Digital Commons Network^™

Performance Analysis Of Ris-Empowered Ofdm-Im Communications Under Weibull Fading And Joint Tx/Rx I/Q Imbalance, Büşra Ceni̇kli̇oğlu, İbrahi̇m Develi̇, Ayşe Eli̇f Canbi̇len

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

A modernist technique, reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) provides outstanding signal reflection and amplification, making it highly valuable for upcoming communication systems. Besides, a major contributor is index modulation (IM), attaining superior spectral and energy efficiency, and achieving hardware sufficiency. The primary and novel contribution of this work is the derivation of a highly accurate, closed-form approximate expression for the average bit error rate (ABER) of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-IM system operating in the complex and challenging environment characterized by joint transmitter/receiver (Tx/Rx) in-phase and quadrature phase imbalance (IQI) and Weibull fading. This essential analytical achievement is facilitated by …

Clinical Practice Guideline To Improve Medication Adherence In Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd), Leroy Anagho

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, hyperarousal, and alterations in mood and cognition following exposure to traumatic events. Although evidence-based pharmacotherapy is a cornerstone of PTSD treatment, medication nonadherence remains a pervasive barrier to effective symptom management and functional recovery. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to develop an evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG) aimed at improving medication adherence in adults diagnosed with PTSD in outpatient psychiatric settings. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model and appraised through the AGREE II instrument, current …

Dating In The Digital Age: The Effects Of Parental Rejection, Rejection Sensitivity, And Self-Esteem Among Gender-Diverse Gen Z, Crystal Currie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Gen Z, the first digital-native cohort, faces unique challenges in forming romantic relationships, including heightened dating anxiety. While there is extensive research with previous generations on dating anxiety, self-esteem, and early rejection, no study has examined parental rejection, self-esteem, and dating anxiety collectively, particularly in consideration of gender diverse individuals and digital dating platform use. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine (a) predictors of dating anxiety and (b) whether parental rejection during childhood and rejection sensitivity influenced dating anxiety, as well as the role of self-esteem in mediating those predictor variables. The conceptual framework was the interpersonal …

Meshed Trees: A Framework For Resilient Network Algorithms And Protocols, Peter Willis

Theses

The continued growth of computer networks in both size and complexity presents challenges for the control protocols that are tasked with maintaining optimal data-forwarding paths. These protocols commonly rely on shortest-path algorithms to determine where network data should be propagated and how it should be analyzed for inclusion in forwarding tables. However, problems arise during reconvergence, the process in which devices rediscover optimal paths following a network failure. Because control protocols were built decades ago for the networks of that era, the existing shortest-path algorithms utilized were designed for problems before the advent of modern computer networks. This resulted in …

The Seed That Begot America: How Political Principles Of The Reformation Contributed To The American Founding, Gabriel Stisser

Senior Honors Theses

When teaching the American founding, the contemporary public-school curriculum tends to emphasize the influence of the thinkers from the antiquity and Enlightenment periods. However, the curriculum tends to neglect the impact that the Reformation had upon America's formation. Through a qualitative historical review, this study will analyze both primary and secondary sources to examine how Reformed ideals of the political covenant, limited government, and resistance to tyranny influenced the American founding. This analysis finds that the Reformed (sometimes called Calvinist) political ideals from the Reformation had a significant influence upon the formation of the New England colonies, the enlightenment figures …

Quality Improvement Project: Improving Providers’ Self-Efficacy In Facilitating Mat Usage Through Educational Training, Joshua W. Moore

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) are common diseases treated in detox facilities around the world. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the most effective treatment for OUD and AUD. Despite the need for MAT, many providers do not prescribe lifesaving medications due to a lack of knowledge and confidence. The purpose of this quality improvement project at a local detox facility is to answer the question: What effect on providers’ self-efficacy in facilitating MAT usage upon discharge does educational training have? Under the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), self-efficacy was targeted using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) change model. The aim …

The Impact Of Adverse And Positive Childhood Experiences And Moral Injury On Compassion Fatigue Among Law-Enforcement Officers And First-Responders, Kaylee Nesland

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

More than ever, United States law enforcement officers are overworked, under-trained, and exposed to a great deal of trauma. Societal pressure to display strength and resilience, as well as fears of judgement and loss of job security, inhibit law enforcement officers from accessing psychological treatment and support (Drew & Martin, 2021). Without mental health support in place, compassion fatigue reveals itself, ultimately causing hurt and damage to individuals in law enforcement and those they interact with. This study examined whether adverse or positive childhood experiences affect compassion fatigue among law enforcement officers. Participants of this study—current and historical law enforcement …

A Comprehensive Analysis Of Türkiye’S Beaches: Spatial Distribution, Morphometry, And Human Impacts, Muhammed Zeynel Öztürk, Berkay Yilmaz, Abdullah Soykan

Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

The classification and morphometric characteristics of beaches is crucial for understanding coastal dynamics, evaluating natural and anthropogenic pressures, and supporting effective coastal management and conservation strategies. This is particularly important for countries like Türkiye, where extensive and diverse coastlines play a key role in tourism, the economy, and ecological sustainability. This study presents the first comprehensive, nationwide inventory and characterisation of Türkiye’s beaches, encompassing its 8483 km coastline. Using satellite imagery, 6110 beaches were identified and classified according to environmental conditions, with analyses conducted on their morphological characteristics, sea boundaries, and provincial distributions. The results show that rocky coast and …

Comment On Proposed Mlsa Lay Advocacy Program, Brianne Holland-Stergar

Faculty Journal Articles & Other Writings

Montana faces a severe justice gap: nearly half of low-income residents have unmet civil legal needs, and rural counties lack attorneys. High costs, distance, and cultural barriers make traditional solutions ineffective. The Montana Legal Services Association proposes a Certified Lay Advocate Program to training community-based advocates to provide free, specialized legal help under supervision of a lawyer. This model, which has proven successful in Alaska and other states, is evidence-backed, expands access to the law, reduces costs, and delivers culturally competent assistance for critical issues like domestic violence and housing.

Improving Dynamic Balance And Gait Adaptation With Ischemic Conditioning Post-Stroke, Stephanie Christine Wolfe

Dissertations (1934 -)

The purpose of this dissertation was to quantify the benefits of ischemic conditioning on reactive balance responses and gait adaptation during treadmill walking in chronic stroke survivors. Reactive balance and gait adaptations are believed to be limited in this population. Ischemic conditioning is an emerging adjunct to physical therapy that improves motor function post-stroke via improvements in strength, voluntary muscle activation, walking speed, and fatigability. Here, we quantified how ischemic conditioning could impact performance of a more complex task: altering gait to meet various perturbing conditions. Specifically, we quantified mediolateral margin of stability in response to lateral cable pulls (both …

The Use Of Less-Lethal Force By Law Enforcement: A Legal Analysis Of Civil Liability Cases In The Use Of Bean Bags And Rubber Bullets In Policing, Kenneth Lomenzo, Joshua Rosenbaum, Nathan Cronin, Mason Meyers, Akramul Hasan

Journal of Criminal Justice and Law

The use of less-lethal weapons such as bean bag rounds and rubber bullets has become a prominent and controversial mark of contemporary policing. Although these munitions are designed to incapacitate without resorting to deadly force, their deployment has resulted in serious injuries, fatalities, and a growing body of litigation. This article examines how federal appellate courts have addressed such cases through a systematic legal content analysis of 16 decisions issued between 1999 and 2025. Each case involved a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment. The analysis considers judicial reasoning, liability outcomes, …

Regional Sustainability Gap Index (Rsgi): A White Paper, Rob Ogburn, Bill Provaznik, Keke Wu

Business & Community Services

The Regional Sustainability Gap Index (RSGI) is a new measure designed to assess whether a region is on a sustainable economic path for its residents. The index combines two components: Mi, which measures the current wage gap between a county and the most economically active county in the state, and Ri, which measures each county’s wage-growth trajectory relative to that same frontier county. Together, Mi and Ri reveal not only a region’s present wage altitude but also the direction in which that wage horizon is moving. In Washington State, Mi reflects the distance between a county’s median wages and King …

Assessing The Validity Of The Mental Health–Related Survey In Collegiate Student-Athletes, Lindsey Keenan, Zachary K. Winkelmann, Luis Torres, Yvette Ingram, Rachel Daltry

Department of Kinesiology Scholarship and Creative Works

Context

Mental health screenings are recommended during preparticipation physical examinations. The Mental Health–Related Survey (MHRS), a 9-item questionnaire adapted from the 18-item Mental Health Screening Form-III, is suggested in 3 consensus and/or position statements. However, there is no evidence on the effectiveness of the MHRS.

Objective

To assess the validity of the MHRS for mental health screening in collegiate student-athletes.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

University athletic program.

Patients or Other Participants

Five hundred fifteen National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II student-athletes (age = 20 ± 1 years).

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Participants completed the MHRS, the Patient Health Questionnaire for depression …

Examining Predictors Of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Participation Among Breast Cancer Patients: Insights From The Theory Of Planned Behavior, Maxine Rose Duncan, Maxine Rose Duncan

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The current study explored the factors influencing female breast cancer patients’ intentions to attend mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programs in Texas, utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as the guiding framework. MBSR is a widely recognized stress management intervention shown to improve psychological well-being, yet its adoption among this population remains limited. The current study specifically examined the relationships between attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control in predicting intentions to participate. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was employed, with 60 participants recruited via social media and support groups (see Appendix A). Data were collected using a validated TPB-based …

We Are Not Okay: Narratives Of Black Women Educators Working With Predominantly White Staff, Lindsay Charlotta Bussey

LMU Theses and Dissertations

Black women educators (BWEs) who worked in schools with a predominantly White staff endured environments that discouraged them from being themselves, oppressed their natural skill set, and limited their effectiveness. BWEs were not typically recognized for their pedagogical strengths and talents but rather only as racial minority representation in the school. This dissertation study’s two central research questions asked (a) how BWEs perceived the challenges and socio-emotional effects of working in school spaces with predominantly White staff and (b) what conditions were needed to be created for BWEs to heal and feel safe. This research utilized qualitative methods and focused …

Preserve The Harvest: Canning Goat Meat At Home, Callie Adams, Andrea Schmutz

All Current Publications

Due to its lean composition and nutritional profile similar to those of other tested meats, goat is well-suited for pressure canning. Follow USDA and Utah State University (USU) Extension altitude guidelines. This fact sheet provides guidelines for selecting high-quality meat, using proper equipment, and adhering to tested methods. Home canners can safely preserve goat meat and enjoy its benefits year-round.

Field Validation Of Multiple Species Distribution Models Shows Variation In Performance For Predicting Aedes Albopictus Distributions At The Invasion Edge, Anna V. Shattuck, Brandon D. Hollingsworth Ph.D., Jared Skrotzki, Scott R. Campbell, Christopher L. Romano, Courtney C. Murdock

Faculty Publications

Background

Climate and land use changes have resulted in range expansion of many species. In this shifting disease landscape, it is important to leverage tools that can predict the distributions of invading vectors to target surveillance and control efforts and identify at-risk populations. Species distribution models (SDMs) are used to predict ranges of invasive species; however, invasive species often violate assumptions of equilibrium and niche conservatism. Moreover, these studies are rarely validated using independent data.

Methods 

We use long-term surveillance data for Aedes albopictus, a highly invasive mosquito capable of transmitting several arboviruses, at its range edge to evaluate a …

Fpga-Based Takagi-Sugeno Fuzzy Controller For Quadrotor Uav Stabilization And Trajectory Tracking, Hocine Khati, Mohamed Amine Nehmar, Arezki Fekik, Mohand Achour Touat, Hand Talem, Rabah Mellah

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

This study presents the implementation of a fuzzy logic–based control system on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) for a quadrotor autonomous aerial vehicle (UAV). The objective is to design and integrate six Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy controllers to regulate roll, pitch, and yaw angles, along with longitudinal, latitudinal, and altitude movements, thereby stabilizing the UAV and enabling it to follow a desired trajectory. Due to the computational complexity of the six controllers, achieving the desired performance requires considerable processing time, which can adversely affect the quadrotor’s mission. Owing to their high processing power and operating frequency, FPGAs enable the control algorithm to …

Advances In Artificial Intelligence For Glioblastoma Radiotherapy Planning And Treatment, Reid Master, Nesha Rubin, James Sampson, Kamlesh K Yadav, Shruti Pandita, Aria Sabbagh, Anika Krishnan, Patrick J Silva, Kenneth S Ramos, Vincent Gregoire, Nikos Paragios, Sunil Krishnan, Tej K Pandita

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Glioblastoma is an aggressive central nervous system tumor characterized by diffuse infiltration. Despite substantial advances in oncology, survival outcomes have shown little improvement over the past three decades. Radiotherapy remains a cornerstone of treatment; however, it faces several challenges, including considerable inter-observer variability in clinical target volume delineation, dose constraints associated with adjacent organs at risk, and the persistently poor prognosis of affected patients. Recent advances in artificial intelligence, particularly deep learning, have shown promise in automating radiation therapy mapping to improve consistency, accuracy, and efficiency. This narrative review explores current auto segmentation frameworks, dose mapping, and biologically informed radiotherapy …

Preservice Teachers’ Preconception Of Student Voice In Their Teacher Education, Joan Belfon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A 2022 Jamaican education report highlighted that student-centered pedagogy is crucial to educational outcomes. A problem exists in that there is limited research on how student voice practices within student-centered pedagogy are incorporated into teacher training. Before preservice teachers’ praxis can be transformed, greater understanding of their preconceptions about student voice is essential. Guided by conceptual change theory, the purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the preconceptions of preservice teachers in rural central Jamaica about student voice in their teacher education. Eight preservice teachers preparing for the secondary level in three Jamaican higher education institutions were purposefully …

Exploring The Experiences Of Bahamian Men Diagnosed With Hypertension And Medication Adherence, Bianca Edwards

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hypertension (HTN) is associated with significant health complications, including stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and kidney disease. Despite advances in the treatment and management of HTN, a lack of medication adherence contributes to the persistence of HTN-related morbidity and mortality affecting men in The Bahamas. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study, guided by Pender’s health promotion model and Bandura’s social cognitive theory, was to explore the lived experiences of Bahamian men diagnosed with hypertension regarding their adherence to prescribed medications. Using Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological method, in-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 participants. Data were analyzed through repeated …

Organizational Leaders’ Effective Strategies For Using Employee Training To Mitigate Threats To Cybersecurity Compliance, Oluwaseye Adekunle Fadare

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Organizational leaders increasingly face challenges associated with employee noncompliance with cybersecurity controls, which expose business leaders to reputational and financial risks. Addressing this business problem is critical for cybersecurity leaders and business executives who aim to strengthen digital resilience and sustain profitability. The purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore effective strategies organizational leaders use to enhance employee cybersecurity compliance through training. The project was grounded in the protection motivation theory and total quality management frameworks, which provide insight into the behavioral and continuous improvement dimensions of cybersecurity management. Six cybersecurity leaders from Nigeria participated in semistructured interviews. …

Spartan Daily, November 25, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 165, Issue 39

Exploring The Link Between Emotional States And Coding Task Quality: A Pilot Study, Aquib Reshad, Valentina Nino, Maria Valero, Adriane Randolph, Yang Shi

Faculty Articles

Emotions play a crucial role in shaping cognitive performance, yet their influence on programing remains understudied. This pilot study investigates the relationship between emotional states and coding task quality. Ten participants completed a programing task while their brain activity was recorded using electroencephalography (EEG), with frontal alpha asymmetry (FAI) applied as a neural marker of emotional valence. Emotional self-reports were collected using the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE), and coding quality was evaluated through a structured rubric. Preliminary findings indicate a potential association between FAI and coding performance, whereas self-reported affect showed weaker or inconsistent patterns. Given the …

Identification Of Novel Tat-I24-Related Peptides With Antiviral Activities, Hanna Harant, Siegfried Hofinger, Reingard Grabherr, Zsolt Ruzsics, Hartmut Hengel

Michigan Tech Publications

To identify novel peptides with potential antiviral activities, a database search was performed based on the primary sequence of the peptide I24 (CLAFYACFC), the effective part of the antiviral peptide TAT-I24 consisting of peptide I24 and the cell penetrating TAT-peptide (amino-acids 48–60, GRKKRRQRRRPPQ). A Protein BLAST search identified several sequences with high similarity to I24 in diverse proteins, some of which are known to be involved in the interaction with nucleic acids. Selected sequences and newly designed variants of I24 were synthesized as TAT fusion peptides and tested for antiviral activity in two well-established models: baculovirus transduction of HEK293 cells …

Digital Beginnings: Exploring The Impact Of Screen Exposure On Internalizing Behaviors During Toddlerhood, Nicole Sotolongo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

The present study examines the relationship between screen exposure behaviors and toddler internalizing behaviors, with sleep behaviors being observed as a moderator. The study emphasizes the need for continued research to adapt to the ever-changing nature of the daily use of screens during toddlerhood and early childhood. Fifty-seven mothers of two-year-old children participated in one-on-one parent-report only, interviewer-based quantitative interviews discussing their child’s internalizing and sleep behaviors. Participants were also asked to fill out a questionnaire about their child’s screen exposure behaviors. It was hypothesized that (1) higher levels of screen exposure behaviors will result in increased internalizing behaviors, (2) …

Botulinum Toxin Combined With Robot-Assisted Therapy For Post-Stroke Spasticity: A Systematic Review, Salvatore Facciorusso, Stefania Spina, Mirko Filippetti, Rajiv Reebye, Gerard E Francisco, Andrea Santamato

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Post-stroke spasticity limits motor recovery and independence. Combining botulinum toxin type-A (BoNT-A) injection with intensive, task-specific robot-assisted therapy (RAT) might enhance neuroplasticity and functional gains, but its additive effect and optimal timing are uncertain. (

Methods: We systematically searched major medical databases and trial registries up to April 2025 for randomized controlled trials in adults with post-stroke spasticity comparing botulinum toxin type-A injection plus RAT with toxin injection plus conventional therapy, or RAT alone with RAT combined with toxin injection. Risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2 tool, and findings were synthesized narratively.

Results: Seven trials ( …

Exploring Future Educators’ Roles In Classroom Aac Use: Insight Into Knowledge, Skills, And Attitudes, Katrina M. King

Honors College Theses

The United States public school system requires the provision of a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) for qualifying students with disabilities (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.). Speech, language, and hearing related disabilities are among the qualifying categories (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.). Students with these disabilities may have complex communication needs (CCN), or significant limitations in their speech, language, and communication abilities (Communication Rights Australia, 2018). Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), a type of assistive technology, offers support for these students, however, several barriers inhibit full communicative participation (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association [ASHA], n.d.-a). …

Re: Conditional Approval Letter For The Final Butte Mine Waste Repository Geotechnical Investigation Work Plan (Dated November 14, 2025), Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Simulating Realistic Lyman-𝛼 Emitters Including The Effect Of Radiative Transfer, Hasti Khoraminezhad, Shun Saito, Max Gronke, Chris Byrohl

Research Data

We present an empirical yet physically motivated simulation of realistic Lyman-𝛼 emitters (LAEs) at 𝑧 ∼ 2 − 3, crucial for ongoing and forthcoming cosmological LAE surveys. We combine an empirical UniverseMachine galaxy-halo model with a simple spherical expanding shell model for the Lyman-𝛼 radiative transfer, calibrating only three free parameters to simultaneously reproduce the observed Lyman-𝛼 luminosity function and the angular clustering. Our LAE model is further supported by its consistency with other observables such as the Lyman-𝛼 equivalent width distribution, the Lyman-𝛼 escape fraction as a function of stellar mass and dust reddening, and the systemic velocity offsets. …