Digital Commons Network^™

Identification Of Novel Argonaute Proteins Using A Metagenomic Mining Approach, Lobna Abdallah Ghonaim

Theses and Dissertations

Gene editing is one of the most promising tools in science. It enables precise modifications of an organism's genetic material. Metagenomics is considered a powerful tool that unlocks the broad genetic potential found in uncultured microbial communities. Exploring the genetic diversity of uncultured microbial communities helps identify novel functional proteins with unique properties and make the best use of these diverse microbial ecosystems.

We developed and employed a metagenomic-based approach to mine more than 1000 metagenomes for prokaryotic argonaute proteins (pAgos), a potential gene editing machinery encoded in bacterial and archaeal genomes. Our workflow involved strict quality control, sequence assembly, …

The Legal Framework Of Foster Care In Egypt: A Gender Analysis Of Alternative Families And Patrilineal Structures, Amira Fadel

Theses and Dissertations

The thesis explores women’s legal representation and agency over their non-biological children, and how the foster care system in Egypt either reinforces or deconstructs existing gender roles. Hence from a sociological perspective, it accounts for foster and alternative care laws in Egypt and the amendments thereof, to examine social relationships against the backdrop of more conventional, biological families, and kinship relations. In simple terms, studying foster and alternative care laws in Egypt is crucial to grasp how non-biological families are shaped in comparison to the more conventional bonds within biological families and traditional kinship relations, while accounting for the Christian …

Interfacial Phenomena In Molten Salt Systems And Wetting Transitions In Microcavities, Aaron Essilfie

Theses and Dissertations

Interfacial phenomena are the processes that occur at the interface between two phases of matter: solid-liquid, solid-gas, liquid-liquid, and liquid-gas. Wetting, spreading, adsorption, and capillarity are some features of interfacial phenomena. This research explores two areas of interfacial phenomena: the interfacial tension between a liquid and gas, and wetting transitions in microcavities. Surface tension has been a widely studied topic in surface chemistry. Many techniques have been employed to study the surface tension of liquids in various studies and research areas, but the interfacial tension between a liquid and gas has not been extensively researched. For this reason, part of …

Tailor-Designed Oxalic Acid-Crosslinked Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Chitosan Biodegradable Films For Active Food Packaging Applications, Reem Hazem Fathy Anwar Elaasar

Theses and Dissertations

Food packaging plastic waste is posing great threats to ecosystems, human health, and the planet's overall sustainability; therefore, research has been directed towards the fabrication of biodegradable food packaging materials. In this study, active and biodegradable oxalic acid (OA) crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/chitosan (CS) composite films of different weight ratios were synthesized via the solvent casting technique and their food packaging properties were investigated. Owing to its water resistance and antibacterial superiority, the composite film with the ratio of OA chemically crosslinked PVA/CS 80:20 was elected to be coated with green tea extract (GTE) to ameliorate its antibacterial and antioxidant …

The Effect Of Age Of Acquisition On The Development Of Lexical Attainment And Oral Proficiency In English As L2 In Adult Native Arabic Speakers, Mona Ahmed Kamar El-Zaman

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the influence of the age of acquisition (AoA) on the development of lexical attainment and oral proficiency in English as a second language (L2) among adult native Arabic speakers, focusing on classroom foreign language learners within the Egyptian context. AoA, a critical variable in second language acquisition (SLA) research, is explored in relation to two key domains: lexical knowledge and oral proficiency. The study examines the role of AoA and AoA related effects, such as the order of bilingualism and the length of exposure to rich language input (LoE) as a confounding factor. Through a mixed-methods approach, …

Adapting Biological Mechanisms Into Machine Learning Structures And Gradient Propagation, Hao Yu

Theses and Dissertations

As neuromorphic computing gains traction, researchers look for learning schemes that are more suitable for brain-like structures. Although many algorithms have been discovered, such as surrogate gradient or Spike Timing Dependent Plasticity, those algorithms are either unsuitable for on-chip training or not biologically aligned. The goal of this thesis is to discover a learning algorithm which is biologically aligned and suitable for on-chip training. Through the discoveries of our two papers, we are able to introduce the concepts of synaptic clefts and neurotransmitters into a common spiking neuron network. We also designed an error propagation method aligning with biology. With …

A Collective History On Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency (Arora) And Their Adaptation To Donation Culture, Tara Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency (ARORA) is continually addressing the organ shortage in Arkansas by increasing organ and tissue donation rates in Arkansas. Hospitals, Funeral Homes, and other referral partners collaborated with ARORA in their efforts to increase organ and tissue donation. Interviews from former and current ARORA employees, along with data analysis, highlight how ARORA worked to honor Arkansans decision to be a registered donor while also improving the procurement of organs. The findings reveal how ARORA adapted to donation culture related to public, cooperation with referral partners, among other barriers to create ARORA’s mission of “Restoring Lives” This …

Agricultural Drought Prediction From Multispectral Image Processing Using Deep Learning Models, Gowri L

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate and timely prediction of agricultural droughts is fundamental to the management of ecosystems, preservation of biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. It helps to reduce environmental exploitation, promotes eco-friendly irrigation techniques, and tackles climate change efficiently. Its social implications include food safety and financial stability through continuous rural employment. Drought prediction guarantees social progress and sustainability by ensuring zero hunger/poverty and effective water management. A multi-sensor image pre-processing framework that incorporates data from various satellite platforms like Landsat (30 metres), Sentinel-2 (10 metres, 20 metres, 30 metres), and MODIS (500 metres) is used to monitor and assess agricultural drought effectively.

Analysis …

A Geomatic Appraisal On Restoration Of Tank Cascade Systems In Ambuliyar Watershed, Tamilnadu, Nasir N

Theses and Dissertations

Tanks and earthen embankments used for water harvesting and storage have been a significant part of India's irrigation system since the 2nd and 3rd centuries. In Tamil Nadu, around 39,202 tanks have storage capacities of around 178.94 million cubic feet. However, they have been impacted by natural and anthropogenic threats such as soil erosion, siltation, inadequate rainfall, and drought. This study aims to determine the current storage capacity of tanks, estimate the loss in storage capacity/volume of silt, estimate the rate of siltation and life of tanks, identify soil erosion-prone zones, and map deteriorating parameters along supply channels.

The study …

Inhibition Of Lysine Deacetylase Activity Impacts Formation Of The Vitamin D Receptor Activation Complex, Shannon Dwyer

Theses and Dissertations

The vitamin D endocrine system is responsible for the regulation of many biological processes including bone metabolism, calcium homeostasis, cell proliferation and cell differentiation. Alterations to the vitamin D signaling pathway are associated with several diseases including bone diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Vitamin D precursors are chemically modified to become the biologically active hormone, calcitriol. Calcitriol binds to the vitamin D receptor (VDR), a member of the nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) superfamily. VDR forms a heterodimer with retinoid X receptor (RXR) and together they bind to promoters containing vitamin D response elements (VDREs) to activate transcription …

Investigating The Risk And Protective Factors Of Internet Addiction Among Adolescents Through The Lens Of Cognitive Behavioral Theory: A Cross-Sectional Study, Noura Shaltout

Theses and Dissertations

—Introduction: The Internet has become a central part of modern life, enhancing education, providing means of global communication, and facilitating access to information and entertainment. However, an attendant risk of excessive Internet use is becoming unconsciously addicted to virtual online activities, especially when large tech companies design their products in a way that makes them addictive to users. These companies have the tools and knowledge that allow them to manipulate and transform the behavior of their target audience. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the potential risk and protective factors for Internet addiction among adolescents. Methodology: This cross-sectional study employed …

Breaking Taboos: Syrian Women Reshaping Gender Roles In Zarqa, Jordan, Farah Qonaish

Theses and Dissertations

This research explores the changes in gender roles among Syrian refugee women in Jordan. Since 2011, more than a million Syrian refugees have settled in Jordan. Around 83% of Syrian refugees have resided in host communities in Jordan and around 70% of the Syrian population come from the rural areas in Syria refugees. Syrian refugees have experienced change on different levels of their lives since the beginning of the displacement. This ethnographic study was conducted in Zarqa, a major city in the middle region of Jordan, and a major host community for Syrian refugees in Jordan. The city is known …

Rethinking Rupture And Continuity: Al-Jarād And Khamāsīn, Two Poetry Magazines Of The Egyptian 1990s, Caroline Benson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes two Egyptian poetry magazines, al-Jarād and Khamāsīn, to enrich critical understanding of the Egyptian literary 1990s. It uses The Rules of Art: Genesis and Structure of the Literary Field (Les Règles de l’art: Genèse et structure du champ littéraire), Pierre Bourdieu’s 1992 sociological study of the literary field, as a theoretical framework. Numerous scholars have noted that the “nineties generation” is known for its aversion to politics, ideologies, and collectivities; its rupture with stylistic and thematic conventions of its predecessors; and its turn away from the “major issues” (al-qaḍāyah al-kubrā) of the …

Functional Dissection Of The Periplasmic Domain Of Rcsd, The Phosphotransfer Protein Of Escherichia Coli Rcs System, Abdelraouf Dapour

Theses and Dissertations

Microbial resistance to antibiotics poses a major health threat worldwide, prompting the scientific community to dedicate considerable efforts toward understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying this resistance. The Gram-negative cell envelope serves as a formidable barrier to environmental stressors and numerous antimicrobials. In E. coli and other enterobacteria, the Rcs system (Regulator of capsule synthesis) is a crucial two-component signalling pathway that plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the bacterial envelope. One unique aspect of the Rcs system is the involvement of several auxiliary proteins in its signalling cascade. Among them, RcsD, an inner membrane 100 kDa protein, …

Evaluating The Performance Of Broccoli (Brassica Oleracea Var. Italica) In The Sandponics System Using Brackish Water With Biochar And Compost, Gabriel Oyebode

Theses and Dissertations

Some of the most pronounced effects of climate change on agricultural output include the depletion of freshwater resources and heightened salinization of arable land, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, adversely affecting crop yields. Many economic vegetable crops including members of the brassica family are sensitive to salt-stress. The use of organic soil amendments such as biochar and compost as complimentary nutrient sources in the sandponics system can improve the performance of crops. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic amendment on the growth performance and yield of broccoli and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under brackish …

The Role Of Biofilm Matrix On The Growth, Survival, And Diagnosis In Enterobacteriaceae, Kavi Bharathi R

Theses and Dissertations

Bacteria in nature live together encased in a matrix creating community ecosystems called biofilms, this structured space protects them from hostile environments. This study aimed to understand the role of the biofilm matrix in the growth and survival of Enterobacteriaceae. Our hypothesis proposes that subgroups of individuals within a biofilm can specialize in the production of different matrix components.

Matrix expression is metabolically costly, despite its unicellular simplicity, microbes can coordinate complex behaviour like sharing of matrix between producers and non-producers as an adept evolutionary strategy. Their resilience to stress during biofilm formation was studied to assess their abilities to …

Behavioral And Neuroactivational Correlates Of Psychosocial Stress-Induced Cocaine Seeking In The Rat, Nicole Hinds

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Nicole Maria Hinds BEHAVIORAL AND NEUROACTIVATIONAL CORRELATES OF PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESS-INDUCED COCAINE SEEKING IN THE RAT 2024 Molecular Cell Biology & Neuroscience Doctor of Philosophy Cocaine Use Disorder is characterized by a high risk for relapse that can persist over extended periods of abstinence. Psychosocial stressors are well-established to promote drug craving and relapse in humans but have rarely been employed in preclinical relapse models. Consequently, the underlying neural circuitry by which these stressors drive cocaine seeking has not yet been thoroughly explored. This project aimed to identify brain regions recruited during psychosocial stress-induced cocaine seeking in rats, with a …

Plants, Protests, Pachakuti: How Trees March And How People Tree, Ashley A. Lundquist

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the multi-faceted role of plants, specifically Wituk and Manduru, in Amazonian protests and environmental advocacy. By examining the communicative and relational ontologies inherent in Runa culture, the study elucidates how plants influence social movements and contribute to environmental protection. Wituk and Manduru create paint. Paint facilitates good communication which creates good relationality. Good relationality allows for increased capacities and inhibits greedy consumption allowing for a balanced world order. Through the use and agency of Wituk and Manduru, movements become multi-species phenomena in which ecological entities combine with Runa bodies. The relationships shared between Runa, Wituk, and Manduru …

Optimizing The Pass Program: Using Improvement Science To Enhance Holistic Support For First-Year Medical Students, Suzanne Julia Mosko

Theses and Dissertations

Medical students often face unique academic and personal challenges that can hinder their success and well-being, particularly in the first year. This dissertation examines the impact of the Proactive Academic Support System (PASS) Program, a program designed to provide timely, holistic support to first-year medical students. Guided by improvement science and the Universal Design Principles for Student Development Programs and Services framework, the study implemented two change ideas aimed at reducing the time between grade release and PASS meeting completion, thereby enhancing communication and engagement with students. The study focuses on one Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) cycle that assessed …

Role Of An Smc-Like Protein, Recn, In Reca-Mediated Homology Search During Double-Strand Break Repair Via Homologous Recombination, Afroze Abdehaque Chimthanawala

Theses and Dissertations

The most deleterious form of DNA damage is the formation of a double-strand break (DSB). If left unrepaired or repaired incorrectly, DSBs can result in genome rearrangements, mutations, or even cell death. Hence, cells across domains of life have resorted to homologous recombination (HR) for the faithful repair of DSBs. A critical step in homologous recombination is the search for the intact homologous sequence by the break ends, termed ‘homology search’. This process is not well understood in vivo, especially when the break site and intact homologous template are not positioned adjacently.

Spatial reorganization of chromosomes is maintained by structural …

Using Rna-Sequencing To Explore Mechanistic Markers, New Therapeutics, And Immune Imbalance: A Study Of Cancer And Autoimmunity Through The Lens Of Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, And B-Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Naomi Lydia Rapier-Sharman

Theses and Dissertations

Cancer and autoimmune diseases both impose a substantial healthcare burden on the US and world populations. In 2016, there were over 17 million cases of cancer, leading to nearly nine million deaths. Additionally, autoimmune diseases cause substantial mortality and morbidity and are present in 3-5% of the general population. Despite the increased attention scientists now give diseases that are impacted by immune imbalance, we have yet to find regimens to treat the core cause(s) of tissue dysfunction without drastically decreasing the quality of life for many patients with either cancer or autoimmune disease. For instance, anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) …

Securing A Virtual Reality Classroom Using Unity, Okemute Samuel Idonor

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how security features might be incorporated into a Unity created virtual reality (VR) classroom, with a particular emphasis on important concerns including user privacy, data security, and illegal access. The increasing usage of virtual reality (VR) technology in educational settings has made it crucial to ensure the security of these immersive systems, especially when it comes to safeguarding sensitive user data. Designing and implementing a secure VR classroom prototype that could successfully protect against common security concerns, such as unauthorized access and data breaches, was the main goal of this project. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Role-Based Access Control …

Novel Synthetic Circuits For Cellular Theranostic Applications, Leah Nicole Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Cancer is a complex disease that leads to over 600,000 deaths in the United States each year. Immunoengineering, the process of harnessing a patient's immune system to treat disease, has proven to be a promising therapeutic approach for cancer. For example, the FDA has approved seven chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies. However, these therapies address less than 11% of cancers diagnosed in the United States. In this work, we develop innovative tools to enhance immunoengineering and the efficacy of cell therapies like CAR-T. We introduce and validate synthetic phosphorylation networks with fluorescent and luminescent extension (SPN-FLUX), a synthetic receptor …

Mental Rotation: Psychometric Analysis Of The Online Purdue Spatial Visualization Test: Rotations And Relationships Between Mental Rotation Skill And Engineering Undergraduate Success, Savanna Dautle

Theses and Dissertations

“Literature shows that spatial skills, and in particular, mental rotation skills, are predictors of success in STEM. Students who have strong spatial visualization skills are more likely to demonstrate better academic performance and higher graduation rates in STEM. Several instruments are used to measure mental rotation skills, most of which are paper-based… To measure the range of skills typically seen in undergraduate engineering students, the PSVT:R has been historically preferred for its use of a variety of 3-dimensional shapes, which are appropriately challenging to visualize, and for its established reliability and validity [using classical test theory]. An [online] version of …

Investigating The Thermodynamic Properties Of Fat10 And Fat10ylated Proteins, Aravind R

Theses and Dissertations

Degradation of proteins by the proteasome is crucial in regulating protein levels in the cell. Post-translational modifications, such as ubiquitylation and Fat10ylation, trigger proteasomal degradation of the substrate proteins. While ubiquitylation orchestrates multiple cellular processes, Fat10ylation is primarily involved in the inflammatory response. Unlike ubiquitin, recycled upon substrate degradation, Fat10 is degraded along with its substrate. Although the thermodynamic properties of the substrate are critical for effective proteasomal degradation, they remain poorly understood for the Fat10-proteasome pathway.

Here, we demonstrate that Fat10 exhibits markedly lower thermodynamic stability and faster unfolding kinetics compared to ubiquitin. This is due to the absence …

The Latter-Day Saint Indian Placement Program: An Examination Through An Experiential Lens, Quinn Elise Christiansen

Theses and Dissertations

The Indian Placement Program, operated by the LDS Church from around 1947 to 2000, was influenced by the Church's belief in a connection between Native Americans to a Book of Mormon group known as the Lamanites. This group held a special status within the LDS Church because of their believed Israelite heritage as well as a prophecy promising their conversion in the last days. Spencer W. Kimball, motivated by both personal goals and his authority within the LDS Church, expanded on a successful experience of a young Native girl, Helen John, growing it into the broader Indian Placement Program. This …

Rhythm Machine: Polyrhythmic Dimensions, James Elam

Theses and Dissertations

James Elam combines visual and aural mediums with technology to capture and manipulate sound. Here, Elam discusses how the repetitive elements in his work serve a practical purpose and add a conceptual and tactile layer to his sculptures and echo the hypnotic qualities in his DJ practice.

Resurrection In The Regensburg Pendant: Materials And Iconography, Devotional Object As Sacred Jewelry, Margarita Benacerraf

Theses and Dissertations

The Regensburg butterfly (1310-1320), an exquisitely crafted reliquary pendant, was found in the head of a fourteenth-century crucifix in 1991. The locket’s butterfly shape—and the ways in which the butterfly serves as a metaphor for Christ’s redemption—remains a fascinating window into late medieval Christianity and devotional practices in the medieval world.

Identifying Personality In Reptiles And Assessing Welfare Implications For Their Roles As Ambassador Animals In An Educational Setting, Valery Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined behavioral variability and personality in 13 reptiles used as ambassador animals at the American Museum of Natural History. Observations across seasons and novel object tests revealed individual differences, behavioral components, and correlations. Findings emphasize reptilian complexity, highlighting welfare implications while underscoring the need for further research.

Examining Risk Factors For Comorbidity Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder And Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder In A Sample Of Trauma-Exposed Transgender Adults, Dylan Seeley

Theses and Dissertations

Comorbid PTSD-OCD post trauma exposure is understudied. Little research examines specific risk factors and marginalized populations. This study examined gender-based victimization, emotional avoidance, and executive functioning as risk factors. Findings suggest gender-based victimization is a unique gender minority stressor that may pose significant risk for transgender populations.