Digital Commons Network^™

Promol: Updating The Template Based Structural Alignment Plugin, Mariah Robertson

Theses

Abstract In silico methods have contributed greatly to our understanding of the molecular world. PyMOL, an open-source 3D molecular visualization software, produces high quality images and videos of proteins. Here, we discuss a plugin called ProMOL that augments PyMOL’s capabilities by adding a way to decipher unknown proteins using template-based structural alignment. Software is constantly updated to meet the demands of users. ProMOL fell behind in this regard and required a major overhaul in its code to work with older and newer versions of PyMOL. This included multiple API updates, Python language migration, and code optimizations. The result of the …

Intelligent Lower-Layer Denial-Of-Service Attacks Against Cellular Vehicle-To-Everything, Geoff Twardokus

Theses

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication promises a wide range of benefits for society. Within future V2X-enabled intelligent transportation systems, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication will allow vehicles to directly exchange messages, improving their situational awareness and allowing drivers or (semi-)autonomous vehicles to avoid collisions, particularly in non-line-of-sight scenarios. Thus, V2V has the potential to reduce annual vehicular crashes and fatalities by hundreds of thousands. Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) is rapidly supplanting older V2V protocols and will play a critical role in achieving these outcomes. As extremely low latency is required to facilitate split-second collision avoidance maneuvers, ensuring the availability of C-V2X is imperative for safe …

Do Novice Nurses Utilize Reflection For Clinical Reasoning?, Jennifer Slate

Theses

This study aimed to answer the following questions.

1. If novice nurses, less than 18 months experience, utilize reflection without prompting in their practice?
2. If so, does using reflection foster clinical reasoning in novice nurses?

The use of reflection in novice nurses would foster their ability for clinical reasoning resulting in increased professional competence and self-confidence.

An Interactive Memorial For Healthcare Workers Who Lost Their Lives During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Tianjin Zhang

Theses

COVID -19 started spreading in the U.S. at the beginning of 2020. During 18 months of trauma, more than 3,600 U.S. health care workers perished on the frontline in the first year of the pandemic. We are losing our guardians who fight against the disasters and save human beings' lives. With deeply in pain the lost, survived people desire to remember and perpetuate the history. However, there is less data support to track health worker deaths in the nation, limited places to gather for the vigil, extend heartfelt condolences and remember the deceased. We want to know what health care …

An Exploratory Assessment Of Peer-Reviewed Life Science Literature Statement Readability Used In Text-Based Interpretive Analyses, Jeremy Jackson

Theses

This project looked to explore the process of one of the scientific community’s leading text mining software, Pathway Studio, which efficiently streamlines the tedious task of information sorting and gathering in a clinical setting. To do this Pathway Studio implements a sentiment scoring algorithm which decides, based on interpreting literature similarly to natural human understanding, what sections of literature are most relevant to a given search request and provides corresponding peer-reviewed work in the industry. The novel statistics derived of its performance are used to establish an average form of a statement which reflects that of a standard level of …

Honeycomb: A Digital Family Calendar Designed For Families With Young Kids, Jiahua Li

Theses

Calendar is important to families with young kids because it helps young kids build confidence and independence and establishes healthy habits. However, the traditional calendar is not designed for young kids and it is not easy to understand for them. To solve the problem, I designed an interactive digital calendar— Honeycomb family calendar, to helps families with young kids on creating a calendar and reading a calendar. This project is presented in an interactive mockup showing how it works. The goal is to makes the daily events on the calendar easy to comprehend by young kids and provides a fun …

What Is This Noise?: A Comparison Of Narrative And Statistical Program Notes' Ability To Affect Enjoyment, Luke Henderson

Theses

Program notes, brief written statements provided to attendees of classical music performances, have in some cases increased audiences’ enjoyment of what they hear, but results from such research are inconsistent. This study sought to explore the effects of program notes on enjoyment, eudaimonic appreciation, and intention to attend a concert, as well as whether narrative or statistical styles of notes would be more effective. Participants in an experiment were randomly assigned to one of three conditions--no program notes, narrative style program notes, and statistical program notes--then asked to listen to a piece of music. Those who received program notes reported …

Zygomorphic Flowers May Reduce Extinction Rates By Allowing Angiosperms To Occur In Low Abundances, Maria Belen Alvestegui

Theses

The high species richness that angiosperm show has been extensively correlated with key floral innovations. Key floral traits contribute to species boundaries and the origin of new species. However, how these relate to extinction remains largely untested. Among the multiple theories that attribute diversification to floral innovations, the reduced extinction model predicts that floral specialization allows the persistence of small populations and avoids their loss. Bilateral symmetry (zygomorphy) is a trait that has evolved recurrently in angiosperms. It is a form of floral specialization that restricts pollination to fewer visitors and precisely places pollen to ensure more effective transmission of …

Motivations Of Following Beauty Instagram Influencers And Relationship Between Influencer’S Attractiveness And Follower’S Attitude, Clara Kim

Theses

Many research studies have studied how social media influencers can influence followers’ attitudes or behaviors. They showed how the users reflect themselves through the images on social media. Uses and gratifications approach explains that individuals have a choice to choose what media they use to satisfy their inherent needs and wants. Social influence theory explains how attitudes or behaviors of people are influenced by other people. Based on these theories and approaches, this research aimed to find out why Instagram users follow beauty influencers, and whether there is an attitude change towards products endorsed by beauty Instagram influencers. An online …

A Comparative Study On Cannabidiol In Melanoma Migration And Invasion: Charlotte's Web Vs. Purified Cbd, 2020–2021, Ruby Thamert

Theses

Over the last decade, much attention has been focused on compounds from Cannabis sativa in treating a variety of diseases including cancer. This study examines the abilities of two different cannabidiol oils to decrease the migration and invasion of melanoma cells in vitro. Skin cancers are the most common cancers in the world. While malignant melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer, it is the deadliest. Patients diagnosed with stage IV disease have only a 15-20% five-year survival rate even with aggressive multimodal treatment, demonstrating the need for additional therapeutic options. Because melanoma is often fatal when …

Select Heresies Issues Published From 1977-79: Situating The Individual In Late Second-Wave Feminism, Audra Verona Lambert

Theses

Heresies was a grassroots second-wave feminist publication based in New York City that produced issues from 1977-93. The publication was spearheaded by recognizable feminist artists and critics, and it designated one issue to each theme, covering topics such as The Great Goddess (1978) and Sex Issue (1981), soliciting contributions from feminist writers and artists to engage with each issue’s specific subject matter. To contextualize the environment of late stage second-wave feminism, Heresies issues were published a half-decade after feminist milestones like the Roe v. Wade decision (1973) and the Equal Rights Amendment vote (1972).

Heresies, as a critical theory-driven, self-published …

Cannibalizing The Popular Work Of Barbara Wagner, Beatriz Arcoverde De Oliveira

Theses

This project offers an analysis of the appropriation of popular culture aesthetics and imagery in contemporary art through a critical examination of the work of Brazilian artist Barbara Wagner. Wagner’s work contributes to an understanding of this increasing tendency, and also fosters the possibility of a discussion about its consequences in the social world, in creating a paradox of both challenging colonized sensibilities, and also working to maintain a structure of social inequality. Her work is also a good way to discuss the expanding contemporary definitions of popular culture

Digital Marketing For Small Businesses During Covid-19 And Beyond, Emily Lenore Guyer

Theses

The directed project has two parts: the Prospectus for AMC 60000 Thesis/Directed Project I, and the website https://eguyer123.wixsite.com/directedproject2 for AMC 61000 Thesis/Directed Project II. The website takes this information and puts it into resources, namely infographics and videos. My goal is to help small businesses, whether they are established and transitioning from traditional to digital marketing, or brand new and are starting their marketing strategies from scratch. Throughout this project, they’ll learn the importance of navigating social media marketing, content marketing, search engine optimization, and digital marketing through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Elementary Rhythm Pedagogy Analysis, Antonio D. Griffin Jr.

Theses

Rhythm is a foundational element for a child’s development. Rhythm builds motor skills, aids in language acquisition, and is at the root of all musical experience. While the concept of rhythm is universal, there is no universal approach that educators agree best helps students develop rhythmic ability. This research seeks to discover the most common research-based methods and better practices for elementary rhythm instruction and align each to current national music standards and expectations.

Neo-Pop In Brazil: When Pop Art Addressed Politics, Larissa Couto Rogoski,

Theses

After the consolidation of Pop Art in the 1960s, the American movement started to be incorporated and interpreted, on its own terms, outside the United States. In Latin America, Brazilian artists created their own “pop language.” Based on qualitative, critical, postcolonial readings of various texts and works of art, I argue that Neo-Pop art in Brazil can be understood as incorporated under the Brazilian concept of “anthropophagic culture.” The term “anthropophagy,” as defined by Gazi Islam, “marks moments of intercultural contact, where devouring the other at once acknowledges an appetitive desire for appropriation and an aggressive process of deconstruction.”1 Anthropophagy …

Birth Of A Nation Effects – Effective Use Of Multimedia To Present Content, Brittae Gray-Ross

Theses

This project will investigate the effective use of multimedia, spanning back to 1915, with the film Birth Of A Nation. The final deliverable is an interactive web application. The web application will include modern day interactive web graphics. The web application will also include research and effective media that can be applied to any subject or thing.

Visual Communication – A Designer’S Guide To Reaching Target Audiences, Timothy Lerch

Theses

Visual communication is the cornerstone of graphic design. All graphic design projects communicate a visual message. As with all forms of communication, visual communication is a two-way street. For a message to be effective, a designer must understand how to reach their audience. Scholarly design programs focus primarily on visual cues, while marketing programs focus on in-depth audience analysis and consumer behavior. This creates a problem for designers as they complete their degree program and enter the job market, particularly if they intend to seek freelance work. This guide is innovative because it presents components of visual communication from perspectives …

Using Linear Arrays Of Micro-Ring Resonators To Enhance The Hong-Ou-Mandel Effect For Quantum Optical Networks In Silicon Nanophotonics, Peter Kaulfuss

Theses

Quantum Information Processing (QIP) is a quickly evolving field, from basic research to next-generation, deployable technology. Its development is catalyzed by the inherent scalability and efficient packaging provided by working in silicon nanophotonics. The Hong-Ou- Mandel (HOM) effect is a versatile quantum photonic tool used in a wide variety of applications throughout QIP. In this thesis we examine new types of circuits using linear arrays of Micro- Ring Resonators (MRRs) to enhance the attainability of the HOM effect. We propose three new devices: a circuit exhibiting robust expansion to the HOM effect using small series of identical MRRs, a HOM …

Fraud Detection Using Data Analytics, Ayesha Karmustaji

Theses

At present, the biggest concern of every organization is to detect and control financial fraud. Tax frauds cause the loss of billions of dollars every year. As a result, data mining techniques are used to combat the growing problem of tax fraud. Tax evasions cause a reduction in revenue collection. It also has a bleak impact on government policies and budget. The goal of this study is to describe the use of data analytics tools to process and analyze tax data related to value-added tax evasions. This study is a conceptual perspective that provides a theoretical and methodological basis for …

An Enhanced Statistical Phonon Transport Model For Nanoscale Thermal Transport And Design, Michael P. Medlar

Theses

Managing thermal energy generation and transfer within the nanoscale devices (transistors) of modern microelectronics is important as it limits speed, carrier mobility, and affects reliability. Application of Fourier’s Law of Heat Conduction to the small length and times scales associated with transistor geometries and switching frequencies doesn’t give accurate results due to the breakdown of the continuum assumption and the assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium. Heat conduction at these length and time scales occurs via phonon transport, including both classical and quantum effects. Traditional methods for phonon transport modeling are lacking in the combination of computational efficiency, physical accuracy, and …

The Scene- Interactive Video Scene Controller, Haena Lee

Theses

In modern society, people spend much time watching videos to meet their emotional and social needs. Movies and TV shows increasingly contain violence and sexuality to catch the eye. In addition to this trend, the current age-based rating becomes more and more lenient than the one in the past. As a result, the content rating system does not provide a clear standard about the level of graphic intensity anymore. This situation prevents a particular group of viewers from fully enjoying the video contents: parents and highly sensitive people. Whenever these two groups watch movies or live TV, they need to …

Standard Accented Turkish Speakers’ Perception Of Kurdish Accented Speakers: The Factors Behind The Evaluations, Busra Can

Theses

This study investigates the attitudes of standard accented Turkish speakers towards non-standard Kurdish accented speakers of Turkish. Given the fact that there are strict language policies in Turkey, this paper analyzes the effect of such standard language ideologies on listener attitudes using a mixed-methods design. The study included 50 Turkish participants with ages ranging from 19 to 51. Participants completed a survey with 21 questions and could volunteer to also participate in an interview. The survey asked about biographical data, evaluations of various speakers and ratings of accents of Turkish. Using a matched guise technique in the survey, a Kurdish …

Comparison Of The Effects Of Defusion And Contact With The Present Moment Activities On Inflexible Behavior In Youths With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Melina Segneri

Theses

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of defusion and contact with the present moment activities on psychological flexibility and maladaptive behaviors in youths with Autism. This study used a multi-element research design, with randomized controlled trials. Each component was isolated and tested on its utility and effectiveness towards decreasing maladaptive behavior and increasing psychological flexibility. The questionnaires implemented were Child Acceptance and Mindfulness Measurements (CAMM) and Acceptance and Fusion Questionnaire for Youth (AFQ-Y8). The participants completed these evaluation tools at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. This study utilized the concepts of defusion and contact with …

A Comparison Of Virtual And In-Person Learning On The Observation Of Puzzle Manipulation Among Neurotypical And Neurodiverse Children, Katrina Verhagen

Theses

Virtual learning has been used long before the COVID-19 pandemic for mental health care or acute conditions but was rarely used as a replacement for in-person visits. Additionally, virtual learning was primarily used for those earning graduate and undergraduate degrees. Virtual learning for individuals younger than eighteen is not typically researched, as it has not been a subject of importance or seen as a replacement for in-person learning. The current study worked with four male children under the age of eighteen from both the neurotypical and neurodiverse populations. Participants were paired into dyads to assess learning done both virtually and …

Exploring Wireless Data Center Networks: Can They Reduce Energy Consumption While Providing Secure Connections?, Sayed Ashraf Mamun

Theses

Data centers have become the digital backbone of the modern world. To support the growing demands on bandwidth, Data Centers consume an increasing amount of power. A significant portion of that power is consumed by information technology (IT) equipment, including servers and networking components. Additionally, the complex cabling in traditional data centers poses design and maintenance challenges and increases the energy cost of the cooling infrastructure by obstructing the flow of chilled air. Hence, to reduce the power consumption of the data centers, we proposed a wireless server-to-server data center network architecture using millimeter-wave links to eliminate the need for …

Securing In-Memory Processors Against Row Hammering Attacks, Sahil K. Gogna

Theses

Modern applications on general purpose processors require both rapid and power-efficient computing and memory components. As applications continue to improve, the demand for high speed computation, fast-access memory, and a secure platform increases. Traditional Von Neumann Architectures split the computing and memory units, causing both latency and high power-consumption issues; henceforth, a hybrid memory processing system is proposed, known as in-memory processing. In-memory processing alleviates the delay of computation and minimizes power-consumption; such improvements saw a 14x speedup improvement, 87\% fewer power consumption, and appropriate linear scalability versus performance. Several applications of in-memory processing include data-driven applications such as Artificial …

The State Of Practice For Security Unit Testing: Towards Data Driven Strategies To Shift Security Into Developer's Automated Testing Workflows, Danielle Nicole Gonzalez

Theses

The pressing need to “shift security left” in the software development lifecycle has motivated efforts to adapt the iterative and continuous process models used in practice today. Security unit testing is praised by practitioners and recommended by expert groups, usually in the context of DevSecOps and achieving “continuous security”. In addition to vulnerability testing and standards adherence, this technique can help developers verify that security controls are implemented correctly, i.e. functional security testing. Further, the means by which security unit testing can be integrated into developer workflows is unique from other standalone tools as it is an adaptation of practices …

Experimental Analysis Of Using Radar As An Extrinsic Sensor For Human-Robot Collaboration, Shravan Bhoopasamudram Krishna

Theses

Collaborative robots are expected to be an integral part of driving the fourth industrial revolution that is soon expected to happen. In human-robot collaboration, the robot and a human share a common workspace and work on a common task. Here the safety of a human working with the robot is of utmost importance. A collaborative robot usually consists of various sensors to ensure the safety of a human working with the robot. This research mainly focuses on establishing a safe environment for a human working alongside a robot by mounting an FMCW radar as an extrinsic sensor, through which the …

Hormone Receptors And Steroidogenic Enzymes In Oocytes, Cumulus And Granulosa Cells, Follicular Fluid Hormone Milieu, And Follicle Blood Perfusion In Mares, Marilia Pastorello

Theses

Ovulatory follicle development and associated oocyte maturation involve complex coordinated molecular and cellular mechanisms not fully understood. This study addresses, for the first time in any species, the relationships among diameter, vascularization, follicular-fluid factors, and gene expression for follicle growth, steroidogenesis, angiogenesis and apoptosis in granulosa/cumulus cells and oocytes during different stages from the beginning of largest/ovulatory follicle to impending ovulation. Follicle dynamics was tracked and follicle-wall blood flow evaluated daily through transrectal ultrasonography in mares. The largest follicle of the ovulatory wave was distributed in six diameter groups (predeviation, deviation, postdeviation, early preovulatory, preovulatory, and impending ovulation) according to …

Understanding And Identifying Vulnerabilities Related To Architectural Security Tactics, Joanna Cecilia Da Silva Santos

Theses

To engineer secure software systems, software architects elicit the system's security requirements to adopt suitable architectural solutions. They often make use of architectural security tactics when designing the system's security architecture. Security tactics are reusable solutions to detect, resist, recover from, and react to attacks. Since security tactics are the building blocks of a security architecture, flaws in the adoption of these tactics, their incorrect implementation, or their deterioration during software maintenance activities can lead to vulnerabilities, which we refer to as "tactical vulnerabilities". Although security tactics and their correct adoption/implementation are crucial elements to achieve security, prior works have …