ScholarWorks@UMassAmherst

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Featured Items

UMOP 42: Historical reflections in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of UMass Linguistics

UMOP 42: Papers in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of UMass Linguistics

Recent Submissions

Open Access
Empowering Girls to Have a Choice: Investigating How Social Cognitive Career Theory Can Inform Middle School Computer Science Curriculums
(2025-09) Poza, Ricardo
As jobs in the computer and information technology occupations are projected to increase 11.5% between 2019 and 2029, it is imperative that we have a strong pool of candidates that is wholly representative of our population. The percentage of women in computer science occupations continues to be substantially less than for men, representing almost 1 in every 4 (24% as of 2023) employed in the field; it is therefore crucial to identify solutions that could inspire more girls to pursue careers in computer science. Increasing the number of women in computer science is not only equitable and a just action to take that fosters socioeconomic mobility but also ensures the U.S.A.’s economic competitiveness through diversifying perspectives and increasing creativity and innovation. Middle school has been associated with critical developmental milestones that guide identity formation and potential career choices. Using a descriptive mixed methods approach, this study investigates how and if middle school CS curricula foster participation and engagement of girls in computer science. Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), which is based on a triadic relationship between self-efficacy, goals, and outcome expectations, provides the foundation for identifying what components of CS curricula promote self-efficacy, career goals, and outcome expectations toward CS.
Open Access
A volume electron microscopic reconstruction of neurons in the rhinophore ganglion of a nudibranch
(2025-09) Cook, Alexzander
Understanding how neural circuits are organized is crucial to understanding how animal behavior is generated. Previous volume electron microscopy (vEM) studies in model organisms such as D. melanogaster and C. elegans have provided structural maps for understanding how information is transmitted throughout the nervous system. Here, we applied volume electron microscopy (vEM) to reconstruct neurons and determine synaptic connectivity within the rhinophore ganglion (rhg) of the nudibranch mollusc Berghia stephanieae. The rhg sits at the base of the rhinophores, an olfactory organ, and is presumptively involved in olfactory processing. From our volume EM dataset, we identified a neuropil region containing two neuronal cell types: projection neurons with axons projecting out of the ganglion and afferent neurons originating from the rhinophore nerves. The projection neurons were found to have overlapping dendrites that were contacted by the afferent neurons. Synaptic connections between the projection neurons and the afferents were identified and characterized into four types: monadic, dyadic, polyadic, and convergent. A convergent motif between the projection neurons and afferents was observed. Notably, axo-axonic synapses between afferent neurons was also identified. Convergent input onto projection neurons is a characteristic feature of olfactory glomeruli seen in insects and vertebrates. The presence of olfactory glomeruli in molluscs has been controversial. If this glomerular motif is repeated within the rhg, it would suggest that olfactory glomerular organization evolved independently in molluscs, arthropods, and vertebrates.
Open Access
Estimating the Change in Expected All-Cause ED Hospitalizations During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Massachusetts
(2025-09) Chehimi, Amani
This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Emergency Department (ED) visits resulting in hospital admissions across Massachusetts, stratified by diagnosis. We hypothesized that the pandemic altered both seasonal patterns and overall hospitalization levels, with varying effects across disease categories. Weekly ED admission counts from January 2019 through January 2025 were obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. These data were stratified into nine ICD-10-based categories: cardiovascular diseases, digestive diseases, infectious diseases, infectious respiratory diseases, injuries, pneumonia, renal diseases, other respiratory diseases, and other diseases. This allowed us to examine cause-specific disruptions in ED utilization over time. To estimate deviations from expected admission patterns, we adapted statistical methods used in public health to assess excess mortality during emergencies. Expected admission levels were modeled under non-pandemic conditions to identify deficits during the pandemic. Three temporal periods were analyzed: pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic. We used the excessmort R package to fit Poisson and mixed-effects models to the weekly counts for each category. These models captured smooth trends and seasonality while accounting for overdispersion and correlation. Generalized linear models (Poisson and quasi-Poisson) were used to estimate fixed temporal effects, while generalized linear mixed models included random effects to account for within-category correlation over time. Findings revealed heterogeneous disruptions across categories. The most severe and sustained deficits were observed for pneumonia, respiratory diseases, and the “other” category. In contrast, cardiovascular and injury-related admissions declined sharply early in the pandemic but showed partial recovery. These results highlight the uneven impact of the pandemic on acute care utilization, shaped by disease-specific urgency, public health responses, and healthcare system strain, consistent with prior research on indirect effects and healthcare prioritization during public health emergencies.
Open Access
INFLUENCE OF LOAD PROTOCOL AND DESIGN PARAMETERS ON THE CYCLIC PERFORMANCE OF COLD-FORMED STEEL AND FIBER-CEMENT BOARD CONNECTIONS
(2025-09) Ariana, Sheila
The growing interest in cold-formed steel (CFS) structures has drawn researchers’ attention to the seismic performance of CFS shear walls in seismically active regions. Cementitious panels used as sheathing in CFS shear walls and diaphragms offer superior strength and energy dissipation capacity. These sheathing panels are becoming increasingly ubiquitous in light-framed structures due to their fire-resistance properties. This project consists of two phases. In phase 1, the study investigates key parameters, namely edge distance, stud thickness, and fastener type, affecting the cyclic response of 108 fiber-cement board (FCB)-sheathed-CFS shear wall connections. Additional factors, such as overdriven screws and the presence of tongues on panel edges, are also evaluated. The study examines hysteretic performance, failure modes, and fastener tilting. In the second phase of this work, 24 specimens tested under FEMA 461 loading protocol are selected, and 24 identical specimens are assembled and tested under CUREE loading protocol. These experimental tests aim to evaluate and compare the cyclic response of FCB-sheathed CFS connections subjected to the FEMA-461 and CUREE loading protocols. These experimental specimens are designed to represent a segment of a shear wall, consisting of two CFS studs fastened on both sides with FCB using eight screws. A total of 108 specimens with varying edge distances, stud thicknesses, and screw types are tested under the FEMA 461 cyclic loading protocol, providing a large suite of experimental data for these connection types. Additionally, the hysteretic performance and failure mode of 24 FEMA-tested and 24 CUREE-tested specimens are compared. Population-level analysis is conducted to quantify variability in screws-fastened connections and to explore relationships among experimental variables, failure modes and screw titling. The results aim to inform national design specifications and contribute to a comprehensive database on the hysteretic behavior of FCB-sheathed-CFS shear wall connections, enabling more reliable design of shear walls and diaphragms sheathed with fiber-cement boards.
Open Access
MECHANISTIC ENHANCEMENT OF BACTERICIDAL EFFECTS ON MYCOBACTERIUM ABSCESSUS BY NANOSPONGE DELIVERY OF ANTIMICROBIALS
(2025-09) Aponte, Haley
The increasing prevalence of bacterial infections has made it crucial to discover novel methods of treatment, especially as resistance to conventional antibiotics also trend to increase. Mycobacterium abscessus is a prevalent pathogen that is intrinsically drug resistant, making it difficult to treat. The use of phytochemicals as an alternative treatment has been explored, but poor solubility in aqueous environments proves it difficult to deliver to mycobacterial biofilms. However, aromatic compounds also prove to be able to induce stress on the membrane, potentially leading to cell death. As well, local hypoxic environments created during infection make it difficult for antibiotics to efficiently reach drug targets. In this study, I investigated how nanosponge-emulsified phytochemicals induce stress and kill M. smegmatis and M. absceuss biofilm cells more efficiently than phytochemicals alone, and that the teamwork of these phytochemicals and antibiotics are more bactericidal in hypoxic conditions. These findings of this study contribute to the development of new strategies for combating bacterial infections, and demonstrate the mechanisms of the nanosponge-emulsion technology utilized.

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