Digital Commons Network^™

Coming Out As Complex: Understanding Lgbtq+ Community Writing Groups, Hillary Weiss

Wayne State University Dissertations

Though composition studies has increasingly studied writing spaces outside of the classroom and workplace, LGBTQ+ community writing groups have received little focus in composition research. This dissertation studies four LGBTQ+ community writing groups across North America to find why people choose to join these groups and how power and conflict function in these spaces. I argue that LGBTQ+ writing groups improve writing and offer emotional support, friendship, and community, as other writing groups do, but these particular spaces also provide group members with opportunities to improve one’s self, publish, and educate the community about LGBTQ+ issues. I also find that …

Evaluation Of Autoantibodies To Paraneoplastic Antigens As Early Detection Biomarkers For High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer, Laura Catherine Hurley

Wayne State University Dissertations

The majority of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage metastatic disease with poor prognosis due to non-specific symptoms and lack of early detection methods. This study evaluates autoantibodies against tumor antigens to identify candidate biomarkers for the early detection of ovarian tumors in high-risk women. Paraneoplastic antigens are associated with autoimmune diseases termed paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNSs), which develop when the unregulated immune response against a tumor also targets healthy cells. Notably, a set of antibodies is found in PNS patients with ovarian cancer, identifying highly immunogenic antigens in the tumor. In this dissertation work, we have …

Single-Lipid Sorting And Dynamics At Nanoscale Membrane Curvatures: The Effects Of Fluorescence Labeling, Composition, Phase, And Temperature, Xinxin Woodward

Wayne State University Dissertations

Nanoscale membrane curvature on cell plasma membrane assists in the spatial organization and domain formation that are critical for life of eukaryotic cells. Lipids and proteins can sense, be sorted by, and generate both functional domains and membrane curvature. Reveal the relationship between membrane curvature, phase separation, and single-molecule behavior is a key to understanding fundamental processes, such as phagocytosis initiation, cell signaling, and membrane budding. Single lipid dynamic and sorting on engineered membrane curvature is studied to understand the effects of fluorescence labeling, composition, phase separation, and temperature. Single particle tracking was used to find radial averaged diffusion at …

The Politics Of Hijab In American Culture, Noha F. Beydoun

Wayne State University Dissertations

The Politics of Hijab in American Culture analyzes the relationship between hijab and US imperialism in contemporary American culture. This project examines the ways in which neoliberal notions of freedom work through discourse on hijab in the U.S. from the vantage point of narratives produced by individuals invested in Muslim American identity. What emerges is a liberated/dominated Muslim woman figure which, I argue, justifies U.S. practices overseas. By looking at how hijab is situated in narratives produced for self-representation of Muslim American identity in the U.S., this project demonstrates the ways in which American imperialism operates such that those marginalized …

Toward Enhancing Ecological Validity Of Cognitive-Linguistic Assessment: The Role Of Individual Differences In Cognitive Capacity On Oral Discourse Processing, Nancy Naperala

Wayne State University Dissertations

A growing body of multidisciplinary research indicates the need for more holistic tests of executive cognitive functioning and complex language metrics that predict real-life performance. However, empirical studies investigating cognitive aging, limited capacity processing and everyday discourse behaviours are still lacking. The present research focused on ecologically valid methods for capturing individual differences in cognitive capacity and the effects of cognitive load on oral discourse processing (ODP) in healthy adult participants. This methodology sought to tease apart the nature of capacity limits and provide a better estimate of age-related differences in everyday discourse behaviors in three parts. First, the effects …

Securing Arm Platform: From Software-Based To Hardware-Based Approaches, Zhenyu Ning

Wayne State University Dissertations

With the rapid proliferation of the ARM architecture on smart mobile phones and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the security of ARM platform becomes an emerging problem. In recent years, the number of malware identified on ARM platforms, especially on Android, shows explosive growth. Evasion techniques are also used in these malware to escape from being detected by existing analysis systems.

In our research, we first present a software-based mechanism to increase the accuracy of existing static analysis tools by reassembleable bytecode extraction. Our solution collects bytecode and data at runtime, and then reassemble them offline to help static analysis …

Attitudes Toward Organ Donation Among Saudi Arabians, Abdulaziz Fahad Alkaltham

Wayne State University Dissertations

The specific aim examined the relationship between Saudi Arabians’ attitudes toward organ donation and acculturation. The study tested the hypothesis that controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, Saudis who were more acculturated to Western culture would be more positive about organ donation.

A self-administrated Qualtrics questionnaire was distributed to the entire population of the College of the Social Sciences (approximately 12,000 faculty members, staff, and students) at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The instrument asked 63 questions about sociodemographic characteristics, acculturation, and attitudes about organ donation. The response rate was almost 8%, n=893. Students comprised 90.6% of …

Youth Organizers As Essential Partners In Teacher Education: Implications From A Community-Based Action Research Project, Kaitlin Elizabeth Popielarz

Wayne State University Dissertations

The primary purpose of this critical qualitative action research project is to analyze the possibilities, contradictions, and limitations of youth organizers as essential partners in teacher education. More specifically, this research project examines the impact of designing and implementing a community-based social studies methods course alongside youth organizers and their adult allies. There is limited research in teacher education literature about partnering with youth-centered and youth-led grassroots organizations. In addition, research pertaining to community-based teacher education does not adequately affirm and center the voices and lived experiences of youth organizers who are social change agents in schools and communities. In …

Parylene Based Flexible Multifunctional Biomedical Probes And Their Applications, Zhiguo Zhao

Wayne State University Dissertations

MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) based flexible devices have been studied for decades, and they are rapidly being incorporated into modern society in various forms such as flexible electronics and wearable devices. Especially in neuroscience, flexible interfaces provide tremendous possibilities and opportunities to produce reliable, scalable and biocompatible instruments for better exploring neurotransmission and neurological disorders. Of all the types of biomedical instruments such as electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocorticography (ECoG), MEMS-based needle-shape probes have been actively studied in recent years due to their better spatial resolution, selectivity, and sensitivity in chronical invasive physiology monitoring. In order to address the inherent …

Estimating The Size Of The Shadow Economy In The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia, Ali Alsubaie

Wayne State University Dissertations

The shadow economy (SE), as unreported economic activity, is a challenge for researchers and policymakers worldwide because of its size, consequences for economic development, and the difficulty of evaluating it. This dissertation makes an original contribution to SE research by estimating the size of the shadow economy in Saudi Arabia for the period 1975–2018.

This dissertation uses a modified version of the most widely used method currently available for SE estimation: the Currency Demand Approach (CDA). This approach focuses on identifying excess cash used in an economy not accounted for in the official statistics on the assumption that shadow activities …

Variations On A Theme: Intricacies Of Unanchored Poly-Ubiquitin Signaling And Toxicity, Jessica Renee Blount-Pacheco

Wayne State University Dissertations

Ubiquitin is an 8.5 kDa post-translational modifier involved in essentially all eukaryotic cellular processes. Through a process called ubiquitination, ubiquitinating enzymes chemically attach ubiquitin to substrate proteins to control their fates, resulting in anything from their recruitment into signaling pathways to their proteasomal degradation, with a plethora of possibilities in between. Ubiquitin molecules can also be attached to one another, resulting in poly-ubiquitin chains with various effects depending on the number of ubiquitin molecules and the specific amino acid residues used to link them together. While most poly-ubiquitin in the cell exists as conjugated species, there are also untethered poly-ubiquitin …

A Model Of Agitated Behavioral Symptoms In Persons With Alzheimer Disease, Katherine Kero

Wayne State University Dissertations

Background: Worldwide population trends are shifting with the population of Elders expected to dramatically increase in absolute and relative numbers in coming years. Alzheimer Disease (AD) is a common and costly disease of aging with agitation being the most poorly managed and detrimental behavioral symptom of the condition. The Nursing Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms provides a conceptual basis for understanding agitated behavioral symptoms associated with AD in the context of its antecedent causes and outcomes of the symptoms.

Purpose: The purpose of this dissertation was to model the predictors and outcomes of agitated behavioral symptoms in persons with AD. The …

Incorporating Cardiac Substructures Into Radiation Therapy For Improved Cardiac Sparing, Eric Daniel Morris

Wayne State University Dissertations

Growing evidence suggests that radiation therapy (RT) doses to the heart and cardiac substructures (CS) are strongly linked to cardiac toxicities, though only the heart is considered clinically. This work aimed to utilize the superior soft-tissue contrast of magnetic resonance (MR) to segment CS, quantify uncertainties in their position, assess their effect on treatment planning and an MR-guided environment.

Automatic substructure segmentation of 12 CS was completed using a novel hybrid MR/computed tomography (CT) atlas method and was improved upon using a 3-dimensional neural network (U-Net) from deep learning. Intra-fraction motion due to respiration was then quantified. The inter-fraction setup …

Stochastic Approximation And Applications To Networked Systems, Thu Thi Le Nguyen

Wayne State University Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on a class of SA algorithms with applications to networked systems and is based on the published works that have been done jointly during my Ph.D. training. The networked systems are fundamentally characterized by interaction among control, communications, and computing, with applications in a vast array of emerging technologies such as smart grids, intelligent transportation systems, social networks, smart city, to name just a few. Networked systems encounter many environment uncertainties that are inherently stochastic. Besides the aforementioned advantages, the framework of SA can also accommodate multiple random processes and diversified system dynamics, even random and distributed …

Advanced Electrodes And Electrolytes For Long-Lived And High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries, Deepesh Gopalakrishnan

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

ADVANCED ELECTRODES AND ELECTROLYTES FOR LONG-LIVED AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE LITHIUM-SULFUR BATTERIES

by

DEEPESH GOPALAKRISHNAN

August 2020

Advisor: Dr. Leela Mohana Reddy Arava

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Lithium – Sulfur (Li-S) batteries have received much attention and considered as a promising candidate for next generation energy storage devices because of their high theoretical energy density (≈2600 Wh kg‒1) and environmental friendliness. However, the uncontrollable growth of lithium dendrites in the lithium metal anode and the fatal effect of polysulfide shuttle hinder their practical applications. The formation of dendrites during repeated Li plating/stripping processes results in: reduced Li availability …

The Effects Of Coordination Environment On The Spectroscopic And Electrochemical Properties Of Divalent Lanthanides, Tyler C. Jenks

Wayne State University Dissertations

The research projects in this dissertation pertain to the properties of molecular divalent lanthanide complexes with a focus on luminescence properties in solution. Most available research in lanthanide chemistry focuses on either the trivalent oxidation state or the divalent oxidation state in solid inorganic host matrices. The results described herein contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the effects of coordination environment on the spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of divalent lanthanides in solvated molecular complexes.

The divalent-europium-containing complex Eu(II)23 was evaluated as a visible-light-excited photoredox precatalyst. Stoichiometric and catalytic carbon–carbon bond forming reactions of Eu(II)23 with benzyl chloride in the …

Variational Analysis Of Composite Optimization, Ashkan Mohammadi

Wayne State University Dissertations

The dissertation is devoted to the study of the first- and second-order variational analysis of the composite functions with applications to composite optimization. By considering a fairly general composite optimization problem, our analysis covers numerous classes of optimization problems such as constrained optimization; in particular, nonlinear programming, second-order cone programming and semidefinite programming(SDP). Beside constrained optimization problems our framework covers many important composite optimization problems such as the extended nonlinear programming and eigenvalue optimization problem. In first-order analysis we develop the exact first-order calculus via both subderivative and subdifferential. For the second-order part we develop calculus rules via second-order subderivative …

Bearing A Beloved Burden: Surrogates, Reproductive Labor, And Carrying Babies For Others, Anabel Stoeckle

Wayne State University Dissertations

Surrogacy is – as a result of new reproductive technologies – one of many options to start a family. However, surrogacy is not typically categorized as work. The simplistic taxonomy of forms of surrogacy as either “commercial” or “altruistic” has led to the classification of surrogacy as either “work” in transnational contexts or as “labor of love” in the US. Even when surrogacy is recognized as work in the US – a rare event – altruistic aspects are highlighted while the laboring aspects are downplayed. This dissertation examines how US surrogates describe their journeys and which aspects of carrying babies …

Health Literacy, Social Support, And Diabetes Self Care Among Individuals Of Arab Descent, Abeer Aseeri

Wayne State University Dissertations

HEALTH LITERACY, SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND DIABETES SELF-CARE AMONG INDIVUDALS OF ARAB DESCENT

BY ABEER ASEERI

August 2020 Advisor: Dr. Joan Visger & Dr. Nancy Hauff

Major: Nursing

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Introduction/Objectives: Individuals of Arabic descent who live in the United States are at increased risk of diabetes because the Middle Eastern and North African regions have the second highest global rate of the disease which, is also projected to increase by over 95% by 2035. Diabetes self-care involves seven essential behaviors, including: (1) eating a healthy diet, (2) being physically active, (3) being compliant with medication, (4) monitoring blood …

Stochastic Programming Models For Electric Vehicles’ Operation: Network Design And Routing Strategies, Seyed Sajjad Fazeli

Wayne State University Dissertations

Logistic and transportation (L&T) activities become a significant contributor to social and economic advances throughout the modern world Road L&T activities are responsible for a large percentage of CO2 emissions, with more than 24% of the total emission, which mostly caused by fossil fuel vehicles. Researchers, governments, and automotive companies put extensive effort to incorporate new solutions and innovations into the L&T system. As a result, Electric Vehicles (EVs) are introduced and universally accepted as one of the solutions to environmental issues. Subsequently, L&T companies are encouraged to adopt fleets of EVs. Integrating the EVs into the logistic and transportation …

Biological And Computational Studies Of The Structure And Function Of Pul103, A Human Cytomegalovirus Tegument Protein, Ashley N. Anderson

Wayne State University Dissertations

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an enveloped, single segment, double-stranded DNA virus. HCMV infection causes disease in immunocompromised (HIV patients, transplant recipients) and immunodeficient (fetuses, neonates) populations. Current treatments are effective but are either limited in use or can lead to organ damage and/or antiviral resistance, and no vaccines are available. Additional antiviral targets are needed. HCMV pUL103 is a potential antiviral target. pUL103 is a conserved herpesvirus protein present in the tegument, layer of proteins and RNA between the envelope and capsid of HCMV virions. pUL103 helps reorganize cellular secretory machinery (Golgi, endosomes) to form the cytoplasmic virion assembly compartment …

Named But Not Known: Teaching And Assessing The Research-Writing Process, Ruth Boeder

Wayne State University Dissertations

In lived experience, the two processes of secondary research and writing overlap and intertwine interminably, creating an overarching complex system as research becomes expressed in writing and writing generates new research. This classroom study explores the two processes as one—the research-writing process—through coding of student journal responses and assessment of student research papers. Analysis reveals students to be thoughtful but not yet as nuanced in their descriptions of their research process as much be desired. They more frequently discuss writing with weaknesses in their research process than with research strengths. Further findings indicate that although it is difficult to assess …

Testosterone And Interpersonal Attraction: A Placebo-Controlled Design, Stefan M. Goetz

Wayne State University Dissertations

Testosterone has long been implicated as a neuroendocrinological mechanism in the expression of reproductive strategies. Humans the world over form and maintain pair-bonds suggesting that pair-bonds may serve to enhance reproductive fitness. However, infidelity is a perennial threat to these bonds. The data in humans suggests that testosterone is associated with mate-seeking but may be detrimental to relationship maintenance. However, past work has relied on correlational studies and additional findings from nonhuman animal models suggest that acute changes rather than baseline concentrations in testosterone may in fact protect extant pair-bonds. The present research sought to test the causal role of …

Spatiotemporal Release Of Growth Factors In A Biomaterial-Focused Organotypic Spinal Cord Injury Model, Elizabeth Mays

Wayne State University Dissertations

Over 17,000 people per year in the United States sustain a spinal cord injury (SCI) for which there is no gold standard of care and life-long complications. SCI is a complex wound environment with various growth factors (GFs), cellular activity, and scar formation at various timepoints. For example, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is released immediately to protect local support cells, namely oligodendrocytes (OLs). Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has peak expression at 2-3 days in mice and 5-7 days in humans, and aids axonal growth across the injury site. Incidentally this is around the same time as M1 macrophage …

Design Thinking & Strategic Product Planning For Highly Engineered Products, Shannon Dare Wayne

Wayne State University Dissertations

This paper offers an integrated framework to systematically address routine challenges plaguing early product development for highly engineered and complex products, such as automobiles. The framework includes up-front strategic product planning leveraging ‘design thinking’ and ‘design execution’ through a structured process to enable adaptation under uncertainties in the product development lifecycle for customer delight and program success. Included is product planning, from fuzzy front-end until product launch, and prioritizing aligned strategic initiatives while integrating design thinking throughout the process. We also discuss two real-world case studies to emphasize the efficacy of the framework and to demonstrate practical examples of how …

Development Of Specific Natural Bacterial Beta-Glucuronidase Inhibitors For Reducing Irinotecan-Associated Diarrhea, Fei Yang

Wayne State University Dissertations

Irinotecan is a derived compound from the plant alkaloid camptothecin (CPT). It specifically inhibits eukaryotic DNA enzyme topoisomerase I. Irinotecan was approved by the FDA as the second-line therapy for metastatic colon or rectal cancer in 1996. However, one of its leading side effects is diarrhea. It has been reported that up to 88% of treated patients were suffering from diarrhea and 31% of cases with grade 3 or 4 diarrhea. Irinotecan is metabolized into SN-38G in the liver, then SN-38G is excreted to the intestinal tract and deconjugated back to SN-38 by bacterial β-glucuronidase. The free SN-38 in the …

Germinal Center B Cell Expression Of Aire Regulates Antibody Diversification And Autoimmunity, Jordan Zheng Zhou

Wayne State University Dissertations

B cells are a unique subset of immune cells that, in response to antigen, diversify their antibody repertoire to generate progressively higher affinity antibodies of different isotypes through the processes of affinity maturation/somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class switch recombination (CSR). One of the major sites in which this diversification occurs is in T cell dependent microanatomical structures known as germinal centers (GC). Here, we find that GC B cells express the protein, autoimmune regulator (Aire) in a CD40 dependent manner. In these cells, Aire interacts with activation induced cytidine deaminase (AID), the protein responsible for initiating the processes of diversification …

Machine Learning Methods For The Analysis Of Clinical Conversation, Md Mehedi Hasan

Wayne State University Dissertations

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based communication technique to increase intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy for behavior change. This goal is achieved through the exploration of the patient's own desires, ability, reasons, need for and commitment to the targeted behavior change. However, communication science approaches to understanding the efficacy of MI are inherently limited by traditional qualitative coding methods which is a time-consuming and resource-intensive process. Thus, an efficient method is required to automate the coding process which will accelerate the pace of communication research in behavioral science. The specific provider behaviors responsible for the elicitation of change talk, are also …

Self-Awareness And Therapeutic Alliance In The Treatment Of Traumatic Brain Injury, Janis Whitney-Fremont Neal

Wayne State University Dissertations

The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between self-awareness and therapeutic alliance in dyads of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and their clients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although both topics have been independently associated with treatment outcomes in individuals with TBI, there is little research that investigates how these elements interact as they relate to client and SLP behavior. A mixed-methods approach was used to examine the interaction between these elements. Research questions targeted the communicative-behavioral manifestations of SLP self-awareness and the ratings of client self-awareness related to the client’s perception of therapeutic alliance. Additionally, the findings were …

The Relationship Between Conflict And Longevity: A Panel Data Analysis, Felicitas Adu-Acheampong

Wayne State University Dissertations

With a series of multivariate regression models this study investigates the association of conflict, health and non-health inputs with different facets of longevity in OECD, emerging and African countries. Using a country-level panel data set covering the period 1990 through 2014, five facets of longevity are examined: infant mortality, life expectancy for males at birth, life expectancy for females at birth, life expectancy for males at age 65, and life expectancy for females at age 65 among OECD and emerging countries. With country-level data spanning 1997 through 2016 from 50 African nations, production functions are also estimated for four distinct …