Digital Commons Network^™

Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogel Beads For Biological Nitrogen Fixation, Prashant Dahal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Transportability Of Adversarial Attack, Jonggu Park

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this thesis is to leverage machine learning algorithms to introduce adversarial cloaks, or noise, into images containing real individuals and assess whether the resulting images still accurately represent human subjects. Specifically, I seek to discern whether images featuring avatars, placed in the same spatial configuration as humans and subjected to similar perturbations, can be effectively used to generate adversarial examples capable of fully masking a person. By analyzing the probability of correctly identifying personhood, I strive to establish a method of utilizing virtual avatars to provide increased privacy for users. This research has significant implications for advancing …

Development Of Novel Cellular Assay Model And Therapeutic Deep Eutectic Solvents To Optimize The Activity Of Anticancer Agents, Nizam Uddin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the major burden behind chemotherapeutic treatment failure. It is the principal mechanism by which cancer cells evade chemotherapeutic treatment. As a result, aggressive cancer cells survive and continue uncontrolled cell division. Multidrug resistance affects survival rate of almost all types of cancer patients and death toll rises at an alarming rate. There are seven different mechanisms for evolving MDR. The most common mechanism in efflux activity of overexpressed ABC transporters. MRP1 is a prominent ABC transporter that pumps out a wide variety of anticancer drugs from the cells and thereby reduces intracellular drug concentrations and develops …

Soil Health Influenced By Livestock And Cover Crops Integration In Row Cropping Systems In South Dakota, Namrata Ghimire

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Dynamic Modeling Of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf Smart Inverters Using Power-Hardware-In-The-Loop, Bidur Poudel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Inverter-based generation is replacing synchronous-based generation in the power grid. In the past, due to the dominance of synchronous-based generation, inverter-based generation dynamics were typically under-modeled as they made little contribution to voltage and frequency control. Looking at the present context, several disturbances, like the Blue Cut Fire (CA), on August 16, 2016, the South Australian Blackout on September 28, 2016, and the Canyon Two Fire Disturbance (CA) on October 9, 2017, etc., are caused by the influence of converter-based resources. So, for converter-dominated power system stability analysis and control, the dynamics of an inverter-based system cannot be under-modeled. In …

Investigating Novel Applications Of Hot Melt Extrusion Technology For Improving Solubility Of Poorly Soluble Drug Substances, Preethi Mandati

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In today’s world, with an increasing patient population, the demand for pharmaceutical medications is increasing enormously. Poor solubility of the drug substances is the major issue being faced by scientists across various avenues of pharmaceutical sectors for improving oral bioavailability and delivering cost-effective medication to the patient population. To date, various approaches have been investigated for solubility enhancement. Despite improving the solubility, the limitations of batch manufacturing are another major roadblock affecting late-stage manufacturing. In addition, the traditional batch manufacturing techniques involve multiple manufacturing steps and lack the capability to manufacture complex and patient-centric medications. The current research aims to …

Experimental And Modeling Approaches To Groundwater Flow And Self-Potential For Estimating Aquifer Parameters And Investigating Surface-Groundwater Interaction, Md Lal Mamud

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents an exploration of the Self-Potential (SP) and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) methods applied within the context of the Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) project near the Tallahatchie River at Shellmound, MS. The research introduces tools and methodologies, including 80-electrode SP data acquisition systems (80E-SPDAS) and the Hydro-Electrical Aquifer Properties Estimator (HEAPE), to measure SP data in the laboratory and the field. The first segment of the dissertation introduces the Hydro- Electrical Aquifer Properties Estimator (HEAPE), an apparatus designed for high-resolution Self-Potential (SP) data collection. The HEAPE apparatus is utilized in laboratory experiments to measure SP under varying conditions …

Novel Formulation Strategies With Hot-Melt Extrusion Technology To Address Physicochemical And Physiological Constraints For Improved Oral Drug Delivery, Sagar Narala

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Most current active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) exhibit poor water solubility, necessitating higher doses or repeated administration. Numerous methods were explored to augment solubility, including but not limited to amorphous solid dispersions, cocrystals, salts, and nanoformulations. The hot-melt extrusion (HME) technique has gained immense popularity due to its solvent-free and continuous manufacturing capabilities, contributing to its increasing use to enhance solubility and bioavailability. In the first chapter, hydrochlorothiazide (BCS-IV class) cocrystals were produced using coformers such as nicotinamide (NIC), resorcinol (RSL), and catechol (CAT) through HME technology. The cocrystals were compared against liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) cocrystals and then analyzed by DSC, …

Molecular Dynamics Simulations For The Mechanical Behavior Of Alpha Quartz With Void Defects Under Tension, Yu Jia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The structural and mechanical properties of void-free and single-void α-quartz were investigated using MD simulations with three different interatomic potentials (BKS, Vashishta and Tersoff). Two distinct ensembles, NVT and NPT, were separately applied to investigate the tensile response of α-quartz under uniaxial strain and uniaxial stress states. A comprehensive comparison among different potentials, as well as comparison with currently available experiments, has been made. The BKS and Vashishta potentials accurately predicted the structural properties of void-free α-quartz, while the Tersoff potential was deviated significantly from the experimental data. Under tension, the BKS did a better description for the mechanical performance …

Bio-Inspired Memory Device Based Physical Reservoir Computing System To Solve Temporal And Classification Problems, Md Razuan Hossain

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, technological advancements in the field of computing have been limited by the slowing down of Moore’s law, which predicts the doubling of the number of transistors on a microchip every two years. The limitations of traditional solid-state electronics have become increasingly evident, as it is becoming difficult to increase the number of transistors while maintaining their reliability and performance. The breakdown of Dennard Scaling, which describes the power-density relationship in CMOS transistors, and the von Neumann bottleneck, which refers to the limited bandwidth between the central processing unit (CPU) and memory, have further exacerbated the situation. Moreover, …

Alternative Southern Communities: Cultural Other "Asians" In Contemporary Fiction About The American South, Mariko Hiwatashi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project explores the representation of minority groups in contemporary U.S. Southern literature, with a particular focus on Asian communities. It not only challenges the conventional perception that Asians in America are primarily associated with the West Coast but also underscores how Asian representation in literature plays a crucial role in illuminating the complexities of regional identity and social structure in the American South.

Historically, Asian immigrants have been part of the Southern landscape since the eighteenth century when Filipino sailors settled in New Orleans. Chinese immigrants also played essential roles as laborers in the post-slavery South. However, their experiences …

"Sealed With A Kiss On Your Artery": An Archive Of Southern Lesbian Desire, Sarah Margaret Heying

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines southern lesbian feminist print culture of the 1970s-2000s, which produced some of the most intersectional work to come out of second-wave feminism— especially in terms of creative and critical challenges to anti-Blackness, classism, metrocentrism, and regional exceptionalism. A central contribution of “Sealed with a Kiss on Your Artery” is its reimagination of archival reading practices from a queer-feminist literary studies perspective. Each chapter examines the archive of a particular lesbian feminist figure and demonstrates a corresponding interpretive practice; I seek to encounter these historical figures in a manner befitting not only the facts of their contributions to …

Immulina® As An Immunostimulatory Supplement: Dissolution And Pharmacodynamic Studies, Yusheng Li

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As one of popular dietary supplements, the health benefits of Arthrospira platensis (commonly known as spirulina) have been broadly reported. Immulina is a commercially available extract of Arthrospira platensis that is enriched with bacterial lipoproteins and acts as a Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) agonist. However, the immunostimulatory effect of Immulina in vivo has not been well understood. In this work, we explored the nanoformulation of Immulina to improve the dissolution rate in aqueous media. Building upon a standardized cell-based assay that measures the bioactivity of Immulina as a TLR2 agonist, we developed a quantitative methodology to determine the Immulina concentration …

Formulation And Evaluation Of Fenofibrate-Hpꞵcd Tablets Using The Freeze-Drying Method, Krishna Soni

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fenofibrate (FNB) is a lipid-lowering medication used to treat hyperlipidemia that is practically insoluble in Water, leading to reduced absorption gastrointestinal tract. Complexation and lyophilization are performed and studied to enhance the solubility of the FNB in gastric fluid and increase its dissolution rate. The present study was intended to enhance the dissolution rate of Fenofibrate using complexation with hydroxy propyl β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD). Complexes of Fenofibrate with HPβCD were prepared in a 1:1 ratio by lyophilization. Differential Scanning Calorimetry, and Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy, are used to characterize the solid state of a complex. Investigations of the physical properties of tablets …

Experimental Studies On Developing And Characterising Vaginal Films Using Hot-Melt Extrusion Technology, Kirti Pradeep Sawant

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Vaginal Candidiasis (VC) is one of the most common health problems in women. Indeed, one of the most convenient approaches for its treatment is an appropriate mucoadhesive vaginal film. This approach provides a local treatment modality, which inevitably decreases the dosing frequency and improves patient compliance. Clotrimazole is one of the drugs that are extensively used to treat Vaginal candidiasis and therefore, it is used in this research. The current study aimed to produce a novel extended-release film using Hot-Melt Extrusion (HME). Two different polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymer grades (PEO N10, PEO N750) were utilized to optimize the drug release …

The Influence Of Isometric Handgrip Exercise And Blood Flow Restriction On The Changes In Muscle Size, Strength, And Resting Limb Blood Flow In Trained And Untrained Limbs, Vickie Wong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Baseline vascular networks or significant changes in vascular network due to resistance training may induce greater muscle growth. Evidence doesn't support a causal relationship between changes in muscle size and strength. Cross-education is observed with high-intensity/loads and adding blood flow restriction to low-intensity exercises results in greater muscle growth, strength, and resting limb blood flow.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of exercise intensity and blood flow restriction on muscle size, strength, and resting limb blood flow in both trained and untrained arms.

Methods: A total of 179 participants were randomized into: low-intensity isometric handgrip exercise (LI), low-intensity isometric handgrip …

Would Ai Stocks Estimate Be As Surprised To Usda Stocks Reports As Private Market Analysts?, Asif Mahmud Chowdhury

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The USDA survey-based Quarterly Agriculture Stocks (QAS) reports are the primary source of information regarding the relative supply of U.S. corn, soybeans, and wheat for the last fifty years. Research has examined USDA stock reports and their relevancy to the market (e.g., Isengildina-Massa et al., 2021). In addition, private industry analysts estimate expected quarterly grain stock reports before USDA releases them. Market information firms such as Bloomberg and Reuters publish a subset of these estimates a few days before the USDA reports. Previous research has found that when industry analysts have significant differences in stock expectations compared to what the …

Developing A Natural Bio-Sanitizer For The Effective Removal Of Resilient Biofilms From Dairy Separation Membranes, Sheetal Jha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Improving The Utility Of Precision Agriculture Through Machine Learning And Climate-Smart Practices, Skye Brugler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Climate Smart Practices are management strategies that focus on increasing soil and crop productivity, utilize site-specific strategies to increase resiliency against the effects of climate change, and mitigate these negative effects by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Decision Support Systems (DSSs) using machine learning (ML) can adjust models based on new information and help farmers make climate smart decisions within their operation. The 4R nutrient management model of right source, rate, location, and time also demonstrates a framework that may be considered climate smart by improving soil and crop productivity. However, when initially conceptualized, the 4R model did not consider …

Multiscale Evaluation Of The Effect Of Deicing Agents And Environmental Conditions On The Performance Of Asphalt Pavements In Cold Regions, Maryam Mihandoust

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Removal Of Disinfection Byproducts In Drinking Water Using Biological Filtration, Peng Dai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Drinking water disinfection is essential to protecting public health from waterborne diseases. However, the reaction of disinfectants with natural organic matter (NOM) can form carcinogenic disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Drinking water treatment facilities employ precursor control and alternative disinfectants to minimize regulated DBPs formation to comply with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines. Despite their efficacy, some limitations have been observed during the application, such as increased cost of enhanced coagulation, high demand for sludge disposal, inconsistency in precursor removal, and formation of more toxic unregulated and unknown DBPs. Therefore, it is important to develop more efficient and safe strategies for DBPs …

Feasibility Of Earthships As Sustainable Homes In Brookings County, South Dakota, Whitney Sunkwah Yeboah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Addressing the issue of housing deficit while providing affordable and sustainable homes is a significant problem in the United States today. This has prompted architects to design homes with less adverse environmental impacts despite their affordability, hence the birth of sustainable housing. Earthships are sustainable homes built from recycled materials, utilize solar or wind energy, and function as self-sufficient units. The study's main aim is to assess residents' perceptions of earthships and their willingness to adopt earthships in Brookings County, South Dakota. The research employs online surveys to garner data from residents, and data are analyzed using mixed methods. Results …

Assessing How Long-Term Conservation Agricultural Practices Impact Soil Properties And Soil, Water, And Nutrient Dynamics Through Soil Profile, Ajoy Kumar Saha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Performance And Durability Assessment Of Concrete Bridge Deck Sealants, Bipin Adhikari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Electronic Waste As Synthetic Aggregate For Portland Cement Concrete, Md Shafaul Islam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lightweight concrete has grown in popularity in the building industry in recent years. Due to its environmental and economic benefits, the construction sector favors using lightweight concrete in applications allowed by the technical specifications. On the other hand, electronics waste (e-waste) is the world’s most rapidly growing waste problem. Given the scale and the volume of global concrete construction, incorporating e-waste as a lightweight concrete construction material can potentially reduce sending electronic waste to landfills, which is an environmental benefit. Additionally, it will help with saving the consumption of virgin aggregates. This study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of …

Probing Signal-Based Data-Driven Modeling Of Power Electronics Smart Converter Dynamics Using Power Hardware-In-The-Loop, Nischal Guruwacharya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The main objective of this dissertation is to develop a generalized simulation and modeling framework for extracting dynamics of power electronic converters (PECs) with grid support functions (GSFs) and validate model accuracy through experimental comparison with physical measurements. The dynamic models obtained from this modeling framework aim to facilitate accurate dynamic analysis of a highly integrated power system comprising inverter-based resources (IBRs), specifically for stability assessment. These dynamic models helped in reducing simulation time and computational complexity, thereby enhancing efficiency. Moreover, it provides valuable insights for utilities and grid operators involved in effective system planning, operation, and dispatch. The dynamics …

Application Of Crispr/Cas9 Whole Genome Screens To Advance Macrophage Biology, Kevin Wanniarachchi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Advances in CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technologies present opportunities to better understand the contribution of individual genes to complex eukaryotic cellular processes. I have applied CRISPR whole genome screen technologies to inform further mechanistic understanding of macrophage fitness and neutral lipid metabolism. This work is important because macrophages play critical roles in immune function and are implicated as causative agents in disease states. Chapter One of this dissertation provides insights into how CRISPR genome screening technologies have improved biological discovery and key findings from their application and discusses how this technology can be implemented to advance the discovery of novel macrophage …

Pedagogical Content Knowledge (Pck) Change And Professional Development For Educators: An Assessment Of A Master’S In Chemistry Program For High School Science Teachers, Mary Charlotte Bautista

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The M.S. Chemistry – Chemical Education Specialization program at South Dakota State University provides in-depth general chemistry coursework to in-service high school science teachers in a virtual format. The goal of the program is for the teachers enrolled to become more effective teachers while gaining content knowledge in chemistry; in essence, to increase their pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). The aim of this study is to follow participants through their experience in this program in order to understand how the program’s requirements enhance its participants’ teaching and learning. A narrative framework follows one participant through their two-year experience in the program, …

An Analysis Of The Effect Of Temperature On Asphalt Paving In South Dakota, S M Rahat Rashedi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Temperature is an important parameter to consider for asphalt paving since this work is generally susceptible to weather due to outdoor construction. The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) developed working day weather charts in 1998 to address the expected adverse weather days. This thesis investigated the effect of temperature on adverse weather days for asphalt paving and compared them to the value reported in the 1998 SDDOT study. Moreover, the thesis also examined how closely the maximum temperature data from project sites' weekly progress reports (WPR) matched the data from the closest weather stations. When the maximum temperature (TMAX) …

Study Abroad And The Global Public Good: A Developmental Evaluation Of The International Business Major, Sara Barbier Bularzik

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Study abroad, for any length of time and in any location, is widely recognized in higher education as a positive educational activity. While individual benefits of study abroad have been explored for decades, recent research has pushed the field to consider benefits for the local and global community. This program evaluation contributes to this line of inquiry by asking international business majors about the influences on their study abroad program choice process and the involvement of the university’s mission to positively impact the public good. Using developmental program evaluation and UNESCO’s global citizenship education theory, this study found that students …