Digital Commons Network^™

Information Architecture For A Chemical Modeling Knowledge Graph, Adam R. Luxon

Theses and Dissertations

Machine learning models for chemical property predictions are high dimension design challenges spanning multiple disciplines. Free and open-source software libraries have streamlined the model implementation process, but the design complexity remains. In order better navigate and understand the machine learning design space, model information needs to be organized and contextualized. In this work, instances of chemical property models and their associated parameters were stored in a Neo4j property graph database. Machine learning model instances were created with permutations of dataset, learning algorithm, molecular featurization, data scaling, data splitting, hyperparameters, and hyperparameter optimization techniques. The resulting graph contains over 83,000 nodes …

Relationships Between Adverse Childhood Experiences, Inflammation And Pain In Youth And Emerging Adults With Sickle Cell Disease, Angela Pascale

Theses and Dissertations

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent genetic disorder involving red blood cells. SCD is a multisystem disease and is connected to various severe medical complications, including debilitating pain. Though pain and inflammation have been connected to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in other populations, no prior work has investigated ACEs within a SCD population. The current study examined the prevalence of ACEs as well as the association of ACEs, inflammation, and pain in a sample of youth and young adults with SCD. Utilizing the biopsychosocial model of pain, I examined individual and cumulative ACEs as possible factors relating to inflammation, …

Linear And Nonlinear Optical Effects In High Carrier Concentration Oxides And Nitrides At Epsilon-Near-Zero, Ray Secondo

Theses and Dissertations

Nonlinear optics has been an important method for achieving ultrafast light manipulation. Recently, ENZ material have gained interest due to inherent advantages such as slow light, improved confinement, and ideal relaxation times, the nonlinear response of these materials, such as the intensity-dependent-refractive-index, are ultra-large yet remain ultra-fast. This experimental discovery of epsilon-near-zero enhancement has thus opened new avenues in nonlinear optics research in recent years, and while experiments have continued to progress a theoretical understanding of the processes and origins of nonlinear optical enhancement at epsilon-near-zero has lagged.

To fill this gap, the work herein focuses on uncovering the mechanisms …

Muscarinic Excitation Of Dopamine Neurons In The Ventral Tegmental Area Via Activation Of A Trpc-Like Cation Conductance, Yu Tzu Chen

Theses and Dissertations

Dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) play a crucial role in reward and motivational behaviors, including the development of drug addictions. VTA DA neurons receive excitatory cholinergic inputs from the mesopontine tegmentum. Blockage of the M5 muscarinic receptor in DA neurons has been shown to attenuate drug-induced DA release and abuse-related behaviors, but the molecular mechanism is unknown. In this study, experiments were designed to identify the electrophysiological effects of muscarinic agonism in the modulation of action potential kinetics and firing patterns in VTA DA neurons of mice. Pharmacology of the muscarinic receptor-evoked current was also characterized. …

Comparing The Sensitivity And Specificity Of Cbct And Mri In Detecting Osteoarthritis Of The Tmj: A Systematic Review, Gabriel R. Saavedra

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this systematic review was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting osteoarthritis (OA) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This was done by using computed tomography (CT) and the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD) as reference methods and using CBCT and MRI as index methods. A specific search strategy was developed and applied to these electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, DOSS, and Cochrane. The search results returned 802 articles, which were then narrowed down using the inclusion/exclusion criteria, to four final articles that were included in …

Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Longitudinal Trajectories Of Arrest Probability After Traumatic Brain Injury, Mickeal Pugh Jr

Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of disability across the globe, and epidemiological studies have documented a rise in this condition over the recent years. Post-TBI functional impairments can persist beyond the acute phase of the injury, and specific psychosocial and injury-related factors have predicted variability in these outcomes. Previous literature has documented profound racial/ethnic disparities in TBI risk, cause, treatment, and rehabilitation. Prior investigation has revealed an overlap between incarceration and TBI, which showed that incarcerated persons typically endorsed a history of TBI. Criminal justice literature has shown stark racial/ethnic differences in incarceration rates, which …

Fty720-Induced Antinociception In The Chronic Constrictive Injury (Cci) Mouse Model: Neuronal-Astroglial Mechanisms Through S1p1 Signaling, Lauren V. Moncayo

Theses and Dissertations

Novel pharmacological and genetic advancements increased interest in the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1P₁) as a potential therapeutic target. S1P₁ plays a critical role in the mechanism of action of Fingolimod/FTY720, a therapy currently FDA-approved for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) (Camm et al., 2014). To prevent RRMS, FTY720 downregulates S1P₁ on lymphocytes to impair their trafficking and sequester cells in the lymphoid organs to prevent further pathogenic attack (Brinkmann et al., 2010). Recent developments in pre-clinical models suggest FTY720 holds therapeutic potential to treat other diseases, such as neuropathic pain, a debilitating chronic pain …

Impact Of Targeting Glycosylated Ceramides On Tumorigenic Properties, And Characterization Of Sphingolipids In Head And Neck Tumors, Katherine E. Hylton

Theses and Dissertations

Sphingolipids play a crucial role in signaling, membrane structure, and migration, making them important molecules in cancer development, metastasis, and drug resistance. While some sphingolipids have been associated with pro-apoptotic or pro-survival behaviors, the role of many sphingolipids in cancer remains poorly defined. Chapter 1 of this study investigated the impact of three enzymes that compose most of the ceramide to Lc3 ceramide pathway – UGCG, GBA, and B3GNT5 – and how their alteration impacts chemoresistance and basal membrane invasion in vitro. It was found that the CΒE-induced inhibition of GBA, which converts glucosylceramide to ceramide, has no effects on …

Performance Study Of Respirator Filter Media And Wall Flow Filters, Peng Wang

Theses and Dissertations

The exposure of the long-term chronic particulate matter (PM) exposure and the acute increases of ambient PM has been found to aggravate the respiratory symptoms, decrease lung functions, and increase the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Filtration is the dominant technique used to protect both humans and environment from the pollutants including PM and gases. Among the particle filtration applications, respirators are widely applied for the protection of the public heath from the PM exposure, and wall flow filters (i.e., diesel/gasoline particulate filters) are currently employed to mitigate the PM emission from automobile engines. The above two topics are thus included …

Phylogeny And Systematics Of The Superfamily Diplostomoidea Poirier, 1886 (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda), Tyler Joseph Achatz

Theses and Dissertations

The Diplostomoidea is a large superfamily of digeneans which possess a unique holdfast organ. Members of the superfamily are distributed worldwide and are known to parasitize a wide variety of animals, both invertebrates and vertebrates. In some cases, diplostomoideans have been associated with diseases such as ocular diplostomiasis and ‘black spot’ disease in fishes. The taxonomic and systematic history of diplostomoideans is complex and includes numerous revisions based on morphology and host associations. Prior to this study, the Diplostomoidea included 6 families and 16 subfamilies. Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses have revealed the Diplostomidae and the Strigeidae to be non-monophyletic and …

Role Of Gravin/Akap12 Variants In Regulating Endothelial Cell Behavior, Ashrifa Ali

Theses and Dissertations

A functional endothelium must maintain an equilibrium among processes such as endothelial cell (EC) migration, barrier function and angiogenesis. The endothelium is constantly exposed to external factors that that result in a complex network of signaling wired to several possible cellular outcomes. A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) have a critical role in regulating cell signaling by providing spatial and temporal control of signaling proteins to increase downstream target specificity. Several studies have linked gravin (also called SSeCKS or AKAP12), an AKAP, to migration, barrier function, and angiogenesis. However, the functional significance of each gravin variant in ECs has not been investigated …

Perspectives Of Beginning Teachers From Generation Z: A Narrative Study, Troy Bartman

Theses and Dissertations

A wide range of ages in teachers exist in the field of education. New teachers from Generation Z is one specific category that has received little attention. Who are these new teachers? What experiences have they grown up with being from this generation? What might we learn about them that can help us offer better support, training, and guidance to ultimately create better learning environments for students? The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the perspectives that new teachers from Generation Z have on teaching, learning, and teacher development. As the newest generation entering the …

Systemic Veterinary Parasitcides For Residual Malaria Vector Control In Central America, Staci Michele Dreyer

Theses and Dissertations

Malaria continues to be one of the most severe public health concerns worldwide. The malaria parasite, Plasmodium, is transmitted from person to person through the mosquito vector Anopheles. Vector control is a crucial element of anti-malarial campaigns and works best when there is thorough knowledge about an Anopheles vector’s biology and behavior in a given region. To fully eradicate malaria, new vector control strategies must be developed that exploit the behaviors of different vector species. One promising strategy to target vectors that primarily bite outdoors and display generalist feeding behaviors (zoophagic) is the use of veterinary systemic parasiticides. Veterinary parasiticides …

Maximum Carbon Dioxide Capture, Sequestration And Maximum Carbon Dioxide Beneficial Reuse At The Optimal Cost Efficiency For The Power Generation Sector To Address Global Temperature Rise, Michael Dean Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

Global Climate Change is arguably one of the most important global crises of our times. Global Climate Change is the result of increasing global ambient temperatures around the world. These increased temperature changes have been impacting all aspects of human life and activity as wells as impacting all biological and physical systems of Earth. The primary cause of Global Climate Change are anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide and other Greenhouse Gases. Fossil fuel combustion is a primary source of these emissions. The initiation of anthropogenic Global Climate Change has been scientifically traced back to the Industrial Revolution. From the Industrial …

Closing The Loop In Life Support Systems For Spaceflight And Habitation: Reutilization Of Human Excrement Through Recovery Of Potable Water And Reclamation Of Waste Materials For In-Space Additive Manufacturing, Brittany Zimmerman

Theses and Dissertations

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) solicited a need for a simplified, low-temperature, and robust method for recovery of water from human solid metabolic waste. A solution is investigated, and benchtop testing is performed to prove developmental feasibility utilizing an ionomer-membrane based dehydration approach for potable water recovery. Testing is implemented with synthetic fecal matter, wet wipes, dry wipes, and nitrite gloves to inform system design. The benchtop, closed-system, dehydration testing pulls together a trade space of materials to compare efficacy of designs.

The system aims to recover upwards of 80% of the water content in the human excrement. …

Test Of A Partial Sexual Minority Stress Model With Bisexual Adolescents, Marisa Mango

Theses and Dissertations

Research conducted on sexual minority stress for adolescents has contributed to bisexual invisibility by collectively sampling and analyzing data from lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations, despite recent studies acknowledging statistical differences between bisexual and lesbian/gay experiences (Conlin et al., 2017; Frost et al., 2015; Mason & Lewis, 2016; Mohr & Sarno, 2016). We examined the temporal relations within Meyers (2003) Sexual Minority Stress model of sexual minority processes related to proximal and distal stressors in a sample of 306 bisexual adolescents. They completed measures of sexual minority stress, LGB specific coping, anxiety, and depression. Using path analytic analyses, the findings …

Transcriptomic Analysis Of Young Regenerating Magnocellular Neurons (Mcns) Vs Mature Non- Regenerating Mcns, Malak Alzidaneen

Theses and Dissertations

Mature mammalian CNS neurons do not regenerate or recover following injuries. Different transcription factors have been linked to axonal growth and survival, and regulation changes in these transcription factors will affect the expression levels of genes involved in axonal regeneration. A robust collateral sprouting response within the distant terminal field of magnocellular neurons, the neurohypophysis, arising from the contralateral non-injured supraoptic neurons have been shown in response to unilateral denervation of MCNs tracts. This response peaked at age 35 days then it was followed by a complete loss of the regenerative capacity between 35 days and 125 days of age. …

Enzymatic Approach To Improve Tensile, Freeness And Brightness, Yao Ntifafa

Theses and Dissertations

Weak tensile strength is usually source of web breaks on paper machines and converting machines. Web break, in general, is due to poor hydrogen bonding between the fibers. Web break which is ultimately a downtime and a waste can be reduced through enzymatic approach. In order to increase the tensile strength of the paper, it necessary to determine the amount and the conditions in which the enzymes yield a better sheet strength.A central composite design approach, using dosage, time and temperature as factors, was used to study the effects of the enzymes on the sheet strength; the pulp used is …

Scaling Near-Surface Remote Sensing To Calibrate And Validate Satellite Monitoring Of Grassland Phenology, Morgen W.V. Burke

Theses and Dissertations

Phenology across the U.S. Great Plains has been modeled at a variety of field sites and spatial scales. However, combining these spatial scales has never been accomplished before, and has never been done across multiple field locations. We modeled phenocam Vegetation Indices (VIs) across the Great Plains Region. We used coupled satellite imagery that has been aligned spectrally, for each imagery band to align with one another across the phenocam locations. With this we predicted the phenocam VIs for each year over the six locations.Using our method of coupling the phenocam VIs and the meteorological data we predicted 38 years …

Parametric, Nonparametric, And Semiparametric Linear Regression In Classical And Bayesian Statistical Quality Control, Chelsea L. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Statistical process control (SPC) is used in many fields to understand and monitor desired processes, such as manufacturing, public health, and network traffic. SPC is categorized into two phases; in Phase I historical data is used to inform parameter estimates for a statistical model and Phase II implements this statistical model to monitor a live ongoing process. Within both phases, profile monitoring is a method to understand the functional relationship between response and explanatory variables by estimating and tracking its parameters. In profile monitoring, control charts are often used as graphical tools to visually observe process behaviors. We construct a …

Form Follows Culture, Nada Raafat Elkharashi

Theses and Dissertations

We all use everyday objects as part of our daily routines, but the way we use them varies from one culture to another. Using George Herbert Mead’s study of human conduct and Louis H. Sullivan’s credo, “Form follows function,” this thesis examines the cultural meanings and implications surrounding the fundamental act of drinking water. Using a methodology of iterative, exploratory making, a collection of glass vessels explores philosophical and physical manifestations of Islamic cultural principles derived from the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم. With the goal of restoring cultural integrity to our daily activities, the work highlights …

Lonidamine Is A Novel Inhibitor Of Fatty Acid Oxidation, Tianhai He

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis project, we examined the hypothesis that lonidamine is an effective inhibitor of FAO in mammalian cells, underling its inhibitory effects on bioenergetic production and anti-cancer action. We compared its effects on FAO and glycolysis in multiple human cancer cell lines of different lineages.

Applied Machine Learning In Extrusion-Based Bioprinting, Shuyu Tian

Theses and Dissertations

Optimization of extrusion-based bioprinting (EBB) parameters have been systematically conducted through experimentation. However, the process is time and resource-intensive and not easily translatable across different laboratories. A machine learning (ML) approach to EBB parameter optimization can accelerate this process for laboratories across the field through training using data collected from published literature. In this work, regression-based and classification-based ML models were investigated for their abilities to predict printing outcomes of cell viability and filament diameter for cell-containing alginate and gelatin composite hydrogels. Regression-based models were investigated for their ability to predict suitable extrusion pressure given desired cell viability when keeping …

Identification Of New Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Pfas) In Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (Afff), Venus Rivera Larson

Theses and Dissertations

The extraordinary number of unknown per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) necessitates identifying the substances as a first step to understanding them and their risks. From an environmental engineering perspective (preventing, controlling, and remediating), PFAS remediation and control measures are only as effective as the tools used to detect them. Focusing on aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), several researchers have elucidated the structures of unknown PFAS, with each study accomplishing PFAS identification differently. A range of software and practices were used to improve mass spectrometry (MS) results or elucidate chemical structures. Different identification approaches were compared in the current research, including suspected …

An Evaluation Of Ci Asteroid Regolith As A Plant Growth Medium For Space Crop Production, Steven Jon Russell

Theses and Dissertations

Asteroids are small, undifferentiated bodies that materialized during the formation epoch of the solar system. With a concerted effort to establish a long-term presence in space, crewed missions to asteroids should not be ignored. A critical aspect of human missions is self-sustainability, primarily growing crops via in-situ resource utilization. CI carbonaceous asteroids are a primitive type of asteroid that retain elements found during that early solar system formation. More importantly, the regolith on these asteroids contains soluble elemental nutrients, such as phosphorous and potassium, that crops can use for growth and development. This thesis focuses on the ability of CI …

Computational Studies Of Metal-Substituted Systems And Development Of Machine Learning Within Gvvpt2, Minh Duong Popis

Theses and Dissertations

Computational electronic structure theory has become an inexorable engine for understanding and even predicting the properties of novel molecules and materials. In this dissertation, two types of novel metal-containing systems, one a material and one a molecule, were examined using ab initio methods. In addition, progress on using machine learning (ML) to systematize the selection of qualitatively correct descriptions of molecular systems were examined.The ever-increasing demand for smaller, faster, and cheaper electronics has fueled the ongoing search for new materials. Silicene, a two-dimensional (2D) monolayer of silicon (Si) atoms arranging in a honeycomb lattice, has attracted much attention because of …

“Sometimes Education Will Help You Lead The Life That You Really Want To Lead”: Factors Influencing Undergraduate Women’S Motivation To Pursue A Bachelor’S Degree, Debra Lynne Radi

Theses and Dissertations

As a collective, women’s experience in higher education has been disparate and differential to some men’s experience over the last two centuries, fundamentally based on the societal influences of the time. In the formative years of higher education women attended higher education institutions for social stratification reasons or for marital choice opportunities and to a lesser degree for college outcomes. This study’s purpose was to explore the current motivations of freshmen individuals who identified as female undergraduate students in their first year of pursuing a bachelor’s degree in higher education. This study used a qualitative research design with semi-structured interviews …

Neuropsychological Implications Of Nocturnal Hypoxemia In Sickle Cell Disease, Sheena Ram

Theses and Dissertations

Neuropsychological impairments have been observed in both individuals with sleep-disordered breathing and in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD), but there has been little research on the potential effect of sleep-disordered breathing on neuropsychological function in individuals with SCD. This study aims to examine the effect nocturnal oxygen desaturations have on neuropsychological functioning in individuals with sickle cell disease when compared to those with non-sickle anemia and healthy controls. Thirty-four participants with SCD, 18 non-sickle anemia controls (ACTL), and 29 healthy controls (CTL), ages 9 to 63 years, participating in an IRB-approved Children’s Hospital Los Angeles study of cerebral blood …

Social And Human Capital Contributions Of Diverse Board Members, Sharifa Ife Batts

Theses and Dissertations

While most firms serve a diverse population, many have no minorities or women serving as Members on their board. Boards are disadvantaged when their composition fails to align with Their employee population or the stakeholder groups they serve; they are neglecting the Contributions of women and minorities as their voices are unheard. The purpose of this multiple Case comparison study builds on current boardroom diversity and board effectiveness research by Exploring how the unique human and social capital contributions of women and minority board Members increase the boards’ capabilities and impact board governance. I qualitatively examined Six boards of varied …

Biomass-Derived Electrode Materials And Sustainable Processes For Supercapacitors, Katelyn M. Shell

Theses and Dissertations

Biomass is one of the most abundant natural resources and has been used as a source of energy for thousands of years. Biomass as a precursor for energy storage materials is still relatively novel and faces several obstacles before becoming commonly used in today’s electrical devices. Currently, energy storage devices, such as batteries, capacitors, and supercapacitors, utilize petroleum-derived graphitic carbons for anodes, generating a need for more sustainable materials. Biomass, as a carbon-rich source for electrode materials, presents a viable and economically feasible alternative due to the prevalent lignocellulosic compounds: lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose. Preliminary studies on the solid residues …