Digital Commons Network^™

Effect Of Using Machine Learning To Improve Active Suspension Control For Vehicle Stability, David A. Butz

Masters Theses

This study demonstrates that it is possible to use road surface classification as a means of informing active suspension systems in order to limit their activity. An approach was taken to improve the response of an active suspension control system by classifying road surfaces in near real time. A control system model was developed to represent a full-body vehicle, and an AI was used to analyze road vibration noise. The model was adapted to allow the AI to select from multiple control signals based on the AI’s analysis of road vibration noise. The objective of the study was to demonstrate …

Kid Eats App: Supporting Parents And Children Cooking Together, Amy S. Muise, Gabrielle A. Longo, Pamela N. Martinez, Umekia R. Taylor, Linda E. Torv, Barbara A. Chamberlin

Journal of Extension

Kid Eats is a free app for iPad encouraging children and parents to cook together at home using fruits and vegetables. A preliminary study with parents and children showed children enjoyed using the app and that it provided useful information to support children’s involvement in the kitchen, including guidance around safety concerns. Every family in the study voluntarily completed at least one of the recipes with their child at least once following the in-person activity. Parents reported that their children actively asked to cook the recipes from the app and felt the app helped increase their time spent cooking with …

Nature For New Minnesotans: A Minnesota Master Naturalist Program Connecting Adult English Language Learners To The Outdoors, Lucas Fitchen Rapisarda, Britt M. Forsberg

Journal of Extension

English language (EL) learners, many of whom are immigrants, face economic, social, and cultural constraints when accessing Extension programming. NFNM is an innovative program that seeks to address these constraints by developing and implementing place-based natural history curriculum for adult English language (EL) learners in the authors state. This article describes the program development process for NFNM and shares important lessons learned during the process.

Enhancing Water Supply Resilience & Sustainability: Potential Solutions To Address Water Scarcity In Bogotá, Colombia, Sophia Alvarez Wong

Master's Projects and Capstones

Municipal water utilities are in urgent need of adapting to the intensifying impacts of climate change and population growth—key drivers of urban water scarcity worldwide. In rapidly expanding cities like Bogota, Colombia, these pressures have contributed to a severe water crisis driven by prolonged droughts, ecosystem degradation, increasing water demands, and overdependence on limited water sources. This study explores potential adaptation and management strategies that utilities can implement to sustainably strengthen supply system resilience and enhance water security, in the context of low- to middle-income regions. A series of comparative and case study analyses were conducted to assess the feasibility …

The Connection Between An Unequitable Distribution Of Care Responsibilities And A Widening Gender Nutrition Gap In Latin America, Alexis Nicole Bodlak

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The notion of care refers to activities that satisfy the basic needs of existence and reproduction. Within rural communities, care work such as the production and preparation of food contributes to food security at the household level. Care work supports the paid workforce, allowing workers to focus on commercial productive activities that generate economic income in rural communities. Women perform 6.3 to 29.5 more hours per week than men in unpaid care work, reducing their time for income-generating activities and personal nutrition management. Affecting their economic independence and ability to access and consume nutritious food. Studies show that in food-insecure …

The Relationship Between Female Genital Mutilation And Infertility: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Narges S. Soltani, Farahnaz Heshmat, Mohsen Dehghani, Robab L. Roudsari, Mohadese B. Ghalibaf, Samira E. Zagami

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

This systematic review aimed to investigate the relationship between female genital mutilation (FGM) and infertility. Online databases were systematically searched up to January 2024 using MeSH keywords to retrieve relevant observational studies. The methodological quality of the analytical cross-sectional studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, and a random-effects meta-analysis was used to address any heterogeneity. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was performed. A total of 5 analytical cross-sectional studies involving 37,146 participants, with 3 studies meeting the criteria for the meta-analysis. The results indicated that female circumcision (FC) was …

Psoriasis Presenting As Koebner Phenomena, Zamzam Al Qutaiti, Ayida Al Khalili, Asem Shalaby

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Magnesium Supplements On Improving Glucose Control, Blood Pressure And Lipid Profile In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Nasiba Al Maqrashi, Salim Al Busaidi, Sara Al-Rasbi, Abdullah M. Al Alawi, Juhaina S. Al-Maqbali

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

This study evaluated the effects of magnesium (Mg) supplementation on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus through a meta-analysis of 23 randomised controlled trials involving 1,345 participants. Mg supplementation significantly increased serum Mg levels (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.32 to 1.06) and reduced fasting blood glucose levels (WMD = -0.58, 95% CI: -0.87 to -0.28). However, the impact on glycated haemoglobin was minimal (WMD = -0.16, 95% CI: -0.32 to 0.00). Subgroup analysis showed a greater reduction in glycated haemoglobin among participants aged ≥65 years and those receiving longer durations of supplementation. Additionally, Mg supplementation …

Loadshedding And Nighttime Light Intensity In South Africa: Evidence From High-Frequency Satellite Data, Jurney Lajos

Master's Theses

This paper investigates the relationship between loadshedding and nighttime light intensity in South Africa using high-frequency satellite data from 2020 to 2024. By linking rotational blackout schedules to daily radiance measurements at the suburb level, the study examines how electricity disruptions affect visible light emissions and whether these effects vary by wealth. Results show that while load shedding has be-come increasingly severe in recent years, its impact is not felt equally. Poorer suburbs experience larger and more persistent reductions in nighttime radiance during black-outs, suggesting limited capacity to adapt. In contrast, wealthier suburbs show signs of resilience, with smaller drops …

Post Secondary Teaching Toolkit: A Concise Resource To Highlight Effective Pedagogical Strategies For Post-Secondary Instructors, Matthew Thomas Blackwell

Theses and Dissertations

This project seeks to provide teaching support for post-secondary instructors, especially at the community college level, by creating an instructional toolkit that highlights a selection of evidence-based teaching strategies intended to increase student engagement, learning, and achievement. This toolkit includes evidence-based instructional strategies tailored to support post-secondary instructors of any experience level. It highlights research-proven student-centered engagement and instructional techniques such as cooperative learning, inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, problem-based learning, and student interaction in online learning environments. Within the project, the various instructional and engagement techniques are linked together using the Constructivist Learning Theory theoretical framework, highlighting the importance of …

Assessing Perioperative Risks In A Mixed Elderly Surgical Population Using Machine Learning: A Multi-Objective Symbolic Regression Approach To Cardiorespiratory Fitness Derived From Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing, Pietro Arina, Davide Ferrari, Maciej R Kaczorek, Nicholas Tetlow, Amy Dewar, Robert Stephens, Daniel Martin, Ramani Moonesinghe, Mervyn Singer, John Whittle, Evangelos B Mazomenos

Peninsula Medical School

Accurate preoperative risk assessment is of great value to both patients and clinical teams. Several risk scores have been developed but are often not calibrated to the local institution, limited in terms of data input into the underlying models, and/or lack individual precision. Machine Learning (ML) models have the potential to address limitations in existing scoring systems. A database of 1190 elderly patients who underwent major elective surgery was analyzed retrospectively. Preoperative cardiorespiratory fitness data from cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), demographic and clinical data were extracted and integrated into advanced machine learning (ML) algorithms. Multi-Objective-Symbolic-Regression (MOSR), a novel algorithm utilizing …

06.16.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

Email address Matters with SPAN and ARC Forms

Participant Support Costs training for PIs available in Blackboard

Comparison Of Hand-Wrist And Cvms Methods For Craniofacial Growth Spurt Assessment, Ardita Ajvazi

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Objective: Hand-wrist (HW) radiographs are considered the most accurate method for assessing pubertal growth spurts in orthodontics but have declined in use due to added radiation exposure and the expertise required. Cervical vertebral maturation staging (CVMS) is now commonly used, given the routine availability of lateral cephalograms. However, the validity of CVMS remains uncertain. A recent study reported only 66% inter-observer reliability across time periods (Ingersoll, 2024). This follow-up study aims to evaluate CVMS as a predictor of growth to guide clinical decision-making. Methods: With protocol approval (MU HR-4695), this retrospective study followed a design modeled after a prior study …

Breaking Barriers: How Reusable Menstrual Products Can Enhance School Attendance And Education For Girls In Kenya, Talia Jacobson

Master's Theses

In Kenya, statistics show that at least one in ten girls who are of the age of puberty miss school during their menstruation hindering their ability to finish schooling, secure a stable employment, and live independently. This thesis aims to highlight the issue of girls missing school due to their menstrual cycle, a problem that persists globally despite being solvable. The primary focus is on how reusable sanitary products, such as reusable pads, can aid girls to stay in school longer by addressing affordability and accessibility issues associated with commercial products, while also offering environmental benefits. The question guiding my …

Adolescents And Technology - The True Impact Of Tech, Paige A. Schaefer

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

With the rapid advancement and increasing accessibility of technology, research has begun to focus on the impacts technology use can have on adolescents. Many young people think they understand how to use technology, but they may not understand the impacts it can have on their life. By having an understanding of these implications, both positive and negative, they can adjust their technology habits to increase their quality of life and set themselves up for success in the future. This paper begins with a review of the literature about the relationship between adolescents and technology followed by a training made for …

Path To Empowerment: A Trauma Group Of High School Students, Megan Cowden

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Knowledge of the implementation of trauma interventions within the school environment can be crucial for academic and lifelong success. The literature review portion will define trauma, examine the prevalence among high school students and explores the impact trauma can have on mental health, academic performance and their social-emotional well-being. It discusses the significant number of students entering high school with traumatic experiences and emphasizes the need for trauma-informed approaches that can be used in schools. The effectiveness of group versus individual therapy is compared, along with an analysis of school-based and social-emotional curriculum. Based on this information, there is a …

First Annual Advances In Business Education Conference 2025 Proceedings, Kelsey Metz, Joshua Ray

Advances in Business Education (ABE) Conference Proceedings

Conference Overview: The First Annual Advances in Business Education (ABE) Conference was held on May 16, 2025, at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee. Hosted by the LMU School of Business, the ABE Conference was established to promote teaching excellence through innovation and collaboration in business education. With a focus on fostering meaningful dialogue among educators, researchers, and students, the conference welcomed participants from across disciplines and institutions. The event was structured around three key tracks:

Pedagogy & Teaching Excellence: Showcasing innovative teaching methods and strategies for enhancing student learning and engagement.

Business Research: Presenting research focused on advancing knowledge …

Reason And All My Senses: Surveying The Post Enlightenment Frame Of Reason Through Contemporary Philosophy, Cognitive Psychology, And Cognitive Linguistics, Joshua T. Lowe Rev. Dr.

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

This dissertation argues that Christian theology and practice are aided and enriched by a more complete understanding of reason by surveying recent studies and views in theology, philosophy, cognitive psychology, and cognitive linguistics. Since the Enlightenment, Christian theology has assumed widely the Enlightenment model of human reason as ideally acontextual, that is, free from constraints of contexts, and therefore universal, that is, applicable in all contexts. Recent developments from a variety of perspectives challenge this model of rationality. Some challenge the acontextualism of the Enlightenment understanding by showing how it arose from and depends on a context, and that context …

Pierce V. Society Of Sisters At 100: Reflections On Parental Rights In Transition, Charles J. Russo

University of Dayton Law Review

No abstract provided.

California Kelp Forests: An Analysis Of Macrocystis Pyrifera And Nereocystis Luetkeana Restoration After Decades Of Decline, Gabrielle K. Farrer

Master's Projects and Capstones

California’s kelp forests are some of the most biodiverse and productive ecosystems on the planet. Centuries of anthropogenic degradation via habitat destruction and climate change have culminated in decreased kelp forest habitat at an accelerated rate since at least the 1850s (Scarborough et al. 2022; Rogers-Bennett & Catton, 2019; Kumagai et al. 2024; Smith et al. 2023). This study synthesizes major threats, past and present, to California’s kelp forests, including the overharvesting of multiple species, pollution from coastal development, and climate change impacts. I also examine current management practices regarding kelp forests such as the use of marine protected areas …

A Roadmap For Greywater Reuse At The University Of San Francisco Hilltop Campus: A Financial, Regulatory, And Technical Feasibility Study, Apama'bo Anand Oszkar

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Water scarcity is increasing in California, so we need strategies to reduce potable water demand. Decentralized greywater systems offer promising solutions to this problem. This study provides a roadmap for successfully implementing greywater reuse at the University of San Francisco (USF) by addressing financial, technical, and regulatory considerations. By deploying a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative expert interviews and quantitative water usage analysis, policy review, cost analysis, and case studies, this study established USF’s annual recycled water demand as 8 million gallons, with two primary uses: irrigation, which accounts for 67% of the demand, and toilet-urinal flushing, which represents …

Pedaling Toward Justice: Exploring The Role Of Community Advocacy In Shaping Bicycle Policy In Oakland., Claire Farrell Lowe

Master's Projects and Capstones

The way people move through a city fundamentally shapes their access to jobs, essential services, and economic and social opportunities. While Oakland’s bicycle infrastructure has improved over the past decade, vehicle-centric planning has historically sidelined cycling, creating mobility inequities. This thesis examines the role of community advocacy in advancing equitable bicycle planning and prioritizing cycling infrastructure as a core element of urban development. This thesis project follows the question: what role do advocacy groups play in addressing the gaps between the Oakland Bicycle Plan and its implementation? Through policy analysis, community engagement, and interviews with key informants from Bike East …

Watching The Tide Roll Away: Looking Forward After Fifty Years Of The Coastal Area Management Act, Julia Furr Youngman

Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Perioperative Education On Postoperative Digestive Restoration, Christian Cedeno

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

The human body often needs encouragement to return to its natural state of functioning following intraoperative and postoperative drug therapy. Anesthesia can sedate the gastrointestinal tract and frequently requires medical and physical interventions to allow the body to return to full functionality. There are several methods thought to be beneficial in overcoming of this condition, and some have proven their significance more so than other methods. This project seeks to measure the power-of-knowledge methodology via a chart review of individuals specifically educated on what they can expect in the postoperative phase of care compared to those that receive routine education. …

A Qualitative Look At Relationships From A Teacher’S Perspective, Shayna Vastila

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study examines the role of teacher-student relationships grounded in the Social Learning Theory, Social Support Theory, as well as the Attachment Theory. The research explored how teachers perceive, establish, and maintain supportive relationships with their students, and how these relationships contribute to student engagement and academic motivation. Fifteen first-grade teachers from elementary schools participated in semi-structured interviews, sharing personal insights and practices around relationship building. Using key factors that foster positive relationships, including empathy, active listening, individualized support, and culturally responsive communication. Findings also highlight systemic barriers such as large class sizes, behavioral challenges, and the emotional …

A Correlational Study Of The Relationships Between The Big Five Aspects Of Personality And Career Interest: Practical Implications For Teachers In Guidance Counseling Roles, Mary J. Haberman

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Classroom teachers are often required to teach advisory courses that include career counseling and social emotional learning components. The author used a combination of personality and career assessments to guide students into careers that were a good fit, not only for their interests but their temperaments as well. This holistic approach to advising allowed the author to address a wide variety of personal issues (e.g., unmet needs) that students were having and help them to discover their own motivations for approaching these issues. While the study is focused on collecting information from working adults, the results of this study could …

Emergency Medicine Residency Website Wellness Pages: A Content Analysis, Alexandra Sappington, Brian Milman

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the way medical students seek residency positions. In 2020, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education advocated for virtual interviews. Most emergency medicine (EM) interviews in 2023 remained virtual, and this format will persist for the foreseeable future. Since students are not evaluating programs in person in most cases, residency websites are crucial for prospective residents. Resident wellness is critical for resident training and important to prospective residents; it follows that programs must be transparent about resident wellness on websites. In this study we aimed to quantify the number of EM programs with wellness pages …

Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Diffusion-Weighted Imaging In Acute Stroke: A Comprehensive Review And Meta-Analysis, Hayder Jasim Taher, Ali Ameer Hadi, Yass Bader Kalfah, Zaineb Nazar Mohsin, Argwan Rafad Abed Alkhaliq

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background and objective: Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) has the potential to provide both diffusion and perfusion information without an exogenous contrast agent, its application for the brain is promising, however, feasibility studies on this are relatively scarce. The present study aims to assess the evaluate the feasibility of using intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) to measure diffusion parameter variations in stroke.

Methods: To this end, we searched international databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus) and extracted related studies using the appropriate keywords. Collected data were analyzed with the aid of the random-effects model and STATA (version 15).

Results …

Assessing One-Year Health Impacts From Wildfires In Rural Communities: Roles For Extension In Promoting Wildfire Preparedness And Recovery, Marc T. Braverman, Sandi Cleveland Phibbs, Emily Jane Davis, Amanda Rau, Elijah Penner

Journal of Extension

Wildfires can produce health impacts that persist for years in affected communities. This article describes an Extension-led study of health impacts in rural Oregon communities one year after a destructive wildfire. Data collection included key informant interviews (n=36), an online survey (n=80), and three focus group interviews with survivors (n=23). Mental health, exposure to contaminants, physical stress, food insecurity, and other issues were frequently identified health concerns. Survivors’ difficulties in dealing with housing displacement significantly exacerbated health challenges. We describe potential roles for Extension in addressing wildfire risk and mitigating health impacts, including a description of the Oregon Fire Program.

Market Days For Older Adults: Addressing Healthy Aging Among A High-Risk Population At The Downtown Farmers’ Market, Allyson Brothers, India Luxton, Cheryl Noble, Sue Schneider, Alison O'Connor, Yuqin Jiao

Journal of Extension

Market Days for Older Adults is a Colorado State University Extension program that supplies low-income older adults with fresh produce purchased from market vendors at the local farmers’ market. Designed for low-income seniors, this program aims to enhance nutrition while building a sense of community and connection. Program evaluation data from the first four years of the program demonstrate evidence of program feasibility, including high levels of participant satisfaction and program utilization. We also assessed a set of healthy aging indicators (diet quality, social connection, functional health, and well-being) to drive future work. Implications for Extension professionals are discussed.