Digital Commons Network^™

Contraceptive Autonomy Of Adolescents And Young Adults In The U.S. South: The Influence Of Healthcare Providers, Partners, And Parents, Kathleen Broussard, Laura D. Lindberg, Emily S. Mann

Faculty Publications

A growing body of research describes coercive experiences in contraceptive care in the clinic setting, a phenomenon that disproportionately constrains the contraceptive autonomy of women who are young, low-income, Black, or Latinx. Less research has examined how other social influences may constrain contraceptive use and decision-making. We examine contraceptive autonomy across three domains of interpersonal influence (healthcare providers, sexual partners, and parents) and by race (Black vs. White). Between July–September 2023, we surveyed 1207 Black and White adolescents and young adults (AYAs) assigned female at birth living in five southern states. Over half of all respondents reported feeling social pressure …

Identification Of Microplastics And Additives From The Lake Erie Watershed And The Cuyahoga River Via Maldi-Ms And Dart-Ms, Chrys Wesdemiotis, Calum Bochenek, Luciana Rivera Molina, Robert Brand

University Research

Micro(nano)plastics have received increased attention as environmental contaminants due to their harmful effects on ecosystems and human health. Conventional extraction methods for microplastic analysis are often lengthy and complicated, resulting in the loss of important chemical components such as additives. In this study, we provide a complementary approach, utilizing matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and direct analysis in real time (DART) mass spectrometry (MS) techniques, with minimal extraction and sample preparation to preserve both polymer and additive information. MALDI-MS was applied to aqueous samples collected along the shores of Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River, successfully identifying the base polymer(s) in …

Program Management And Building Partner Capacity: A Tangled Thicket, Phil W. Reynolds

Publications

This chapter explores how the U.S. Department of Defense plans and executes Building Partner Capacity projects in lower-middle and low-income partners. U.S. planners and practitioners rarely understand the effective pre-conditions that influence partner security apparatus and infrastructure. Consequently, security capabilities provided to the partner are rarely sustained and provide questionable security to the affected population. The U.S. Department of Defense uses a three-part approach to building security with partners: training and equipping, building institutional capacity, and monitoring and evaluating. U.S. security planners should manage all three parts concurrently to produce a security capability that the partner uses and sustains and …

Epanorama March 2026, Southern Adventist University

Panorama Parent Newsletter

This digital issue of Panorama includes an article about a Southern student winning a branding contest for the City of Collegedale, BCU Night, ADDY Awards, and the CFA Challenge.

A Phenomenological Study Of Teacher And Student Experience Within A Community Of Inquiry: Utilizing Wonder-Infused Pedagogy In An Elementary Outdoor Classroom, Andrew Gilbert, Steph N. Dean

Publications

This interpretive phenomenological study explores how wonder-infused pedagogy, enacted within an elementary outdoor classroom, supported the development of a community of inquiry. We position the community of inquiry as the overarching framework for cultivating social, cognitive, and teaching presence; wonder as the pedagogical driver; and outdoor learning as the authentic context for engaging in science practices. In response to schooling contexts that often privilege testing and individual achievement over collaborative inquiry, we examined an eight-week outdoor wonder project with third- through fifth-grade students. Data sources included group interviews, student journals, teacher reflections, and photographs. Students engaged in weekly wonder journaling …

2026 Nh 4-H Grill Master Cook-Off Scoresheet, Mikayla Cerney

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

4-H Quilting Day Camp Packet [2026], Mikayla Cerney

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Bison Health Network Newsletter, March 2026, Bison Health Network

Bison Health Network News

Newsletter contents:

Updates
Network Demographics
Health Highlight: Mycoplasma Bovis

Invert Your Prompt: Editing-Aware Diffusion Inversion, Yangyang Xu, Wenqi Shao, Yong Du, Haiming Zhu, Yang Zhou, Jiayuan Xie, Ping Luo, Shengfeng He

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Recent advancements in text-guided diffusion models have enabled powerful image manipulation capabilities. However, balancing reconstruction fidelity and editability for real images remains a significant challenge. In this work, we introduce Editing Inversion (EditInv), a novel framework that inverts and edits real images for specific editing tasks by optimizing specific prompt embeddings within the extended  space. By leveraging distinct embeddings across different U-Net layers and time steps, EditInv seamlessly integrates inversion and editing through reciprocal optimization, ensuring both high fidelity and precise editability. This hierarchical editing mechanism classifies tasks into structure, appearance, and global edits, optimizing only those embeddings that are …

Ultrarenderer: Real-Time Heterogeneous Cpu-Gpu Memory Management And Adaptive View-Dependent Rendering For Massive 3d Environments, Huadong Zhang

Theses

Rendering large-scale 3D datasets in real-time presents significant challenges due to the widening gap between the ever-growing scale of dataset complexity and the limited memory capacity of modern GPUs. As datasets increasingly exceed available GPU memory, traditional methods encounter severe bottlenecks, such as restricted CPU-GPU bandwidth and inefficient memory usage, which significantly hinder rendering performance. This is especially problematic in interactive applications where high frame rates and low latency are critical. To address these limitations, this dissertation presents UltraRenderer, a novel out-of-core rendering method designed to maximize visual fidelity under strict memory and bandwidth constraints. The core of our approach …

Academic Freedom And Collective Bargaining: A Joint Report By The National Center For The Study Of Collective Bargaining In Higher Education And The Professions And The Aaup’S Center For The Defense Of Academic Freedom, William A. Herbert, Isaac A. Kamola, Timothy R. Cain, Erin Ward, Anita Levy, Kathryn Ritchie, Ariana Gonzalez

Publications and Research

This is a joint report by the National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education and the Professions at Hunter College (National Center) and the Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom (CDAF) at the American Association of University Professors. It presents excerpts from forty-five collective bargaining agreements in higher education to demonstrate the wide range of ways academic freedom is defined in contracts, or not, and how the negotiated definitions incorporate, quote, follow, mirror, or deviate from the principles set forth in the 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure (hereinafter 1940 Statement).

The Lost Origins Of Antitrust, William Magnuson

Faculty Scholarship

Over the last decade, the once-sleepy field of antitrust has suddenly sprung to the forefront of public attention. The digitalization of the economy, the expansion of Big Tech, and the rise of platform monopolies have all raised deep questions about the nature of corporate power and law’s capacity to constrain it. Some scholars have argued that antitrust enforcement must be reinvigorated in substance and broadened in scope in order to combat rapidly rising economic inequality. Others have argued that antitrust law is ill-equipped to address these broad moral issues and instead must be re-focused on its traditional principles of consumer …

Wealth-Based Disparities In Higher Education: Compounding Privilege, Multiplying Barriers, Rachel Moran, Jonathan D. Glater

Faculty Scholarship

This Special Issue is prompted by a confluence of developments in higher education: increasing access to postsecondary schooling overall and concurrent increasing socioeconomic inequality. After World War II, American colleges and universities began to “massify,” expanding their enrollments by opening their doors to people who previously would have found them closed. First, these institutions admitted veterans, then people of color and women (Altbach and Reisberg 2018, p. 63; Gumport et al. 1997, p. 2; Labaree 2017, pp. 106–7). The U.S. was not an outlier, and in the ensuing decades, nations around the globe saw unprecedented increases …

Exploring Adolescent Hearing Aid Usage And Appearance Of Psychiatric Symptoms In Adolescents Using Hearql-28 Surveys, Courtney J. Austin, Dylan Chan

MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years

Approximately 2% of DHH people in need of mental health services actually receive these services. Among pediatric hearing loss populations, co-occurring cognitive and physical impairments are risk factors for poor mental health status. Due to language barriers and isolation, more children with hearing loss do not have access to mental health services. Cochlear implants have been shown to improve mental health status among the DHH population. Current literature focuses on the mental health status of children with cochlear implants, with little focus on hearing aid users. Using HEAR28 data and surveys, we can quantify the incidence of psychiatric symptoms among …

Data To Accompany "Test-Retest Reliability And Internal Consistency Of The Occupational Resilience Measure (Orm 1.0)", Bernard A. Muriithi, Milan Bimali, Kara Gore

Occupational Therapy Faculty Scholarship

Data to accompany upcoming paper published in The Human Occupation and Wellbeing Journal titled "Test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the Occupational Resilience Measure (ORM 1.0)"

Slo Botanical Garden Lean-To Carport, Saul Gracian, Sergio Gonzalez

Construction Management

This paper documents the planning, design, funding, and construction of a lean-to carport for the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, completed as a student-led Construction Management senior project by Saul Gracian and Sergio Gonzalez. The purpose of the project was to provide a functional storage structure for garden equipment while applying construction management principles in a real-world, nonprofit setting. The project methodology included site evaluation, collaborative design development, cost estimating, funding acquisition, regulatory review, and hands-on construction. Design decisions were informed by site constraints, county code requirements, budget limitations, and stakeholder input, resulting in a final 10’ x 12’ structure …

Risk Management Strategies Used By Project Leaders In Construction Projects On The East Coast, Dylan David Decuffa

Construction Management

Construction projects are often defined by their visible outcomes, structures completed on time, within budget, and built to the required standards. Yet beneath these outcomes lies a less visible force that quietly shapes whether success is achieved or compromised. Uncertainty is present in every phase of construction, influencing decisions, performance, and ultimately the trajectory of the project. The ability to recognize and respond to this uncertainty may separate projects that proceed with stability from those that experience delays, escalating costs, and diminished quality. Project managers, superintendents, project engineers, and other related fields play a central role in navigating this uncertainty …

An Analysis Of Injury And Fatality Trends In The U.S. Construction Industry, Ryan Dutt

Construction Management

Construction work is one of the most dangerous industries in the United States, with different trades and work types showing various risk levels for injuries and fatalities. This paper’s objective is to identify the safety trends in construction over the past 10 to 20 years and understand the trades, accident types, and construction sectors with the highest safety risks. All of the data was obtained from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the National Safety Council (NSC) databases, broken down by trade, accident …

Thousand Hills Pet Resort Ada Compliant Access Ramp And Connecting Deck: Preconstruction Activities, Sonya Nahama Wijoyo

Construction Management

This paper presents the design and preconstruction of an ADA-compliant access ramp and connecting deck system for two mobile homes located at Thousand Hills Pet Resort. The primary objective was to enhance accessibility and safety for residents by providing code-compliant, durable, and functional access to the mobile homes on site. This project is interdisciplinary between construction management and architectural engineering. The project began with a site evaluation to assess existing conditions. Field measurements and site observation guided planning decisions and helped identify potential challenges. Following the site evaluation, the project proceeded into the design phase, where the ramp and deck …

Assessing The Current Experiences With Electrically- Powered Construction Vehicles Within The Heavy Civil Industry, Matthew Joseph Beauchesne

Construction Management

Heavy machinery, such as cranes, trucks, dozers, and more, are a necessity to build dams, bridges, highways, and all the other types of projects within the Heavy Civil Construction industry. Traditionally, such machinery is powered using fossil fuels - gas or diesel - which in turn affects both the efficiency and emissions of these vehicles. This study focuses on the prospects of using alternative energy - namely electricity - to power such vehicles, and these electric variants differ from their fossil fuel using versions. The methodology of this paper involved seeking out construction contractors within the Heavy Civil sector who …

Case Study: The Benefits Implementing Azure 3d Printed Homes Onto Dignitymoves Project In San Luis Obispo, Lucy E. Heimer

Construction Management

California is actively addressing the challenges of housing shortages and climate change. These challenges have shifted the construction industry, steering the market into finding more sustainable means of construction. This case study evaluates the sustainable benefits of modular construction fabricated by Azure Homes. The focused project is a DignityMoves project in San Luis Obispo where modular units are factory built in El Segundo, CA and set on site. DignityMoves is a nonprofit organization that aims to provide housing for unhoused individuals throughout California. Thus far, DignityMoves has opted to use prefabricated modular units as their primary means of construction on …

Impact Of Regional Heat Differences On Construction Productivity: A Comparative Study Of California’S Central Valley And Central Coast, Berthalidia Acosta

Construction Management

Construction productivity is influenced by many environmental conditions, particularly extremely high temperatures. In regions where high temperatures are normal, workers experience increased fatigue, require additional safety controls, and can even lead to scheduling conflicts. This senior project evaluates how heat differences in two parts of California affect productivity by comparing two projects managed by the same general contractor: one located in California’s Central Valley (Sacramento) and one located on the Central Coast (San Luis Obispo). Throughout the study, there will be two data sources seen: weekly labor recap reports focusing on a particular task (Concrete) and semi-structured interviews with industry …

Slo Garden Guy: Applying Construction Management Principles To A Residential Woodworking Business, Carson Smith

Construction Management

This senior project applies construction management principles to evaluate the launch, performance, and future direction of SLO Garden Guy, a small-scale residential woodworking venture operating in San Luis Obispo. The project implemented structured estimating, standardized workflows, financial tracking, and risk analysis to assess real market demand, operational efficiency, and long-term scalability. Over the course of operation, the business completed numerous customer orders and demonstrated consistent seasonal demand patterns, particularly during peak gardening months. Analysis of production capacity, cost structure, and regulatory considerations provided insight into both the strengths and limitations of a niche, product-based service model. While the operation proved …

Analysis Of Construction Trends On California’S Central Coast, Erik G. Asplund

Construction Management

The California Central Coast experiences sustained housing demand and infrastructure pressure, yet it lacks the visible concentration of construction firms found in larger markets. This study examines why construction activity in the region appears limited despite a strong demand. Using a qualitative, interview-based approach, four construction companies who operate across Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties were interviewed to identify recurring themes related to labor, environmental regulation, housing feasibility, technology adoption, and future outlooks. The study concludes that structural constraints rather than lack of opportunity limit the scalability of construction on the Central Coast.

From Concept To Construction: A Carport For The Slo Botanical Garden, Trent A. Denholm

Construction Management

This paper documents the design, budgeting, procurement and construction of a timber framed carport with architectural shingle roofing at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden (SLOBG). The Botanical Garden, a nonprofit organization dependent on community support and volunteer labor, identified the need for covered storage and a dedicated charging station for its golf cart, a vehicle central to daily operations across the property. Without permanent shelter, the cart was exposed to the elements year-round, which contributed to equipment wear and reduced operational efficiency. Working simultaneously as project manager and lead builder, Trent coordinated stakeholder relationships, developed a project budget, secured …

Developing And Commercializing Large Language Model Applications For Automated Construction Submittal Review Requirements, Ryan Cracolice

Construction Management

The construction industry faces persistent challenges in document management, quality assurance, and project coordination. Despite advances in project management software, critical workflows such as submittal review, drawing interpretation, and specification compliance remain predominantly manual processes that consume significant project management resources and introduce risk through human error. Point Construction is an entrepreneurial venture that applies artificial intelligence and advanced imaging technologies to automate and enhance construction document intelligence. The platform integrates directly with industry-standard project management systems to provide AI-driven submittal review, automated drawing analysis, intelligent specification cross-referencing, and natural language querying of project documents. This paper details the conception, …

Factors Impacting Wildland-Urban Interface (Wui) Fires: A Systematic Literature Review, Albert Jimenez

Construction Management

Fires in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) pose a significant danger to communities. The WUI refers to the space where development meets vegetation. Significant research has been conducted into wildfire and WUI vulnerability across the world to help combat vulnerability. These include the identification of factors of vulnerability to create indices that quantify vulnerability, and address scope gaps and inconsistencies within literature. However, existing research seems to be fragmented in finding the WUI vulnerability factors and often it focuses on wildfires and not WUI fires. The objective of this systematic literature review is to synthesize wildfire vulnerability factors identified in the …

Drainage And Pedestrian Access Improvements At City Farms Slo, Benjamin Marc Kocher, Jacob Anthony Booker

Construction Management

This senior project focused on planning, designing, and constructing drainage and pedestrian access improvements at City Farms SLO, a nonprofit in San Luis Obispo that promotes sustainable agriculture and youth education. Prior to construction, the site experienced significant stormwater pooling and erosion in a central area of the farm, making daily operations and visitor access difficult during wet weather. The team excavated an 80-foot trench drain with appropriate slopes, installed a 15-foot corrugated HDPE culvert with proper bedding and backfill, built a seven-foot pedestrian bridge over the trench, and created a 17-foot gravel pathway connecting the bridge to an existing …

A Comparison Of Waste Management Practices In Residential And Commercial Construction, Jayce S. Ford

Construction Management

Construction Waste continues to be a major issue within the construction industry, affecting project costs, schedules, and environmental performance. A large portion of construction and demolition materials/ waste ends up in landfills. This is due to poor planning, limited worker training, and inefficient jobsite practices. This research-based senior project examines waste management efficiency on construction jobsites, while comparing and contrasting residential and commercial construction practices. The study evaluates how contractors manage material separation, recycling, reuse, and disposal of common construction waste. These include wood, drywall, concrete, metals, and packaging. A mixed-methods approach is used combining a review of academic and …

Skip The Grid 25-26: A Safety-Driven Solar Installation Project In The Navajo And Hopi Nations, James R. Wall

Construction Management

Skip the Grid is an interdisciplinary service-learning project that provides sustainable energy solutions to families with school-aged children living in the Navajo and Hopi Nations. In March 2026, a team of 23 students from five academic disciplines at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) partnered with Heart of America, SOLV Energy, and NextPower to complete the fifth year of the program. The project's purpose was to improve quality of life and support educational success by providing reliable access to electricity, lighting, and refrigeration in underserved communities. Participants were organized into five installation teams consisting of Cal Poly students, faculty, industry …