Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Skill-Based Art Therapy Through Textile Arts For Adolescents, Phoebe Medeiros

Expressive Therapies Theses

This qualitative study explored how building textile art skills and learning techniques can help adolescents explore identity, improve self-esteem, and build resilience through art therapy. Two students engaged in individual sessions to explore an art therapy directive that asked them to upcycle an item of clothing using appliqué, patchwork, embroidery, embellishment, or modification to express an experience, strength, goal, or aspect of identity. Through this process, the students created a vest and an appliqué patch for an existing vest. The goal of this intervention was to explore identity, improve self-esteem, and build resilience. After analyzing the observations of the individual …

Impact Of Optimized Afos On Functional Outcomes In Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy., Teresa Pierce, Alyssa Laforme Fiss, Mark Geil, Karl Barner

PCOM Scholarly Works

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the immediate functional impact of wearing ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) designed using the Optimal Segment Kinematics and Alignment approach to Rehabilitation (OSKAR method) versus wearing standard ankle foot orthosis (AFO)-footwear in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

Methods

Ten participants, ages seven to 13 years, from local pediatric clinics in a large suburban area participated in the study. Each participant wore both types of orthoses in a randomized order. This was determined by participants choosing a sealed envelope containing a sticker indicating which orthosis to be worn for the first data collection. Participants were …

Optical Motion Capture As A Noninvasive Alternative To Indirect Calorimetry For Ventilatory Assessment, Brooke Brody, Calvin Doerr, Tyler Brown

2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

A metabolic analyzer tracks real-time breathing to measure oxygen and carbon dioxide use during exercise to determine an individual’s energy expenditure, fitness, and metabolic thresholds through indirect calorimetry. It has long been considered the gold standard for assessing cardiopulmonary and metabolic function. However, metabolic analyzers are bulky, expensive and require a restrictive mask that interfere with natural respiratory mechanics, and potentially alter breathing during exercise. Recent advances in optical motion capture demonstrate promise for estimating cardiopulmonary function and ventilatory output without the bulk and constriction of metabolic analyzers. With that in mind, this study quantified ventilatory measures with reflective abdominal …

The Relationship Between Physical Activity, Stress, Distress, And Academic Coping Skills In College Students, Katie A. Lysne, Kayla Pratte, Eric M. Martin

2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Research suggests that participation in regular physical activity as defined by the recommended physical activity guidelines can have a positive impact on numerous aspects of physical health and mental well-being. One of the benefits of physical activity is a reduction in stress levels and an overall improvement in mental health. Due to the nature of the college environment, college students are vulnerable to experiencing stress, which may be compounded by a failure to reach minimum physical activity guidelines and an inability to cope with academic demands. This research study aims to explore the relationship between physical activity levels, stress, distress, …

Hearing The Mystery: Musical Diversity And The Search For Beauty, John Macinnis

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"By shifting from primary reflection to secondary reflection in our thinking, from problem to mystery, we ensure that our aesthetic lives remain as expansive and vibrant as the diversity of creation."

Posting about ­­­­­­­­music appreciation from In All Things, an online hub that offers insight into maintaining and faithful and orthodox Reformed Christian worldview while fearlessly engaging in every aspect of contemporary life – until all is made new.

Hearing the Mystery

Apr. 24, 2026, Former Wbip Members, Comments On Task Force Draft Report.Pdf, Eduardo Abbott, Dilek Barlas, Richard Bissell, Edith Brown Weiss, Gonzalo Castro De La Mata, Zeinab Elbakri, Mark Goldsmith, Imrana Jalal, Werner Kiene, Ramanie Kunanayagam, Peter Lallas, Roberto Lenton, Jan Mattsson, Maarje Van Putten

Editors' Corner

No abstract provided.

Apr. 24, 2026, Bic, Feedback On The Task Force Draft Report.Pdf, Bic

Editors' Corner

No abstract provided.

Apr. 24, 2026, Cao, Statement On Draft Report On Integration.Pdf, Cao

Editors' Corner

No abstract provided.

An Analysis Of Surface-Level Macro And Microplastics Along Western Central Leyte, Philippines, Graham B. Morrison-Plumley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With the pervasive use of plastics worldwide, their environmental effects can reach even the most remote ecosystems. This study examines both macro and microplastic pollution in the Greater Baybay region in western Leyte, Philippines. Samples from 10 separate sites within Baybay and its adjacent communities represent the unique environmental and geologic diversity of the central Visayan region of the Philippines. At each of the 10 sampling sites, 3 excavations were conducted, yielding 30 samples. Macroplastics were collected in the field, immediately around microplastic digs. Microplastic samples were analyzed in Florida Atlantic University’s Environmental Change Lab. It was determined that spatial …

The Bison, April, 24, 2026

The Bison Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Humanoid Lidar–Rgb-D Calibration For Environment- Agnostic 3d Auto-Alignment, Howard Hua

Electrical and Systems Engineering Undergraduate Student Research

This paper presents an environment-agnostic automatic LiDAR-RGB-D calibration method for a Unitree G1 humanoid platform. The proposed pipeline reconstructs depth-camera observations into 3D point clouds and aligns them directly with LiDAR point clouds, avoiding the need for calibration targets or manual adjustment. The method applies explicit preprocessing, coarse simulated annealing, polish simulated annealing, a symmetric nearest-neighbor alignment objective, and final point-to-plane local refinement. Experimental results show that the coarse simulated annealing stage provides most of the calibration correction, while the polish stage and local refinement further improve convergence and alignment accuracy. Overall, this framework demonstrates a practical target-free approach for …

The Burden Of A Hidden Illness, Alexa Abel

2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a form of autonomic dysfunction that affects heart rate, circulation, and the body’s ability to regulate blood flow when standing. Despite its significant impact, it remains poorly understood and often overlooked. This project aims to explore how POTS affects individuals’ daily lives, particularly in school and workplace settings. The research question guiding this study is: How does POTS influence a person’s ability to participate in education, maintain employment, and perform everyday responsibilities? To answer this question, research will be conducted through a review of existing medical literature that will provide both scientific and lived-experience …

Cultivating Curiosity Across Academic Audiences: Biology And Evidence-Based Science Communication, Nathan D. Forbes

Whittier Scholars Program

Effective Science Communicators must speak to a variety of audiences, with varying quantities of prior interest and qualities of background knowledge. The purpose of this paper was to engage differing audiences in scientific learning. This was done through a hypothetical newsletter made up for four different segments exploring a variety of topics in biology. Each segment intends to speak to a different audience with a different level of interest and/or educational level. Simplifying or analogizing without sacrificing the statistical basis of this project was of paramount importance. In the two segments targeted towards younger audiences, the primary focus was on …

Comparison Of Faa Forecasted And Actual Annual Enplanements At U.S. Airports In 2007, 2011, And 2023, Jordan Alexander Kattner, Ninthushan Nithiyanandan, Yunjae Son, Vivek Sharma, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

Accurate forecasting of passenger demand is essential for effective airport planning, infrastructure, and policy decision-making particularly from a risk management perspective (Mandel, 2014). However, making long-term forecasts is extremely difficult with many different factors at play leading airport planners to make misinformed investments. This study used publicly available data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) forecast and Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) actual annual enplanements to examine the difference between forecasted and actual observed annual enplanements at 30 large hub airports in the United States to improve passenger demand forecasts. The result showed a statistically significant difference but small effect …

Annual Wildlife Strikes Per Operation By Runway Configuration In The Southern U.S. From 2015 To 2024, Cam Mann, Arie Ebanks, Vivek Sharm, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

Research on wildlife strikes is vital to the understanding of wildlife behavior at airports. This study focused on reported wildlife strikes per operation by differing runway configurations, parallel and intersecting, in 16 southern states from 2015 to 2024. Parallel runway configurations experienced more reported wildlife strikes per operation than intersecting runway configurations, consistent with previous research. Wildlife strikes that occur at critical phases of flight bring detrimental effects to aviation economies and wildlife habitats. Wildlife Hazard Management Programs (WHMP) in effect at airports do show success, but with limited range. The study used an ex post facto design due to …

Student Perceived Stress Correlated With Study Approaches In A Collegiate Part 141 Flight School, Jonathan Doherty, Nate Petrie, Jonathan Vroman, Brooke Wheeler, Vivek Sharma

Aeronautics Student Publications

Collegiate flight students experience unique academic and technical challenges that may contribute to stress levels. Although previous research has examined stress in aviation students, limited research has investigated how students’ approaches to studying relate to perceived stress within this population. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived stress and two study approaches, Surface and Deep Approach, among collegiate flight students enrolled in their university’s Part 141 flight training program. A correlational research design was used. Participants completed an online questionnaire comprising the Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) to measure Deep and Surface study approaches …

The Danger Zone: Uas Sightings By Distance From Airports, Jalee Noel Boucher, Omkar Aaditya Sahoo, Brian Winston Anthony Williams, Vivek Sharma, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

The increased usage of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has called for an increase in pilot awareness as they approach or depart airports. Given the increase in UAS usage and the growing academic and industry relevance of UAS, encounters between manned aircraft and UAS are to be expected. The purpose of this study is to examine differences in the number of monthly reported UAS sightings across distance categories from the airport in the contiguous United States between January 2021 and December 2025 (FAA, 2025). An ex post facto design was used and distance categories were established. Data that lacked distance information …

Difference In Weather Delays At U.S. Large Hub Airports By Season, Momoka Okabe, Mitchell Riordan Rivers, Julian Waller, Vivek Sharma, Brooke E. Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

At 31 large hub airports in the United States, there was a statistically significant difference in weather delays between Fall and both Winter and Summer, and Summer and Spring.

Aircraft Violations Related To Temporary Flight Restrictions & Operations​ From 2017 To 2021, Mark Lipp, Tea Yankova, Hudson Schnier, Vivek Sharm, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are temporary airspace limitations issued to protect sensitive operations, events, and public safety within the United States and Territories National Airspace System (NAS). Despite widespread dissemination of TFR information, violations continue to occur. This study examined the relationship between the monthly number of active TFRs, total aircraft operations, and TFR violations from 2017 to 2021. A quantitative, non-experimental correlational design was used to analyze publicly available Federal Aviation Administration datasets, including TFR records and incident reports from the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS). Descriptive statistics and Pearson product–moment correlations were calculated using 59 monthly observations. Results …

Human Error-Related Aviation Accidents And Incidents Scheduled Vs. Non-Scheduled Operations, Aidan J. Cosgrove, Christopher K. Budiman, Julia Palma Gil, Vivek Sharma, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

Scheduled operations had higher monthly human error (HE) related aviation accidents and incidents than nonscheduled operations; however, the effect size is small.

Traffic Alert:​ Correlation Between Near Midair Collision Reports And Takeoffs And Landings At U.S. Class Bravo Airports: 2010 To 2025, Nash Slettom, Brooklyn Stellato, Taylor Jackson, Vivek Sharma, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

A significant, positive correlation was identified between airport operations and near midair collision(NMAC) reports.

April 24, 2026 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Brass Routes: Merging Performance, Pedagogy, And Entrepreneurship In The Creation Of Community-Based Brass Band Programs, Dylan Mashburn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This dissertation examines the development, implementation, and evaluation of Brass Routes, a curriculum-based model and set of instructional tools designed to help existing secondary school band programs implement New Orleans-style brass band ensembles within their current schedules, personnel, and resources. As many schools face declining arts funding and increasingly standardized ensemble models, traditional band structures often fail to engage all students or reflect diverse musical identities. Brass Routes proposes an alternative ensemble model that integrates performance, pedagogy, and entrepreneurship to foster student engagement, leadership, and sustainability in school music programs. Grounded in culturally responsive pedagogy, informal learning practices, and community …

The Role Of Cannabinoid Receptors In Punishment-Driven Risky Decision Making, Sharoderick C. Lowe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Risky decision-making is a feature of mental health disorders such as substance use disorder and schizophrenia and is often linked to alterations in the brain’s cannabinoid system. However, how cannabinoid signaling regulates punishment-based risky decision-making remains unclear. To address this question, we assessed the effects of multiple cannabinoid drugs on risky decision-making in male and female Long-Evans rats using the Risky Decision-Making Task (RDT). Following training, rats received varying doses of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC; CB1/CB2 receptor partial agonist), ACEA (CB1 receptor agonist), Rimonabant (CB1 receptor inverse agonist), and AA-5-HT (FAAH inhibitor that increases endocannabinoid tone). THC did not alter risky choice …

An Exploration Of Attention And Breathing In Functional Voice Disorders, Kiley Hazelton Herr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

In functional voice disorders (FVD), voice dysfunction exists in excess or the absence of organic voice pathology. Modern etiologic frameworks emphasize cognitive, emotional, and autonomic processes in the onset and maintenance of symptoms, encapsulating FVD as a subtype of functional neurologic movement disorders (mFND). Despite extensive investigation into emotional aspects of FVD, cognitive aspects, notably attention, remain underexplored. Consequently, the mechanisms which catalyze predisposing factors into physical symptoms are incompletely understood. This multimodal study investigated whether individuals with FVD demonstrated differences in attentional processing and related physiological processes (i.e., breathing and autonomic regulation) compared to individuals with social anxiety (SA) …

Engineering Function In Lung Biology: Integrating Imaging, Regenerative Constructs, And Functional Biodesign, Rene A Girard, Jamie Tran, Yuqing Cai, Mary C Farach-Carson, Hadi T Nia, Allison M Greaney, Laura E Niklason, Killian Hurley, Elvin Blanco, Sinem Koc-Günel, Harry Karmouty-Quintana

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The lung is a uniquely demanding target for regeneration because function depends on the coordinated integration of cellular diversity, three-dimensional architecture, cyclic mechanical forces, vascular perfusion, immune surveillance, and extracellular matrix remodeling. While single-cell and spatial profiling, lineage tracing, and iPSC-derived models have transformed our understanding of lung cell states and developmental potential, these descriptive approaches have also highlighted a central bottleneck: the field still lacks broadly adopted platforms to test whether engineered tissues and regenerative interventions restore function under physiologic load. In this review, we focus on emerging technologies that enable functional biodesign in lung biology by coupling engineered …

Mental Health And Sexual Victimization Among Incarcerated Populations: A Literature Review On Types, Prevalence, And Services Provided, Brianna Cerda, Laura King

2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Incarcerated individuals have a high risk of developing a mental illness and experiencing sexual victimization due to a variety of individual and system risk factors. There is extensive research on the prevalence of mental illness and sexual victimization among the incarcerated population, but research on mental health and victim-support services offered during incarceration is limited. This review examines the prevalence of mental illness and sexual victimization among the incarcerated population, the relationship between mental illness and sexual victimization, and the mental health and victim-support services provided during incarceration. Overall, findings indicate that 66.1% of individuals in prisons and 44.3% of …

Reconstructing Nebraska’S Late Quaternary Paleoenvironment, Landscape Change, And Human–Environment Dynamics Using Diatoms And Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dating, Gosia Mahoney

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation examines Holocene environmental change and human–environment interactions in the Nebraska Sand Hills by integrating geomorphic, paleoenvironmental, and geochronological data. It presents three complementary studies that together explore how climatic variability, local landscape processes, and human activity influenced environmental systems.

The first study reconstructs the early Holocene evolution of a dune-dammed valley in the central Sand Hills. Stratigraphic, sedimentological, and diatom evidence indicate that eolian activity resulted in a blocked fluvial system, leading to elevated groundwater levels and the formation of a wetland that later developed into a lake. Notably, this transformation occurred under relatively dry conditions, demonstrating that …

Toward Tandem Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes: Red/Green Devices And Zno Interface Engineering, Zhixu Zhang, Yiheng Zhang, Chuan Wang

Electrical and Systems Engineering Undergraduate Student Research

In this work, we focus on the development of red and green perovskite LEDs and investigate the role of ZnO nanoparticle layers as electron transport interfaces. Understanding these materials and interfaces is an important step toward more advanced device architectures, such as stacked and tandem LEDs for improved brightness and color control.

Ud In The News April 18-24, University Of Dayton

News Releases

UD faculty and staff contributed their expertise to Axios, The Journal of College Admission, The Columbus Dispatch and WLW-AM in Cincinnati while Spectrum News 1 Ohio highlighted the D.C. Flyers program.