Digital Commons Network^™

Resolution Enhancement For High Numerical Aperture Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography Using Aperiodic Multilayer Masks, W Ethan Maguire

Theses

As extreme ultraviolet lithography tools with higher image numerical apertures are introduced, the range of angles at the mask multilayer are increased. This represents a challenge for maintaining through-angle mask reflection using the current periodic mask multilayer structures. In addition to reflectance amplitude, the phase of reflected light, which plays an important role in imaging, is also strongly influenced by increasing angles. The propagation of light through each bilayer in the stack imparts a phase shift based on incidence angle. This accumulates over many layers, inducing phase effects which are unique to each illumination point. While adjustments to multilayer period …

Personality Feedback With Tailored Self-Care Recommendations Improves Self-Efficacy For Cancer Management: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Laura M. Perry, Brenna Mossman, Sofia F. Garcia, Sheetal M. Kircher, Addison Dunn, Sarah Alonzi, Sanjana Easwar, Michael Hoerger

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objective: To test whether a personality feedback intervention improves three domains of cancer self-management: self-awareness, self-efficacy, and positive affect. Methods: From 11/2020-02/2021, 372 adults diagnosed with cancer participated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an intervention that entailed reading a brief personality-related excerpt during an online survey. Eligibility included self-reported age ≥ 18 years, current or past cancer diagnosis, and ability to read English. The survey included a baseline assessment with a personality questionnaire, then randomized participants to one of two groups. The intervention group (n = 184) received a personality feedback report with tailored self-care tips, whereas the …

Identifying Hidden Factors Influencing Soil Olsen-P In An Alkaline Calcareous Soil Using Machine Learning And Geostatistical Techniques, Moussa Bouray, Mohammed Bayad, Adnane Beniaich, Ahmed G. El-Naggar, Rebecca Muenich, Kahlil El Mejahed, Abdallah Oukarroum, Mohamed El Gharous

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is one of the major constraints for sustainable crop production in calcareous soils. This study aimed to elucidate the key soil characteristics modulating the variability of soil Olsen P in these typical soils. A comprehensive soil sampling initiative (1.5 samples per hectare) was conducted on a 100-ha farm, considering 31 attributes that included soil physical and chemical properties, and geographic attributes. Three machine learning algorithms—partial least squares regression (PLSR), random forest (RF), and cubist regression (CR)—were employed to understand key variables controlling soil Olsen P. Furthermore, the same data set was used to spatially map the …

Re: Comment Letter For Bpsou Draft Phase I Design Investigation Evaluation Report (Dated September 25, 2024), Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Industrial Hemp Biomass Negatively Affected By Herbicide Drift From Corn And Soybean Herbicides, Milos Zaric, Bruno Canella Vieira, Barbara Houston, Guilherme Sousa Alves, Samuel E. Wortman, Julie A. Peterson, Greg R. Kruger

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

The establishment of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) fields near row crops has raised concerns about the potential adverse effects of herbicide drift on hemp production. This study examined hemp susceptibility to drift of herbicides registered for use in corn and/or soybeans. Herbicide solutions (2,4-D, dicamba, glufosinate, glyphosate, imazethapyr, lactofen, mesotrione) were applied separately in the wind tunnel (3.6 m s⁻¹ airspeed), simulating drift scenarios, with conventional TP95015EVS (TP) and air inclusion AI95015EVS (AI) flat fan nozzles calibrated to deliver 140 L ha⁻¹ carrier volume at 230 kPa. Mylar cards and hemp plants (20–25 cm tall) were placed …

Healing Online Abuse Through Community-Based Art: An Exploratory Investigation, Sarah Auletta

Sociology Between the Gaps: Forgotten and Neglected Topics

No abstract provided.

Multi-Sided Information Asymmetry In A Single Contract: Why Revocable Living Trusts Go To Court, James P. Wells

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Revocable living trust documents (trusts) are among the most important documents created in contemporary estate planning. One of the trust’s objectives is to provide clear guidance to the trustees on how to carry out the grantor's intent. When a trust is contested in court, the objective of the trust has clearly failed. Consequently, understanding why trusts go to court and developing approaches that reduce or eliminate the number of trusts in our courts is an endeavor worthy of research and the primary objective of this research effort.

Ideally, with a clearly stated grantor’s intent and clearly executed interpretation of the …

Analyzing The Key Characteristics And Benefits Of Ccpr (Cold Central Plant Recycling) In Road Rehabilitation And Sustainability, Bassam Abou Yassine

Civil Engineering ETDs

Cold mix asphalt (CMA) technologies are being used in the United States and have environmental benefits. However, these technologies are not fully developed. We do not yet know their resilient and dynamic modulus, which are important for designing pavement thickness. They have not being used widely because we do not know also their performance. This study looks at three Cold Central Plant Recycling (CCPR) materials to help fill this gap. We conducted several lab tests, including the Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test (HWTT), Semi-Circular Bending Test (SCB), and Texas Overlay Test (TOT). We also tested the mechanical properties of the CCPR …

Sebastian, Sebastian Byars

B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498)

The name "Sebastian" reflects my journey and process throughout my show. Growing up in small-town Paris, TN, my passion for fashion felt out of place. During college, I faced mental health struggles, and thrifting became my escape, sparking a love for clothing history. I now enjoy sewing and reworking both modern and vintage pieces, focusing on creativity and discovery over intention. Often, I ask myself, “What can I create from what I already have or want to discover?”

My work combines model and product photography, sculptural garment displays, and branding rooted in my work. Blending workwear with editorial aesthetics, I …

Qualitative Study On Hydrocarbon Contamination In Cpo_A Case Study Of A Palm Oil Mill Based In Sumatera_Indonesia, Kanagasabai Narayanan, Jamalludin Helmi Hashim, Shirley Sie Ling Tan

Jesselton Journal of Educators and Scholars

This study addresses hydrocarbon contamination in Crude Palm Oil (CPO) from Sumatera, Indonesia, focusing on identifying sources, establishing acceptable levels, and proposing mitigation strategies. Key challenges include high costs of alternative lubricants and limited awareness among small-scale producers. The research employs a comprehensive approach, including data collection from Palm Oil Mills, interviews with RSPO auditors and Palm Oil Managers, and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) implementation. Findings reveal contamination sources such as gear oil and plastic containers, with recommendations including enhanced equipment maintenance, awareness campaigns, and stricter regulations. The study emphasizes the importance of collaboration, regulatory compliance, and …

Modeling W/V-Band Satellite Communications In The Presence Of Noise Jamming, Ryan Michael Eckman

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Understanding the performance of wideband modulated signals under noise jamming conditions is important for advancing W/V-band military satellite communications. This research developed and validated models to predict performance degradation of a communication channel in the presence of wideband noise jamming. Channel models were developed that included both modulated communication signals and jammer signals. Integrated models included environmental link factors and practical implementation factors. Integrated models were verified and validated using outdoor radio frequency environments utilizing two W/V-band transceivers, a portable W-band jammer, and software defined radios. Experimental results demonstrated excellent agreement with integrated model predictions. Channel degradation due to the …

Optimizing Electric Vehicle Fleet Integration In Industrial Demand Response: Maximizing Vehicle-To-Grid Benefits While Compensating Vehicle Owners For Battery Degradation, Andre Leippi, Markus Fleschutz, Kevin Davis, Anna-Lena Klingler, Michael D. Murphy

Publications

This paper addresses the integration of electric vehicle (EV) fleets into industrial smart grids to increase operational flexibility. It focuses on an extended multi-objective optimization problem that minimizes two primary objectives: (i) the electricity expenditure of a company using its employees’ EV batteries as temporary distributed energy storage, and (ii) the costs associated with the degradation of EV batteries, given the additional usage from the company’s perspective. In this paper, the utilization of an EV fleet is simulated at the individual car level over a one-year period. These optimization problems were balanced by using real-time electricity prices and the effective …

Re: Comment Letter For Bpsou Draft Phase I Design Investigation Evaluation Report (Dated September 25, 2024), Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

2024-11-15 Agenda Book, Morehead State University. Board Of Regents.

Morehead State Board of Regents Agenda Books and Meeting Minutes

Agenda book for the Board of Regents meeting of November 15, 2024, which include the Audit Committee meeting agenda and the Board meeting minutes for October 11, 2024.

Ionic Nanomedicines And Biocompatible Hydrogel: Synthesis, Characterization And Application In Cancer And Drug Delivery, Mujeebat Bashiru

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is focused on the development of novel class of ionic materials (IMs), and ionic nanomedicines (INMs) for cancer treatment. These IMs are composed of two therapeutics combined via electrostatic attraction. The impact of various counterions on the drug’s cytotoxic and photophysical properties are unveiled. Moreover, the mechanism of internalization, enhanced toxicity of these materials is investigated by determining their cellular uptake, subcellular localization, and cell death mechanism. Furthermore, the in vivo bioimaging capabilities of the drugs is investigated to validate their potential for clinical relevance. The second part of this dissertation is focused on the synthesis of biocompatible …

Formation Mechanism And Strengthening Method Of Geometric-Mechanical Structure Of Plugging Zone In Deep Naturally Fractured Reservoir, Chengyuan Xu, Honglin Zhang, Jianhong Fu, Yili Kang, Zhenjiang You

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Efficient fracture plugging plays a critical role during drilling and completion of deep naturally fractured reservoirs, minimizing fluid loss, and ensuring reservoir protection. This study investigates the formation process of the geometric-mechanical structure of fracture plugging zones through a series of experiments including microscopic visualization, photoelastic and fracture plugging experiments. By examining these experiments, we reveal the relationship between lost circulation materials (LCMs) at the micro-scale, force chain network structures at the meso-scale, and the pressure stability of plugging zones at the macro-scale. Based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), we introduce an evaluation index for assessing the stability of …

Alternatively Spliced Map4 Isoforms Have Key Roles In Maintaining Microtubule Organization And Skeletal Muscle Function, James A Loehr, George G Rodney, Thomas A Cooper

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Skeletal muscle cells (myofibers) are elongated non-mitotic, multinucleated syncytia that have adapted a microtubule lattice. Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) play roles in regulating microtubule architecture. The most abundant MAP in skeletal muscle is MAP4. MAP4 consists of a ubiquitous MAP4 isoform (uMAP4), expressed in most tissues, and a striated-muscle-specific alternatively spliced isoform (mMAP4) that includes a 3,180-nucleotide exon (exon 8). To determine the role of mMAP4 in skeletal muscle, we generated mice that lack mMAP4 and express only uMAP4 due to genomic deletion of exon 8. We demonstrate that loss of mMAP4 leads to disorganized microtubule architecture and intrinsic loss of …

Restorative Function Of Offshore Longline Mussel Farms With Ecological Benefits For Commercial Crustacean Species, Thomas Stamp, Simon J. Pittman, Luke A. Holmes, Adam Rees, Benjamin J. Ciotti, Harry Thatcher, Peter Davies, Alice Hall, Georgia Wells, Anna Olczak, Emma V. Sheehan

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Offshore ocean aquaculture is expanding globally to meet the growing demand for sustainable food production. At the United Kingdom's largest longline mussel farm, we assessed the potential for the farm to improve the habitat suitability for commercially important crustaceans. Modelled distribution patterns (GAM & GLM) predicted the low complexity seabed beneath the mussel farm was 34–94 % less suitable for European lobster (Homarus gammarus) and brown crab (Cancer pagurus) than nearby rocky reefs. The mussel farm operations, however, contributed large amounts of living mussels and shell material to the seabed. Acoustic telemetry revealed that H.gammarus remained within the farm for …

Improving Employee Retention In The Virtual Workforce, Marissa Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The need for addressing employee retention in the virtual workforce is critical, particularly in the context of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Region 4. High employee turnover rates can lead to significant disruptions and decreased organizational performance. This administrative case study involved identifying effective strategies to improve retention and engagement among virtual employees. The practice-focused question involved understanding key factors that influenced employee retention and developing actionable recommendations for the GSA. Insights can be applied across similar organizations facing virtual workforce challenges. Data were collected through in-depth surveys with employees that were hired between 2020 and 2023, focusing on …

Volume Cxliv, Number 8, November 15, 2024, Lawrence University

The Lawrentian

No abstract provided.

Are Ai Tools Better Than Traditional Tools In Literature Searching? Evidence From E-Commerce Research, Maria Petrescu, Przemysław Tomczyk, Philipp Brüggemann, Niklas Mergner

Publications

This article examines the potential implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for literature search, comparing AI-based tools to conventional research methods. It also addresses the scarcity of academic literature on specific AI tools for research writing, posing four critical questions regarding accuracy, quality, uniqueness, and qualified uniqueness. Employing Algorithmic Theory and Data Dependency Theory, this project scrutinizes AI performance in algorithms, machine learning models, and data quality. Testing nine e-commerce topics using Scopus, Web of Science, Elicit, and SciSpace, the authors conclude that while conventional methods excel in accuracy and quality, AI tools show promise in uniqueness, complementing literature reviews. The …

Surely You Can’T Be Serious: A Student’S Guide For Flight School Closure, Aidan Mcglasson, Sarah Nilsson

Publications

Flying aircraft, whether at a general aviation, commercial, or military level, is deeply engrained in American culture. Opinion polls place being a professional pilot as one of the most respected, and prestigious jobs in the country (Mushtaque, 2023). As evidenced by the popularity of movies such as Airplane!, Top Gun, or Sully, flying is something that fascinates many people. Perhaps contributing to its mystique is the difficulty and expense in obtaining the necessary training and certifications to be a pilot. Some people undergo flight training with the goal of flying commercially, as an airline or corporate pilot, while others do …

Understanding And Alleviating The Impact Of Convective Weather To Airfield Efficiency, Huang Feng

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Extensive research in predicting annual passenger throughput at airports has been conducted, aiming at providing decision support for airport construction, aircraft procurement, resource management, flight scheduling, etc. However, few studies have been conducted on how airport operational throughput is affected by convective weather in the vicinity of the airport and how to predict short-term airport operational throughput. Convective weather near the airport could make arrivals miss their positions in the arrival stream and reduce airfield efficiency in terms of utilizing runway capacities. This research leverages the learning-based method (MB-ResNet model) to predict airport hourly throughput. It uses the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta …

A Comparative Study On Transactional And Transformational Leadership Styles Among Department Heads At Tertiary Institutions In Malaysia, Louis Chin, Fung Lan Yong, Melinda Kong

Jesselton Journal of Educators and Scholars

The purpose of the study was to compare staff’s perceptions of the cruciality between transactional and transformational leadership styles among department heads in Malaysia. The sample consisted of 52 administrative and teaching staff from four private colleges in Sabah and Sarawak. An online questionnaire was used to collect data that were subsequently transferred onto an Excel spreadsheet. Findings revealed that transactional leadership style had a higher mean score of 4.46. About 91 percent of staff indicated that department heads must make changes when necessary and clarify staff’s expectations related to performance goals. Approximately 96 percent of staff indicated that department …

The Adoption Of Advanced Healthcare Technologies In Private Healthcare Industry: Case Of Ihh Healthcare Berhad, Malaysia, Kenneth Aik Liang Kee, Jamalludin Helmi Hashim, Shirley Sie Ling Tan

Jesselton Journal of Educators and Scholars

The Malaysian healthcare system emphasizes patient satisfaction and technological advancements to enhance treatment and operations. Despite progress, not all aspects are fully addressed. The study analyzes the role of technology and stakeholders in economic growth, constructing a research framework to understand theoretical perspectives and identify gaps in the literature. A quantitative survey investigates challenges and opportunities in digital transformation, using positivism, a deductive approach, and an explanatory design. Random sampling minimizes biases, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of technology adaptation in Malaysia’s healthcare sector.

Impact Of The Energy Crisis On Indoor Temperatures And Thermal Comfort In Uk Houses During Winter 2023, Omar Al-Hafith, B. K. Satish, Pieter De Wilde

School of Art, Design and Architecture

Geopolitical, health and economic events have led to an accumulated surge in energy prices in the UK at the beginning of the 2020s. In response, studies and media reports show that households have had to reduce the running of their heating systems to cut their energy bills. However, there is limited research on the impact of this context on indoor thermal conditions and occupants’ ability to meet their thermal comfort needs. This study aimed to address this research gap. It employed the mixed-method research methodology and used nine homes in Plymouth as case studies. Undertaken research work involved monitoring indoor …

Re: Comment Letter For Draft Clark Tailings Consolidated Waste Management Area (Ctcwma) Site Investigation Draft Data Summary Report 2019-2023 (Dated October 3, 2024), Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Edge Line Sinusoidal Rumble Strips On Lane Departure Crash Prevention And Injury Severity, Shubhankar Chintamani Shindgikar

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Lane departure crashes are one of the most prevalent accidents in Florida and the United States. Various forms of rumble strips have been employed to mitigate and decrease these incidents. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently adopted a new sinusoidal rumble strip pattern for statewide implementation of audible and vibratory treatment (AVT). Recent research indicates sinusoidal rumble strips are highly effective in alerting drivers audibly and through tactile vibrations, thus aiding lane departure prevention. Moreover, they generate less external noise compared to other rumble strip textures.

However, a systematic assessment of the safety effectiveness of sinusoidal rumble strips in …

Comment Letter For Bpsou Draft Phase I Design Investigation Evaluation Report (Dated September 25, 2024), Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

The Experiences Of Veteran African American Military Officers With Social Influences On Promotions And Career Opportunities, Veronica Denise Green

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While programs and procedures are in place in the US Military to increase diversity and inclusion of minorities and women in senior level positions, the problem is African Americans continue to remain below the relative national percentage rate compared to their White male counterparts. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore African American veteran Military officers' experiences with promotion and access to career opportunities, and to identify how their social and cultural relationships influenced those opportunities. Khawaja’s theory of workplace relationships provided a lens into the key role of relationships in organizational conflict, teamwork, and inclusion …