Digital Commons Network^™

The Opioid Crisis In The United States Vs. Portugal’S Public Health Approach, Ciara Dillon

Student Publications and Presentations

The opioid epidemic in the United States is a persistent public health issue exacerbated by increasingly dangerous and potent synthetic opioids. Although there are growing levels of access to naloxone and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) as well as growing numbers of overdose-related deaths, these data indicate that U.S. drug policy continues to be characterized by a primarily reactive and partially punitive framework. This study will compare the U.S. drug policy model to that of Portugal, which fully decriminalized all illicit drugs in 2001, shifting from a national drug policy based on punishment and repression to one focused on preventing the consumption …

Effects Of Sublethal Bisphenol A On Planarian Phototaxis, Alexis Galindez, Emily Pintilie, Kevin Sosa, Cassandra S. Korte

Student Publications and Presentations

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a common plastic found in many consumer products, including water bottles, food containers, and toys. Previous research shows BPA is an environmental contaminant with potential neurotoxic effects, including nociceptive behaviors in planaria flatworms. Planaria flatworms, such as Girardia dorotocephala, are valuable model organisms for studying neurotoxicity due to their simple but well-characterized nervous systems and measurable phototaxis or light response behaviors. Earlier experiments in our lab demonstrated that BPA concentrations of 1 ppm and higher caused high mortality and reduced movement. We were thus unable to measure phototaxis behavior at this higher concentration. This study investigated …

Engineering Function In Lung Biology: Integrating Imaging, Regenerative Constructs, And Functional Biodesign, Rene A Girard, Jamie Tran, Yuqing Cai, Mary C Farach-Carson, Hadi T Nia, Allison M Greaney, Laura E Niklason, Killian Hurley, Elvin Blanco, Sinem Koc-Günel, Harry Karmouty-Quintana

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The lung is a uniquely demanding target for regeneration because function depends on the coordinated integration of cellular diversity, three-dimensional architecture, cyclic mechanical forces, vascular perfusion, immune surveillance, and extracellular matrix remodeling. While single-cell and spatial profiling, lineage tracing, and iPSC-derived models have transformed our understanding of lung cell states and developmental potential, these descriptive approaches have also highlighted a central bottleneck: the field still lacks broadly adopted platforms to test whether engineered tissues and regenerative interventions restore function under physiologic load. In this review, we focus on emerging technologies that enable functional biodesign in lung biology by coupling engineered …

Brass Routes: Merging Performance, Pedagogy, And Entrepreneurship In The Creation Of Community-Based Brass Band Programs, Dylan Mashburn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This dissertation examines the development, implementation, and evaluation of Brass Routes, a curriculum-based model and set of instructional tools designed to help existing secondary school band programs implement New Orleans-style brass band ensembles within their current schedules, personnel, and resources. As many schools face declining arts funding and increasingly standardized ensemble models, traditional band structures often fail to engage all students or reflect diverse musical identities. Brass Routes proposes an alternative ensemble model that integrates performance, pedagogy, and entrepreneurship to foster student engagement, leadership, and sustainability in school music programs. Grounded in culturally responsive pedagogy, informal learning practices, and community …

Impact Of Optimized Afos On Functional Outcomes In Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy., Teresa Pierce, Alyssa Laforme Fiss, Mark Geil, Karl Barner

PCOM Scholarly Works

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the immediate functional impact of wearing ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) designed using the Optimal Segment Kinematics and Alignment approach to Rehabilitation (OSKAR method) versus wearing standard ankle foot orthosis (AFO)-footwear in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

Methods

Ten participants, ages seven to 13 years, from local pediatric clinics in a large suburban area participated in the study. Each participant wore both types of orthoses in a randomized order. This was determined by participants choosing a sealed envelope containing a sticker indicating which orthosis to be worn for the first data collection. Participants were …

Navigating The Generative Ai Wave: Ai Literacy Instruction In Academic Libraries Today, Lili Li, Kay G. Coates

University Libraries: Faculty Presentations

No abstract provided.

Identifying Delays Impacting Maternal And Perinatal Deaths Using A Facility-Based Death Audit Review System Integrated With Community Engagement: A Mixed Methods Study, Zahid Memon, Wardah Ahmed, Shah Muhammad, Sajid Soofi, Shanti Chouhan, Arjumad Rizvi, Paul Barach, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Pakistan's persistently high maternal (178 per 100 000 livebirths) and neonatal (41 per 1000 livebirths) mortality ratios are compounded by lack of reliable data on the root causes and preventable risk factors, which hinders their effective use in improving care and progress toward safe, high-quality services. We sought to identify system delays impacting maternal and perinatal deaths using a facility-based death audit review system integrated with community engagement for implementing actionable solutions.

METHODS: We used a mixed methods, concurrent parallel study design at three secondary level healthcare facilities in District Matiari, Sindh, Pakistan. We reviewed 319 cases that included …

Elected Sheriffs’ Election Process And How It Affects Their Behavior, Brian James Ardoin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Scholars have widely examined how electoral pressures influence the behavior of judges and prosecutors; however, less attention has been given to how elections affect law enforcement leaders. This quantitative study examined whether sheriff election cycles in Louisiana were associated with changes in law enforcement behavior. Louisiana parish sheriffs occupy a unique role as both elected officials and chief law enforcement executives, which may create incentives that influence enforcement priorities. Using secondary arrest data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reporting program, this study analyzed parish-level arrest patterns from 2009 through 2019 to determine whether deputies’ arrest behavior differed …

Exploring Marital Resilience Through The Lived Experiences And Perception Of Spousal Support During Events Of Shared Stressors, Prince-James Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Marital resilience during shared stressors remains insufficiently understood, particularly when both spouses are simultaneously affected by the same external stressor and must adapt together over time. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore marital resilience through the lived experiences and perceptions of spousal support during shared stressors among individuals who had been legally married for 10 years or more, with specific attention to how participants described the shift from solo coping to dyadic coping over time. Bowlby’s attachment theory provided the theoretical foundation, and Senge’s learning organization theory served as the conceptual framework. Participants included 18 legally …

Performance-Based Budgeting Implementation Strategies For Improving Financial Performance, Waleed Ibrahim Alsyaegh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The lack of effective strategies for allocating organizational financial resources can lead to adverse business outcomes. Business managers are concerned about the ineffective allocation of financial resources, as it can impede financial performance and sustainability.Grounded in stakeholder theory, the purpose of this qualitative single-case study was to explore the performance-based budgeting strategies that business managers use to sustain financial profitability. The participants were 10 business managers who oversee subsidiaries that successfully implemented performance-based budgeting.Data were collected through semistructured interviews and the review of organization documents. Through thematic analysis, four themes were identified: (a) traditional versus contemporary budgeting; (b) importance of …

Exploring Leadership Strategies And Personnel Integration Practices During The Post- Merger Phase Influence The Success Of Mergers And Acquisitions, Rebekah Dumas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have been widely used as a growth strategy; however, many organizations fail to achieve their desired outcomes. This ongoing risk is a major concern for business leaders because ineffective post-merger personnel integration can disrupt workforce stability, reduce productivity, and hinder organizational performance. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to explore the strategies business leaders used to integrate personnel during post-merger transitions. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with eight business leaders from global corporations who had successfully executed mergers and acquisitions, along with a review of publicly available …

Linguistic Dual Hesitant Hypersoft Set And Their Application With Decision Making In Medical Diagnosis And Treatment, B. Sathiyapriya, V. Pankajam

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study presents Linguistic Dual Hesitant Hypersoft Set (LDHHS) for Analysing Medical Diagnose. In LDHHS, linguistic terms are combined with Dual Hesitant logic to handle uncertainty and vagueness in Decision-Making. The Hypersoft Set extend traditional soft sets by handling multi-attributes and interdependent parameters in Decision-Making. In the context of LDHHS can be used to categorize and assess different aspects of Aggregation and using Decision-Making in Medical Diagnose. In this study the development of this framework, its application and its potential impact using a Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) case study to illustrate its effectiveness.

Advancing Neutrosophic Topology Through Gamma Generalized Alpha Closed Sets, B. Kalaiselvi, K. Sivakumar, S. Chandrasekar, P. Kalarani, A. Kesavan

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This paper introduces a new class of Neutrosophic closed sets, termed Neutrosophic γ-generalized α-closed sets (Ne.(γGα)CS), together with their corresponding open sets (Ne.(γGα)OS), within the framework of Neutrosophic Topological Spaces (NTS). The study is motivated by limitations in existing classes of Neutrosophic closed sets, including α-closed, semi-closed, and γ-closed sets, which often lack sufficient flexibility for modeling hybrid structures characterized by partial membership, indeterminacy, and uncertainty. To overcome these limitations, the proposed Ne.(γGα)CS are defined using β-closure operators and α-open supersets, providing a more comprehensive framework that extends and unifies several previously established concepts. The properties of these sets are …

Neutrosophic Hyper Ku-Ideals, Ramesh D. Kumar, M. Vasu

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This paper introduces the concepts of neutrosophic hyper KU-ideals, including strong, weak, and strong-weak neutrosophic hyper KU-ideals, as well as reflexive neutrosophic hyper KU-ideals within the framework of hyper KU-algebras. Fundamental properties of these structures and the relationships among them are investigated in detail. Special attention is given to the study of neutrosophic weak hyper KU-ideals and the conditions under which a neutrosophic set qualifies as a neutrosophic strong hyper KU-ideal (NSHKUI) or a reflexive neutrosophic hyper KU-ideal. The paper further establishes necessary conditions for a neutrosophic weak hyper KU-ideal (NWHKUI) to become a neutrosophic strong-weak hyper KU-ideal (NsWHKUI), as …

Neutrosophic Πgγ* Closed Sets In Neutrosophic Topological Spaces, K. Sakthivel, A. Gomathi

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This paper introduces and investigate the notion of Neutrosophic πgγ* closed sets within the framework of Neutrosophic topological spaces. The study begins defining Neutrosophic πgγ* closed sets and proceeds to investigate their fundamental properties and characterizations. Special attention is given to examining how these sets interrelate with and extend existing classes of Neutrosophic closed sets. By establishing inclusion relations and comparative hierarchies, the paper highlights the significance of Neutrosophic πgγ* closed sets in broadening the structural understanding of Neutrosophic topologies. Furthermore, several illustrative examples are provided to demonstrate the distinctive features of these sets and to clarify their role in …

Neutrosophic Quadruple Metric Spaces And Neutrosophic Quadruple Normed Spaces, Memet Şahin, Arif Sarıoğlan, Amanzholova Alina Bolatkyzy

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study establishes fundamental results in the emerging domains of neutrosophic quadruple metric spaces and neutrosophic quadruple normed spaces. Building upon the recent definition of neutrosophic quadruple metric spaces, the first primary contribution is the development of fixed-point theory within this generalized framework. Specifically, we formulate and rigorously prove an analogue of the Banach contraction principle tailored for neutrosophic quadruple metric spaces. Furthermore, we establish additional fixed-point theorems applicable in this context, extending foundational results from classical metric spaces and simpler neutrosophic structures to handle the increased complexity and uncertainty modeled by quadruple-valued neutrosophic sets. The second major contribution involves …

Role Of Clans In The Proximities Of Neutrosophic Sets, R. Subasree, K. Basari Kodi, Giorgio Nordo, K. Subramanian, N. Nagamani

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

In this study, the terms filters, grills, clans, and proximities of neutrophic sets are defined. Further some of its properties are investigated and the results are provided.

Contra Continuous And Irresolute Maps Via M-Open Sets In N-Cylindrical Neutrosophic Topological Spaces, S. Anandhi, R. Vijayalakshmi, Shantha K. Lakshmi

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This paper introduces and investigates the concept of n-cylindrical neutrosophic contra M-continuous mappings within the framework of n-cylindrical neutrosophic topological spaces. Motivated by recent advances in neutrosophic contra continuous functions, irresolute mappings, and n-cylindrical fuzzy neutrosophic topological structures, the study establishes several fundamental properties of n-cylindrical neutrosophic contra M-irresolute mappings. The proposed mappings are analyzed in relation to existing classes of neutrosophic contra continuous and contra irresolute functions, highlighting their structural properties and interrelationships. The obtained results extend and generalize earlier studies in neutrosophic topology, thereby contributing to the theoretical development of neutrosophic topological spaces. Furthermore, this work provides a …

Advancing Common Fixed Point Theorems In Bipolar Fuzzy-2 Metric Space And Applications In Nonlinear Analysis, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Mukesh Kushwaha

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study advances common fixed point theorems (CFPT) in bipolar fuzzy-2 metric space (BF2MS) and explores their applications in nonlinear analysis. BF2MS generalizes traditional metric and fuzzy metric spaces (FMS) by incorporating dualistic relationships, allowing the representation of both attraction and repulsion effects. We extend classical fixed point theorems (FPTs) to BF2MS, establishing conditions for the existence of common fixed points (CFPs). The study's applications span nonlinear analysis, stability analysis, control theory, and multi-criteria decision-making under uncertainty. Our findings refine existing results and provide practical real-world applications, supported by numerical examples, enhancing fuzzy mathematics and nonlinear systems modeling.

Nonagonal Neutrosophic Number: Analytical Aspects And Its Role In Optimization Technique For Transportation Problem, B. Sincy, V. M. Riya

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Neutrosophic numbers have received increasing attention from researchers and industrialists to address the indeterminacy and uncertainty inherent in real-life decision-making. This study aims to solve the transportation problem where supply, demand and transportation costs are Nonagonal Neutrosophic Numbers (NNNs). In the existing literature, various methods have been introduced to solve transportation problems (TPs) involving neutrosophic parameters. The application of Nonagonal Neutrosophic Numbers to transportation problems is a relatively recent development. NNNs offer a more detailed and adaptable representation of uncertainty by utilizing a nine-parameter structure that captures the degrees of truth, indeterminacy, and falsity. Therefore, in this paper, we solve …

Integral Type Contractive Condition In E-Chainable Neutrosophic Metric Space And Common Fixed Point Theorem, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Mukesh Kushwaha, Moh. Kasim

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Nonlinear Optimization, Game theory, economics and study of differential equations are just a few of the many domains in which fixed point theory (FPT) is essential. It is possible to construct new forms of infinite products by using continuous triangular norms (TN) and continuous triangular co-norms (TC). Banach contraction principal has been established in the context of neutrosophic metric space (NMS) within the framework through the use of these newly define infinite products. We introduced integral type contractive condition in -chainable NMS and establishes a common fixed point theorems (CFPTs) in the current work. The result acquired in this study …

Operations On Pythagorean Neutrosophic Fuzzy Matrix, V. Surya, Sophia R. Porchelvi

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This article discusses various unique varieties of Pythagorean neutrosophic fuzzy matrices (PNFM). Some fundamental operations such as addition, multiplication, union, intersection, complement, and exponen tial are discussed. This work introduces algebraic operations on PNFM and demonstrates some of its associated theorems, including distributive, commutative, and associative. The purpose of these investigations is to con tribute to a better understanding of PNFM and its use in real-world uncertainty.

The Α-Discounting (Α-Dmcdm) As An Extension Of Ahp, Topsis, Vikor, Promethee, And Weighted Sum, Florentin Smarandache

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This paper presents a comprehensive study of the α-Discounting Multi-Criteria Decision Making (α-D MCDM) method, an extension of the classical Multi-Criteria Decision Making framework designed to address inconsistencies and complex preference structures in decision analysis. Traditional methods such as the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and related MCDM techniques perform effectively when decision makers provide consistent pairwise comparisons; however, real-world decision problems frequently involve inconsistent, n-wise, interval-valued, or non-linear preference relations that exceed the capabilities of classical approaches. The proposed α-D MCDM method introduces a global discounting parameter α, which transforms inconsistent systems of preference equations into solvable algebraic models while …

Neutrosophic Sets And Systems, Vol. 98, 2026, Florentin Smarandache, Muhammad Abdel-Baset, Maikel Leyva-Vázquez

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This edition of “Neutrosophic Sets and Systems” presents a diverse collection of studies that contribute to the theoretical development and practical application of neutrosophic, fuzzy, hypersoft, and generalized algebraic systems in complex decision-making and information analysis environments. The published works explore innovative mathematical structures, including generalized neutrosophic topological spaces, neutrosophic algebraic systems, hypersoft and dual hesitant frameworks, multi-valued and n-fold algebraic models, and advanced decision-making methodologies designed to address indeterminacy, inconsistency, vagueness, and multidimensional uncertainty. Several contributions introduce new classes of neutrosophic closed sets, contra continuous mappings, and generalized algebraic operators, extending existing theories in topology, algebra, and set theory. …

‘Mobile Consumers’: Interpreting The Consumption Perceptions, Practices And Experiences Of Mobile Brazilian International Students In London, Mark Holton, Leonardo Santana Dos Santos Rodrigues

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

This paper advances existing work on the mobilities and geographies of students by examining the complexities and contestations affecting international students' consumption perceptions and experiences. This is important in positing new ways of understanding how educational mobilities, in both their meta and micro forms, can influence, and be influenced by, consumption practices and ideologies. Drawing on a set of semi-structured interviews with Brazilian international students living and studying in London, UK this paper draws together mobilities and consumption theories as a lens for interpreting consumption knowledge and practice as an evolving and iterative set of performances that align closely with …

Recall Of Varied Stimuli, Zachary Tyler Cain

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Gender Bias And The Adhd Diagnosis Gap, Ashlee Depass

Student Publications and Presentations

Public conversations often question whether Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) receives too many diagnoses. At the same time, many girls and women report years of struggling without recognition or support. This contrast suggests that the issue may not simply be how often clinicians diagnose ADHD, but how they recognize it and whose symptoms prompt evaluation. ADHD does not present identically across individuals. Boys frequently display hyperactive or disruptive behaviors that draw attention in school and clinical settings. Girls more commonly experience inattentiveness, emotional intensity, or internal distress that may not disrupt others in obvious ways. When adults interpret these behaviors differently, they …

The Effects Of The Opioid Crisis On Fentanyl Exhibitions, Onnalee Floriano

Student Publications and Presentations

The opioid crisis is an epidemic in which fentanyl related overdoses are becoming more common. With the increase in prescription and recreational drugs, there has been a rise in drug combinations and exhibitions in the United States. Fentanyl has been found to be combined with other opiates like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, creating a higher risk of overdoses when being used recreationally. The National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) is designed to collect drugs and understand the trends in where they are being seized. From 2015 to 2019, the NFLIS collected drugs in four groups, fentanyl alone, and fentanyl combinations …

Murder And Non-Negligent Manslaughter Rates In Southern And Western America, Madison Penkalski

Student Publications and Presentations

The variation in violent crime rates in the U.S. has been a persistent concern in the criminal justice system, notably homicides and offenses like murder and non-negligent manslaughter (NNM). Prior research has suggested that socioeconomic factors like poverty, firearm availability, population density, along with regional and cultural differences, could be a primary contributing factor to geographic disparities in violent crime rates. It is hypothesized that southern states will exhibit higher mean murder and NNM rates than those in western states. Crime data was collected from the Statista database and from the U.S. Census Bureau. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize …

Comparative Phytochemical And Antioxidant Analysis Of Acalypha Wilkesiana Extracts Using Different Solvents, Tj Cataloni, Victor Chibuzor Johnson, Gabrielle Depowski

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Student Publications

Medicinal plants are a rich source of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. Antioxidants play a critical role in combating oxidative stress associated with chronic diseases. The extration of these compounds depends on solvent polarity, affecting yield and composition. Acalypha wilkesiana provides an excellent model for such studies. This work presents an evaluation of phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of A. wilkesiana extracts obtained using solvents of varying polarity.