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

Theses and Dissertations

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

Adaptation To The Impacts Of Climate Change On Water Availability In The Upper Red River Of The North (Urrn), Innocent Kelechi Anosike

Theses and Dissertations

In the Upper Red River of the North (URRN), climate change has appeared to impact water availability, causing several major floods in recent years, and raising questions about whether climate change is responsible for the frequent occurrence of flooding in this major agricultural region in the Midwest USA. This thesis centers on investigating adaptative measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change in the URRN. One of the methods used is to compare changes in the outcomes of flood frequency analysis (FFA) for “before (pre-industrial) and after (industrial)” time periods. The study uses a combination of data analysis and literature …

Evaluation And Mitigation Of Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions In North Dakota, Amalie Victoria Joergensen

Theses and Dissertations

Annually, 365 million vertebrates are estimated killed in wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC) in the US. Not only is this a threat to wildlife species, but it causes more than 25,000 human injuries, 200 human deaths, and over $10 billion in damage costs. North Dakota has a high rate of WVCs where more than 18 % of all collisions involve wildlife. Based on North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) crash data, we identify factors that affect the number of WVCs in North Dakota, and how these differ between different crash reporting methods. Additionally, we locate the WVC hotspots in North Dakota and …

Maturational Changes In The Epigenome And Transcriptome Of Hypothalamic Astrocytes: Implications For Axonal Regeneration, Abiodun Ebenezer Odufuwa

Theses and Dissertations

Axon regeneration is essential for effective repair following injury in the CNS. One of the burdens of aging is the lack of recovery following injury in the CNS. Our previous studies show that in 35-day-old rats, axon regeneration occurs in response to a unilateral hypothalamic lesion in the hypothalamus neurohypophyseal system. However, this regenerative ability is lost in 125-day-old rats. Furthermore, treatment of hypothalamic organotypic culture with ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) promotes axonal outgrowth and survival. Our previous studies suggest that astrocytes may be playing critical roles in this maturational loss of regenerative capacity because only astrocytes expressed all the …

Opencast: Cyanobacteria Growth And Correlations With Predictive Factors In Creation For Harmful Algal Bloom Formation, Devarshi Nikhil Patel

Theses and Dissertations

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, public health, and local economies due to their production of toxins and negative impacts on water quality. This thesis investigates the correlations between cyanobacteria growth and environmental variables, including wind conditions, surface temperatures, and nutrient levels. This research uses machine learning and statistical modeling to predict HAB occurrences by analyzing these variables' historical and near real-time data. The findings indicate that wind speed, surface temperature, and nutrient levels influence cyanobacteria dynamics, with specific thresholds identified for predictive accuracy. The developed HAB predictive models and the graphical user interface (GUI) …

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

Theses and Dissertations

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

Synthesis Of Selenium Nanostructures: Rods, Wires, And Fibers By Pulsed Laser Ablation In Liquids, Atikur Rahman

Theses and Dissertations

Selenium is a semiconductor that has a bulk energy bandgap of 1.74 eV, is mainly used in sensors, rectifiers, and advanced photovoltaic solar cells. Selenium is very important for the energy applications and was declared as Energy Critical Element (ECE) by the American Physical Society (APS) and the Materials Research Society (MRS). The goal of this dissertation was to control the growth of selenium when being irradiated by a pulsed laser within a liquid environment. The method called “Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquids” is a green synthesis technique that allows for ligand-free nanoparticles to be created. Laser repetition rates were …

Optimization Of Mass Spectrometry-Based Methods For Low-Input And Spatial Proteomics, Andikan Jones Nwosu

Theses and Dissertations

Eukaryotic cells are highly heterogeneous. These cells are arranged into different compartments, carrying out separate functions and facilitating biological processes. Proteins are the effector biomolecules targeted to subcellular locations that help fulfill specific tasks in living organisms. Spatial proteomics can help unravel molecularly how protein abundance and localization are altered in cells, which is not feasible in traditional bulk-scale proteomics. To achieve this, our lab has developed a miniaturized sample processing platform called nanoPOTS, reduced separation columns' inner diameter to increase ionization efficiency and concentrate analytes for mass spectrometers and optimized data acquisition modes for increasing proteome coverage in spatial …

An Analysis Of Fish Assemblages And Flow Regimes Upstream And Downstream Of Falcon Reservoir, Christopher J. Austin

Theses and Dissertations

The lower Rio Grande is regulated by Falcon and Amistad dams. Native fish species rely on the natural flow regime for habitat and spawning. I analyzed streamflow discharge and fish assemblages above and below Falcon Reservoir to assess potential impacts of dam impoundment. Fish collections were conducted by seine, and river discharge data was provided by the International Boundaries and Water Commission. I found significant differences in fish assemblages above vs below Falcon Reservoir, and the flow regime was significantly more altered downstream of Falcon Reservoir. I also identified two Species of Greatest Concern for Texas above Falcon Reservoir (Notropis …

Documenting The Spatial And Temporal Dynamics Of Pair-Rule Genes In The Early Tribolium Embryo, Hasan Mahmud

Theses and Dissertations

Although Insects and vertebrates have different anatomical structures, they possess similar mechanisms for segmenting during embryogenesis. Clock and wavefront model exhibit a similar pattern of division as observed in Drosophila, like vertebrates, which emphasizes fundamental principles in the field of developmental biology. In contrast to Drosophila, the insect Tribolium castaneum exhibits posterior segmentation originating from the growth zone. The pair-rule genes’ expression is characterized by oscillatory patterns, which are controlled by a segmentation clock. Researchers found that the speed regulation model combines oscillatory and sequential gene activities to shape both elongating and non-elongating embryonic tissues. The adaptability of this model …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Medicinally Privileged Aza Heterocycles, Nneoma James

Theses and Dissertations

Four-membered cyclic amides, commonly known as β-lactams, have played a crucial role in drug discovery research since its discovery by Alexander Fleming in 1928 from Penicillium notatum. The β-lactam antibiotics are broadly effective against several bacterial infections through acylating the transpeptidase involved in cross-linking peptides to form peptidoglycan or periplasmic murein, which is a fundamental constituent of the bacterial cell wall for both the gram-positive (ten or more layers) and gram-negative (one or two layers) bacteria. Although for more than eight decades, β-lactams have been recognized as antibiotics, later, other medicinal activities of β-lactam derivatives have been reported, including lowering …

Chemical Investigation Of The Ethanol Extract Of Tillandsia Usneoides (Spanish Moss), Jakir Hossain

Theses and Dissertations

Tillandsia usneoides in epiphytic bromeliads takes up water through absorptive trichomes on the shoot surface under extreme environmental conditions. Although previous studies revealed the way by which T. usneoides absorbs water and prevents water loss, its water transport remains unclear. Uses of T. usneoides L. have been documented going back to pre-Columbian and late archaic societies. Between the 1800s and 1900s. T. usneoides was utilized in fruit packing and polish, among other industrial goods. In terms of medicine, tillandsia is well-known for treating leucorrhea, rheumatism, ulcers, hemorrhoids, and as an anti-diabetic, emetic, analgesic, purgative, antispasmodic, and diuretic. The chemical composition …

Label-Free Laser-Induced Graphene-Based Electrochemical Biosensor Modified With Graphene-Conductive Polymer Ink Coating For Detection Of Alpha-Fetoprotein And 17Β – Estradiol, Ridma Tabassum

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, a novel electrochemical biosensor was proposed based on inducing graphene formation on polyimide substrate via laser engraving. Graphene polyaniline (G-PANI) conductive ink was synthesized by planetary mixing and applied to the working zone of the developed sensor to effectively enhance the electrical signals. The laser-induced graphene (LIG) sensor was used to detect alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and 17β-Estradiol in the phosphate buffer saline (PBS) buffer and human serum. The electrochemical performance of the biosensor in determining these biomarkers was investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and chronoamperometry (CA). In a buffer environment, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and 17β-Estradiol detection range were …

Unveiling Eureka Math: A Critical Peek Behind The Curricular Curtain, Jennifer L. Goldin-Weeks

Theses and Dissertations

While contemporary mathematics education literature argues that curricular resources, such as textbooks, play a significant role guiding mathematics teachers in what and how they teach, it also shows that these resources often do not do what they say they will do, nor adhere to the standards they claim to further. When it comes to the most utilized mathematics curricular resource in the United States, Eureka Math, there is a lack of scholarly literature investigating these types of claims made by the publisher. This study aimed to explore how the Eureka Math curricular resources are positioned within the context of the …

Validation, Optimization, And Experimentation Of Electro-Centrifugal Spinning, Carlos Alberto Delgado

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this study is to understand the behavior of polymeric solutions, when exposed to both electric fields and centrifugal forces through the electro-centrifugal fiber creation method, observing both effects of various parameter variations on the resulting nanofibers. The elemental deposition on electrospun fibers through in-situ processes is studied and optimized. The morphology, crystallinity, thermal properties, and elemental composition of the nanofibers were characterized. The purpose of these nanofibers is for future applications such as energy harvesting, filtration, and biomedical applications.

Advancements In Aerial Vehicle Platforms: A Guide For Design, Validation, And Implementation Of 3d Printed Drones, Alan Salvador Urteaga

Theses and Dissertations

Additive manufacturing methods have revolutionized the way products are designed and developed through a product's entire design life cycle. This is in part correlated with the nature of additive manufacturing methods that differentiate them from traditional methods. Some of the benefits of additive manufacturing methods include customizability, rapid prototyping, the production of complex design geometry, and embedded assembly manufacturing. Unmanned aerial vehicles have been on the rise for various military, commercial, or personal applications. The focus of this study is to provide detailed instructions on how to engineer a viable drone design that is impact-resistant, modular, and customizable. This study …

Synthesis Of Silicon Carbide, Titanium Nitride, And Titanium Carbide Nanofibers: Exploring Novel Approaches With Unique Precursors, Jahaziel Eduardo Cavazos

Theses and Dissertations

Ceramics such as β-silicon carbide (β-SiC), titanium nitride (TiN), and titanium carbide (TiC) are profoundly studied in high-temperature and harsh environments given the properties each ceramic exhibit, including high mechanical strength and toughness, excellent thermal shock resistance, and chemical inertness. The development of nanofibers has evolved from electrospinning to Forcespinning®—the latest proving potential for high yield production in industrial applications. This thesis presents the work conducted on the synthesis-structure-property relationships of TiN and TiC nanofiber systems. The nanofibers were synthesized utilizing Ti precursors and subjecting the solutions to the Forcespinning® method. Developed nanofiber systems were subjected to post processing heat …

Development Of The Structure And Control System Of A Stewart Platform Robot For Human Balance Recovery Interventions, Rhobenn R. Alvarez Zambrano

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, the process to design a Stewart platform parallel robot for balance recovery with given assembly constraints and mobility requirements is described. A Model Based Design (MBD) approach in MATLAB was used as a tool to model and optimize the design of the platform through quick and repeatable workspace and movements simulations. An algorithm based on Inverse Kinematics was used to find the most adequate Stewart platform configuration which yields a workspace that fulfills the design goals best. Solidworks was used as a 3D CAD Modeling tool to elaborate machining blueprints while ensuring that each piece fits accurately …

Uas Teaming For Search And Rescue Applications, Conner Carriere

Theses and Dissertations

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations,combined with teaming configurations and optimized path planning algorithms, enhance efficiency in locating and assisting disaster victims. Flooding accounts for 90% of natural disasters in the USA, necessitating rapid scouting and supply drops in affected areas. Current UAS path planning lacks proper start and end point selection and does not use multiple aircraft collaboratively.

This study introduces a UAS teaming strategy with high-altitude leader drones for area coverage and lower-altitude follower drones for detailed data collection and supply drops. The focus is optimizing follower drone path plan- ning using the Open-Loop …

Development Of Multifunctional Biobased Lubricants From Soybean Oil And Their Tribological Behavior, Piash Bhowmik

Theses and Dissertations

Depletion of mineral oil leads the researchers to look for renewable oils recently. Soybean, which is one of the most produced crops globally, has been identified as a potential source for such oil. The problem with vegetable oils is, they consist of unsaturated fatty acids which leads to oxidation of the oils. With proper modification and the use of suitable additives, these oils can be adapted for use in various sectors. High oleic oils are becoming increasingly popular due to their high oleic acid content, which is a monounsaturated fatty acid. These oils are gaining attention for their improved stability …

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

Theses and Dissertations

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

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

Theses and Dissertations

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

Redefining Spaces Of Resistance Against Capitalism And Patriarchy: A Study Of Females In Society And The Family As Presented By Mrs. Warren’S Profession (1893) By Bernard Shaw And A Raisin In The Sun (1959) By Lorraine Hansberry, Jennifer L. Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

These plays show how conflicts concerning race, gender, and class stem from economic distress, racial discrimination, and patriarchal oppression. Within such intersections lie distinct realities of capitalism which simultaneously upholds patriarchal ideals that can only be best understood through a Marxist-Feminist lens. This thesis pays attention to how racism and discrimination functions to isolate certain groups of people from reaching social mobility. The first chapter analyzes Mrs. Warren’s Profession to demonstrate how Mrs. Warren decision to enter into prostitution cannot simply be reduced to a question of morality, but rather a question of society’s conditions that place women into certain …

Application Of Electrical Impedance Tomography To Cementitious Composites, Hugo Zazueta

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the feasibility of using Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) for detecting damage in cementitious composites. Cementitious composites, such as concrete and cement mortar, are insulating; any conductive properties arise from the moisture within their pores and capillary structures. The proposed concept herein is that formed internal damages in cementitious composites consequently alter their pore and capillary structure, which can then be detected through EIT imaging. To construct tomographic images, the Gaussian Newton (GN) reconstruction algorithm, enhanced with priors, was employed. The results were then compared across different reconstruction processes. Cylindrical cement pastes and cement mortar samples were prepared, …

Increasing The Robustness Of Machine Learning By Adversarial Attacks, Gourab Mukhopadhyay

Theses and Dissertations

By perturbation or physical attacks any machine can be fooled into predicting something else other than the intended output. There are training data based on which the model is trained to predict unknown things. The objective was to create noises and shades of different levels on the images and do experiments for measuring accuracy and making the model classify the traffic signs. When it comes to adding shades to the pictures, pixels were modified for three different layers of the pictures. The experiment also shows that with the shadows getting deeper, the accuracies drop significantly. Here, some changes in pixels …

Peer Mentoring Program For Refugee And Newcomer Children To Increase Resilience, Chloe Skyla Cooksey

Theses and Dissertations

The refugee and newcomer population faces many challenges as they arrive in their host country. Many individuals experience varying degrees of trauma in their country of origin. Trauma can lead to poor mental health outcomes and poor adjustment in host countries. Refugee children in particular may experience post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety as a result of traumatic experiences. Children can be resilient when given opportunities to create relationships and gain confidence. These opportunities can be fostered through various avenues, one of which is the school environment. Refugee students can benefit from various supports provided to them in the school …

Mathematical Concepts And Coding Theory In Kumārasambhavam Of Kālidāsa, Bhuvaneswari K

Theses and Dissertations

Kālidāsa, a renowned Sanskrit poet and playwright from ancient India, is known for his profound understanding and depiction of various aspects of human life, nature, and the universe in his works. While his writings primarily revolve around themes of love, romance, and human emotions, there are several instances where he incorporates mathematical concepts and astronomical references.

His meticulous usage of such abstractions and symbolism adds depth and richness to his poetry. These elements serve as tools to enhance the imagery and aesthetics of his literary works, reflecting the interplay between art and science in ancient Indian culture. These subtle allusions …

Impacts Of Managed Honeybee Apiaries On Native Bee Populations, Trapping Efficiencies Of Bee Sampling Methods, And Drone Based Floral Cover Analysis In High Elevation Tall Forb Communities In Central Utah, Nicholas Val Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the impact of honeybee introductions on native bee populations, evaluates the efficiency of traditional bee sampling and monitoring methods, and explores the use of drone technology for assessing floral resources on federal lands in the United States. Federal lands, managed for multiple uses, present a valuable opportunity for the summer pasturing of honeybees. These lands produce vast floral resources and are largely free from pesticides and other pollutants that could weaken honeybee populations. The potential use of this resource is significant given the economic and agricultural concerns presented by declining pollinator trends and Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). …

Functional & Evolutionary Analysis Of Tbx2a And Tbx2b In Zebrafish Heart Development, Maliha Tasnim

Theses and Dissertations

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect, affecting approximately 1% of live births. This dissertation explores the genetic mechanisms underlying CHD, focusing on the T-box transcription factors Tbx2a and Tbx2b in zebrafish. Utilizing advanced bioinformatics techniques, we reconstructed the ancestral sequences of these genes to understand their evolutionary trajectory and functional divergence. Our analysis highlights the evolutionary conservation of the DNA-binding domain in tbx2a and tbx2b, suggesting its crucial role in maintaining correct gene expression patterns during development. We observed unique and shared amino acid substitutions in these proteins, indicating potential adaptive changes and conserved functions. Comparative …

3d Printed Mounts For Liquid Microdroplet Resonators, Parker A. Awerkamp

Theses and Dissertations

Liquid microdroplet resonators provide an excellent tool for optical studies due to their innate smoothness and high quality factors, but they can be difficult to control. By using 3D printed mounts to support the droplets, we can obtain precise control over the droplet geometries and positions. We here present our work with oil, water, and ice microdroplets, as well as tools required to enable their study. We first present methods for creating 3D printed mounts for oil microdroplet resonators. The mounts enable precise positioning of the droplets relative to a tapered optical fiber. The oil microdroplet resonators exhibited quality factors …