Digital Commons Network^™

Blockbusters Or Blind Spots? A Critical Look At Poverty, Bullets And Bandits Narratives In Latin American Cinema, Carlos Fernández-Rodríguez, Elio Quiroga Rodríguez, Luis M. Romero- Rodríguez

Artículos científicos

Historically, the cultural industries of the Global South have been relegated in the face of North American and European production predominance. In Latin America, the most internationally successful audiovisual productions, both at the cinema ticket window and festivals, usually deal with stereotypes of extreme poverty, rurality, delinquency, terrorism, and drug trafficking, which, in the collective imagination of foreign audiences, promote an exaggerated representation of the region's social problems, contributing to xenophobia, hate speech, and anti-migration discourses in countries in the Global North. This study conducts an analysis of five emblematic feature films of Latin American cinema: Cidade de Deus [ …

Practical Experiences Of Artificial Intelligence In Science Clubs, María Soledad Ramírez-Montoya, Azeneth Patiño, Marco Cruz-Sandoval

Artículos científicos

The 21st century presents us with knowledge and technologies like AI introducing new educational possibilities to improve human talent and performance. In recent years there has been an increase in the literature on artificial intelligence in education and research opportunities with practical experiences in communities in emerging countries. This study investigates how participation in science clubs focused on AI-related projects supports the development of complex thinking and scientific thinking among high school and university students. Drawing on a multiple case study design, the research analyzes six cases involving 83 students across four Mexican cities, all engaged in science clubs jointly …

Temporal Evolution Of Workforce Fatality-Linked Factors In The Transportation Construction Sector, Mariam Elazhary, Islam H. El-Adaway

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Despite advancements in safety measures, fatalities in the transportation sector remain disproportionately higher than in other industries. Transportation sector fatalities arise from a combination of demographic, environmental, and occupational factors that amplify the overall risk. While strides have been made in understanding the factors contributing to fatalities, there remains a critical gap in research focused on their temporal evolution. The goal of this study is to investigate the temporal evolution of fatality-linked association factors in the transportation construction sector. The methodology encompassed three stages. Stage 1 was preprocessing the data: the US Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, covering 3,792 fatality …

Use Of Perioperative Scores In Predicting Postoperative Event And Selection For Discharge After Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Brian Nyamweya Bundi

Master of Medicine in General Surgery

Background: While daycare laparoscopic cholecystectomy is gaining momentum in developed countries, a majority of patients in low and middle-income countries are admitted overnight. This safety precaution offers prompt access to emergency services should need arise. This precautional overnight stay has implications on cost, healthcare utilization and patient satisfaction. Daycare procedures routinely utilize scoring systems for assessing discharge readiness. We explored the utility of the modified Surgical APGAR Score (mSAS) and the White Fast Track Score (WFTS) as predictors for postoperative events and their role in identifying patients who can have a safe daycare discharge after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in this retrospective …

Identifying The Barriers And Facilitators To Guideline-Concordant Breast Cancer Surgical Care In Kenya: A Sequential Mixed Method Study, Emmanuel Marsuk Lomole

Master of Medicine in General Surgery

Introduction 

Breast cancer represents the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. In Kenya, it constitutes 20% of all cancer diagnoses as well as the second most common cause of cancer related death in the country, with a 5-year survival between 40.1% and 64%. There exists heterogeneity in the delivery of breast cancer care despite the presence of guidelines that can standardize care and that have been contextualized for Sub-Saharan Africa. There is paucity of data on barriers and facilitators of guideline-concordant breast cancer surgical care.

Setting 

The Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi.

Aim 

The purpose of this study was to …

Multi-Fidelity Machine Learning Modeling For Aerodynamic Response Prediction Of Aerospace Vehicles, Ethan S. Jackman

Theses and Dissertations

Hypersonic vehicle design requires understanding complex aerodynamic phenomena across the full flight regime. This study presents a novel MF surrogate modeling methodology that enables the prediction the full field response across a vehicle’s surface. A Space-Filling Curve (SFC) is used to convert unstructured data into 1D vectors. The a Convolutional Autoencoder is used with transfer learning to reduce the dimensionality of the data. An Emulator-Embedded Neural Network (E2NN) combines multi-fidelity data for fast, accurate predictions. A benchmark analytical example and hypersonic application are used to evaluate the methodology. Using various numbers of samples and sampling strategies it is found that …

Low-Cost Transfers For Cislunar Liaison Navigation, Ka'eo J. Swartzmiller

Theses and Dissertations

CubeSats have an inherent limitation on volume due to their small form factor. Naturally, this extends to the capacity of on-board ΔV, thus limiting the maneuverability of the satellites. This limited maneuverability makes it extremely important to be intentional when planning out mission trajectories. The cislunar region subjects these trajectories to the gravitational forces of both the Earth and the Moon, making it all the more necessary to deliberately plan out maneuvers. The Circular Restricted Three Body Problem (CR3BP) provides a simpler model for estimating the motion of spacecraft within the cislunar region, allowing for the gravitational forces to be …

Investigating The Impact Of Forest Vegetation On Nuclear Weapon Prompt Radiation Energy Deposition, Paul A. Clement

Theses and Dissertations

This work seeks to answer the unstudied questions “Does a layer of vegetation impact the prompt radiation energy deposition in the soil from an atmospheric nuclear detonation?” and “If yes, by how much?” A new methodology was developed to repeatably automate and streamline a process of generating a three-dimensional geometry for subsequent radiation transport simulations and statistical analysis. The methodology streamlined three diverse applications: a three-dimensional mesh generator, a radiation transport simulation code, and a sensitivity analysis & uncertainty quantification software. The methodology was tested by simulating the quantitative influence that vegetation has on changing the energy deposition into the …

Automation Of Lcmc Logistics Processes: A Delphi Approach, Kline M. Alt

Theses and Dissertations

As the U.S. Air Force confronts growing complexity in system acquisition, the implementation of digital models in system design and logistics process management allows the incorporation of digital tools and the possibility for automation of portions of logistics processes. This thesis investigates where these technologies can be most effectively integrated within the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center logistics enterprise (AFLCMC). Using a three round Delphi study, AFLCMC logistics subject matter expert (SME) opinions were solicited from program-level senior logisticians, program managers to identify high-need areas, key success factors, and potential barriers to adoption. Quantitative consensus from Likert-scale and ordinal …

Experimental Study Of Dehydration Performance Of Re-Crosslinkable Preformed Particle Gel During Extruding Through An Open Fracture, Shu Da Zhao, Baojun Bai, Thomas P. Schuman

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Re-cross linkable preformed particle gel (RPPG) has been considered to be one of the most promising gels for dealing with fracture and void space conduit (VSC) conformance problems. However, the dehydration of RPPG during its propagation in the fracture-type features and its effect on gel properties remains unclear. This paper investigates the dehydration behavior during RPPG propagating in an open fracture using matrix-free fracture model. Then the results were verified using real fractured sandstone core model. Moreover, the gel properties after extruding a fracture were studied in detail including gel dehydration and gel strength. Results reveal that the RPPG properties …

Lumbar Microdiscectomy: A Rare Case Of A Duplicate L5 Exiting Nerve Root., Sahil Garg, Sean M Muir, Arianna K Gill, Komi E Afetse, Sanjitpal S Gill

Surgery Articles

The microdiscectomy procedure has been regarded as the preferred method for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Intraoperatively, the procedure may be further complicated due to underlying anatomical variations in the lumbar spine or nerve root variations. Nerve root anomalies (NRAs), in particular, are relatively underdiscussed within the literature. Despite the rarity of these variations to the exiting nerve root, the increased surgical risk that an NRA may add warrants the need for increased awareness and associated complication mitigation. This case describes a rare instance of a symptomatic duplicate L5 nerve root discovered preoperatively and highlights the steps taken …

Airway Management In Patients With Vocal Cord Paralysis: A Review Of Intubation Techniques, Intraoperative Challenges, And Outcomes., Rayyan Bhutta, Ali Osman, Tala Maya, Justin Ma, Ali Al Saeed, Sumit Sidhu, Mariya Wood, Bilal Akhtar, Sirimas Lau, Matthias Franzen

Surgery Articles

Vocal cord paralysis (VCP) presents with unique challenges when managing airways, particularly during endotracheal intubation. This literature review explores the effects of unilateral and bilateral VCP on intubation technique, first-pass success, extubation safety, and perioperative airway planning. While video laryngoscopy (VL) is becoming increasingly favored for its superior airway visualization, it does not always confirm successful placement in patients with VCP. Complications such as airway edema, aspiration risk, and cuff misplacements are increased in this patient population, and they may be more vulnerable to post-extubation complications, especially without the use of steroid prophylaxis or intensive post-operative planning. A comparison of …

Analysis Of Nutrient Accumulation Within A Bioretention System, Amina Halim Nefic

Master's Theses and Capstones

Bioretention systems are widely used in stormwater management to mitigate nutrient pollution, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. Over time, these systems undergo changes in nutrient retention efficiency due to organic matter accumulation and biogeochemical transformations. This study examines the distribution and long-term retention of total nitrogen (TN), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), nitrate (NO3-), total phosphorus (TP), and orthophosphate (PO43-) within a 16-year-old bioretention system. A combination of k-means clustering and non-parametric statistical tests (Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests) were employed to analyze nutrient concentrations across different soil depths and media types. Results indicate that TN and TKN are concentrated in the …

Beech Bark Disease Agent Responses To Exogenous Application Of Tree Defense Inducing Phytohormones, Erin Reilly

Master's Theses and Capstones

Pathogens and insects face several barriers to successful infection and colonization of a host plant, including a range of physical and chemical defenses, some of which are inducible (modified or initiated by attack or infection). These interactions can be complex and are influenced by environmental conditions, tree physiological status, host age, and timing of attack. Non-native pathogens and insects can have an advantage against a plant’s evolved chemical defenses, but they are also subject to abiotic stressors and conditions. In North America, beech bark disease (BBD) is a disease complex where the beech (Fagus grandifolia) host is subject to concurrent …

The Development Of A Meteorological Buoy For Measuring Turbulent Fluxes Along The Air-Sea Boundary Layer, Jane Maria Schwadron

Master's Theses and Capstones

The Air-Sea Flux Buoy (ASFB) is part of a larger effort implemented by the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) to characterize the dynamics of the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL). The ASFB samples the 3D wind velocities, air temperature, and water vapor to derive the air-sea eddy-covariance fluxes of momentum, heat, and humidity. The solar radiation, water temperature, rain intensity, barometric pressure, and water salinity are sampled to estimate the bulk-parameterized stability conditions. A GNSS inertial navigation system enables centimeter-scale motion correction and an onboard cellular modem provides real-time telemetry. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, hydrostatic analysis, mooring simulations, and …

Closing The Youth Activity Gap Through School District–Community Partnerships, Joseph Anthes

Journal of Youth Development

A growing divide in physical activity amongst youth, fueled by the privatization of youth athletic programs, most negatively impacts underrepresented students. Intramural-sports programs hold the potential to engage more of our youth in physical activity, including those from marginalized populations. Utilizing a collective impact approach, school-community partnerships can create opportunities for access and strive toward equity in youth health. This study evaluates a partnership between a school district and a regional health care provider that resulted in the creation of a youth intramural-sports program by describing the partnership’s implementation strategies and by comparing first year enrollment data. Implementation strategies include: …

Exploring Boundaries With Food, Substances, And People In Substance Use Recovery: A Qualitative Analysis, Tiffany Champagne-Langabeer, Audrey Sarah Cohen, Kriti Shrestha, Jie Zhu, Audrey Lopez, Alisha Campbell, Christine Bakos-Block

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: In the United States, over 47 million youth and adults live with a substance use disorder (SUD). These individuals are frequently malnourished and have metabolic dysregulation as a result. Nutrition interventions incorporating a mindfulness-based approach help recovery efforts that are physical and mental.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore and analyze the perspectives and experiences of individuals with SUD regarding emotional regulation and nutrition. The study used a mixed methods approach to generate insights for improving recovery support and developing future interventions.

Design: In 2024, an exploratory mixed methods study was conducted based on a large …

Implementation Of Screening And Assessment Tools For Diagnosing Opioid Use Disorder: A Systematic Review, Audrey Lopez, Audrey Sarah Cohen, Francine Vega, Tiffany Champagne-Langabeer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: As the prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) continues to rise, early detection by medical professionals can often be the first step in linking individuals to treatment. This systematic review was designed to identify implemented OUD screening and assessment tools with studies published from January 2019 through June 2024, uncover common themes associated with implementation, and determine if these tools were recommended in clinical practice.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted within PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science using the keywords 'opioid use disorder,' 'documentation,' and 'screening assessment tool.' Three investigators independently reviewed titles, abstracts, and full-text articles …

Exploring Boundaries With Food, Substances, And People In Substance Use Recovery: A Qualitative Analysis, Tiffany Champagne-Langabeer, Audrey Sarah Cohen, Kriti Shrestha, Jie Zhu, Audrey Lopez, Alisha Campbell, Christine Bakos-Block

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: In the United States, over 47 million youth and adults live with a substance use disorder (SUD). These individuals are frequently malnourished and have metabolic dysregulation as a result. Nutrition interventions incorporating a mindfulness-based approach help recovery efforts that are physical and mental.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore and analyze the perspectives and experiences of individuals with SUD regarding emotional regulation and nutrition. The study used a mixed methods approach to generate insights for improving recovery support and developing future interventions.

Design: In 2024, an exploratory mixed methods study was conducted based on a large …

Graduate School Blog - September 2025, Cynthia Haynes

UofM Grad School Blog

This September blog post, Dr. Deborah Tollefsen, Vice Provost & Dean of the Graduate School, explores the value of Graduate Assistantships (GAs), which offer stipends, tuition support, and professional development. Given their competitive nature and limited availability, Dr. Tollefsen provides actionable advice on how students can strengthen their applications emphasizing relevant experience, strong recommendations, and program fit.

In addition, the post highlights a range of upcoming events and resources for graduate students at the University of Memphis, including webinars, social gatherings, study sessions, and information meetings all designed to support students academically, professionally, and socially throughout their graduate journey.

Graduate School Blog - September 2025 Volume 2, Cynthia Haynes, Cynthia Haynes

UofM Grad School Blog

In this September Blog volume 2, The University of Memphis graduate certificates provide a flexible, efficient, and affordable pathway for career growth, allowing students to gain specialized skills in as little as 18 months without committing to a full degree. With over 70 programs many offered online or in the evenings students can bridge the gap between knowledge and practice in fields such as Clinical Social Work, Play Therapy, Museum Studies, and Population Health. These four-course programs deliver immediate workplace value while keeping the option open for further graduate study. Highlighted by student experiences like Andrew Hashimura’s in College and …

Strong External Difference Families And Classification Of Α-Valuations, Donald L. Kreher, Maura B. Paterson, Douglas R. Stinson

Michigan Tech Publications

One method of constructing (Formula presented.) -SEDFs (i.e., strong external difference families) in (Formula presented.) makes use of (Formula presented.) -valuations of complete bipartite graphs (Formula presented.). We explore this approach and we provide a classification theorem which shows that all such (Formula presented.) -valuations can be constructed recursively via a sequence of “blow-up” operations. We also enumerate all (Formula presented.) -SEDFs in (Formula presented.) for (Formula presented.) and we show that all these SEDFs are equivalent to (Formula presented.) -valuations via affine transformations. Whether this holds for all (Formula presented.) as well is an interesting open problem. We also …

How Does The Sewer Microbiome Impact Wastewater Surveillance For Antibiotic Resistance?, Israel Adedayo Adeoye, Ishi Keenum

Michigan Tech Publications

Antibiotic resistance is a global health threat that is difficult to directly monitor prior to clinical presentation. Wastewater surveillance has emerged as a public health tool that could aid in identifying the community wide circulation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), however this is complicated by the potential growth and decay of ARB within the sewer network. Sewer systems have been suggested as a primary place where sub-lethal doses of antibiotics are present with human and environmental adapted bacterial strains, however little is understood about what physiochemical properties might enhance or inhibit ARG propagation. Hence, key …

Review Of Jerusalem And Other Holy Places As Foci Of Multireligious And Ideological Confrontation, Rivka Ulmer

Other Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Medication Adherence: A Reimbursable Theory-Guided Evidence-Based Educational Intervention For Patients With Parkinson’S Disease, Amanda E. George, Melinda Hermanns, Diane B. Monsivais, Cheryl D. Parker

Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Parkinson’s disease is a challenging, progressive neurodegenerative process projected to affect more than 1.2 million patients by 2030, with an economic burden that will surpass $79 billion annually in the United States. Pharmacological interventions are the hallmark of treatment for symptom management for this lifelong disease. Multiple medications and a variety of dosing times have an increasingly negative effect on medication adherence. Purpose: This article will discuss medication adherence challenges, describe a theory-guided evidence-based intervention to improve medication adherence, and explore the economic implications in an outpatient clinic setting. Methods: A pilot chart review of 40 cases over 30 …

The Library Papers (Vol. 1, Issue 1, September 2025), Wolf Law Library, William & Mary Law School

Library Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Transient Effects Of Antenna Geometry On Direct Antenna Modulation Systems, Tyson Decastro

Electrical and Computer Engineering Master's Theses

Electrically small antennas (ESAs) operate with low radiation efficiency and high Q-factor, requiring greater power consumption and slower data rates in wireless communication systems. Direct Antenna Modulation (DAM) refers to a class of modulation techniques, often utilizing a time-varying switch, which significantly reduces the symbol transition time in wireless communication systems with ESAs. Despite the ability to avoid the band-limited nature of ESAs, the increased data rates associated with DAM come at the expense of undesired radiation transients and power radiated in sidebands, which can be disruptive to other communication channels. These effects vary greatly with antenna geometry. In this …

Risk, Uncertainty, World Business Cycles, And The U.S. Stock-Oil Relationship, André Varella Mollick

Economics and Finance Faculty Publications

We examine in this paper the transmission of geopolitical risks (GPR), VIX, economic policy uncertainty (EPU), and “macro uncertainty” shocks to real WTI oil and U.S. stock returns (S&P 500). Structural vector autoregressions (SVAR) are applied to monthly data from 1990:1 to 2023:6 with identification based on long-run restrictions of impulse responses from risk/uncertainty measures to world industrial production. The main results are: First, oil prices respond positively to shocks in GPR and macro uncertainty in the short-run, but not to shocks in VIX and EPU. Second, stock returns respond negatively and for longer to both GPR and VIX shocks. …

Labor’S Revival: Unions And The Struggle For Racial And Economic Justice -- Event Poster, Lender Center For Social Justice

The Lender Center for Social Justice

A poster for the Labor's Revival event.

Welcome Lenders & ​Lender Fellows -- Event Slides, Lender Center For Social Justice

The Lender Center for Social Justice

A slide deck for the new members of the Lender Center for Social Justice.