Digital Commons Network^™

Nanofiber-Hydrogel Composite Scaffold Fabrication Methods For Peripheral Nerve Regeneration, Jacob Lee Carter

Theses and Dissertations

Nerve graft conduits (NGCs) are a rapidly advancing field for treating peripheral nerve injuries that aim to guide the growth of regenerating axons across damaged gaps. A more effective NGC can be manufactured by combining the use of nanofibers to act as guidewires within a 3-D hydrogel that imitates the extracellular matrix of nerve tissue. Several methods have been developed to embed aligned nanofibers in an ordered architecture within a hydrogel matrix. The first method involves layer-by-layer additive manufacturing to create NGCs with rows of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers surrounded by a gelatin methacrylate (GelMe) hydrogel in a 3-D structure. A …

School Administrators Making Sense Of Wellness Issues And Technology Policy: A Qualitative Instrumental Case Study, Allyson Michelle Rose

Theses and Dissertations

Technology use has been identified as a key contributor to the decrease in youth mental health (Children’s Bureau, 2019; Lebrun-Harris et al., 2022; Dwyer, 2022; Mojtabai et al., 2016; Yasakci, 2019; Odgers & Jensen, 2020). The purpose of this qualitative instrumental case study was to investigate how school district administrators are addressing wellness issues that are developing in elementary aged students due to technology use. The intent of this study was to use the theory of sensemaking (Weick, 1995) to investigate how administrators create policies that respond to the current wellness crisis arising from technology usage in public elementary school …

Exploring Islamic School Teacher Adaptations To Reduce Cultural Mismatch For Muslim Middle Eastern American Students: A Grounded Theory Study, Zenab Eldreny

Theses and Dissertations

Culturally responsive practices are imperative in American classrooms due to the increasing diversity of the student population. These practices prioritize contextualizing materials, building relationships with students, and leveraging students’ cultural experiences and capital to improve their overall experience in the educational process. However, there is little understanding of the intersection between culturally responsive practices and social-emotional learning frameworks, particularly in contexts beyond the traditional public school environment. This qualitative study employs grounded theory to explore how Islamic school teachers adapt the social-emotional learning curricula to accommodate better Middle Eastern American (MMEA) students' cultural values. Focus groups were conducted to augment …

Dissecting The Interplay Of Protein Synthesis And Degradation Pathways In Cellular Adaptation To Stress, Brittany Friedson

Theses and Dissertations

Adaptation to stress requires cells to reprogram transcription, translation, and proteolytic pathways. Although much is known about the response of each program, it remains unclear how they coordinate following stress. My studies in S. cerevisiae identified the Cdk8 kinase module (CKM) of the Mediator complex as a new player in coordinating these processes. It is well established that the CKM consists of four highly conserved proteins (cyclin C, its cognate kinase Cdk8, and two structural proteins Med12 and Med13) and predominantly represses a subset of stress responsive genes in yeast. We demonstrated for the first time that the CKM also …

Computational And Experimental Advances In Nuclear Magnetic Resonance For High Resolution Structures, Ryan Toomey

Theses and Dissertations

Since its inception, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been a valuable tool for determining chemical structure. In recent years, the field of NMR has been advanced forward by the ability to calculate theoretical parameters with increasing accuracy and efficiency. These calculations are compared to experimental data to produce high resolution structures. The progression of these applications has been made possible by improved instrumentation, data processing methods, probe and experiment design, better quality functionals and basis sets, as well as increased computational power. This research is especially relevant with the emergence of artificial intelligence, which has great potential to expedite steps …

Locating Diversity In Reservoir Computing Using Bayesian Hyperparameter Optimization, Whitney Lunceford

Theses and Dissertations

Reservoir computers rely on an internal network to predict the future state(s) of dynamical processes. To understand how a reservoir's accuracy depends on this network, we study how varying the networ's topology and scaling affects the reservoir's ability to predict the chaotic dynamics on the Lorenz attractor. We define a metric for diversity, the property describing the variety of the responses of the nodes that make up reservoir's internal network. We use Bayesian hyperparameter optimization to find optimal hyperparameters and explore the relationships between diversity, accuracy of model predictions, and model hyperparameters. The content regarding the VPT metric, the effects …

Structural And Functional Correlates Of The Sleep-Suicidal Ideation Association, Jolynn Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Each year, about 800,000 individuals die by suicide globally, affecting millions more. Mitigating suicide risks by targeting modifiable factors such as the sleep disturbances of insomnia and nightmares, which are prevalent and linked to suicidality is important. This study investigated the structural and functional brain differences related to sleep disturbances and suicidality, with the anterior cingulate (caudal and rostral), insula, middle frontal gyrus, posterior cingulate, thalamus, amygdala, and orbitofrontal cortex as seed regions. Participants had no history of suicidal ideation (NSI; n=43) or suicidal ideation within the past two weeks (SI; n=25). Measures for analyses included the Insomnia Severity Index …

Identifying The Challenges That Hinder Research Productivity In Academia: Evidence From Somaliland And The Way Forward., Khalid Jama

Theses and Dissertations

In any nation, research is the primary force behind innovation and progress. It contributes to the Economic growth, global competence, and social progress. Research productivity is highly valued in the scientific community. Scientific community research is regarded as the key factor determining academic recognition, financial support, and academic recognition. Nonetheless, the output of research faces difficulties in many sub-Saharan African nations. This study aims to understand what limits the research publication in Somaliland. The study adopt a mixed methods approach to understand and analyze the main reason behind the research and publication limitations in Somaliland’s higher education. Individuals from various …

A Study To Explore How People Evaluate The Quality Of Their Medical Information From The Social Media For Celiac Disease, Phillip Arnold

Theses and Dissertations

Every day, millions of people visit various social media platforms to post updates on their daily lives, to search for information, and to repost and/or potentially like posts on social media. This has led to scores of pieces of misinformation appearing on these social media posts. While some misinformation can be harmless and disregarded by the general public, there are various subject matters, including medical treatments and diseases, where misinformation on the treatment and other various subjects involving the disease can lead to dire consequences. This research proposes to investigate how social media users vet their data on two different …

Developing Coexpression Systems To Introduce Hydroxyproline Into Protein Engineered Collagen Peptides Utilizing Hydroxylase From Acanthamoeba Polyphaga Mimivirus, Jennifer Soldatich

Theses and Dissertations

A major challenge of developing collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs) by bacterial expression is to include hydroxyproline for biomedical applications. Coexpression of Prolyl-4-hydroxylase from A.mimivirus with CMPs was investigated. Additionally, four expression designs were created for potential applications in mammalian cells to utilize their natural ability of proline-hydroxylation by post-translational modification.

Sweating The Small Stuff: Exploring Consequence Assignments And Academic Outcomes In A No-Excuses Charter Network, John G. Stevens

Theses and Dissertations

Schools utilize a range of consequences to maintain order and safety. Some employ zero-tolerance policies accompanied by exclusionary tactics like suspension (Martinez, 2009; Muschert et al., 2014). Suspensions are criticized for their disproportionate assignment to students who are Black, male, assigned an IEP, and receiving lunch assistance (Cholewa et al., 2018; Skiba et al., 2002), as well as their deleterious associations with academic achievement (Chu & Ready, 2018; Morris & Perry, 2014; Noltemeyer et al., 2015). Charter schools espousing a no-excuses philosophy often adopt a “Sweat-the-Small-Stuff” (STSS) approach focused on correcting minor (mis)behaviors to prevent more egregious ones (Whitman, 2008). …

To Belong Or Not To Belong: Bipoc First-Generation Community College Students’ Experiences, Christine Orbeta

Theses and Dissertations

Using narrative interviews, this study explored the experiences of belonging among eight first-generation college students (FGCS) who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). By applying Strayhorn's Belonging and Crenshaw's Intersectionality Framework, this study sheds light on the challenges and benefits BIPOC FGCS encounter as they strive for academic success at two-year institutions within the City University of New York (CUNY) where approximately 44% of CUNY's student body comprises FGCS (CUNY, 2019). According to participants, families and institutions played significant roles in shaping students' sense of belonging. It also highlights the intricate negotiations BIPOC FGCS undergo as they …

Investigation On Production, Kinetic Modelling, Downstream Processing, And Characterization Of Microbial Dextran Using Sucrose-Rich Alternate Feedstocks, Sameeha Syed Ar

Theses and Dissertations

Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPS) synthesized by microorganisms have a wide range of applications from thickener agents in the field of food to formulations in the field of pharmaceuticals. Owing to their rheological, structural, and physicochemical characteristics in addition to its biodegradability, low antigenicity, antioxidant activities, etc., several EPS have gained research focus in recent years. Dextran is one such example of EPS, which is synthesized by lactic acid bacteria (LAB). However, its production is limited to utilization of sucrose medium with a yield of 0.3-0.4 g dextran/ g sucrose. Hence, this thesis work focuses on dextran production using sucrose-rich alternate feedstocks …

Experimental Investigation And Evaluation Of Mechanical Properties And Microstructural Characterization On Chromium Molybdenum Steel Processed Through Laser Based Welding, Rakesh S

Theses and Dissertations

Creep Strength Enhanced Ferritic (CSEF) martensitic modified 9Cr-1Mo (P91) steel is extensively employed in fast breeder nuclear reactors and thermal power plants owing to its superior resistance to thermal fatigue and oxidation corrosion compared with other low-alloy steels. Despite its excellent high-temperature performance, the weldability of this steel remains a critical concern.

Conventional arc welding processes generate excessive heat input and complex thermal cycles, resulting in heterogeneous microstructures, retention of δ-ferrite, and subsequent degradation in service life. In contrast, high energy density beam welding techniques such as laser and electron beam welding offer precise thermal control and minimal heat-affected zones …

Horizontal Gene Transfer In Intergenomic Conflicts Between Bacteria And Their Genetic Parasites, Pavithra A.S

Theses and Dissertations

Bacteria are constantly infected by obligate acellular genetic parasites, such as plasmids and phages. The genetic conflicts between bacteria and their parasites, aggravated by horizontal gene transfer, exert significant ecological and evolutionary pressure on their respective genomes. The eco-evolutionary significance of parasite-derived elements on bacterial genomes is not well understood.

This study explored the genomics of plasmid-derived genetic elements such as antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), type II endonuclease toxin-antitoxin systems (TAs) and endonuclease colicin-like bacteriocin (CLB) operons, and phage-derived prophages of Escherichia coli using bioinformatics and developing novel hybrid agent-based models. We sequenced eight E. coli isolated from local wastewater …

An Adaptive Hybrid Deep Learning Architecture For Providing Guaranteed Qos In 5g Cellular Networks, Rajilal Mv Ms

Theses and Dissertations

Wireless network systems must have effective resource allocation, particularly in the context of 5G networks when flexibility is needed to meet a range of network requirements. Resource allocation is essential in cellular network contexts to guarantee equitable access to customers, partners, and cellular service users. Since resource distribution determines network performance, it offers significant advantages when executed well. One of the biggest issues with 5G technology is resource allocation, particularly when it comes to the Quality of Service (QoS) for various applications. Resources in wireless networks include items like channels, power, and spectrum; these must all be apportioned according to …

Analysis Of Isotopic Effects On Hydrogen Oxidation, Jacob Carter Wilde

Theses and Dissertations

Tritium generation presents a significant hazard during operation of nuclear reactors and necessitates safety precautions in the case of a combustion incident. Accurate kinetic models should inform these safety precautions, however, reliable tritium data do not exist to generate such models. This work focuses on laminar flame speed, which is an important component of kinetic models. Current estimates based on established kinetic theories and experimental measurements of the other isotopes of hydrogen predict tritium to have a flame speed approximately 70% that of standard protium over a broad range of stoichiometries at one atmosphere in air. These estimates are based …

Geology Of Sinai Tholus, Thaumasia Plateau, Mars, Haley Mosher

Theses and Dissertations

A new geologic map of the Sinai Tholus region on the Thaumasia plateau, Mars reveals the structural, magmatic, and stratigraphic complexity that can be found in the Tharsis region on Mars, and may help answer key questions about the origin of the subvolcanic basement, evolution of the regional stress field, development of Valles Marineris, and magmatic history of the region. Sinai Tholus is a topographic high in a relatively flat, lava flow covered part of Thaumasia Plateau, just south of the central part of Valles Marineris. Here, five stratigraphic units and one generalized impact unit have been mapped at a …

A Novel Perfused Contusion Spinal Cord Injury Model To Assess Rapid Mechanical Properties Changes After Blood Spinal Cord Barrier Breakdown, Laura De Marchi

Theses and Dissertations

Blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) disruption exacerbates the tissue damage caused by spinal cord injury (SCI), but the mechanisms and dynamics of how the barrier breakdown affects the mechanical properties of the tissue remain unclear. The perfused bovine ex vivo indentation injury model described here represents a new platform to investigate the short-term effects of altered blood flow and vascular permeability following traumatic spinal cord injury. Our results indicate that injured cords exhibit changes to bulk perfusion, as evidenced by laser speckle contrast imaging, in addition to decreased barrier function shortly after injury. Indentation tests that simultaneously simulate a crush injury …

The Impact Of Social Emotional Learning And Trauma Informed Care On Teacher Well-Being And Capacity In The Classroom., Kathleen Kelley Michalowski

Theses and Dissertations

Educators and students have encountered significant challenges, including illness and loss within their families due to events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Traumatic events, like disasters, can greatly disrupt a community's functioning, resulting in widespread losses that surpass the community's ability to cope. Trauma-informed care (TIC) acknowledges that individuals are likely to have a history of trauma and aims to respond appropriately to minimize the likelihood of further trauma. By implementing trauma-sensitive routines and promoting social-emotional learning (SEL) for both students and educators, we can offer them more opportunities for success and emotional growth. It's important to recognize that educators' …

Analysis Of Networks Using Hypergraph Centrality Measures And Other Properties, Sathyanarayanan G

Theses and Dissertations

Network analysis explores the connections between nodes and evaluates their characteristics across diverse fields such as biological, chemical, social networks and so on. Identifying key nodes within a network is crucial for grasping how information spreads, which has significant applications across multiple fields. This includes studying disease transmission, managing rumours, understanding social leadership, enhancing viral marketing strategies, and monitoring public opinion. Influential nodes play a pivotal role in effectively distributing information throughout the network. The centrality measures are paramount in network analysis that uses various metrics to evaluate the importance of the node. The centrality predicts the characteristics and significance …

Incorporating Diverse Multimodal Texts Within A Seventh Grade Language Arts Classroom To Increase Comprehension Accessibility And Improve Engagement, Kaitlin Maher

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines if diverse, multimodal texts have an effect upon student engagement while increasing comprehension for students with varied learning styles. Applicable theories that gave direction to this research study were Multiliteracies Pedagogy, Culturally Responsive Teaching, Funds of Knowledge, and Constructivism. Throughout the unit’s duration, students were instructed with various types of multimodal texts that included song, video, graphic novels, and performance while also working with modern authentic, diverse traditional texts. Students were also given a choice of mode in how to respond and demonstrate understanding. The qualitative research study analyzed data sources such as student surveys; my teacher …

Examining The Experience Of Race-Related Stress For Black K-12 Educators, Tiffany A. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

This study presents an action research investigation into the lived experience of race-related stress among Black K-12 educators. The study was motivated by the recognition that Black educators working in White settings are suffering from racerelated stress. A qualitative phenomenological case study design was employed to investigate the race-related stress of five female Black K-12 educators working in White school settings across several states. I used open coding to collect data from interviews, community of practice transcripts, participant reflections, and observational field notes were analyzed. The findings of the study reveal that Black educators experience racerelated stress while working in …

A Comparative Analysis Of Teacher Innovative Practices And Principal Leadership Strategies In Microsoft Showcase Schools Implementing The Microsoft School Transformation Framework For Up To Two Years And More Than Two Years, Ibrahim Soykan

Theses and Dissertations

As global challenges such as climate change, shifting job markets, and technological advances intensify, educational systems must adapt to equip students with essential 21st-century skills. While countries like Singapore, Ireland, Australia, and Finland have created flexible education systems to meet these demands, the United States faces a fragmented and decentralized system that struggles to keep up with global changes (Wehling, 2007). This study investigates how the Microsoft School Transformation Framework (MSTF) is addressing these issues within Microsoft Showcase Schools (MSS). The purpose of this research was to evaluate how principals and teachers perceive the implementation of the MSTF and to …

What’S Mine Is Yours: Managing Student Loans Within Different Gender Couples, Samantha Leigh Moser

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, borrowing student loans from the federal government or private market to attend college has become increasingly common. Roughly one in eight Americans has student loans (Looney, Wessel, & Yilla 2020). Reports on federal student loans indicate that roughly 1.6 billion dollars was outstanding in May of 2022 (Hanson 2022b). Additionally, about 43.4 million borrowers each owe an estimated $37,014 in federal education loans (Hanson 2022a). Privately, as of July 2023, $131 billion dollars was outstanding for education loans.

Sociologists have begun researching the consequences of student loan debt on borrowers and their families. Consequences of student …

Evaluating Audio-Compression Techniques, Thien Tuong Duong

Theses and Dissertations

Perceptual quality of audio is the aural accuracy and fidelity perceived by the listener. It is how humans respond to the accuracy, intelligibility, or fidelity of aural media. High-fidelity audio represents high accuracy and minimal distortion and is the standard against which compression algorithms are assessed. We argue that maintaining high-fidelity audio is not just a technical requirement but is also about respecting the artistry of music production. The primary goal of this thesis is to compare the performance of popular audio codecs including file size and conversion speed of each codec when encoding the same file. A secondary goal …

Unleashing Hegemonic Horizons In Kavita Kane’S Cultural Literary Landscape, Durga R

Theses and Dissertations

Mythology cannot be defined as a set of stories but these stories culturally bind, and make people understand their tradition. It also serves as a conduit of worldview and makes people realise their position in the cosmos. Mythopoeia is the art of myth-making that either a new myth is created or some alterations are made in the point of view or identity of the characters after adapting the framework from the original. The present research aims to explore the presence of cultural hegemony in the select works of the Indian mythopoeic writer Kavita Kane.

Kavita Kane (1966) is a former …

Metal Organic Frameworks Modified Textiles For The Detoxification Of Chemical Warfare Agent / Simulant, Selva Balasubramanian S

Theses and Dissertations

Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs) have been listed as lethal weapons of mass destruction due to their extreme toxicity and devastating effects. Malfeasant usage of CWAs involved in the current world praxis poses threat to humankind. Owing to their acute lethal toxicity, the pursuit of favorable approaches for the detoxification/degradation are in continuous progress. In current trends, an imminent development of self-detoxification filters is highly desirable against the CWAs exposure. Exploiting protective materials that can be applicable in day – today life for an instantaneous detoxification will be of prodigious importance.

With this background, a series of Zirconium based UiO-66 and …

Mild Hydrothermal Crystal Growth Strategies For Complex Inorganic Metal Fluorides, Navindra Keerthisinghe

Theses and Dissertations

Inorganic metal fluorides have been investigated for their interesting magnetic and optical properties, their electrochemical behavior, and their ionic conductivity. Fluoride materials can accommodate metals in very low oxidation states, which can be advantageous for designing new magnetic materials. Specifically, mixed metal fluorides incorporating transition metal cations often exhibit interesting magnetic behavior, such as frustrated magnetism. However, many challenges are encountered during the synthesis of such fluoride materials, including the inability to perform reactions under ambient conditions and the involvement of toxic gases for fluorination during solid-state reactions. Therefore, solution growth techniques such as mild hydrothermal synthesis are currently utilized …

Beyond #Blacklivesmatter Through An Understanding Of Intersectionality And Ethical Leadership: A Critical Autoethnography Of A Black Female Graduate Student Living With Multiple Hidden Dis/Abilities, Shariese Katrell

Theses and Dissertations

There can be numerous questions to be asked concerning the perspective of a Black female graduate student at a predominately White institution who lives with multiple hidden dis/Abilities (Gillborn, 2015). This critical autoethnography can help discover and uncover new issues and establish transformational changes that could expand knowledge and research surrounding the critical analysis of intersectionality and Disability Studies and Critical Race Theory from an/abled feminist approach. Transformative politics can be identified in this study, which examines socialism and the systematic structures and power within academia at the graduate level (Trevino et al., 2008). The issues of Black disability feminism, …