Digital Commons Network^™

Finite Element Modeling Of Plasma Membrane Injury From Mechanical Stress: A Combined Finite Element And Machine Learning Approach, Eric Flynn Mabowitz

Theses and Dissertations

Low back pain is a leading cause of disability across a wide range of occupations and environments. Exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) has been linked to an increased prevalence of low back pain, as well as certain neurophysiological complications. While current understanding of WBV effects is largely based on tissue- and whole-body-level studies, a significant gap remains in knowledge regarding how vibrational forces propagate through individual cells. This knowledge gap limits a comprehensive understanding of how these forces affect the human body at the microscopic level. To address this, the present study employs both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) finite …

Transforming Movement Assessment In Physical Therapy Through Subaquatic Data Collection, Kaitlyn Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the interest and perceived barriers to integrating subaquatic diagnostic technologies (SDTs) into hydrotherapy among licensed physical therapists. Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted using a mixed-methods design, with 15 interviews included in the final analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed using chi-square tests, while qualitative responses were coded thematically. Results indicated no statistically significant relationships between SDT interest and career stage or hydrotherapy access, though qualitative data highlighted concerns about cost, limited access, and usability. Despite mixed interest in adoption, participants identified several potential benefits of SDTs, including improved treatment tailoring, increased patient buy-in, and enhanced outcome monitoring. Functional …

Spatial Variability Of Heat Mortality Rate Relationships In Arizona At Primary Care Area Level, Ria Mukherjee

Theses and Dissertations

Heat Mortality Rates (HMR) in Arizona (AZ) are one of the highest in all of US. The HMR association with environmental, socioeconomic, demographic, and occupational factors has been widely investigated to inform mitigative policy. This study employed linear and spatial models- Ordinary Least Square (OLS), Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR), across AZ at Primary Care Area (PCAr) level to identify important spatial trends in HMR relationship. Results indicated a significant global association between heat mortality and environmental variables and the elderly population aged 65 and older. In contrast, the working age group between 54 and …

Unboxing The Black Box: Graph-Based Interpretability In Transformer Models, Ramak Nassiri

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis introduces a novel interpretability framework for transformer encoder models by hypothesizing that their internal embedding updates define a state transition system. We propose that transformers implicitly learn token-to-token influence dynamics, which can be analyzed using graph-theoretic methods. To validate this, we construct transition graphs from embedding changes and rank token importance using the PageRank algorithm. We develop two transformer models from scratch: a self-supervised model that incorporates serotype tokens to learn contextualized embeddings, and a supervised model initialized with these embeddings. Cosine similarity analysis of their token influence patterns reveals strong structural alignment, with values exceeding 93%. This …

Decision-Making And Execution Skill Estimation In Continuous Action Space Domains, Delma I. Nieves-Rivera

Theses and Dissertations

In many real-world domains with continuous action spaces, an agent’s performance is driven by two key factors: its decision-making skill, or ability to select high-quality actions, and its execution skill, or precision in carrying out these actions. However, accurately evaluating these skills, particularly when direct information about the agent’s intentions is unavailable, remains a challenging problem. This research addresses this need by developing a theoretical framework and proposing novel estimation methods to assess both decision-making and execution skills based solely on observable data: executed actions and their associated rewards. The work consists of six core studies focused on developing and …

Markov Chain Monte Carlo Techniques– Innovations In Lifetime Data Analysis And Missing Value Imputations, Tobias Omondi Oketch

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation develops scalable Bayesian solutions for two critical challenges in modern data analysis: modeling failure times and imputing missing biological data. First, we introduce an adaptive semi-parametric MCMC framework for Weibull lifetime modeling, addressing the lack of conjugate priors and multidimensional sufficient statistics. Using hierarchical modeling and the No-U-Turn Sampler (NUTS) in STAN, we evaluate 24 prior combinations across 72 simulated datasets. The method yields robust parameter estimates under increasing and decreasing hazard rates and proves effective in predicting prostate cancer patient survival. Second, we assess imputation strategies for high-throughput proteomics data, where missingness distorts signal integrity. We compare …

Neural Architecture Search-Driven Unsupervised Domain Adaptation For Enhanced Wood Chip Quality Evaluation In Forest Industries, Abdur Rahman

Theses and Dissertations

Reliable and efficient measurement of wood chip moisture content is crucial for forest-reliant industries, including biofuel production, pulp and paper manufacturing, and bio-refineries, as it directly influences product quality and energy output. Traditional methods like the oven-drying technique, despite their widespread use, are time-consuming and impractical for real-time applications, while modern alternatives such as NIR spectroscopy, electrical capacitance, and microwave analysis are often costly, less portable, and require specialized expertise. This dissertation addresses these limitations by leveraging deep learning and machine vision to develop a scalable, accurate, and portable method for moisture content measurement using RGB images of wood chips. …

Raspberry Cultivar Evaluation Trial In Mississippi, Apphia Santy

Theses and Dissertations

Raspberries (Rubus idaeus) are valued for their flavor, appearance, and nutritional quality. This study evaluated 26 raspberry cultivars over two seasons (2023 and 2024) in Mississippi under a 50% shade-covered system, using organic and conventional fertilization in 7-gallon containers. Cultivars included floricane- and primocane-fruiting types. Data collected included harvest timing, yield, berry weight, soluble solids content (°Brix), titratable acidity, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC). Results showed cultivar differences in yield, berry quality, and antioxidant levels. In 2023, conventionally fertilized plants produced higher yields; in 2024, fertilizer had no impact. Late-season harvests had elevated phytochemicals. ‘Prelude,’ ‘Nova,’ …

Plant, Pollinator, And Bird Communities In Working Landscapes Across The Southeastern United States., Craig Andrew Sklarczyk

Theses and Dissertations

The southeastern U.S. is a hot spot for biodiversity, yet we continue to see losses in numerous species and their important ecosystem functions and services. Because private working landscapes are widespread and important to the southeastern U.S. and Mississippi’s economy, we must ensure we are conserving species on these private lands as well. In this project, We examined two groups of taxa, bird and bee communities, each which perform vital ecosystem functions in two of the most spatially dominant systems (working pine forest and row-crop agriculture) in Alabama and Mississippi. We examined bee communities in set-aside hardwood forests at different …

Confirmatory Factor Analysis Of The Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised: Short Form In College-Attending Emerging Adults, Lydia Stanhope

Theses and Dissertations

Psychopathy research stems from the work of Dr. Hervey Cleckley, whose research aided in providing the foundation for psychopathy assessments currently utilized in the field. Several researchers used Cleckley’s framework to further home in on characteristics that are central to psychopathy. Among the primary researchers who adapted the characteristics into their own measures are Robert Hare, Paul Frick, and Scott Lilienfeld; the work of these researchers is what helped lead to the creation of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised: Short Form (PPI-R: SF). The current study aimed to confirm the two-, three-, and eight-factor models from previous versions of the measure …

Thermo-Mechanical Advancements For Very High Strength And Ultra High Performance Concretes, Lana Grayson Brown Sisung

Theses and Dissertations

Interest in the use of high-strength concrete (HSC) has increased in recent years with demand for improved concrete performance. HSCs are widely associated with high heat of hydration and elusive behavior when exposed to high temperatures commonly occurring in mass structures. The optimization of HSC mixture proportioning is difficult due to a wide variety of constituents that influence thermal and mechanical properties. Additionally, determining in-place properties of mass concrete placements is elusive, and there are currently minimal to no test methods available that are both predictive and a direct measurement of mechanical properties. The objective of this dissertation is to …

Estimating Reliability Of Electric Vehicle Charging Ecosystem Using Principle Of Maximum Entropy, Himanshu Tripathi

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addresses the challenge of estimating electric vehicle (EV) charging system reliability against unpredictable threats like cyberattacks and extreme weather, where traditional methods fail. We utilize the Principle of Maximum Entropy (PME), a statistical tool that provides unbiased risk estimates using limited information. Applied to the EV charging ecosystem, our case study shows how PME models stress factors to predict failures and optimize maintenance. This approach extends beyond EVs to other complex systems with scarce data, such as smart grids or healthcare devices. By linking uncertainty directly to reliability, PME offers a universal method to improve decision-making under unpredictable …

Non-Thermal Dbd Plasma-Induced Co₂ Capture And Conversion To Value Added Chemicals, Chinwendu Theresa Umeojiakor

Theses and Dissertations

Electrified CO2 conversion via nonthermal dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) plasma presents a promising pathway for integrating renewable energy into the carbon cycle, addressing the dual challenges of CO2 reduction and sustainable fuel generation. In this research, DBD plasma technology was integrated with a sorbent material and/or catalytic materials for CO2 desorption and conversion. Specifically, with Ni/Al2O3 as the catalyst, we investigated CO2 splitting (CO2 to CO and 0.5O2) and hydrogenation (CO2 and H2 to CO and H2O) under adiabatic and subcooled conditions. We find that CO2 splitting shows higher efficiency than hydrogenation, particularly at relatively lower power inputs. While CO2 hydrogenation …

Optimizing Osb Quality: Assessing The Influence Of Beta-Cyclodextrin With Essential Oil Treatments, Ethan Garrett Turo

Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluated the mechanical and dimensional performance of oriented strand board (OSB) panels treated with beta-cyclodextrin-essential oil compounds, including betacyclodextrin-only, beta-cyclodextrin-trans-cinnamaldehyde, beta-cyclodextrin-thymol, and betacyclodextrin-nickel. OSB panels were produced using a proprietary spraying system and Dieffenbacher press and tested according to ASTM standards for internal bond strength, modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), water absorption, and thickness swelling. Results showed that beta-cyclodextrin-trans-cinnamaldehyde enhanced MOE and MOR, while beta-cyclodextrin-thymol significantly improved internal bond strength. Beta-cyclodextrin-nickel demonstrated strong performance in both mechanical strength and water resistance. However, 24-hour submersion results indicated that water resistance may be surface limited. All treatments …

Academics Vs Athletics: Prioritizing The Students In Student-Athletes And The Importance Of Their Return To The Classroom, Stephen Walker

Theses and Dissertations

The Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) aims to enhance student- athletes' educational experiences but Law 6.5.1 inadvertently causes students to miss 300 hours of academic instruction annually. This dilemma forces school districts to choose between robust sports programs and rigorous academic schedules, ultimately creating a disadvantage for students. While participation in sports has been linked to improved academic performance, the current structure disproportionately allocates resources to athletics over academics, with only 51% of schools offering after-school academic programs compared to 77% for sports. This paper discusses the benefits of sports, including higher attendance and graduation rates, but also highlights …

Bridging Physics And Machine Learning: Physics-Informed Neural Networks (Pinn) For Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing (Waam) Thermal Prediction, Haiye (Justin) Xie

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past decade, additive manufacturing (AM) has gained substantial use in industry and research. It is a promising alternative to traditional subtractive and casting manufacturing. AM not only saves time and materials but can also construct intricate structures within components for specific purposes. Wire-Arc Directed Energy Deposition (WA-DED) is one of the additive manufacturing technologies that offers a high extrusion rate of metal wire materials to fabricate near-net-shape metal components. Accurate temperature control is crucial for controlling the microstructure of metal components fabricated through the AM process. Machine learning has the ability to analyze real-time sensor data, such as …

Interatomic Potential Of Multiphase Materials Using Modified Embedded Atom Method (Meam) And Artificial Neural Network (Rann), Henan Zhou

Theses and Dissertations

There is a significant need for computer simulations to explore multiphase materials because of their significance in both industry and research. These simulations are both more efficient and less expensive than many experimental approaches, making them an ideal choice for this purpose. It is possible to use molecular dynamics simulations that make use of the MEAM and RANN interatomic potentials in order to comprehend and characterize the properties, performance, and behavior of materials at the atomic scale of different material phases. In the realms of elements, alloys, and impurities, MEAM can be utilized in a wide variety of applications. Through …

Reactive Molecular Dynamics And Method Development For Applications In Renewable Energy And Sorption Equilibria, Woodrow Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

It is crucial to harness energy from sustainable sources to combat the dwindling nonrenewable feedstocks used to produce everyday commodities and fuels. Liquid-phase heterogeneous catalysis has demonstrated remarkable product selectivity and yields for reactions relevant to biomass valorization under mild operating conditions. However, active site characterization is challenging due to the complex solvated environment and interface. Ground-state first-principles (FP) molecular simulations have provided insights into reactive systems in catalysis. These calculations, however, scale poorly with the number of electrons. Observing atomic motion with molecular dynamics (MD) or sampling static properties with Monte Carlo (MC) simulations at statistically relevant lengths- and …

Towards Data-Driven Science Literacy: Extracting Psycholinguistic Markers In Vaping-Related Online Peer Interactions, Sahiti Myneni

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Social media debates on e-cigarettes raise public health concerns due to evolving evidence and conflicting guidelines. We analyzed 25,127 vaping-related comments to explore how users discuss vaping-related topics. Our analysis revealed 25 topics grouped into three parent topics: positive effects of vaping, negative effects of vaping, and vaping-related news & information. Significant differences were observed in psycholinguistic characteristics with high emotional exchanges as positive and negative effects of e-cigarettes are debated. Our results can inform interventions promoting science literacy and misinformation resistance.

The First Thirty Years Of Green Stormwater Infrastructure In Portland, Oregon, Michaela Koucka, Cara Poor, Jordyn Wolfand, Heejun Chang, Vivek Shandas, Adrienne Aiona, Henry Stevens, Tim Kurtz, Svetlana Hedin, Steve Fancher, Joshua Lighthipe, Adam Zucker

Geography Faculty Publications and Presentations

Over the past 30 years, the City of Portland, Oregon, USA, has emerged as a national leader in green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). The initial impetus for implementing sustainable stormwater infrastructure in Portland stemmed from concerns about flooding and water quality in the city’s two major rivers, the Columbia and the Willamette. Heavy rainfall often led to combined sewer overflows, significantly polluting these waterways. A partial solution was the construction of “The Big Pipe” project, a large-scale stormwater containment system designed to filter and regulate overflow. However, Portland has taken a more comprehensive and long-term approach by integrating sustainable stormwater management …

Artificial Transneurons Emulate Neuronal Activity In Different Areas Of Brain Cortex, Rivu Midya, Ambarish S Pawar, Debi P Pattnaik, Eric Mooshagian, Pavel Borisov, Thomas D Albright, Lawrence H Snyder, R Stanley Williams, J Joshua Yang, Alexander G Balanov, Sergei Gepshtein, Sergey E Savel'ev

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Rapid development of memristive elements emulating biological neurons creates new opportunities for brain-like computation at low energy consumption. A first step toward mimicking complex neural computations is the analysis of single neurons and their characteristics. Here we measure and model spiking activity in artificial neurons built using diffusive memristors. We compare activity of these artificial neurons with the spiking activity of biological neurons measured in sensory, pre-motor, and motor cortical areas of the monkey (male) brain. We find that artificial neurons can operate in diverse self-sustained and noise-induced spiking regimes that correspond to the activity of different types of cortical …

Partnership, Collaboration, And Co-Production To Improve Patient Experience Beyond Conducting Surveys – Lessons From The Quebec Model, Canada, Marie-Pascale Pomey, Catherine Wilhelmy, Myriam Fournier-Tombs, Vincent Dumez, Cécile Vialaron, Monica Nelea Iliescu, Karina Prevost, Simon Courtemanche, Louise Normandin, Geneviève David

Patient Experience Journal

Objective: The objectives of this article are to present how, in the province of Quebec (Canada), healthcare and service partnerships have been implemented, to take stock of the current situation and to suggest ways to continue strengthening the model over the coming years, in Quebec and elsewhere in the world. Methods: Three methods were mobilized: (1) a review of the literature and reports published in recent years on implementations of partnerships in Quebec; (2) a survey sent to the persons responsible for partnerships in Quebec’s health and social services establishments; and (3) a working committee comprised of patient experts, partnership …

The New Science: 3 Complete Works, Max Planck

Hannah Arendt Marginalia - All

[New York] : Meridian Books, 1959

Call#: QC6 .P623

Contains marginalia, underlining and marginal lining. Also contained ephemera: a 1957-1958 Princeton- Penn Station train schedule covered with local business advertisements.

PDF Information: 77 pages – 5.1 MB

Relational Design In Healthcare Innovation: Exploring A Multi-Site Context, Kathrina Dankl, Laura Aguado-González, Victoria Artigas, Canan Akoglu, Kasper Frank, Marie Kremer, Erika Renedo-Illarregi, Carlos Romero, Yeray Sañudo, Jorge Sierra-Pérez

Nordes Conference Series

Healthcare is a critical component of the infrastructure of a welfare state, with public services at its core. However, its challenges are more complex and intractable than those addressed by service design frameworks. The relational design approach, aligned with participatory design principles, could provide insights for service design that promotes a focus on relationships, networks and situated knowledge generation. This study explores situating tactics in the research process of a large EU project focusing on shared decision making in cancer care. By analysing how topic, timescale and methods are situated across two research sites, we discuss how relational sensitivity has …

Design For Longevity: A Relational And Systemic Perspective, Sheng-Hung Lee

Nordes Conference Series

As Relational Design (RD) grows in popularity, Casual Loop Diagrams (CLD) can complement RD in systemic analysis by visualizing relationships between variables. This study integrates CLD with RD within the context of longevity planning, which considers dimensions of financial, social and physical wellness. While RD maps static relationships, CLDs model dynamic interactions and feedback loops, enhancing innovation through a holistic and adaptive approach. By bridging relational and systemic perspectives, this preliminary study advances discourse in service design, system thinking, and research methodologies, demonstrating how RD and CLD contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of longevity planning. Findings emphasize the importance …

Entangled In The Design Of A Relational Materiality: Beyond Smart Textiles, Anne Louise Bang, Delia Dumitrescu, Malene Harsaae, Inger Marie Ladekarl, Hanna Landin, Erin Lewis, Mika Latusaari, Alicja Lawrynowicz, Kati Miettunen, Mithila Mohan, Mikael Nyberg, Lena Pedersen, Pedro Silva, Maija Vaara, Jaana Vapaavouri, Linda Worbin, Zahraalsadat Madani, Kristian Rödby

Nordes Conference Series

Nowadays, ethics and care for the environment have shifted paradigms in smart textile design towards responsible energy use and preservation of natural resources. In this research, we aim to relate material science and engineering to textile and interaction design in discovering a vibrant responsive materiality triggered by ultraviolet (UV) energy. The research addresses a bottom-up approach entangling scientific development in material science, textile craftsmanship, and design to the understanding of human use and the capacities for change of this natural phenomena. Compared to a conventional textile design processes where material and form composition connect in a final expression, in this …

Everywhere, All At Once: Speculative Layering Of Multiple Temporalities With Augmented Reality, Alessandro Ianniello, Roy Bendor

Nordes Conference Series

This paper considers the design of Augmented Reality experiences that allow the interrogation of multiple temporalities, in order to foster engagement with More-than-Human worlds. While Augmented Reality has traditionally been used to layer different spatial contexts onto the physical environment, we explore its potential to visualize alternative temporalities, offering users unique ontological perspectives on time and its role in shaping interconnected human and non-human futures. Drawing from futures studies, experiential futures, and speculative design, we examine how Augmented Reality’s capacity to represent temporal layers can deepen understanding of More-than-Human interdependencies. We report on a pilot experiment where participants engaged with …

Nurturing Technological Imagination Through Material Exploration, Heidi Bråthen

Nordes Conference Series

This exhibition introduces a tangible, modular toolkit designed for hands-on exploration of both computational and traditional materials, showcasing design possibilities without demanding prior technical skills from participants in co-design processes. Recognizing challenges posed by limited technological experience and age-related changes, we employed a research-through-design approach tailored to older adults and designers working with co-design and co-prototyping. Our toolkit aims to empower diverse participants to discover and modify technological options, fostering their technological imagination in the design process.

The Conspiracy Capitaliser: A Tool For Exploring The Intersection Of Ai, Politics And Profit, Robert Collins

Nordes Conference Series

The Conspiracy Capitaliser is a physical interface for Generative AI which allows the user to produce a bespoke conspiracy through the operation of knobs, switches and buttons. The original intent of the artefact was as a personal exploration of how conspiracy theories were being monetised against a backdrop of social media disinformation and how these observations could be communicated to the general public. While the artefact began as a non-functioning sculptural work, the advent of accessible AI models like ChatGPT allowed it to become fully functional and transformed it into a useful tool for design ethics, public awareness and a …

The Relational Designer, Michaela Honauer

Nordes Conference Series

Despite the growing recognition of relational design, limited attention has been given to the designer as a relational individual. Why is a designer relational (i.e. relationship-oriented)? How can they reflect and make their individual relationality transparent? This exploratory paper sheds light on these questions and stimulates reflection of designers as relational entities. A designer can take on many roles –practitioner, researcher, manager, collaborator, provider, politician, etc.– but always remains an individual with personal feelings and connections. Like every other individual, a designer experiences their being and doing uniquely. This constructivist understanding of the designer likewise suggests that every designer approaches …