Digital Commons Network^™

How Developers Use Type-System Related Programming Language Features, Samuel W. Flint

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Optional type annotations are a popular feature of programming languages that allow developers to omit explicit type information in code while, in some cases, retaining many of the benefits of static typing, such as in-code documentation, improved detection of type errors, or enforcement of code properties. However, how developers use and understand optional type annotations is not clear. The focus of this dissertation is to understand the use and comprehension of optional type annotations.

Optional type annotations are examined through four lenses: first, by examining the evolution of usage in a statically typed programming language (Kotlin, the default language for …

The Earliest University Of Nebraska Graduate Degrees, 1886-1909, Mark A. Griep

Mark A. Griep Publications

This list of the earliest graduate degrees awarded by the University of Nebraska (NU) in Lincoln was assembled to learn about the university’s research activity that preceded its admission to the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) in 1909.

Pseudo-Soft-Switching Switched-Capacitor Drive Circuits For Small-Scale Dielectric Actuators, Yanqiao Li

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Applications including micro-robotics and haptics have motivated extensive exploration of dielectric actuators due to their high bandwidth and high efficiency at cm and mm scales. To maximize their benefits, dielectric actuators, including piezoelectric and electrostatic actuators, typically require high driving voltages, ranging from 100V to several kV. Generating such high driving voltages presents a challenge for drive circuits, particularly when powered by a small battery. Dielectric actuators are predominantly capacitive in most circumstances, necessitating the drive circuits to deliver and recover reactive energy for efficient operation. In some applications, such as micro-robotics, the drive circuits may need to have a …

Bulloch County National Register Of Historic Places Collection, Zach S. Henderson Library Special Collections

Finding Aids

Spanning 1970 to 1997, the collection contains materials regarding the application process for various Bulloch County properties to the National Register of Historic Places. Materials include official application paperwork, along with correspondence between various officials and property owners regarding processing, status updates, or requests for more information. Photographs of properties and supplemental documents such as genealogical records, newspaper clippings, and written narratives surrounding the development of the properties are also included.

Find this collection in the libraries' catalog.

Stabilization Of Cr³⁺ Using Iron Rich Slag-Derived Phosphate Cement: An Integrated Solution For Heavy Metals And Hazardous Solid Wastes, Ting Huang, Hongyan Ma, Zhongqiu Luo, Xintao Zhou, Zhengqing He, Peiwen Lv, Xiunan Cai, Pingyan Wang

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A novel iron-based phosphate cement (IPC), derived from iron-rich smelting slag (ISS), was developed as a sustainable and efficient binder for the stabilization/solidification of trivalent chromium (Cr³⁺). The mechanical properties, hydration behavior, microstructure, leaching toxicity, chromium chemical forms, and environmental safety of chromium-stabilized iron phosphate cement (CIPC) were thoroughly evaluated. The results showed that, with a mass ratio of ISS to ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) of 2.0, and even with the addition of 20 % chromium nitrate nonahydrate (CN), the compressive strength of CIPC reached 4.2 MPa after curing for 28 d. Furthermore, chromium leaching was well below …

Localized Multivariate Statistical Assessment Of United States Construction Labor Shortages, Ahmed Shiha, Islam H. El-Adaway

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Craft labor shortage is a persistent challenge facing the construction industry across various markets. The historically low geographic mobility of construction labor exacerbates and localizes labor shortages. Several research efforts relied on subjective evaluations to quantify the existence of labor shortages on a national level. As such, there is a lack of empirical quantification of labor shortages at different geospatial levels. This paper fills this knowledge gap. To this end, the authors adopted a methodology that encompassed: (1) conducting a literature review to identify and collect national-level and subnational indicators that explain the changes in labor supply and demand; (2) …

Coupling Effect Of Abrasion And Erosion On Ultrahigh-Performance Seawater-Sea Sand Concrete, Dawei Ding, Wei Zhang, Lanqin Wang, Hongyan Ma, Biqin Dong, Song Han, Hongjian Xu, Dongshuai Hou

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Preparing ultrahigh-performance seawater-sea sand concrete (UHPSSC) to mitigate the scarcity of freshwater and river sand resources has generated considerable recent research interest. However, the deterioration mechanisms of UHPSSC under the effect of abrasion and erosion remain unstudied. In this paper, the underwater steel ball method was conducted to evaluate the impact of seawater, sea sand, steel fiber, and seawater abrasion on the abrasion resistance of UHPSSC. Then the stress erosion models of calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) were constructed to investigate the degradation mechanisms of UHPSSC under the effect of external stress and seawater erosion. The results show that the application of seawater …

The Impact Of Cultural Dimensions And Quality Of Life On Smartphone Addiction And Employee Performance: The Moderating Role Of Quality Of Life, Khaled A. Alshare, Murad Moqbel, Mohammad I. Merhi, Valerie Bertelt, Maliha Alam

Information Systems Faculty Publications

Smartphones, while ubiquitous and beneficial, can lead to problematic use. This study investigates the intricate interplay between cultural dimensions, smartphone addiction, and employee performance. Through the lens of distraction theory, attachment Theory, coping theory combined with Hofstede's cultural dimensions, and self-regulation theory and quality of life, we examine how collectivism, individualism, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity cultural dimensions influence smartphone addiction and its subsequent effect on employee performance. The findings, based on data collected from 233 employees at a major medical center in the Midwest region of the USA and employing structural equation modeling, reveal a significant cultural influence on smartphone …

Flecainide Toxicity And Brash Syndrome Unmasking Severe Coronary Artery Disease: A Diagnostic And Management Challenge, Giovanni Paolella, Viktoriya Bikeyeva, Joseph Adams, Andrii Labchuk, Nishant Patel

Advocate GME

No abstract provided.

Predicting Continuous Hand Pose From Wearable Emg Sensor Data Using Transformer-Based Deep-Learning Models, Jason Mcdowell

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This thesis investigated Transformer-based deep-learning models for predicting continuous hand pose from electromyography (EMG) signals collected with a low-cost, eight-channel wearable armband. A modular software laboratory was developed to support data acquisition, synchronization, visualization, model training, and inference. A single-subject, three-hour dataset of synchronized EMG and hand-tracking data was collected, with hand pose represented both as 15-dimensional joint flexion angles and 84-dimensional finger-bone orientation quaternions in a hand-centered frame. Compared with a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM)-based model, the Transformer-based model reduced whole-hand median prediction error from 3.6° to 3.3° for a joint angle model and from 17.4° to 15.1° for …

Influence Of A Summer Bridge Program On African American Students At East Tennessee State University, Carshonda Harris

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to investigate if there was a significant difference of academic success between African American participants and non-participants of the B.U.C.S. Academy program, a summer bridge program, at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). Although African American students’ enrollment has increased for several years, this population remains underrepresented in comparison to majority groups regarding retention, grade point average, and attainment of bachelor’s degrees (East Tennessee State University, 2021). For the purpose of this study, academic success was defined as key metrics of fall-to-fall retention rate, grade point average, and four and six-year graduation rate. Through further …

Bike/Ped Data Collection And Model Calibration, Eirini Stavropoulou, Dionysios Tzamakos, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, Reginald Souleyrette, Teng Wang

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Motivated by an uptick in pedestrian and bicycle traffic, as well as the inclusion of pedestrian and bicyclist weights in the Strategic Highway Investment Formula For Tomorrow, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has made significant investments in transportation facilities for nonmotorized users. Despite an intensified focus on the needs of nonmotorized users, KYTC has not yet established a formal program to track the number of people walking, biking, skateboarding, and using micromobility devices statewide. Based on a review of methods and technologies for counting nonmotorized users; analysis of counting programs established by local, state, and regional transportation agencies; and a …

Msw Portfolio, Krystal F. Youngs

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

A Protocol For The Development Of A Validated Scale Of Household Water Insecurity In The United States: Hwise-Usa, Amber L. Pearson, Wendy Jepson, Alexandra Brewis, Jeremiah Osborne-Gowey, Amber Wutich, Melissa Beresford, Asher Y. Rosinger, Adam M. Enders, Justin Stoler, Ellis Adjei Adams, Linda Mendez Barrientos, Laura A. Bray, Alida Cantor, Jennifer S. Carrera, Alicia Cooperman, Laura Castro Diaz, Valerisa Magnon Joe Gaddy, Leila M. Harris

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background New metrics of household water insecurity have been validated for low- to middle-income countries, but it is unclear how these measurements apply to the experiences of people living in high-income countries. This project aims to develop and validate a novel metric for household water insecurity experiences in the United States (HWISE-USA) using a cross-sectional design and data from the Southwest, Midwest, and Western regions. Methods We outline the protocol for the development and validation of a novel household water insecurity scale for the United States to address this scientific need, including the following key steps: (1) item development through …

Assessing Medical Decision-Making Capacity: The Importance Of Patient Values., Emilee M. Ertle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A medical decision-making capacity (MDC) assessment is the assessment of an individual to determine whether they can make their own medical decisions or if a proxy decision maker must make care decisions on their behalf. These assessments are necessary when individuals experience cognitive impairments which limit their ability to think through complex medical decisions. Best practice for MDC assessments is a growing area of research, with no standard approach to guide assessment planning. The current study builds upon the field’s knowledge of capacity assessments by investigating 1) what methods and measures clinicians utilize in capacity assessments, 2) what factors influence …

Peer Functioning And Risk For Co-Occurring Adhd And Anxiety Symptoms In School-Aged Children: A Cross-Sectional And Longitudinal Analysis., Helena F. Alacha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background. Youth with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have higher rates of anxiety in comparison to their peers without ADHD. Children with co-occurring ADHD and anxiety exhibit a unique clinical presentation that poses challenges to both assessment and treatment. Consequently, children with comorbid ADHD and anxiety experience increased impairment, and often have poorer long-term outcomes than children with either ADHD or anxiety alone. Preliminary evidence suggests that different psychosocial phenomena commonly experienced by children with ADHD—such as peer functioning—may increase susceptibility to anxiety. Considering that children with ADHD encounter a range of peer difficulties, the present study proposed and evaluated different …

Promoting Metacognitive Awareness Through Exploratory Learning., Ryan J. Patrick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Exploratory learning engages learners in novel problem solving before direct instruction. This process is designed to lead learners to experience productive failure. Productive failure, however, has been shown to benefit learners by improving the recognition of knowledge gaps, relevant problem features, and deep structures. This allows learners to better attend to relevant information during the subsequent instruction and improves conceptual understanding. This dissertation investigates the role of metacognitive awareness during exploratory learning, in attempt to identify additional metacognitive mechanisms that support exploratory learning. Two experiments tested the theory that exploratory learning promotes metacognitive awareness in exploratory learning. Groups in both …

Effects Of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate In A Mouse Model Of Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease., Paxton Michelle Brizendine/Ames

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a pervasive environmental pollutant, has been increasingly associated with the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD); nonetheless, its connections with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) have not been well studied. This study investigates the hypothesis that PFOS exposure alters hepatic metabolism, thereby leading to alterations in ALD severity. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed isocaloric control or 5% ethanol (EtOH) diet for 15 days. From day 6 of feeding, mice were concurrently gavaged with 1 mg/kg PFOS or 2% Tween-80 vehicle for 10 days, followed by a 5 g/kg EtOH binge dose. PFOS and ethanol co-exposure significantly …

Therapeutic Potential Of Sglt2 Inhibitors In A Repeated Love Dose Cisplatin Model., Dianet C. Sanchez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cisplatin is a potent chemotherapeutic, thirty percent of patients develop Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). These patients are ten times more likely to develop chronic kidney disease (CKD). Sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2-inhibitors (SGLT2i), FDA approved for diabetes, has shown protection in multiple mouse models of AKI-CKD. We hypothesize SGLT2i can protect the kidney in a model of repeated low dose cisplatin with/without cancer. B6:129 mice with/without lung adenocarcinoma (Lung-adeno) were treated daily with SGLT2i dapagliflozin (10mg/kg)/vehicle control. After seven days, weekly cisplatin (7mg/kg)/vehicle control was initiated for 3-4 weeks. Following final cisplatin dose, kidney function, injury, fibrosis, inflammation was assessed. SGLT2i treatment attenuated alterations …

Opportunistic Short-Term Water Uptake Dynamics By Subalpine Trees Observed Via In Situ Water Isotope Measurements, Matthias Sprenger, Stefan Seeger, Max Berkelhammer, Nathaniel A. Bogie, Raymond J. Hess, Wendy S. Brown, Sylvain Kuppel, James Knighton

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Variations in tree water sources are important to understand in semi-arid ecosystems because climatic shifts towards lower snowpack and increased drought affect water availability in subalpine forests of the western US. Here, we use daily in situ measurements of stable isotopes (²H & ¹⁸O) in soil and tree stem water, soil matric potential and sap flow to study tree water uptake dynamics. We instrumented three soil profiles down to 90 cm, as well as three aspen and engelmann spruce trees near Gothic, Colorado, in the East River watershed. We observed the fate of natural isotopic variations in …

Queer Convergence: Figurative Abstraction In Contemporary Art., Vincent Young

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an exhibition text for the exhibition of the same name held in Schneider Hall Galleries from May 15 to August 21st, 2025. This exhibition explores the work of three contemporary artists – Joshua Jenkins, Drew Scanlon, and Lalana Fedorschak – and analyzes their artwork through the lens of Queer Convergence. Queer Convergence is an exploration of abstracted images of bodies and how we can read these bodies through a queer lens, arguing that the visual language of bodily overlap, melding, and transformation shows the physical form as a site of continual change shaped by shared experience and …

Ecosystem Services Of Urban Green Spaces In Louisville, Ky., Julia Kachanova

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Accelerating urbanization poses critical challenges to urban green spaces (UGS), vital for ecological balance and human health. Rapid development often results in fragmented habitats, biodiversity loss, and diminished ecosystem service delivery. There is an urgent need to explore and evaluate novel strategies capable of enhancing urban resilience, such as implementing urban orchards, and managing existing parks and gardens in sustainable ways. This dissertation explores how different forms of urban green spaces (UGS) contribute to the provision and maintenance of critical ecosystem services that support human well-being and urban biodiversity. By analyzing UGS impact on ecosystem service provisioning and long-term sustainability, …

Teaching Out Of The Closet: A Qualitative Study To Examine How Queer Educators Navigate Their Professional Work Environments., Brent Braun

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Queer educators across the nation have faced an onslaught of issues in recent years as they maneuver working in the heteronormative environments of public schools. With the passing of Senate Bill 150 in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 2023, Kentucky educators became a part of the growing group of educators having to silence themselves within their classroom environments in order to protect their professional careers. This study sought to examine the ways in which queer educators navigate their professional environments in making decisions to either disclose or keep private their identity within the queer community. Semi-structured interviews were completed with …

Intestinal Stromal Cells Play A Critical Role In Protection Mediated By Male Microbiota-Derived Metabolites And Androgens Against Disease In Lupus-Prone Mice., Jing Ma

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease involving broad immune dysregulation. Despite decades of research, most lupus treatments still have limited effectiveness and can cause serious side effects. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to lupus susceptibility, and a better understanding of how environmental factors influence disease could guide future therapeutic strategies. SLE shows a strong female predominance. Growing evidence implicates the gut microbiota and sex hormones as key environmental contributors to some autoimmune diseases, including lupus. The gut microbiota can influence host immune function, and interestingly, recent studies have revealed sex-bias in microbiota composition and function. Moreover, …

Linked Lives In The Riverbed: Integrating Fish Host Dynamics, Community Structure, And Demography For Freshwater Mussel Conservation., Jonathan Patrick Frommeyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Freshwater mussels are long-lived benthic invertebrates that play key roles in nutrient cycling, water filtration, and habitat stability in rivers and streams. Despite their ecological importance, they are among the most imperiled faunal groups in North America, with their persistence increasingly threatened by environmental degradation and disruptions to host–parasite dynamics. This dissertation integrates host ecology, community structure, and demographic modeling to assess population viability and guide conservation priorities for mussel species in Kentucky river systems. The first chapter introduces the ecological context and conservation urgency surrounding freshwater mussels. In particular, emphasizing the need for multi-scale approaches to understand how parasitic …

Remotely-Sensed Urbanization And Local Perceptions Of Change From 1985-2024 In Southern Indiana., Marlea Ferber

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study is focused on the land cover change of non-built land cover being transformed into built land cover in two counties in Southern Indiana using mixed methods. Remote sensing was used to identify and quantify land cover change, and interviews were used to understand local perceptions of the physical land cover changes. The study area is situated along the rural-urban continuum with Louisville, Kentucky across the Ohio River. It is important to quantify the amount of land change conversion to built settlement as patterns and rate of urbanization help us to better manage transitions along the rural-urban continuum, but …

An Exploration Of Lgbtq+ Runner Motivation And Constraints., Michael Clemons

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Running offers extensive benefits beyond physical fitness, encompassing mental, emotional, and social advantages. However, LGBTQ+ individuals face unique challenges in participating in the running community, which remains predominantly White, cisgender, and heterosexual. With the LGBTQ+ population in the U.S. growing, there is a need to understand their motivations and barriers to participation in running events and training groups. This study explores these motivations using self-determination theory, comparing LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ runners to identify differences in driving factors such as social connectivity, self-esteem, and competition. Additionally, it examines barriers LGBTQ+ runners face, ranging from structural obstacles to intrapersonal challenges, and how …

Predictor-Informed Bayesian Nonparametric Clustering., Md Yasin Ali Parh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, we performed clustering of observations such that the cluster membership is influenced by a set of predictors. To that end, we employ the Bayesian nonparametric Common Atom Model (CAM), which is a nested clustering algorithm that utilizes a (fixed) group membership for each observation to encourage more similar clustering of members of the same group. CAM operates by assuming each group has its own vector of cluster probabilities, which are themselves clustered to allow similar clustering for some groups. We extend this approach by treating the group membership as an unknown latent variable determined as a flexible …

Optimization And Simulation Models For Integrating Social Determinants In Assessing And Optimizing The Accessibility And Efficiency Of Community Pharmacy Networks., Md Morshedul Alam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Community pharmacies are essential components of the healthcare system, serving not only as points of medication access but also as providers of health consultations and preventive care. However, disparities in pharmacy access persist due to a combination of geographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors. This dissertation develops a comprehensive methodological framework to evaluate and improve accessibility to community pharmacies, integrating optimization, choice modeling, and discrete event simulation. First, we develop an Optimal Community-Pharmacy Assignment (OCPA) model to quantify geographic accessibility across a regional population network. The model minimizes risk-adjusted travel distances between population centers and pharmacies, incorporating social determinants of health …

Synthetic And Pharmacological Diversity Of Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles., Shramana Ghosh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nitrogen-containing heterocycles are a foundational class of compounds in organic chemistry, playing critical roles in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and natural products due to their structural diversity and biological relevance. Among them, isoindolinones are notable for their wide range of pharmacological activities. Structurally, isoindolinones possess a benzylic methylene group adjacent to the nitrogen atom, which allows for selective oxidative transformations to yield phthalimide derivatives, well-known intermediates in synthetic, pharmaceutical, and materials chemistry. Although phthalimide is traditionally employed as a protecting group for amines via the Gabriel synthesis, isoindolinone offers a valuable alternative. Through a modified Gabriel-like approach, isoindolinones can serve as more …