Digital Commons Network^™

Helping Waldo (The Poster) Be Found: Teaching Search Literacy, Discoverability And Search Engine Optimization As Core Scholarly Skills In Graduate Medical Education, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: In modern academic medicine, trainees are taught how to search the biomedical literature but rarely taught how to structure their own scholarly work so that it can be discovered. This creates a diffusion gap in which high‑quality educational innovations, case reports, and operational insights remain difficult to locate despite being presented or archived.

Objective: To propose a concise educational module that teaches residents the principles of search literacy and scholarly discoverability.

Methods: A conceptual curriculum framework was developed drawing on literature from information science, medical education, and diffusion theory. The module introduces the paired competencies of 'Finding Waldo' (literature …

The Safety Paradox Of Emergency Department Shift Length: Why The Relationship Between Hours Worked And Patient Safety Is More Complex Than It Appears, James A. Espinosa Md, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Emergency department shift duration has long been debated as a determinant of patient safety. While longer shifts may increase cognitive fatigue, shorter shifts may increase the frequency of patient handoffs, which themselves introduce communication risk. Objective: To conceptualize emergency department shift length as a safety paradox arising from the balance between fatigue and handoff-related communication risks. Conceptual Framework: We propose the Emergency Department Shift Length Safety Paradox model illustrating the nonlinear relationship between shift duration and patient safety. Implications: Optimal shift design may depend on balancing fatigue risk and communication risk within a complex adaptive healthcare system. Conclusion: Emergency …

A Systems-Based Approach To Supporting Resident Scholarly Productivity: Building A High-Throughput Academic Pipeline In Emergency Medicine Residency Training Through Poster Development Apprenticeship, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna, Robin Lahr, James Lee, Swet Patel, Henry Schuitema

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Many residency programs require scholarly output; however, consistent and high volume production of posters and publications can be challenging. Anecdotal evidence from a variety of programs suggests variability in outcomes across programs, often influenced by differences in mentorship, structure, and available scholarly infrastructure. Objective: To describe a reproducible, systems-based model for generating high-volume resident scholarly output through alignment of expectations, culture, infrastructure, and faculty engagement. Methods and Conceptual Model: We outline a multi-domain framework derived from sustained programmatic experience, incorporating structural requirements, leadership alignment, cultural reinforcement, workflow standardization, and active faculty participation. The model is supported by practical tools …

Pcl And Pegdma Nanoyarns Feasibility For Antimicrobial Suture Applications, Wynn Bastianelli, Dominique Hassinger, Vincent Beachley, Sean Mcmillan

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Abstract Title: PCL and PEGDMA Nanoyarns Feasibility for Antimicrobial Suture

Nanofibers represent an innovative class of materials with diverse applications, including tissue engineering and drug delivery.¹ Among the most promising areas of research is their use in surgical sutures, particularly for complex orthopedic injuries with high re-tear rates. Polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers have shown promise as alternatives to standard sutures as their unique properties support superior healing compared to standard materials.² Our lab aims to further optimize these healing capabilities by adding Poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA), a molecule that tethers peptides to PCL nanoyarns, developing a suture with greater …

Do International Alumni Give Differently? A Study On The Alumni Philanthropic Perspective Of Trust And Key Relational Factors Affecting Attitude Towards Giving, John Held

Dissertations

Philanthropy plays a key role in the funding of institutions of higher education. Previous research has focused on domestic populations, exploring the antecedents and elements of philanthropy in higher education. The literature has yet to examine differences in these elements between domestic and international, or distance extremes, amongst alumni populations. This study investigates the perceptions and motivating factors influencing alumni who experience significant geographic separation from their Higher Education Institution (HEI) and their philanthropic support for their alma mater. The conceptual model includes factors at the organization-to-organization, person-to-organization, and person-to-person levels and their moderating effects on the relationship between trust …

Understanding Communication In Green Infrastructure Project Teams In Rochester Ny Region: Coordination, Negotiation, And Constraints, Hayden Berner

Theses

This study explores how communication is perceived and used within multidisciplinary green infrastructure (GI) project teams. As GI continues to grow in the United States, projects increasingly rely on collaboration between professionals from different fields, making communication a critical factor in project success. Using a qualitative research approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals working on GI projects in the Greater Rochester, New York region. The data were analyzed using an inductive, grounded theory approach to identify key themes related to communication practices, challenges, and outcomes. Results show that communication is not just a tool for sharing information, but a …

Genetic Analysis Of Triplicated Genes Affecting Sex-Specific Skeletal Deficits In Down Syndrome Model Mice, Kourtney Sloan, Kristina M. Piner, Pathum Randunu Nawarathna Kandedura Arachchige, Charles R. Goodlett, Yann Herault, Gayla R. Olbricht, Joseph M. Wallace, Randall J. Roper

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Research & Creative Works

Down syndrome (DS) is caused by the triplication of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21), resulting in skeletal insufficiency (low bone mineral density) and altered bone development. DS mouse models recapitulate these deficits, including sexual dimorphism in long bone alterations. Historically, Ts65Dn mice provided much of the insight behind DS-related skeletal deficits with ∼100 trisomic orthologous genes, but there are concerns about the genetic fidelity in this model due to the included triplication of genes not homologous to Hsa21. A new DS model, Ts66Yah, subtracted the non-Hsa21 homologous trisomic genes from Ts65Dn but has not been evaluated for long bone deficits. Comparing …

+Cd49a+Cd103+ Cytotoxic Tissue-Resident Natural Killer Cells Infiltrate And Control Solid Epithelial Tumor Growth In Mice, Nina B Horowitz, Jennifer A Foltz, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Human tissue-resident natural killer (NK) cells (trNK cells), broadly defined by markers of tissue residency, such as CD49a [

Genealogy-Based Trait Association With Locater Boosts Power At Loci With Allelic Heterogeneity, Xinxin Wang, Ryan Christ, Erica Young, Chul Joo Kang, Indraniel Das, Edward A Belter, Markku Laakso, Louis J M Aslett, David Steinsaltz, Nathan O Stitziel, Ira M Hall

2020-Current year OA Pubs

A key methodological challenge for genome-wide association studies is how to leverage haplotype diversity and allelic heterogeneity to improve trait association power, especially in noncoding regions where it is difficult to predict variant impacts and define functional units for variant aggregation. Genealogy-based association methods have the potential to bridge this gap by testing combinations of common and rare haplotypes based purely on their ancestral relationships. In parallel work, we have developed an efficient local ancestry inference engine and a novel statistical method (LOCATER) for combining signals present on different branches of a locus-specific haplotype tree. Here, we develop a genome-wide …

Defining Success In Collegiate Recovery Programs: A Systematic Review, Brooke Trogdon, John B. Moore

The Corinthian

Background: The transition to higher education is a critical period for emerging adults. Often marked by increased substance use experimentation due to a variety of internal and external factors. This group faces a heightened risk of developing substance-related health issues, necessitating targeted intervention and prevention efforts. Purpose: To systematically review and define key indicators of success for collegiate recovery programs (CRPs) that support students in recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted using GALILEO and Google Scholar databases. Articles were appraised using the JBI critical appraisal tools. Results: CRPs provide a supportive …

Lunar Manufacturing Systems And The Role Of Additive Recycling Technologies, Camille A. Newman

Honors Theses

Renewed international interest in sustained lunar exploration has created a growing demand for technologies to support long-duration space exploration. Part of the recent Artemis missions and the Moon to Mars initiative is to improve key mission capabilities and fill critical gaps necessary to sustain lunar habitation. Waste management, recycling systems, and manufacturing systems have been identified as critical technologies that need further development before a sustained mission is possible. This thesis explores the feasibility of an additive manufacturing and recycling system designed to process plastic waste generated during extended lunar habitation. Initial research focused on existing manufacturing and recycling technologies …

Stance Detection On Social Media: The Impact Of Doping On Athlete Reputation, Connor O'Neill

Theses

Doping scandals can have a lasting effect on both athletes' and organizations' reputations, causing athletes to lose money and fans to lose trust in the organizations that govern their favorite sports. This paper investigates the impact a doping scandal can have on an athlete's reputation by  conducting a case study on Jannik Sinner, one of the top tennis players in the world, who ultimately accepted a suspension after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, despite being unintentionally exposed. Using data sourced from YouTube comments on tennis-related videos, a fine-tuned Mistral-7B-Instruct-v0.3 model with a classification head was used to carry out stance …

Scifres Nanofabrication Laboratory (Cleanroom), Ron Reger, Purdue University Office Of Research

University Research Core Facility Boilerplate Descriptions

No abstract provided.

A Remote Sensing Approach To Identifying Zones Of Instability In Mine Tailings Impoundments Using Multi-Sensor Satellite Data, Arden K. Pierce

Honors Theses

Mine tailings impoundments are structures built to contain the chemical and sedimentary byproducts generated by ore extraction activities. In this common method of mining waste storage, the tailings can be pumped into containment ponds and held behind earthen embankments to prevent the release of hazardous substances into the surrounding environment. Monitoring environmental factors that influence the structural integrity of these impoundments is essential for identifying areas vulnerable to instability and failure. Soil moisture is a factor that can affect the stability of mine tailings impoundment structures. This study evaluates the relationship between satellite-derived soil moisture and surface deformation at mine …

Lunar Manufacturing Systems And The Role Of Additive Recycling Technologies, Camille A. Newman

Honors Theses

Renewed international interest in sustained lunar exploration has created a growing demand for technologies to support long-duration space exploration. Part of the recent Artemis missions and the Moon to Mars initiative is to improve key mission capabilities and fill critical gaps necessary to sustain lunar habitation. Waste management, recycling systems, and manufacturing systems have been identified as critical technologies that need further development before a sustained mission is possible. This thesis explores the feasibility of an additive manufacturing and recycling system designed to process plastic waste generated during extended lunar habitation. Initial research focused on existing manufacturing and recycling technologies …

Not An Afterthought: Addressing The Academic And Social Challenges That Create Barriers To Belonging For Transfer Students, Brooke Jankowsky

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the academic and social barriers to belonging for transfer students at four-year institutions, with particular attention to the University of Mississippi. The goal is to bring attention to the issues that surround transfer student populations in general by identifying some of the most pressing structural and interpersonal challenges that shape their experiences. A qualitative approach was used, drawing on existing literature, prior unpublished research at the community college level, and reflective analysis to explore themes such as transfer shock, creating and maintaining social networks, and gaps in institutional support. Findings suggest that transfer students often face a …

How Ux Design Shapes Brand Perception In Digital Environments Among Gen Z, Adriane R. Arinder

Honors Theses

This study examines how user experience (UX) design shapes brand perception among young adult consumers, with a focus on digitally active individuals between the ages of 18 and 25. Drawing on a review of academic and industry literature, qualitative data from a focus group of seven University of Mississippi students, and quantitative data from a survey of 153 participants, this research argues that intuitive, accessible digital experiences function as a form of brand communication that significantly influences how users evaluate the companies behind them. The study conceptualizes UX through four primary dimensions: usability, navigation clarity, interaction efficiency, and accessibility. Findings …

Integrated Solar And Regenerative Braking System For Off-Grid Charging Of An Electric Motorcycle, Christian Soolany, Dhimas Oki Permata Aji, Sigit Suwarto, Setya Permana Sutisna, Furqon Furqon

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

This study introduces an off-grid charging system developed for a modified 110 cc electric motorcycle. The system incorporates a portable photovoltaic (PV) array and a regenerative braking feature, aimed at improving the motorcycle's energy efficiency. The setup includes a 72 V, 20 Ah lithium-ion battery, a 240 Wp portable PV array, and a 2 kW Brushless DC (BLDC) motor with regenerative braking to enhance the energy available on board. From the experiments, the vehicle demonstrated an average energy consumption of 44.9 Wh/km and achieved a range of about 32 km per charge. The PV system generated between 200 and 270 …

Institutionalization Of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, And Accessibility In California Community Colleges, Kristin Lui-Martinez

LMU Theses and Dissertations

The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office accomplished system change using regulatory power to institutionalize diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) into Education Code. This qualitative research study investigated the origins and intention of the regulations that added DEIA competency criteria into employee evaluations and faculty tenure review through document analysis. The study also used interviews to examine the faculty perceptions of the regulations and understand how faculty supported or resisted the regulations. Applying critical policy analysis and Felix’s (2021) multicontextual implementation framework, this study examined three main questions: (a) how did the California Community College Chancellor’s Office collaborate and engage …

Narratives Of Cultural Wealth: Understanding What Works For Underrepresented Minority Students In Stem, Grace Long

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the lived experiences of underrepresented minority alumni from Galileo STEM High School who are pursuing STEM degrees at four-year universities. Guided by Yosso’s (2005) Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) framework, the study focused on what worked for underrepresented minority groups (UMG) in STEM. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted to learn a) what factors contributed to their STEM development and identities, b) what forms of cultural wealth were leveraged in high school and in the first years of college to pursue and persist in STEM studies, and c) experiences from Galileo STEM High School that cultivated and affirmed …

Voltage-Sensor–Targeting Modulators Of Iks: Identifying Critical Functional Groups Of C28 Via Electrophysiology And Sar Modeling, Jiacheng Huang

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

I_Ks (KCNQ1/KCNE1) channels are essential for cardiac repolarization, and their dysfunction contributes to arrhythmogenic disorders such as Long QT Syndrome type 1 (LQT1). Pharmacological activation of I_Ks has therefore emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. C28, a recently identified voltage-sensor–targeting activator, has been shown to markedly shift KCNQ1/KCNE1 voltage dependence and enhance current amplitude, validating the voltage-sensing domain (VSD) as a druggable site. However, the structural determinants that underlie C28’s activity remain incompletely understood. In this study, we aimed to identify critical functional groups of C28 by screening a structurally diverse set of C28-like analogs and evaluating their …

Toward Vehicle-Agnostic Driving Signatures For Cognitive Impairment Prediction From Naturalistic Driving Data, Aadarsha Gopala Reddy

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

This thesis studies whether naturalistic driving data can help predict binary Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) status while accounting for differences across vehicles. The final analytic dataset comprised 26,968 participant-weeks from 304 participants. Weekly driving features were derived from real-world telematics data and combined with four demographic covariates. Primary model comparisons used leave-one-participant-out (LOGO) cross-validation, with one individual held out at a time and pooled participant-level metrics used as the main reporting surface.

The main comparison includes six model families evaluated on the same dataset under a shared LOGO framework. Performance remained modest overall. GRU-DANN had the highest participant-level ROC AUC …

Interaction-Aware Safe Planning For Human-Robot And Multi-Robot Systems, Haoyi Wang

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Robots operating in shared environments must interact safely not only with static obstacles but also with other decision-making agents, including humans and other robots. In such settings, both safety and task completion depend on the ability to reason about interaction. Two major challenges arise. In human-robot interaction, future human behavior depends on latent internal factors, such as attentiveness and behavioral style, that are not directly observable to the robot. In multi-robot systems, decentralized reactive navigation can fail in cluttered environments when reciprocal interactions create deadlocks that prevent progress through narrow passages or bottlenecks. This thesis investigates these two challenges from …

Temperature And Environmental Implications On Ti3c2cl2 Mxene Degradation Process, Yang Yang

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

MXenes, a rapidly emerging class of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, have attracted considerable attention owing to their exceptional electrical, mechanical, and chemical properties. However, the inherent thinness of their atomic structure and the reactivity of their functional groups render MXenes susceptible to environmental degradation, whereby the lattice integrity is compromised and desirable material functionalities are dimin- ished. In this work, ex situ electron microscopy characterisation is performed on Ti₃C₂Cl₂ MXene specimens subjected to controlled gas environments — nitrogen gas (N₂) and air — at annealing temperatures of 200°C and 600°C, with …

Listening To The Landscape: Designing A Conversational Agent For Native Botanical Literacy, Lucy Periale

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

This project investigates how physical devices integrated with conversational AI can support botanical literacy and encourage engagement with the natural world, with a particular focus on increasing awareness of California native plants. It asks: how can tangible, voice-interactive devices facilitate place-based learning without disrupting direct outdoor experience? Existing plant identification tools rely on screen-based interaction, which can distance users from their natural surroundings. This research contributes to interaction design and human-computer interaction discourse by exploring embodied learning through devices that prioritize environmental immersion. This project developed multiple design concepts and developed three prototypes namely Buddy Bot, Radio Agent and Plant …

Interpreting American Sign Language: A Literature Review Of Assistive Technologies, Natalie Louise Paradiso, Emma Grace Kochenderfer

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

American Sign Language (ASL) is a visually elaborate, spatially oriented linguistic methodology that relies on combinations of hand movements, body positioning, facial expressions, and motion/spatial perception, aspects of which make interpretation difficult for automated machine recognition. Current assistive technology approaches to ASL interpretation are generally within the categories of computer vision models (including deep learning, multi-focus image fusion, and keypoint tracking) and wearable, multimodal/sensor-based approaches (such as smart glasses and inertial-sensor gloves). Within controlled environments, computer vision models perform well. However, when applied to conditions such as non-manual signs/features, signer variability, and rapid assimilation, they falter in processing all aspects …

Evaluating Team Formation Strategies With Algorithms, Ethan E. Lopez, Andy Vo

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Effective teamwork is essential for collaborative learning, yet forming compatible student groups remains a persistent challenge. This study explores how algorithmic team-building methods influence students’ social and academic compatibility overtime. To support this investigation, we designed a visual survey system called “The Disco Ball." Evaluating work ethics, lifestyles, behaviors, and communication styles, students were initially assigned to project teams using one of three conditions: (1) random assignment (control), (2) a “most matches” condition maximizing similarity between students, and (3) a “diverse communication styles” condition designed to balance differing interaction preferences. After an initial collaboration period, students were given the opportunity …

Developing Narrative-Based Stem Learning Tool For K-6 Visually Impaired Students, Daniel Tsivkovski, Dylan Ravel, Jeffrey Kraskouskas, Brandon Foley, Maryam Etezad, Franceli Cibrian, Rajeev Joshi, Ariel Han

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

This research develops a free, accessible web application that enables K-6 students who are blind or visually impaired (BVI) to learn STEM concepts using refreshable braille displays. Currently, most online learning tools are not designed for BVI students, creating a significant educational barrier.

The application interfaces with commercial braille displays and uses narrative-based learning to make STEM content approachable and engaging. By presenting material as personalized interactive stories generated with the help of Artificial Intellligence (AI), students can connect with concepts while developing braille reading skills. The curriculum design prioritizes accessibility through the Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) standards and …

Statistical Cryogenic Characterization Of Commercial 14nm Finfets For Analog Applications, Wesley Xi, Le Minh Long Nguyen, Vikram Magendar, Hiu Yung Wong

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Cryogenic devices at 4.2K are indispensable in the control electronics for large-scale quantum computers. Due to its small manufacturing volume, a standard commercial foundry process is likely to be used in the near and medium terms. Moreover, 77K electronics are promising for high-speed server applications. Besides digital circuits, analog circuits with non-minimal channel length are particularly important in quantum computing control. In this paper, special structures are designed to characterize the device properties of medium- and long-channel length devices at 292K, 77K, and 4.2K in a commercial 14nm FinFET process. About 100 structures were measured for both NMOS and PMOS. …

Automated Segmentation And Structural Remodeling Analysis Of Ipsc-Derived Cardiomyocyte, Bahareh Bahmani

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that can change cell structure, protein organization, and overall heart function. Some forms of cardiomyopathy are genetically inherited, including Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common inherited cardiomyopathy affecting nearly 1 in 200 individuals1,2, and Desmin-Related Cardiomyopathy (DRM), a rarer disease that affects approximately 1 in 2000 individuals3. Changes in cardiomyocytes’ cellular structure define cardiomyopathies, and these changes are typically studied with fluorescence microscopy. However, manual image analysis is slow, labor-intensive, and often gives inconsistent results, especially when images are analyzed by non-experts. This thesis presents an automated computational framework for analyzing cardiomyocyte …