Digital Commons Network^™

Beyond The Lace Index: Benchmarking Machine Learning Architectures And Explaining 30-Day Hospital Readmission Risk With Shap Analysis, Carl E. Hughes Iii

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Unplanned 30-day hospital readmission remains a fundamental challenge in US healthcare, associated with increased risk to patient recovery and representing an estimated $52.4 billion in annual expenses (Beauvais et al., 2022). While the rigorously validated LACE index serves as the clinical standard for readmission modeling, its linear structure and four explanatory variables lack the complexity to capture the high-dimensional and interactive nature of patient risk. This study utilizes an admission granularity level cohort of the MIMIC-IV database to develop and compare machine learning architectures against the baseline LACE index. Due to the imbalanced prevalence of readmission, the penalized logistic regression, …

Rate Response Of Curlyleaf Pondweed And Native Plants To Flumioxazin In Minnesota Lakes, Pearl J. Jensen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus L.) is an invasive aquatic plant present across the United States that causes significant recreational issues, outcompetes native plant species, and depletes water quality. Before senescing in mid-summer, curlyleaf pondweed forms a large number of turions that can lay dormant in the sediment for several years. Typical herbicide management of this species occurs in early spring to target the plant before turion production occurs and while native plants are dormant. Flumioxazin has shown potential in curlyleaf pondweed management in small scale studies, but its effects have not been assessed in operational management. In this study, treatments …

Effect Of Protective Mutation On Structure And Dynamics Of Apoe: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study, Newton A. Ihoeghian, Usman L. Abass, Ibrahim A. Imam, Qing Shao

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) plays a significant role in determining the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Three mutations—APOE3–R136S, APOE3–V236E, and APOE4–R251G—have been reported to reduce the risk of AD. Unveiling the molecular mechanism behind this reduction could lay a foundation for developing therapeutics for AD. To shed light on this subject, we investigate the mutation-induced variation in structural and dynamic properties of APOE3–R136S, APOE3–V236E, and APOE4–R251G in explicit solvent using molecular dynamics simulations. The APOE2, APOE3, and APOE4 were used as the reference. The analysis unveiled that the three protective mutations may exert protection through different mechanisms. The R215G mutation makes …

Tiny Plastic, Big Trouble: How Polystyrene Nanoparticles Impact Dna-Damage Repair Deficient Cervical Cancer Cells, Jordan D. Berezowitz, Mira C. Fish, Lauren E. Mehanna, Breanna Knicely, Claire E. Rowlands, Eva M. Goellner, Brittany E. Givens

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Microplastics are becoming increasingly abundant waste products; therefore, the risk of human exposure is also increasing. The cytotoxic consequences of microplastic exposure, particularly in cancer, have yet to be explored. We obtained commercially available polystyrene nanoparticles of uniform size (86.61 ± 6.41 nm) and confirmed the chemical composition and shape using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. We evaluated colloidal stability over a range of concentrations from 1–1000 µg mL⁻¹ using hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential, determining that higher concentrations exhibit greater colloidal stability compared to lower concentrations. Specifically, the zeta potential increased from …

06 Magnetostatics I, Gerhard Müller

Electromagnetism (2026)

Part 6 of course materials for Electromagnetism taught by Gerhard Müller at the University of Rhode Island.

Arrangements Of N Planes Resulting In One Bounded Tetrahedral Chamber, Ava Knight

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This paper investigates the combinatorial geometry of plane arrangements in three-dimensional space, focusing on configurations that produce exactly one bounded tetrahedral chamber. We define T(n) as the number of face-combinatorial equivalence classes of arrangements of n planes in ℝ³ containing exactly one bounded tetrahedral chamber. Known values — T(3) = 0, T(4) = 1, and T(5) = 2 — are established through direct construction, while T(6) remains an open problem. This paper contributes experimental evidence toward resolving T(6) by systematically extending the two valid 5-plane arrangements and verifying, through a plane removal argument, that each yields a valid plane configuration …

Catalan And Hyper-Catalan Numbers: Combinatorial Applications To Polynomial Equations, Leilani Natale

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

In this paper, we study Catalan numbers and their generalization, hyper-Catalan numbers, and explore how these sequences arise naturally in the context of solving polynomial equations using infinite power series. We begin by introducing the Catalan numbers through their combinatorial interpretation as triangulations of convex polygons. Using this geometric definition, we derive a relation whose recursive structure leads to a quadratic functional equation. Interpreting this relation as a formal power series equation allows us to express solutions to quadratic equations as infinite power series whose coefficients are given by the Catalan numbers. This framework is then extended by allowing polygon …

From Touchbacks To Touchdowns: Analyzing The Impact Of The Nfl's New Kickoff Rule Changes, Joshua A. Klatt

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

My proposal analyzes the impact of the NFL's new dynamic kickoff rule changes that were implemented in the Fall of 2024. I use a two-way fixed effects differences-in-differences model using FBS collegiate Division 1 football teams as the control group, and NFL teams as the treatment group. Three of the most important outcome variables I analyze are touchdowns per kickoff return, average yards per kickoff return, and the number of kickoff returns per game.

Moving Positively: A Review Of Positive Psychology Interventions In Counseling, Spencer M. Fleming, Ingrid Weigold Ph. D

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Positive psychology is a relatively new and developing subfield of psychology which examines the machinations and roles of various character strengths and traits such as growth, well-being, meaning, life satisfaction, character strengths, and more. Positive psychology holds various implications for counseling, therapy, individual growth, and self-determination. However, current literature on positive psychology interventions (PPIs) are scattered, nuanced, and lack overall consensus. Thus, encompassing research is necessary to identify common trends, areas for improvement, and a clear direction moving forward. The present review analyzes positive psychology interventions (PPIs) within psychology and counseling. This review examined forty-eight articles, including fifteen meta-analyses, on …

15-Last Lecture, Heinrich Blücher

Bazelow Transcripts

Heinrich Blücher’s Last Lecture, transcript edited by Alexander Bazelow, presents a sweeping philosophical reflection on meaning, freedom, nihilism, and the unfinished task of humanity. Confronting the modern experience of meaninglessness—especially among the young—Blücher argues that philosophy’s enduring task is the transformation of life into meaningful existence through conscious thought and responsible action. He traces the historical development of nihilism and metaphysical belief from ancient myth, through Greek philosophy, Christianity, and modern systems culminating in Hegel, Marx, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche, whom he treats as prophetic figures of the modern crisis. Blücher criticizes the deification of history, science, power, and ideology, insisting …

Will It Tear? Creating A Collegiate Athlete Cutting Mechanics Grading Process, Abigail Savoy, Matthew Morgan, Nicholas Totaro

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Collegiate athletes push their bodies to compete at the top level of their sport. Through 5 years, collegiate athletes had 729 ACL tears. To aid in training and the reduction of injury risk, there are several procedures for grading the ability of an athlete to make a cut or change-of direction motion. Through this research project, we defined a procedure for analyzing motion capture video and data of the cutting mechanics of collegiate athletes. This was done to identify which athletes have a higher or lower risk of an ACL injury by comparing knee valgus and other biomechanical indicators on …

The Role Of Laminin Isoforms In Glioblastoma Migration, Aseel Ahmed, Faezeh Ghobadi, Hanna Devillier, Qi Cai

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains the most prevalent and lethal invasive brain tumor, denoted by a median survival of 12-15 months despite standard procedures such as safe surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. This limited effectiveness largely arises from the infiltrative nature of GBM cells, which interact with the brain’s extracellular matrix (ECM) by migrating along blood vessels and axonal pathways. The ECM contains the interstitial matrix (IM) and the
basement membrane (BM) made up of proteins and glycans which interact with the malignant cells. While research has mainly been focused on understanding how GBM cells interact with IM components, our knowledge about …

Developing A Comparative Framework For Organic Matter Loss Using Standardized Soils To Mimic Urbanized Areas, Madison Woodson, Michael (M.P.) Hayes

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Rapid urbanization is an ongoing challenge to the natural ecosystem across Louisiana as the state invests in development to accommodate the challenges of flooding in nearby towns and cities. Across Louisiana waterways, flooding from urban developments along with coastal subsidence and relative sea level rise increase the transport of complex organic matter into local water channels. These events lead to higher concentrations of nutrients, specifically bioavailable carbon which can be lost from breakdown of soil organic matter in water. To better understand and predict organic matter transportation due to flooding events caused by urbanization, we studied the availability of organic …

Impacts Of Real Microplastic Leachates On The Development And Behavior Of Developing Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Emma Tsai, Melanie Wilson, Mohamed Ateia, Ahmed Abdelmoneim

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Plastic pollution in aquatic environments has increased, raising concerns about the toxicity of microplastics (MPs) and their additives to developing organisms. Additives from the MPs can desorb into the surrounding environment, generating leachates that may impact early development. This study evaluated the effects of early developmental exposure to MP leachates on early developing zebrafish (Danio rerio), quantifying effects on larval survival, development, activity, and behavioral responses to acute stressors. MPs—acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide 66 (PA66), and reinforced glass fiber (MIX)—were processed into particles (< 500 µm) and incubated in embryo media for 24 hours under UV-C, 35 °C, and agitation to generate leachates. Zebrafish embryos were exposed from 6 to 120 hours post-fertilization (hpf) to varying leachate dilutions (corresponding to 0.063 to 10,000 mg MPs/L). At 120 hpf, larvae were assessed for survival, prevalence of morphological defects, overall growth, baseline activity, and behavioral responses to acoustic, visual, and peripheral irritant stressors. MIX leachate significantly increased mortality, while PET leachate exposure reduced growth. No significant morphological defects were observed across treatments. ABS, PA66, and PET leachates altered larval activity and behavioral stress responses. These preliminary findings suggest that MP leachates pose varying developmental and behavioral risks to developing organisms at critical exposure concentrations. Understanding these risks is crucial for assessing the environmental impact of MPs pollution and informing regulatory policies.

Bird Diy: Building An Rfid System To Study Behavior In Free-Living Starlings, Raedan Stephens, Keegan Stansberry, Christine Lattin

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology can be effectively utilized to gain insights into animal behavior, such as avian responses to environmental change. In our established field system of free-living European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), we sought to implement a new system of RFID readers with antennas encircling the entrances of bird boxes and RFID leg bands with unique identifiers that record when birds pass through the antennas. To limit costs, we used Arduino RFID readers built by Eli Bridge and Jay Wilhelm and constructed the rest of the system components ourselves. We designed and 3D printed a new device to efficiently …

Environmental Influence On The Smart Self-Sensing 3d-Printed Concrete Column, Laraimie Reid, Khalilullah Taj, Yen-Fang Su

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

This study investigates the influence of environmental factors on the self-sensing performance of 3D-printed cementitious composites for structural health monitoring. Square 3D printed column samples containing control mortar and self-sensing cementitious composite (SSCC) were fabricated and cured, then exposed to controlled drying cycles and temperature variations from room temperature to 60°C. Under cyclic compressive loading, changes in electrical resistance were monitored to evaluate the fractional change in resistivity (FCR) and stress sensitivity. The results demonstrate that both internal moisture variation and elevated temperature significantly affect the piezoresistive sensitivity. Although resistance decreased with an increase in humidity and temperature, a better …

Water Remediation And Hydrogen Production With Cobalt-Doped Tio2 Photoanodes, Moises Osorio, Liz Diaz, Caleb Osei-Appau, Fanny Duquet, Anne Lobitz, Chahinez Arroumia, Stéphanie Roualdès, Samuel Bayo, Francois Zaviska, Samuel Snow

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Finding clean energy and water sources are some of the most important challenges in the engineering field. The use of TiO2 photoanodes is a promising method for hydrogen production and water treatment. Synthetizing TiO2 using polymeric biosurfactants and/or doping with Cobalt Oxide may allow optimization for both hydrogen production and water treatment. Photocatalytic experiments were performed using a UVA lamp with emissions centered at 395 nm, across different modes of application, such as powder and thin film. Three polymeric biosurfactants were tested, including GBACoco (GC), GBAC18:1 (GB) and BIO868 (BIO), with a range of molar ratios from 0 to 0.5 …

Bayou Bride: Combining Alligator Leather And Digital Textile Printing In Bridalwear, Martha Rigney, Casey Stannard

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Alligator leather is attractive to luxury consumers because of its unique texture and beauty. However, due to the shape of alligator hides, differing scale patterns, and the hardness of the leather, it is less appealing for usage in apparel. One strategy to retain the visual appeal of alligator leather while improving comfort and versatility is to create photo-realistic digitally printed “alligator” textiles alongside real leather. Discovering new ways to use alligators is crucial to the alligator industry, which is experiencing a price slump. This project focused on the bridal market; the utilization of sublimation dye printing allowed me to experiment …

The Healing Power Of Nanoparticles: Bioengineering Gelatin Films With Lignin-Graft-Plga Nanoparticles For Enhanced Tissue Repair, Marie Howe, Cristina Sabliov, Thanida Chuacharoen, Willyam Nikiema

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Fish gelatin, a biocompatible material, can be methacrylated to enable its photo-crosslinking and formation of hydrogels for tissue-repair applications (1). This study investigated the incorporation of lignin-grafted PLGA nanoparticles (LNPs) into 3D-printed fGelMA hydrogels as controlled drug delivery systems. Lignin has UV absorbing properties, which could potentially interfere with photocrosslinking of fGelMA (2). These LNPs possess hydrophobic PLGA core and hydrophilic lignin forming the shell providing ample opportunities for delivery of drugs of different chemistries (3). Fluorescent LNPs (FLNPs) were engineered by covalently bonding a fluorophore to the shell prior to nanoparticle synthesis to allow for fluorophore tracking. The understanding …

Bridging Distances: Exploring Teleoperation’S Present And Prospects In The Construction Industry, Marc Hebert, Aras Maqsoodi, Ali Kazemian

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Telerobotics has enabled major advancements and developments in multiple fields by providing safer robotic solutions. The construction industry has previously employed teleoperation, but its use has been limited in scope and primarily focused on earthwork. Teleoperation is a valuable tool for ensuring safe operations in extreme environments and inaccessible areas, enabling construction workers to remotely oversee tasks that are traditionally high-risk. Recent advancements in high-speed telecommunication networks, innovative control systems, and growing research in teleoperation have significant potential and practicality for application in the construction industry. This paper reviews the existing literature on construction teleoperation, emphasizing how advancements in Human-Machine …

Evaluation Of Liberty® Herbicide For Zygosity Verification In Transgenic Maize (Zea Mays) Expressing The Bar Gene From Streptomyces Hygroscopicus, Isabel Hau

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Maize (Zea mays) is a major global crop cultivated for food and feed. Most commercial varieties grown in the United States contain herbicide-resistant traits to facilitate weed management. One such herbicide trait is Liberty-Link, which contains the bialaphos resistance (bar) gene from Streptomyces hygroscopicus that confers resistance to glufosinate-ammonium, the active
ingredient in Liberty herbicide. This bar gene is also widely used as a selectable marker in plant transformation. In non-transgenic plants, glufosinate-ammonium inhibits plant glutamine synthetase by acting as a glutamate analog, thereby disrupting amino acid biosynthesis and leading
to plant death. In contrast, transgenic plants expressing the bar …

Droplet Microfluidics Integrated With Machine Learning Reveals How Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Modulate Endocrine Response And Tumor Heterogeneity In Er+ Breast Cancer, Calley Chauvin, Braulio Andres Ortega Quesada, Elizabeth Martin, Adam Melvin

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Approximately 70% of breast cancer (BC) diagnoses are estrogen receptor positive (ER+) with ∼40% of ER+ BC patients presenting de novo resistance to endocrine therapy (ET). Recent studies identify the tumor microenvironment (TME) as having a key role in endocrine resistance in which adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) play an essential role in cancer progression. Prior studies have indicated that ASC characteristics such as age and BMI may play a role in cancer progression. Unfortunately, most studies on ASC-BC cross talk have relied on established two-dimensional (2D) culture systems or the use of conditioned media that cannot replicate the complexity of …

Innovative Smart Sensing System For Accurate Monitoring Of Uhpc Setting Time, Ted Atera, Khalilullah Taj, Masoud Pasbani, Yen-Fang Su

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) is an advanced concrete material known for its strength and durability. Its superior mechanical properties make it an ideal material for demanding structural applications such as bridges. Accurate setting time measurements are crucial in helping to optimise the performance of UHPC. All conventional methods and standards for measuring the setting time of concrete rely on using expensive specialised equipment, such as the Vicat apparatus, which assesses penetration depth or resistance. However, these methods may not be well-suited for UHPC due to its rapid surface drying while the interior remains fresh. This prevents free needle penetration and leads …

Analysis Of The Pervasiveness Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Pfas) And Their Relationship With The Incidence Of Neurological Health Disorders, Emma Waters

2026 Research Poster Competition

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a contaminant of emerging concern due to their chemical structure that afford a plethora of issues with regards to degradation on environmental and metabolic fronts. PFAS are amphiphilic and contain a carbon-fluorine bond, which complicates their movement through the environment and ensures their longevity in biological systems. Their persistence in biological systems has led them to be marked as “forever chemicals” and have emphasized them as a priority area for research in recent years. Current work on PFAS relationships to human health have pointed to some causes for concern. Much of the research on …

Towards Breach Hypothesis Based Predictive Autonomous Cyber Defense Ecosystem: Proactive Prevention Of Imminent Threats And Productivity Losses, Yogesh Chavarkar

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

As cyberattack tools and techniques get sophisticated and persistent, reactive cybersecurity has been unable to effectively prevent breaches and compromises. Organizations and institutions with large complex environments have wide vulnerable exposure with higher chances of a cyberattack. This also increases overall security and financial risk. Possibility of repetitive attacks from cyber threats increases, too, despite the use of standard defense measures. Security tools and system vulnerabilities often need manual patching and updates to keep the environment secure and functioning effectively. Productivity suffers from manual trade-offs in keeping the systems secure from adverse impact. Persistent high-severity cyberattacks, despite continued reactive defensive …

Novel Methods For Environmental Fluoride Measurement, Cable Warren

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations

Fluoride analysis has been an important focus of analytical analysis for many years and will continue to be so going forward. Today, fluorinated compounds, specifically per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), better known as “forever chemicals” have captured the moment and are the subject of vast research and regulation. Under this context, I have researched new methods of fluoride separation and concentration in complex media as well as a novel method of PFAS destruction and total organic fluorine analysis for screening of PFAS in aqueous samples. Through research and work on micro-scale detection methods, an understanding of the state of the art and …

Labor Savings From Mechanical Rice Transplanting In Bangladesh, India, Nepal, And The Philippines: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Rodrigo S. David

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Rice production in South and Southeast Asia faces serious challenges, including acute labor shortages and rising wages, which threaten regional food security. Mechanical rice transplanting offers a promising solution; however, evidence on labor savings, especially region-specific data, remains inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify labor savings from mechanical versus manual transplanting across Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and the Philippines.

Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across four major scientific databases (2000–2026) using Boolean search terms for mechanical transplanting and labor outcomes. Of 284 initial records, 52 met eligibility …

Affordable Infill Housing For Zillennials: Enhancing Urban Mobility Through Walkable And Bikeable Access In Jakarta Metropolitan Area, Mewan Indra, Arif Kusumawanto, Agus Hariyadi

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Rapid urbanization in developing countries has intensified housing challenges for younger generations, particularly Zillennials (aged 24–34), who demand affordable, accessible, and sustainable living environments. This study investigates the optimal location for small-scale housing integrated with large-scale developments in the Jakarta Metropolitan Area (JMA), emphasizing mobility as the primary criterion. The research is guided by a conceptual framework that synthesizes compact city principles, the 15-minute city concept, and Zillennial lifestyle preferences, with walkability and bikeability serving as mediating variables. Mobility simulations were conducted using the Urban Modeling Interface (UMI), applying Walk Score parameters to evaluate walking and cycling accessibility. Six simulation …

Climate And Seasonal Influences On Indo-Pacific Sea Level: Insights From 30 Years Of Satellite And Tide Gauge Data, Karlina Triana

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

We analyze Indo-Pacific sea-level variability using monthly satellite altimetry (1993–2025) validated against records from 16 tide-gauge stations. Cross-comparisons show strong agreement, especially in the western Pacific, confirming the reliability of altimetry for regional assessments. Seasonal SLA variability is largest in the Bay of Bengal and South China Sea and reflects monsoonal forcing, whereas interannual fluctuations in the eastern Indian and western Pacific oceans are dominated by ENSO and modulated by PDO. Harmonic decomposition isolates annual and semi-annual cycles, and an EOF/PCA framework identifies the leading modes: EOF1 (30.8%) captures basin-scale interannual variability and EOF2 (20.9%) reflects the seasonal cycle. Spectral …

The Impact And Sustainability Of A School Improvement Grant On Student Outcomes In An Elementary Setting, Tiesha Denise Reed

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine the impact and sustainability of the School Improvement Grant (SIG) Transformation Model and to determine its impact on a low-performing elementary school. The research study used a quantitative research design to investigate the effects of the SIG on student achievement and school annual reporting data across three time periods: pre-intervention (2014-2015), post-intervention (2016-2017), and six years after the grant ended (2022-2023). The research design was appropriate because it allowed the researcher to collect archival data and examine potential differences across time periods. The independent variable was the three time periods, and the …