Digital Commons Network^™

Chance Or Strategy? Assessing The Unanticipated Policy Window For Active Transportation During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review, Katja Siefken, Michael Pratt, Juliana Mejía-Grueso, Adrian Bauman, Deborah Salvo, Catherine B Woods, Wanda Wendel-Vos, Justin Richards, J Jaime Miranda, Pedro C Hallal, Andrea Ramírez Varela

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Physical activity (PA) policy is essential for promoting population-level PA by coordinating efforts across various sectors. Global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic can open policy windows, enabling rapid implementation of innovative policies. This study examined how policy windows shaped active transportation (AT) policies during the pandemic, resulting in infrastructural changes.

Methods: A systematic review using PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest-Coronavirus Research Database, Web of Science, WHO COVID-19 Research Database, PsycInfo, and SPORTDiscus conducted to characterize AT policy during the pandemic (2020-2023). Descriptive analyses were conducted in Stata. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42025644930.

Results: The search retrieved 3879 articles; 1162 were duplicates, leaving 2716 …

Accelerometer-Measured Chronoactivity And Type 2 Diabetes Risk: A Prospective Study In Uk Biobank Participants, Qiuyu Feng, Gali Albalak, Ko Willems Van Dijk, Jeroen H P M Van Der Velde, Qian Xiao, Raymond Noordam, Diana Van Heemst

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: We assessed whether timing of physical activity, independent from the total activity amount, - which we refer to as chronoactivity - is associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk.

Methods: We included UK Biobank participants with valid accelerometry data (UK, exposure measurement: 2013-2015, follow-up till November 2023) and without diabetes mellitus at baseline (N = 89,439; mean age: 61.7 [SD:7.9] years). Relative hourly physical activity was calculated by dividing the average hourly clock time physical activity by the average hourly physical activity in a week. Participants were categorized into different chronoactivity clusters using k-means cluster analysis on relative hourly …

Evaluating The Antimicrobial Properties Of Different Dental Cleaning Tablets Against S Aureus Grown On Two Denture Base Materials, Sindi Vishaj, Alissa Villhauer, Mandi Morris, Donald M Belles, Daher Antonio Queiroz, Maria D Gonzalez, Ransome Van Der Hoeven

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of three commercially available denture cleaning tablets Efferdent, Polident, and Val-clean against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms formed on two denture base materials: milled polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and 3D printed denture resin.

Material and methods: Eighty samples were fabricated, with 40 specimens per denture base material: CAD/CAM milled PMMA (Lucitone Digital Fit LT; Dentsply Sirona, Charlotte, NC, USA) and 3D printed resin (Denture Base Resin; Formlabs Inc., Somerville, MA, USA). Each group was divided into four subgroups (n = 10), Efferdent, Polident, Val-clean, and deionized water (control). Surface roughness was measured using a …

Genome-Wide Approaches To Bacterial Strain Typing: A History And Review Of Recent Methodological Advances, William C Shropshire, Blake M Hanson, Samuel A Shelburne

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose of review: Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has transformed bacterial strain typing, an essential tool for outbreak detection, antimicrobial resistance surveillance, and tracking clonal emergence across clinical, research, and public health settings. Herein, we will review recent advances in WGS-based bacterial strain typing methods for purposes of comparison and classification with a focus on improvements in variant identification, strain classification, and transmission assessment.

Recent findings: Advances in sequencing technologies as well as variant calling methodologies and parameter optimization have enhanced the precision and accuracy of single nucleotide variant identification. Hierarchical clustering of gene-by-gene strain typing, combined with novel data management …

Yizhi Sun: Profile Of The Newest Chbc Faculty Member., Danna Jaimes-Fajardo, Jeremy J. Smith, Lutishoor Salisbury

University Libraries Faculty Publications and Presentations

Presents the research profile of Yizhi Sun, Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry department. It highlights his research interests, education, and impact of his research.

The Power Of Social Capital For First-Generation College Students, Inez M. Gonzalez Perezchica

Journal of College Access

First-generation college students (FGCS) face unique challenges in achieving career success, challenges which stem from limited access to social capital. Social capital refers to the value derived from access to social structures, which serve as resources that enable individuals to pursue and attain their interests (Coleman, 1988). Enhancing mentoring for FGCS requires an understanding of how social capital facilitates success and upward mobility. FGCS face information gaps that can hinder their ability to navigate college bureaucracy, advance their careers, and beyond. To address this information gap, FGCS can seek advisors and mentors, or institutional agents, who can provide critical insights …

Complete Issue, Claudia Martinez, Lorenzo M. Sianez Jr

Journal of College Access

No abstract provided.

Cultivating Connections: Toward A Framework For Equity In Social Capital Development In College And Career Pathways, Samantha L. Perez

Journal of College Access

The attention on college and career pathways over the last decade has revitalized interest in key activities like early career exploration, work-based learning, and labor market alignment of career and technical education. One essential element of this work, and perhaps among the most critical, has not received as much attention. Research shows that social capital—the relationships and networks an individual has and their ability to build, leverage, and mobilize them— is often how people get access to new information and educational and career opportunities; however, it is not something that most school systems have made an explicit priority for preparing …

Debunking Myths: Preparing Black Students Who Are Accelerated Learners For Postsecondary Opportunities, Erik M. Hines, Donna Y. Ford, Renae D. Mayes, Tanya J. Middleton, James L. Moore Iii, Desmond Mcglone

Journal of College Access

Black students are the most underrepresented in Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), Advanced Placement (AP), honors, dual enrollment (DE), and other programs for advanced learners (Ford, 2011, 2013; Hines, 2024; Hines, Fletcher et al., 2022). However, accelerated learners, particularly Black students, are usually seen as individuals who understand their educational trajectory, are more likely to know where they plan to attend college, and quickly know their career choice (Smith & Wood, 2020). Accelerated learners are students who are engaged in advanced coursework or programs such as Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), Advanced Placement (AP), honors, dual enrollment (DE). In this …

Effects Of Emotional Intelligence In Enhancing Team Collaboration And Conflict Resolution In Agile Project Management, Shaikh Muhammad Sinan

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

In this study, I explored the use of emotional intelligence (EI) in enhancing team collaboration and conflict resolution within agile project management environments. Though agile methodologies have gained more popularity, most projects still suffer from interpersonal conflicts and communication failures that detract from project performance. Though the literature is particular to the dynamics of agile project management, little is known about the emotional and interpersonal dynamics that influence team effectiveness. I examined how EI skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills influence team dynamics and project success. Guided by Daniel Goleman's Emotional Intelligence Framework, in this qualitative study, …

Factors Influencing Healthcare Cybersecurity Effectiveness: An Empirical Investigation, Machuria Mallette Johnson

All Dissertations

The healthcare sector faces escalating cybersecurity risks due to its reliance on electronic health records, legacy systems, medical devices, and health information exchanges. These interconnected technologies expand attack surfaces and create vulnerabilities that threaten patient data, operational continuity, and public trust. These challenges cause many healthcare organizations to struggle to implement effective cybersecurity strategies.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influence healthcare cybersecurity effectiveness by integrating Institutional Theory, Dynamic Capabilities Theory, Top Management Support, and IT Infrastructure Quality. A survey was administered to healthcare IT, cybersecurity, and executive professionals across the United States. The final …

The Final Girl Without The Slasher: Final Girls, Gender, And Community In Psych, Cassidy Crosby

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This thesis focuses on the “Final Girl” trope, a hallmark of slasher films of the 1970s and 1980s, as it appears in detective procedural television show Psych to analyze what changes in the trope’s usage says about broader changes in American culture. I engage with two key episodes, “Scary Sherry: Bianca’s Toast” and “Tuesday the 17^th,” which contain the program’s most direct engagements with the Final Girl trope. Ultimately, I conclude that Psych rejects the hyperindividualism embedded in the Final Girl and some of the trope’s more binary gender norms, while also failing to interrogate other aspects of …

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 …

Experimental Investigation Of Photovoltaic Soiling Losses And Aerosol Absorption And Scattering Related To Dust In The Chihuahuan Desert Region, German Rodriguez Ortiz

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation explores the interaction between mineral dust and solar radiation in the Chihuahuan Desert, one of the dustiest areas in North America. I focused on two main aspects: (1) the characterization of atmospheric aerosol optical properties during dust events, and (2) the effects of dust deposition (soiling) on the performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules. I characterized the intrinsic optical properties of aerosols in El Paso, Texas during the peak of the 2021 dust season. Ground-level, high-resolution optical and meteorological data were collected at the Black and Brown Carbon (BC^2) study site, whereas particulate matter and additional meteorological parameters were …

A Multi-Modal Method For Synthetic Data Generation In Social Network Analysis, Hortencia Josefina Hernandez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Social network analysis (SNA) research is often rife with data collection pitfalls, frequently leading to incomplete and missing data. With the growing use of SNA-based research, researchers must address the challenge of missing data and synthetic data generation in these settings. Missing data occurs due to longitudinal non-response or lack of response to sensitive or difficult-to-answer questions. Synthetic data generation in SNA settings addresses the lack of representation that is often present in large-scale SNA studies. This dissertation investigates synthetic data generation methods to address these challenges and develops a novel algorithm that leverages information from multi-modal data, e.g., databases …

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 …

Digital Twin For Real-Time Monitoring And Control Of Conveyor Systems Using Flexsim, Ai And Plc Integration, Jose Francisco Arvizu Astorga

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Modern manufacturing is making significant advancements by innovating and automating most processes. However, a major challenge remains: systems are constantly evolving and becoming more complex to analyze. Fortunately, a powerful tool can help, Digital Twin (DT) technology. This technology enables the analysis and optimization of processes like never before. A Digital Twin is a real-time virtual model of a physical system that continuously up dates with live data. One of its greatest features is the ability to create infinite scenarios, allowing hundreds of configurations to be tested virtually, risk-free, and without making any real-world changes that could disrupt ongoing operations. …

Thermal Inkjet Bioprinting Of Human Fibroblasts Into Stem Cell Environment Leads To Stem-Like Gene And Protein Expression And Changes In Hippo Pathway Effectors Yap/Taz, Patricia Ablanedo Morales

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Thermal inkjet bioprinting (TIB) has emerged as a powerful tool with many potential applications, such as organ regeneration, drug testing, and cell differentiation, among others. Despite the forces and stress that cells are subjected to during the printing process, there is little research that investigates in detail the combined effects of the TIB process and the surrounding environment on cells. Furthermore, a cell's biological environment greatly influences its behavior. Therefore, understanding the effects of bioprinting on cells in a particular environment at a genetic level can provide clues regarding changes in cell characteristics. Bioprinting could potentially be used as a …

Learning English On The Border: Identities, Investment, And Imagined Futures In El Paso, Texas, Jennifer Lyn Mansour

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative study explores how adult English language learners living along the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas experience language learning, identity formation, and social positioning within a bilingual community. Drawing on Norton's (1995, 2013) theoretical frameworks of identity, investment, and imagined communities, the research investigates three central questions: (1) How does the relationship between English learners and the social world of a bilingual community on the U.S.-Mexico border impact their ideas about their possibilities for the future? (2) How does the use of English construct worlds that are different from those constructed in their first languages, and do learners …

Study On Self-Interaction Errors In Molecular Properties And Magnetic Behaviour Of 2d Materials Under External Stimuli Using Density Functional Theory, Prakash Mishra

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Density Functional Theory (DFT) has established itself as a practical and versatile method for efficiently studying the properties of materials of solids and molecules. Despite being exact in principle, in practice, DFT calculations rely on an approximation for the exchange-correlation energy functional of the electron density. This results in an erroneous interaction of the electron with itself, known as the self-interaction error (SIE). It arises from the fact that the exchange self-interaction does not exactly cancel out the Coulomb self-interaction. Due to this error, the approximate one-electron potential decays exponentially in the asymptotic region rather than exhibiting the correct ?1 …

Application Of Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing (Dfos) For Monitoring Asphalt Pavement Strains Under Accelerated Loading Conditions, Sebastian Morales

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This thesis presents a study on the application of Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing (DFOS) technology for detecting pavement's strain response with high spatial resolution. Using a Rayleigh-based optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) system, DFOS sensors were calibrated and embedded in full-scale asphalt slabs subjected to accelerated loading using a Model Mobile Load Simulator 3 (MMLS3). Calibration of the DFOS sensors was conducted using a three-point bending flexural test with known load conditions and reference strain gauges to validate theoretical and numerical models. The results demonstrate DFOS's capability to detect pavement response under static and dynamic loading, as well as changes …

The Alchemy Of Respect In The First-Year Composition Classroom, Raphael Ivan Reyes Juarez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In this research, I wanted to understand how respect in the First-Year Composition classroom was understood, applied, and negotiated by undergraduate students. Also, I proposed a concept called the alchemy of respect, which describes the transformations, addition of value to students' ideas, and the refinement of their abilities in the classroom. The study relied on three theoretical approaches: virtue ethics by John Duffy, community literacy by Linda Flower, and rhetoric of respect by Tiffany Rousculp. I found important concepts in their work, such as the analysis of morals in the decisions people make, the construction of communities across differences, and …

High-Frequency Seismic Noise In Desert Environments, Alexis Hernandez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This study investigates the generation and modulation of ambient seismic noise in arid environments, with a focus on aeolian processes such as saltation, wind shear, and precipitation events. Using a dense array of three-component seismic nodes co-located with meteorological sensors and a novel particle transport instrument (SANTRI), high-frequency seismic signatures were examined within the Jornada Experimental Range in southern New Mexico. Time-frequency analysis reveals that wind-driven saltation events produce measurable seismic energy enhancements, particularly within the 100-300 Hz band, with clear spectral distinctions between wind-only forcing and particle-laden transport. Additionally, rainfall events were identified by elevated seismic amplitudes in the …

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 …

Temporal Partitioning And Coexistence Among Four Sympatric Felid Species In The Northern Jaguar Reserve, Kylie Marie Rezendes

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Coexistence among sympatric carnivores is shaped by behavioral strategies that mediate competition and mortality risk in heterogeneous landscapes. Understanding how sympatric carnivores, such as felids, use space and time in relation to one another requires models that account for both spatial and temporal overlap across landscapes. Models incorporating time-to-event probabilities provide a powerful framework for detecting behavioral dynamics across shared landscapes. This study evaluated the spatiotemporal responses of two apex predators â?? the jaguar (Panthera onca) and mountain lion (Puma concolor) - and two mesopredators - bobcat (Lynx rufus) and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) - across five years of camera trap …

Academic Experiences Of Historically Underrepresented Stem Students In Nontraditional Pathways, Karime H. Smith

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The college student population continues to diversify, with an increase in enrollment of women, minorities, and nontraditional students. Women account for 51% of all first-time students, while the Hispanic population will contribute 78% of the new labor force between 2020-2030. Efforts in diversifying STEM pathways for nontraditional students is a low-cost option that will keep the US economically competitive worldwide. Yet the 48% of STEM enrolled students tend to leave the degree within 6 years makes it difficult to replenish the workforce. The research on STEM and degree attainment focuses on high impact practices to engage students and early exposure …

Modeling And Characterization Of Additively Manufactured Barium Titanate Ceramic, Luz Irene Bugarin

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the influence of geometric design on the mechanical properties of BTO structures fabricated via 3D printing. Using finite element modeling (FEM), we simulate mechanical stress responses across a range of architected designs. Results reveal that specific design strategies can significantly enhance performance by promoting favorable stress distributions. This work highlights the critical role of structural design in optimizing functional ceramics and provides a computational framework for the design of next-generation piezoelectric devices.

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, …

Line Outage Impact Factors: A New Approach To Line Outage Detection With Machine Learning, Daniel Flores

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Electric power systems have become one of our most critical infrastructures as we've grown dependent on electricity for everyday tasks. Ensuring power systems provide reliable service is a priority that can be affected by disturbance events. A common event is transmission line outages, where a line in the system becomes disconnected due to varying forms of physical damage. If an outage isn't detected in time, other lines in the system may overload, causing cascading failures that leave many customers without power. Therefore, having a power system that can automatically detect outages is crucial for reliability, as it promotes real-time response …

Environmental Drivers Of Vegetation Dynamics In Constructed And Natural Wetlands Of The Chihuahuan Desert, Enrique David Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Desert wetlands are critical ecosystems that provide water, food, and habitat for many different species at different trophic levels. Additionally, they have the capacity to recharge aquifers, control floods, and purify water, among others. Unfortunately, they have been facing multiple environmental challenges due to different human activities, sometimes with disastrous consequences. There is an urgent need to better understand the structure and function of wetlands of different types and in different biomes in order to conserve, restore, and even create them so we can continue to obtain all the ecological services they provide. In this dissertation, I investigated how environmental …