Digital Commons Network^™

Molecular And Clinical Insights Into Role Of Gper In Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Hcc), Hossain Ahmed

Theses and Dissertations

Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), encompassing stages from steatosis (MASLD) to steatohepatitis (MASH), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, yet molecular markers of progression remain limited. The G protein–coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), a non-genomic estrogen receptor with metabolic and anti-inflammatory roles, emerges as a candidate regulator in hepatic pathophysiology. In this Dissertation thesis, we have delineated for the first time clinicopathological assessment of liver biopsies across MASLD stages revealing a robust inverse correlation between GPER expression and disease severity. Higher GPER levels in early MASLD associated with favorable metabolic and biochemical profiles, …

Insights Gained From Applying Molecular Techniques To Gray Triggerfish (Balistes Capriscus Gmelin, 1789) In The Mexican Caribbean, The Southern And Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Geaceli G. Orive

Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on Balistes capriscus (Gray Triggerfish), a reef-associated species dependent on hard-bottom habitats in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Using mitochondrial DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analyses, genetic structure across four sites was assessed: Rio Grande Valley (RGV), Veracruz, Chinchorro Bank, and Xahuayxol. Samples from RGV and Veracruz exhibited limited haplotype diversity, minimal nucleotide divergence, and weak genetic differentiation-patterns consistent with recent population expansion and ongoing connectivity within the GOM. While the study centered on B. capriscus, all individuals from Chinchorro and Xahuayxol unexpectedly grouped with Canthidermis maculata (Spotted Oceanic Triggerfish), suggesting misidentification, cryptic diversity, or taxonomic uncertainty in …

Characterizing Host And Viral Factors Relevant To Turkey Hemorrhagic Enteritis Virus-Induced Immunosuppression, Abraham Quaye

Theses and Dissertations

Turkey hemorrhagic enteritis virus (THEV) is an adenovirus (AdV) that causes hemorrhagic enteritis (HE) in turkeys, a debilitating disease affecting predominantly 6-12-week-old turkey poults characterized by immunosuppression (IMS) and intestinal lesions leading to bloody diarrhea. Although a naturally-occurring avirulent THEV strain has been adopted as live vaccine and has proven effective at preventing HE in turkeys, it still retains its immunosuppressive ability. Thus, vaccinated birds are rendered more susceptible to opportunistic infections and death than unvaccinated cohorts, leading to substantial economic losses. This dissertation focuses on elucidating both host and viral factors mediating THEV-induced IMS in turkeys. As THEV gene …

Characterizing Gastric Cancer Tumor Immune Microenvironment Through Extracellular Vesicles, Claire Elizabeth Bruno

Theses and Dissertations

The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) critically influences cancer progression and determining therapeutic response. As immunotherapies continue to improve and reshape cancer treatments, there is a need for tools that can more efficiently and accurately assess and monitor the TIME. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially small EVs (sEVs), are lipid-bound nanoparticles that carry proteins, DNA, and RNA reflective of their cell of origin, offering a novel, non-invasive biomarker of the TIME. This makes them a promising candidate for immune profiling and treatment monitoring in cancer. This thesis investigates the potential of EVs as biomarkers for TIME composition and immune activity. An analysis …

Selenium Nanoparticles Synthesized By Pulsed Laser Ablation In Liquids For Antimicrobial Applications, Tina Hesabizadeh

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to synthesize selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquids (PLAL) and investigate their antibacterial and biological effects, particularly their impact on cell viability and related biological responses. Spherical amorphous Se NPs were produced by irradiating a selenium target using a combination of bottom- and top-ablation protocols. After autoclaving, the amorphous Se NPs were converted into trigonal Se NPs. Se NPs were characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The biological effects of Se NPs were quantitatively assessed through evaluations of cell viability and associated …

Transformation With Genes To Improve Lipid Production And Barcoding To Identify Unknown Algal Species, Michelle T. Rada

Theses and Dissertations

With the rising demand for alternative fuels, algal-based biofuels are a promising, sustainable source that meets commercial interest while producing lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. This thesis explored two studies, evaluating microalgae for their future potential in lipid yield for biofuel production.

The first study involved developing a cost-efficient electroporation protocol that allowed for the genetic transformation of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using the pChlamy_4 vector, which supports future cloning of genes to enhance lipid production. Parameters affecting DNA uptake and integration into algal genomes were studied: the effect of cell density, the settings of the electroporation device, and …

Pre-Service Teachers’ Perceptions Of Creativity In Education, Merve Topak-Jamsran

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between pre-service teachers’ self-reported creativity and their appreciation for students’ creative characteristics. The researcher replicated Kettler et al.'s (2018) "Teacher Perceptions of Creativity in the Classroom" study of in-service teachers. Specifically, the relationship among pre-service teachers’ creative self-efficacy, self-reported personal creativity, perceived importance of promoting creativity, and their preference for student characteristics in the classroom was investigated. Data were gathered using a web-based questionnaire e-mailed to pre-service teachers in educational preparation programs in a southern U.S. state. The study sample were 92 pre-service teachers who had completed at least one practicum or who were currently …

Study Of Anomalous Variations In Seismic And Non-Seismic Parameters Using Machine Learning Techniques To Develop The Earthquake Forecasting Model In The Himalayan Belt, Senthil Kumar M

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding and forecasting earthquakes is not just about science it’s about saving lives, even as the dynamic and hidden nature of Earth's tectonic processes makes this an intricate challenge. The Himalayan belt is one of the most seismically active regions globally due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Investigating this region is essential for understanding highly complicated tectonic mechanisms and reducing substantial hazards posed to millions of people by persistent and intense seismic events. This study aims to enhance forecasting methodologies by applying machine learning techniques while dealing with the inherent challenges of geological complexity and …

Design And Investigation Of Triarylamine Functionalized Luminophores For Multi-Functional And Stimuli-Responsive Applications, Sasikala R

Theses and Dissertations

Organic solid-state fluorescent materials have garnered attention over many decades in virtue of their contribution in the development of LED devices and biomedical applications. Nevertheless, the potential of fluorescent molecules in device applications was underused due to aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect. The ACQ effect commonly quenches the organic molecules fluorescence intensity in the aggregated or condensed state, which can significantly influence their performance in practical applications.

The organic polyaromatic fluorophores exhibit strong fluorescence in the solution state. After culmination of years of work, Prof. Tang’s research group discovered a new phenomenon of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) in the fluorescence molecules constructed …

Incorporating Industry-Standard Technical Writing Into A Materials Testing Laboratory, Caleb Levi Head

Theses and Dissertations

The fluid analysis and materials testing laboratories are crucial for engineering students to learn experimental procedures and data interpretation. Engineers spend a significant portion of their workday on report writing, yet many feel their undergraduate education did not adequately prepare them for this task. At the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, students were given an industry-influenced lab report template to expand their knowledge of the necessary information required in technical writing, thereby teaching and improving their technical writing skills actively. These reports were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively against previous submissions over two semesters in the mechanical engineering fluids and …

Algorithmic Optimization Of Filter Bank: Harnessing Rapid Convergence And Its Applications, Keerthana B Ms

Theses and Dissertations

A novel optimization framework is proposed for the design of both uniform and non-uniform filter banks, aimed at improving the accuracy and computational efficiency of biomedical signal classification tasks, with a particular emphasis on the detection of sleep disorders and Alzheimer’s disease.The proposed algorithm is grounded in multirate signal processing theory and aims to achieve Near Perfect Reconstruction (NPR) with minimal computational overhead. The process begins with the optimization of a uniform cosine-modulated filter bank (CMFB), achieved through iterative frequency-domain analysis and parameter tuning. This is followed by the derivation of a non-uniform filter bank via selective merging of bandpass …

Algorithmic Optimization Of Filter Bank: Harnessing Rapid Convergence And Its Applications, Keerthana B

Theses and Dissertations

A novel optimization framework is proposed for the design of both uniform and non-uniform filter banks, aimed at improving the accuracy and computational efficiency of biomedical signal classification tasks, with a particular emphasis on the detection of sleep disorders and Alzheimer’s disease. The proposed algorithm is grounded in multirate signal processing theory and aims to achieve Near Perfect Reconstruction (NPR) with minimal computational overhead. The process begins with the optimization of a uniform cosine-modulated filter bank (CMFB), achieved through iterative frequency-domain analysis and parameter tuning.

This is followed by the derivation of a non-uniform filter bank via selective merging of …

Detection Of Neuron Derived Cfdna In Blood Plasma: A New Diagnostic Approach For Neurodegenerative Conditions, Chad Alan Pollard

Theses and Dissertations

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are characterized by the progressive loss of distinct neuronal subtypes, yet current diagnostic tools are either invasive, limited in resolution, or poorly suited for early detection and longitudinal monitoring. This dissertation began with a proof-of- concept study using bisulfite-PCR at a neuron-enriched locus to detect cortical neuron-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in AD plasma samples, establishing the potential of cfDNA as a marker of neuronal injury. Building on these preliminary findings, a novel framework was developed utilizing Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) to profile genome-wide native DNA …

Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor Effects On The Mesolimbic Dopamine Circuitry And Adaptations With Chronic Ethanol Exposure, Rachel Ji-Hyae Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

The mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system contributes to reward and reinforcement learning for ethanol (EtOH). The nucleus accumbens (NAc) receives DA input from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) encoding rewarding information. Acute EtOH increases NAc DA levels, and this DA response is attenuated with chronic EtOH exposure. Furthermore, chronic EtOH results in reduced DA release, increased DA clearance and presynaptic D2-type auto-receptor sensitization. Further research into EtOH-induced neural adaptations that modulate NAc DA release is explored herein, including changes in cholinergic interneurons (CIN), which are known regulators of DA transmission. One potential class of regulators are immune related cytokines, that can …

A Predictive Framework For Early Detection And Personalised Monitoring Of Parkinson’S Disease Using Artificial Intelligence And Large Language Models, Priyadharshini S

Theses and Dissertations

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a multifaceted and progressive neurodegenerative disorder that presents a spectrum of motor and non-motor symptoms. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective disease management and improved patient outcomes, yet remains clinically challenging due to symptom overlap and diagnostic limitations. This thesis proposes a comprehensive and interpretable artificial intelligence (AI)-driven diagnostic framework that aims to transform the early detection, personalised monitoring, and treatment recommendation process for PD. The proposed solution integrates deep learning, radiomics, evolutionary optimisation, and large language models (LLMs), ensuring a highly accurate and clinically adaptable system.

The research begins by analysing T2-weighted 3D …

Advancing Eye-Gaze Writing Systems With Computer Vision, And Dynamic Text Suggestions, Walid Abdallah Shobaki

Theses and Dissertations

Eye gaze writing, a novel interaction modality, has the potential to revolutionize communication for individuals with limited mobility. In our research, we investigated the deep learning algorithms efficiency for real-time eye gaze writing. We have compared many algorithms' performance in many computer vision areas, such as object detection in which we used first YOLOv8, the second algorithm SSD, and the third algorithm is Faster R-CNN, the second computer vision area is the image segmentation in which we used DeepLab and U-Net, and the last computer vision area is self-supervised learning we have used SimCLR algorithm. By evaluating these models on …

Design & Development Of Efficient Biometric Authentication And Key Agreement Schemes For Wireless Body Area Network, Aarthi S

Theses and Dissertations

Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) play a vital role in continuous health monitoring, where sensitive biometric and physiological data must be protected from privacy breaches and emerging quantum-based threats. Conventional security mechanisms are often inadequate due to resource constraints, scalability issues, and vulnerability to advanced attacks. To address these challenges, this research proposes a lightweight, scalable, and future-proof security framework tailored for WBAN applications, focusing on secure communication, privacy preservation, and quantum resilience.

An anonymous Certificate-Based Signcryption–Mutual Authentication and Key Agreement (CBS-MAKE) protocol is introduced to secure extra-body communications while ensuring patient anonymity. The protocol integrates Elliptic Curve Cryptography with …

Comunidades Y Vacunas: Findings On Vaccine Hesitancy In Latine Families With Autistic Children, Danica Leticia Limon-Mialkowski

Theses and Dissertations

Parent vaccine hesitancy (VH) and subsequent vaccine refusal for children has escalated in the U.S. over the past several years and is more common among parents with an autistic child compared to the general population (Zerbo et al., 2018). This is an important issue to address given that VH has led to a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases (DeStefano & Shimabukuro, 2019; Geoghegan, et al., 2020). Research shows that VH is affected by parent cultural background (Fombonne et al., 2020) and that minoritized groups are more likely to experience VH (48.1% in parents of color [POC] groups versus 22.9% in White …

White Students' Perceptions Of Campus Racial Climate And White Racial Identity Development At A Predominately White Liberal Arts Institution, Katie O'Brien

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study is to examine the perceptions of White students about campus racial climate at a predominantly White liberal arts college in connection with students’ White racial identity development and liberal arts curriculum. The research study aims to promote a better understanding of campus racial climate at PWIs from the perspective of White students to provide insights on ways to improve campus racial climate, specifically for students of color. The data for this project were primarily collected through semi-structured qualitative interviews with White students. Quantitative data was also collected in the form of a racial attitudes assessment …

Novel Piperidone And Bispidine Derivatives: A New Approach In Cancer Therapy, Lereen Khaled Youssry

Theses and Dissertations

Cancer remains the second leading cause of death worldwide. As a result, scientists have been trying to find novel therapeutic approaches that target specific metabolic pathways selective to tumor cells. In this study, two novel piperidone and bispidine derivatives, organic molecules that target polyamine metabolism, were synthesized, and their potential cytotoxic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were investigated. Polyamines are naturally occurring metabolites that were reported to be in excess at cancer cells and were accounted for tumor proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Accordingly, the novel piperidone and bispidine derivatives were expected to disrupt tumor growth and progression via up-regulation of key …

Examining Enrollment Populations At A Predominantly White Research Institution In The Northeast United States, Terrence Calvin Harris

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative critical race case study investigates the underrepresentation of Black and Latinx students at Heister University, a predominantly White public research institution in the Northeastern United States. Despite its location near two diverse cities and its reputation as an affordable, high-quality university, its student body remains disproportionately White. This study explores whether admissions and recruitment policies, either overtly or covertly, contribute to systemic barriers limiting access for students from minoritized groups. Using Critical Race Theory and Colorblindness Ideology, the research examines the intersection of race, policy, and institutional practice through interviews policy reviews, demographic data. Findings reveal that “inclusive” …

The Construction Of Ph- And Temperature-Responsive Drug Delivery Systems Based On Metal Organic Frameworks And Phase Change Materials, Wanying Wei

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, core-shell microparticles were synthesized using coaxial electrospray techniques, with Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 encapsulating either Rhodamine B or Doxorubicin in the core. ZIF-8 is a material well regarded for its effectiveness in drug delivery systems. Phase change materials are composed of a 4:1 mixture of lauric acid and stearic acid in the shell. The PCM chosen has a melting point close to physiological body temperature. The structural morphology and thermal stability of the microparticles were confirmed using Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-ray Diffraction, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Thermogravimetric Analysis, and Infrared Spectroscopy. The release of the drug was influenced by …

High- Speed Wireless Interference Separation Based On Photonic Deep Learning Accelerators And Three-Dimensional Image Reconstruction For Medical Applications, Taichu Shi

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is centered on fast wideband interference management through advanced photonic signal processing and hybrid communication architectures. The core of this work is based on an optical pulse sampling technique proposed for photonic blind source separation (BSS) to recover wideband signals from their sub-Nyquist samples. With the use of ultra-short optical pulses to obtain statistically representative samples, this method retains important statistical properties of the signals while significantly reducing constraints imposed by analog to digital conversion and digital signal processing. Building on this foundation, we further apply the photonic BSS system within a hybrid free space optical (FSO) and …

A New Approach To Stability Of Delay Differential Equations With Time-Varying Delays Via Isospectral Reduction, Quinlan Leishman

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding how time delays impact the stability of a delay differential equation is important for modeling many natural and technological systems that experience time delays. Here we introduce a new stability criterion for delay-independent stability of these equations, called intrinsic stability, showing global exponential stability for a large class of nonautonomous nonlinear systems. Our approach is able to incorporate bounded time-varying delays, including those with certain types of discontinuities. The approach we take to prove this result is novel, associating the delay differential equation with a sequence of finite-dimensional matrices of increasing size and using the graph-theoretic technique of isospectral …

Enhancing Employment Readiness Of Information Technology (It) Professionals Of India - A Talent Refactoring Approach, Lakshminarayanan K.V

Theses and Dissertations

The Indian Information Technology (IT) sector is undergoing significant transformation due to the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, cloud computing, and cyber-physical systems. These changes have redefined workforce expectations, shifting employment readiness from mere technical competence to a holistic combination of adaptability, behavioral attributes, and continuous learning capabilities. In this context, the study proposes a Talent Refactoring Framework to address employability in a rapidly evolving VUCA–BANI environment by integrating organizational, career-oriented, and individual dimensions.

A review of existing literature reveals notable gaps in understanding employment readiness as an ecosystemic and psycho-social construct, particularly …

Non-Invasive Near-Field Microwave Sensors For Industrial Internet Of Things Applications, Abirami K

Theses and Dissertations

The industrial sector has been revolutionized by Industrial Revolution 4.0 with the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) which integrates the physical environment using smart sensors and Artificial Intelligence (AI) mechanisms. This demands the design of smart sensors and actuators to improve the quality of services in Industrial IoT (IIoT). The sensor design using the microwave resonating principle has attracted the research and industrial community for portable, non-invasive, non-destructive and hygienic means to evaluate the quality of substances in the food and farming industry. The microwave planar sensor has advantages in terms of low footprint, low cost, and ease …

Synthesis And Evaluation Of Novobiocin Analogues As Potential Inhibitors Of Polymerase Theta Polθ In Dna Damage And Repair, Mohammed Essam Albuhluli

Theses and Dissertations

Killing tumors while leaving normal cells unharmed is the goal of precision cancer therapy, a challenging feat that is enabled by targeting tumor-specific vulnerabilities [1]. Targeting Polθ potentiates PARP inhibitors (PARPi) in specifically killing homology-directed repair (HDR)-deficient tumor cells and re-sensitize PARPi resistant tumor cells [1]. The induced essentiality between Polθ and HDR-deficiency underscores the value of Polθ as a therapeutic target in the context of tumors with HDR genetic mutations [1]. The helicase-like domain (HLD) is a super family 2 (SF2)-type domain with DNA-dependent ATPase activity [1]. We previously discovered that the antibiotic NVB acts as an inhibitor of …

Investigating Individual Variability In Autistic Identity And Its Moderating Effects On Mental Health And Quality Of Life, Sydney Richelle Terroso

Theses and Dissertations

The autistic community has long voiced the mental health of autistic adults as a key clinical and research priority. Autistic identity, or the recognition and embrace of core autistic traits as integral to an individual's identity as a whole, may be a potential target for therapeutic approaches aimed at supporting well-being and quality of life. The current study investigates individual differences in self-reported autistic identity scores by demographic factors and by features of autism and health history using online survey data from N=225 autistic adults. Additionally, with a subset of the participants who completed an interconnected study of current mental …

Social Comparison Target Selections As Health Information Preferences: Exploring Contextual Influences Among Women In Midlife With Elevated Risk For Cardiovascular Disease, Emmanuel Lapitan

Theses and Dissertations

Insufficient physical activity (PA) heightens the risk of chronic illnesses including cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly among women in midlife with conditions such as hypertension. Behavioral interventions often use psychoeducation and skills training to increase PA, but how individuals interact with health-relevant information and how this relates to daily PA behavior is unclear. Health information preferences vary between individuals, but whether they vary for the same individual across contexts has been understudied. In particular, the role of contextual factors in predicting social comparison (i.e., evaluating oneself relative to others to obtain information about oneself) are not well understood. The purpose of …

Circannual And Kinship Cues Shape Reproduction And Epigenetic Aging In Peromyscus, Kim Tuyen Huynh Dam

Theses and Dissertations

Evolutionary success is defined by the ability of a species to adapt and survive across many generations. This success is not determined by any single attribute but rather includes the entrenched, complex system that could be associated with biological rhythms, reproductive strategies, and regulations of epigenetic and genetic components. By using closed Peromyscus colonies as a model and by coupling mathematical modeling, analyses of breeding records, epigenetic studies, and in vitro and in vivo experiments, this dissertation aims to discover how Peromyscus adjusts to the internal and external pressures to ensure their survival and preserve evolutionary fitness in controlled environments. …