Digital Commons Network^™

The Interaction Of Sodium Fluoride And Sodium Selenate On The Developmental Toxicity To Xenopus Laevis And Ambystoma Maculatum Embryos, Shelby Wolfram

Theses

Amphibians play critical roles in the environment's wellness. Fluoride (F) is a widely existing environmental pollutant. It is commonly known for being added to drinking water and as a topical dose on teeth. Selenium (Se) can be found in organic and inorganic forms in nature. Many different fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides contain sodium selenate in them. The range selenium has between deficiency and toxicity is narrow, meaning excess exposure could cause various adverse effects in aquatic organisms. Xenopus laevis is a standard model for developmental toxicity due to being minimal maintenance, cost efficient, and having transparent embryos. Xenopus makes …

A Comparison Of The Relative Magnitude Of Combinations Of Relapse Types In Rats, Mary Bridges

Theses

Applied behavior analysis uses scientifically derived methods to create treatments for socially significant behaviors. A threat to these successful treatments is the recurrence of previously reduced behavior (i.e., relapse). Relapse can be categorized into several types depending on the variables that induce relapse. Three types prevalent in clinical settings are reinstatement (i.e., induced by re-exposure to reinforcers or stimuli paired with the target behavior), renewal (i.e., induced by changes in context), and resurgence (i.e., induced by worsening of alternative reinforcement). Because relapse is harmful to long-term treatment maintenance, prior research has developed and tested mitigation strategies for these relapse types, …

Use Of Force In Policing: Do Female Police Officers Use Unjustifiable Force As Often As Male Officers?, Carma Dobson

Theses

Use of force (UOF) is a common practice in policing. My study focuses on the disposition of the use of unjustifiable force in policing. Utilization of pre-existing data with 5,771 use of force incidents from the New Orleans, Louisiana police department in the years of 2016-2021 produces an answer to the research question: Do female police officers use unjustifiable force as often as male officers? The chi-square test of independence results in my study indicates that there is no statistical difference between males and females.

An Evaluation Of The Teach-Back Method For Training Functional Analysis Methodology, Bethany Christie

Theses

Behavior analysts conduct functional analyses to identify the environmental contingencies maintaining challenging behavior, which allows them to develop a function-based treatment plan. Behavioral staff must be fully trained on functional analysis methodology before conducting the analysis. A common way to train staff to conduct a functional analysis is through behavioral skills training (BST), but BST is time consuming and includes numerous materials. Teach-back, a widely used training method in healthcare settings, requires less time and no materials. Currently, there is little research on the effectiveness of the teach-back method for teaching behavioral techniques, and there is no research on the …

Exploring The Potential Pathogenicity Of A Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Associated Insr Missense Variant Of Uncertain Significance Through Daf-2 In The Caenorhabditis Elegans Model, Brittany White

Theses

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is hallmarked by insulin resistance, with the INSR gene identified as a key player in this condition in humans. This gene is known to harbor genetic variants with a wide range of clinical significance from pathogenic to variants of uncertain significance (VUS) to benign. This project investigates a VUS associated with T2DM identified through ClinVar. A gene mutational analysis, predictive amino acid substitution analysis, and protein modeling predict INSR c.1628C>T (p. Thr543Met) to be likely pathogenic or damaging. PolyPhen-2 predicts this variant to be probably damaging (HumDiv score of 1.000).

Evolutionary conservation of the …

Unearthing The Past: A Comprehensive Study Of Natural And Anthropogenic Changes At An Archaeological Site Through Hydrogeologic Connectivity Utilizing Gis, Mehlich Ii Phosphorus Extractant, And Ph, Dana L. F. Herren

Theses

This thesis aims to thoroughly analyze the Mehlich II Phosphorus Extractant and pH levels at the Bains Gap Village Site in Anniston, AL., while examining the impact of various environmental factors and human activities on them. Phosphorus is often used in archaeology as an indicator of human activity. Soil core samples were collected to analyze anomalies in phosphorus levels.

To establish any relationships, phosphorus and pH levels from soil cores were correlated with findings from past excavation units and features. The potential effects of hydrogeologic connectivity on soil phosphorus and pH levels were investigated. Geospatial technologies were used to manage …

Hydrologic Impact Index For The Pinhoti Hiking Trail, Allie Field

Theses

This study aimed to identify flood-prone areas along the Pinhoti Trail and Chinnabee Silent Trail in the Talladega National Forest. Using the Hydrology Flood Index layer that was created using several essential data layers, the research aimed to provide campers, hikers, nature enthusiasts, and trail maintenance teams with information about areas at a higher risk of flash flooding. The Hydrology Flood Index layer rates the risk of flooding on a scale of 1 to 4, with level 1 indicating a low risk of flooding and level 4 indicating an extremely high risk. The data layers for analyzing flood hazards for …

Controlling The Narrative: The Effects Of Media Coverage On Fear Of Crime And Socio-Political Ideology, Andrew Koppelman

Theses

Several decades of study have established an understanding that media have a unique power to influence the perspectives and worldviews of audiences. This phenomenon has been explored through the lenses of Social Learning and Cultivation theory, wherein media appeal to base human tendencies of self-preservation and teaches audiences how to maximize rewards for their actions by acting as a sort of instructor or friendly warning from members of the community. While prior studies have suggested the presence of this effect, little research has been devoted to understanding the ways that this may influence behaviors in viewers. My research seeks to …

A Comparison Of Instructional Methods For Teaching Apa Skills, Zachary Hooten

Theses

Writing is highly important for college students, and they will need to conform to the formatting of the writing styles used in their classes. One style required of many students is the American Psychological Association (APA). Students often make errors when formatting references using APA Style. Although various instructional strategies have been used to teach these skills, some methods take a long time to achieve minimal increases or are cumbersome to implement in some learning environments. Behavioral skills training (BST) is an empirically supported method for teaching skills that involves providing the learner with written and verbal instructions, modeling, practice …

Documenting The Southern Range Terminus Of The Wood Frog (Lithobates Sylvaticus) In North America, Christian Braswell

Theses

The Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) holds a remarkable position in North American amphibian biology, with its range extending from the Arctic Circle down to the near sub-tropical southeastern United States. This thesis presents a novel quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis (qPCR) primer specific to L. sylvaticus and a survey effort regarding the southernmost distribution and detection of this species in Alabama through the application of environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling techniques. By investigating historical data and employing advanced genetic methodologies, this research provides insights into the contemporary status and distribution of the Wood Frog. This research is important to …

Genetic Analysis Of Hereditary Gingival Fibromatosis Associated Sos1 Missense Variants Of Uncertain Significance In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Himani Patel

Theses

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is a disease that can present as benign overgrowth of gingival tissue in the mouth. The overgrowth can enclose the entire mouth and teeth in severe cases or present itself in a concentrated area. Researchers have identified that mutations in the SOS1 gene can be responsible for HGF. This disease can impair basic functions related to the mouth. Eating, smiling, speaking can all be affected. Additionally, excess inflammation can cause periodontal disease because of the difficulty in maintaining proper oral health. Periodontal disease can lead to severe bone loss which can lead to complete loss of …

Paul Celan And The Processes Of Survival In Post-Shoah Jewish Writing, Ari Savage

Theses

The following is a study of the poetry of Paul Celan as a representation of psychological and social processes present in the written works of Shoah survivors. It begins with an analysis of the place of writing in Jewish culture, then identifies three primary processes which operate in sequence: alienation, individuation, and integration. By examining Paul Celan’s highly personal and autobiographical texts in the context of his life experience as a Shoah survivor it is possible to discern the social and psychological forces at work which compel survivors to express their traumas in written form, and to gain a better …

Paulus Potter’S Punishment Of A Hunter: A Study In Cultural Shifts, Moderation And Class, Taylor Brown

Theses

This paper proposes a new reading of the painting Punishment of a Hunter (1647-1652) by Dutch painter Paulus Potter through the lens of its unique position in seventeenth-century Dutch art with regards to allegory, human and animal caricature, human nature, class, and the influence of economic growth and complexity of class in Amsterdam. The painting consists of fourteen individual vignettes on one panel of wood. Utilizing socio-economic, political, historical and formal analysis, this thesis proposes a reading of the painting. A total of five chapters, each addressing key themes of the painting, will contribute to my main thesis asserting that …

Future-Proofing The Past: Artificial Intelligence In The Restoration Of Andalusian Architectural Heritage: A Case Study Of The Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain, Kholoud Bader Hasan Ghaith

Theses

This thesis explains the contribution of artificial intelligence in heritage restoration as an icon of Andalusian architecture by using the Alhambra as an example. The task of sustaining heritage is increasing dramatically due to the accumulation of heritage assets and the need for modern and innovative operations to cope with preservation tasks. Therefore, this thesis reviews the role of artificial intelligence in improving the restoration operation to improve accuracy and efficiency. I applied the case study as a scientific methodology to explain this work to overcome scientific and subjective obstacles, such as scarce data and software integration while explaining the …

Marketing Video Games To Aging Demographics: A Generational Profile Analysis, Brinna Louise Ball

Theses

Marketing video games to aging demographics like Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials requires a unique approach by video game studios and consumer products divisions alike. The strategies employed for younger generations such as Generation Z and Generation Alpha differ from conventional methods, requiring a fresh outlook and a need for more innovative and inventive approaches. To comprehend the current aging audience more effectively, it's essential to examine four crucial factors: accessibility, exposure, media habits, and motivations to play video games. Examining these factors by generation, we can better grasp how to effectively market video games to these demographics. It's …

Mid-Infrared Dust Reverberation Mapping Of Active Galactic Nuclei, Ashley Frank

Theses

One of the main components of the unified model of AGN (active galactic nuclei) is the circumnuclear dusty torus. The torus often obscures our view of the ''central engine" of the AGN, therefore it is important to understand its size and structure. Reverberation mapping can be used to constrain the size of the torus, and relies on the response of the torus dust emission to the variations in the driving optical/UV emission of the accretion disk. The time lag between the optical emission and the infrared response can be used to constrain the distance between the inner region of the …

Wanderlust, Yifan Qian

Theses

My work discusses fantasy coping and how I heal myself through it. I created a series of works through watercolor, glass and acrylic painting to express my inner state, through reality, fantasy, and the state between reality and fantasy, to present my mental state. My watercolor landscapes represent fantasy worlds, and I repeatedly prove to myself and the audience that this world is real through quantity. My realistic works represent the real world, I record my experiences in the real world, and why I need fantasy coping. My watercolor portraits and my glasses represent the fragile and unstable state between …

New York City’S Health Governance And Activism From The 1950s To The 1970s, Andres Valcarcel

Theses

New York City's expansive network of hospitals and preventative health services has an intense history outside of the popular narratives of biomedical and technological advancement. This thesis will discuss the period between the 1950s and 1970s and the various movements and parties that shaped the city's health and hospital system. During this period, New York City's healthcare delivery system became increasingly privatized and commercialized; processes that improved the quality of healthcare yet simultaneously barred the poorest from accessing it. Communities, healthcare workers, and civil rights organizations worked to address perceived faults and extend their agency in health and hospital policy; …

Assessing Neurobehavioral Deficits And Neuroinflammation Following Rllb In A Transgenic Mouse Model, Aakaash Gosain

Theses

As global conflicts are escalating, military personnel have long faced the constant threat of explosions, heightening the risk of blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI). The recent increase in war conflicts and combat zones worldwide not only puts the military, service members, and police forces at risk but also innocent civilians who are caught in the crossfire. While moderate to severe bTBIs have been extensively studied, the pathology of repeated low-level blasts (rLLB) remains less understood. This research addresses the gap in knowledge regarding the long-term consequences of rLLB injuries in the neural anatomy. A transgenic mouse model was subjected to …

Gen-Acceleration: Pioneering Work For Hardware Accelerator Generation Using Large Language Models, Durga Lakshmi Venkata Deepak Vungarala

Theses

Optimizing computational power is critical in the age of data-intensive applications and Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML). While facing challenging bottlenecks, conventional Von-Neumann architecture with implementing such huge tasks looks seemingly impossible. Hardware Accelerators are critical in efficiently deploying these technologies and have been vastly explored in edge devices. This study explores a state-of-the-art hardware accelerator; Gemmini is studied; we leveraged the open-sourced tool. Furthermore, we developed a Hardware Accelerator in the study we compared with the Non-Von-Neumann architecture. Gemmini is renowned for efficient matrix multiplication, but configuring it for specific tasks requires manual effort and expertise. We propose implementing …

The Effects Of Blue Light From Digital Displays On Visual Fatigue, Victor Taboadela

Theses

With the ever-increasing viewing time of digital displays, the potential effects of blue light emitted from these displays on eye health and eye fatigue are a real concern. This study presents a literature review of six laboratory studies conducted between 2014 and 2022 on the effect of using filters to attenuate the harmful effects of blue light. The review delves into smartphone and computer screen effects, recent literature reviews on blue light, and potential hazards associated with short-wavelength light. Although the majority of the studies recommended blue light filters, only three of the six laboratory studies (Shi et al. 2021, …

Characterization Of 3d Printed Lattice Structures Used In The Design Of Modified Compression Release Stabilized Transhumeral Prosthetic Sockets, Jade Myers

Theses

Abstract A prosthetic socket is the critical interface between a person and their prosthetic device. Pressure, shear, and friction experienced by the residual limb from wearing a socket can damage soft tissue. While Compression Release Stabilized (CRS) style sockets are beneficial for enhancing prosthesis stability, range of motion, and control, the abrupt differences in compression throughout the socket present risks for tissue damage to the residual limb. A socket design that enables clinicians to control a progressive decrease in firmness in the transition areas between compression and release could mitigate such undesirable effects. Density-graded lattice structures designed and produced with …

Star, Qian Liao

Theses

This document demonstrates the design process of an Augmented-Reality visual interaction design for improving and enhancing the astronomical observing experience for amateurs. Astronomical observation can be fun and romantic when sharing the experience with friends, family, or someone special. Sharing those magnificent moments with friends and family when astronomical events happen could be joyful. However, there are some inevitable barriers. In order to have a successful meteor shower observation, observers must follow a series of strict and professional rules that make the experience usually unaffordable for amateurs. As a result, I proposed a new way for amateurs that combined user …

Visualizing Visual Neural Pathways In Virtual Reality A Neuroanatomy Tool, Mary Nguyen

Theses

Visualizing the human brain and its structures in three dimensions is a complex and overwhelming task. Sensory pathways such as visual neural pathways, are important but difficult to visualize. With the rising popularity of extended reality (XR) in modern education, a Neuroanatomy tool in virtual reality (VR) was developed to allow students and other learners to explore the human brain and learn about its functions in an engaging way. Virtual reality enables a user to have the ability to visualize complex structures in the brain in a way that is otherwise impossible to see in a cadaver lab or web-based …

Digital Fitness Support - Proplus, Weinan You

Theses

This thesis presents the design of a fitness app aimed at enhancing the workout experience by providing advanced video tracking and data visualization tools. Utilizing user-centric methods like personas, journey maps, competitive analysis, and user testing, the app features innovative video tracking for real-time feedback and a personal fitness log for tracking progress and physical changes. Findings indicate that such comprehensive tracking significantly boosts motivation, aids in continuous progress, and minimizes the risk of injuries and inefficiencies in workouts, demonstrating the app's potential to revolutionize fitness routines for enthusiasts.

An Overview Of Human Trafficking In The United States, Lin Welsh

Theses

This research paper delves into the multifaceted problem of human trafficking, seeking to provide a comprehensive understanding of its dynamics, root causes, and the myriad challenges associated with combating this serious crime. Drawing on empirical studies and criminological theories, the paper navigates through the factors that contribute to the perpetuation of human trafficking. The study begins by exploring the historical and theoretical contexts that create the demand for trafficked persons and the vulnerabilities that make individuals susceptible to exploitation. Additionally, the paper examines the legal and policy frameworks implemented at the national level to combat human trafficking. It aims to …

Unsupervised Multi-Resolution Analysis Of Protein-Protein Abundance Patterns In Infectious Exacerbation Of Copd, Eric Everingham

Theses

Despite consistently appearing as a top 5 cause of death domestically and internationally, understandings of the underlying biological interactions of COPD remain insufficient. Particularly, early identification of highly vulnerable patients that may experience more severe infectious exacerbation is a challenge during diagnostics. This project leverages unsupervised clustering and multi-resolution decomposition of proteomic abundance profiles in a small cohort of COPD subjects to identify candidate biomarkers of heightened exacerbation risk. As part of an ongoing study, serum and sputum samples were collected during well visits (stable illness) from n=67 subjects, and analyzed using quantitative proteomics. A scores principal component analysis was …

Paradas: Utilizing The Organizational Structure Of Spatial Agency In Migrant Labor Posts, Erik Duque

Theses

Sustainability is a subject dominated by topics involving the environment and economy. An overlooked pillar is that of the socio-political sphere, as it is a subgenre of sustainability that involves a wide range of variables. Fortunately, there exists a multitude of ways one can relieve social tensions, but unfortunately, as socio-political issues are much more complex to measure. Our current Latin/US-based issues are rooted in racism, colonialization, and imperialism. These past wrongs have affected Latin American countries' development in that corruption, economic instability, violence, lack of education and poverty are the outcomes that push people into migrating. Latin American migrants …

Retreat Village Design In Letchworth State Park Region: An Architecture Development In A Highly Valued State Park Meets The Triple Bottom Line Of Sustainability, Jing Hua

Theses

Letchworth State Park, located in Livingston and Wyoming counties, New York, renowned as the “Grand Canyon of the East”, is one of the most scenically magnificent areas in the eastern United States. However, there are no well-developed leisure centers around or in the park. The lack of good accommodations, in contrast to the availability of restaurants with local character, leisure activities, and other supporting facilities in the area, fails to fully achieve the development potential of the natural scenery of the region. This thesis demonstrates that a retreat complex village that brings people closer to the natural landscape of Letchworth …

Convicting The Innocent: The Impact Of Wrongful Conviction In The U.S. Criminal Legal System, Aubrie Entwood

Theses

Wrongful conviction is a justice system error with far-reaching consequences. This capstone project looks at four different issues within wrongful conviction and exoneration in the U.S. criminal legal system. Chapter 1 focuses on the impacts of wrongful conviction for female exonerees, highlighting the way they are different from male exonerees, the factors that contribute to wrongful conviction that are more salient to females, and the specific ways the police and courts contribute to the wrongful conviction of females. Special attention is paid to the “crimes” of female exonerees and the additional psychological consequences that many female exonerees suffer. Ways in …