Digital Commons Network^™

Functional Role Of Toll-Like Receptor Associated Micrornas In Intervertebral Disc Pathophysiology, Petra Cazzanelli

Theses

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is one of the main contributing factors to low back pain (LBP), the leading cause of years lived in disability worldwide. The degenerative processes in the IVD tissue are characterized by the metabolic dysregulation of IVD cells and aberrant mechanical loading. The major hallmarks of this multifactorial pathology are the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), inflammation, and cell loss. Inflammation has been specifically linked to the development of discogenic LBP, as increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines can cause the infiltration of immune cells and nerve fibers. Toll-like receptors (TLR) are key regulators of inflammation, amongst …

Demonstration Of A Hybrid Electroabsorption Modulator/Photovoltaic Device For Space-Based Free Space Optical Communication And Power Generation, Emily Kessler-Lewis

Theses

The emergence of proliferated low-Earth orbit (pLEO) constellations using small satellites has resulted in significant interest in lowering the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of mission critical subsystems. III-V semiconductors are the class of materials typically used for photovoltaic (PV) arrays for satellites due to their exceptional efficiencies of upwards of 35 % and ability to be made thin, flexible, and lightweight. This is contrasted with the high SWaP communication system, which utilizes a radio frequency (RF) transceiver in order to communicate with a ground station. A lower SWaP alternative to the RF transceiver is to transmit data using free …

Understanding Drivers Of Local Opposition To Renewable Energy Projects To Improve Adoption Of Clean Energy, Bryson Russell

Theses

The world faces a crisis; climate change is beginning to show more damaging effects on our planet. Without human intervention to stop these effects from worsening, they are predicted to escalate, such as mass extinctions and more frequent natural disasters. In order to curb climate change, the world must begin a transition to renewable and green energy sources as soon as it is feasible. One of the potential forces slowing the transition to renewables is the public's perception and opposition. For example, a spot for a photovoltaic solar farm may be the most economically optimal, but if the community does …

Effect Of Fabrication Pressure And Nmc Cathode Composition On Lpscl Electrolyte For Solid-State Battery Performance Improvement, Winervil James

Theses

Batteries are a key energy storage solution for a sustainable energy future. They provide carbon free power to portable devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and even electric vehicles. With further improvements to battery performance¸ the diversity of machines that can be electrified will increase. Solid state batteries (SSBs) have the potential to provide much greater energy density compared to conventional batteries. Greater energy density will help address the power to size ratio limitation of conventional batteries. Despite improvements in these major areas, SSBs still face some significant operational challenges. The study herein focuses on improving the performance of a …

A Prototype Of Simple Implantable Optofluidic Device Enabled By 3d Printing Technology, Yu Chang

Theses

Superhydrophobic surface-based optofluidics have been introduced to biosensors and unconventional optics recently with unique advantages such as dynamic adjustable optical properties, low light loss, and high versatility. Most of these platforms were manufactured by Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) manufacturing technology and usually need to be further packaged or sealed. Although the MEMS-based technology is prone to make an integrated device containing sensing and electronic components, the technology may constrain the design of the morphology of the featured structures. For example, it was hard to manufacture a three-dimensional, fully enclosed round channel with complex structures along the inner surface. The limitations could …

One Man’S Trash, Jordan Tavan

Theses

This thesis explores perception through ambiguous mixed-media sculpture in order to create the potential for people to question their assumptions of what “is.” Judgments, categorization, and assumptions are big parts of the ways we make sense of our world. Often, we’re wrong about them. This artwork is created in response to the lifelong experience of existing outside the lines – the experience of breaking social rules and the desire for others to realize the potential for multiple truths.

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring, Xian Boles

Theses

The purpose of this project is to increase accessibility to safe surgical practices by educating medical professionals on the complex topic of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). Working in collaboration with content advisor and neurosurgeon Dr. Wenya Linda Bi and her neuromonitoring team, Mitali Bose, CNIM, and Matthew Toczylowski, CNIM, an online, interactive training module has been developed and hosted on the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Skull Base Laboratory website. The training module covers various monitoring modalities, safety techniques, electrode setups, and clinical applications through a series of 2D illustrations and 3D interactive Sketchfab models. A total of five interactive models and …

From Chinese Language To Female - Him, Humans And Us, Dandong Ouyang

Theses

To establish a new sense of ownership of the female figure in my studio practice, this thesis investigates the unspoken secondary existence of women implied in the structural systems of both language and portraiture.

Identifying The Drivers Of Pollen Limitation In Apples (Malus Domestica) Within The Urban Orchards Of St. Louis, Mo, Jordan Hathaway

Theses

The human population is projected to continue growing throughout the remainder of the 21st century. Thus, agricultural production will need to increase drastically in order to ensure global food security. Management strategies aimed at enhancing crop pollination by promoting pollinator diversity have shown potential as an environmentally sustainable method of increasing yields. Optimizing the design and implementation of these strategies will require us to expand our understanding of the processes which influence crop pollen limitation. In this study, we examined pollen limitation in self-incompatible apple trees (Malus domestica) within urban orchards located in St. Louis, MO. In our first field …

Planty: The Fitness App With A Plant, Zixin Alice Ouyang

Theses

It is common knowledge that physical exercise has multiple physical and mental benefits, yet many often find it challenging to maintain a consistent exercise habit. How can we design a more motivating exercise experience so more people would exercise? The proposed solution is Planty, an innovative fitness app. Planty aims to change the user’s exercise habits by providing an alternative motivation behind physical exercise by locking a live plant inside a terrarium. Users can only care for the plant through the Planty app through exercise. By linking users’ behavior to the livelihood of a live plant, Planty forces its users …

The Sacral Museum: An Analysis And Application Of Design Within Museum Architecture, Derek Shultz

Theses

This research focuses on the similarities between museum architecture and architecture found in religious, spiritual, and sacred structures around the world. Personal experience and academic research will be used to help convey and understand the effects of architecture on its occupants. This thesis examines how architectural design can facilitate a profound internal journey through learning, contemplation, and connection. Through analysis of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, it is shown that traditional and contemporary architectural elements can achieve these effects by creating a sacred, ritualistic experience, thereby enriching the cultural, educational, and emotional value of the museum visit.

The Women Of The French Royal Academy: An Improved Online Exhibition Experience, Nicole Chapman

Theses

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the capabilities of digital spaces to engage and create in-depth teaching opportunities for museum educators. The final deliverables consist of a mock museum website and virtual exhibition that features artwork created by the female artists of the French Royal Academy during the Eighteenth-Century. The content within is tailored for Advanced Placement curriculum and the public.

Assessing Open Source Tools For Enhanced Forensic Analysis Of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Uavs), Nura Shifa Hamed

Theses

The widespread applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as drones, has given rise to significant national security threats due to their illicit activities. Consequently, the domain of UAV forensics is rapidly evolving, presenting a substantial knowledge deficit among forensic experts. Open source tools provide accessible and affordable resources, making it easier for investigators to bridge this gap by gaining expertise in the use of these tools. This helps ensure that forensic professionals can keep up with the ever-changing UAV technology landscape. This thesis undertakes the mission of navigate the complex field of drone forensics and conducting a …

Construing Children’S Perceptions Of Ideal Learning Spaces Based On Personal Construct Theory, Rawan Natheer Abdel Rahman

Theses

Learning is an intrinsic aspect of human experience, predominantly shaped by interactions within the socio-physical environment, including engagements with educators, peers, and the built surroundings. The design and character of these learning spaces influence children's cognitive, perceptual, and motor development while also embodying different pedagogical philosophies. Therefore, designing these spaces to align with educational shifts and enhance learning experiences requires a deep understanding of learner’s needs and perceptions. With the COVID-19 pandemic necessitating a shift to home-learning, there arose a unique opportunity to explore children’s perception of ideal learning spaces as they experienced both home and school settings. This research …

Analysis Of Pharmaceutical Residues In Wastewater From Al Ain, United Arab Emirates Using Liquid Chromatography - Tandem Mass Spectrometry And Circular Dichroism: Potential Hazardous Emergent Contaminants, Maya Iyad Berakdar

Theses

Although water is the second essential substance to life after air, clean water resources in many regions of the world have become limited because of climate change, establishing rivers’ dams and contaminations with hazardous life-threatening chemicals. Pharmaceutical residues in aquatic environments have been recognized as emerging contaminants causing adverse ecological and human health risks. Hundreds of pharmaceutical compounds and their metabolites were found in surface, underground, drinking, and sewage waters in many countries. In the United Arab Emirates, millions of drugs’ dosages are annually used for human, poultry, and veterinary treatments. Drugs execrated as unchanged, metabolites or excesses can find …

Regioselective Catalytic Synthesis Of Potentially Bioactive 1,3,4-Selenadiazole, Mohamed Ali Mahmoud

Theses

Isoselenocyanates have a crucial role as reactants in chemical processes, facilitating the efficient synthesis of significant chemical intermediates and physiologically active chemicals. The utilization of (Z)-2-oxo-N-phenylpropanehydrazonoyl chlorides in a one-step procedure for the synthesis of the core structure of various heterocyclic compounds has been widely explored. This study focuses on the synthesis of 5-arylimino-1,3,4-selenadiazole derivatives through the reaction of isoselenocyanates with various substituted (Z)-2-oxo-N-phenylpropanehydrazonoyl chlorides. The objective is to achieve selective and accurate formation of these derivatives. The derivatives exhibit a diverse range of functional groups on both aryl rings. The synthetic procedure is conducted under ambient conditions, promoting environmental …

Investigation On Sputter Ambient Oxygen Partial Pressure And Anneal Conditions On The Operation Of Indium-Tungsten-Oxide Thin-Film Transistors, Meghana Nagesha

Theses

Amorphous oxide semiconductors (AOS) have emerged as compelling candidates for thin film transistors due to their remarkable attributes, including high mobility(>20cm2/Vs), low-temperature deposition, optical transparency, and electrical uniformity. However, current solutions, such as amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO), exhibit sensitivity to moisture and wet etch processes, leading to suboptimal device performance and stability issues. To address these challenges, this study explores Indium Tungsten Oxide (IWO), an AOS devoid of Ga or Zn, as a potential material for fabricating high-performance and stable flexible enhancement mode thin-film transistors (TFTs). The experiment investigates the impact of oxygen partial pressure during the …

Application Of Ai In Financial Sector: Earnings Call Dataset Analysis, Kesa M. Abbas

Theses

Deep learning has emerged as a cornerstone in diverse scientific domains, demonstrating profound implications both in academic research and conventional applications. The utilization of deep learning has branched to the financial sector for stock prediction, management of assets, credit score analysis, etc. During the end of the financial fiscal year, top executives present their companies’ growth and losses in earnings calls. These earnings calls invariably webcasted, furnish stakeholders with insights into a firm’s fiscal performance during a given period. These audios along with transcripts are published on the company website for the general public. If these audio and transcripts are …

Shift Variant Image Deconvolution Using Deep Learning, Arnab Ghosh

Theses

Image Deconvolution is a well-studied problem that seeks to restore the original sharp image from a blurry image formed in the imaging system. The Point Spread function(PSF) of a particular system can be used to infer the original sharp image given the blurred image. However, such a problem is usually simplified by making the shift-invariant assumption over the Field of View (FOV). Realistic systems are shift-variant; the optical system’s point spread function depends on the position of the object point from the principal axis. For example, asymmetrical lenses can cause space variant aberration. In this paper, we first simulate our …

The Effect Of Tensile Reloading On The Lüder Phenomena In Aisi 1524 Steel Alloy, Mohamed Rashid Almatroushi

Theses

Some low-carbon steels, magnesium-aluminum alloys, and nickel-based alloys exhibit plastic flow instability at their respective yield points in the form of a drop and plateau of stress in the stress-strain curve. This phenomenon is often referred to as the Lüder phenomenon in the yield point elongation region of the stress-strain curve. The Lüder phenomenon is characterized by the formation of regions, or bands, of high strain intensity at certain locations on the material. This behavior has been shown to be affected by several parameters such as material composition, grain size, temperature, strain rate, and microstructure to name a few. This …

The Universal Art Class: Integrating Disability Studies Into Art Curriculum To Create Engaging, Equitable, And Inclusive Lessons For Diverse Learners, Stephanie Mccoy

Theses

This paper examines the transformative potential of integrating Disability Studies into the Art Curriculum, establishing “The Universal Art Class” as a framework for creating engaging and inclusive lessons tailored for diverse learners. The exploration begins by illuminating the foundational principles of Disability Studies and its relevance in the context of art education. Subsequently, the study navigates the intersection of Disability Studies and Art Education, highlighting the significance of this interdisciplinary approach in fostering a more inclusive learning environment. The research expands on practical strategies for integrating inclusivity into the art curriculum. These strategies encompass adaptations and modifications, collaboration, and observation …

Political Propaganda In The Reredos Of Our Lady Of Light, Owen Keith Medina Loftus

Theses

This master's thesis explores the Reredos of Our Lady of Light, a stone monument situated as the focal point of a former military chapel known as La Castrense in Colonial Santa Fe, New Mexico. Crafted by Bernardo Miera y Pacheco in 1761, the reredos is analyzed as a multifaceted masterpiece that blends religious symbolism with propaganda messaging. Its central location in the capital and meticulous design make it a potent tool employed to shape perceptions, reinforce beliefs, and incite the viewer to take action in support of both the Roman Catholic faith and the ever-growing interests of the king and …

Discourses Across Periods Of Time, Amanda Raquel Moreno

Theses

This literature review explores the revolutionary effect of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) on digital art history, specifically concentrating on their capacity to enable dialogical exchanges with historical figures and deepen the understanding of artworks. This study considers the current state of research, detecting key methodologies, areas of improvement, and possible challenges and ethical concerns. The example historical figure used in this analysis is the iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Kahlo’s refusal to correspond to a specific artistic style makes her an ideal subject for generative AI and VR-based investigation, offering fresh insights into her work. The …

The Brigham City Temple: An Architectural Intersection Of Standardization And Localization, Ashlee Mckay Hall

Theses

This paper analyzes the necessary interplay of standardization and localization within the design of Latter-day Saint temples. These buildings are sacred religious structures intended for spiritual growth, learning, and rituals. Previous scholarship has discussed different aspects of various temple designs within the context of contemporary history. These analyses focus on different temples constructed by the LDS Church and how the design of these building was impacted or influenced by contemporaneous events. Prior critical efforts have also focused on symbolic interpretations of motifs incorporated into temple design and criticized the standardization of Latter-day Saint buildings. This scholarship will consider the Brigham …

Unveiling Identity: Exploring Afrofuturism In Ekow Nimako’S Contemporary African Diasporic Sculptural Art, Kandra James

Theses

Identity expressed within African diasporic arts has historically been connected to traditional genres such as portraiture. Over time, contemporary artists have explored identity through genres beyond portraiture and through the use of non-traditional materials. The sculptural practice of Ghanaian Canadian artist Ekow Nimako, a fine arts sculptor based in Toronto, Canada, employs the unconventional material of LEGO® to offer a multi-generational perspective into deep diasporic memory. Examining Nimako’s sculptures through the perspective of colonialism and de-colonialism, materiality, and Afrofuturism, this thesis investigates the artist’s exploration of Black historical pasts to shape identities and construct narratives of Black futures. The monumental …

Enchanted South Tarot: A Contemporary Interpretation Of Tarot, Hannah Mathis

Theses

This project uses qualitative research to create an original 78-card tarot deck. Its focus is to create a tarot deck informed by the rich history and symbolism of tarot while utilizing original art and unique experiences to create a one-of-a-kind deck. The deck’s artwork showcases flora, fauna, and manufactured objects of the Southeastern United States, referencing traditional tarot archetypes to select each card’s imagery. The deck’s guidebook introduces readers to some of the history of tarot and several historical and contemporary decks that inspired the Enchanted South deck. The project emphasizes tarot’s evolution and how each artist’s contribution adds layers …

Enhancing A Brand With The Introduction Of Merchandise And A Social Media Content Schedule, Rachel Imming

Theses

This project focuses on how to enhance a brand by incorporating merchandise for the brand and utilizing a social media content schedule to push out content consistently and uniformly. The primary beneficiary of this project is J.E.D.I. Brew Co, a small craft brewery out of Southern Illinois. The aim of the project is to study the important aspects of marketing and brand awareness, in order to help a brand better promote themselves. Ultimately, the project studies consumer engagement, advertising, experiential marketing, storytelling, and consumer behavior to help brands understand how these things affect and aid their business.

The Importance Of Female Bass Players: How They Have Influenced And Shaped Our Conception Of Music, Jessica Sacks

Theses

Music allows us to think creatively, dream, and create a soundtrack for our lives. When we think of female artists, most people recognize singers, but I want to describe how women have shaped music for over sixty years with their fantastic playing abilities. This project will analyze how female bass players have contributed to American music and society.

Post-War Restitution In The Republic Of Croatia: Awareness Of The Komza And Reconciliation Of Moveable Property Through Public Sculpture, Anita Govic

Theses

This project is a public sculpture prototype focused on the need for post-war art restitution in the Republic of Croatia: it will have an impact by enhancing public knowledge of the KOMZA list, which offers legal proof for families to retrieve heirlooms taken during WWII and the wars of secession from Yugoslavia.

The sculpture design includes three pillars, two etched with the 1529 names from the KOMZA list and a third that will be progressively built, brick-by-brick, as artworks are restituted. The nature of viewers’ interaction includes access to QR codes that offer links to the KOMZA list, information about …

The Modern Artist's Psyche: Making Meaning In Art Through History, Jenna Banks

Theses

The Modern Artist’s Psyche: Making Meaning in Art Through History provides a way for students to study and analyze works by Modern artists that explore themes like loneliness, isolation, anxiety, and despair. By studying these artists and their works, students learn about topics like art appreciation and psychoanalysis; specifically, how each artist used their mental state to create their visual products. Students learn about art appreciation through the process of discussing and answering questions about specific art works. Students also study the concept of psychoanalysis, relating to theories and techniques that have been used by Modern artists. This connects to …