Digital Commons Network^™

Improving Glycemic Control Mechanisms By Electrical Muscle Stimulation, Jehu Narh Apaflo

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Introduction: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has emerged as a promising intervention for improving metabolic health in sedentary individuals with overweight or obesity. Its capacity to induce muscle contraction without voluntary movement presents a viable alternative to traditional exercise, especially in mobility-limited populations. NMES may serve as a non-invasive alternative to traditional exercise, especially in high-risk populations who face elevated type 2 diabetes incidence linked to hyperglycemia, obesity, and inactivity. This study investigated the impact of NMES on glycemic control and metabolic health in a sedentary, predominantly Hispanic, overweight or obese population. Methods: This study examined the acute and long-term effects …

Technology-Enabled Foreign Object (Fo) Prevention, Christopher Lee Colaw

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The aviation industry incurs $14 billion per year in cost due to Foreign Object (FO) damage and the prevention and resolution techniques associated with foreign object debris. While aircraft loss, material scrap and rework contribute to that cost impact, a traditional approach to aircraft design and manufacturing which is based on human performance is also a significant driver. Failure modes and effects analysis of human based aircraft manufacturing reveals that two of the largest risks are associated with unknown potential for FO creation and the inability to recall or objectively provide evidence of FO conformity for cases of inquiry, learning, …

Markerless Clinical Gait Identification Using Computer Vision Techniques And Artificial Intelligence, Katelyn Conroy

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Pose estimation algorithms could provide an unbiased examination for diagnosis, progression, and rehabilitation. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was 1) to critically identify and appraise literature investigating spatiotemporal and kinematic gait characteristics in individuals with idiopathic Parkinson's Disease and spastic diplegic Cerebral Palsy compared to healthy controls; 2) to examine the validity and reliability of spatiotemporal gait characteristics and upper- and lower-body joint kinematics of OpenPose and the agreement with marker-based motion capture in healthy individuals; and 3) to examine the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of a proposed clinical diagnostic tool using OpenPose in the diagnosis of idiopathic …

Crossing Borders: Analyzing The Factors Contributing To Healthcare And Reproductive Preferences Among Residents Of The Texas-Mexico Border, Yamaris Michelle Cordero

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Crossing Borders: Analyzing the Factors Contributing to Healthcare and Reproductive Preferences Among Residents of the Texas-Mexico Border explores the complexities of healthcare access and utilization among border residents, particularly in the context of reproductive health. Through qualitative analysis of focus group discussions with promotoras - community health workers - this study identifies key factors influencing cross-border healthcare decisions, including economic barriers, cultural influences, and perceptions of quality. The findings reveal that high costs and limited insurance coverage in the U.S. drive many individuals to seek affordable healthcare and medications in Mexico, where pharmacies provide immediate, low-cost services without the need …

The Feasibility And Impact Of Self-Administered Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation On Glycemic Control In Hyperglycemia Population- A Pilot Study, Zahra Fatahimeiabadi

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Introduction: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has shown promise in improving glycemic outcomes in supervised, laboratory-based settings. However, its feasibility and effectiveness in real-world, community-based applications remain underexplored, particularly among sedentary, overweight/obese individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study aims to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of self-administered NMES use on glycemic control and substrate utilization among sedentary, overweight/obese population with hyperglycemia. Methods: Ten participants (N=10 [Males:4; Females:6] Age: 38.9 ± 14.1 years; BMI: 36.0 ± 8.7 kg/m2) sedentary Overweight/obese participants with hyperglycemia were randomized to either an NMES or control group and were trained and instructed to …

Restoring Balance: Choctaw Policy And The Environment In New Spain's Eighteenth-Century Frontier, Fior Daliso Garcia Lara

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

During the colonial period, Indigenous peoples in the Lower Mississippi Valley used their deep ecological knowledge to respond to imperial pressures. Eighteenth-century Louisiana was a contested borderland where Spain, France, and England vied for expansion through alliances, warfare, and trade with Native tribes. As European powers vied for control of the region, Native groups devised strategies to assert sovereignty over their territories and livelihoods. My dissertation examines the ecological history of the Choctaw and Spanish Louisiana from 1763 until the United States Indian Removal Act in the 1830s. It argues that imperial disputes over Indigenous lands compelled the Choctaw to …

Elucidation Of Nano-Mechanical Property Evolution Of 3d-Printed Zirconia, Diana Hazel Leyva Marquez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation presents an in-depth look at the mechanical behavior, size changes, and process improvement of ceramic and polymer materials made with additive manufacturing (AM). The work consists of four separate but related studies, each tackling important challenges in fabrication, characterization, and predictive modeling. Chapter 1 examines the nano-mechanical property changes of 3D-printed zirconia made using digital light processing (DLP). By employing nanoindentation and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the effects of print orientation and sintering on hardness, elastic modulus, and microstructure are revealed. The results indicate that 0°-oriented sintered samples have up to 140% higher hardness compared to preconditioned samples, …

Characterization Of Glyt1 Expression And Glycinergic Circuits, Laura Patricia Montes

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Glycine is one of the main inhibitory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Glycine is regulated by the glycine transporters 1 and 2 (GlyT1 and GlyT2, respectively) in the synaptic cleft. Both transporters participate in glycinergic inhibitory neurotransmission. Moreover, GlyT1 also participates in glutamatergic excitatory neurotransmission. GlyT2 is devoted to caudal regions of the brain and is used as a marker for glycinergic neurons. In contrast, GlyT1 is expressed across the brain in the rostrocaudal axis and is highly associated with GlyT1-positive glial cells. Data from our laboratory has identified GlyT1-positive neurons in the rodent brain. Therefore, we hypothesize that …

Judicial And Techno-Securitization Of Immigration: Narratives De Filosofia De Inmigracion Y Justicia, Mohammad Rubaiyat Rahman

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In the thesis, I develop a philosophical account which is centered on immigration enforcement discrimination, surveillance and procedural justice. The thesis propounds two arguments. The first argument contends that the immigration enforcement of the United States (U.S.), including the use of surveillance technology, contributes to the structural injustice. The second argument is that the U.S. immigration surveillance and immigration enforcement should be qualified by procedural justice and constitutional democracy.

The thesis prioritizes the practice of the U.S. immigration policy, enforcement and how these promote structural injustice against non-citizens and citizens, specifically those who are Latinos living in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. …

Effective Transformer Networks For Undersampled Magnetic Resonance Image Reconstruction, Tahsin Rahman

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The proliferation of data-driven tools for solving problems in every possible domain, coupled with rapid advances in computing technology, has led to an arms race of AI development and application research in industry and academia. One field of research that stands to gain immeasurably from this revolution is medical imaging. It is a critical part of modern diagnostics, and advancements in this area can directly benefit the average person by making healthcare more accessible, accurate, and affordable. Breakthroughs in mainstream image processing and computer vision have long fueled development in medical imaging, and it is now common to see cutting …

The Moderating Effects Of Motivation And Adhd On The Relationship Between Academic Burnout And Prescription Stimulant Misuse Among College Students With Adhd, Joshua Matthew Villanos

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This study examined whether ADHD symptom severity and motivational orientations moderate relationships between academic burnout and stimulant outcomes in college students with ADHD symptoms. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 180 undergraduate students who screened positive for ADHD symptoms completed measures assessing academic burnout, motivation orientations, ADHD symptomatology, and prescription stimulant misuse behaviors and expectancies. Testing these moderation hypotheses addresses important gaps in understanding risk and protective factors that may influence stimulant misuse risk. Negative binomial regression was employed for stimulant misuse analyses using the full sample (N = 180), while linear regression examined expectancies across all participants. Results revealed one …

Selected Projects In Scenic Design And Technical Direction, Ky Trupp

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

A selection of projects in scenic design and technical direction produced by Utah State Theater involving Ky Trupp and others. Each chapter studies the design process and production process of three individual shows where Ky was the Scenic Designer or Technical Director.

Do The Theoretical Frameworks Surrounding Union Wage Negotiations Align With Empirical Data?, Sajid Bin Hasnat

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This paper investigates whether the strategic bargaining models developed in game theory align with outcomes observed in laboratory and field settings. We aim to synthesize theoretical literature with experimental and field data to assess the predictive power of game-theoretic models in labor-union wage negotiation contexts. We analyze Rubinstein's bargaining model and its extensions, focusing on how relaxed assumptions affect equilibrium behavior, gains from trade, and dispute occurrence. The theoretical analysis reveals that many bargaining failures stem from asymmetric information between both parties, where delay, transaction costs, deadlines, and reputational effects lead to distinct equilibrium predictions. To test these theoretical predictions, …

A Social And Environmental Restoration Plan For Warm Springs And North Gateway Parks In Salt Lake City, Utah, Bailey R. Guinn

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This research-based design thesis examines the historic and ecological significance of the combined 20-acre Warm Springs and North Gateway Parks in the Capitol Hill neighborhood on the north end of Salt Lake City. Distinguished by the natural hot springs in North Gateway Park, the area was formed through geological processes associated with the emergence of the Wasatch Mountains (Lutz, 2004) and holds a deep cultural history for indigenous peoples such as the Shoshone, Goshute, Southern Utes, and Northern Utes. These tribes historically used the springs for social bathing, healing, and wintering grounds until the arrival of settlers in 1847, which …

The Soldier Saint: Latter-Day Saint Veterans Of The Vietnam War, Cassie Evans

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This digital exhibit and accompanying paper explore the experiences and contributions of Latter-day Saint veterans during the Vietnam War, focusing on their role within both military and religious contexts. Despite representing only a small percentage of the American military forces in Vietnam, Latter-day Saints influenced the war's cultural and spiritual landscape. Through personal narratives, interviews, and historical analysis, the study sheds light on how these veterans navigated the complexities of their faith amidst the challenges of combat.

Additionally, it considers the relationship between military service and missionary efforts, highlighting how the presence of Latter-day Saint soldiers contributed to later religious …

Soft Infrastructure And The Location Choice Of Multinational Firms:Evidence From Japanese Investment In The United States In The 1980s, Shuichiro Nishioka, Eric Olson, Haoyu Wang

Economics Faculty Working Papers Series

We examine whether culture-specific educational infrastructure influenced the location decisions of multinational enterprises by analyzing Japanese foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States during the 1980s. Using the quasi-natural experiment of politically-driven Japanese FDI following Reagan-era trade tensions, we test whether pre-existing Japanese Studies programs in U.S. universities predict subsequent Japanese investment across 722 commuting zones. We find that zones with Japanese Studies programs in 1980 were 21-29% more likely to receive new Japanese manufacturing investment by 1992, controlling for traditional determinants likemanufacturing infrastructure, agglomeration, and market access. Our results suggest that "soft infrastructure"—culture-specific human capital pipelines—represents an overlooked …

League Of Women Voters Of The Huntington Area E-Mail Bulletin, August, 2025, League Of Women Voters Of The Huntington Area

League of Women Voters of the Huntington Area Bulletin 2020 - Present

The periodical is published by the League, which is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Out-Of-Field Teaching In Junior Secondary Schools: Unveiling Challenges And Professional Development Needs In Kenya, Caleb Kaleli Kisangau, Tage Biswalo, George Nyaboga Nyarieko

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

Background

Magnetron sputtering was employed to deposit thin niobium films onto biochar surfaces to increase selectivity for electrostatic interactions.

Methods

Biochar samples were coated with niobium under various power levels and deposition times by magnetron sputtering. Each material was then characterized and tested for adsorption performance with an anionic model molecule.

Significant findings

Niobium impregnation raised the point of zero charge of the biochar by 0.33 to 0.94 pH units, expanding the pH range in which the niobium-coated adsorbents maintain a positively charged surface. Optimal adsorption was observed at 298 K with an adsorbent dose of 1 g L⁻1 and …

Pediatric Occupational Therapists’ Perception On How Nature-Based Play Affects Fine Motor Development, Abbi M. Rosenow

Human Development and Family Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study aimed to explore the benefits of nature-based pediatric occupational therapy and the influence of nature and nature-based play on fine motor development. It was hypothesized that nature and nature-based play would positively impact a child’s fine motor skills, and that nature-based occupational therapy would offer unique benefits to a child’s therapeutic experience. To examine these relationships, a survey was distributed to pediatric occupational therapists across the United States. The survey was designed to gather insights into how occupational therapy supports fine motor development, how nature-based play/therapy enhances these skills, and the perceived benefits of incorporating nature into therapeutic …

Depuration Of A Solitary Ascidian Depletes Transient Bacteria Without Altering Microbiome Alpha-Diversity, Brenna Hutchings, Susanna López-Legentil, Lauren M. Stefaniak, Marie L. Nydam, Patrick M. Erwin

Marine Science

Depuration, or the process of clearing impurities from the gut, is commonly applied to marine food products due to its efficacy in removing human pathogens from shellfish and edible ascidians. Recent studies also reported that depuration of filter-feeding animals helped reduce transient bacteria and identify resident symbionts in gut microbiome studies. Here, we examined the impact of depuration on bacteria in the branchial sac, gut, and hepatic gland of the solitary ascidian Pyura vittata. Replicates were kept in filtered seawater for 4 days prior to dissection (aquaria-depuration) and compared to samples that were immediately processed following collection (wild-no depuration) and …

Open Repository @ Binghamton Monthly Additions And Top Downloads - July 2025, Caitlin Holton

Library Created Resources

Newly added work in the Open Repository @ Binghamton (ORB) from 7/1/2025-7/31/2025. Top downloads from same time frame.

Certified Approximation Algorithms Of Algebraic Curves, Michael Byrd Jr.

All Dissertations

One of the fundamental problems in mathematics is to determine the set of solutions to a system of equations. In algebraic geometry, the equations studied are polynomials, and the solution set is called an algebraic variety. For single variable polynomials of degree less than five, the roots can be determined exactly using algebraic methods, but for polynomials of degree five or higher, numerical methods are required. When using numerical methods, it is important to know when the computed approximation is indeed a correct solution, which leads to the idea of a certified algorithm. An algorithm is said to be …

Scaling Laws Of Political Regime Dynamics: Stability Of Democracies And Autocracies In The Twentieth Century, Paula Pirker-Diaz, Matthew Wilson, Soenke Beier, Karoline Wiesner

Faculty Publications

In light of the current rise of authoritarian regimes and the anti-liberal tendencies in some established democracies, understanding the dynamic and statistical properties of political regimes is of critical importance. Despite their relevance, a comprehensive quantitative assessment of these dynamics on a historical scale remains largely unexplored, and the notion that democratization is an irreversible process has gone mostly unchallenged. This study provides a rigorous and quantitative analysis of political regimes worldwide by examining changes in freedoms of expression, association and electoral quality throughout the twentieth century. Utilizing the multidimensional V-Dem dataset, which covers over 170 countries across more than …

Breaking Confirmatory Spells By Implementing Research- Integrated Cures, J. A.C. Vriezen

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Differences in economic and social growth and academic equity, experi ences, and opportunities have left an achievement gap in STEM for underprivileged students. Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) have attempted to answer these inequalities by leveling the playing field or by offering course-based research opportunities with minimal requirements for background knowledge. When we ask novel questions, more students get the experience of performing research, which lowers thresholds to pursue research and increases participation. Although the learning outcomes have been largely positive, there is a concern that many CUREs are still too scaffolded. In contrast, I propose to develop exploratory, hypothesis-driven …

Visceral, Neural, And Immunotoxicity Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: A Mini Review, Pietro Martano, Samira Mahdi, Tong Zhou, Yasmin Barazandegan, Rebecca Iha, Hannah Do, Joel Burken, Paul Ki-Souk Nam, Qingbo Yang, Ruipu Mu

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have gained significant attention due to their widespread distribution in the environment and potential adverse health effects. While ingestion, especially through contaminated drinking water, is considered the primary route of human exposure, recent research suggests that other pathways, such as inhalation and dermal absorption, also play a significant role. This review provides a concise overview of the toxicological impacts of both legacy and emerging PFASs, such as GenX and perfluoro butane sulfonic acid (PFBS), with a particular focus on their effects on the liver, kidneys, and immune and nervous systems, based on findings from recent …

Quality Improvement Project Advancing Success In Nursing Education: An Evidence-Based Approach To Remediation, Jessica Wilson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Nursing education requires intense academic work, which creates specific obstacles for learner achievement. The improvement of academic results in BSN 346 and similar high-stakes courses remains essential for maintaining learner retention, graduation success, and practice readiness. This quality improvement project assessed how evidence-based remediation with structured implementation compared to traditional voluntary remediation methods. The research investigated whether faculty-led evidence-based remediation meetings would enhance BSN 346 learner success through concept map score assessment. A retrospective pre-/post-intervention study analyzed concept map performance between two learner groups from Spring 2025, who received standard remediation, and Summer 2025, who received structured remediation. The researchers …

Integrating Sensory Strategies In The Classroom Setting: A Field Guide, Abigail Walcott

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

During my 14-week capstone project, I worked alongside St. John Vianney Catholic School, an early education and K-8 school to develop a program to target identified needs of students related to sensory challenges and emotional regulation skills to improve participation in school-based occupations. My primary ACOTE focus area was program development, and I worked to assess classroom needs and develop a program that could be implemented in the traditional classroom setting. My goals for this capstone project were to observe and discuss with my site mentor to assess classroom needs, to research and to create an evidence-backed program guide for …

Bridging Theory To Practice: An Evidence-Based Training Program For Implementing Animal-Assisted Therapy In Appalachian Clinical Settings, Lauren Kessler

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

No abstract provided.

The Use Of Sensory Interventions For Stress Management In College Students, Cassidy Cain

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

For my doctoral capstone, I partnered with the Student Success Center (SSC) at Eastern Kentucky University and the director of the SSC, Dr. Ashley Sweat, to explore the connections between commonly used occupational therapy sensory intervention techniques and stress management for college students. The focus of my project is education and program development for the Student Success Center. In my literature review, I identified stress as one of the largest contributors to students not returning to college. The Student Success Center provides services for students who are already at a high risk of not continuing their college education. Based on …

Promoting Social-Emotional Learning In Pre-K Students, Hailey Dawn Turner

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

During my doctoral capstone and applied leadership experience, I partnered with Eastern Scholar House, a child development center at Eastern Kentucky University serving children ages 0–5. The primary ACOTE focus area was education, with an emphasis on educating Pre-K teachers and parents on social-emotional learning (SEL) and strategies to support its development in both the classroom and home settings. Project goals included gaining hands-on experience with SEL, understanding its impact on well-being, collaborating with an interprofessional team, and providing educators with practical SEL resources. A literature review and needs assessment highlighted the benefits of SEL in improving behavior, academics, and …