Digital Commons Network^™

The Prospector, March 3, 2026, Utep Student Publications

The Prospector

No abstract provided.

Ucc Agenda 3-3-26, Angela Brock

UCC Agendas/Minutes

No abstract provided.

Approved Programs 3-3-26, Angela Brock

Programs Committee (PC)

No abstract provided.

Balancing Work And Life: Barriers And Facilitators For Working Caregivers Of Adults With Parkinson's Disease, Natalie Hellmers, Amy Witkoski Stimpfel, Jason Fletcher, Victoria Vaughan Dickson

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

The purpose of this study was to explore family caregiver perspectives on the barriers and facilitators to work-life balance while caring for adults with Parkinson’s Disease. A convergent mixed methods design was used. An adapted version of the Work-Life Conflict Model by Greenhaus and Beautell guided the study. Participants were recruited through Parkinson's Disease support groups. Formal, paid caregivers were excluded from the study. Forty family caregivers completed surveys such as the Work-Life Balance survey, Job Content Questionnaire, Zarit Burden Interview and other measures on stress, wellbeing, and quality of life. Following completion of surveys, the same forty caregivers participated …

Virtual Journal Club- A Strategy To Improve Evidence Translation And Peer Collaboration, Rachel E. Wood, Joy Huston

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Nurses are a critical component of the healthcare delivery system, weaving together science, critical thinking, empathy, compassion, and empowerment to deliver relational, expert care (Wood et al., 2023). To translate current evidence into practices that transform healthcare, nurses need to have confidence in their ability to access, evaluate, and integrate evidence. To provide compassionate, relational care, nurses themselves need to be well. This project sought to address both goals: transforming healthcare delivery by improved nurse wellbeing through peer collaboration and enhanced confidence in evidence-based practice (EBP) skills.

EBP is the intentional use of current, relevant research combined with sound clinical …

March 2026 Faculty Senate Packet, University Of Nebraska At Kearney Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Packets

No abstract provided.

Robots, Ledgers, And Revpar: A Blockchain-Enabled Ai–Robotics Conceptual Model For Sustainable Hotel Revenue And Asset Management, Leonard A. Jackson

Faculty Articles

Introduction: Robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) are rapidly reshaping hospitality by automating frontline and back-of-house processes, augmenting service encounters, and expanding the analytical scope of revenue management. Yet, existing research remains fragmented: service-robot studies largely emphasize adoption and human–robot interaction, while revenue-management research prioritizes pricing and distribution, sustainability research focuses on environmental practices, and hotel real-estate scholarship foregrounds governance and asset value. Meanwhile, blockchain technologies—through distributed ledgers, smart contracts, digital identity, and tokenization—offer a complementary trust and value-transfer layer that can address coordination and verification problems across hotel ecosystems (e.g., data sharing, sustainability claims, and owner–operator contracting).

Methods: Drawing on …

A New Strain-Crystallizable Rubber Via Neodymocene-Catalyzed Regio-, Stereo-, And Sequence-Selective Copolymerization Of Isoprene And Ethylene, Li Jia, Lei Zhu, Zhenxing Chen, Jingqing Lyu

University Research

An ansa-neodymocene catalyst previously reported in the literature has been identified to catalyze the title copolymerization to afford poly(1,4-trans-isoprene–ethylene) with 95% selectivity for the major microstructure. Such structural regularity is minimally required for the rubbery product, dubbed isoprene–ethylene rubber (IER), to exhibit prominent strain-induced crystallization (SIC) at 0 °C. The mechanical properties of IER rival those of natural rubber when SIC occurs. The unit cell of the strain-induced crystals is monoclinic with a = 2.21 nm, b = 0.72 nm, c = 1.30 nm, and β = 110.8°. Each unit cell is estimated to contain 12 chains in the ac …

Pharmacologic And Oncohistone Inhibition Of Setd2 Converge On Genomic Instability, Alyssa T Paparella, Ashley G Boice, In Young Park, Rajkishor Nishad, Durga Tripathi, Seth A Nelson, Edward W Pietryk, H Josh Jang, Ian J Frew, W Kimryn Rathmell, Frank M Mason, Cristian Coarfa, Ruhee Dere, Cheryl Lyn Walker

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background/objectives: SETD2 is a dual-function methyltransferase important for methylation of histone H3 at lysine 36 and α-tubulin in spindle microtubules. Genetic inactivation of SETD2 during oncogenesis drives loss of H3K36me3, genomic instability, and cancer progression. This study asked if disruption of genomic stability was a canonical feature of SETD2 inactivation via different pathways.

Methods: We evaluated the impact of EPZ-719, a pharmacologic SETD2 inhibitor, and an H3.3K36M mutant histone ("oncohistone") that binds and sequesters SETD2, on methylation activity and genomic stability in human cell lines. SETD2 activity was measured using in vitro methylation assays, H3K36me3 loss confirmed by Western analysis, …

Pregnancy, Cancer, And Radiation-A Modern Refresher, Kelly Kisling, Sandra M Meyers, Rebecca Milman, Susan Richardson, Christina Chapman, Justine Dupere, Grace Eliason, Suzanne Evans, Titania Juang, Young Lee, Jeffrey Masten, Julia Maues, Rachel Newman, Mike Silosky, Catherine Song, Catheryn Yashar, Sara Thrower

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cancer occurs in ∼1 per 1000 pregnancies; thousands of patients may require radiation procedures for diagnosis and treatment each year in the United States alone. This rare but high-risk scenario, coupled with fear of radiation, has created ambiguity in the ideal management of pregnant patients. Without a comprehensive guide for the use of radiation in imaging and treatment for pregnant cancer patients, it is difficult for providers to offer optimal patient-centered care without introducing disparities. The goal of this paper is to provide guidance on the use of radiation for screening, diagnosis, staging, and treatment of cancer, while highlighting gaps …

Inductive Transducers For Measuring Vibrations, S.F. Amirov, A.Kh. Sulliev, A.A. Shoimkulov

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

A new design of an induction transducer has been developed for measuring linear and torsional vibrations in different directions with high sensitivity by constructing an inertial element consisting of four mutually perpendicular sectors and making the masses of two adjacent sectors different from the masses of the other two adjacent sectors. By constructing an inertial element in the form of a sector with two mutually diametric magnetic cores and different masses, and placing it between the horizontal and vertical axes, a design of an induction transducer has been developed that highly sensitively measures linear and torsional vibrations in different directions, …

Prevalence And Characteristics Of Workplace Violence Towards Healthcare Workers In Primary Healthcare Settings In Muscat, Oman, Manar Al Sanaa Ali Al Zeedi, Bishara Hamed Al Maamari, Khadija Saleh Alghammari, Aisha Rashid Al Mufarrji, Nahid Saif Al Hasni, Rahma Yaqoob Al Shuhaimi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Workplace violence (WPV) is a growing occupational health concern, with healthcare workers (HCWs) particularly at risk. While high rates of WPV towards HCWs have been reported in emergency and psychiatry settings in Oman, little is known about its prevalence in primary care. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of WPV towards HCWs in primary care settings in Muscat, Oman. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between November and December 2024 in Muscat's primary health centres using the validated Workplace Violence in the Health Sector Country Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses (Chi-square and logistic regression) were …

Place And Time: Interrogating The Spatial And Temporal Patterns Of Social Vulnerability In Tennessee, Max Bangham Dixon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Social vulnerability is essential for research and as a framework in disaster management. Despite a common understanding that social vulnerability is spatially and temporally variable, the ways in which it is variable are not well understood. This research examines the dynamic nature of social vulnerability through two indices (SoVI and SVI) at a census tract-level using Fuzzy-C Means clustering and spatial analyses. Drivers of vulnerability are examined to understand what influences place-based vulnerability and discover how those drivers vary across space. Findings suggest that Fuzzy-C Means clustering is effective in creating interpretable groups of vulnerability indicators that are consistent with …

Youmatter: A Nursing Workforce Study, Stacy L. Pryor

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The sustainability and health of the nursing profession are immediate and pressing concerns. Despite decades of research, nurses continue to struggle with high levels of stress and burnout, raising concerns about patient safety and error risk. One in 10 patients is estimated to experience an adverse patient event, with half being preventable, underscoring the need to understand the factors that affect stress among nurses and the subsequent risk of adverse patient events. This dissertation has the following aims: 1) to evaluate whether cognitive failure risk that could lead to an adverse patient event was associated with subjective measures of stress, …

Physical And Chemical Study Of Interaction In The Urea–Valine System For The Creation Of Modified Liquid Nitrogen Fertilizers, Suvonkul Erkhanovich Nurmonov, Saydullo Khamidovich Azimov

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This study reports the results of a comprehensive physicochemical investigation of the urea–L-valine binary system, conducted to validate its potential as a modified base for liquid nitrogen fertilizers.

By utilizing the methods of isomolar series, visual-polythermal analysis, X-ray phase (XRD) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD), synchronous thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), and FT-IR spectroscopy, it was determined that the interaction between components in both aqueous solutions and the solid phase results in the formation of molecular associates stabilized by hydrogen bonds, without the formation of new stoichiometric compounds.

The concentration and temperature limits of the system's stability were defined, revealing a reduction …

Analysis Of The Carbonization Process Of Ammoniated Brine In Ammonia-Soda Production, Nadirbek Rustambekovich Yusupbekov, Djalolitdin Paxritdinovich Mukhitdinov, Fotima Faxritdinovna Iskhakova

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

The work provides an analytical review of the current state of modeling and controlling the carbonization process of ammoniated brine. It analyzes modern methods of mathematical, simulation, and intelligent modeling of heat and mass transfer, hydrodynamics, carbonation kinetics, and crystallization. The paper considers the potential of using digital twins, neural network models, fuzzy logic devices, and hybrid models to improve forecasting accuracy and the adaptability of process solutions. Modern carbonation process control strategies are also considered. A detailed analysis is provided of predictive control (MPC), neuro-fuzzy controllers, decentralized and multivariate control systems that ensure stable column operation under disturbances, optimize …

The Main Errors Of The Ultrasonic Sensor In Measuring Water Flow In Open Channels, Anvar Urolovich Djalilov

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This article analyzes the use of ultrasonic sensors in measuring water flow and the main errors that may occur in this process. In the conducted scientific research, a time-pulse ultrasonic sensor was tested. The absolute, relative and repeatability errors of the sensor during water flow measurement were studied. The absolute error represents the largest difference between the value recorded by the sensor and the real value, affecting the overall accuracy of the measurement system. This error can vary depending on environmental factors, the design and operating principles of the sensor. During the experiment, the performance of this sensor was …

Pid Control For Lower Limb Exoskeletons: A Framework Evaluation, Javlonbek Rakhmatillaev, Vytautas Bučinskas

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This research provides a detailed guideline for implementing and evaluating Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) control frameworks in lower limb rehabilitation exoskeleton robotics. It examines the role of control systems within rehabilitation robotics, outlines the principles of PID control, describes exoskeleton architecture, explores applications of PID control, reviews optimization strategies, presents experimental validations, and considers future developments in the field. The proposed control framework incorporates aspects of mechanical design, actuator and sensor selection, and PID-based control algorithms, thereby promoting safe, accurate, and individualized rehabilitation support. Recommendations and effective guidance for future work are also presented.

Review Of Modern Methods For Identification, Forecasting, And Intelligent Control Of Wastewater Biological Treatment Processes, Mirkhalil Agzamovich Ismailov, Boburbek Zokirjon O'G'Li Mannobjonov

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This article presents a comprehensive review of contemporary approaches to the automation and intelligent control of wastewater biological treatment processes. Particular emphasis is placed on the digitalisation of wastewater treatment plants, ranging from the implementation of automated process control systems (APCS/SCADA-based solutions) to the application of predictive algorithms and the development of digital twins of bioreactors.

Special attention is devoted to mathematical models that underpin the control of bioprocesses. The evolution of the most widely used activated sludge models—ASM1, ASM2d, and ASM3—is examined, as these models describe key processes such as microbial community growth, nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus removal. It …

Scenario-Based Economic Valuation Of Forest Carbon Sequestration In Nepal: Implications For Redd+ (2030–2050), Gita Bhushal, Pankaj Lal

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Land use and land cover (LULC) change strongly influences national carbon dynamics and the effectiveness of forest-based climate mitigation strategies, particularly in mountainous developing countries. This study integrates scenario-based LULC modeling, spatially explicit carbon accounting, and economic valuation to assess how alternative development pathways affect carbon storage and its economic value in Nepal over the 2020–2050 period. LULC projections for four scenarios: Business-as-Usual (BAU), Rapid Urban Development (RUD), Forest Degradation and Terai Contraction (FDTC), and Agricultural Land Abandonment and Ecological Recovery (ALER), were generated using the TerrSet Land Change Modeler, with 2020 as the baseline. These projections were then used …

Investigating Confounding Factors In Shear Wave Speed Measurements Of Fibrotic Liver Tissues: A Computer Simulation Study, Emily J. Miller, Yongmei Jin, Jingfeng Jiang

Michigan Tech Publications

Screening patients with liver fibrosis and identifying those at risk of developing advanced liver fibrosis is of clinical interest. Shear wave elastography (SWE), a promising non-invasive screening tool used to distinguish healthy tissue from diseased tissue, measures tissue shear wave speed (SWS) to describe tissue stiffness and identify liver fibrosis. However, considerable variations in the reported results have been found. We propose that the heterogeneity of the liver tissue background, such as the presence of fatty liver tissue and the preferred local orientation of the scarred fibrotic liver tissues embedded into the liver parenchyma, may contribute to the uncertainty in …

Review On Data Privacy And Security For Iot-Based Multifunctional Layers Of Cyber-Physical Systems In Smart Grids, Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, Md Mehedi Hasan, Nabeel Al-Qirim, Siti Norul Huda Sheikh Abdullah, Shayla Islam, Md Abdur Razzaque

All Works

Smart grid cyber-physical systems (SG-CPS) are intelligent platforms that incorporate IoT-enabled multifunctional layers including the physical, perception, communication, cyber, and application layers. It includes supervisory control and data acquisition, wide-area measurement systems, and advanced metering infrastructure for remote data aggregation, monitoring, and control operations. From an environmental perspective, these green technologies support two-way operations, which generate and transmit data over wired and wireless communication systems. However, this critical infrastructure faces data privacy and cybersecurity challenges. Hence, extensive research is required to address data privacy and security gaps to strengthen national grid cybersecurity and reduce economic losses. Therefore, this review highlights …

Mostly Haunted: A Socio-Spatial Analysis Of Ghost Tourism In England And Wales, Tom Clark, Joseph O. Baker, Christoper D. Bader

Sociology Faculty Articles and Research

There is now a well-established literature on ghost tourism. However, much of this work examines aspects associated with the demand side of the industry, or the motivations and experiences of consumers. There are currently no studies that have sought to explore the supply of ghost tourism and the spatial, social, and economic relationships that exist between these places. Using Lower Tier Local Authorities (LTLAs) in England and Wales as the units of analysis, this study draws on a bespoke range of local government and Census data to examine the prevalence of ghost tourism and explore how these sites are differentiated …

Circulating Ketone Bodies And Incident Cardiovascular Outcomes And Mortality: Insights From The Uk Biobank, Parag Anilkumar Chevli, Saeid Mirzai, Richard Kazibwe, Jeff Kingsley, Alexis C Wood, Joseph Yeboah, Leandro Slipczuk, Anurag Mehta, Harpreet S Bhatia, Ambarish Pandey, Michael D Shapiro

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Ketone bodies (KB) are endogenous energy sources synthesized by the liver in response to metabolic stress. Their associations with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), heart failure (HF), and mortality and their potential beneficial or harmful effects have yet to be determined. This study aimed to examine the association between KB and incident cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in a large general population cohort free from ASCVD and HF at baseline.

Methods: This analysis included 90 987 participants (mean age 56.4 ± 8.1 years; 54.7% women) from the UK Biobank without prevalent ASCVD or HF. KB were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance …

Fusing Channel State Information And Computer Vision In An Agentic Ai Workflow For Accurate Human Activity Recognition And Crisis Prevention, Vishnu S. Pendyala, Milind Patil

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

This paper presents a novel multimodal framework for Human Activity Recognition (HAR) in homes that combines Channel State Information (CSI) from WiFi access points with visual data from camera images. This approach introduces a dual-stream classification pipeline that leverages a Transformer-based deep learning model for processing CSI features and a computer vision model based on a fine-tuned Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for image-based activity classification. To enable autonomous decision-making, an agentic AI module based on the Falcon Large Language Model (LLM) has been incorporated, which fuses predictions from both modalities through a reasoning-driven mechanism. This integrated system is capable of …

Sex Differences In The Association Between Childhood Cyberbullying Victimization And College Sexual Assault: Moderating Roles Of Parental Monitoring And Relationship With Deviant Peers, Jungup Lee, Debra Patterson, Na Youn Lee, Jinyung Kim, Stephen J. Tripodi, Hyunkag Cho

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

This study explores sex differences in the relationship between childhood cyberbullying victimization (CCBV) and young adult sexual assault experiences and the potential moderating roles of childhood parent monitoring and deviant peer association on the relationship. A total of 356 college students aged 19–25 in the US participated in the online survey. The results indicated that CCBV was associated with an increased risk of college sexual assault victimization for both males and females. A significant moderating effect of childhood parental monitoring and deviant peer association was found between the association between CCBV and college sexual assault victimization for female students only.

Comparative Antibacterial Efficacy Of Povidone-Iodine, Citric Acid, And Starch: A Study Of Combined Activity And Interference Effects Against Clinically Relevant Bacteria, Falah Hasan Obayes Al-Khikani, Mustafa Mutar Trrad, Ali Abedulameer Alhusayni

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Povidone-iodine and citric acid are widely used antimicrobial agents. However, data on their comparative efficacy and the functional outcomes of their combination, particularly regarding the influence of common excipients like starch, is limited. Understanding these interactions is crucial for optimizing antiseptic formulations. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the antibacterial activity of povidone-iodine, citric acid (5% and 20%), and starch (5% and 20%), both individually and in combination, against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial activity of the agents was assessed using an agar well diffusion assay. Mean inhibition zone …

Self-Aware Quantum-Inspired Routing Framework For 6g And Quantum Networks, Haitham M. Abdelghany, Mohamed M. Ashour

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This paper introduces a quantum-hybrid-aware routing framework that incorporates the concepts of quantum computing with meta-cognitive learning to improve adaptability, reliability, and awareness in dynamic quantum networks. The proposed system accommodates a new IoT, edge computing and 6G system, where routing schemes should be flexible and robust and have cross-topology functionality. Conventional methods of quantum reinforcement learning can be characterized by a trade-off between exploration and decision stability. To cope with this, the proposed self-aware hybrid architecture is a combination of quantum-enhanced learning and a meta-cognitive awareness layer to allow autonomous agents to monitor performance and adjust routing strategies on …

The Effect Of Polyester And Lycra Loop Lengths On The Recovery Properties Of Single Jersey Knitted Fabrics, Abdelmonem Fouda, Moaaz Eldeeb

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Knitted fabrics are well known for their comfort due to their ability to elongate in the wale direction at the expense of the course direction, and vice versa. However, they lack dimensional stability, especially single jersey knitted fabrics. To address this issue, Lycra threads have recently been incorporated into their production to improve shape recovery after stress is released. Despite this enhancement, the fabric does not fully return to its original shape, highlighting the need to measure this phenomenon accurately. This study aims to firstly: simulate the production of a frame designed to measure the recovery and elongation of knitted …

Enhancement Of Thermal Energy Storage In Solar Water Heating Systems Through Phase Change Materials, Firas Basim Ismail, Chye Ming Da, Salih Meri Al-Absi, Kumail Abdulkareem Hadi Al-Gbui, Muayad M. Maseer

Terra Joule Journal

This study numerically investigates the integration of a paraffin-based phase change material (PCM) into a solar water heating system (SWHS) to enhance thermal energy storage and system efficiency. A flat-plate solar collector coupled with a PCM-assisted water storage tank was designed using SolidWorks and simulated in ANSYS Fluent employing a three-dimensional transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. The melting and solidification behavior of the PCM was modeled using the enthalpy–porosity technique, while conjugate heat transfer between the collector, working fluid, and PCM was fully resolved. Solar heat input was applied as a uniform heat flux boundary condition, and temperature-dependent thermophysical …