Digital Commons Network^™

Robot Path Planning By Reinforcement Learning Based On Sac3q-Hdm, Dequan Li, Wan Xiong

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: To address the issues of overestimated and underestimated biases, low sample utilization rate, and the inability to balance exploration and exploitation in reinforcement learning for path planning, an improved SAC method was proposed. The size balance of entropy was explored and utilized through adaptive temperature coefficient adjustment; on the basis of the SAC framework, a triple Critic architecture was introduced to dynamically weight and fuse the minimum and average values through Qvalue uncertainty, balancing overestimated and underestimated biases. A mixed dynamic sampling experience replay buffer was designed; experience data was partitioned based on reward thresholds; sampling ratios were dynamically …

Nerf Optimization Method And Simulation Research Based On Pre-Training And Differentiable Fuzzy Modeling, Yunjng Zhang, Minghui Yang, Hao Wang

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: To address the challenges of significant geometric modeling errors, severe detail loss, and low training efficiency in neural radiance field(NeRF) reconstruction under defocused blurred input scenarios, this paper proposes two optimization strategies. One strategy is introducing Triplane features generated by the pre-trained LRM as prior knowledge, and combining a lightweight decoder and directional LoRA module to replace large MLP, thereby reducing parameters and shortening convergence time. The second strategy is integrating a differentiable blurring model into the volumetric rendering step. By jointly optimizing the radiation field and spatially variable blurring kernels, reconstruction accuracy under defocused blurred scenarios is enhanced …

Comprehensive, Multidisciplinary Care For Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome, James A. Bourgeois, Andrea Schneider, Jessica Klusek Ph.D., Ccc-Slp, Thomas R. Christensen, Ellie Levin, Kendall Gardner, Ariel A. Jacobi, Randy J. Hagerman

Faculty Publications

Objective: 

The authors reviewed the pathophysiology, clinical genetics, phenotype, and comprehensive clinical management of Fragile X-associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS), a neurodegenerative disorder affecting FMR1 premutation carriers (55–200 CCG repeats).

Participants: 

A multispecialty and multidisciplinary team of authors with backgrounds in psychiatry, pediatrics, clinical psychology, speech and language pathology, and neurosciences.

Evidence: 

Review of English language sources on the clinical phenomenology, genetics, pathophysiology, and clinical management of FXTAS from 2001 (the original report) through 2025, with emphasis on the general medical, psychiatric, and neurological features of FXTAS and its multispecialty and multidisciplinary clinical management.

Consensus process:

All authors contributed to the …

Outcomes Of Lumbar Fusion Surgery In Isthmic Versus Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Pavlos Texakalidis, Stavros Matsoukas, Constantine L. Karras, Christopher S. Ahuja, Najib El Tecle, Tyler R. Koski, Nader S. Dahdaleh

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

Lumbar spondylolisthesis can cause a significant disability due to back and lower extremity pain. Degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) and isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS) are the two most common types. DS results from arthritic changes and degenerative disc disease, whereas IS occurs secondary to a pars interarticularis defect. This study compared surgical outcomes between IS and DS. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Twenty studies comprising 3136 patients were included (DS: 1944; IS: 1192). No differences were identified in terms of estimated blood loss (mean difference [MD]: 5.79, 95% …

Testing Dobbs’S Democracy Premise: Can State Constitutions Be Amended To Reflect Popular Opinion On Abortion?, Isabel Sperber

Duke Law Journal

When the Supreme Court eliminated a federal constitutional right to abortion in Dobbs v. Jackson, it relied in significant part on the notion that abortion is an issue best left to the political process. Abortion has since become a main character in the national political conversation, with state legislatures around the United States embracing a wave of abortion-related legislation. The shifting landscape of abortion rights is not limited to the legislative process; voters are increasingly relying on state constitutional amendments to replace the protections previously provided by the federal Constitution. Political actors point to these amendments, typically enacted through a …

Assessment Of Residents’ Knowledge, Attitude And Perception Of Climate Change Issues In Ibadan South West Local Government, Oyo State, Nigeria, Samson Olanrewaju, Samuel Oyeniyi, Sola Atoyebi, Modupeola Okubena, Chinedu Abazu, Emeka Adibe

Cities and the Environment (CATE)

This study examines residents’ knowledge, attitude, and behavioural responses to the impacts of climate change in Ibadan South West Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. It evaluates residents’ awareness of climate change, analyses their behavioural responses to climate change impact, and identifies household characteristics that influence knowledge, attitude, and perception of climate change in the area. The study utilised a mixed-methods research approach, using such instruments as questionnaire administration and interviews. The study employed a multistage sampling technique where a total of seven (7) Enumeration Areas (EAs) were selected, and 206 questionnaires were administered to residents of the area. These …

Thermal Inequities In Public Parks And Open Spaces In Los Angeles Determined By Remote Sensing, Ashley Agatep, Joshua B. Fisher, Kainani Tacazon, Ambar Rivera, Rossmery Zayas, Reginald Archer, Juan Carlos Ruiz Malagon, Jason A. Douglas

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Urban heat island (UHI) effects are amplified by disparities in community-level cooling infrastructure—such as urban public parks and open spaces (PPOS)—with the most severe impacts occurring in communities that lack sufficient city-wide cooling resources. We found that the underserved community of South Los Angeles, as compared to their neighboring West Los Angeles counterparts, suffers a double burden of inequitable (1) access to and (2) absence of cooling materials and surfaces within these spaces, resulting in significantly hotter temperatures. Identifying these inequities requires high-resolution temporal and spatial mapping of surface temperatures, which has been previously limited. In this community-based participatory research …

Speciation Of Inorganic Arsenic In Oxic And In Reducing Groundwaters Using The As(V)-Selective Impas Resin, Martijn Eikelboom, Jay Bullen, Peter S.K. Knappett, Trevor Ferris, Matthieu Carriere, Alexandra Alvarez, Dario Omanovic, Subhamoy Bhowmick, Aaron Torres Huerta, Ramon Vilar, Jack N. Turney, Paul Lewtas, Dominik Weiss, Pascal Salaun

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Knowledge of arsenic inorganic speciation in groundwaters is critical for optimising water treatment approaches. Here, we characterise the on-site analytical performance of the As(V)-selective ImpAs ion-exchange resin to separate As(V) from As(III) in groundwater with contrasting redox conditions. Field speciation results obtained by ImpAs in the oxic, Fe-poor groundwaters of Guanajuato (Mexico) and in the reducing, Fe-rich groundwaters of West Bengal (India) agreed with voltammetry (slope of 0.91 ± 0.03, r = 0.99, p <  0.001, n = 21). Like for arsenic, oxyanions of Mo, V, U and Cr are retained by ImpAs but their reduced hydroxy forms are not. High As(V) extraction by ImpAs (>95%) was obtained in synthetic groundwater for hundreds of samples without any regeneration, highlighting negligible interactions of major anions such as sulfate, a major advantage over …

Beyond Borders: Exploring The Diversity, Practices, And Influences Of Feminism In Baguio City’S Contemporary Society, Patricia Josh Fate Alcantara, Asher Luis Cunan Badecao Iv, Clint Yuan Vista Castro, Alyza Faye Balbas Cutit, Naedaly Balagot David, Francesco Riane Bareng Pineda

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Historical research documents feminism's evolution from 19th-century suffrage movements to modern intersectional approaches. Though there are gaps in understanding how personal experiences and contexts, such as cultural and socio-economic, influence current feminist practice. This study investigates how lived experiences shape contemporary feminist engagement in Baguio City, Philippines. Using a descriptive phenomenological analysis of face-to-face interviews with a total of nine participants, the study identifies the following: results reveal generational divides, with younger participants developing progressive, digitally-informed feminist consciousness, while economic realities constrain activist participation for marginalized groups. Practical manifestations of feminism emerge through four daily practices: (1) conscious use of …

Reshaping Library Programming For Graduate Students Through Strategic Partnerships And Adaptation, Brian Vetruba, Caroyn Bishoff, Kate Peterson

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

In the wake of Covid-19, support structures dedicated to graduate student success at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMN) underwent dramatic shifts. Centralized in-person events for graduate students were discontinued, departmental identities strengthened, and library outreach responsibilities were reshaped by institutional changes, including a reduction of library staff. This panel examines how academic libraries can adapt and innovate with decreased capacity to meet the diverse needs of graduate students. Panelists will share strategies for expanding campus partnerships and sustaining and scaling initiatives that equip graduate students – especially first-year, international, and BIPOC students – with essential research skills and …

Diverging Diamond Interchanges Lessons Learned: Design Refinements And Performance, Nathaniel Shellhamer, Daniel Mccoy, Jack Gallagher

Purdue Road School

This presentation will share an overview of INDOT’s experience with the design of diverging diamond interchanges (DDIs). Specific discussion will focus on design refinements being made in the most recent DDIs in Indiana, as well as lessons learned from existing DDIs in the areas of geometrics, operations and performance, and human factors/driver behavior. We will also review case studies and before-and-after analyses of existing DDIs.

The Ministerial Exception And Defamation: Navigating Churches’ Autonomy And Their Communications, Zachary Runge

Pepperdine Law Review

In two recent cases, the Supreme Court has adopted what scholars and lower courts have called the “ministerial exception.” The Court only addressed the ministerial exception’s application to employment discrimination claims. But the Court did not foreclose the possibility of its application to other claims. This Comment argues that the ministerial exception applies to defamation claims arising out of a minister’s termination. After providing the background for the ministerial exception, this Comment explains the current state of the law. Then, this Comment argues that the ministerial exception, as a form of the church autonomy doctrine, applies to the defamation claims …

Corporate Governance As Bloodsport, Jeremy Kidd, George A. Mocsary

Pepperdine Law Review

The modern Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) movement promotes diversion of corporate assets from shareholders to “stakeholders.” This is done in the name of a corporate duty to society. But “successful” ESG efforts threaten the success of the corporate form by inviting rent-seeking. This conflict between ESG principles and established theories and norms of corporate law is difficult to resolve because corporate law lacks the tools needed to understand the type of collective decision-making that occurs in the corporate setting. This Article is the first to apply public choice economics—the economic study of collective decision-making—to corporate decision-making to identify the …

Ayahuasca And Religious Freedom, Andrew C. Michaels

Pepperdine Law Review

Ayahuasca is an ancient and powerful psychedelic brew that has been used for many centuries in the Amazon rainforest, and over past decades has been gaining popularity in western countries such as the United States. The ayahuasca brew contains dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and accordingly is banned by the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). But some groups working with ayahuasca have applied for exemptions under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), and so far, at least five such groups have received exemptions, either via court decision or via agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). However, the factors that courts and the DEA …

The Torch, Evangelical School Of Nursing Yearbook, 1964, Advocate Health - Midwest

Historical Documents - Combined

Evangelical School of Nursing, Chicago, IL: Evangelical School of Nursing Yearbook from 1964 called "The Torch".

From Research To Writing: How Collaboration Strengthens Thesis Preparation, Carly Mcleod, Ben Lee Taylor

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

Graduate students have unique learning needs that often require simultaneous support from multiple service areas to be successful. From navigating scholarly sources to developing strong academic writing skills, students benefit most when guidance is provided at critical points through intentional collaboration and shared expertise.

In response to a faculty request for supplementary workshops for mechanical engineering students, the Teaching and Learning unit within the library partnered with the Writing and Academic Skills Centre to design timely instruction that aligns with students’ academic goals as they enter the thesis preparation stage. Rather than delivering separate sessions, we recognized this would be …

Changing Mercy In Aotearoa New Zealand, Anna Nicholls Victoria University Of Wellington

Journal of Global Catholicism

This paper examines the evolving expression of Catholicity within the Mercy organization in Aotearoa New Zealand. It explores the impact of Vatican II, demographic shifts, and societal changes. Through interviews with lay leaders in Whānau Mercy Ministries, the religiosity, inclusive approach, and the tension between traditional Catholic identity and pluralism in the organization are explored. A pertinent discussion concerns how the organization uses a more secular portrayal of Catherine McAuley as a unifying figure for the religiously diverse audience. The author argues that while secularization influences the organization, it fosters human flourishing and community engagement, offering opportunities for growth rather …

Ancestral Rites And Tablets As A Site Of Contestation Between Confucian Filial Piety And Catholicism: The Cases Of Chinese Confucian Yan Mo And Korean Catholic Yun Ji-Chung, Mideum Hong

Journal of Global Catholicism

This essay examines how the Confucian practice of filial piety, particularly as expressed through ancestral rites and tablets, became a focal point of contention in the encounters between Confucianism and Catholicism. Focusing on the cases of the Chinese Catholic Yan Mo and the Korean Catholic martyr Yun Ji-chung, I argue that the different historical and cultural contexts in China and Korea significantly shaped how each figure understood and responded to the practice of ancestral rites. While Catholicism spread globally, local converts developed distinct theological interpretations rooted in their respective cultural traditions. Although Yan Mo and Yun Ji-chung reached divergent conclusions …

The Paradox Of Appropriation: A History Of Media Technology And Propaganda In Rwanda, 1900–1964, Claudia Brown

Journal of Global Catholicism

Scholars of the 1994 Rwandan genocide agree that media technology and propaganda played a role in mobilizing ordinary Rwandans in 1994 to commit genocide. Underappreciated in these inquiries is the history of the introduction of media technology and propaganda in Rwandan society by missionaries, technologies Rwandans later appropriated and applied to a pursuit of self-determination, but also in support of perpetrating genocide. A close examination of the social and political context of Rwanda’s colonial era and Catholic evangelism reveals a variety of motives for adopting propaganda as a strategy for evangelizing and rallying support for decolonization. This article casts light …

The Untameability Of The Sacred: Votive Traditions At Notre Dame De Lourdes And El Santuario De Chimayó, Gabrielle Bibeau

Journal of Global Catholicism

This article compares divergent votive practices at Notre Dame de Lourdes in France and El Santuario de Chimayó in New Mexico. Lourdes’ embrace of modern aesthetic values—simplicity, order, and functional clarity—has led to the removal and tight regulation of most ex-votos. By contrast, Chimayó’s roots in Latin American Baroque aesthetics, with its emphasis on abundance, drama, and hybridity, create space for a vibrant proliferation of offerings. Drawing on Jacques Rancière’s theory of aesthetics and politics as the “distribution of the sensible,” the article shows how aesthetic judgments intertwine with clerical power to curate, constrain, and authorize pilgrims’ access to the …

The Level Of Physical Activity And The Feeling Of Stress In Difficult Life Situations Among Refugees From Ukraine, Bartosz Gondek, Iwona Bonisławska, Milena Lachowicz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Russia's attack on Ukraine in February 2022 started the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II. In the face of danger, crowds of civilians decided to leave their homes and escape, among others, to Poland in search of shelter. Materials and methods: The research was conducted on groups of refugees from Ukraine who registered in the first days of the war in Sopot and Pruszcz Gdanski. The refugees came from Kharkov, Mariupol, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and western Ukraine (not involved in hostilities). People from the war zone areas mostly came with only hand luggage. The respondents were divided …

Rare Complications Of Chronic Rhinosinusitis Associated With Nasal Polyps And Osseous Metaplasia, Michael Ritz, Alaina Rubenacker-O’Dell, Faith Olson, Ilya Fonarov

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is typically a benign condition; however, osseous metaplasia (OM), skull base erosion, and intracranial extension are rare complications, especially in young patients. Reporting such cases is important to increase awareness of unusual presentations of CRSwNP and guide management. We report the case of an 18-year-old male with a history of asthma and prior polypectomy who presented with worsening frontal headaches, subtle visual changes, and right eye proptosis. Imaging revealed extensive pansinusitis with complete frontal sinus opacification, bony erosion of the anterior skull base, and evidence of intracranial and orbital extension. The patient underwent endoscopic …

Recurrent Pubic Osteomyelitis And Urosymphyseal Fistula In A Prostate Cancer Survivor: A Multidisciplinary Management Challenge, Peng Jhen Wu, Navin Sampathkumar, Tanmay Singh, Sonal Gandhi

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

A 67-year-old male with a history of prostate cancer, treated with prostatectomy and subsequent radiation for recurrence, presented with a complex clinical course of recurrent osteomyelitis and a persistent urosymphyseal fistula with associated phlegmon. Following stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for a T4 vertebral lesion, he developed pelvic osteomyelitis, from which Kocuria species was cultured. The progression of his disease led to a urosymphyseal fistula, necessitating a cystectomy with ileal conduit and pubic bone debridement. Despite this extensive surgical intervention, he presented one year later with recurrent ileal conduit phlegmon and osteomyelitis. This case highlights the significant diagnostic and management …

The Impact Of Social Determinants Of Health On Chronic Diseases: A Narrative Review, Farooq Hyder, Laraib Naeem Arain, Abdullah Ashraf, Abida Perveen, Hina Pervaiz

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disorders, and certain cancers are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While biological and behavioral factors contribute to their development, growing evidence indicates that social determinants of health (SDOH) play a fundamental role in influencing chronic disease outcomes. SDOH include socioeconomic status, education, employment, housing conditions, neighborhood environment, access to nutritious food, and availability of healthcare services. These factors not only shape individual health behaviors but also determine access to preventive care, disease management resources, and overall quality of life. Individuals and communities facing socioeconomic disadvantage are disproportionately affected by …

Diagnosis And Characterization Of Thyroid Dysfunction In Patients Evaluated In Primary Care In A Rural Zone Of Honduras, Javier Shafick Asfura, Travis Wesley Harris, Amanda Reeck, María Fernanda Chévez

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Background: Thyroid disorders are prevalent and frequently underdiagnosed in primary care, particularly in resource-limited rural areas. Their nonspecific symptoms complicate early recognition and treatment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and describe the clinical reasoning, diagnostic strategies, and laboratory findings among adults evaluated with TSH testing in rural Honduras. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at Hospital Loma de Luz in Balfate, Honduras. Adult patients aged ≥18 years who underwent diagnostic TSH testing between January 1, 2022, and January 31, 2023, were included. Patients with prior thyroid diagnoses or current pregnancy were …

Artificial Intelligence In Medicine: A Definition Of Terms, Teray Johnson, Melvin Blanchard

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

As artificial intelligence (AI) tools gain traction in clinical, operational, and administrative settings, healthcare professionals must develop a foundational understanding of key AI concepts to engage with these technologies responsibly and effectively. This perspective outlines essential AI terminology—such as machine learning, generative and agentic AI, large language models, artificial neural networks, and prompt engineering—paired with concrete clinical examples to illustrate their relevance in modern medical practice. By clarifying these terms and exploring their applications, this paper aims to equip healthcare leaders with the vocabulary and context necessary to evaluate, implement, and oversee AI systems within their organizations. Such literacy is …

What Would It Take To Compose The Ideal Library Dashboard As A 'Symphony' Of Library Data?, Evan Rusch, Heidi J. Southworth, Nat Gustafson-Sundell

Library Services Publications

Most areas of the library produce data informative about the scope and success of library services. Many areas use that data, but there might be a variety of approaches. In our library, we have developed online, interactive dashboards to understand the value of collections on our campus. Other library service areas might produce one-shot reports encapsulating their data, or they rely on analytics silos specific to their services. Our hope is to work toward a dashboard of all or most library services, possibly to include other learning services under the library roof. Instead of a ‘battle of the bands,’ we …

The Prospector, March 17, 2026, Utep Student Publications

The Prospector

No abstract provided.

Redesigning Outpatient Chemotherapy Scheduling: A Management Approach To Site-Integrated Operations, Dominick J. Morrone

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Outpatient infusion centers face persistent scheduling complexity driven by variable treatment durations, coordination between clinics, pharmacy lead times, and constrained staffing. This doctoral project develops and reviews a comprehensive framework for infusion scheduling transformation that integrates workforce role redesign, site‑level communication pathways, and data‑informed workqueue governance. Using a multi‑phase case at a large cancer center as an anchor, the framework specifies responsibilities across central schedulers, on‑site teams, medical coordinators, and nursing; details communication and escalation design (secure messaging and in‑basket use); and outlines training and proficiency tiers. The project synthesizes evidence from scheduling science and time-driven activity-based costing principles to …

Geology Lab Activities An Open Educational Resource For Community College Students And Instructors, Rondi Davies, Ari Nakamura

Open Educational Resources

I'm delighted to present the updated version of Geology Lab Activities, initially developed during the COVID-19 pandemic for online learning. As we have returned to the classroom, this revised edition remains a versatile educational tool for community college students, adaptable for both online and in-person classes.

This manual combines my preferred open-access materials with my own contributions, forming a cohesive resource for non-major geology students. Thanks to a CUNY OER grant, I partnered with graphic designer Ari Nakamura, whose innovative and elegant design has truly elevated the book.

Our labs are crafted to be engaging and relevant for non-major …