive Gated Fusion Of Multi-Transform Image Representations, Prince Appiah

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation proposes the Instance-Adaptive Gated Fusion (IAGF) framework, a novel deep learning architecture for adaptive and interpretable fusion of multiple time–series image transformations. While existing methods rely on static concatenation or dataset-level optimization, IAGF introduces a learnable gating mechanism that dynamically assigns per-instance weights to Recurrence Plots (RP), Gramian Angular Summation Fields (GASF), and Gramian Angular Difference Fields (GADF). The gating layer performs a convex fusion of transformation-specific embeddings under a softmax constraint, ensuring mathematical stability and interpretability. An entropy-regularized objective prevents dominance collapse and promotes balanced exploration of transformations during training. Comprehensive experiments across eighteen benchmark datasets, spanning …

Systematic Review Of Instruments Measuring Teachers' Tpack, Jose Ruben Avalos

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The study examines the assessment of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK), a framework that integrates technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge for effective teaching. Given the increasing integration of technology in education, it is crucial to understand how TPACK is assessed and the tools used to measure teachers' proficiency in these areas. This study aims to review and analyze tools used to assess TPACK, evaluate their validity and reliability, and provide a synthesis of existing research to inform future developments in TPACK assessment. A systematic review of literature was conducted, focusing on studies related to the evaluation of TPACK. Four research …

Repealing Reorgs, Reuven S. Avi-Yonah

Law & Economics Working Papers

Under the Supreme Court's opinion in Moore, it is likely that realization is essential for defining income as a constitutional matter. Therefore, when a transaction involves realization, it should presumptively be taxable unless there are very good reason for nonrecognition of gain. Given this reality, there are good reasons for Congress to consider repealing tax-free reorganizations and the other nonrecognition rules of the corporate tax, primarily for non-tax reasons. Acquisitive A, B, and C reorganizations and acquisitive section 351 transactions typically are used for large public corporations to acquire startups, which encourages monopolies. Triangular mergers raise corporate governance concerns …

Computational Methods For Complex Electromagnetic Geometries And Media, Edgar Bustamante

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Additive manufacturing has enabled electromagnetic devices with increasingly complex geometries, but existing numerical tools remain limited in their ability to model and design such structures. This dissertation presents two major advancements that address these restrictions in the finite-difference frequency-domain method (FDFD) and the spatially-variant lattice algorithm (SVLA). These two numerical methods provide a foundation for future exploration in the simulation, optimization, and realization of next-generation electromagnetic devices. First, a general bianisotropic FDFD formulation based on the vector wave equation is presented that enables practical modeling of metamaterials using effective medium homogenized parameters rather than explicitly resolving subwavelength metamaterial features. The …

Ai-Facilitated Abuse & Misogyny: A Feminist Response To Non-Consensual Intimate Image Deepfakes, Lizbeth Carmona

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The creation of non-consensual intimate images utilizing AI deepfake technology has been demonstrated to overwhelmingly target women. The harms of non-consensual intimate image deepfakes are similar to other forms of misogynistic abuse, including intimate image abuse and online objectification. This project seeks to contextualize this phenomenon within feminist accounts of misogyny and its role in regulating women's behavior. In particular, this project highlights that the accessibility of this technology has lowered the threshold of abuse, despite the individual woman's preventive measures. Furthermore, this project argues that the dissemination of non-consensual intimate image deepfakes is a morally problematic situation because it …

Intelligent Predictive Frameworks Under Data Scarcity And Uncertainty, Solayman Hossain Emon

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Modern predictive systems frequently operate under conditions of limited annotated data, high uncertainty, and the need for reliable decision-making. When the predictive models expand across heterogeneous data types (e.g., spatial, temporal streams), the challenge lies not only in accurate prediction but also in adapting in data distributions shifts or label scarcity. To address these issues, this thesis explores an Intelligent Predictive Framework that operates robustly under data scarcity and uncertainty across two distinct domains: medical imaging (spatial) and time-series forecasting (temporal). In the first part of this work, a semi-supervised mean teacher (MT) paradigm is tailored for medical image segmentation …

Design And Validation Of Model Predictive Controllers For Lateral Vehicle Control, Keren Flores

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This thesis develops, implements, and evaluates a Model Predictive Control (MPC) framework for lateral vehicle guidance using a linearized bicycle model. The complete control architecture is formulated from first principles, beginning with the derivation of the continuous-time planar dynamics and their conversion into a discrete-time state-space representation suitable for real-time control. The MPC problem is constructed explicitly through the development of prediction models, output selection matrices, and quadratic cost formulations. The controller is evaluated through a Python simulation environment that includes reference trajectory generation, nonlinear vehicle propagation, and constraint handling. Robustness is examined using systematic perturbations to vehicle mass, tire …

Mbse For Process Analytical Technology- Bwon Analysis Case Study, Arnaldo Garcia Cervantes

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions from industrial sources, particularly Benzene, present significant environmental and public health challenges. Regulatory frameworks, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Benzene Waste Operations NESHAP (BWON), mandate strict monitoring of control devices, specifically carbon adsorption canisters, to prevent emission breakthrough. However, current industry practices rely heavily on manual Method 21 testing, a labor-intensive process that creates lagging indicators and increases the risk of non-compliance events. This thesis proposes the design and development of an on-line, automated fugitive emissions monitoring system tailored for carbon canisters using Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). Utilizing the Object-Oriented System Engineering Method …

Borderlines Of Becoming: Transfronterizx College Students Navigating Surveillance, Hybridity And Belonging Along The Us-México Border, Aylin Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This narrative literature review examines the educational experiences of transfronterizx college students along the U.S.– México border, a population largely absent from higher education scholarship. Drawing on Borderlands Theory, Anzaldúa’s frameworks, and critical perspectives on neoliberalism and militarization, this thesis highlights the border as a site of both constraint and possibility. Structural violence, surveillance, and militarization intersect with linguistic, racial, and class hierarchies to shape students’ mobility, identities, and sense of belonging. At the same time, students mobilize hybrid identities, cultural wealth, and transborder networks to assert agency, cultivate belonging, and resist deficit narratives. It also identifies persistent gaps, particularly …

3d Face Modeling From 2d Images Using Deep Neural Networks, Mario Alberto De La Cruz Armendariz

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Applications of 3D face reconstruction include biometric authentication, personalized avatars and digital identity, medical visualization, forensic analysis, and broader human-computer interaction. We propose an approach to 3D face reconstruction that can generate a fully textured 3D facial model using only two grayscale images: a front view and a profile view of the subject. Once trained, the system can perform the reconstruction autonomously without manual intervention. Unlike traditional methods requiring multi-camera setups, depth sensors, or cloud-based processing, the proposed approach runs fully offline on a standard CPU, supporting dynamic execution across CPU cores and eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU. …

Exploring The Impact Of Stem Degree Attainment On Intragenerational Social Mobility Among Hispanic Students And Graduates In Two Texas-Mexico Border Universities, Pilar Gonzalez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This research employed a two-phase, sequential, explanatory, mixed-methods design to answer the research questions. The first research question examined how obtaining a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) higher education degree affects the socioeconomic advancement of current Hispanic students and alumni of the Louise Stokes Alliance for Minorities in Participation (LSAMP) within the context of two higher education institutions located along the Texas-Mexico border. The second research question explored the determinants shaping the professional pathways of Hispanic STEM students and graduates in the geographic vicinity of the Texas-Mexico border. For this study, STEM degrees refer to those recognized by the …

Development And Application Of Deep-Level Spectroscopy Systems For Characterizing Irradiation-Induced Traps In Gallium Nitride Schottky Diodes, Donald Hodgson

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Crystal defects are a natural consequence of the gallium nitride (GaN) crystal growth process and may also be introduced by exposure to radiation environments, leading to degradation of device performance. Detection of these defects are completed through various methods of characterization including Deep-Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS) and Deep-Level Optical Spectroscopy (DLOS). In this work, a custom DLOS measurement system was developed and validated to investigate deep-level defects in GaN Schottky diodes before and after irradiation. GaN Schottky diode structures and wafer layouts were designed based on baseline technology provided by the University of New Mexico (UNM) and modified to meet …

Exploring Intersectional Risks Of Substance Use Disorder, Mental Health, Hiv/Aids, And Hepatitis C Among Hispanic Adults On The Tx-Mx Border: A Mixed-Methods Study, Md Mohsin

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore intersectional risks of substance use disorders, mental health, HIV/AIDS, and HCV among Mexican-origin Hispanic adults on the Texas-Mexico border. Methods: The study employed an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach, which involved collecting and analyzing qualitative data first, followed by quantitative data collection. Selected purposively, 15 in-depth interviews were conducted among the target population. Using convenient sampling, 106 cross-sectional surveys were conducted. Qualitative interview data were analyzed manually using thematic analysis. Quantitative data analyses included univariate descriptive analysis, bivariate, and multivariable penalized logistic regression, negative binomial, and zero-inflated negative binomial regression. Results: The …

Evaluating Large Language Models For Requirements Engineering And Verification: A Comparative Analysis Of Gpt-5 And Gemini 3 Pro, Guadalupe Nevarez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Large Language Models (LLMs) are increasingly viewed as viable tools for Systems Engineering, yet empirical data regarding their effectiveness in generating engineering-quality requirements remains limited. This thesis compares the performance of GPT-5 and Gemini 3 Pro in generating system functional requirements for the Miner Guardian Drone, a prototype UAV designed for minefield remediation. Both models were provided with identical prompts and tasked with producing 15 functional requirements. Two independent raters evaluated the outputs using a nine-dimensional quality rubric aligned with IEEE 29148 and INCOSE guidelines to ensure rigorous assessment. The difference between the models was analyzed using descriptive statistics and …

Expression And Purification Of Prohibitin Proteins And Investigation Of Their Interaction With Mycobacterium Tuberculosis’S Virulence Factors, Zeina Rhaim

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Prohibitin (PHB) is a highly conserved mitochondrial protein involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, mitochondrial integrity, macrophage activation, cytokine production and many other critical cell functions. The prohibitin complex, formed by Prohibitin-1 (PHB1) and Prohibitin-2 (PHB2), functions as a mitochondrial membrane-associated receptor. Cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and renal conditions were found to be linked to an irregular PHB expression. Emerging evidence has also highlighted a significant role for PHB in tuberculosis (TB), particularly through its interactions with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) virulence determinants. The molecular mechanisms by which PHB influences TB pathogenesis remain poorly understood. Our preliminary studies showed that PHB1 was …

‘The Weight That We Carry’: Using Photovoice To Uncover Student Parents’ Experiences In Higher Education, Maria Fatima Rodriguez Velasquez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Caregiving students carry identities that have historically been marginalized within academia and continue to face limited institutional awareness and support (Lovell, 2020; McCourt, 2018; Yates, 2022). This study analyzes the experiences of student parents at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) to understand how they balance their family and academic responsibilities, the challenges they face, and the communities of support they find within their university experience. Using Photovoice as a method, 22 student parents shared photographs and the narratives behind each image that represented their daily lives inside and outside the classroom. The data analysis, guided by grounded …

Development And Optimization Of A Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy System, Samuel Ruiz

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) remains one of the most widely used techniques for identifying electrically active defects that affect leakage current, carrier lifetime, and overall reliability in semiconductor devices. Legacy boxcar or capacitance meter implementations, however, often struggle with limited signal-to-noise ratio, labor-intensive data collection, and poor adaptability across diverse material systems. This thesis presents the design and optimization of a semi-automated, lock-in-amplifier-based DLTS platform. By pairing a Zurich HF2LI with PID-controlled cryogenic sweeps, precision signal generation, and MATLAB driven acquisition and processing scripts, the system will (i) enhance SNR through phase-sensitive detection, programmable low pass filtering, and parasitics calibration; …

Lorentz Invariance And Quantum Coordination: A Neo-Aristotelian Framework For Entanglement And Relativity, Angel Rafael Sosa Muniz

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The phenomenon of quantum entanglement has been at the center of heated debates among physicists and philosophers since the dawn of the quantum era. The early discussions initiated by Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen—regarding potential violations of the Principle of Relativity by entangled particles, expressed in the so-called “EPR Paradox”—ultimately culminated in the demonstration of Bell’s theorem and its violations. Since then, philosophers of science and physicists have developed multiple proposals attempting to account for the ontological status of quantum formalism and its possible tension with relativistic principles. This thesis contributes to these efforts by advancing a Neo-Aristotelian ontological framework inspired …

Voices At The Intersection: A Listening Guide Analysis Of Campus-Based Advocates Navigating Institutional Policies On Sexual Violence, Arely Zaragoza-Hernandez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Campus-based advocates occupy a critical yet complex position within higher education institutions (Nightingale, 2023; Wood et al., 2021), serving as frontline support for students while simultaneously navigating the mandates, policies, and bureaucratic structures that define their roles. This research study explores the lived experiences of advocates working in university settings, focusing on how institutional mandates from compliance requirements to administrative expectations shape, constrain, and sometimes empower their daily practices. Using a qualitative, phenomenological approach, the study centers the voices of campus-based advocates in Texas to illuminate the tensions between their professional commitments to student-centered care and the institutional imperatives of …

The Shifting Tectonics Of International Collaboration, James J. Casey Jr.

University of Dayton Law Review

This Article builds upon the author’s 2010 article in the University of Dayton Law Review. More specifically, this Article focuses on research management areas that have increased in relevance over the past fifteen years or are essentially “new” to the international research collaboration realm. Now, as then, the author writes about the importance of building international collaborations during this tectonic present and urges the reader to draw their own conclusions regarding international research, emerging issues and technologies, and their importance in the future.

An Old Vehicle With A Fresh Coat Of Paint: Demystifying Autonomous Smart Contracts In The Context Of U.C.C. § 2-202, Daniel Kennedy

University of Dayton Law Review

No abstract provided.

Welcome To The Bflr’S 7th Annual Fintech Issue, Nydia Remolina Leon, Alessio Azzuri, Virginia Torrie, Francisco Jose Ciancerta

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

This issue of the Banking and Finance Law Review is published at a moment of profound transformation in the FinTech regulatory landscape. Around the world, legislators, regulators, financial institutions, and scholars face the complex task of fostering technological innovation while addressing concerns over consumer and investor protection, data privacy and cybersecurity, market integrity, the prevention of financial crime, and overall stability of the financial system. At the same time, geopolitics is increasingly influencing the direction of FinTech policy and regulation, as states leverage financial infrastructure not only to modernize domestic markets but also to assert strategic influence globally. This convergence …

Data Center Composite Load Model Parameters’ Tuning, Mohammed Sleiman, Amirreza Sahami, Oluwatimilehin Adeosun, Nathaniel Rice, Katelyn Vance

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The vast expansion of data center campuses has created concentrated and highly dynamic electrical loads that challenge traditional transmission system planning and protection studies. This paper presents a novel approach to model the load of data centers and validate their dynamic performance in a composite-load-model (CMLD) framework.

The data center has three major modules: a static element representing the static devices and busway impedance; an electronic-based element constituting power converters such as rectifiers and inverters, associated power supplies, and a motor-based element encompassing the induction nature of chillers, fans and pumps. Each module represented equivalent algebraic and differential equations depicting …

Hardening The Economical Acquisition Of Intersection Data To Improve System Integrity, Anuska Das, Walt Fehr, Andrew Balmos, Mark Goodfriend, Yaguang Zhang, Richard O. Ajagu, James V. Krogmeier, Samuel Labi

Center for Connected and Automated Transportation

Modern traffic management systems increasingly depend on real-time Signal Phase and Timing (SPaT) data generated by Traffic Signal Controllers (TSCs) to support safety, mobility, and emerging connected-vehicle applications. The applications of SPaT outputs require timely and reliable access to such data from the traffic signal controllers. However, these controllers are safety-critical infrastructure and exposing them to external networks introduces significant cybersecurity and operational risks. Thus, there is a need for mechanisms that provide secure, low-latency access to SPaT data without compromising controller integrity. The information flow methods that are used traditionally for connected and automated vehicle (CAV) environments have several …

Tracing The Journey Of Dissolved Organic Matter: From Leaf Litter Photodegradation To Microbial Processing In Tropical Streams, Samantha Nicole Sullivan

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a major reservoir of organic carbon in aquatic ecosystems and plays a central role in global carbon cycling through its transformation and remineralization to carbon dioxide (CO₂). As DOM moves from terrestrial environments into streams and rivers, its chemical composition is altered by a combination of microbial and photochemical oxidation processes that regulate both its reactivity and its persistence during transport. However, the molecular mechanisms governing these oxidative transitions, particularly in tropical ecosystems characterized by strong hydrologic seasonality and substantial inputs of plant-derived material, remain insufficiently resolved. This dissertation integrates ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry, optical characterization, …

Policymaker Receptivity To Corporate Political Activity As Influenced By Activists, Mark E. Bateman

School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation considers the role of shareholder resolutions and employee strikes as representations of activist activities targeting corporations and their influence on corporate political activity (CPA). The study builds from the McDonnell and Werner (2016) study in Administrative Science Quarterly, “Blacklisted businesses: Social activists’ challenges and the disruption of corporate political activity” that assessed the role of consumer boycotts vis-à-vis CPA. Starting with the political marketplace framework, introducing the policy relationship framework, and using signal theory, the dissertation found some support that shareholder resolutions and employee strikes related to increases in PAC refunds, that temporal issue salience to the …

Effects Of Response-Independent Food Delivery During Timeout On Timeout Punishment, Haillie Mcdonough

All NMU Master's Theses

Timeout is a signaled, response-dependent, and time limited period in which the prevailing schedule of reinforcement is suspended. Timeouts are one of the most frequently used punishment procedures in clinical and parental practices. Even though timeout is a common punishment practice, recent research suggests that implementation errors, fidelity failures, occur at high rates in practice. The present study evaluated how failures in procedural fidelity alter the efficacy of timeout as a punisher by exposing rats to conditions in which response-independent reinforcers were delivered during timeout. During baseline conditions, no timeouts were delivered and rats’ lever-pressing produced food reinforcers according to …

Sciteuq: Toward Uncertainty-Aware Complex Scientific Table Data Extraction And Understanding, Kehinde Ajayi

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Scientific tables report critical research insights, data, and findings for scientific progress. Because Portable Document Format (PDF) is the de facto standard format for scientific paper publishing, there has been an emerging need for an automatic method to extract data from PDF files. A significant fraction of scientific tables exhibit complex structure and content, making it challenging for machine learning tools to accurately extract the content directly from PDF files. Despite the advancements in Table Structure Recognition (TSR), automated extraction of data from complex scientific tables remains a challenge due to variations in table structures and contents. In this dissertation, …

Proactive Onboarding Services Model As An Academic And Social Integration Strategy For First-Time In College Students At A Virginia Community College, Jhansi V. Eturu

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

A recent survey by the Education Advisory Board (EAB) found that of the 1000 community college students surveyed, 56% nearly quit before classes started due to challenges during college onboarding. Similarly, admissions data from the Virginia Community Colleges System (VCCS) indicated that more than half of the students who apply do not enroll in classes, highlighting a need to closely examine the onboarding process and support services provided to understand what is effective and what is not. The purpose of this study is to understand the predictive utility of certain student onboarding services, such as an appointment with an admissions …