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A Retrospective Analysis Of Dental Needs Identified By Intraoral Videography In Elderly Patients With Mild To Moderate Dementia In Long-Term Care Facilities: Feasibility Of A Novel Screening Mechanism For Oral Health, Kevin Hahn Jun 2026

A Retrospective Analysis Of Dental Needs Identified By Intraoral Videography In Elderly Patients With Mild To Moderate Dementia In Long-Term Care Facilities: Feasibility Of A Novel Screening Mechanism For Oral Health, Kevin Hahn

ETDs from 2020-2029

This retrospective analysis explores the viability of employing intraoral videography to identify dental needs among long-term care (LTC) facility residents with cognitive impairment and/or mild to moderate dementia. Inadequate oral hygiene in these individuals can lead to dental plaque buildup, oral dysbiosis, gingivitis, dental caries, and periodontitis. Such conditions can impact both oral and systemic health. However, delivering oral hygiene in LTC facilities faces challenges due to care-resistant behavior triggered during mouth care. And many individuals in residential LTC facilities do not have access to dental care outside of severe emergencies due to cost, reimbursement patterns, lack of access to …

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Optimization Of Post-Curing Conditions For 3d-Printed Dental Restorations: Mechanical And Color Stability Analysis, Mohammed Hammamy Jun 2026

Optimization Of Post-Curing Conditions For 3d-Printed Dental Restorations: Mechanical And Color Stability Analysis, Mohammed Hammamy

ETDs from 2020-2029

Additive manufacturing has become increasingly utilized in dentistry for the fabrication of definitive restorations and provisional prostheses. However, the performance of 3D-printed materials is highly dependent on post-processing procedures, particularly post-curing, which influences the degree of polymerization and final material properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different post-curing protocols on the mechanical performance and color stability of a 3D-printed dental restorative material.Disc-shaped specimens were fabricated using a digital light processing (DLP) 3D printer and subjected to various post-curing conditions, including standard dental LED curing, nitrogen-assisted curing, glycerin immersion curing, Phrozen UV curing, VALO LED …

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A Modular Saponin Adjuvant Platform: Development, Structure–Activity Relationships, And Applications, Di Bai Jun 2026

A Modular Saponin Adjuvant Platform: Development, Structure–Activity Relationships, And Applications, Di Bai

ETDs from 2020-2029

ABSTRACT Saponin-based vaccine adjuvants have attracted considerable attention owing to the clinical success of QS-21, a potent immunostimulant capable of inducing balanced humoral and cellular immune responses, yet its widespread application is limited by supply constraints, chemical instability, and dose-dependent toxicity. To address these challenges, we previously developed two semisynthetic saponin adjuvants, VSA-1 and VSA-2, derived from abundant Momordica saponins through a single-step modification, which exhibit QS-21–comparable immunopotentiating activity with improved accessibility and stability. Here, we first performed a systematic structure–activity relationship (SAR) study of the VSA series using MS I as the lead scaffold. Modulation of the side-chain length …

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Subjection To Chivalry: Agency, Consent, And Assault In Roman De Silence And Sir Gawain And The Green Knight, Jeremy Clay Birchfield Jun 2026

Subjection To Chivalry: Agency, Consent, And Assault In Roman De Silence And Sir Gawain And The Green Knight, Jeremy Clay Birchfield

ETDs from 2020-2029

Violations of consent and sexual assault occurred frequently within the genre of romance popular across medieval England and France during the late Middle Ages. While many of the characters who experienced sexual assault in these pieces of literature were women, “Subjection to Chivalry” investigates two masculine characters whose consent is violated within their respective romances. The essay explores how the experiences of Silence, the Roman de Silence’s protagonist, and Sir Gawain of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight can read as violations of consent and assault at the hands of both male and female aggressors, and questions how those violations …

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Histone Deacetylases In Kidney Injury: Distribution, Injury-Specific Regulation, And Fibroblast Hdac1 Function, Huy Nguyen Jun 2026

Histone Deacetylases In Kidney Injury: Distribution, Injury-Specific Regulation, And Fibroblast Hdac1 Function, Huy Nguyen

ETDs from 2020-2029

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is increasingly recognized as a major contributor to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) through maladaptive repair and interstitial fibrosis. Epigenetic regulation has emerged as a critical factor of kidney injury responses, however the injury-specific and cell-type specific roles of histone deacetylases (HDACs) remain poorly defined. This dissertation investigates the regulation and functional significance of HDACs in kidney injury, with a particular focus on fibroblast HDAC1 as a mediator of interstitial fibrosis development following AKI. In my cisplatin-induced AKI model, a single dose of cisplatin caused a significant decline in kidney function in both male …

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Toothbrush Resistance Of Resin-Based Stain And Glaze Materials Applied To 3d-Printed Denture Resins, Panisa Homyai Jun 2026

Toothbrush Resistance Of Resin-Based Stain And Glaze Materials Applied To 3d-Printed Denture Resins, Panisa Homyai

ETDs from 2020-2029

Background: Three-dimensionally printed (3D-printed) dentures are commonly fabricated using a single tooth-colored resin, after which surface stain and glaze coatings are applied to reproduce gingival coloration, enhance the esthetic appearance and improve clinical longevity of characterized prostheses. However, daily oral hygiene procedures such as toothbrushing degrade surface coatings, leading to discoloration, increased plaque retention, and deterioration of esthetic appearance. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of stain timing and glaze application on the surface gloss and roughness of a three-dimensionally printed denture resin before and after simulated toothbrushing Methods: 80 disc-shaped specimens (12 mm in diameter and 3 mm in thickness) …

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Mindfulness Across Media: Examining The Effects Of Audio, Audio-Visual, And Virtual Reality Mindfulness Interventions On Social Media Mindsets And Psychological Wellbeing, Rashmi Salian Jun 2026

Mindfulness Across Media: Examining The Effects Of Audio, Audio-Visual, And Virtual Reality Mindfulness Interventions On Social Media Mindsets And Psychological Wellbeing, Rashmi Salian

ETDs from 2020-2029

Social media is so deeply ingrained and integrated into daily life that concerns about its impact on psychological wellbeing continue to grow, prompting pressing questions about how to foster healthier and more intentional use of technology. Recent studies suggest that low-agency mindsets toward social media lead users to develop habitual usage patterns and ambiguous information consumption behaviors, both of which negatively impact psychological outcomes. However, limited research is available on mechanisms that could effectively alter these mindsets. This study uses an experimental methodology to investigate whether mindfulness interventions delivered through varying levels of media immersion can improve psychological mindsets toward …

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Bringing Clarity To Tutors' Work: Designing An Effective Writing Center Staff Handbook, Maria Bunting Jun 2026

Bringing Clarity To Tutors' Work: Designing An Effective Writing Center Staff Handbook, Maria Bunting

ETDs from 2020-2029

Writing center literature often focuses on the documents used to justify a center’s role in the larger institution while largely ignoring internal documents that aid in training. By also answering Babcock & Thonus (2012) and Driscoll & Perdue (2014)’s call for more replicable, aggregable, and data-based (RAD) research in writing centers, this study addresses this literature gap by conducting a qualitative study about a newly-implemented handbook at a public R1 university. The author first includes a description of the collaborative document creation process before describing the empirical methods used to assess the handbook’s effectiveness. The findings illustrate how effective handbooks …

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Mechanisms Of Cyst Initiation And Expansion In Polycystic Kidney Disease: Alterations In Tubule Flow Dynamics And P21- Driven Epithelial Reprogramming, Isis Thomas Jun 2026

Mechanisms Of Cyst Initiation And Expansion In Polycystic Kidney Disease: Alterations In Tubule Flow Dynamics And P21- Driven Epithelial Reprogramming, Isis Thomas

ETDs from 2020-2029

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common inherited disorder characterized by progressive cyst formation, kidney enlargement, and eventual renal failure. Mutations in PKD1 or PKD2 disrupt polycystin-mediated mechanosensory signaling in renal epithelial cells, altering calcium signaling, epithelial architecture, and cellular homeostasis. Although cyst expansion has historically been attributed to epithelial hyperproliferation or tubule pinching off to form a cyst that no longer remains connected with the tubule, the early physiological and molecular events that initiate cyst formation remain incompletely understood. This dissertation investigates how alterations in tubule flow dynamics and epithelial stress responses contribute to cyst initiation and …

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Investigation Of Air Emissions With A Local Composites Industry, Chris White Jun 2026

Investigation Of Air Emissions With A Local Composites Industry, Chris White

ETDs from 2020-2029

Workers at an office space raised complaints about a sweet-smelling odor directly outside their building. After an initial assessment of the surrounding businesses and their processes, it was determined that the workers were most likely exposed to styrene emissions from a nearby composites company. This investigation utilizes multiple weeks of direct readings with a photoionization device and active environmental sampling with a charcoal tube and pump to confirm the styrene exposure hypothesis. Weather trends were also recorded to determine correlation between weather and exposure to the sweet-smelling chemical. The direct readings found an exposure maximum of less than 2 ppm …

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Holding The Dying: Worldview, Community, And The Practice Of End-Of-Life Doula Care, Amy J. Shields Jun 2026

Holding The Dying: Worldview, Community, And The Practice Of End-Of-Life Doula Care, Amy J. Shields

ETDs from 2020-2029

As populations age and chronic illness increasingly characterizes the final stages of life in the United States, end-of-life doulas (EOLDs) have emerged as non-medical practitioners who support dying people and their families through education, companionship, advocacy, and ritualized care. Drawing on a thematic analysis of 18 semi-structured interviews with practicing EOLDs across the United States, this thesis examines how EOLDs conceptualize a “good death,” navigate emotionally intensive work, and sustain themselves in an unregulated and often marginal professional landscape. Situating EOLD practice within anthropological scholarship on death and dying, the study highlights the ways EOLDs challenge dominant biomedical narratives that …

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Enhancing Dynamic Balance And Mobility In Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy Or Spina Bifida, Phuong Thi Minh Quach Jun 2026

Enhancing Dynamic Balance And Mobility In Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy Or Spina Bifida, Phuong Thi Minh Quach

ETDs from 2020-2029

Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Spina Bifida (SB) are among the most prevalent pediatric neuromotor impairments, posing significant challenges to independent mobility and dynamic balance. Although arising from different neurological origins, CP from non-progressive brain disruptions during development and SB from lower motor neuron lesions in the neural tube, both the conditions often lead to similar functional limitations, including muscle weakness, impaired gait and limited mobility. Affected children typically exhibit compromised postural control and an increased dependence on assistive devices. Over time, this decline in independent physical activity often triggers secondary health issues, such as early onset of osteoporosis, hypertension, and …

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The Role Of 14-3-3 Proteins In The Pro-Inflammatory Response Of Microglia And The Neuronal Stress Response To Trichloroethylene Exposure, William Stone Jun 2026

The Role Of 14-3-3 Proteins In The Pro-Inflammatory Response Of Microglia And The Neuronal Stress Response To Trichloroethylene Exposure, William Stone

ETDs from 2020-2029

ABSTRACT This dissertation examines how 14-3-3 proteins, with a focus on the 14-3-3θ iso-form, regulate signaling pathways relevant to neurodegeneration. While tradition-ally described as molecular hubs that organize protein–protein interactions, our work reveals how 14-3-3 function is shaped by environmental insults, namely bac-terial and neurotoxicant exposures, and how its disruption contributes to disease-associated processes. Two complementary approaches were used, focusing on microglial inflammatory signaling and neuronal responses to an environmental neurotoxicant, to define a broader role for 14-3-3 proteins in disease associated pathways in the brain. Chapter I identifies 14-3-3 proteins as modulators of microglial activation. Disrup-tion of 14-3-3 interactions …

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Topographical Mobility Envelope Modeling And Geometric Analysis For Off-Road Unmanned Ground Vehicles, Huashuai Fan Jun 2026

Topographical Mobility Envelope Modeling And Geometric Analysis For Off-Road Unmanned Ground Vehicles, Huashuai Fan

ETDs from 2020-2029

This dissertation introduces topographical mobility as a quantitative framework for assessing off-road unmanned ground vehicle performance based on geometric interaction between the vehicle and terrain. Rather than relying on conventional discrete indices, the proposed formulation evaluates mobility directly from vehicle and terrain geometry, expressing vehicle capability in terms of radius constraints implied by its dimensions and suspension state. On the vehicle side, longitudinal and lateral mobility radii are derived analytically from vehicle geometry—wheelbase, track width, ground clearance, and lowest underbody point location—quantifying the minimum terrain radius negotiable without underbody interference. Suspension state is shown to alter longitudinal mobility radius by …

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Reading Between The Lines: An Exploration Of Censorship In United States Public School Libraries, Sally Anne Perz Jun 2026

Reading Between The Lines: An Exploration Of Censorship In United States Public School Libraries, Sally Anne Perz

ETDs from 2020-2029

Between 2021 and 2025, PEN America documented over 22,000 book bans across the United States (US). Yet, with only 451 districts banning out of over 13,000, 97% of US school districts are not engaging in banning. The 451 banning districts represent only 3% of US school districts. While most research examines individual stakeholders, such as librarians and teachers, this study focused on district and community data which do not change as fast as microsystem variables. Since banning occurs at the district level, understanding school district demographics and values may help situate the sociopolitical context of school board decisions to ban …

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Evaluation Of Occupational Exposure To Noise And Respirable Particulate Matter In Dentistry, Kabe Fetner Jun 2026

Evaluation Of Occupational Exposure To Noise And Respirable Particulate Matter In Dentistry, Kabe Fetner

ETDs from 2020-2029

Dental procedures can result in occupational exposures to both noise and particulate matter. Dental professionals routinely operate high-speed instruments and mechanical tools that may produce elevated sound levels and aerosolized particles during clinical treatment. Although these exposures are common in dental environments, limited data exist describing full-shift occupational exposure levels during routine dental procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate occupational exposure to noise and respirable particulate matter (RPM) during routine dental procedures in a clinical setting. Area noise monitoring and real-time aerosol monitoring were conducted over six clinical days while common dental procedures were performed, including fillings, …

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Statistical Methods For Mendelian Randomization Under Nonlinearity And Non-Normality, Mary Appah Jun 2026

Statistical Methods For Mendelian Randomization Under Nonlinearity And Non-Normality, Mary Appah

ETDs from 2020-2029

Instrumental variable (IV) methods are widely used for estimating causal effects in observational studies where unmeasured confounding may bias traditional regression estimates. The core idea is to use a variable referred to as an instrument that is associated with the exposure of interest, independent of unmeasured confounders, and influences the outcome only through the exposure. While originally developed in econometrics, IV methods have been increasingly adopted in epidemiology and genetic research under the framework of Mendelian Randomization (MR), where genetic variants, most commonly single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), serve as instruments. MR provides a powerful tool for investigating causal relationships between …

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The Role Of Interorganizational Linkages In Shaping Hospital Reporting Burden: A Relational View Analysis, Robert Howard Jun 2026

The Role Of Interorganizational Linkages In Shaping Hospital Reporting Burden: A Relational View Analysis, Robert Howard

ETDs from 2020-2029

Administrative burden associated with health information exchange represents a persistent challenge for U.S. hospitals, contributing to provider burnout and operational inefficiency. This study examined whether interorganizational linkages, specifically hospital system affiliation, participation in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), and participation in Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), are associated with perceived barriers to electronic health information exchange. Guided by the Relational View, linkages were conceptualized as potential conduits for shared assets, knowledge-sharing routines, and complementary capabilities that might reduce barriers to exchange. Data from 2018–2023 were drawn from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey and IT Supplement, merged with community-level measures from the …

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Intersectionality In Juvenile Diversion Post-2018 Juvenile Justice And Delinquency Prevention Act Reauthorization, Bobby Powell Jun 2026

Intersectionality In Juvenile Diversion Post-2018 Juvenile Justice And Delinquency Prevention Act Reauthorization, Bobby Powell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

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Strategies Health Care Leaders Use To Reduce Health Care Worker Absenteeism Due To Influenza, Adriene Yvonn Thornton Jun 2026

Strategies Health Care Leaders Use To Reduce Health Care Worker Absenteeism Due To Influenza, Adriene Yvonn Thornton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

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Exploring Organizational Responses To Clinician Turnover: A Baldrige Framework Approach, Sharayza Rachael Blakemore Jun 2026

Exploring Organizational Responses To Clinician Turnover: A Baldrige Framework Approach, Sharayza Rachael Blakemore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

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Needs Assessment For Sexual Violence Education In An Afterschool Program In Liberia, Mabel Howe Watson Jun 2026

Needs Assessment For Sexual Violence Education In An Afterschool Program In Liberia, Mabel Howe Watson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

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Staff Education To Improve Evidence-Based Act Treatment Adherence Strategy, Folake Aloba Jun 2026

Staff Education To Improve Evidence-Based Act Treatment Adherence Strategy, Folake Aloba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

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Describing Propagation Of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii Through Comparative Genomics And Phenotypic Analysis Of Modern-Day Clinical Isolates, Emma Graffice Jun 2026

Describing Propagation Of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii Through Comparative Genomics And Phenotypic Analysis Of Modern-Day Clinical Isolates, Emma Graffice

ETDs from 2020-2029

Understanding the genomic structure of bacterial populations is essential for tracking antimicrobial resistance and informing public health strategies to prevent spread of multidrug resistant organisms. In this study, we investigated the diversity and distribution of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAb) lineages across a major healthcare system in the U.S. Deep South through both retrospective and prospective isolate collection. Our analysis revealed a heterogeneous population composed of multiple genotypically and phenotypically distinct lineages. To improve the resolution of lineage classification, we applied average nucleotide identity (ANI) as a high-resolution metric for comparative genomics. A ≥99% ANI threshold effectively delineated lineages, outperforming traditional …

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Contribution Of Phosphorylation To Hp1a Function, James Walts Jun 2026

Contribution Of Phosphorylation To Hp1a Function, James Walts

ETDs from 2020-2029

Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1) family members are highly conserved, non-histone chromosomal proteins essential for heterochromatin formation and transcriptional regulation. In Drosophila melanogaster, HP1a functions both as a transcriptional repressor and activator, as well as other functions, and undergoes post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation. The functional consequences of HP1a phosphorylation remain largely unexplored. This thesis investigates the role of phosphorylation at serines 89/90/91 (S899091) of HP1a by generating two mutant alleles: a phospho-mimic (SE) and a phospho-block (SA). Both alleles produce stable mRNA transcripts; however, Western blot analysis revealed reduced protein accumulation relative to wildtype HP1a. Homozygous phospho-block animals are embryonic lethal …

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Jnk Signaling Impacts Car-T Cell Effector Function, Charles Kuhlmann Jun 2026

Jnk Signaling Impacts Car-T Cell Effector Function, Charles Kuhlmann

ETDs from 2020-2029

The potent cytotoxic activity of T cells serves as a natural defense against cancers. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy represents a strategy for harnessing T cells against advanced tumors. CAR-T cell therapy has seen striking success against hematologic malignancies, prompting its application to new diseases. Ovarian cancer is a highly lethal disease characterized by frequent recurrence and aggressive nature, prompting the investigation of CAR-T cell therapy as a salvage regimen. However, like in other solid tumors, the early performance of CAR-T cell therapy in ovarian cancer is poor. While many strategies exist for improving the longevity of CAR-T …

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Culturally Informed Approaches To Support Perinatal Mental Health: Perceptions And Experiences Of Perinatal Depression And Support Systems Among Postpartum African-Born Women In The United States, Joyce O. Imafidon Jun 2026

Culturally Informed Approaches To Support Perinatal Mental Health: Perceptions And Experiences Of Perinatal Depression And Support Systems Among Postpartum African-Born Women In The United States, Joyce O. Imafidon

ETDs from 2020-2029

Perinatal mental health (PMH) of African-born women (ABW) is underrepresented in research and practice in the United States (US) despite known consequences of poor mental wellbeing on one’s overall health, relationships and productivity. Beyond their fundamental role in family support, ABW contribute significantly to the US workforce, education sector, and economy. This three-paper dissertation enhances understanding on PMH outcomes, perception and experiences of ABW in the US. Perinatal depression (PD), one of the most common mood disorders affecting 1 in 8 women, is highlighted. The overarching question is to what extent does the US health system address PMH of ABW …

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Identifying Existing Barriers To Equitable Transportation In Birmingham, Alabama, Brandy Rose Mckinney Jun 2026

Identifying Existing Barriers To Equitable Transportation In Birmingham, Alabama, Brandy Rose Mckinney

ETDs from 2020-2029

A transportation system is designed to connect people to essential community resources and support their mobility needs. However, transportation facilities and services in lower-income communities often fail to meet local demands, restricting access to jobs, healthcare, recreation, and other critical services. These gaps disproportionately impact lower-income and vulnerable populations, reducing mobility and overall quality of life. This study aims to (a) define transportation inequity and the measures used to assess it; (b) summarize existing inequities across the United States; (c) examine travel choices, needs, and barriers in lower-income communities in Birmingham, Alabama; and (d) propose strategies to address transportation inequity …

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Darkstar: A Memoir In Essays, Sophie Hawke Isham Jun 2026

Darkstar: A Memoir In Essays, Sophie Hawke Isham

ETDs from 2020-2029

Darkstar: A Memoir in Essays is an essay collection that follows the last four years of my life. These essays vary in length, format, and material. The themes these essays tackle range from heavy subjects like deteriorating mental health from bipolar disorder and grief over the loss of pets and family members, to lighter subjects such as gender expression and identity, and the love surrounding me from friends, family, and relationships. While each essay can stand alone, they are more fleshed out and connected in the context and structure of this thesis. This body of work explores the various ways …

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Efficient Multimodal Foundation Model Tuning For Hallucination Mitigation, Fei Zhao Jun 2026

Efficient Multimodal Foundation Model Tuning For Hallucination Mitigation, Fei Zhao

ETDs from 2020-2029

Over the past few years, multimodal foundation models have achieved remarkable progress in perception and understanding. However, two challenges limit their reliability: (1) dependence on offline training, which in most real-world settings requires large volumes of labeled data and, as a result, hinders the model’s ability to adapt to new data or domains; (2) weak cross-modal grounding, which often leads to hallucinated content generation, producing descriptions that are linguistically fluent but inconsistent with the input visual evidence. This dissertation frames hallucination mitigation as an outcome of transitioning from fixed learning (static, offline fine-tuning) to adaptive, feedback-driven lifelong learning. By incorporating …

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