Digital Commons Network^™

Automated Semantic Segmentation Of Arctic Surface Water Features With Very-High Resolution Satellite X-Band Radar Imagery And U-Net Deep Learning: Segmentation Sémantique Automatisée Des Caractéristiques Des Eaux De Surface De L’Arctique À Partir D’Images Radar Satellite En Bande X À Très Haute Résolution Et À L’Aide De L’Apprentissage Profond U-Net, Michael Allan Merchant, Masoud Mahdianpari, Laura Bourgeau-Chavez, Ben Devries, Aaron Berg

Michigan Tech Publications

Repeatable methods capable of quantifying Arctic surface water extent at high resolutions are important, but still require development. Here, we present a study using very-high resolution (VHR) X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery from Capella Space for fine-scale semantic segmentation of Arctic surface water features. Our study proposes a modified U-Net encoder-decoder model for this task, optimized using the Nadam algorithm. Otsu thresholding was leveraged to rapidly generate 512 × 512-pixel patches for the U-Net, resulting in an efficient and automated training pipeline. Within this study, we also quantitatively compared the deep learning (DL) U-Net to a shallow machine learning …

Enhancing Patient Positioning Accuracy: Evaluating Daily Cone Beam Computed Tomography In The Halcyon System., Duong Thanh Tai, Luong Tien Phat, Tran Trung Kien, Nguyen Ngoc Anh, Nguyen Xuan Hai, Peter Sandwall, David Bradley, James C L Chow

Oncology Articles

BACKGROUND: Precise patient positioning is crucial for successful radiotherapy, ensuring accurate delivery of radiation to tumors while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues. Positional errors can significantly impact treatment efficacy and increase side effects. This study evaluates the effectiveness of daily cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging in the Halcyon system for detecting and correcting patient misalignments across various cancer types and treatment sites.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 411 patients treated with the Varian Halcyon linear accelerator from August 2022 to August 2024. Patients were grouped based on tumor location: Head and Neck (118 patients), Chest (188 patients), …

Stem Cell-Derived Corneal Epithelium: Engineering Barrier Function For Ocular Surface Repair, Emily Elizabeth Fresenko, Jian-Xing Ma, Matthew Giegengack, Atalie Carina Thompson, Anthony Atala, Andrew J W Huang, Yuanyuan Zhang

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The cornea, the transparent anterior window of the eye, critically refracts light and protects intraocular structures. Corneal pathologies, including trauma, infection, chemical injury, metabolic diseases, genetic conditions, and age-related degeneration, can lead to significant visual impairment. While penetrating keratoplasty or full-thickness corneal transplantation remains a standard and effective intervention for severe corneal dysfunction, limitations in donor tissue availability and the risk of immunogenic graft rejection necessitate alternative therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, for cases of isolated epithelial disfunction, a full-thickness cornea graft may not be required or effective. This review examines the potential of corneal epithelial constructs derived from autologous stem cells …

Sos (Save Our Skin)- A Hospital Acquired Pressure Injury Reduction Quality, Nicholas A. La Mar

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) are a significant source of preventable harm. Often associated with increased patient morbidity, reduced quality of life, and substantial financial costs. In 2023, a Northern California level II trauma center reported 44 HAPI cases, with 25% occurring in the telemetry units. Despite a hospital-wide reduction in HAPIs in 2024, telemetry units accounted for 33% of the cases in the first quarter of 2025, highlighting a need for targeted intervention.

Context: The project was conducted in four adult inpatient telemetry units of a 241-bed level two trauma center. The units faced challenges with inconsistent adherence to …

She Chose Her Fate: The Genderqueer Women Of Tolkien And Freedom Beyond The Patriarchal Binary, Alicia Fox-Lenz, Grace Moone, Leah Hagan

Online Midwinter Seminar (OMS)

No abstract provided.

Transgressive Body, Open Mind, And Perceptive Spirit For Nurturing Soul: A Reflection On Teaching To Transgress, Akie F. Wenk

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

In this reflection essay, I discuss my journey into the liberatory pedagogy bell hooks champions. As a foreign-born Japanese woman, who speaks English as her second language, being in the classroom itself can be seen as a transgressive act. Positioning myself as an educator who strives to creates an environment that is liberatory for me and my students, I discuss my specific experience and relationship to theories surrounding critical feminist pedagogy and how I practice these theories in my own classroom.

Enhanced Nanomechanical, Tribological And Electrical Properties Of Ni-Cr Coatings Via Max Phase Reinforcement And Metallic Interlayers, Mohammad Ashikul Alam

Theses and Dissertations

Nickel-Chromium (Ni-Cr) coatings are widely used in industrial applications due to their resistance to oxidation, thermal stability, and adjustable electrical and mechanical properties. However, achieving improved multifunctional performance across various use cases ranging from extreme tribological environments to microscale device integration remains a significant challenge. This thesis explores two complementary strategies for enhancing the performance of Ni-Cr coatings in both thick and thin film configurations, aiming to address limitations in wear resistance, durability, adhesion, and electrical conductivity. For thick coatings, Ni-Cr was reinforced with Ti3SiC2 MAX phase particles and processed using selective laser sintering (SLS) with optimized parameters. The addition …

Coloring Outside The Lines: Factors Facilitating Divergent Thinking, Michelle Baca Reinke

Master's Theses

Divergent thinking involves producing a multitude of unique and diverse ideas. The ability to “color outside the lines” is crucial to business, education, and social domains. The flexibility, originality, and fluency dimensions of divergent thinking are commonly assessed using the Alternative Uses Task, which involves generating uses for common objects. Prior research suggests that high identification (first-person perspective) with schema-inconsistent experiences increases flexibility, while semantic density (degree of conceptual associations) impacts originality and fluency inversely. However, their combined effects across multiple divergent thinking dimensions remain unexplored. The present research investigated the interactive effects of identification (high, low), schema consistency (consistent, …

High-Fidelity Wireless Mobile Audio In Film Production Engineering Practices And On-Set Workflow Design, John Trevino

Theatre Faculty Publications

Film production environments demand predictable, stable, and high-fidelity audio capture. Traditional approaches rely on dedicated hardware recorders, wired lavalier systems, and separate RF microphone setups. However, the rapid improvement of mobile processors and modern Bluetooth audio systems has opened new opportunities for filmmakers seeking compact recording workflows.

This paper examines the engineering and production techniques developed in 2025 while building mobile recording systems capable of delivering consistent, clean audio for filmmaking. The analysis focuses on system design, workflow ergonomics, and reliability under field conditions.

Effectiveness Of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy For Generalized-Anxiety Disorders In Adolescents: A Systematic Review Using Pico Framework, Rajwa D. Suryanto, Prodio E. Gaharani, Salam Salsabila, Calista Aziz, Fitri A. Khaerani, Salsabila Athaya, Lulu A. Setyowati, Elisya Kartadikaria, Muhammad I. Djamaluddin, Renata B. Soewahju, Dian A. Pitaloka

Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Research

A number of teenagers experience various levels of mental disorders, ranging from mild stress to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 264 million people suffer from anxiety disorders, including GAD, and this condition is a significant leading cause of suicide incidents, ranking sixth among serious mental health issues. From a societal perspective, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has the advantage of cost-effectiveness by minimizing the use of medications and enhancing productivity in education for adolescents receiving CBT. This study aims to conduct a systematic review of the existing literature on GAD in adolescents, using the …

Inhibition Of Epithelial Cell Yap-Tead/Lox Signaling Attenuates Pulmonary Fibrosis In Preclinical Models, Aurelien Justet, Qianjiang Hu, Ricardo Pineda, Claudia Staab-Weijnitz, Martina Korfei, Nika Gvazava, Kristin Wannemo, Ugochi Onwuka, Molly Mozurak, Adriana Estrada-Bernal, Juan Cala-Garcia, Katrin Mutze, Rita Costa, Deniz Bölükbas, John Stegmayr, Wioletta Skronska-Wasek, Stephan Klee, Chiharu Ota, Hoeke A Baarsma, Jingtao Wang, John Sembrat, Anne Hilgendorff, Jun Ding, Andreas Günther, Rachel Chambers, Ivan Rosas, Stijn De Langhe, Naftali Kaminski, Mareike Lehmann, Oliver Eickelberg, Melanie Königshoff

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and lethal disease characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition. Current IPF therapies slow disease progression but do not stop or reverse it. The (myo)fibroblasts are thought to be the main cellular contributors to excessive extracellular matrix production in IPF. Here we show that fibrotic alveolar type II cells regulate production and crosslinking of extracellular matrix via the co-transcriptional activator YAP. YAP leads to increased expression of Lysl oxidase (LOX) and subsequent LOX-mediated crosslinking by fibrotic alveolar type II cells. Pharmacological YAP inhibition via verteporfin reverses fibrotic alveolar type II cell reprogramming and LOX …

Limosilactobacillus Reuteri Enables Oral-To-Systemic Absorption Of Iberiotoxin For Treatment Of Collagen-Induced Arthritis In Rats, Jorie D Fleischman, Madilyn J Brandt, Duolong Zhu, Robert A Britton, Christine Beeton

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation and damage in which fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) play a central role. Invasiveness and proliferation of FLS in RA is dependent on activity of the KCa1.1 potassium channel. Peptide blockers of KCa1.1, such as iberiotoxin (IbTX), can be delivered subcutaneously to treat animal models of RA. We tested whether an engineered probiotic oral delivery platform could effectively deliver IbTX systemically in a rat model of RA.

Results: A plasmid for inducible secretion of IbTX was constructed and transformed into probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA-6475 to generate LrIbTX. No differences …

Relationship Between Doctor Communication And Patient Satisfaction In Inpatient Units In California, Sandra Viehoever

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Effective doctor communication is an important determinant of patient satisfaction in inpatient units. The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey measures patient satisfaction and influences reimbursement rates under the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program. The purpose of this retrospective quasi-experimental quantitative study was to examine the possible relationship between doctor communication and patient satisfaction in inpatient units in California. The Donabedian framework provided the theoretical framework to examine possible relationships between the variables. Publicly available data were collected from 290 hospitals in California that participated in the HCAHPS survey between July 2022 and June 2023. Results of …

Phytochemical And Nutritional Composition Of Vernonia Amygdalina: Antioxidant, Antidiabetic Efficacy, And Hematological Benefits, Hassan A. Adewuyi, Atapia I. Messiah, Ochonung E. Ogar, Waheed S. Adio, Adebimpe H. Aluwatoyin, Obunadike Obunadike, Adeleye A. Edema, Samad Hussein, Usman A. Mohammed, Kevin L. Sebastine, Tolulope O. Jaiyeola

Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Research

Vernonia amygdalina, a traditionally used medicinal plant, has been purported to possess health-promoting properties.The aim of this study is to investigate the phytochemical and nutritional composition of V. amygdalina, evaluate its antioxidant and antidiabetic efficacy, and assess its hematological benefits. Phytochemical screening, proximate analysis, antioxidant assays (DPPH, ABTS), antidiabetic evaluations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, and hematological assessments were conducted according to standard protocol. V. amygdalina exhibited a rich phytochemical profile, comprising flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids, alongside significant antioxidant activity (IC50 = 12.5 μg/mL) and complete source of protein. Proximate analysis revealed high protein (21.1%) and fiber (15.6%) content. Antidiabetic …

Midlevel Leadership In Community Colleges: The Latina Deans Of Student Affairs’ Lived Experience To Advance Career And Equity, Mercedes Yanez

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study (Leavy, 2017) explored the lived experiences of eight Latina Deans of Student Affairs serving at community colleges across Southern California. Guided by Yosso’s (2005) community cultural wealth (CCW) framework, the study examined how these midlevel leaders navigated career advancement and led equity-focused initiatives. The research focused on four forms of capital (Yosso, 2005)—)—aspirational, familial, navigational, and resistant—while also identifying emergent forms: advocacy, relational, and transformational capital. Although Latina/o students represent nearly half of the California Community Colleges student population, Latinas remain underrepresented in senior administrative roles. Through semistructured interviews, a widely used method in qualitative research …

Investigation Of The Boulder Porphyry Prospect Jefferson County, Montana, Everett Labudda

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

With increasing demand for domestic sources of base, precious, and critical metals, previously underexplored mineral systems in the United States are gaining attention. The Boulder Porphyry project (BPP), located 15 miles north of Butte, in Jefferson County, Montana, represents a concealed and underexplored copper-molybdenum porphyry system that shares a similar geologic setting with the world-class mining district in Butte, Montana. This thesis applies a combination of traditional and modern exploration techniques to better understand the nature of hydrothermal mineralization at the BPP. Short-wave infrared (SWIR) analysis of drill core, coupled with bulk rock geochemistry, is used to characterize hydrothermal alteration …

Staff Education On Depression Screening In Young Adults, Irene Micere Njeru

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary This doctoral project was on staff education. The practice problem was a knowledge deficit regarding depression screening by staff nurses at a local acute inpatient psychiatric facility. The practice-focused question was as follows: Will education on depression screening for young adults (18-to-28-year-olds) increase knowledge on the use of evidence-based depression screening tools by nursing staff in an inpatient psychiatric crisis facility? The purpose of the doctoral project was to educate staff nurses at a local acute inpatient psychiatric facility on the PHQ-9 depression screening tool for individuals aged 18 to 28 years. The project included a PowerPoint presentation, a …

Minority Female Political Representation In Westchester County Politics: A View From Minority Female Elected Office Holders, Dwanita Michelle Crosby

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American women have historically been underrepresented in political leadership, a disparity largely attributed to the persistent absence of structured support systems—particularly mentorship—that promote advancement across federal, state, and local levels. Existing literature highlights gender and racial disparities in political trajectories but often overlooked the specific role of mentorship in shaping leadership outcomes for African American women at the municipal level. This gap was particularly critical given the increasing civic engagement and influence of African American women in local governance. The purpose of this general qualitative study was to examine how mentorship shaped the political journeys of African American women …

Beyond The Individual: Community Socioecological Correlates Of Mass Shootings In A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Barbara (Basia) E. Lopez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mass shootings represent an urgent and persistent threat to public safety in the United States, yet most research has focused on individual-level characteristics, leaving community-level socioecological conditions comparatively underexamined. This study addressed this gap in knowledge through an examination of the statistical correlations between community-level characteristics and mass shooting incidence using Ostrom’s social-ecological systems theory as a guiding framework. A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed using secondary data from The Violence Project, the U.S. Census Bureau, Neighborhood Atlas National Data Archive, and publicly available law enforcement and policy records. Multiple regression analysis was performed to test both main and interaction …

The Challenges Faced By Postrelease Offenders In Rural Mississippi, Whitney Starks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Reintegration after incarceration has long been a subject of scholarly inquiry, particularly regarding barriers to employment, housing, and mental health services. However, limited research addresses the reintegration experiences of postrelease offenders in rural regions, where access to essential resources is often restricted. This qualitative single case study is an exploration of the challenges and service needs of formerly incarcerated individuals living in rural Mississippi. Using purposive and snowball sampling, six participants were selected based on residency in rural counties, a nonviolent criminal history, and at least one year of successful community reentry. The conceptual framework was guided by the assess, …

The Experience Of Living With Infertility Among Women Of Color, Claudia Calvario

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Infertility affects individuals across all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds; however, the lived experiences of women of color navigating infertility remain underrepresented in research, health care, and policy. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was to explore the lived experiences of infertility among women of color. The specific aims of the study were to (a) understand the significance of cultural values in shaping these experiences, with a focus on cultural norms surrounding motherhood and fertility, and (b) gain insight on the ways in which women of color seek assistance. The conceptual framework integrated the biopsychosocial model, stress and …

The Relationship Between Federal Employees' Viewpoints On Intrinsic Meaningful Work In The Extrinsic Work Unit Environment And Job Satisfaction., Sandra Kunz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Managers are concerned with low job satisfaction since it is a prediction of decreased productivity and increased turnover. Framed within the two-factor theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational post-facto study was to examine the relationship between intrinsic meaningful work in the extrinsic work unit environment and job satisfaction. The participants were 1,378 U.S. federal employees from the Office of Personnel Management who completed the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey in 2023. The results of the multiple linear regression were significant, F(2, 1375) = 900.817, p < .001, R² = .567. Recommendations for managers include aligning employees with positions that reflect their skills and interests, enhancing communication regarding the significance of individual contributions, seeking out employee feedback, and resolving any work environment challenges to foster greater job satisfaction. The implications for positive social change include the possibility for managers to advance effective leadership and communication, thereby enhancing the work environment for employees and the quality of service to customers.

Mississippi Libraries Volume 87, Number 1 And 2

Mississippi Libraries

Complete issue of Vol. 87, Nos. 1 and 2 of Mississippi Libraries

Tooth Brushing Pressure Detection Using Only A Smartwatch, William Spielbauer, Dheryta Jaisinghani

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

• Roughly half (46%) of American adults aged 30 or older show signs of gum disease.^₁
• Improper tooth-brushing technique – in particular, excessive pressure when brushing – can cause inflammation and recession of the gums due to abrasion (gingivitis).^₂
• While there are ways to track and prevent excessive pressure (smart brushes have this feature built in), these are expensive solutions that require specialized equipment.

Looking Ahead: Evolving Technology And Service In Mississippi Public Libraries, Gabriel Morley

Mississippi Libraries

Over the past two decades, Mississippi public libraries have experienced a significant shift in how patrons access technology and information. Once central to bridging the digital divide, public computers and in-person reference services are now in decline, reflecting broader trends in digital access and self-service information seeking. Between 2013 and 2023, computer use sessions in Mississippi libraries dropped by 75%, while reference transactions decreased by over 50% from 2003-2023. This article explores the evolution of library technology services in Mississippi public libraries and offers a forward-thinking vision for the future. It argues that adaptability, innovation, and strategic partnerships are key …

Slis Notes: The Ai Elephant In The Room, Stacy Creel, Andrew Sims

Mississippi Libraries

Notes and updates from the Director of the School of Library and Information Science at The University of Southern Mississippi. This column discusses the emergence of new AI tools and their potential effects on libraries.

Tides, Tourists, And Tails: Exploring Human-Wildlife Overlap On The Homer Spit, Alaska, Serena Seiler

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Coastal areas present unique challenges for human-wildlife coexistence due to their shared use by people and marine species. The Homer Spit in Homer, AK (59.6481° N, 151.5299° W) is a projection of land into Kachemak Bay on which lodging, restaurants, campgrounds, RV parks, fishing, and a variety of coastal activities exist or occur, especially during the summer months. Two of the most popular nearshore marine mammals that attract visitors are sea otters (Enhydra lutris) and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). These two species spend time swimming, foraging, and resting around the Spit, potentially resulting in co occurrences with humans. Using a …

“Literally Made Me Cry”: The Impact Of Course Material Costs On University Of Kentucky Students, Stephen Krueger

Library Reports and White Papers

The Student Course Materials Cost Survey was administered September 16 – October 6, 2024. It was open to current students at the University of Kentucky (UK). The goals were to help UK Libraries better understand how the cost of course materials affects students at UK and to provide a snapshot of student spending across the university. The questions were based on similar research done at other institutions in Virginia (Virginia Course Materials Survey, 2021) and Florida (2022 Student Textbook and Instructional Materials Survey, 2022). Other work based on those surveys includes the 2023 Illinois Course Materials Survey (CARLI, 2023) and …

Embracing The Bot: Japan’S Love Affair With Ai Learning, Dan Rosen

UC Law SF International Law Review

No abstract provided.

Joint Kinematics And Kinetics During Vertical Jump Landings With Progressively Increasing External Loads, Darcie L. Yount

Dissertations

This study examined sagittal and frontal plane kinematics and kinetics during countermovement jump (CMJ) landings performed with either a traditional barbell (BB) or a hexagonal bar (HEX) across increasing submaximal loads in recreationally active males. Generally, hip and knee flexion angles and joint mean angular velocities decreased as loads increased. Hip extension and knee flexion moments increased as load increased up to 20 kg, at which point these values decreased. Performing the CMJ with the HEX exhibited increased frontal plane stability compared with the BB group. Additionally, the BB group exhibited stiffer landing strategies, with decreased sagittal plane joint angles …