Digital Commons Network^™

Association Between Food Insecurity And Nervous System Disorders In Caddo Parish, La: A Call To Action For Health, Megan Gremillion, Morgan Uebinger, Claire Crosby, Kaitlyn Tholen, Marie Vazquez Morgan, Ammar Husan

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

Background: Food insecurity (FI)–the lack of access to affordable, nutritious food–affects millions of Americans. Caddo Parish, Louisiana, is of interest due to high FI prevalence and socioeconomic risk factors. While FI is known to exacerbate chronic health issues, its association with neurological health remains understudied, especially in high-risk communities. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients in Caddo Parish in 2022 using Epic Electronic Medical Record data to identify diagnoses of migraine, dementia, and stroke—the top neurological causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the United States. FI status was determined using the Hunger Vital Sign screening questionnaire. …

Rail Anomalies Dataset For Semantic Segmentation Analysis, Saarah Majid, Arian Izadi, Paul Stanik

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Rail maintenance is a core necessity of upkeep, maintenance, deterioration, and safety implications of large rail systems. Doing so in an orderly and uniform way, however, has proven difficult with the thousands of miles that railways span. Use of computer vision on locomotives during normal operation can allow for a more streamlined process that would eliminate the need for costly specialized equipment and disruptions of normal operations. This project aims to efficiently detect vegetation overgrowth, mud-pumping, and standing water on railways. With the use of machine learning algorithms and dataset curation, models can be trained, allowing them to gain a …

Unpacking The Role Of Virtual Exchange In Promoting Student Well-Being, Mona Pearl, Kelly Tzoumis, Allison E. Hill, Spencer D. Sutherland

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

Educational institutions and workplaces are grappling with the task of promoting the well-being of their students and employees. From 2021 to 2023, students from Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, The Netherlands, and the US participated in virtual exchange collaborations in the form of global virtual teams (GVTs) and were assessed pre (n=201) and post (n=251) their GVTs experience. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess changes in learner well-being from participation in GVTs. Based on the impact to student perceived well-being from the GVT experience, we found important results that can be useful for both employers and academic institutions …

Law School Grows Statewide Network With New 3+3 Partnerships, Marisa C. Atkinson

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi School of Law has joined forces with Millsaps College and William Carey University to allow undergraduates from those schools to earn law degrees in less time through the schools' new Accelerated Law School Pathway.

American Institute Of Chemical Engineers Honor Two Unh Researchers, Brooks Payette

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Design And Validation Of A Bilateral, Multi-Site 3d-Printed Neuronal Implant For Rodent Electrophysiology, Homero Phelps, Jonathan V. Trinidad, Talha Soluoku

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

Neuronal electrophysiology implants are essential tools in neuroscience for recording brain activity and investigating neurological disorders. Our lab’s previous 3D-printed implant designs centered around a single-site, recording platform that was limited in adaptability, precision, and lacked in vivo validation due to lingering engineering malfunctions. To combat limitations and expand recording capabilities, this project aimed to design and validate a new implant capable of multi-site, bilateral recordings across both brain hemispheres, specifically targeting the hippocampus (CA1 and CA3) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), regions critical for learning and memory. Building on the Open Ephys ShuttleDrive model, the implant was redesigned using …

Simulation Of Fluid Flow Based On Navier Stokes Equations, Ricardo Marquez, Javier Perez

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

This work presents a computational study of incompressible flow based on the Navier-Stokes equations using finite element method. The Crank-Nicolson approximation is used for discretizing the time derivative. The study consists of investigating the effect of the choice of finite elements and the size of the time step in obtaining the numerical velocity and pressure. This is illustrated with FreeFEM++ simulations of the von Karman benchmark flow problem. Profiles of drag, lift and pressure drop will be presented in time.

Spatiotemporal Feature Extraction From Vertical Grf Signals For Parkinson’S Disease Severity Assessment Using Physionet And Gaitpd, Nitya Jadeja

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that impairs motor coordination, often resulting in measurable gait disturbances. Vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) signals provide a quantitative means of capturing these abnormalities and monitoring disease progression. This study focuses on the extraction and analysis of spatiotemporal gait features such as stride variability, stance duration, and force imbalance, from the PhysioNet Gait dataset to better understand their correlation with PD severity. Using gait analysis and machine learning techniques, recent computational models are reviewed and evaluated for their ability to assess PD progression through VGRF data. The analysis compares data-driven approaches with …

Real-Time Ai-Enabled Therapeutic Device For Improving Peripheral Perfusion And Glucose Regulation In Type 2 Diabetes, Torryana Tanis

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is frequently accompanied by peripheral microvascular disease, leading to impaired lower limb perfusion, impaired healing, and vulnerability to ulcers and amputation. The existing medical devices are predominantly aimed at systemic glucose control and do not have local therapeutic intervention to improve circulation or allow muscular glucose delivery. To meet this crucial demand, we have developed a portable, two-in-one biofeedback device that combines non-invasive blood glucose monitoring and Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) therapy for the calf muscle. The glucose monitoring subsystem implements near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to measure skin light absorptance on the index finger. Real-time blood glucose …

The Mathematics Of Motion: Applying Derivatives To Fluid Systems, Sayla Daily

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Mathematical modeling through differential equations provides a basis for understanding change in physical and engineering systems. My project explores the transition from single-variable derivatives to multivariable partial derivatives and their applications in describing engineering applications. Beginning with the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, derivatives are introduced as measures of change, quantifying relationships such as velocity and acceleration. The study then extends to partial derivatives, which represents systems influenced by multiple variables, including spatial and temporal factors. These principles are applied to model fluid motion, and pressure gradients, including the Navier–Stokes equations governing fluid dynamics. By linking mathematics with engineering applications, this …

Digital Twin Of The Unlv Campus For Safe Autonomous Vehicle Simulation, Carlos Funes

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

With the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, self-driving cars are becoming increasingly prevalent on our roads. By utilizing these technologies, we can reduce the number of accidents caused by distracted driving. Before implementing these systems in vehicles, however, it is essential to conduct numerous tests. Traditional evaluation of driverless cars on real-world roads can be both expensive and hazardous. To address this, creating a digital twin of an actual road minimizes unexpected hazards, allowing researchers to safely and efficiently test self-driving car programs in high-risk scenarios using computer simulations. This research outlines the process of generating a …

Diving Video Analysis Using Multitask Learning Action Quality Assessment (Mtl-Aqa), Taylor Gauthier

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

In many sports, videos are being used to assist in judging. For example, they are being used to review quick actions or confirm the actions being performed. For diving specifically, the videos of a dive can be at most 3 seconds long, and divers can perform a range of somersaults and twists within that time frame, all of which affect the score, classification, and dive number. Using these videos, a Multitask Learning Action Quality Assessment (ML-AQA) program, based on machine learning, from a vast dataset, is able to produce an Action Quality Score out of 100, Factorized Action Recognition (classifications), …

A Triple Bottom Line Analysis Of Food Waste-To-Bioenergy At California University Campuses: Social Enablers Break Down Economic Barriers, Anjali Sharma

Master's Theses

Greenhouse gas emissions from food waste (FW) and energy generation are two major hurdles to the climate crisis. Previous research shows that waste-to-energy systems may provide a solution to both these challenges, particularly at university campuses, due to their high FW generation and high energy needs. Despite this, few academic institutions in California, US, have adopted waste-to-energy systems, and campus-specific challenges and opportunities associated with these systems remain underexplored. For this study, I use an Environmental, Economic, and Social (EES) lens to document the current landscape of FW management and implementation of food waste-to-bioenergy at campuses in each of the …

Doc 2025-20 Proposal To Suspend Bachelors In Adolescent To Young Adult (7-12) Teaching Concentrations In Integrated Mathematics & Integrated Science, University Of Dayton. School Of Education And Health Science

Senate Documents

Proposal to Suspend Bachelors in Adolescent to Young Adult (7-12) Teaching Concentrations in Integrated Mathematics & Integrated Science

Doc 2025-19 Proposal For New Bachelor Of Science In Data Analytics, University Of Dayton. Academic Policies Committee

Senate Documents

The Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics is an interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students with the skills to collect, manage, analyze, and interpret complex data. Building on foundations in mathematics, statistics, and computer science, the program emphasizes hands-on experience with programming, databases, regression, and machine learning. Students learn to translate data into actionable insights, preparing them for careers in data analytics, business intelligence, and related fields, as well as for advanced study in data science and analytics.

Patent Monopsonies, Roy Baharad, Gideon Parchomovsky

Duke Law Journal

Conventional wisdom perceives patent protection as a necessary evil. Patent protection, the argument goes, raises the prices of patented products and processes, thus restricting access to innovation. But without it, not enough innovation will be produced. Hence, generations of scholars have sought ways to curb the market power of patentees via various legal interventions, such as prizes, compulsory licenses, and other forms of regulation. All have tacitly assumed that eroding the market power of patentees would result in a competitive market for innovation that would put an end to the allocative inefficiencies and distributional inequities that emanate from patent protection. …

Risk Factors For Unexpected Death In Patients Identified By A Communication And Resolution Program, Peter Lodato, Neal D. Goldstein, Alexandra M, Mapp, Adebayo Gbadebo, David A. Paul

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Many patients experience unexpected harm while receiving healthcare, with a lasting impact on patients, families, and caregivers. Communication and Resolution Programs are being adopted with increased frequency, as a more systematic, transparent, and equitable approach to these unexpected outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify whether demographic factors played a role in identifying patients with unexpected death, as managed in our CRP. This nested case-controlled compared 236 patients who experienced an unanticipated death with 2,360 controls who died expectedly over a 10-year period. Patients with unexpected death were more likely to be Black (AOR 2.18 95% CI 1.01-4.68), …

Bridging Worlds: Cultivating Cultural Intelligence For Transformative English Classrooms, Alvaro R. Larrea Salazar

Senior Honors Theses

This project explores the integration of the Cultural Intelligence (CQ) framework in the secondary English classroom to enhance inclusivity and classroom dynamics. It argues that by understanding and adapting to diverse cultural contexts, teachers can create a more inclusive and welcoming environment, improve teacher-student relationships, and facilitate more effective classroom management. Through a focus on lesson planning, discussion, and overall instruction, this thesis aims to show how CQ can enrich literature studies and foster cultural awareness among students. Drawing on existing research, it demonstrates that a high CQ in educators is linked to transformational leadership and positive student outcomes, ultimately …

Non-Invasive Infection Detection Framework: Smartphone-Based Hematologic And Thermal Biomarker Monitoring, Nafi Us Sabbir Sabith

Dissertations (1934 -)

Infectious diseases remain one of the leading global causes of illness and death in both community and hospital settings. Infections lead to lasting health issues, such as life-threatening chronic conditions or even cancer. Early detection is crucial for timely intervention, such as isolation and treatment. Hematology originated from the Greek word haima, meaning blood. It is a unique discipline in medicine that involves the study of blood and its contents. White blood cells (WBC) are at the forefront of the body’s immune system. WBCs are categorized into five main subtypes: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Monitoring the total WBC …

Preliminary Investigation Of Cislunar Disposal Reachability Via Electric Propulsion For Selected L2 Lagrange Point Orbit Families, Ryan M. Sargent, Robert A. Bettinger, Carl R. Hartsfield

Faculty Publications

This paper investigates the disposal of end-of-life spacecraft from selected orbit families in the Earth-Moon system, specifically the L₂ Lyapunov and Halo families. Rather than focusing on impulsive burns with chemical propulsion systems, this paper examines disposal using continuous thrust generated by Hall thrusters, a form of electric propulsion. Leveraging the Circular Restricted Three Body Problem (CR3BP) as the dynamical framework, various levels of ΔV are evaluated in single-maximum burn and multiple-burn concepts of operation to evaluate the potential for spacecraft minimizing their transit of cislunar space and reaching the Earth’s gravitational sphere of influence in order to enter …

Institutional Mobility Intentions And Job Satisfaction Of Model Minority University Faculties In The United States, Maki Kato

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

The purpose of this study is to quantitatively understand the institutional mobility intentions and job satisfaction of Asian Female Foreign Faculties (AFFFs) working in colleges and universities in the United States (U.S.) to supplement previous qualitative research focusing on their experiences and perceptions. This study uses 2012–2020 data from the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education’s (COACHE) Faculty Job Satisfaction Survey. The results show that among both, AFFFs and other foreign faculties, the intention to move from one’s current university is uncertain. AFFFs’ job satisfaction, including their interactions with other faculties, is lower than that of white U.S. …

An Investigation Of International Students’ Satisfaction With Their University Experience Using An Expectation Confirmation Theory Lens, Mehraz Sarker, Jonathan Worae, Jason D. Edgerton

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

This study examines how various challenges and support systems influence international students’ satisfaction, as reflected in their intention to recommend their university. Using the Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT), it examines whether students’ initial expectations moderate the relationships between challenges and satisfaction, and between institutional support and satisfaction. Analysis of survey data (N = 712) indicates that the majority of international students report satisfaction with their university experience. Ordinal logistic regression analyses reveal that perceived institutional support and higher initial expectations are associated with increased likelihood of recommending the university. Conversely, academic and discrimination challenges are associated with decreased likelihood of …

Cultivating A Sense Of Community: International Students Navigating Community Engaged Learning Opportunities In Line With Their Social Goals, Katherine Lyon, Nicole Malette

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

International students often envision their time studying abroad with particular academic, professional, social, linguistic, and identity-related goals in mind (Fong, 2011; Jones, 2013; Montgomery & McDowell, 2009; Page, 2019; Page & Chahboun, 2019). Post-secondary institutions can provide resources and opportunities to help this heterogeneous group of students bring their vision into fruition. One such opportunity is community engaged learning (CEL), which has been shown to help students expand their social and academic abilities as they make contributions to an organization (Arnold, 2019; Greenberg, London & McKay, 2020; Mayer et al., 2019). Through in-depth interviews with 25 new international students who …

The Prospector, November 21, 2025, Utep Student Publications

The Prospector

No abstract provided.

Doughnut Economics And Strong Sustainability: Rethinking The Role Of Financial Investment, Isabelle Pierotti

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates how private investment could align doughnut economic framework. Doughnut economics is a strong sustainability economic framework where the economy operates within planetary boundaries while ensuring social equity. Theories of sustainable development, weak sustainability, and strong sustainability are discussed to provide theoretical context for doughnut economics and mainstream economics. The analysis concludes that conventional, profit maximizing private investment does not support a doughnut economics system by supporting the depletion of natural resources and exacerbating social issues. Sustainable mainstream investment also fails to support a doughnut framework. Lastly, while impact investment is theoretically committed to social and financial returns, …

An Auto-Criticism: Exploration Of Professional Development For Secondary Science Educators, Mellissa Ann Pfaff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This auto-criticism investigates the benefits of experiential professional development for science educators by examining the reflective journey of one teacher-researcher—me—through multiple immersive learning experiences. Using narrative journaling and qualitative analysis, this study captures the influence of these experiences on my identity, instructional design, and ability to create experiential learning opportunities for students.

Rather than approaching professional development as a checklist of strategies, this research seeks to illuminate how deeply engaged, hands-on learning can transform teaching from routine delivery to embodied practice. Thematic coding revealed shifts in curriculum planning, increased responsiveness to student inquiry, and renewed clarity around the purpose of …

Capacity, Allocation And Update Dynamics Of Human Memory Systems, Shaoying Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Information is encoded and stored in three types of memory: sensory memory (SM), short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM). SM has a large capacity but retains information for only a brief period. When information transfers to STM, only a limited amount can be stored. Information in STM can then be transferred to LTM, which has a much larger capacity and longer retention time. STM is often conceptualized as working memory (WM) to highlight its role in active information processing. Due to the limited capacity of STM, it is commonly believed that STM serves as the bottleneck for information processing. …

Archaeological Predictive Meta-Modeling In Pre-Columbian Mexico, Peter Stamm

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Archaeological Predictive Modeling stands firmly as an important tool for Archaeologists to predict undiscovered sites from civilizations all across the globe. While powerful, this methodology is not without its own set of qualms. Striking a balance between pure a data-driven approach while also observing leading expert theories can be a complicated task. Going further, deciding on the specific domain of features to emphasize or overlook can be a challenge within itself, as one misstep can drastically change the output of model, sometimes for the worst. In addition, creating models that can expose their reasoning process can be rather difficult to …

Nursing Faculty Demographics, Attitude, Knowledge, And Integration Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine In Nursing Curriculum, Patricia L. Balistreri

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nurses have demonstrated positive attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM); however, additional education is limited in nursing programs to prepare them to discuss and educate patients about these practices. Nursing faculty play a significant role in educating, mentoring, and influencing students’ knowledge levels and attitudes toward CAM. The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional study, guided by the CAM healthcare model, was to examine relationships among nursing faculty demographics, CAM knowledge, attitudes, and curriculum integration. The Knowledge, Attitudes, and Use of CAM survey was administered to 111 nursing faculty across multiple programs. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression …

Differential Substance Use Screening Approaches Among Medical Providers Based On Pregnancy Status, Ericka L. Suarez-Vella

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Exploring medical providers’ role in relation to pregnant individuals who use substances is critical. Understanding how screening practices and provider biases influence addiction treatment referrals based on pregnancy status can help address several key issues, including potential disparities resulting from provider bias. It can ensure fair referral practices, promote equitable access to treatment, and ensure timely intervention resulting in better health outcomes. It can influence changes to policy and procedure among healthcare and judicial establishments, ultimately improving the relationship between providers and patients. The purpose of this study was to explore how medical providers’ screening practices of substance use in …