Digital Commons Network^™

Maritime Piracy Risk Index For Ship Safety, Sang-Lok Yoo, Cho-Young Jung

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the development and implementation of a piracy risk index, crucial for enhancing maritime security and safeguarding the global shipping industry. By integrating both qualitative and quantitative assessments, the research offers a nuanced understanding of piracy risks across various maritime regions. The qualitative assessment incorporates the terrorism index and arms trafficking index, which are averaged and scaled to reflect the underlying socio-political factors influencing piracy. The quantitative assessment utilizes the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) to dynamically capture the frequency and severity of piracy incidents over time. The findings reveal significant regional variations in …

2025 Stem Research Showcase Program, Seattle University

STEM Research Showcase Programs

No abstract provided.

Pulse X

Pulse Magazine Archive

No abstract provided.

Housing Sexual Harassment: A Department Of Justice Case Study, Rigel C. Oliveri

Faculty Publications

Sexual harassment in housing-when tenants or prospective tenants are sexually harassed by their landlords, housing providers, or other people associated with their housing-is a clear national problem. In 2019 the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced an initiative to bring attention to this issue, as well as a shared commitment to increased enforcement against harassers.

This enforcement push provides an opportunity for study. In particular, there are now a significant number of complaints and other litigation documents posted to the DOJ's website that provide a convenient and robust sample for analysis. The …

Exploring Motivation In Visual Arts: Middle School Art Teachers' Perspectives, Eva V. Coker

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore pedagogical strategies and curriculum (media and art projects) that 6th through 8th grade middle school art teachers use to motivate students to participate in the visual arts. Specifically, it examined the instructional strategies, media choices, and art projects that teachers perceived as inspirational and motivational for middle school students. This qualitative study included data from 17 middle school art teachers, collected through interviews, video-recorded nonverbal communication cues, and teacher-submitted artifacts. The findings revealed a range of instructional strategies, media and curricular practices, and flow and affective experiences that teachers believed supported student …

Exploring Approaches To Address Racial Discrimination, Stigma, And Provider Communication In Sickle Cell Disease Pain Management Through Interprofessional Education And Collaboration, Ronisha Edwards-Elliott

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation presents research across three publishable manuscripts that investigate why structural and systemic racism persist among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) seeking pain management, and how interprofessional collaboration and education can help reduce disparities through shared learning, accountability, and standardized care (Chapters Two through Four). A scoping review identifies current interventions and strategies aimed at sharing the pain experiences and feelings of being unheard by SCD patients (Chapter Two). Findings of the scoping review revealed that although interventions and strategies exist and have been tested, the lack of implementation or buy-in from healthcare professionals has allowed racial discrimination …

The Effects Of A History Of Child Trauma On Breastfeeding Outcomes, Emily Flynn

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Breastfeeding provides significant health benefits for both parent and child, yet many parents discontinue earlier than recommended. While childhood sexual abuse has been associated with breastfeeding difficulties, limited research has examined the broader effects of other forms of childhood maltreatments on breastfeeding outcomes. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between a history of childhood trauma and breastfeeding outcomes, with social support explored as a potential moderator. Participants (n = 194) were birthing parents of children under the age of five, recruited from online parenting communities. Measures included the Adverse Childhood Experience International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ), a breastfeeding duration item, and a …

Comprehensive Characterization Of Chronic Midazolam Exposure On Neonates And Long-Term Neurodevelopment, Nghi M. Nguyen, Pranavi Athota, Adrian Flores, Andrew Trease, Daniel Meyer, Vamsi K. Singu, Chandan Krishnamoorthy, Victoria L. Schaal, Reeyan Bhakat, Kunal Sualy, Sathish Kumar Natarajan, Kelly L. Stauch, Sowmya V. Yelamanchili, Gurudutt Pendyala

Journal Articles: Anesthesiology

Approximately 1 in 10 U.S. newborns are born preterm (< 37 weeks of gestation), facing risks of low birth weight, respiratory and birth deficits often requiring surgery, mechanical ventilation, and prolonged sedation. Such long-term exposure to sedatives in these babies can potentially pose neurodevelopmental risks and can further impact changes later in life. The present study focused on midazolam (MDZ), a benzodiazepine class drug commonly used as sedative in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Using a robust preclinical rodent model mimicking chronic MDZ exposure, we did a comprehensive characterization on the phenotypic, molecular, biochemical, and behavioral outcomes in these exposed neonates across key developmental milestones. Our findings indicate that long-term MDZ exposure during the neonatal period negatively affects physical attributes in early childhood. While adult bodyweights between control and MDZ-exposed rats remain comparable, the MDZ rats exhibit accelerated and robust weight gain, potentially indicating a predisposition for binge eating behavior. Additionally, dopamine release in MDZ-exposed rats is markedly reduced in adulthood. Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors in the brain during adulthood suggest a shift in development due to early MDZ exposure. Further, trends of heightened anxiety-like behavior and reduced social interaction during early adolescence compared to other stages were observed. Collectively, our study provides a comprehensive assessment of how long-term MDZ exposure during neonatal stages impacts outcomes throughout life, laying the foundation for understanding mechanisms that contribute to neurodevelopmental complications associated with long-term MDZ use in neonates.

The Rise Of Israeli Far-Right Politics: A Queer Feminist Analysis, Sa'ed Atshan, K. Galor

Peace & Conflict Studies Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Increased Dissolution Rate And Decreased Processing Temperature For Immediate Release Fdm 3d Printed Tablet Of Weakly Acidic Drugs By Acid-Base Supersolubilization, Mohammed Irfan Syed

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, there has been much interest in three-dimensional (3D) printing for the development of personalized and on-demand medications for better therapy. In 3D-printing, materials are deposited layer by layer to form tablets and pellets. Among various 3D-printing technologies, the fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing, where melt-extruded filaments of drug-polymer mixtures are used for 3D printing, is most promising. However, the FDM 3D-printing often produces slow-release tablets that are not suitable for rapid drug action in the body. The present investigation was undertaken to demonstrate how rapidly dissolving 3D-printed tablets of poorly water-soluble acidic drugs could be developed …

Developing Stiripentol Analogs As Potential Ldh Inhibitors For The Treatment Of Glioblastoma, Anshika Y. Jain

Theses and Dissertations

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly proliferative brain tumor that has a 5-year survival rate of ~7 %. Temozolomide (TMZ) is the current standard of care therapeutic for GBM. However, 50% of patients develop resistance to TMZ. Therefore, further investigation for new GBM therapeutics is necessary to overcome this issue of drug resistance. GBM patients are known to overexpress lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which is inversely correlated with their survival. This key glycolytic enzyme catalyzes the interconversion of pyruvate and lactate and plays an important role in cancer proliferation and invasion. Therefore, we aimed to inhibit LDH for developing therapeutics for …

Modeling Wild Rice Bed Health: A Dual Metric Approach For Bed Strength And Invasive Impact, Seth Sisneros-Martinez

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Wild rice (mannoomin; Zizania palustris) is an aquatic grain that grows in slow-moving rivers and shallow bays throughout northern Minnesota. In Headquarters Bay on Leech Lake, wild rice has served as a cultural staple for Indigenous communities for centuries. However, its population has declined in recent years due to multiple environmental issues. One potential contributor is Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum; EWM), an invasive species that forms dense mats capable of outcompeting native aquatic vegetation, including wild rice. EWM was first recorded on the southern shoreline of Leech Lake in 2005 and has since become widespread. This study …

Implementing Rsa Accumulators For Asynchronous And Permissionless Reliable Broadcasting, Eric Webb

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

Asynchronous consensus protocols are essential for decentralized and trustless environments such as decentralized finance (DeFi), supply chain management, and voting systems. These protocols eliminate centralized authority and timing assumptions while improving resilience and security. However, as network sizes increase the communication overhead in these systems becomes a bottleneck that limits scalability and efficiency. One notable example is the Aleph protocol, which stands out as one of the first consensus protocols to be both asynchronous and permissionless while providing Byzantine Fault Tolerance. Unlike many existing asynchronous consensus mechanisms, Aleph is permissionless in nature and does not rely on a trusted dealer …

An Exploration Of Desired Abstinent And Non- Abstinent Recovery Outcomes Among People Who Use Methamphetamine, Alex Elswick, Amanda Fallin-Bennett, Karen L. Roper, Evan Batty, Christopher J. Mclouth, William W. Stoops, Hilary L. Surratt, Carrie B. Oser

UK CARES Faculty Publications

Background In the United States, complete abstinence persists as the standard for demonstrating recovery success from substance use disorders (SUDs), apart from alcohol use disorder (AUD). Although the FDA has recently indicated openness for non-abstinence outcomes as treatment targets, the traditional benchmark of complete abstinence for new medications to treat SUDs remains a hurdle and overshadows other non-abstinent outcomes desired by people with SUDs (e.g., improved sleep, employment, family reunification). This study sought to expand the definition of recovery to include non-abstinent pathways by exploring non-abstinence-based outcomes desired by people who use methamphetamine (PWUM).

Methods Participants (n = 100) were …

Isolated Unilateral Medial Rectus Palsy Due To Acute Pontine Infarction, Miranda Bingham, Shterna Frand, Charley Meadows, Sanjay Sharma

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Isolated unilateral medial rectus palsy is a rare but significant clinical manifestation of acute pontine infarction, often presenting without the typical neurological deficits seen in brainstem strokes. This case report highlights a 61-year-old male with a history of hypertension and diabetes who presented with four days of double vision, with no other significant neurological symptoms such as headache, speech disturbances, or focal weakness. On examination, the patient exhibited an isolated inability to adduct his left eye, without any visual deficits or abnormalities in other cranial nerve functions. Neuroimaging, specifically MRI, confirmed the diagnosis of an acute left pontine infarction. The …

A Swelling Mystery: Hereditary Angioedema In Pregnancy, Karen Valadez-Cuen, Andrea Francis, Alison Rossduetscher, Micheline Tantchou

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Refractory Hydrocephalus Treated With Ventriculo-Cholecystic Shunt In An Adult, Deekshita Valiveti, Munanchu Poudel, Rahul Dadhwal

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

A Case Of Carcinoma En Cuirasse, Nadeen Gonna, Giancarlo Moscol, Woo Cheal Cho, Constance T. Albarracin, Hung Q. Doan

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Duodenorenal Fistula Post-Lithotripsy: A Rare Complication, Anam Zara, Aarohi Parikh, Duyen Quach, Ismail Hader, Georg Elias

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Skin Cancer Education For Adolescents: Does Vanity Modify Its Effectiveness?, Erica Ogwumike, Dina Zamil, Harrison Zhu, Shangyi Fu, Emily Powell, Zeena Nawas, Ida Orengo

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Todd's Paralysis: Sharpnel-Induce Seizure, Kenny Tran, Alain Folefack

North Texas Research Forum 2025

When evaluating seizure in war veterans, distinguishing new-onset hemiparesis with aphasia from stroke can be challenging due to prior brain injury and anticonvulsant therapy. This case involves a patient with a shrapnel injury displaying stroke-symptoms after a seizure highlights the differences between stroke and seizure-related deficits in this population. Careful consideration of imaging, history and clinical presentation are essential for accurate diagnosis and management.

Gastrografin Enema To The Rescue Of The Glorious Cecal Bascule, Dominique Pean, Bushra Bangash, Guntash Khasria, Ismail Hader

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

A Rare Case Of Brucellosis Relapse, Rabia Mahfooz, Grant Patterson, Annmary Behanan, Babivigasan Gunasegaran

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Recurrent Syncope In A Young Adult With Postural Orthostatictachycardia Syndrome (Pots): A Diagnostic And Therapeutic Challenge, Syed Raza, Shuchita Jhaveri, Neethu George, Julian Nguyen

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Fetal Presentation Confirmation On L&D With Ultrasound, Noelle Coen, Aaron Poole

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Incarcerated Gravid Uterus, Adelene Morrow, Aaron Poole

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Media Viability In Resource-Constrained Newsrooms: The Case Of The Observer Newspaper In Uganda, Nakitimbo Amelia Martha

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

The Observer newspaper in Uganda has built a solid reputation as an impartial, independent, and analytical publication that adheres to the ethical principles of good journalism. Founded and run by a small team of journalists, the newspaper has weathered many storms, including financial crises, political intimidation, newsroom equipment seizure, and the early death of the vision carrier, Kevin Aliro. This study analyzes and records the approaches used by The Observer's editorial staff to keep the newspaper afloat during two turbulent decades of financial, political, and economic difficulties. In contrast to other newsrooms that are frequently defined by strict hierarchies between …

Evaluating The Viability Of Monetizing Media Content Archives: A Case Of Vision Group, Eva F. Nabagesera Kirunda

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

This study examines the viability of a media content archive with a focus on Vision Group. Amid digital transformation, media organizations face mounting pressure to monetize archives of historical, cultural, and journalistic content. This is particularly relevant for legacy media like Vision Group, which confronts external and internal challenges that threaten sustainability. Externally, digital disruption has diminished traditional revenue streams like print advertising and subscriptions, as tech giants dominate digital ad spaces. Younger audiences prefer free, interactive content on social media and podcasts, while inflation and economic pressures shrink advertising budgets and consumer spending. Internally, reliance on outdated business models, …

Employee Engagement In Rebranding, Violet Andoyo Otindo

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

Corporate rebranding involves redefining an organization’s mission, vision, and values beyond changes to logos or taglines. Its success depends on active employee engagement, as employees play a critical role as brand ambassadors. The rebranding of the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC), formerly the National AIDS Control Council (NACC), illustrates the complexities of a government organization undergoing a strategic shift. The NSDCC expanded its focus from HIV control to addressing multiple syndemic diseases and related health factors. This study investigates employee engagement during rebranding the National AIDS Control Council (NACC) to the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC). This transition …

Embracing Digital Disruption In Tanzania: Insights From Mwananchi Communications Ltd's Print-To-Digital Multimedia Journey, Absalom Norman Kibanda

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

This capstone study investigates the profound impact of digital transformation on print media, employing Mwananchi Communications Ltd (MCL) in Tanzania as a case study, elucidating the intricate fusion of cultural transformation and strategic shifts in response to this disruption. With an in-depth exploration of theoretical frameworks like Networked Communication Theory and Media Convergence Theory, this study underscores the evolution of MCL's culture and the paradigm shift in the mindset of its staff and readers since the company's strategic embrace of multimedia strategies. MCL's transformative journey, characterized by the adoption of innovative multimedia platforms, including a website, paywall approaches, subscription models, …