Digital Commons Network^™

Measuring Selectivity Of Ion Exchange Resin For Use In Activated Wafer Electrodeionization, Hope M. Coffman

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Ion exchange resins are a type of ion exchange material used throughout industry. Their insolubility allows for the exchange of ions and an easy separation of the resin itself. They are used alone in industry, but they are also found in processes such as electrodialysis and electrodeionization. This research investigates the selectivity of chloride form ion exchange resin in the presence of solutions of lactate and formate ions. The work of this thesis is a part of a larger study investigating the conversion and separation of glucose into lactic acid via coupled electrocatalysis and electrodialysis. The results of this study …

Assessing The Fate Of Antibiotic Resistance Genes In Wastewater Treatment Processes, Gunter A. Campbell

Civil Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The increasing need for clean water has paved the way for the creation of systems for reusing water, such as wastewater treatment plants (“WWTPs”), to provide potable water. But in recent years, such systems have raised concerns about the distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (“ARGs”). Bacteria are adapting to antibiotics by the evolution of resistance mechanisms, such as high mutation rates and horizontal transfer. The presence of ARGs, particularly tetracycline ("tetA") resistance genes, in wastewater effluents is of concern, as they can survive treatment, spread to bodies of water, and pose a threat to human health. In this study, the …

Organizational Care: The Formation And Reproduction Of Social Support Structures In Nonprofit Organizations, Ella Stanley

Communication Undergraduate Honors Theses

Through past literature it has been established that nonprofit employees are prone to experience increased levels of stress and burnout due to the emotionally taxing nature of their jobs. Social support is a communicative transaction between individuals that has been proven to mitigate the negative impacts that both stress and burnout can cause employees to face. Previous studies on social support have focused on healthcare workers and nonprofit volunteers, while this study aims to understand the specific social support structures that are prominent within nonprofit organizations to provide support for employees. This study utilizes structuration theory to explore the structures …

2-Segal Sets And Pseudomonoids In The Bicategory Of Spans, Sophia E. Marx, Rajan Amit Mehta

Mathematics Sciences: Faculty Publications

In this survey article, we give an introduction to the notion of a 2-Segal set and prove that 2-Segal sets are equivalent to pseudomonoids in the bicategory of spans. The proof utilizes graphical techniques for 2-Segal sets and spans that should be useful in more general settings.
There are procedures for obtaining an associative algebra from a 2-Segal set (satisfying finiteness conditions). We describe these procedures and give several examples of algebras arising from 2-Segal sets.
Wherever possible, we avoid higher category theory so as to make the paper accessible to a wide audience.

Gad-7 Screening In Middle School Students: Evaluating The Effectiveness On Referral Rate Scoping Review, Bailey Hall, Cara Dennis, Kayla Drennen-Ferguson, Pamela B. Taylor, Laura Reed Dnp, Aprn, Fnp-Bc, Cne

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

The prevalence of anxiety disorders among adolescents, mainly middle school-aged students, highlights the critical need for practical screening tools to support early detection and intervention. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale is widely utilized in various settings, but its efficacy in this specific population remains underexplored. This scoping review examines the use of the GAD-7 in middle school-aged students, evaluating its reliability, validity, and impact on referral rates to mental health services. The review also considers factors influencing anxiety and identifies gaps in current research.

Methods

Ten articles, published in peer-reviewed journals within the past decade and involving human …

Learning Educational Technology Prototyping With Generative Ai, Justin Olmanson, Azadeh Hassani, Gretchen K. Larsen

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

In this study, we use ethnographic methods, grounded theory, and an iterative analytical approach to explore participant experiences and strategies for engaging generative AI in support of both learning how to prototype educational technologies and learning to code. We examine how ChatGPT and Giuseppe (a scaffolded co-coding interface of our own design) influence students’ approaches to prototyping and programming. This study contributes to the field by: identifying specific challenges and affordances of generative AI in prototyping and educational technology development contexts; and offering insights into how educators, students, and learning technology developers can integrate generative AI in formative educational technology …

Refractive Error And Axial Length (Real) Study: Feasibility Of A Population Study In The United States, Sarah Elizabeth Singh, Lisa A. Ostrin, Kristen L. Kerber, Cayle Concepcion, Celia Gong, Barsha Lal, Ian Flitcroft, Síofra Harrington, James Loughman, Kathryn Saunders, Fuensanta A. Vera-Diaz

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

SIGNIFICANCE: Myopia is the most common eye disease and a leading cause of blindness. A contemporary, large, and ethnically and geographically diverse study of ocular biometry and refractive error in children in the United States is needed to help better describe differences between myopic and nonmyopic eyes. PURPOSE: This is an initial cross-sectional report from the Refractive Error and Axial Length Growth Curve Study that includes ocular component data as a function of age, gender, and geographic location. This feasibility report will inform a planned larger longitudinal ocular growth study in children in the United States. METHODS: Cross-sectional data on …

Genetics, Manifestations, And Management Of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose of review: Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a devastating heritable channelopathy that can lead to sudden cardiac death in children and young adults. This review aims to explore genetics, the cardiac and extracardiac manifestations of mutations associated with CPVT, and the challenges involved with managing phenotypically variable variants.

Recent findings: The understanding of the genetics and mechanisms of CPVT continues to grow with recent discoveries including alternative splicing of cardiac TRDN and calmodulin gene variants. Additionally, there is an increasing recognition of the extra-cardiac manifestations such as epilepsy, neurodevelopmental delay, and glucose homeostasis abnormalities in RyR2 variant carriers. …

Prevalence Of And Risk Factors For Osteoporosis And Fragility Fracture In Adults With Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review, Craig F Munns, Prue Morgan, Daniel G Whitney, Bernadette Gillick, Margaret Zacharin, Darcy Fehlings, Amanda J Vincent, Frances Milat

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Aim: To systematically review the prevalence and incidence of osteoporosis, osteopenia, low bone mass, and fragility fracture in adults with cerebral palsy (CP), and identify the risk factors for osteoporosis and fracture.

Method: A systematic literature search was performed in the MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, AMED, Cochrane Reviews, EMBASE, and EBM database reviews from inception until May 2024. Search terms covered a combination of keywords for CP, fracture, osteoporosis, incidence and prevalence, and risk factors. Participants were adults with CP aged 18 years and older. JBI critical appraisal instruments were used to assess quality and risk of bias.

Results: Seventeen of …

Achieving Fairness In Zoning Laws With Machine Learning, William Schimitsch

College Honors Program

Zoning is a powerful regulatory tool that determines how municipalities use and develop land. The goal of zoning is to classify land use (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial) to maximize compatibility among neighboring parcels. Local zoning decisions, however, are made by small-sized boards, often through an opaque process, which raises concerns about bias and fairness. In the United States, zoning has historically prioritized single-family housing and thus created economic barriers that limit access to certain communities. Given the task of classifying land use and the wealth of geographical, demographic, and infrastructural data describing each parcel, the problem of bias in zoning …

Using Motivation Science To Understand And Overcome Common Psychological Barriers To Non-Native Language Learning In Beginner And Intermediate College Courses, Ahana Nagarkatti

College Honors Program

This project examined whether established findings from the motivation science literature could be successfully applied to increase non-native language learning outcomes and persistence among college students. Participants were enrolled in beginner and intermediate language courses at a small private college. The study was longitudinal and involved “diagnosing” and immediately implementing interventions to counter deficits experienced by individual students regarding six specific motivational antecedents: expectancies for success, utility value, costs, autonomy, belonging, and growth mindsets. Over the course of a semester, participants’ motivational experiences in these areas were measured and they then completed tailored “just-in-time” intervention activities designed to increase their …

A Scoping Review Of Sexual And Reproductive Health Interventions With Youth In U.S. Juvenile Facilities., April Mcneill-Johnson, Jason Glenn, Nekia Ivory Daniel, Mira Menon, Basil H. Aboul-Enein, Patricia J. Kelly, Megha Ramaswamy

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Youth placed in U.S. juvenile detention facilities face multilevel barriers that contribute to disparate sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes when compared to their peers in the general adolescent population. Minimal information is available about evidence-based interventions that have been effective in changing these outcomes. The aim of this scoping review was to focus on the current state of SRH and identify recommendations for SRH care. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for scoping reviews guidelines, we searched electronic databases for publications published through March 2024. The search terms were designed to find intervention studies focusing …

The Effects Of Odevixibat In People With Alagille Syndrome: A Plain Language Summary, Nadia Ovchinsky, Madeleine Aumar, Alastair Baker, Philip Bufler, Mara Cananzi, Piotr Czubkowski, Ryan T. Fischer, Giuseppe Indolfi, Wikrom Karnsakul, Florence Lacaille, Way S. Lee, Philip Rosenthal, Etienne Sokal, Henkjan J. Verkade, Andrew Wehrman, Cher Bork, Roberta Smith, Jessica Ruvido, Alexander Artyomenko, Christof Maucksch, Ekkehard Sturm

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

This is a summary describing a phase 3 clinical trial, called ‘ASSERT’, which studied the medicine odevixibat in people with Alagille syndrome.

Alagille syndrome is a rare disease that can affect different parts of the body, but mainly affects how well the liver works. Symptoms usually start at a young age, but the age of first symptoms and seriousness of the disease can vary, and the disease can affect both children and adults. People who have Alagille syndrome may have a build-up of bile acids in the liver and this can lead to organ damage. People with Alagille syndrome …

4h Lancaster Fair Dog Show Freestyle Event, Christine Whiting

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

2026 Nh 4-H Horse State Show Packet, Hannah Majewski

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Resistance Exercise Dose Effects On Muscle Morphology, Muscle Function And Quality Of Life In Advanced-Stage Ovarian Cancer Survivors, Christelle Schofield, Marit Mol, Dennis R. Taaffe, Laurien M. Buffart, Pedro Lopez, Robert U. Newton, Daniel A. Galvão, Paul A. Cohen, Carolyn J. Peddle-Mcintyre

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: Advanced-stage ovarian cancer survivors often have compromised muscle morphology (muscle mass and density), muscle function (muscle strength and physical function), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We recently reported improvements in these outcomes following resistance training. Information on the resistance exercise dose required to improve health-related outcomes is still lacking in this cancer group. Here we examined the exercise dose delivered and the effect of the delivered dose on changes in outcomes of interest. Methods: Twelve women with stage III or IV ovarian cancer completed a 12-week supervised resistance exercise intervention. Exercise metrics included compliance (exercise dose completed), dose …

Navigating Travel Therapy: Balancing Benefits And Risks For Optimal Wellness, Fangli Hu, Jun Wen, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This research note examines travel therapy as a novel healthcare approach in which positive travel experiences serve to promote well-being. It emphasizes the need for a balanced assessment of the benefits and risks associated with travel therapy, offering insights into this practice's evolving roles in the health and wellness domains.

Origins: Nutritional Profile Of Children Aged One Year In A Longitudinal Birth Cohort, Sarah Whalan, Poonam K. Pannu, Rachelle A. Pretorius, Alexander J.J. Scherini, Sonia Gregory, Susan L. Prescott, Desiree Silva

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Dietary intake during the first year of life is a key determinant of a child’s growth and development. ORIGINS is a longitudinal birth cohort study investigating factors that contribute to a ‘healthy start to life’ and the prevention of non-communicable diseases. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study aims to describe the dietary intakes of one-year-old children participating in ORIGINS and compare these to the Australian Dietary Guidelines and Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs). Between 2020 and 2023, dietary intake data were collected on 779 one-year-old children using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The analysis explored milk intake (breastmilk, infant formula, and …

Scoping Review Of Methods Of Monitoring Acute Changes In Lower Body Neuromuscular Function Via Force Plates, Andrew J. Badby, Nicholas J. Ripley, John J. Mcmahon, Peter D. Mundy, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Force plates are amongst the most utilised technological apparatus for monitoring acute changes in neuromuscular function in sports. Practitioners apply monitoring strategies to manage neuromuscular fatigue and physical preparedness with valid, reliable, and sensitive measures. The aim of this scoping review was to identify, map, and describe the variety of monitoring procedures which have been previously applied in research (e.g., test and metric selection, data collection, study design, and data analysis procedures). Searches were completed by 24th June 2024. One thousand, nine hundred, and seventy-eight studies were identified across four databases (PubMed, EBSCO, Clarivate web of science, and Ovid). After …

Effect Of Relative Age On Gross Motor Coordination Development, Considering Biological Maturity And Sex, Xiaoyu Zhang, Gaël Ennequin, Anthony J. Blazevich, Sébastien Ratel

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of relative age on gross motor coordination (GMC) development, taking into account biological maturity and sex. Methods: 729 participants aged 10 to 16 years completed three GMC tests newly designed to minimize the potentially confounding effects of physical fitness. The tests included a Hand-Foot coordination test, Dribbling-Targeting test (DT test), and a T balance and agility test (T test). Relative age was determined using birth quartiles: BQ1 (January–March); BQ2 (April–June); BQ3 (July–September); and BQ4 (October–December). Regarding biological maturity, the participants were categorized according to their estimated peak height velocity (pre- and post-PHV). …

Networked Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning Framework For The Provision Of Ancillary Services In Hybrid Power Plants, Muhammad Ikram, Daryoush Habibi, Asma Aziz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Inverter-based resources (IBRs) are becoming more prominent due to the increasing penetration of renewable energy sources that reduce power system inertia, compromising power system stability and grid support services. At present, optimal coordination among generation technologies remains a significant challenge for frequency control services. This paper presents a novel networked multi-agent deep reinforcement learning (N—MADRL) scheme for optimal dispatch and frequency control services. First, we develop a model-free environment consisting of a photovoltaic (PV) plant, a wind plant (WP), and an energy storage system (ESS) plant. The proposed framework uses a combination of multi-agent actor-critic (MAAC) and soft actor-critic (SAC) …

Reliability And Validity Of The Brief Emotional Experience Scale (Bees) As A Measure Of Emotional Well-Being, Shane L. Rogers, Nicole Brown, Matthew Goulding, Kathryn Campbell, Brennen Mills, Ross Hollett, Travis Cruickshank, Kazunori Nosaka

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study presents initial reliability and validity evidence for the Brief Emotional Experience Scale (BEES) as a measure of emotional well-being. Using ordinal confirmatory factor analysis across three cross-sectional samples, Australian university students (n = 1239), the general public (n = 5631), and school students from Australia and the UK (n = 767). A correlated two-factor structure was supported. In the university sample, the BEES demonstrated strong convergent validity with other well-being measures and was linked to the lowest levels of reported distress when completing the survey. Preliminary cut-offs for high emotional distress were developed via comparison with the Kessler …

Using Machine Learning To Detect Vault (Anti-Forensic) Apps, Michael N. Johnstone, Wencheng Yang, Mohiuddin Ahmed

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Content hiding, or vault applications (apps), are designed with a secondary, often concealed purpose, such as encrypting and storing files. While these apps may serve legitimate functions, they unequivocally present significant challenges for law enforcement. Conventional methods for tackling this issue, whether static or dynamic, prove inadequate when devices—typically smartphones—cannot be modified. Additionally, these methods frequently require prior knowledge of which apps are classified as vault apps. This research decisively demonstrates that a non-invasive method of app analysis, combined with machine learning, can effectively identify vault apps. Our findings reveal that it is entirely possible to detect an Android vault …

Using Natural Language Processing And Machine Learning To Detect Online Radicalisation In The Maldivian Language, Dhivehi, Hussain Ibrahim, Ahmed Ibrahim, Michael N. Johnstone

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Early detection of online radical content is important for intelligence services to combat radicalisation and terrorism. The motivation for this research was the lack of language tools in the detection of radicalisation in the Maldivian language, Dhivehi. This research applied Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to detect online radicalisation content in Dhivehi, with the incorporation of domain-specific knowledge. The research used Machine Learning to evaluate the most effective technique for detection of radicalisation text in Dhivehi and used interviews with Subject Matter Experts and self-deradicalised individuals to validate the results, add contextual information and improve recognition accuracy. The …

Young People’S Perceptions Of Harm From Accessing Online Sexual Content, Despina Chronaki, Debra Dudek, Giselle Woodley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Harm—and the ways in which it is interpreted, negotiated, discussed, and unpacked by adolescents themselves—is a key term in almost all debates about young people’s experiences with online pornography. This essay situates the topic of this special issue—adolescents’ perceptions of harm from accessing online sexual content—within a broader context of the discourses and practices that inform research in this field. We show how discourses of harm and risk circulate around the figure of the innocent child in need of protection and argue for more nuanced understandings of and research about childhood that take into account the lived experiences and perspectives …

What Do Safety And Risk Mean To Women Who Choose To Birth At Home? A Systematic Review, Candice Chauncy, Kate Dawson, Sara Bayes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Despite clear evidence to support the safety and efficacy of homebirth, the concept challenges the almost universal belief that hospital is the safest place to give birth. Homebirth remains largely unsupported around the world due to prevailing beliefs and constructs surrounding risk and safety. Despite barriers to access, women continue to choose home as a place to birth. Methods: A systematic review of qualitative research was conducted to explore and understand women's views on what constitutes risk and safety in labour and birth for those who choose to birth at home. All studies were evaluated for quality and relevance. …

Interventions To Improve Timely Cancer Diagnosis: An Integrative Review, Rosann T Cholankeril, Daniel R Murphy, Hardeep Singh, Andrea Bradford

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Cancer will affect more than one in three U.S. residents in their lifetime, and although the diagnosis will be made efficiently in most of these cases, roughly one in five patients will experience a delayed or missed diagnosis. In this integrative review, we focus on missed opportunities in the diagnosis of breast, lung, and colorectal cancer in the ambulatory care environment. From a review of 493 publications, we summarize the current evidence regarding the contributing factors to missed or delayed cancer diagnosis in ambulatory care, as well as evidence to support possible strategies for intervention. Cancer diagnoses are made after …

Antibiotic Prophylaxis With Urodynamic Studies In Spinal Cord Injury: Assessing Practice Patterns And Outcomes To Guide Future Practice In A Single Center, Donna Huang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Context/objective: Despite urinary tract infections (UTIs) being a common problem in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCIs), and a well-known complication of invasive urologic procedures, little consensus exists regarding the standard of care for peri-procedural antibiotic use for SCI patients undergoing urodynamics studies (UDS). Our research seeks to evaluate local antibiotic prophylaxis pattern in SCI patients undergoing UDS, assess incidence of post-procedural UTI, describe local antibiotic resistance trends, and provide antibiotic stewardship considerations to guide future practice.

Design/setting/participants: Retrospective cohort study of SCI patients undergoing UDS from January 2010 to January 2020 at a Veterans Affairs SCI Center. Data on …

The Victorian Institute Of Sport Assessment – Achilles Is Fundamentally Flawed And Unfit For Clinical Practice Or Research: A Rasch Measurement Theory Analysis Using Cosmin Recommendations, Nigel Travers, Myles C. Murphy, Benedict M. Wand, Paul Kirwan, Mervyn Travers, James Debenham, William Gibson, Dana Hince

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: Evaluate structural validity, hypothesis testing and measurement invariance of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Achilles (VISA-A) using Rasch analysis to determine if it can be recommended to measure Achilles tendinopathy severity. Methods: We performed an evaluation of the VISA-A measurement properties using Rasch Measurement Theory by pooling individual participant data from previously conducted studies (n = 217). Structural validity was assessed via threshold/category mean order; adequate item fit; unidimensionality; local dependence; internal consistency. Hypothesis testing was assessed via divergent validity. Measurement invariance assessed via differential item functioning. Results: The VISA-A has inadequate construct validity. This is evident from issues …

Measuring The Effects Of Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) On Adolescents’ Self-Esteem And Self-Appraisal: How Can School-Based Interventions Help?, Kayla M. Moses

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

This paper explores the lasting impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on adolescents’ self-esteem and self-appraisal, with a focus on the role of school-based interventions in mitigating these effects. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) encompass various forms of trauma such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, and familial dysfunction during childhood. Due to adolescence being a critical period of identity formation and emotional development, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can significantly undermine adolescents' self-esteem, leading to lasting negative effects. These effects include various emotional, social, and psychological challenges, ultimately changing one’s life trajectory. Based on numerous theoretical foundations, it is supported …