Digital Commons Network^™

Image Processing In Self-Driving Cars, Julia Lin, Sid Kalidindi, Anushri Selva, Seana Corners

Interdisciplinary Design Senior Theses

This thesis presents the development of a low-cost embedded image processing system for autonomous vehicle perception using the PYNQ-Z2 FPGA board. The project explores whether compact FPGA-based systems can provide efficient, low-latency perception for small-scale autonomous applications such as delivery robots, warehouse robots, and drones, where power efficiency and affordability are important design constraints.

The system uses Python and OpenCV for image preprocessing and color-based traffic sign segmentation, while a modified LeNet-5 convolutional neural network performs traffic sign classification. The model was optimized and deployed onto the FPGA using Vivado HLS and Vitis to accelerate inference on resource-constrained hardware. The …

Young Man With Neck Pain, Sejal Patel, Steven Graver, Megan Daniels, Kelly Goodsell, Arthur K. Au

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

High Altitude Lora Networking (Halon) For Crisis Communications, Sahana Prasanna Chandramohan, Vikram Rakesh Jangid

Interdisciplinary Design Senior Theses

Natural disasters, infrastructure failure, and politically motivated internet shutdowns can severely disrupt communication systems, preventing affected populations from coordinating emergency response, accessing information, and contacting others. Existing communication infrastructure relies heavily on centralized networks, fixed power availability, and costly deployments, making such systems vulnerable during periods of crisis. To alleviate these problems we propose High Altitude Long Range Networking (HALoN) for Crisis Communications, a rapidly deployable decentralized wireless mesh network designed for operation in infrastructure-denied environments. HALoN utilizes low-power long range (LoRa) communication and high-altitude deployment platforms such as balloons, drones and tall structures, among others, to create temporary communication …

Emotion-Focused Teaching And Preschool Children's Social, Emotional, And Self-Regulatory Development, Brielle Emily Petit

Dissertations and Theses

Contributing to the literature on supportive mechanisms for children's development of social, emotional, and self-regulatory competencies, the current study examines the contributions of emotion-focused teaching in preschool classrooms. Emotion-focused teaching is a framework used within preschool classrooms that encompasses three domains of teaching that support children's development of emotion skills—how teachers display their own emotions or emotion-related behaviors and actions (modeling), the ways they respond to children's emotional expressions (responding), and how instruction is used to inform children about emotions and related processes (instructing). More frequent emotion-focused teaching has been shown to be a …

A Trainwreck In The Making: The Alaska Railroad Right-Of-Way, John W. Pletcher, Mia E. Manney

Alaska Law Review

This Article argues that the Ninth Circuit erred in Alaska Railroad Corp. v. Flying Crown Subdivision Additions Nos. 1 & 2 Property Owners Ass'n by recognizing an exclusive use easement that permits the Alaska Railroad Corporation to unilaterally exclude private property owners from non-interfering uses of the right-of-way. Drawing on common law easement principles reaffirmed in Marvin M. Brandt Revocable Trust v. United States, the Article demonstrates that exclusivity must be conferred through specific language in a creating instrument and cannot be implied from federal railroad legislation. The Article calls for legislative reform and remedial judicial interpretation to curtail …

Protecting Bearded Seals In Alaska: The Esa, Critical Habitat Designations, And Climate Change, Caitlyn Leary

Alaska Law Review

Rapid climate change in the Arctic has accelerated the loss of sea ice, threatening the survival of one of Alaska's most vital species: the bearded seal. In 2012, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) listed the bearded seal as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Ten years later, the agency designated approximately 174 million acres of occupied critical habitat for the seals on the northern coast of Alaska, along the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas. NMFS reasoned that a large designation was necessary to account for the dynamic and seasonal nature of sea ice. In 2024, however, the U.S. …

Carbon Cash Back: A Green Ubi For A Decarbonized Future, Lily Skopp

Alaska Law Review

This Note supports a framework for climate governance that transforms carbon tax revenues into equal per‑capita cash distributions for all United States residents: a green universal basic income (UBI). It examines how the institutional structure of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) can guide the design of a federal resource‑based dividend. By combining economic analyses of efficiency and distribution with legal scholarship on political salience and administrative design, the Note uses Alaska's PFD as an empirical case study to connect two often separate literatures. The Note introduces the PFD's key features—universality, independent fund management, and a narrative of collective resource …

The Relationships Between Adult Cyberbullying Victimization, Introversion, Extroversion, And Demographic Variables, Amber Paige Arrington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Gc–Ms And Tlc Evaluation Of Solvent Stability In Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Analysis, Catherine M. Lorisme

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

No abstract provided.

Trial Of Oxaloacetate In Als (Toals), Katie Lillig, Andrew Heim, Jeffrey Statland, Mazen M. Dimachkie, Russell H. Swerdlow, Sachini P. Karunaratne, In-Young Choi, Phil Lee, Edina Kosa, Abdulbaki Agbas, Heather M. Wilkins, Richard J. Barohn, Omar Jawdat

Faculty and Staff Publications

Background: Mitochondrial dysfunction is a critical therapeutic target in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Oxaloacetate (OAA) is a promising candidate therapy as it crosses the blood brain barrier, reaches motor neurons, and enhances mitochondrial bioenergetics with positive preclinical data in ALS.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, phase 1B, dose escalation study using a standard 3+3 design to assess the safety profile and determine the maximum tolerated dose. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as any serious adverse event (SAE) requiring hospitalization or any adverse event (AE) attributed to OAA that required discontinuation of the medication. Dosages evaluated started at 1000 mg twice …

New American Women (Immigrants And Refugees) In Utah, Robyn C. Blackburn, Vanessa Tuttle, Yvette Young, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Year after year, the topic of immigration features centrally in US public policy discussions and debates. This focus is not surprising, given that the US is home to more immigrants than any other country in the world. While policy discussions often focus on immigrants who lack legal authorization to be in the US, most immigrants are legal residents (77.0%).¹ An immigrant is any person who lives in a country that is not their country of usual residence or nationality.² The US immigrant population includes naturalized citizens (i.e., those who entered the US legally and became citizens), lawful permanent …

Performance Comparison Of Machine Learning Across Metal, Cuda, And Software-Based Neuromorphic Simulation, Ryan Saini, William B. Andreopoulos

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Machine learning’s computational demands necessitate optimal performance and utilization across diverse hardware architectures. This research compares computing as spiking neural networks (CSNNs, or simulated neuromorphic computing) and regular CNNs on Apple Silicon M3 Pro with Metal Performance Shaders (MPS), and NVIDIA RTX 3070 GPU with CUDA. We run Convolutional Spiking Neural Networks (CSNNs) and traditional CNNs on two datasets (frame-based CIFAR-10; and sequential event-based DVS) to evaluate the suitability of neural net architectures and platforms for different data problems. For both CSNNs and traditional CNNs, Apple Silicon with MPS delivers better energy efficiency but longer processing times for training and …

Regimes Of Pain: Violence, Silence, And The Reproduction Of Power In Indonesia, Andi Achdian, Erna Ermawati Chotim

Jurnal Politik

This article examines political violence in Indonesia as a continuing mode of governance that extends beyond periods of open repression. Focusing on three historical episodes—the mass violence of 1965–1966, militarised rule in Aceh during the Military Operations Zone, and the racialised violence of May 1998—it argues that violence does not disappear after formal repression ends, but is reorganised within everyday life through bodily injury, social silence, fear, and learned endurance. To explain this process, the article develops the concept of regimes of pain, defined as forms of power that produce and normalise bodily suffering in order to sustain political order. …

2026 June 04- Tennessee Weekly Drought Summary, East Tennessee State University

Tennessee Climate Office Weekly Drought Summaries

No abstract provided.

Multiscale Optical Imaging: From Single-Molecule Dynamics To Tissue-Scale Mechanics, Weiyan Zhou

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Biological systems exhibit hierarchical organization spanning molecular to tissue scales. Molecular orientation and supramolecular packing define nanoscale architecture, while collective organization of these constituents contributes to emergent mechanical and dynamical behavior at the tissue level. Although optical imaging provides access to both regimes, modalities are typically optimized for a single scale and often emphasize qualitative visualization rather than quantitative measurement. Establishing rigorous frameworks for extracting physical parameters from optical signals and articulating conceptual continuity across scales remains a central challenge. This dissertation advances optical imaging as a quantitative measurement technology through the development of complementary approaches at the nanoscale and …

Intersectional Inequalities In College Savings And Educational Outcomes Across Race/Ethnicity, Immigrant Status, And Gender: A Quant-Crit Analysis, Jason Jabbari, Ibrahim Habiba, Mat Despard, Somalis Chy

Journal of Student Financial Aid

As families use savings to further their children’s education, education serves as both a key driver of wealth and an artifact of wealth itself. Despite these cyclical relationships and the ways in which education and wealth are stratified across gender, race/ethnicity, and immigration, there is little intersectional research exploring these relationships. We employ a quantitative critical approach and leverage the first nationally representative longitudinal survey that includes information on high school achievement, college savings, borrowing, college enrollment, and major of study. We first demonstrate how race-gender and immigrant-gender intersectional groups experience disadvantages in college savings and in educational outcomes. We …

The Architecture Of Chemical Understanding: How Representation Selection, Ordering, And Feature Salience Shape Students' Conceptions In Chemistry, Isaiah Nelsen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Chemical representations play a central role in how students learn and reason aboutchemistry. While representations are routinely used in chemistry classrooms, students often struggle to extract relevant information, connect representations to underlying chemical principles, and apply this information to problem-solving. This dissertation investigates the role of representations in supporting students’ conceptual understanding and reasoning across general and organic chemistry through three qualitative studies.

The first study in this work explores how variation in chemical representation influences how students understand foundational chemistry principles. This study sought to characterize how second semester general chemistry students approach dipole–dipole interaction tasks with four distinct …

How Do Peer Support Officers Perceive Support Provided To Officers Involved In Critical Incidents, Jodi Vanderwier

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Spectator 2026-06-04, Editors Of The Spectator

The Spectator

No abstract provided.

Hypertension And Pneumonia: A Retrospective Analysis On The Length Of Stay, Cassandra Blau, Diana Hamdan, Peter Reisdorf, Brandon Shin, Jack T. Adcock, Nova Beyersdorfer, Kerry Johnson, John Paulson

Student Publications

Background: Pneumonia is a serious respiratory infection that affects patients across all age groups. While it typically responds to treatment, patients with pre-existing comorbidities are at increased risk of poor outcomes. Hypertension (HTN) is a common condition that may coexist in patients with pneumonia. Although pneumonia and HTN have been studied separately, there is limited evidence regarding their combined effect on clinical outcomes, including hospital length of stay (LOS), treatment duration, and recovery trajectory.

Objectives: Identifying factors that influence the length of hospital stay in patients with pneumonia is essential for addressing the burden of hospitalization on both patients and …

Abundance And The Supreme Court, Nicholas Bagley

Articles

Scarcity mars much of American life. Housing prices in our most productive cities are out of control. The nation’s transportation infrastructure is aging and obsolete because it costs so much more to build here than in other developed countries. Meanwhile, China generates nearly three times as much solar energy as the United States, with the gap growing every year.

Why does the richest nation in the history of the world struggle so mightily to get stuff done? That’s the question that propels Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson’s 2025 bestseller Abundance, which galvanized what may be the hottest and most controversial …

Fake: The Rise Of Food Fraud In The Halal Supply Chain, Adam Voak

Nusantara Halal Journal

We live in increasingly challenging economic times, and the concomitant uncertainty associated with this state within the food industry has led to an emergence of unscrupulous suppliers and supply chain actors committing Halal food fraud. As Halal food supply chains become increasingly complex and global and as the sector continues to develop and grow, more significant opportunities arise for unprincipled practice. Further, catering to rising consumption and the resultant increased demand for Halal products and services means consumers in Halal supply chains are particularly vulnerable to fraud, adulteration and unwitting contamination as global demand outstrips supply. Certification and its associated …

Development Of Gelatin From Halal And Alternative Sources: A Review, Farhani Ahmad, Musfirah Azmi, Nurhamieza Md Huzir, Norhidayu Muhamad Zain

Nusantara Halal Journal

Gelatin is a common ingredient used in various industrial sectors including food and beverage, cosmetic, pharmaceutical as well as biomedical. Due to inexpensive processing cost and shorter processing time, porcine becomes the main source of gelatin. Thus, the application of this ingredient creates several problems especially issues related to its halal status among Muslim community. The present study aims at reviewing the development of gelatin from halal sources and their potential as alternatives to substitute the sources of non-halal gelatins. The applications of gelatin in food industry and the current issues on halal gelatin have been discussed in detail. The …

A Visual-Cultural Study Of The Paisley Motif And Its Application In Contemporary Scarf Design, Reham A. Sanad

Journal of Art, Design and Music

This study aimed to explore a significant source of inspiration in textile and fashion design, originating as an Indo-Persian design motif and becoming widespread through mass production in Europe, namely “Paisley”.  The paisley motif, in the shape of a teardrop, originating in Persia and popularised in 19th-century Scotland, represents life and eternity, showcasing a rich cultural legacy. This concept is investigated visually in the current study by examining its potential to sustain in the field of fashion and textiles. Historically, scarves symbolised status in ancient Egypt and were used in religious contexts in Eastern cultures, proving unique and deep roles …

The Communicative Impact Of Political Dress Culture On Contemporary Fashion Styles In Nigerian, Afeez Babatunde Siyanbola, Akinmoye Oluwambe, Adebayo Abiodun Adeloye, Evelyn Omotunde Adepeko, Festus O. Uzzi

Journal of Art, Design and Music

This study examines the communicative impact of political dress culture on contemporary fashion style in Nigeria. Nigerian society places importance on what one wears, how one dresses and when one wears a particular garment, which is often an expression of social affiliation and other influences. The power of dress is evident in the political perception of uniformity in the appearance of a particular group of people. This study highlights the richness and originality of Nigerian socio-cultural heritage and its influence on contemporary fashion style. The study highlights the influence of different cultures, ethnicity and religious affiliation on Nigerian political dress …

Sustainable Synthesis Of Low-Fire Metallic Luster Glazes From Local Qena Clays Without Reduction Firing, Rasha Fawzy Ahmed Abd-Elrahim, Ebrahim Dosouky Abd-Elmawgoud Soliman

Journal of Art, Design and Music

This study explores the development of a low-fire metallic luster glaze without employing traditional reduction firing techniques, utilizing locally sourced clays from Qena, Egypt. The research aimed to formulate an environmentally friendly and cost-effective glaze by harnessing the natural chemical composition of agricultural, marl, and Nile clays. Through three structured experimental phases, various combinations of fluxing agents (lead oxide and borax), metal oxides (MnO2, CuO, Cr2O3, AgNO3, CuCO3, Bi2O3), solvents (water- and oil-based), and glaze modifiers (potassium feldspar and wood ash) were systematically tested. The results revealed that manganese oxide, especially in combination with lead oxide, consistently produced a glassy …

The Technical Capabilities Of Traditional Methods And 3d Modeling In Ceramic Mold Manufacturing: An Experimental Comparative Study, Ebrahim Dosouky Abd-Elmawgoud Soliman, Rasha Fawzy Ahmed Abd-Elrahim

Journal of Art, Design and Music

Ceramic mold-making stands at the intersection of artistic heritage and technological innovation, prompting the present study to investigate the technical capabilities of traditional methods versus modern three-dimensional (3D) modeling in ceramic mold manufacturing. The research addresses the core problem of evaluating how each approach meets the demands of contemporary ceramic production in terms of precision, efficiency, cost, and design complexity. Aimed at Comparative The Technical Capabilities of Traditional Methods and 3D modeling in ceramic mold manufacturing. The significance of this work lies in its dual contribution: theoretically enriching the field of ceramic art through a systematic comparative analysis, and practically …

Processing Freehand Interior Architecture Sketches Using Ai Applications, Khaled M. Zaki Hawas

Journal of Art, Design and Music

The intersection of interior architecture design and artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how designers perceive, inhale, and implement their ideas. One of the most exciting developments in this field is the use of artificial intelligence to process interior architecture design drawings. Handmade sketches have always been an essential tool for designers, allowing them to visualize ideas and spaces and transfer concepts. However, the transition from drawing to final design can be time-consuming and challenging. AI applications are now intervening to streamline this process, providing designers with powerful tools to boost creativity, improve accuracy, and speed up workflows. With the advent of …

The Role Of Robot Aesthetics In User Acceptance: Examining Anthropomorphism, Color, And Form In Smart Home Environments, Aya M. Abd-El Gawad Mahmoud Gouda, Salwa A. El Garib, Hany M. El-Said

Journal of Art, Design and Music

This study examines how the aesthetic features of domestic robots—such as shape, color, proportions, and materials—impact user acceptance in smart home environments. A quantitative survey with 80 participants of varying ages and genders assessed emotional responses including comfort, trust, and connection with different robot designs. Results showed that robots with moderately human-like and friendly appearances generated more positive emotional reactions, suggesting a balance between aesthetics and functionality is essential. Key design elements enhancing attractiveness and usability were identified, offering practical guidelines for robot design. This research contributes to Human-Robot Interaction by integrating emotional, functional, and aesthetic factors, emphasizing the unique …

Innovative Designs For One-Piece Clothing Inspired By The Textures And Color Of Textile Structures, Macramé And Carpet Stitches, Fatma M. Ahmed, Maysa M. Reda, Heba A. Abd El-Aziz, Ahmed G. Hassabo, Hanan A. Othman

Journal of Art, Design and Music

Social ideals and youth curiosity shape fashion. Technology aids product design, balancing form and function. New designs in kids' garments are important for fashion. Computers can swiftly alter images and designs, switch between apps, and have a broad vision, making them ideal for developing one-piece textile prints. They help designers connect one-piece textile printing to production engineering standards with simple accuracy and visibility. Polyester was tested for textile printing. Transfer printing sublimated and thermofixed the ink from paper to polyester fiber. Design research examined how wool and cotton threads affect non-woven fabric structures (macrame). The design experiment examined the interdependence …