Digital Commons Network^™

Dna Barcoding Complements Citizen Science Identifications In An Arthropod Survey At Governors Island, New York, Malky Gestetner

Dissertations and Theses

Arthropods are declining worldwide, threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and growing urbanization. Efforts to monitor arthropod biodiversity are crucial for conservation policies and for maintaining the ecosystem services provided by these animals in urban environments. Surveys of arthropods have been attempted in many New York neighborhoods, but no formal assessment has been conducted on Governors Island, which harbors 72-acres of parkland within a short boat ride away from Manhattan. This is a deficiency which this study helps to address. Following student-led collection efforts within four Governors Island sites, DNA barcoding was employed to complement specimen identification based on morphology …

Who Bears The Cost? A Module For Researching The Intersection Of Technology, The Individual, And Climate Change, Jonathan Auyer

Climate Change and the Individual, 2025-26

Who Bears the Cost? A Module for Researching the Intersection of Technology, the Individual, and Climate Change is a multi-day writing and research module designed for first-year composition courses. Using the ongoing controversy surrounding the Science, Technology & Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) in Genesee County, New York as a central case study, students investigate the ethical, environmental, and social dimensions of artificial intelligence and climate change. The module guides students from initial inquiry, exploring the philosophical question of whether technology is value-neutral or value-laden, through source research, collaborative discussion, and persuasive writing. Drawing on the rhetorical framework of They Say …

Water Resource Governance And Health Equity In Angola, Mads Harner

Public Health Theses

AbstractBackground: Angola is confronting a set of intertwined challenges including water insecurity, increasing climate variability, and deep structural inequality that together intensify the burden of waterborne and water-related diseases (Lombana Cordoba et al., 2021; World Health Organization, 2025). Roughly half of the population does not have reliable access to safe drinking water, and gaps in sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, especially in peri-urban and rural areas, facilitate the spread of illnesses such as cholera, diarrheal diseases, and malaria (UNICEF Angola, 2025; Moreira et al., 2012). These issues are further exacerbated by drought and broader climate variability, and underlying them are historical …

Indoor Environmental Quality Perceptions And Self-Reported Symptoms Among West Haven Va Healthcare Employees, Joseph Hyong Kim

Public Health Theses

Background: Indoor environmental quality in workplace settings influences worker well-being, yet the relationship between perceived workplace environment and reported symptoms remains less well characterized in heterogeneous healthcare settings. This study describes perceived workplace environmental quality and self-reported symptoms among employees at the West Haven Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center.

Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted of VA employees across clinical and non-clinical roles to assess perceived work environment, symptoms and indoor exposures using an electronic survey and personal and area air monitoring of indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and viruses. Perceived workplace environmental quality was assessed using the MM-40 …

Pediatric Rheumatic Heart Disease Screening For Secondary Antibiotic Prophylaxis: An Explainable Shannon Energy Approach Using Heart Phonocardiogram In Northeast Brazil, Zhuohui Lin

Public Health Theses

Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS), remains a significant global health burden, particularly among children in low- and middle-income countries. Untreated GAS infection can lead to acute rheumatic fever and subsequent chronic valvular damage of RHD, such as mitral valve (MV) regurgitation. Hence, early detection is critical for the administration of Secondary Antibiotic Prophylaxis to prevent disease progression. Although deep learning models demonstrate high diagnostic accuracy, limited explainability restricts clinical adoption, especially in resource-limited settings. In this proof-of-concept study, we evaluated Shannon energy (SE) transformation as a proxy to differentiate holosystolic murmurs associated with RHD-related mitral …

Climate Change Impacts On Hydrology In The Upper James Watershed, Imiya Mudiyanselage Chathuranika, Dalya Ismael

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Hydrological modeling of the Upper James Watershed (UJW), Virginia, is critical for predicting water availability, flood management, agriculture, ecosystem protection, and hydropower production under increasing climate change. The Hydrologic Engineering Center-Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) is applied to evaluate climate change impacts on key hydrological components within the watershed. Future climate conditions were assessed for the near (NF: 2026-2050), mid (MF: 2051-2075), and far (FF: 2076-2100) periods using three Global Climate Models (GCMs) under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways SSP 2-4.5 and SSP 5-8.5. Climate data were bias-corrected using the Linear Scaling Method (LSM) and used to drive the HEC-HMS model. Results project …

Identifying Industry-Preferred Automation Software In Engineering: An Indeed-Based Analysis To Inform Engineering Technology Curriculum Design, Triet Minh Phan, Collins Okafor, Winifred Okafor, Devang Mehta, Mohsen Souissi, Jenora Waterman, Connie Mayberry, Misty Thomas, Orlando Ayala, Angie Price, Maurizio Manzo

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

In the evolving field of automation engineering, staying aligned with industry software demands is critical to preparing graduates for the modern workforce. This study investigates the prevalence of leading industrial automation platforms—Rockwell / Allen-Bradley (RSLogix / Studio 5000), Siemens (TIA Portal / Step 7), and Schneider Electric (EcoStruxure / Unity Pro)—across job postings collected from Indeed using the keyword "automation engineering." The research compiles a structured dataset of job postings with seven fields: ID, Job Title, Organization, Rockwell / Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric, and Posting URL. Each entry is manually coded to indicate whether the listed software platforms are mentioned, …

Improving Medical Diagnostics With Vision-Language Models: Convex Hull-Based Uncertainty Analysis, Ferhat Ozgur Catak, Murat Kuzlu, Taylor Patrick, Michel Audette

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

In recent years, vision-language models (VLMs) have been applied to various fields, including healthcare, education, finance, and manufacturing, with remarkable performance. However, concerns remain regarding VLMs’ consistency and uncertainty, particularly in critical applications such as healthcare, which demand a high level of trust and reliability. This paper proposes a novel approach to evaluate uncertainty in VLMs’ responses using a convex hull approach on a healthcare application for visual question answering (VQA). For any VLM, temperature refers to a sampling parameter used in probabilistic generation, which controls the randomness of the model’s output. The LLM-CXR model is selected as the medical …

Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Educating Next Generation Of Engineering Technology Students, Adel El-Shahat, Murat Kuzlu, Vukica M. Jovanovic, Katherine Smith, Abdullah Al Mamun, Otilia Popescu

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming education, particularly for electrical engineering technology (EET) students, by presenting adaptive learning, immediate responses, and unconventional tools. Therefore, this paper proposes investigating modern learning to employ AI in educating future electrical engineering technology students. Firstly, the paper explores how to shape AI knowledge for EET students, supplying them with hands-on skills in AI tasks, clarifying coding, data analysis, and AI ethical usage. Then, as educators, what are the efficient AI tools to utilize in teaching, such as tailored tutoring, automated code assessment, AI-driven design/simulation, lecture dictation, and smart content creation? Key tools, for instance, Google …

A Methodological Framework For Modernizing Engineering Course Content With Large Language Models, Katherine Smith, Dalya Ismael, Otilia Popescu, Murat Kuzlu, Adel El-Shahat, Vukica M. Jovanovic

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

The rapid evolution of technology presents challenges for engineering educators. While the core engineering methods often remain relevant over time, course materials rapidly become outdated in presentation and pedagogical approach. This paper presents a methodological framework for using large-language models (LLMs) to modernize engineering course content with a case study in an advanced technical analysis course.

The methodology follows a phased approach that is designed to be repeatable and verify the accuracy and completeness of course content. During the first phase, an LLM is used to map outdated text-heavy content to a modern format using a LaTeX template. The second …

Prep’S Communications Strategy: A Ten-Year Plan From 2025-2035, Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (Prep)

PREP Reports & Publications

No abstract provided.

The Limits Of Economic Sanctions: Why Western Efforts Did Not Fully Economically Isolate Russia After 2022 Invasion Of Ukraine, Jonibek Oblokulov

Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.

The Complex Decision-Making Processes Of Rural Emerging Adults: Counseling Beyond Dualism, Donna M. San Antonio Dr.

Faculty Scholarship

Rural adolescents approach the transition out of high school with individual concerns about making an emotionally or financially expensive “mistake,” family concerns about young people leaving home, and national and local concerns about declining rural economies and out-migration. The literature concerning this topic considers factors that influence youth aspirations in rural areas, such as economic barriers, the way higher education is valued, and perceptions of rural places as lacking in opportunity. However, there has been little study of the myriad interpersonal, emotional, and self-identity inputs that are part of the decision-making processes of rural emerging adults, and little is known …

Regulating Space-Based Solar Power: Challenges Under Both Space Law And Energy Law, Anne-Sophie Martin, Steven Freeland

Journal of Air Law and Commerce

Space-based solar power (SBSP) is emerging as a potential catalyst for global decarbonisation, driven by advances in wireless power transmission, in-orbit assembly, and photovoltaic technologies. Programmes such as the European Space Agency’s SOLARIS initiative, China’s planned megawatt-scale demonstrator, and private projects including Constant Aperture Solid State Integrated Orbital Phased Array and Caltech’s Space Solar Power Project illustrate the shift from theoretical models to operationalisation. SBSP offers continuous, weather-independent renewable energy capable of complementing terrestrial solar, wind, and hydro generation, enhancing grid stability, energy security, and progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It also supports future space activities by providing …

Titanium Hypersensitivity As Possible Cause Of Dental Implant Failures, William J. Maloney D.D.S., Pg Certmeded, Facd, George Raymond D.D.S., Facd, Maura Maloney D.D.S.

The New York State Dental Journal

For many decades, titanium implants have achieved a remarkably high success rate. However, there are cases in which osseointegration does not occur as predicted or desired. In these cases, an analysis of the factors that led to the implant failure must be conducted. There are multiple, widely accepted potential causes of such implant failures. Today, one must also consider titanium hypersensitivity as a potential reason for failure. Symptoms of a titanium allergic reaction may include mucosal erythema, swelling of lips, purpuric patches on hard and soft palate, ulcers in the oral cavity, hyperplastic gingivitis, cheilitis, eczematous eruptions on face and …

Comparative Analysis Of Structural, Physicochemical, And Electrochemical Properties Of Graphene Oxide Derived From Commercial Graphite And Rice Husk Biomass For Sensing Applications, Brice Alain Kabore, Walter K. Njoroge, Eric Masika, Matthias M. Minjauw, Jolien Dendooven, Christophe Detavernier, Mieke Adriaens

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

This study presents a sustainable route to synthesize graphene oxide (GO) from rice husk biochar (RHB) without hazardous HF/NaOH pretreatment, using a modified Hummers’ method. We showed that natural silicate minerals in RHB significantly alter the structure and properties of rice husk-derived GO (RHGO), reducing its electrochemical sensing performance compared to commercial graphite-derived GO (CGGO). Importantly, we demonstrated that a simple, eco-friendly process, decantation followed by electrodeposition, can reduce the adverse effects of silica in RHGO, boosting its sensing performance without needing traditional desilication methods. XPS analysis revealed that RHGO exhibited a higher silicon content of 28 % and oxygen …

Gut And Blood Diversity Microbiota Of Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) Reared In Aquaponic Systems: A Scoping Review, Ang´Elica Adiaç˜Ao Jossefa, Leonildo Dos Anjo Viagem, Brunno Da Silva Cerozi Brunno Da Silva Cerozi, Sebastian Wilson Chenyambuga Sebastian Wilson Chenyambuga Chenyambuga

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Tilapia is commonly integrated with vegetables in aquaponics systems, where complex microbial interactions may have important implications for food safety. This scoping review examines the current evidence on the microbiota diversity of tilapia reared in aquaponics systems, analyzes its potential influence on food safety, and highlight direction for future research. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Re- views and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines and included studies pub- lished between 2000 and 2025, retrieved from five scientific databases, including Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, and Wiley Online Library. Only three studies met …

Effects Of Flooding-Induced Migration On The Food Security Status Of Farming Households In Rivers State, Nigeria, Jacinta Nmutaka Umechukwu, Daniel Bruce Sarpong, Ama Ahene-Codjoe, Taeyoon Kim

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

The agricultural landscape in Rivers State, Nigeria, is increasingly threatened by the dual challenges of escalating flooding events and return migration. Historically, flooding in the region has shifted from isolated incidents to a persistent and widespread hazard, significantly disrupting agricultural livelihoods and rural stability. This study assessed the effects of flooding-induced migration on the food security status of farming households in Nigeria. Data were collected on the episodes that occurred between 2011–2022 to estimate the coping strategies of the farmers. The farm revenue specifically from 2022 production activities was also computed. This was used in estimating the effect of flooding-induced …

Modeling Of Intraday Fluctuations In Future Climate Parameters And Their Impact On Perovskite Solar Modules, From A Sustainable Development Perspective, Wakiang Emile Latchiba, Sebastian Waita, Robert Kruege, Julius M. Mwabora

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Modeling of intraday fluctuation in future climate parameters. This study uses ARIMA and LSTM models to evaluate and examine the prediction accuracy of four main meteorological parameters (solar irradiance, temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed) that have an impact on perovskite solar modules using Chad as an example. The findings show that the use of averaged climatic data considerably obscures the effects of intraday fluctuation, which significantly increases power output volatility and speeds up degradation. Increasing short-term temperature extremes may further jeopardize system reliability, according to projections under future climate scenarios. The results highlight the necessity of climate-resilient photovoltaic modeling …

A Bibliometric Analysis Of Research On Cefr-Based English Speaking Pedagogy : Trends And Directions, Saima Khan, Azidah Abu Zidena, Zoofishan Khanb

PASAA

No abstract provided.

Visualizing Cefr Implementation In English Language Teaching : A Bibliometric Trend Analysis (2015–2025), Heppy Mutammimah, Rini Amelia, Noor Aina Herliana, Siti Kustini, Anida Fadhilah Jati, Mala Rovikasari

PASAA

No abstract provided.

Mapping The Kku-Aelt Reading Test To The Cefr : A Standard-Setting Study, Sivakorn Tangsakul, Kornwipa Poonpon

PASAA

No abstract provided.

Development And Validation Of An Algorithmic Randomization Model For A Cefr-Aligned English Proficiency Test For College Students, Jamjumrat Deeprom

PASAA

No abstract provided.

Cogniwrite : Ai-Enhanced Smart Handouts For Cefr-Based Language Instruction And Retention In Higher Education, Diannike Putri, Barlian Kristanto

PASAA

No abstract provided.

Heteronormativity And Gender Inequality In Three Esp Textbooks In Thailand : Multimodal Discourse Analysis, Akkasit Kathapant, Kriangkrai Vathanalaoha

PASAA

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Translation In Second Language Acquisition : Relevance And Practical Applications In The 21st Century, Benjawan Tipprachaban

PASAA

No abstract provided.

A Contextual And Work-Based Language Practice Instructional Model Development To Enhance English-Speaking Skills For Effective Customer Service Among Thai Vocational Students, Henry Yuh Anchunda, Suparada Anchunda, Wareerat Kaewurai, Pakorn Prachanban, Taweesak Sawangmek

PASAA

No abstract provided.

Comparative Rhetorical Analysis Of Discussion Sections In Chinese And English Research Articles Across Disciplines, Jingfen Jin, Angkana Tongpoon Patanasorn

PASAA

No abstract provided.

Pragmatic Competence And Transfer In Requests And Refusals : A Study Of Efl University Students In Southern Thailand, Uraiwan Rattanapan Noonkong, Usa Intharaksa

PASAA

No abstract provided.

แนวทางเพื่อการจัดการปัญหาขยะทะเลในประเทศไทย, ทรายทอง บุญบางยาง, จารุมาศ เจริญพานิช

Thai Environment

การสังเคราะห์แนวทางเพื่อการจัดการปัญหาขยะทะเลดำเนินการโดยการวิเคราะห์งานวิจัยและบทความทางวิชาการ ตลอดจนการระดมความคิดเห็นในกลุ่มผู้รู้ผู้เชี่ยวชาญเพื่อการสังเคราะห์แนวทางที่เหมาะสม ผลการศึกษาพบประเด็นจุดอ่อนที่สำคัญคือการมีที่มาของขยะในปริมาณมาก การขาดสมรรถนะของการจัดการโดยชุมชน และการขาดการสนับสนุนด้านการจัดการจากภาครัฐอย่างเพียงพอ ส่วนจุดแข็งที่พบในหลายพื้นที่คือการเริ่มใช้นโยบายหรือมาตรการในการควบคุมปริมาณขยะ การมีกิจกรรมชุมชนในเชิงอนุรักษ์สภาพแวดล้อม และการพัฒนาระบบการจัดการขยะอย่างครบวงจรในชุมชน สำหรับผลการสังเคราะห์แนวทางการแก้ไขปัญหาขยะทะเลพบว่าประเด็นด้านการตั้งจุดรับแยกขยะในพื้นที่ การสร้างความตระหนักรู้ในองค์กรระดับท้องถิ่น และการจัดสร้างระบบการจัดการขยะที่เหมาะสม เป็นเรื่องสำคัญในระดับท้องถิ่น ส่วนในระดับประเทศเราควรให้ความสำคัญกับการกำหนดเป้าหมายให้เกิดอย่างเป็นรูปธรรม และจัดทำฐานข้อมูลตามแหล่งที่มาของขยะให้ชัดเจน นอกจากนี้ควรเร่งจัดการปัญหาขยะจากเรือประมง ผลการศึกษาในภาพรวมยังพบความจำเป็นในการบริหารจัดการที่ต้องครอบคลุมทั้งมิติด้านความร่วมมือในชุมชน ด้านระเบียบนโยบายและมาตรการที่เหมาะสม และด้านระบบการจัดการที่ควรขับเคลื่อนโดยองค์การบริหารส่วนท้องถิ่นในแต่ละพื้นที่ ทั้งนี้ เพื่อให้เกิดการแก้ปัญหาขยะทะเลได้อย่างเป็นรูปธรรม