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Using Tree-Ring Data To Analyze The Effects Of Volcanic Eruptions On Climate In Inner Asia From 500 Bce To Present, Jennie Zhu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Volcanic eruptions have influenced regional and global climate on annual, interannual, decadal, and multi-decadal time scales. However, past studies have largely focused on the response of global temperature to modern eruptions with the aid of satellite records. This approach limits the number of eruptions that can be studied and restricts our knowledge to relatively small events when compared to the volcanic history of the late Holocene. I used modern climate records to evaluate the effect of recent eruptions on Mongolian climate. I then extended my analysis to the last 2500 years by examining existing and new tree-ring data from Mongolia …

Constellation: A Tool For Rapid, Automated Phenotype Assignment Of A Highly Polymorphic Pharmacogene,, Greyson P. Twist, Andrea Gaedigk, Neil A. Miller, Emily G. Farrow, Laurel K. Willig, Darrell L. Dinwiddie, Josh E. Petrikin, Sarah E. Soden, Suzanne Herd, Margaret Gibson, Julie A. Cakici, Amanda K. Riffel, J Steven Leeder, Deendayal Dinakarpandian, Stephen F. Kingsmore

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

An important component of precision medicine-the use of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to guide lifelong healthcare-is electronic decision support to inform drug choice and dosing. To achieve this, automated identification of genetic variation in genes involved in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and response (ADMER) is required. CYP2D6 is a major enzyme for drug bioactivation and elimination. CYP2D6 activity is predominantly governed by genetic variation; however, it is technically arduous to haplotype. Not only is the nucleotide sequence of CYP2D6 highly polymorphic, but the locus also features diverse structural variations, including gene deletion, duplication, multiplication events and rearrangements with the nonfunctional, …

Two-Arm Randomized Pilot Intervention Trial To Decrease Sitting Time And Increase Sit-To-Stand Transitions In Working And Non-Working Older Adults., Jacqueline Kerr, Michelle Takemoto, Khalisa Bolling, Andrew Atkin, Jordan A. Carlson, Dori Rosenberg, Katie Crist, Suneeta Godbole, Brittany Lewars, Claudia Pena, Gina Merchant

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Excessive sitting has been linked to poor health. It is unknown whether reducing total sitting time or increasing brief sit-to-stand transitions is more beneficial. We conducted a randomized pilot study to assess whether it is feasible for working and non-working older adults to reduce these two different behavioral targets.

METHODS: Thirty adults (15 workers and 15 non-workers) age 50-70 years were randomized to one of two conditions (a 2-hour reduction in daily sitting or accumulating 30 additional brief sit-to-stand transitions per day). Sitting time, standing time, sit-to-stand transitions and stepping were assessed by a thigh worn inclinometer (activPAL). Participants …

The Relationship Between Emotion Regulation, Social Support, And Alcohol-Related Problems Among Racially Diverse Adolescents., Briana A. Woods-Jaeger, Richard H. Nobles, Linnea Warren, Mary E. Larimer

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

No abstract provided.

Ketogenic Diet Decreases Emergency Room Visits And Hospitalizations Related To Epilepsy., Husam R. Kayyali, Anastasia Luniova, Ahmed Abdelmoity

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Background. Approximately, one-third of patients with epilepsy are refractory to pharmacological treatment which mandates extensive medical care and imposes significant economic burden on patients and their societies. This study intends to assess the impact of the treatment with ketogenic diet (KD) on reducing seizure-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations in children with refractory epilepsy. Methods. This is a retrospective review of children treated with the KD in one tertiary center. We compared a 12 months' period prior to KD with 12 months after the diet was started in regard to the number of emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, …

Randomized Trial Of Late Surfactant Treatment In Ventilated Preterm Infants Receiving Inhaled Nitric Oxide., Roberta A. Ballard, Roberta L. Keller, Dennis M. Black, Philip L. Ballard, Jeffrey D. Merrill, Eric C. Eichenwald, William E Truog, Mark C. Mammel, Robin H. Steinhorn, Elizabeth E. Rogers, Rita M. Ryan, David J. Durand, Jeanette M. Asselin, Catherine M. Bendel, Ellen M. Bendel-Stenzel, Sherry E. Courtney, Ramasubbareddy Dhanireddy, Mark L. Hudak, Frances R. Koch, Dennis E. Mayock, Victor J. Mckay, T Michael O'Shea, Nicolas F. Porta, Rajan Wadhawan, Lisa Palermo, Tolsurf Study Group

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether late surfactant treatment in extremely low gestational age (GA) newborn infants requiring ventilation at 7-14 days, who often have surfactant deficiency and dysfunction, safely improves survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

STUDY DESIGN: Extremely low GA newborn infants (GA ≤28 0/7 weeks) who required mechanical ventilation at 7-14 days were enrolled in a randomized, masked controlled trial at 25 US centers. All infants received inhaled nitric oxide and either surfactant (calfactant/Infasurf) or sham instillation every 1-3 days to a maximum of 5 doses while intubated. The primary outcome was survival at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) without …

Slug Bug: Quality Improvement With Orchestrated Testing Leads To Nicu Clabsi Reduction., Anthony J. Piazza, Beverly Brozanski, Lloyd Provost, Theresa R. Grover, John Chuo, Joan R. Smith, Teresa Mingrone, Susan Moran, Lorna Morelli, Isabella Zaniletti, Eugenia K. Pallotto

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: Reduce central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates 15% over 12 months in children's hospital NICUs. Use orchestrated testing as an approach to identify important CLABSI prevention practices.

METHODS: Literature review, expert opinion, and benchmarking were used to develop clinical practice recommendations for central line care. Four existing CLABSI prevention strategies (tubing change technique, hub care monitoring, central venous catheter access limitation, and central venous catheter removal monitoring) were identified for study. We compared the change in CLABSI rates from baseline throughout the study period in 17 participating centers. Using orchestrated testing, centers were then placed into 1 of 8 …

The Challenge Of Analyzing The Results Of Next-Generation Sequencing In Children., Isabelle Thiffault, John Lantos

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

In recent years, next-generation sequencing technologies have revolutionized approaches to genetic studies. Whole-exome or whole-genome sequencing allows diagnoses in many patients who have complex phenotypes and unusual clinical presentations. As genomic and exomic testing expands in both the research and clinical settings, pediatricians will need to understand the technology of next-generation sequencing and the complexity of interpreting genomic variants relevant to patient phenotypic features. This article briefly explains the technology by which genomes are sequenced and discusses some of the complexity related to interpreting genomic variants. We conclude with some thoughts on the clinical applications of such testing.

Whole-Genome Sequencing And Disability In The Nicu: Exploring Practical And Ethical Challenges., Michael J. Deem

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Clinical whole-genome sequencing (WGS) promises to deliver faster diagnoses and lead to better management of care in the NICU. However,several disability rights advocates have expressed concern that clinical use of genetic technologies may reinforce and perpetuate stigmatization of and discrimination against disabled persons in medical and social contexts. There is growing need, then, for clinicians and bioethicists to consider how the clinical use of WGS in the newborn period might exacerbate such harms to persons with disabilities. This article explores ways to extend these concerns to clinical WGS in neonatal care. By considering these perspectives during the early phases of …

Genetic Variation In The Histamine Production, Response, And Degradation Pathway Is Associated With Histamine Pharmacodynamic Response In Children With Asthma., Bridgette Jones, Catherine M T Sherwin, Xiaoxi Liu, Hongying Dai, Carrie A. Vyhlidal

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Introduction: There is growing knowledge of the wide ranging effects of histamine throughout the body therefore it is important to better understand the effects of this amine in patients with asthma. We aimed to explore the association between histamine pharmacodynamic (PD) response and genetic variation in the histamine pathway in children with asthma. Methods: Histamine Iontophoresis with Laser Doppler Monitoring (HILD) was performed in children with asthma and estimates for area under the effect curve (AUEC), maximal response over baseline (Emax), and time of Emax (Tmax) were calculated using non-compartmental analysis and non-linear mixed-effects model with a linked effect PK/PD …

Judicial Ethical Integrity: Challenges And Solutions, Morris A. Ratner

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Policing Criminal Justice Data, Wayne Logan, Andrew Ferguson

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

This article addresses a matter of fundamental importance to the criminal justice system: the presence of erroneous information in government databases and the limited government accountability and legal remedies for the harm that it causes individuals. While a substantial literature exists on the liberty and privacy perils of large multi-source data assemblage, often termed "big data," this article addresses the risks associated with the collection, generation and use of "small data" (i.e., individual-level, discrete data points). Because small data provides the building blocks for all data-driven systems, enhancing its quality will have a significant positive effect on the criminal justice …

Effect Of Narrative Structure Of Animated Movies On Esl Learners' Recall And Comprehension Of Stories, Noriza Abu Hassan Shaari

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study aimed at expanding the examination of a narrative structure by using short 2D short animated movies in an ESL learning (L2) environment. Employing an experimental design, this study investigated whether there was an effect of narrative structure that was sequenced in a linear, a simple non-linear and a complex non-linear manner on ESL learners' recall and comprehension of stories. The independent between-groups ANOVA yielded a statistically significant effect on recall and comprehension. As a summary, the result of this investigation found that there was an effect of narrative structure of animated movies on ESL learners' recall and comprehension …

Impact Of Nanoscale Pore Sizes On The Flow Of Gas Mixtures In Marcellus Shale Reservoir, Noor Mazher Alfashkhi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Pore proximity effect in shale reservoirs, unlike the conventional reservoirs, is very significant because the shale matrix contains pores in the range of nano meter that impact the phase behavior and fluid properties of the gas mixtures. The changes to the critical properties of the natural gas impacts the storage and flow in shale matrix. For optimization of gas extraction, understanding the gas properties is of great research interest.;In this research the impact of confinement on the gas viscosity and compressibility factor were evaluated using two typical composition of Marcellus shale gas. The results are to be used in formulating …

Advanced Reservoir Modeling And Fluid Flow Studies Of Natural Gas Production From The Hydrate Reservoirs Of The Alaska North Slope, Taiwo Ajayi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The emerging possibility of the production of gas hydrates as an unconventional source of energy have spurred many objectives for research studies going on in this area. One of these is the U.S national hydrate research program with a primary goal of determining the tools and technologies for environmentally safe gas production from hydrate reservoirs. The work presented in this thesis is motivated by the need to provide reliable reservoir model-based predictions to support proposed long-term hydrate field production tests on the Alaska North Slope permafrost. While first order predictions have been made from reservoir models based on assumptions of …

Robust Video Stabilization And Quality Evaluation For Amateur Videos, Usha Kalyani Alluri

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Amateur videos captured by consumer-level devices (e.g., mobile phones, tablets, camcorders etc.) are often shaky, undirected and difficult to watch. Video stabilization techniques attempt to improve the video quality by filtering out unwanted jittering camera motions. Currently there are two key challenges in the field of video stabilization: robustness (e.g., in the presence of sophisticated camera motion including panning and rotation) and quality evaluation. Therefore the main contributions of this thesis are two-fold.;First, we present a robust video stabilization algorithm, which post-processes shaky video data and addresses the challenges of rapid camera panning and motion blur. Our algorithm is based …

Modeling And Simulation Of A Free-Piston Engine With Electrical Generator Using Hcci Combustion, Mohammad Alrbai

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Free-piston engines have the potential to challenge the conventional crankshaft engines by their design simplicity and higher operational efficiency. Many studies have been performed to overcome the limitations of the free-piston devices especially the stability and control issues.;The investigations within the presented dissertation aim to satisfy many objectives by employing the approach of chemical kinetics to present the combustion process in the free-piston engine. This approach in addition to its advanced accuracy over the empirical methods, it has many other features like the ability to analyze the engine emissions. The effect of the heat release rate (HRR) on the engine …

Developing A Smart Proxy For Fluidized Bed Using Machine Learning, Amir Ansari

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Using fossil fuel which has been grown dramatically during the recent century, causes an increase in greenhouse gas emission. The global warming issue pushes the engineers toward the cleaner type of energy like Hydrogen. Coal gasification is one of the cheapest methods to obtain Hydrogen. Coal gasification is a special case of more general problem called fluidized bed. In order to design and optimize a gasification process, a deep understanding of multiphase flow in a gasifier is needed. MFiX is a commercial multi-phase flow simulator which has been used to simulate the gas and solid transport and reaction in the …

Protecting The Shield: How The Nfl Frames An Organizational Crisis, Mel Anton

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The National Football League (NFL) is a multi-billion-dollar organization that is constantly utilizing impression management techniques to craft its public image. Currently, the NFL is embroiled in what many refer to as the "concussion crisis." When the NFL discusses this issue, one of the most common impression management techniques used is framing and accounts. This research brings together these two concepts to study this issue. I have analyzed a sample of press releases from the NFL using qualitative content analysis. From this, I have found and defined some common frames used, when they are used, and then used accounts research …

Anteroposterior Jaw Position And Pharyngeal Airway Morphology In Young Adult Patients: A Cbct Study, Martin C. Avey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background and Objectives: Much previous attention has been paid in the orthodontic literature to craniofacial skeletal patterns and morphology of the upper airway and their association with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the majority of 3D airway investigations in recent years have analyzed the relationship of the airway with various anteroposterior (AP) skeletal patterns using traditional 2D cephalometric landmarks and measurements, such as SNA and SNB. The Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony is a diagnostic and treatment philosophy that has attempted to provide a more accurate and clinically relevant determination of the position of teeth and jaws. Element II specifically …

Pe Teachers' Perceptions Of Technology-Related Learning Experiences: A Qualitative Investigation, Jun-Hyung Baek

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background/Purpose: Educational organizations, such as National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), established technology-related standards indicating the knowledge and skills necessary for teachers to integrate technology. Such standards have challenged teacher education programs to restructure existing PETE program to prepare teachers to have knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for successful technology integration (Jones, Bulger, & Wyant, 2012). Yet, physical education (PE) teachers frequently reported that they still do not feel sufficiently prepared to incorporate technology into their classroom (Juniu, Shonfeld, & Ganot, 2013). Thus, the purpose of this study was to …

Safe Semi-Supervised Learning With Sparse Graphs, Prithish Banerjee

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

There has been substantial interest from both computer science and statistics in developing methods for graph-based semi-supervised learning. The attraction to the area involves several challenging applications brought forth from academia and industry where little data are available with training responses while lots of data are available overall. Ample evidence has demonstrated the value of several of these methods on real data applications, but it should be kept in mind that they heavily rely on some smoothness assumptions. The general frame- work for graph-based semi-supervised learning is to optimize a smooth function over the nodes of the proximity graph constructed …

Perceptions Of Urban Forestry Employers, Andrew Benjamin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Urban forestry is still a relatively new area of science and is still trying to establish itself as a legitimate scientific field and profession. Often urban forestry and arboriculture are conflated, and urban forestry has yet to achieve much of what arboriculture has in terms of recognition its and establishment. Landscape architects, traditional foresters, environmental scientists, horticulturalists all may find themselves in positions that can be classified in the urban forestry profession, which shows this lack of a standard definition for what is an urban forester. While there are many significant, potential benefits to a properly managed urban forest resource …

Impact Of Being A West Virginia State Ffa President On Career And Personal Accomplishments As Perceived By Past State Ffa Presidents 1955 To 2005, Jada M. Bennett

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This descriptive survey study was designed to identify the impact of being a West Virginia State FFA President elected between the years of 1955-2005 on career and personal accomplishments. The population consisted of 51 people who were elected to the office of West Virginia FFA President, the response rate was 69%. A survey which was composed of four main question sets was mailed to the accessible population.;Questions focused on their SAE and FFA experience, involvement in community and school activities, leadership skills, and demographics. Data were collected and analyzed to identify contributing factors in each of the constructs. The study …

Media Framing Of News Coverage Of Same-Sex Marriage Surrounding The U.S. Supreme Court Legalization Decision, Chelsea B. Betts

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this research is to explore which frames, dominant frames, and tones are used in news coverage of same-sex marriage before and after the U.S. Supreme Court decision to legalize these marriages. In addition, public opinion surrounding the decision and agenda-setting effects were also examined. This study used a content analysis and secondary survey data from the Pew Research Center to explore these factors. A content analysis of print newspaper articles and broadcast transcripts from four print sources and six broadcast outlets was used to gather the 286-article sample. Findings suggest that the tone of the article is …

Exploiting Random Walks For Robust, Scalable, Structure-Free Data Aggregation And Routing In Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks (Manets), Masahiro Nakagawa

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The focus of this thesis is on the design of scalable data aggregation protocols for Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs). Data aggregation Protocols that rely on network structures such as trees or backbones are not well suited for MANETs because the underlying topology of MANETs is constantly changing. On the other hand, unstructured techniques such as flooding and gossiping have a high messaging overhead and take a long time to finish. Therefore, in this thesis, we explore the use of random walks as a structure-free alternative for data aggregation in MANETs.;The basic idea is to introduce one or more tokens that …

The Regulation Of Alternative Pre-Mrna Splicing In Photoreceptor Cells., Daniel P. Murphy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Alternative pre-mRNA splicing provides an important mechanism for generating the diverse array of proteins required to generate complex tissue and cell types from a limited genome. Therefore, the proper regulation of alternative splicing is vital to shape cellular identity and function. As consequence, defects in alternative splicing are associated with disease phenotypes that can range from systemic syndromes to the dysfunction of single cell types. For example, heterozygous mutations in ubiquitously expressed components of the spliceosome lead to photoreceptor specific cell death. This suggests that the topography of alternative splicing in photoreceptors cells may be unique, a notion which is …

Associations Among Task Self-Efficacy, Physical Activity And Subjective Wellbeing, Abigail M. Nehrkorn

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The physical and psychological health benefits resulting from physical activity engagement have been documented in previous literature, including the connection between physical activity and subjective wellbeing (SWB). Associations have also been found between task-related self-efficacy and physical activity, connecting these concepts to Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory (SCT; Bandura, 1982, 1997), such that retaining a higher belief in one's physical activity abilities has been associated with successful physical activity engagement. Previous literature has documented these separate associations, but not as much focus has been placed on examining task self-efficacy, physical activity, and SWB in one model, especially during the time of …

Numerical Modeling And Simulations For Techno-Economic Assessment Of Non-Conventional Energy Systems, Manish Nandanwar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The techno-economic analyses of two non-conventional energy systems -- enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and natural gas hydrate systems were performed using a numerical simulation approach. These energy systems, which are still in the development stage and not yet commercialized, are characterized by common components, which are surface plant facilities and subsurface fluid flow and heat transfer. This study aims at a better understanding and advanced evaluation of energy potential as well as the economic viability of these systems by the development of new robust numerical models in order to obtain a more realistic representation of the physical systems.;The first part …

Hydroclimatic Assessment Of Changing Climate On Diarrheal Diseases With Reference To Cholera, Fariborz Nasr Azadani

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The association of cholera with the climatic processes is well documented. However the effects of changing climate on occurrence of cholera is not yet evaluated, perhaps due to unavailability of geophysical data and their quantitative linkages with cholera. Global climate models (GCMs) outputs are available at coarse resolution of 200-300km, but the diseases usually occur at 10-15 km, therefore, it is rather challenging to link any GCM outputs with a disease. The goal of this research is to develop algorithms that can link diarrheal diseases with changing climatic conditions. Within this context, cholera is used as a model disease due …