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Mechanotransduction Signaling On Ovarian Cancer Results In Increased Proliferation, Migration, And Chemoresistance In 2d And 3d In Vitro And In Vivo Models, Molly Buckley
All ETDs from UAB
Mechanical forces imparted on an ovarian tumor have recently been shown to have a grave impact on cancer development, progression, metastasis, and chemoresistance. The forces present include compression throughout the tumor, intrinsic and extrinsic shear stresses from ascitic fluid present in the peritoneal cavity as well as blood flow through the tumor via leaky and disorganized vessels created through tumor angiogenesis, and tension at the tumor periphery because of the constantly growing mass. Studies of the signaling pathways impacted by these mechanical forces could give great insight into new therapeu-tic targets for ovarian cancer, however, these studies have been severely …
Spectrum-Efficient High-Density Data Communication For Wireless Sensor Networks, Md. Kamal Hossain
Spectrum-Efficient High-Density Data Communication For Wireless Sensor Networks, Md. Kamal Hossain
All ETDs from UAB
Spectrum-efficient data telemetry is critically important in high-density wireless sensor networks. The rapid expansion of the sensor network has generated a large volume of data on the limited bandwidth and brought new challenges, including transmission bottlenecks, latency, and congestion. The existing wireless technologies cannot support the proliferation of sensor devices for the limitations of spectrum and resources, including computational power, memory, and feature size that hinder the deployment of sophisticated signal processing. To overcome these limitations, orthogonal pulse-based telemetry provides an excellent alternative with reduced complexity, data compression, and efficient transmission. However, the number of data channels also limits the …
A Hybrid Data And Hypothesis-Driven Model For Software Development In Support Of The Machine-Learning Paradigm, Anthony D. Bowman
A Hybrid Data And Hypothesis-Driven Model For Software Development In Support Of The Machine-Learning Paradigm, Anthony D. Bowman
All ETDs from UAB
istorically, research has often been conducted in a hypothesis-driven manner with software development methodologies created to support those efforts. However, in recent years data-driven approaches to research have seen a dramatic rise in prominence. While software development methodologies such as agile development, extreme programming, and the waterfall model have allowed developers to tackle increasingly complex problems, they were not designed to efficiently support data-driven approaches such as the machine learning paradigm. To address the need to support the different programmatic requirements of both classical, hypothesis-driven as well as data-driven development, novel development strategies are warranted. In this research, we adapted …
A Framework For Designing Blockchain Systems In A Smart City Setting, Mohammad Alhefdi
A Framework For Designing Blockchain Systems In A Smart City Setting, Mohammad Alhefdi
All ETDs from UAB
As main characteristics of successful smart cities, the high demand for increased data security and accessibility and citizen engagement mean the role of blockchain technology has begun to increase. Nonetheless, blockchain technology also faces several challenges, which have slowed its adoption. In response, this dissertation introduces a framework for designing blockchain systems in a smart city setting and considers the smart city and blockchain challenges. Researchers have proposed several smart city models that study and analyze the complexity of smart cities to improve city security, functionality, services, and smartness. The proposed information-theoretical modeling approach to generate an innovated blockchain model …
A Framework For Enterprise Systems Based On Process Improvement, Abdulrahman Alharthi
A Framework For Enterprise Systems Based On Process Improvement, Abdulrahman Alharthi
All ETDs from UAB
We introduce a framework for enterprise systems based on process-centered analysis. Because technology has drastically altered many aspects of our lives, such as work, leisure, travel, government, and company interactions worldwide, companies must strategically consider the Internet of Things in order to thrive in the new economy. Tanik and Jololian offered early work in this area, and included an analysis of the T-Strategy introduced by R.T. Yeh et al. in their book “Zero-time.” Our approach builds on this decade-old work, and involves the introduction of information flow analysis to process improvement [1]. We have identified two key points: centralization and …
Improving Continuity And Quality Assurance In Internet Of Things Infrastructure Using Blockchain, Hussain A. Alshehri
Improving Continuity And Quality Assurance In Internet Of Things Infrastructure Using Blockchain, Hussain A. Alshehri
All ETDs from UAB
In this research I present a rigorous study on the service continuity and quality assurance using the Internet of Things (IoT). The research aims at identifying risks and improving the risk mitigation tools that are currently in use for improving the IoT performance, and for pushing forward the implementation of IoT in mission critical applications. This objective can be accomplished by identifying the impact of the strategic planning, quality assurance, performance assurance, and risk management on the IoT used in businesses. While the focus is mainly on the business continuity domain, the technical aspects of IoT solutions are also covered. …
Modeling Probabilistic Combinational Optimization Problems On Graphs Using Communication Channel, William Ngambou Djakam
Modeling Probabilistic Combinational Optimization Problems On Graphs Using Communication Channel, William Ngambou Djakam
All ETDs from UAB
This thesis studies Combinatorial Optimization Problems (COPs) on graphs that integrate uncertainty in the problem definition. We focus on Probabilistic Combinatorial Optimization Problems (PCOPs), where uncertainty is associated with the presence or absence of subsets of vertices that describe the problem. In general, combinatorial optimization problems are formulated as a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model. This process aims to convert elements of decision-making into variables considering related constraints and choosing an objective function. In such cases, it is recommended to define an objective function that is a linear function with linear constraints. Also, when practical problems are formulated as …
How Does Loss Of Pulsatility Lead To Non-Surgical Bleeding In Continuous Flow Ventricular Assist Device Patterns, Khahn Tu Nguyen
How Does Loss Of Pulsatility Lead To Non-Surgical Bleeding In Continuous Flow Ventricular Assist Device Patterns, Khahn Tu Nguyen
All ETDs from UAB
The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of diminished pulsatility associat-ed with Continuous Flow Ventricular Assist Devices (CF-VADs) on endothelial respons-es of pro-angiogenic/proinflammatory soluble factors and von Willebrand Factor (vWF). Non-surgical bleeding is one of the most common adverse events after CF-VAD implan-tation and is a major cause of morbidity in patients supported by CF-VAD therapy. Alt-hough the exact mechanisms remain unclear, development of arteriovenous malfor-mations (AVMs) and acquired von Willebrand factor syndrome (AVWS) are widely be-lieved to be major risk factors. Another challenge with the study of pulsatility is that pre-clinical studies to understand how …
Modeling Local Heat-Exposure Vulnerability And Canopy-Level Thermal Comfort In Different Urban-Vegetation Morphology, Samain Sabrin
Modeling Local Heat-Exposure Vulnerability And Canopy-Level Thermal Comfort In Different Urban-Vegetation Morphology, Samain Sabrin
All ETDs from UAB
Globally, most cities experience Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) phenomena which increase the heat accumulation rate within city areas compared to the suburban and rural areas. In addition, poor air quality results in a higher prevalence of heat-related mortalities-morbidities and acute respiratory diseases. Vulnerability to UHIs impacts and air pollution varying in neighborhood scale is a function of factors including temperature pattern, the concentration of major air pollutants, land surface characteristics, socioeconomic factors, vulnerable age groups, and people's susceptibility to heat and pollution. Therefore, identifying vulnerability becomes crucial to adapt to changing climate and plan for mitigation strategies. Chapter one proposes …
Tissue Engineered Cardiac Muscle Patches With Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Enhance The Repairing Efficacy Of Infarcted Cardiac Muscle In Mouse Model, Xi Lou
All ETDs from UAB
Myocardial infarction (MI) remains one of the major contributors to heart failure, which can lead to death, and there has been a lack of effective treatments so far. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have been found to be an encouraging candidate for MI treatment. But it is facing challenge of low engraftment, limited integration of transplanted cells with host myocardium. To enhance the therapeutic efficacy of stem cell therapy of MI treatment, two approaches have been explored: 1)The first approach was to overexpress N-cadherin (CDH2), a cell-cell adhesion molecule, in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (CDH2-hiPSC-CMs), and examine its …
Investigation Of Zinc Aluminate As A Refractory Material, Somnath Mandal
Investigation Of Zinc Aluminate As A Refractory Material, Somnath Mandal
All ETDs from UAB
As used chrome-based refractories may contain toxic Cr6+, the chrome-free phas-es qandilite (Mg2TiO4) and zinc aluminate (ZnAl2O4, gahnite) are being considered which are known to enhance thermomechanical properties and slag corrosion resistance. The pore generation and deleterious expansion during in situ Mg2TiO4 and ZnAl2O4 for-mation can limit their amount in a refractory composition. Hence, preformed, dense ag-gregates are desirable. Dilatometric studies revealed that when dead burned magnesia (DBM) is combined with industrial anatase instead of rutile, it expanded less (1% versus 7.2%) and the reaction occurred earlier (965℃ compared to 1120℃). The anatase-based qandilite aggregate had 0% porosity and a …
Role Of Electrophysiological Markers In Cognition In Parkinson's Disease, Adeel A. Memon
Role Of Electrophysiological Markers In Cognition In Parkinson's Disease, Adeel A. Memon
All ETDs from UAB
Parkinson's disease (PD) is more than a movement disorder, and non-motor symptoms, including cognitive deficits and sleep disorders, present early and adversely affect the quality of life of a person with Parkinson's disease (PwP). Unfortunately, no pharmacological therapies slow or halt the progression of cognitive decline in PD. A substantial obstacle to developing effective cognitive therapies is the heterogeneous cognitive profile in PD, as well as a lack of a reliable biomarker of cognitive impairment. Moreover, the ideal biomarker would be generalizable, widely accessible, easily measured, non-invasive, and, ideally, modifiable. Unfortunately, thus far, proposed markers of cognitive deficits often include …
A Value-Based Framework For Process Alignment In Complex Provisioning Systems, Michael Lipscomb
A Value-Based Framework For Process Alignment In Complex Provisioning Systems, Michael Lipscomb
All ETDs from UAB
Provisioning systems are human-built, process-based systems whose activities are directed toward providing something of value to another entity. The things provided are not limited to any one type but may include, for example, objects, services, and information. Systems under consideration herein are limited to those that are human based, decentralized, and complex. “Human based” means that many of the agents and all the customers of the system are human. “Decentralized” means that agents act beyond central control. Such a system presents different challenges from one in which tasks are delegated from a central authority. In a decentralized system, agents are …
Pkd-1 Signaling Inthe Regulation Of Cancer Stem Cell-Like Features And Cancer Cell Interactions With Endothelial Cells In Breast Cancer And Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor, Yichen Hailey Guo
Pkd-1 Signaling Inthe Regulation Of Cancer Stem Cell-Like Features And Cancer Cell Interactions With Endothelial Cells In Breast Cancer And Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor, Yichen Hailey Guo
All ETDs from UAB
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation cancer cells that play critical roles in tumor progression, recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance. CSCs are characterized by self-renewal and plasticity. Protein kinase D-1 (PKD-1) signaling regulates CSC/stemness features in both breast cancers and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. In PNETs, PKD-1 signaling regulates not only stemness properties of cancer, but also epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). PNETs are typically well vascularized and heterogeneous. Everolimus (an mTOR inhibitor and the 2nd generation derivative of rapamycin) has been approved as a targeted chemotherapy for PNET patients. Unfortunately, nearly all patients will progress on treatment due to drug resistance …
Biomanufacturing Of Micro-Myocardial Tissue Through Suspension Differentiation With Improved Yields, Purity, And Quality, Asher M. Kahn-Krell
Biomanufacturing Of Micro-Myocardial Tissue Through Suspension Differentiation With Improved Yields, Purity, And Quality, Asher M. Kahn-Krell
All ETDs from UAB
Despite major advances in revascularization and drug therapy for post-myocardial infarction (MI) heart failure (HF), heart transplantation remains the only curative therapy to prevent progressive and debilitating disease. Researchers have long sought a replenishable and expandable source of cardiomyocytes (CMs), the primary functional cell in the heart muscle, for a broad array of applications related to the treatment of HF ranging from direct implantation to high throughput drug testing. The lack of cell cycle activity and cell division in adult CMs prevented the development of an expandable primary cell line. However, with the discovery of high efficiency stem cell differentiation …
Monoclonal Antibody-Mediated Cancer Treatment: Development, Manufacturing And Evaluation, Yingnan Si
Monoclonal Antibody-Mediated Cancer Treatment: Development, Manufacturing And Evaluation, Yingnan Si
All ETDs from UAB
Malignant cancer is one of the greatest threats to human health globally. Conventional (non-targeted) treatments such as chemo-drugs and radiation therapy remain the major choices for cancer patients while always accompanied by severe systemic toxicity/side effects. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) is one of the most successful biomolecules discovered and well investigated as a targeted therapy to treat human disease. This dissertation research was aimed to develop monoclonal antibody-based targeted drugs for cancer treatment, which include antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), liposomal drug and exosome-based drug delivery. Novel targets were discovered, screened and confirmed by proteomics, western blotting and flow cytometry analysis. Cancer cells …
Adapting Nlp Techniques In Transfer Learning For Forensic Authorship Profiling, Esam Alzahrani
Adapting Nlp Techniques In Transfer Learning For Forensic Authorship Profiling, Esam Alzahrani
All ETDs from UAB
Cybercrimes have risen and caused threats to regular internet users. In recent times, the increased use of online social networks (OSNs) allows people to easily share opinions, personal information, and others. Since a major part of OSNs content is textual content, immense research has focused on text analysis techniques using machine learning and Natural Language Processing (NLP). One important area of research focused on text analysis using machine learning is forensic text analysis. Digital forensics is a discipline concerns finding, preserving, and presenting admissible evidence in court. Sadly, the convenience of OSNs creates an optimal venue for cybercriminals to perform …
Electromechanical Mechanisms Of Electromigration - Novel Approaches, Raghavendra Rao Morusupalli
Electromechanical Mechanisms Of Electromigration - Novel Approaches, Raghavendra Rao Morusupalli
All ETDs from UAB
Reliability of today’s interconnect lines in microelectronic devices is critical to product lifetime. The metal interconnects are carriers of large current densities and mechanical stresses, which can cause void formation or metal extrusion into the passivation leading to failure. The modeling and simulation of stress evolution caused by electromigration in interconnect lines and vias can provide a means for predicting the time to failure of the device. Reliability and performance are equally important in the microelectronics industry of today. Product lifetimes are expected to be as high as 10 to 15 years of service. A typical microprocessor has millions of …