Digital Commons Network^™

Fourier-Feature Mlp Toolkit For Gpu-Accelerated Cardiac-Mri 4dcmr Strain Analysis, Aarnav T. Sabale, Marco A. Prado, Craig J. Goergen

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

This paper explores the embedding of a Fourier-Feature—enhanced multiplayer perceptron(MLP-FEE) at the heart of a newly refactored python workflow for four-dimensional cardiac-MRI strain quantification demonstrating how a single, compact network can outperform traditional convolution and spline-based methods. The original code, capable of orientation normalization, displacement tracking, and finite-difference strain computation, has been translated and consolidated into pytorch. By injecting sinusoidal positional encodings at the network’s input layer supplied a rich set of high-frequency basis functions hence enabling multilayer MLP to resolve gradients that cubic splines and conventional CNNs typically blur or struggle with. Profiling on an Apple-silicon GPU shows interactive …

Advancing Single-Molecule Nanopore Sensing: From Protein Conformation And Metal Binding To Dna Transport Via Hybrid Nanostructures, Matthew J. Odonohue

Multidisciplinary Studies Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents the development and application of solid-state and hybrid nanopore platforms for single-molecule analysis of biomolecular interactions. First, a silicon nitride nanopore was employed to characterize the conformational states of the transferrin receptor (TfR), enabling discrimination between its monomeric and dimeric forms, as well as from its ligand, human serum transferrin (hSTf), despite their similar molecular weights. In a separate study, the same nanopore configuration was used to track the real-time binding of titanium ions to transferrin, demonstrating single-molecule sensitivity to metal-induced conformational changes. A hybrid microtubule–solid-state nanopore (MT–SSN) was then engineered, repurposing microtubules as electrostatically anchored conduits …

Novel Nanomaterials For Developing Bone Scaffolds And Tissue Regeneration, Nazim Uddin Emon, Lu Zhang, Shelby Dawn Osborne, Mark Allen Lanoue, Yan Huang, Z. Ryan Tian

Cell and Molecular Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Nanotechnologies bring a rapid paradigm shift in hard and soft bone tissue regeneration (BTR) through unprecedented control over the nanoscale structures and chemistry of biocompatible materials to regenerate the intricate architecture and functional adaptability of bone. This review focuses on the transformative analyses and prospects of current and next-generation nanomaterials in designing bioactive bone scaffolds, emphasizing hierarchical architecture, mechanical resilience, and regenerative precision. Mainly, this review elucidated the innovative findings, new capabilities, unmet challenges, and possible future opportunities associated with biocompatible inorganic ceramics (e.g., phosphates, metallic oxides) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) approved synthetic polymers, including …

Statistical Methods For Joint Outcome Modeling And Dynamic Assessment Of Recurrent Events, Zifang Kong

Statistical Science Theses and Dissertations

Recurrent event data frequently arise in clinical studies where individuals experience repeated, possibly related, events over time. These data are often accompanied by sparse and irregular longitudinal measurements, creating challenges for traditional joint modeling approaches that struggle to account for time-dependent associations and within-subject correlations. We propose FRAILTY (Functional Regression with AutoRegressIve fraiLTY), a novel two-step framework that integrates functional principal component analysis (PACE) with a dynamic frailty model featuring autoregressive structure. FRAILTY accommodates both scalar and functional predictors and captures within-subject dependence across recurrent events. To further extend its utility, we develop a multivariate joint modeling framework that simultaneously …

Towards Reliable Clinical Applications Of Ai Models In Radiotherapy, Biling Wang

Statistical Science Theses and Dissertations

Over the past decade, artificial intelligence (AI), particularly through deep learning (DL) techniques, has made significant strides in fields like computer vision (CV) and natural language processing (NLP), leading to transformative advancements across numerous applications. This progress has sparked considerable enthusiasm within the medical field, where DL-related research has grown exponentially since 2015. However, despite these promising developments, the real-world deployment of DL models in healthcare remains limited, especially in safety-critical domains such as radiotherapy (RT), where reliability, safety, and sustained performance are critical. This thesis addresses three core challenges associated with the clinical application of DL models: (1) post-deployment …

Method For Target Detection In A High Noise Environment Through Frequency Analysis Using An Event-Based Vision Sensor, Will Johnston, Shannon Young, David Howe, Rachel Oliver, Zachary Theis, Brian Mcreynolds, Michael L. Dexter

Faculty Publications

Event-based vision sensors (EVSs), often referred to as neuromorphic cameras, operate by responding to changes in brightness on a pixel-by-pixel basis. In contrast, traditional framing cameras employ some fixed sampling interval where integrated intensity is read off the entire focal plane at once. Similar to traditional cameras, EVSs can suffer loss of sensitivity through scenes with high intensity and dynamic clutter, reducing the ability to see points of interest through traditional event processing means. This paper describes a method to reduce the negative impacts of these types of EVS clutter and enable more robust target detection through the use of …

Smart Manufacturing In Chemicals, Shehan S. Makani

STEM for Success Showcase

The chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors are evolving toward intelligent, adaptive production systems. This white paper explores how AI-enabled machinery and connected equipment are transforming chemical process efficiency, product quality, and sustainability. Drawing from conceptual case studies at ChemRich USA and ChemeNova LLC, we propose a framework where AI models interface with real-time machine data from centrifuges, filters, reactors, and mixers to enhance formulation, reduce downtime, and enable on-demand customization. The result is a more agile, data-driven, and sustainable manufacturing paradigm.

Hybrid Nanomaterials, Composites Thereof, And Uses Thereof, Manoj Kumar Ram

USF Patents

Described herein are hybrid nanomaterials that can include a functionalized nanodiamond and a functionalized graphene and/or functionalized graphene oxide. Also described herein are composite materials that can include a hybrid nanomaterial described herein and a polymer or polymeric material. Also described herein are methods of making and using the hybrid nanomaterials and composite materials described herein.

Flexible Monolithic All Polycrystalline Silicon Carbide Neural Interface Device And Method Of Manufacture, Stephen Edward Saddow, Francesco La Via, Christopher Leroy Frewin

USF Patents

An implantable, conformal, neural interface device fabricated completely from neuro-compatible SiC and method of manufacture thereof, includes at least one elongated probe to be placed in a brain of a subject of interest, the at least one elongated probe comprising a plurality of electrodes positioned on a surface of the elongated probe, each of the plurality of electrodes comprising a conductive mesa consisting of polycrystalline silicon carbide (SiC), an insulative layer consisting of amorphous SiC, the insulative layer positioned to surround the conductive mesa absent a window through the amorphous SiC exposing a surface of the conductive mesa. The elongated …

Batched Query Processing And Optimization, Yicheng Tu, Mehrad Eslami

USF Patents

Disclosed are various embodiments for batched query processing and optimization in database management systems. A single algebraic expression is generated based at least in part on applying equivalence rules to algebraic expressions for a plurality of database queries of a database comprising a set of relations. The equivalence rules involve relational operators comprising Psi (ψ) operators. The database can be queried using a single database query to create a result that is equivalent to the plurality of database queries.

Acquisitions Unit Annual Report 2024-2025, Andrée J. Rathemacher

Technical Services Reports and Statistics

Annual Report of the Acquisitions Unit, University Libraries, University of Rhode Island for FY2025. Covers personnel, work flow, special projects, and serial, monograph, and e-resource acquisitions. Supplemental files include data on library materials expenditures by a number of variables as well as important working documents from the year.

Coding For Nonstandard Channels: A Capacity-Oriented Approach, J Daniel Harman

Theses and Dissertations

This work addresses the issue of coding for non-standard channel models with an emphasis on capacity-oriented channel analysis and system design. The first channel studied is the Wyner wiretap channel. Channel sounding results were obtained to calculate the capacity for the multi-antenna case of the Wyner wiretap channel to ascertain the potential for secure communication via secrecy coding. The second channel studied is an asymmetric binary crossover erasure channel (ABCEC) with a short-blocklength constraint. The capacity for this channel was derived, and linear codes were chosen and tested. Another study was conducted on the ABCEC within a degraded wiretap channel …

Opening The Black-Box Of Mental Disorders: An Actor-Network Theory Analysis Of Schizophrenia, Brandalyn Morris

McNair Scholars Manuscripts

Schizophrenia is a poorly understood mental dysfunction. It is culturally specific and encompasses several disease entities that defy robust classification. Using a few of the methodological notions from Bruno Latour’s Actor-Network Theory (ANT), this research seeks to disambiguate schizophrenia. The scope and focus of this examination will be restricted to three actors/actants within the assemblage of this mental disorder. By appropriating tools and terminology from ANT to reveal human and non-human actors and actants within the DSM classification system, the medical model of mental illness, and psychopharmacology, the objective of this research is to describe how the current concept of …

Assembly Of Non-Close-Packed Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) Microgels On Metal Halide Perovskite Films, Amal Alruwaili, Osama M. Alkhudhari, Ran Wang, Zhenyu Jia, Jennifer M. Saunders, Eugenio Picheo, Daniel T.W. Toolan, L. Andrew Lyon, Brian R. Saunders

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

Hypothesis

Experiments

“Asking For Help Feels Like A Weakness”: Factors Shaping First-Year Students’ Expectations Of Stem Course Office Hours, Jeremy L. Hsu, Grace Holick, Rebecca M. Green, Elaine Benaksas Schwartz, Melissa Rowland-Goldsmith

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Office hours are one of the most ubiquitous resources for students in STEM courses. However, there has been only limited work examining what students think of STEM course office hours, and we are not aware of any past work that has examined (1) how students perceive STEM course office hours upon entering college, and (2) how these perceptions change over time and the factors that shape these perceptions and expectations of what will occur in office hours. Here, we utilize a longitudinal series of surveys to capture first-year students’ perceptions and expectancies for office hours at the beginning of …

Rescue Of Male Infertility By Human Prss55 In Transgenic Mice Establishes A Contraceptive Research Model, Masahito Ikawa, Irina V Larina, Thomas X Garcia, Martin M Matzuk

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The development of non-hormonal male contraceptives requires validated preclinical models. This study investigated whether human orthologs of two mouse testis-specific serine proteases, PRSS55 and TMPRSS12, both essential for male fertility in mice, could functionally rescue the infertility phenotypes of their respective knockout mouse lines. We generated transgenic mouse lines expressing human PRSS55 with either an extracellularly or intracellularly positioned C-terminal 3xFLAG tag (RES GPI or RES TM), and a line expressing human TMPRSS12 with a C-terminal 3xFLAG tag (T12 RES), all on their respective mouse null backgrounds. Fertility was assessed through continuous mating trials, and sperm parameters were evaluated. Both …

Development And Validation Of Venous Thromboembolism-Bidirectional Encoder Representations From Transformers (Vte-Bert) Natural Language Processing Model, Jun Y Jiang, Emily Zhou, Mrinal Ranjan, Justine Ryu, Raka Bandyo, Arash Maghsoudi, Bo Peng, Christopher I Amos, Abiodun Oluyomi, Nathanael R Fillmore, Jennifer La, Ang Li

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Accurate and rapid phenotyping of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in longitudinal studies is important. A natural language processing (NLP) tool externally validated in representative patients is lacking.

Objectives: To train and validate an efficient NLP model to detect incident VTE event.

Methods: We designed a novel NLP platform, NLPMed, to assist thrombosis researchers with data preprocessing, phenotype annotation, language model finetuning, and NLP application. Using clinical notes, discharge summaries, and radiology reports from patients with cancer at 2 healthcare institutions, we finetuned Bio_Clinical Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) to develop VTE-BERT. The new model was trained to detect acute …

Three Things We Can Do Now To Reduce The Risk Of Avian Influenza Spillovers, Carol Cardona, Kristen K Coleman, Peter J Hudson, Bernadeta Dadonaite, Rebecca J Hutchins, Anthony Maresso, C Raina Macintyre, Matthew Scotch

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Perspectives On Career Advising At A Large Private Religious Institution, Lane Toshio Muranaka

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the role of career advising at Brigham Young University (BYU), a faith-based institution where professional guidance focuses on spiritual development and purpose-driven learning. Through qualitative interviews with career advisors across various disciplines, the research explores how advisors define student success, integrate faith into their advising practices, and support students in aligning their career aspirations with personal meaning and the university's religious mission. Grounded in the belief that holistic education fosters lifelong success, BYU emphasizes the development of the "total person," including moral and spiritual dimensions. Findings reveal that student success is not solely measured by employment outcomes …

The Emergence Of An Object Of Regulatory Concern: The European Union’S Artificial Intelligence Act, Galán, Alexis, Schmidt, Rebecca

Santa Clara Journal of International Law

No abstract provided.

Optimizing Coral Sexual Propagation Ex Situ: Synergistic Effects Of Multiple Cues On The Larval Settlement Of Caribbean Corals, Chloe Daniel

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

For coral restoration to be effective at an ecosystem scale, ex situ coral propagation needs to be optimized and cost-effective. One of the major bottlenecks to sexual propagation of Caribbean corals ex situ is low larval settlement, typically induced by the presence of crustose coralline algae (CCA) and microbial films. Previous studies found that coral larval settlement can be enhanced by colored substrates, healthy reef sounds, and the presence of food. This study assessed the potential synergistic effects of colored substrate, reef sounds, and food, along with the commonly used settlement cues (CCA and microbial films) on the larval settlement …

Real-Time Temperature Estimation Of The Machine Drive Sic Modules Consisting Of Parallel Chips Per Switch For Reliability Modelling And Lifetime Prediction, Tamer Kamel, Olamide Olagunju, Temitope Johnson

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

This paper presents a new methodical procedure to monitor in real time the junction temperature of SiC Power MOSFET modules of parallel-connected chips utilized in machine drive systems to develop their reliability modelling and predict their lifetime. The paper implements the on-line measurements of temperature-sensitive electrical parameters (TSEP) approach, particularly the quasi-threshold voltage and the on-state drain to source voltage, to estimate the junction temperature in real time. The proposed procedure firstly applied computational fluid dynamics analysis on the module under study to determine the chip which undergoes the maximum junction temperature during typical operation of the module. Then, a …

Towards Trustworthy Federated Learning: Enhancing Robustness, Privacy, And Reliability In Collaborative Ai, Sheldon C. Ebron

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Federated Learning (FL) enables multiple parties to train machine learning models collaboratively without sharing the raw training data. The FL framework is suitable for model training in many applications where data is sensitive or legally restricted, such as cancer prediction in smart healthcare, autonomous driving in smart transportation, risk prediction in smart finance, and energy consumption prediction in smart life. However, when deploying FL services in real-world applications, many challenges will arise: 1) the federated nature of FL enables malicious clients to inject error model updates easily to influence the trained model via model poisoning attacks (robustness); 2) the effectiveness …

Doping-Driven Modulation Of Structural, Magnetic, And Magnetocaloric Properties In Orthochromites For Advanced Low-Temperature Cooling Technologies, Jolaikha Sultana

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Magnetocaloric oxides materials have garnered increasing attention as environmentally friendly materials that may be used in systems that are alternatives to conventional gas-based refrigeration, a notable example being low-temperature magnetic cooling applications. In this study, the structural, magnetic, and magnetocaloric properties of Al3+-doped rare-earth orthochromites (RECrO3, where RE = Ho, Er, Gd, Tm, Tb, and La) were systematically investigated. A gradual decrease in lattice parameters and unit cell volume was observed from LaCrO3 to TmCrO3, consistent with the expected lanthanide contraction across the rare-earth series. The substitution of Al3+ at the Cr3+ site induced lattice contraction, reduced octahedral distortion, and …

The Role Of Lithium-Ion Batteries Vent Gas Production On Thermal Runaway Propagation In Containerized Energy Storage Systems, Ala' Qatramez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This study assesses the safety hazards associated with lithium-ion battery vent gas in containerized energy storage systems, focusing on convective heat transfer caused by direct impingement during thermal runaway. Computational fluid dynamics using k-ω SST turbulence model and LIM1TR, a thermal runaway model, simulations were used to study the dynamics of vent gas jet and estimate the heat fluxes and convection heat transfer coefficients at the module's top surface. Twelve cases were investigated, varying three gap heights between cells and their module walls chosen based on estimates from a deployed system, along with four vent gas jet velocities based on …

Extreme Value Theory View Of High Emitter Diesel Vehicles In The Us From 1991 To 2021, M. Matti Maricq, Gary A. Bishop

Fuel Efficiency Automobile Test Publications

Extreme value theory (EVT) is a statistical method to characterize the tails of distributions, such as high emitter vehicle emissions. The present work addresses the United States (US) diesel fleet. EVT confirms that high emitters contribute disproportionately to adverse air quality. It further reveals that high emitter emissions have responded differently to progressively tighter emissions standards compared to fleet averages. Carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) high emitter emissions fell in concert with the fleet average after widespread implementation of the diesel oxidation catalyst to meet US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 1 emissions standards, but remained unchanged after introduction …

Solvent- And Binder-Free Additive Manufacturing Of Polymer-Derived Ceramics: Rheological Tuning And Structural Performance, Laxmi Sai Viswanadha, Jeremy Watts, Mohammad Naraghi

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic matrix composites are widely used in aerospace applications due to their high strength, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance. However, traditional machining methods make it challenging to fabricate complex shapes. This study presents a solvent-free and binder-free direct ink writing (DIW) method for producing SiC/SiOC composites using polycarbosilane SMP-10, a preceramic polymer that acts as both the ceramic precursor and the liquid phase, thereby eliminating the need for volatile solvents and sacrificial binders. By adjusting the SiC content, printable ink formulations were developed, and their flow properties were analyzed. The influence of geometric factors, such as inter-wall …

Convergence Research For Sustainable Regional Systems, Heejun Chang, Brian Roe, Murat Erkoc, Josiah Heyman, Katherine Foo, Debankur Sanyal, Debjyoti Banerjee, Richard Rushforth, Jaishri Srinivasan

Geography Faculty Publications and Presentations

Summary:

Convergence research addresses societal and environmental challenges by co-creating knowledge across disciplinary boundaries, often in deep collaboration with extra-academic parties to ensure that the research process is solution-focused, actionable, and just. As part of National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded research projects on sustainable regional systems, we present multiple perspectives on conducting convergence research within the coupled social-ecological-technological systems framework. These projects explicitly engage extra-academic parties to co-design and co-produce knowledge throughout all stages of this participatory research. We introduce the 3 C’s model as a framework that links a research team’s Communication, Collaboration, and Creation decisions to the likely degree …

Improving Medication Adherence Among Patients With Anxiety, Abong Miyeh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Addres+D14sing medication non-adherence among patients with anxiety disorders is crucial in nursing practice due to its significant impact on patient outcomes and healthcare costs. This doctoral project explores the effectiveness of staff education in enhancing nurses' skills in promoting medication adherence within this population. The practice-focused question for this project is "What evidence supports the effectiveness of a staff education program in increasing nursing staff knowledge about evidence-based strategies for improving medication adherence among patients with anxiety disorders?" The purpose of this doctoral project is to investigate the effectiveness of staff education interventions in improving medication adherence among individuals with …

Absence Of Phonon Softening Across A Charge Density Wave Transition Due To Quantum Fluctuations, Yubi Chen, Terawit Kongruengkit, Andrea Capa Salinas, Runqing Yang, Yujie Quan, Fanghao Zhang, Ganesh Pokharel, Linus Kautzsch, Stephen D. Wilson, Sai Mu

Faculty Publications

Kagome metals have emerged as a frontier in condensed matter physics due to their potential to host exotic quantum states. Among these, CsV₃Sb₅ has attracted significant attention for the unusual coexistence of charge density wave (CDW) order and unconventional superconductivity, presenting an ideal system for exploring the emergent phenomena from the interplay of phonons, electronic fluctuations, and topological effects. The nature of CDW formation in CsV3Sb5 is unconventional and has sparked considerable debate. In this study, we examine the origin of the CDW state via ab initio finite-temperature simulations of the lattice dynamics. Through a comparative study …