Digital Commons Network^™

Modeling Rank Distribution And The Relative Importance Factor Index In Discrete Power-Law Models: Application To Social Resilience Using The Scopus Database, Brian Llinas, Jose Padilla, Humberto Llinas, Erika Frydenlund, Katherine Palacio

VMASC Publications

Prior research on power-law distributions has primarily focused on modeling frequency patterns, with less attention given to rank distributions and how ranked positions reflect relative importance among elements. In discrete power-law distributions, frequency-based metrics often provide limited discrimination in the tail, where elements may exhibit similar counts but differ in relative dominance. These patterns are especially evident, for instance, in academic publishing, where keywords, affiliations, and citations commonly exhibit power-law behavior. To address this limitation, we introduce the Relative Importance Factor (RIF) Index, a statistical measure derived from the estimated discrete power-law rank distribution rather than an additional independent parameter. …

Machine Learning Classification Of Prostate Cancer Genomic Sequences Using K-Mer And Sequence-Derived Features, Kuldeep Rawat, Hirendra Nath Banerjee, Jamie Noble, Saa Naudia Deloatch, Satyendra Banerjee, Sachin Shetty, Soumya Banerjee

VMASC Publications

Prostate cancer disproportionately impacts African American men, who experience significantly higher mortality rates and earlier disease onset than other populations. Current diagnostic approaches, including prostate-specific antigen testing and biopsy, lack sufficient specificity and sensitivity, underscoring the need for accurate, molecular-level classification tools. This paper presents a machine learning framework for binary classification of genomic DNA sequences as cancerous or healthy. A dataset of 1684 FASTA-formatted sequences obtained from the National Library of Medicine - GenBank was analyzed, with 1662 sequences retained after quality control filtering. Feature engineering yielded 67 attributes, including GC content, Shannon entropy, sequence length, and trinucleotide k-mer …

Multidimensional Analysis Of Social Discourse On Twitter (X) Around Venezuelan Migration In Columbia, Joseph Martínez, Melissa Miller-Felton, Jose J. Padilla, Erika Frydenlund, Katherine Palacio

VMASC Publications

Colombia has become the principal host of Venezuelan migrants in Latin America, prompting a complex mix of solidarity, anxiety, and discrimination. This study offers a multidimensional analysis of Twitter (now X) discourse on Venezuelan migration in Colombia between 2014 and 2022, using natural language processing, geolocation inference, sentiment analysis, and manual annotation of derogatory terms. Drawing from 7.4 million posts, we examine how online discourse evolves across time, space, and language. While negative sentiment is pronounced in original tweets during periods of political and social unrest, our findings highlight that users tend to amplify neutral and positive messages—over 67% of …

[Abstract For] Bond Pricing Mechanics Beyond Yield-To-Maturity Based Calculations, Maura Alexander, Tom Arnold, Xiu (Summer) Liu

Finance Faculty Publications

Three methods for pricing bonds are presented: using a constant yield to maturity, using the yield curve with discount factors, and using implied forward rates from the yield curve with backward induction.  By moving beyond the first method, more dynamic duration and convexity analyses emerge.  Further, logical connections and extensions are made in regard to pricing bonds with embedded options, the calculation of a swap rate, and the “bond bootstrapping” process for building a yield curve.

Problems And Possibilities Of Namelessness In Late Antiquity And The Early Middle Ages, Jamie Wood, Hope Williard, Máirín Maccarron, Julia Hillner, James R. Burns

Medieval People

No abstract provided.

Toward Neurosymbolic Reinforcement Learning Via Editable Specifications, Vedant Khandelwal, Hong Yung Yip, Amit Sheth

Publications

Reinforcement learning systems are commonly adapted to new settings by retraining or fine-tuning policies. This default is costly, difficult to audit, and poorly aligned with structured requirement changes such as revised safety rules, new operational constraints, or updated user preferences. We argue for an alternative abstraction: adaptation via edits to an external, human-readable specification that the agent consults at execution time. We propose conditioning decision-making on an editable knowledge graph encoding (i) rules capturing action applicability and high-level effects, (ii) hard constraints defining feasibility, and (iii) soft preferences shaping tradeoffs among feasible behaviors. Requirement changes become graph edits, not policy …

Nanoscale Analysis Of Ssb-Reco Interplay In Ssb Interaction With The Target, Shivkumar Sharma Irukuvajjula, Shaun Filliaux, Yuri L. Lyubchenko

Journal Articles: Pharmaceutical Sciences

Single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) coats single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and recruits downstream factors, yet this same coating must be cleared for SSB-interacting proteins to bind. RecA is a central protein in homologous recombination, which requires SSB-free ssDNA to load during the process. RecO, a recombination mediator protein, is thought to regulate this handoff, but it has not been shown directly that RecO drives the release of full-length, ssDNA-bound SSB. Using atomic force microscopy, we show that RecO actively displaces full-length wild-type SSB from a defined ssDNA substrate, reducing occupancy from 67% to 29%. Displacement efficiency decreases after deleting the C-terminal tip …

The Impact Of Hot V. Cold Water Immersion On Post-Exercise Recovery, Cameron Moss, Aaron Krukemeyer

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Muscle recovery following exercise-induced soreness has been the focus of extensive research and debate, with Cold Water Immersion (CWI) and Hot Water Immersion (HWI) emerging as two of the most widely used modalities. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of CWI and HWI on muscle recovery by determining changes in maximal force production of knee extension, range of motion (ROM) of the hip joint in flexion, extension, and abduction, and subjective muscle soreness using a validated Likert scale. Seven male recreational athletes participated in hot and cold-water immersion, and passive recovery. Despite thorough data collection, the …

Reflective Observations Of Instructional Approaches In Job Coaching: A Personal Perspective On Student-Centered Strategies For Students With Disabilities, Cailey R. Piekarski

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project is a reflective case study exploring my personal experiences as a job coach for students with disabilities at Total Education Solutions. The research focuses on my own observations, interpretations, and emotional responses while alternating between student-centered and teacher-directed instructional approaches during workforce readiness sessions. By journaling daily, I will analyze how I perceive student engagement, task completion, and session flow under different coaching styles. The consistent student group, task structure, and session format will allow for focused, qualitative reflection without collecting any student-specific data. The study aims to deepen my understanding of instructional decision-making in real-world coaching settings …

Mitochondrial Genome Of The Indo-Pacific Mesophotic Coral Leptoseris Columna (Scleractinia: Agariciidae) Assembled Using Pacbio Long-Read Sequencing, Nomita Rani Adhikary, Daniel J. Barshis, J. Antonio Baeza

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Leptoseris columna, a mesophotic coral species belonging to the family Agariciidae, is distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region. This species is considered as of "Least concern" by the IUCN, yet, faces multiple local and global stressors. To support conservation plans, this study sequenced and characterized the complete mitochondrial genome of L. columna. The complete mitochondrial genome of Leptoseris columna was assembled using PacBio long-reads with a coverage of 459× per bp. The AT-rich mitochondrial genome of Leptoseris columna is 18,546 bp long and comprises 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 transfer RNA genes (trnM and trnW), and 2 ribosomal RNA …

Leveraging Cross-Reactivity For Dual Serological Detection Of Closely Related Schistosoma Species, Oyetunde T. Oyeyemi, Lisa M. Shollenberger

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Schistosomiasis is a disease of poverty that is highly prevalent in Sub-Saharan African countries. Cross-reacting proteins in Schistosoma mansoni (Sm) and S. haematobium (Sh) have been reported to pose diagnostic challenges. Proteins from these two parasites may help overcome diagnostic limitations caused by cross-reactivity and poor species discrimination in serological assays. The study aims to identify cross-reacting protein markers from S. mansoni and S. haematobium for possible concurrent diagnosis of the two parasites. High-quality protein extracts were prepared from the eggs (soluble egg antigen, SEA) and adult worms (Schistosoma worm antigens preparation, SWAP) of S. haematobium and S. mansoni …

Exploring The Influence Of A Longitudinal Small-Group Mentorship Course On Occupational Therapy Graduates’ Professional Identity Formation, Tosh Whitley, Lovejot Mangat, Susan G. Rappolt, Daniela Testani, Siobhan Donaghy, Lynn Cockburn, Sylvia Langlois, Ruheena Sangrar, Eric Lee, Rachel Roby, Erin Knobl, Susan Hannah, Anne Fourt, David Gerstle, Naomi Davids-Brumer, M. Shone Joos

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Professional identity formation is a critical aspect in facilitating the transition of healthcare professionals into entry-level practice. Previous literature has highlighted the benefits of mentorship in shaping professional identity formation among healthcare learners. However, few studies have explored longitudinal small-group mentorship courses on professional identity formation in entry-level occupational therapists. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of graduates on whether pre-certification mentorship influenced their professional identity formation. Online surveys, comprising open-ended and fixed-choice questions, were collected from graduates of a professional Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MScOT) program across four cohorts (2020-2023) who completed a …

Evaluating The Relationship Between Motor Symptoms And Levodopa Dosage In Parkinson’S Disease, Frank Ferrari

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Parkinson’s disease (PD) has a clear lack of dosing guidelines or standard treatment protocols, leaving physicians to develop individualized treatment plans to handle the needs of PD patients. The long-term progressive nature of Parkinson’s requires consistent care and updates to medication regimens. This puts significant strain on the healthcare systems tasked with treating them. With an increasing number of Parkinson’s patients and a plateau of professionals to care for them, patients may soon experience decreased physician availability, longer wait times, and worse quality of life outcomes. This study evaluated the relationship between PD motor symptoms, measured through the MDS-UPDRS Part …

Emotional Labor, Well-Being, And Community Care In Student Conduct Administration, Tiffany M. Shierling, Kelly A. Burlison

College of Education Faculty Publications & Presentations

This explanatory sequential mixed-methods study examined emotional labor, stress, and coping among student conduct administrators (SCAs). SCAs work in emotionally intensive, high-stakes environments that require balancing student development, institutional risk management, and legal compliance. Despite clear parallels to other helping professions, the emotional toll of student conduct work remains underexamined. Grounded in self-compassion theory and resilience theory, this explanatory sequential mixed-methods study examined the emotional labor demands, stressors, and coping strategies experienced by SCAs in higher education. Quantitative (n = 101) findings revealed strong relationships among stress, burnout, and anxiety, while individual self-care practices offered limited protection without institutional support. …

A Living Epidemic: The Persistence Of Tuberculosis In Contemporary Indigenous Alaska, Sharon Kim , ‘26

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

No abstract provided.

Risquer La Résistance: La Réponse Surréaliste À L’Exposition Coloniale Internationale De 1931, Milla Ben-Ezra , '26

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

No abstract provided.

Nurse Workforce Outcomes: 8-Hour Vs. 12 Hour Shifts Among New Graduate Nurses, Jared Boyd, Lauren Kim, Gisel Olvera, Lauren Rifkin, Berenice Saldana, Marc Soriano, Bailee Tobias, Angela Torre

Publications 2026-present

No abstract provided.

Management Of Medication Nonadherence In Adults Diagnosed With Schizophrenia, Olukemi O. Adeogun

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Background: Individuals diagnosed with Schizophrenia have high medication nonadherence rates, which increase the risk of symptom relapse and hospitalization. This evidence-based practice (EBP) project sought to reduce antipsychotic medication nonadherence among adult patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and/or schizoaffective disorder. Methods: Twenty-six individuals aged 18 and older participated in the project over 8 weeks. A pretest-posttest design was applied to measure participants' self-reported medication adherence scores before and after implementing a medication adherence bundle. The intervention included psychoeducation, long-acting injection (LAI), and phone reminders. Paired t-tests were used to compare the pre- and post-test Medication Adherence Report Scale-5 (MARS-5) scores.  The …

Professional Quality Of Life Among Medical Surgical And Telemetry Registered Nurses, William Lim, Emy-Lee Marie Anglo Ricafrente, Jenny Carrillo

Publications 2026-present

No abstract provided.

Eyes Turn To Adoptees: A Critical Content Analysis Of Eyes That Weave The World’S Wonders, Becky Leathersich

Education Faculty/Staff Publications

In this article, Critical Adoption Studies, Asian Critical Race Theory, and the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) Rubric are applied to analyze Eyes That Weave the World’s Wonders (2024) by Joanna Ho and Liz Kleinrock, illustrated by Dung Ho. The article situates the picture book against trends in children’s literature and scholarship on Korean transracial adoption. A critical content analysis reveals the racialization of the adoptee, centering of the adoptive parents, and description of adoption as an act of love with a discussion of how the authorship, as well as the socioeconomic and geopolitical factors of adoption, impacted this picture …

Population Genomics And Evolution Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Samara T. Choudhury

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium ubiquitous in diverse environments and an opportunistic pathogen in humans. It is a leading cause of chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients and of hospital-acquired pneumonia and sepsis. With a large flexible genome and abundant mobile genetic elements, P. aeruginosa exhibits high levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), making it a significant public health threat. Evolutionary processes such as homologous recombination, and horizontal gene transfer generate extensive genomic diversity in this species and facilitate the spread of resistance genes. In this dissertation, I investigate the genetic and evolutionary factors shaping P. aeruginosa population structure …

Time Series Decomposition And Forecasting Of Alzheimer’S Disease Mortality Using A Kolmogorov-Zurbenko Filter, Jack D. Farrell

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Alzheimer’s disease mortality has substantially risen in recent history, placing a significant burden on public health infrastructure and highlighting the need for improved analytical methods to better understand mortality data patterns and offer reliable predictions. Time series methods often struggle to balance both accuracy and interpretability, which hinders the ability to gather meaningful insights from time series data. To address these limitations, this study applies the Kolmogorov-Zurbenko (KZ) filter to monthly U.S. Alzheimer’s mortality data spanning from 1999 to 2023 and decomposes the series into long-term trend, seasonal, and noise components on a logarithmic scale. Long-term trend accounts for 86.49% …

Followership In Leadership Education: It's High Time We Embraced The F-Word, I. Dami Alegbeleye Phd., Osahenrumwen Ofumwengbe Ms

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Historically, followership has been one of the most overlooked topics in leadership education,  despite its crucial role in leader development. While interest in followership has grown in recent  years, there is still limited information about its current state. Consequently, this paper examines  the extent to which leadership educators and trainers incorporate followership into their  programs and how it is represented in their curricula. A qualitative research method, specifically  a document analysis approach, was employed. The data consisted of curricula from 85 leadership  education programs in the United States, as presented on their websites. A thematic analysis of  the data revealed …

Finding Aid For The Deavours Family Collection

Archives & Special Collections: Finding Aids (alphabetical)

The Deavours Family Collection contains genealogical information about the Deavours and related families.  It also holds material related to Stone Deavours, a lawyer, who served as University of Mississippi Law School Dean from 1930 to 1932.  The collection also includes two nineteenth-century ledgers regarding Garlandsville, Mississippi and the journal of an unidentified Alabama dating from 1860 to 1874.

Cybersecurity Mission Creep, Mailyn Fidler

Law Faculty Scholarship

Cybersecurity is experiencing mission creep. Policymakers are casting more and more problems as issues of cybersecurity. So refrained, wildly different policy issues, from misinformation, to child social media safety laws, to antitrust regulations, to alleged journalist misconduct, to anti-sex trafficking statutes become what this Article calls "cybersecuritized." Before this refraining, these issues present as important but not existential. But once cybersecuritization positions the issues as threats intensified by their technological nature, they gain access to the politics and law of urgency and exceptionalism and invite troubling governance responses. Positioned as security threats, cybersecuritized issues become endowed with the apparent normative …

Falling For Mobility, Wendy Savercool Dnp, Rn, Crni, Ocn, Fab, Ian Heck Msn, Rn, Nea-Bc, Kayla Rosica Msn, Rn, Ne-Bc, Medsurg-Bc

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Commencement Program 2026, Loma Linda University

Commencement Programs

CONTENTS

1 | Message from the President

3 | 2026 Events of Commencement

5 | The Academic Procession

6 | Institutional Administration

7 | Board of Trustees

8 | Significance of Academic Regalia

9 | University History Highlights

11 | Loma Linda University Health and Loma Linda University Honorees

The Programs, The School Honorees, and The Speakers

24 | School of Medicine

43 | School of Pharmacy

54 | School of Dentistry

72 | School of Public Health

85 | San Manuel Gateway College

91 | School of Allied Health Professions — Allied Health Studies, Cardiopulmonary Sciences, Clinical Laboratory Science, …

Style And Substance: A Review Of Jill Barton's The Supreme Guide To Writing, Christina Frohock

Articles

No abstract provided.

Uncovering The Keystone: Case Study Of The Ubs Art Collection Gift, Loan And Contemporary Voices Exhibition At Moma In 2005 - Twenty Years Later, Maria Glikman Yamarakov

MA Theses

This research aims to reconstruct foundational history of the Case, based on the publicly available sources. Using the established factual background to test the significance of each of the three major assumptions, referred traditionally as motivation behind the studied Case undertaking. Through critical analysis this Thesis targets to uncover the keystone of this Case and use it as the background to introduce the governance Duty of Stewardship concept in the corporate collection context. Assuming the introduced concept sustains initial analysis, assess its potential value for further strategic development of the corporate collections of the contemporary art.

On Dark Skinned Jesus Of Nazareth: Why Color Matters, Nicholas Berkel

MA Theses

This thesis examines the historical, religious, and cultural consequences of portraying Jesus as white within Christian art. Although Western art has overwhelmingly depicted Christ with white skin, archaeological, and contextual evidence supports a dark-skinned Jesus rooted in the ethnogeography of first century Palestine. The persistence of a White Jesus has shaped religious imagination and perception for centuries, reinforcing racial hierarchy and legitimizing systems of white supremacy. Through an interdisciplinary analysis combining biblical studies, Christian iconography, ethnography of ancient Semitic, Greco-Roman, and Egyptian peoples, medieval symbolism, modern mass-produced imagery, and Black thought, this study demonstrates how Jesus’ original complexion was gradually …