Digital Commons Network^™

Transcriptional Landscape Of Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells Under Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress: Implications For Inflammaging, Jappreet Singh Gill

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the intricate relationship between mitochondrial oxidative stress and the function of FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), highlighting their essential roles in the aging immune system and the development of age-related diseases. The study delves into how mitochondrial impairments within Tregs contribute to widespread inflammation leading to pathological aging. One key analysis shows that mitochondrial oxidative stress undermines Treg functionality, intensifying inflammatory responses and increasing frailty in older adults. This dysfunction is associated with elevated inflammatory markers and presents a potential target for therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring mitochondrial health to alleviate these impacts. Another significant discovery connects …

Pl 93-638: Utilizing The Indian Self Determination And Education Assistance Act (Isdeaa) To Enhance And Improve Oral Health Outcomes In A Tribal Community, Adriann Darlene Ricker

Theses and Dissertations

American Indians and Alaskan Natives experience the worst oral health outcomes. However, we are transitioning to a new era where Indigenous communities are reclaiming the narrative and health. This dissertation in practice was inspired by tribal self-determination and reclamation of health found through the newly established Fort Peck Tribal Health Dental Department utilizing the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act (PL 93-638). The guiding framework for the Fort Peck Tribal Health Dental Department and this dissertation is the Indigenous Primary Health Care Delivery Model which illuminates elements of community, empowerment, and self-determination with culture as center to all healthcare …

The Healing Of Stories: International Teachers’ Lived Experiences Of School Culture Using The Hourglass Model For Mindful Reflections, Vesna Radivojevic

Theses and Dissertations

School culture affects all facets of teaching and learning. Starting from individual international teachers’ perspectives and their accounts relating to school culture, new insights and perspectives on the problem of practice were gained. The research focused on answering the questions: What are teachers’ experiences of school culture in international schools? What are teachers’ perspectives on critical components in developing a positive school culture? What was helpful to teachers when experiencing the positive and negative aspects of a school culture? A qualitative narrative research methodology involved interviewing ten international teachers who taught in K-12 grade schools in Australia, Asia, the Middle …

Development Of A Comprehensive Ice-Phobicity Test Stand (Cipts) For Understanding The Fundamentals Of Ice Nucleation And Adhesion, Derrick Charles Seubert

Theses and Dissertations

From the formation of ice on the leading edges of aircraft and their wings, wind turbine blades, and even roadways and powerlines, it is clear that modern infrastructure suffers from ice formation and adhesion. Due to this fact the development of materials and surfaces to mitigate the effects of icing have gained much attention in recent years. While there are many different anti-icing and deicing techniques, the development of intrinsically ice-phobic materials and material surfaces shows the most promise as a passive anti-icing method. In this work an accurate Comprehensive Ice-Phobicity Test Stand (CIPTS) has been created to test two …

On The Design Of Novel Bioplastics-Based Materials Using Advanced Blend Design And Solvent Casting, Edner Oloo

Theses and Dissertations

The development of bioplastic composites holds significant importance in addressing theescalating environmental concerns associated with conventional plastic materials, also referred to as traditional plastics. Traditional plastics are derived from fossil fuels. The utilization of fossil fuels to produce these plastic materials, and at the alarming rate they are currently being produced, contributes to several issues such as climate change, resource depletion, and plastic wastes accumulation. Therefore, development of bioplastic composites has emerged as a promising solution along with recycling. Bioplastics composites offer a sustainable alternative by utilizing degradable and renewable resources such as bioplastics (plant-based polymers) or agricultural biomass wastes. …

Echo: A Graphical User Interface Designed To Simulate, Study, And Mitigate Effects Of Interplanetary Communication Delays In Analog Missions, Dario Gabriel Schor

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the vast distances between Earth and other planets, future human interplanetary missions will experience significant communication delays. The literature suggests that a combination of training, protocols, procedures, and tools is required to mitigate the negative impact that the communication delay has on both stress and performance. This research introduces a tool called ECHO that combines known and novel features designed to make users cognizant of the delay and avoid misunderstandings. ECHO was tested as part of a mixed-methods study over the course of three analog missions at the University of North Dakota's Integrated Lunar/Mars Habitat where a total …

A Student Co-Creation Lab As A Sustainable System For Oer Development, Sarah Ann Stokes

Theses and Dissertations

Open educational resources (OER) are digital and non-digital resources for teaching, learning, and research that are available for no cost and licensed with various open licenses, permitting their widespread modification and use. While these resources afford benefits to post-secondary students in terms of reduced cost, ease of access, and potential for customization, faculty members in Ontario, Canada face many barriers to creating these resources for their classes. While many post-secondary institutions have engaged in some form of OER-development initiative, the initiatives are typically not sustainable in the long term. This study explores the model, including the tools, techniques, and workflows, …

Machine Learning-Assisted Materials Development: Molecular Solubility Prediction, Polymeric Membrane Fabrication, And Scale Formation, Arash Tayyebi

Theses and Dissertations

Experiments are generally time-consuming, expensive, and rely on exhaustive planning, analysis, and testing efforts. The limitations of the traditional experimental methods in materials development can be overcome by the use of machine learning (ML) algorithms to guide and assess the discovery and fabrication processes. This dissertation involves developing different ML models, focusing on their utilization in three distinct, yet overlapping areas: Prediction of organic compound aqueous solubility, guiding separation membranes fabrication and predicting scale formation in commercially produced water systems.Prediction of organic compound aqueous solubility: A reliable and practical determination of a chemical species’ solubility in aqueous systems continues to …

The Potential Value Of The Mcmi-Iv And Pid-5 In Physical Violence Risk Assessments, Courtney Tindell

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to explore and identify factors from two common personality measures, the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 (PID-5) and Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-IV (MCMI-IV), to aid in the prediction of lifetime physical violence. Contemporary violence risk assessments center around structured professional judgment, which often includes risk management factors. The MCMI-IV was developed to provide insight into an individual’s motivations, needs, and behaviors based on their personality type. Thus, the MCMI-IV was thought to have the potential to provide unique insight into treatment protocols for violence reduction and prevention. Based on previous research and theory, four facet and two …

Ads-B/Gps Integrity Identification And Evaluation Using Machine Learning Models, Anton Reider Skurdal

Theses and Dissertations

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is part of the Federal Avi-ation Authority’s (FAA) NextGen position, navigation, and timing (PNT) system, but its packets are unauthenticated and vulnerable to attack by bad actors. This re- search aims to develop methods to detect and mitigate GPS and ADS-B risks for aircraft systems. First, a Random Forest Classifier (RFC) model was trained to clas- sify categories (erroneous, noise, dropouts) of data, achieving an accuracy of 87%. Following this, many single-stage and two-stage forecasting models were tested to forecast Navigation Integrity Category (NIC) values, with the two-stage Random For- est Regressor (RFR) achieving the lowest …

Numerical Investigation And Seismic Performance Evaluation Of Liquefied Natural Gas (Lng) Cylindrical Steel Storage Tanks Under Earthquake Loading, Shafqat Ullah

Theses and Dissertations

Cylindrical steel tanks are an important structural components of various industries, power plants, oil refineries, and other lifeline facilities. These liquid-filled reservoirs are prone to local instability (buckling) when exposed to lateral seismic forces. This thesis aims to study the seismic buckling performance of an empty and partially filled cylindrical steel storage tanks using finite element modeling (FEM) approaches. To validate the accuracy of the FEA ABAQUS software, the cylindrical tanks are considered for both static linear buckling, non-linear, as well as dynamic (seismic non-linear) analysis. A total of 3 cylindrical shells having 1 perfect model without carbon fiber reinforced …

Using Libensemble To Enhance Numerical Ice-Sheet Flow Simulations, Kuang Hsu Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Here, we interface an ice sheet flow model, FastIceFlo v1.0, with the Python toolkitlibEnsemble to enable dynamic ensembles of computations. We test the interface’s capability to perform dynamic ensembles of computations by conducting a sensitivity analysis. The results indicate the interface’s ability to perform dynamic ensembles of computations. Future work could extend the interface to include mass balance to run prognostic simulations. The eventual goal is to run simulation ensembles of large-scale ice sheets forward in time to better assess its sea level contribution sensitivity to uncertainties in climate forcing parameterization.

Promoting Athletic Training Careers Among American Indian And Alaska Native Communities, Wyatt Whitegoat

Theses and Dissertations

Athletic training, recognized for its role in providing specialized healthcare services focused on prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries for the athletic population, represents a growing profession within the healthcare field. As the need and value of athletic training services continues to grow, it is imperative for academic and Federal institutions to adapt programs and policies that reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.

Despite ongoing efforts, which should not be minimized, to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the athletic training profession, significant progress remains limited, particularly in increasing representation of American Indian and Alaska Natives (AIANs). …

Administering Psychological Tele-Assessment: A Delphi Study, Amanda Willyard Walkowiak

Theses and Dissertations

The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak increased demand for telehealth services for mental health providers (Zhou et al., 2020). To our knowledge, conducting psychological assessments through tele-health platforms has limited empirical and ethical support (Wright et al., 2020; Stifel et al., 2020; American Psychological Association [APA], 2020a). Moving from traditional to remote testing administration requires preparation, training, and practice (Joint Task Force for the Development of Telepsychology Guidelines for Psychologists [Telepsychology Task Force], 2013; Wright et al., 2020). Even if psychologists have access to test materials and the necessary technology to conduct tele-assessments, they may not have the training and clinical …

Cold Pool Impacts On Supercell Thunderstorm Development And Updraft Characteristics, Ethan Anders Weisberger

Theses and Dissertations

Supercell thunderstorms are a mesoscale phenomenon characterized by an intense rotating updraft (i.e., the “mesocyclone”) and disproportionately account for more severe weather reports compared to ordinary deep convection. No previous research that we are aware of has explicitly analyzed the role that cold pools – shallow regions of precipitation-cooled air near the surface – play in impacting supercell development, sustenance, and strength. This thesis aims to fill in the gaps to the fundamental questions surrounding what role cold pools play (if any) in permitting a supercell to develop and maintain itself, how cold pools affect the strength and structure of …

Healing Through Decolonized Learning: The Transformative Journeys Of Online Indigenous Health Ph.D. Students, Stephen Wyatt

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the transformative and healing experiences of doctoral students enrolled in the first fully online Indigenous Health Ph.D. program at the University of North Dakota. The research aims to understand the unique experiences and supports influencing the success of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in this program. The qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 23 Indigenous Health Ph.D. students (N = 23) to explore their lived experiences. By fostering a sense of community, incorporating cultural relevance into the curriculum, and providing robust support systems, the Indigenous Health Ph.D. program facilitated significant personal and academic growth …

Perceptions Of Interpersonal Communication Skills In Undergraduate Nursing Students, Raquel Ann Zeidlik

Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare is analogous to a team sport where effective communication is vital for the success of all members of the team. If communication is ineffective – or absent – between members of the healthcare team and their patients, then issues move beyond the concern of patient satisfaction, to matters of life and death. Patients who put their well-being in the hands of a healthcare team deserve to feel safe and to receive high-quality care, delivered by the most compassionate and qualified care team possible. Barriers to effective communication continue to challenge healthcare teams, further compromising the nurse-patient relationship. A total …

Survey Of Space Professionals’ Perception Of Satellite Cybersecurity From 2012 To 2022: Decision-Makers’ Thoughts On Satellite Cybersecurity Evolving, Rachel C. Jones

Aerospace Sciences Student Publications

Cyberattacks on space assets are often portrayed in vague terms of doubt and mystery. Several claims depict satellites being compromised or attacked, but little corroboration has been published or made publicly available. As the commercial space industry grows, increased concern with space cybersecurity will prompt commercial satellite decision-makers to analyze the often-undefined risk of cyberattacks against satellites. This article identifies and characterizes the nature of cybersecurity risks to space assets and postulates why space professionals might not prioritize cybersecurity. Additional information was captured from a decadal survey of space professionals conducted in 2012 and 2022. The results show a rise …

Angler Knowledge Of Live Bait Regulations And Invasive Species: Insights For Invasive Species Prevention, Alexis L. Gerber, Hannah Mulligan, Mark A. Kaemingk, Alison A. Coulter

Biology Faculty Publications

The prevention of aquatic invasive species is one of the most cost-effective management strategies for reducing negative ecological, economic, and social impacts to freshwater ecosystems. The release of leftover baitfish via the live bait trade has been identified as a high-risk pathway for introducing invasive species beyond physical barriers (e.g., mountains, dams). To assess differences in behavior surrounding live bait use and angler knowledge of invasive species, we conducted in-person angler surveys at waterbody access sites (i.e. boat ramps with available shore fishing and a shore fishing location with no boat ramp) along the Missouri River, above and below Gavins …

Aerocom: Summer 2024, John D. Odegard School Of Aerospace Sciences

Aerocom: John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences Alumni Magazine

No abstract provided.

Will Capturing Co2 Harm Local Plant Growth?, University Of North Dakota. Energy And Environmental Research Center

EERC Brochures and Fact Sheets

Capturing CO₂ will not harm local plant growth. The goal of CO₂ capture is to slow the increase of CO₂ levels in the atmosphere, not to reduce CO₂ to levels that could impact crop growth.

What To Know About Pipeline Safety, University Of North Dakota. Energy And Environmental Research Center

EERC Brochures and Fact Sheets

Fact sheet about carbon dioxide transportation via pipeline. Includes information on safety and reliability of CO₂ pipelines.

Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder/Premenstrual Syndrome Luteal Phase Treatment, Shelby Gawarecki

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• PMS/PMDD symptoms affect many women's emotional and physical wellbeing.

• SSRIs, progesterone, and sepranolone are luteal phase treatment options.

• Studies were all peer-reviewed, including randomized control trials or a meta-analysis.

• SSRIs are a consistent primary treatment for symptom alleviation especially cognitive symptoms. SSRIs are the current mainstay, recommended for luteal phase treatment of PMS/PMDD.

• SSRIs, including citalopram, sertraline, escitalopram, and fluoxetine, were examined to determine their efficacy in relieving mood-related symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, and depression during the luteal phase.

• Data on progesterone treatment in the luteal phase is inconclusive. • Allopregnanolone levels and …

Open Educational Resources: A Brief Overview, Jackson Harper

Librarian Posters and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Field Implementation And Surveillance Of Gas Injection Enhanced Oil Recovery In The Bakken, Jin Zhao, Lu Jin, Nicholas A. Azzolina, Xincheng Wan, Steven A. Smith, Nicholas W. Bosshart, James A. Sorensen

EERC Publications, Papers, & Presentations

A series of activities were performed in this study to explore real-time visualization, forecasting, and control methods for improved reservoir surveillance during EOR processes.

The Effects Of Blood Flow Restriction On Electromyography Activity Of Proximal And Distal Upper Extremity Musculature, Sami Dullum, Clyde Jensen, Connor Remus

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose/Hypothesis: Blood flow restriction therapy (BFR) has become a popular strength training and intervention method. Research shows BFR increases muscular hypertrophy and strength, mostly attributed to vascular occlusion. The purpose of this study is to examine BFR effects on proximal and distal muscle electromyography (EMG) activity to evaluate characteristics of fatigue in the infraspinatus (INFRA) and extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) during resistive side-lying shoulder external rotation (ER). Number of Subjects: 51

Materials/Methods: Fifty-one college students, 31 females, and 20 males participated in the study. Shoulder ER peak force was identified in side-lying utilizing a MicroFET. Participants completed shoulder …

Investigating H2s Occurrence In Bakken Oil-Producing Wells Using Sulfur Isotopes In Gas, Water, And Rock Samples, Alexander V. Chakhmakhchev, Marc D. Kurz, T. Austin Mcrae, Xue Yu, Arash Abarghani, Darren D. Schmidt, Nicholas A. Azzolina, Bethany A. Kurz, James A. Sorensen

EERC Publications, Papers, & Presentations

This work investigated multiple mechanisms that can potentially lead to H₂S in the oil production stream of Bakken wells, including TSR, BSR, source rock generation, migration from deeper or shallower formations that contain H₂S, and geomechanical mechanisms related to reservoir stimulation work.

A Brief Introduction To General Topology, Richard P. Millspaugh

Open Educational Resources

The material in this text is intended to be accessible to undergraduates who have had an introduction to elementary set theory and proof techniques. It includes sufficient material from general topology to prove the two main topological results found in a standard first semester calculus course: the Intermediate Value Theorem and the Extreme Value Theorem. This material can be found in Chapters 2 through 6 and makes up the bulk of the text. Rather than approaching these topics through use of the standard euclidean metric, it defines the standard topology on R in terms of the usual order on R. …

Prosocial Behavior, Sean Fernando, Claire Leach, Danielle Haake, Debra Bigelow-Davis, Jillian Stokes, Aj Kalawai'a, Nore Heinitz, Grace Bates

Psychology Student Publications

Prosocial behavior is a widely researched area of social psychology. It can be defined as the voluntary actions performed with the goal of benefiting others. This concept of helping others includes a wide range of actions, from simple acts such as holding the door open for someone to larger acts like donating money to charity (Peetz & Howard, 2022). This chapter will explore the topic of prosocial behavior by identifying the main types of prosocial behavior and the measure used to assess them, explaining the motivation behind prosocial behavior, and discussing various benefits and counterarguments to prosocial behavior.

Malware Worm Attacks In Distributed Energy Resources (Ders)​, Shree Ram Abayankar Balaji, Tanzim Jim Hassan, Prakash Ranganathan

Computer Science Posters and Presentations

Malware is the short form of “Malicious Software” that is designed in a specific way to harm or exploit the host program with malicious intent. Often, the malware program replicates or appears as a legitimate executable program, which, upon the execution trigger, performs the programmed commands that cause systematic problems to the host machine. Malware attacks have become more sophisticated, which makes them more challenging to identify and analyze. If malware in critical infrastructures like Distributed Energy Resources (DER) are undetected, disruptions can occur in DERs. This poster discusses three types of malware worms (network, internet, and payload), historical malware …