Digital Commons Network^™

A Metrically Defined Uniformization Map Of Planar Domains, Ivan Holden Mann

All ETDs from UAB

Let D be the unit disk in the Riemann sphere C and D ∞ = C\D be its complement. A standard way to uniformize a proper simply connected domain U ⊂ C containing 0 is to consider a Riemann map φ : D → U such that 0 maps to 0. Images in D ∞ of radial line segments are called conformal rays. Brouwer defines metric rays in U using the centers of maximal balls touching ∂U and a function ψ, which we call here the Brouwer map. We use a new definition len of length under which every path …

Diamond-Based Sensors And Diamond Micro-Anvils For Studies On Materials Under Extreme Conditions, Samuel Lawrence Moore

All ETDs from UAB

This work encompasses the development and construction of a state of the art Microfabrication facility to produce diamond-based sensors for applications in extreme environments. The facility utilizes maskless lithography housed in a class 7000 clean room and DC-sputter deposition, along with a 1.2 kW Chemical Vapor Deposition system for the encapsulation of metallic micro-probes in single crystal diamond. Extensive research and development has been applied to developing a novel and reproducible method for fabrication of designer diamond anvils, that feature sensing probes integrated into the diamond anvil and are capable of unobtrusively measuring resistivity of a material whilst simultaneously compressing …

Valid Plane Trees: Combinatorial Models For Rna Secondary Structures With Watson-Crick Base Pairs, Francis Black, Elizabeth Drellich, Julianna Tymoczko

Mathematics Sciences: Faculty Publications

. The combinatorics of RNA plays a central role in biology. Mathematical biologists have several commonly used models for RNA: words in a fixed alphabet (representing the primary sequence of nucleotides) and plane trees (representing the secondary structure, or folding of the RNA sequence). This paper considers an augmented version of the standard model of plane trees, specifically one that incorporates some observed constraints on how the folding can occur. In particular we assume the alphabet consists of complementary pairs, for instance the Watson–Crick pairs A-U and C-G of RNA. Given a word in the alphabet, a valid plane tree …

Vb-Groupoids And Representation Theory Of Lie Groupoids, Alfonso Gracia-Saz, Rajan Amit Mehta

Mathematics Sciences: Faculty Publications

A VB-groupoid is a Lie groupoid equipped with a compatible linear structure. In this paper, we describe a correspondence, up to isomorphism, between VB-groupoids and 2-term representations up to homotopy of Lie groupoids. Under this correspondence, the tangent bundle of a Lie groupoid G corresponds to the “adjoint representation” of G. The value of this point of view is that the tangent bundle is canonical, whereas the adjoint representation is not. We define a cochain complex that is canonically associated to any VB-groupoid. The cohomology of this complex is isomorphic to the groupoid cohomology with values in the corresponding representations …

A Comparison Between Number And Letter Acuities Among Patients, Sarah Berry

All ETDs from UAB

ABSTRACT Purpose: Previous studies have shown that there is an association between visual acuity and Alzheimers’ disease. Untreated visual problems may contribute to cognitive impairment and more progressive cognitive decline. This study investigates the association of chart design, specifically comparing charts using letters versus numbers, to accuracy and repeatability among patients with dementia. Methods: 23 English-speaking subjects diagnosed with moderate to advanced levels of dementia were recruited from two local Birmingham nursing homes. Visual acuities were measured in a randomly selected eye and timed from six different charts: Back-illuminated ETDRS chart with letters, Back-illuminated ETDRS chart with numbers, HOTV cards …

Acoustic Resonance Response Of Cast Iron, Siddhartha Biswas

All ETDs from UAB

Cast iron is the most common as-cast materials used in present time. Various grades of cast iron have been developed by modifying process parameters to meet the property re-quirements. Destructive and nondestructive tests are routinely performed to maintain the integrity of the produced cast iron. Numerical and multiple linear regression models have also been developed to obtain mechanical properties from process variables such as chem-ical composition, cooling rate, liquid metal treatment. The applicability of property predic-tion models were studied by comparing predicted mechanical properties reported in pub-lished literature. Summary of the comparison is reported to guide cast iron producers to …

Rynek Kapitałowy - Szanse I Bariery, Teresa Czerwińska, Alojzy Z. Nowak

Monografie/Monographs

Najnowsza, czwarta z kolei publikacja wydana przez Wydawnictwo Naukowe Wydziału Zarządzania Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego jest kontynuacją badań nad rynkiem kapitałowym, zaprezentowanych w trzech poprzednich pracach. Tematyka zamieszczonych artykułów w istotnym stopniu nawiązuje do zawartości tematycznej ostatniej publikacji.

Nadph Oxidase-Derived Superoxide Production During Coxsackie B Virus Infection Fuels Macrophage Activation To Accelerate Type 1 Diabetes, Ashley R. Burg

All ETDs from UAB

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease in which autoreactive T cells selectively destroy insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells. While genetic predisposition underlies susceptibility, environmental factors are proposed to play the important role of triggering the activation of autoimmunity in T1D individuals. Viral infections, particularly by Coxsackie B viruses, are highly suspected as a precipitating event. However, the exact molecular mechanism for how viral infections elicit β-cell-specific autoimmunity remains unclear. Rodent models of virus-induced T1D suggest it is through bystander activation, during which innate antiviral responses to pancreas-tropic viral infections create an inflammatory milieu that breaks the peripheral tolerance …

Government As Investor: The Case Of Immediate Expensing, Rebecca N. Morrow

Kentucky Law Journal

For more than sixty years, tax scholars have recognized conditions under which the government ceases to be a mere taxing entity—imposing a rate of tax on a business’s profits—and through the operation of tax law becomes more like an investment partner—contributing its fair share of capital to new investments and proportionately sharing in losses as well as gains. These conditions, which are satisfied by immediate expensing policies, are now common.

The investment partner analogy has been analyzed from the perspective of a taxpayer who, as a result of partnership-like treatment, enjoys returns on investment that are effectively tax-exempt. However, far …

Actus Reus, Mens Rea, And Brain Science: What Do Volition And Intent Really Mean?, Erica Beecher-Monas, Edgar Garcia-Rill

Kentucky Law Journal

The foundational elements of criminal law, actus reus and mens rea, are vague, imprecise, and indeterminate categories that are based on outdated notions about human behavior. These confused categories affect not only what legally constitutes choice, volition, and intent, but also the defendant's ability to present evidence (since the categories define the evidence that will be admissible), and ultimately, criminal liability. In this Article we explain how neuroscience allows us to reconsider these legal concepts and conceive a more informed view of human behavior (and therefore criminal liabilty). The Article explains how distortions in brain function affect the way …

Wet-Lay Process - A Novel Approach To Scalable Fabrication Of Tissue Scaffolds And Reinforcement Membranes, Andrew Thomas Wood

All ETDs from UAB

Fibrous materials received a great deal of interest in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to the beneficial cell-interactions and tunable properties for various biomedical applications. These materials are highly advantageous as they provide a large surface area for cellular attachment, proliferation, high porosity values for cellular in-growth, and the ability to modify the membrane to achieve desired responses to both mechanical loading as well as environmental stimuli. A prominent method currently used to fabricate such membranes is electrospinning which uses electrostatic forces to produce fibers on the range of nanometers giving them high morphological saliency to …

Modeling Depression Treatment Strategies For Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) Positive Patients, Rongbing Xie

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation empirically examines the associations between depression and HIV-related outcomes, simulates both care and outcomes under different depression care strategies, and compares the cost effectiveness of various depression care strategies to the current care strategy. The empirical investigations reveal the negative associations between depression and HIV-related outcomes using two longitudinal patient-level databases. Furthermore, the patterns and outcomes of depression care are identified and simulated using agent-based modeling. Finally, simulated costs and effectiveness are used to evaluate different depression care strategies for reducing new HIV infections and improving quality of life. The current standard of care for depression among patients …

Statistical Methods In Cancer Survival Prediction And Microbiome Data Analysis, Xinyan Zhang

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation focused on developing statistical methods in two areas, cancer survival prediction and microbiome data analysis. Heterogeneity in terms of tumor characteristics, prognosis, and survival has been a persistent problem in cancer prediction and prognosis for many decades. One of the main shortcomings of past studies is the failure to incorporate prior biological information into the predictive model, given strong evidence of pathway-based genetic nature of cancer. In paper 1, to address this problem, we propose a two-stage approach to incorporate pathway information into the prognostic modeling using large-scale gene expression data. In the first stage, we fit all …

Playing God: Sub-Creation, Rules, And Role-Playing Games, George Simeon Evans

All ETDs from UAB

Role-playing games can allow for extreme creative freedom where world building is concerned. In this sense, they inherit much of their structure from Tolkien’s idea of sub-creation. However, along with this creative freedom, RPGs contain rote rules and restrictions that must be followed. This paradox creates an intrinsic tension that players are forced to deal with. Rather than casting off restrictions, or punishing players that do not submit, gamers need to understand the purpose and necessity of rules, and be empathetic towards other players when they have difficulty following the dictates of a gaming manual. If these principles are followed, …

The Military Nursing Practice Environment's Association With Patient Outcomes, Pauline Arminda Swiger

All ETDs from UAB

In the United States, preventable medical errors account for many avoidable patient deaths per year. A favorable nursing practice environment, characterized by factors that improve or enhance a nurse’s ability to practice professional nursing, is a potential mechanism for promoting a culture of safety and enhancing the quality of care in hospitals. The Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) is the national standard for measuring the nursing practice environment, and its importance has been validated repeatedly in civilian nurse populations around the world. For the last several years, the scores on the PES-NWI in military facilities have …

Smart Home Automation Using Face Recognition For Personalization And Micro-Controller For Interfacing With Devices, Mohsine Taarji

All ETDs from UAB

Face recognition is the use of technology to recognize specific facial features using camera hardware and detection software. Face recognition has been used in many fields, both industrial and personal for such tasks as security and controlling home appliances. We define a smart home as a living space that can be equipped with wireless control systems and devices, for instance, uses radio frequency or infrared communication, to automate or simplify the operation of devices. In this Thesis, we investigate the development of a system that controls appliances around the house based on particular individuals using face recognition. The system will …

An Investigation Of The Neurobiological Heterogeneity In Autism, Adhd, And Typical Development, Melissa Thye

All ETDs from UAB

Standard fMRI studies of healthy as well as clinical populations rely heavily on group-level averages to draw inferences about brain and behavior. This presumes neural and behavioral homogeneity within diagnostic groups resulting in group-level models which may not capture individual variability. This problem is especially relevant for studies of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) which clinically present with widespread individual differences. The prevalence of comorbidity between these disorders is roughly 28% highlighting the possibility that there may be shared behavioral and neural markers which cut across the diagnostic boundaries delineating the …

Morse Theory In Finite Dimensions, William Smith Tidwell

All ETDs from UAB

Morse Theory is a subset of manifold theory that looks at non-degenerate critical points of functions on manifolds. The Morse Lemma allows for a local coordinate system to be made around a non-degenerate critical point to express the function in a standard form. When these properties come together to describe the manifold on a global level it can have significant results related to its various diffeomorphisms. I will discuss some of these unique properties that Morse Theory has in identifying the generalized shape of surfaces, and then expand that into finitely many dimensions. I will show that any smooth function …

Delivery Of Deoxyribonucleic Acids As Drugs: A Structural Study, Encapsulation, And Controlled Release Of G-Quadruplex Forming Deoxyoligonucleotides Of The Human Telomeric Sequence, Brenna Alyssa Tucker

All ETDs from UAB

Nucleic acids are known to play numerous important roles in the cell. Recently, interest in the delivery of DNA to treat disease, also known as gene therapy, has increased with new non-viral encapsulation strategies becoming available. Unfortunately, challenges with sufficient delivery of the DNA still plague these systems causing the need for improved DNA delivery vehicles. To overcome DNA delivery barriers, two-component poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA)/ poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVPON) microcapsules were developed using Layer-by-Layer (LbL) technology. G-quadruplex forming deoxyoligonucleotides of the human telomeric sequence were used to model the delivery of the thrombin binding aptamer (TBA), a DNA therapeutic that folds into …

An Improved Contact Method For Multi-Material Eulerian Hydrocodes, Kenneth Cline Walls

All ETDs from UAB

Realistic and accurate modeling of contact for problems involving large deformations and severe distortions presents a host of computational challenges. Due to their natural description of surfaces, Lagrangian finite element methods are traditionally used for problems involving sliding contact. However, problems such as those involving ballistic penetrations, blast-structure interactions, and vehicular crash dynamics, can result in elements developing large aspect ratios, twisting, or even inverting. For this reason, Eulerian, and by extension Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE), methods have become popular. However, additional complexities arise when these methods permit multiple materials to occupy a single finite element. Multi-material Eulerian formulations in computational …

Linking Atr-Ftir And Raman Features To Phenolic Extractability And Other Attributes In Grape Skin, Hugh Byrne, Abigail Rooney, Julio Nogales-Bueno, Jose Miguel Hernandez-Hierro, Francisco Jose Heredia

Articles

The importance of wine phenolics on the sensory characteristic of red wines is well-known. Therefore, it is necessary to control the extractability of phenolic compounds from grape skins, which depends significantly on grape ripeness and hence, on cell wall degradation.

In the present study, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and Raman spectra of grape skin have been recorded. Then, these spectral matrices have been studied and the main spectral features have been linked to extractabilities of phenolic compounds (anthocyanins, flavanols and total phenols). Moreover, spectral differences between external and internal grape skin surfaces also have been studied.

It …

Monitoring Doxorubicin Cellular Uptake And Trafficking Using In Vitro Raman Microspectroscopy: Short And Long Time Exposure Effects On Lung Cancer Cell Lines, Zeineb Farhane, Franck Bonnier, Hugh Byrne

Articles

Raman microspectroscopy is a non-invasive, in vitro analytical tool which is being increasingly explored for its potential in clinical applications and monitoring the uptake, mechanism of action and cellular interaction at a molecular level of chemotherapeutic drugs, ultimately as a potential label-free preclinical screening and companion diagnostic tool. In this study, doxorubicin (DOX), a “gold standard” chemotherapeutic drug, is employed as a model in the in vitro lung cancer cell line A549 in order to demonstrate the potential of Raman microspectroscopy to screen and identify spectroscopic markers of its trafficking and mechanism of action. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was …

Determination Of Spectral Markers Of Cytotoxicity And Genotoxicity Using In Vitro Raman Microspectroscopy: Cellular Responses To Polyamidoamine Dendrimer Exposure, Esen Efeoglu, Alan Casey, Hugh Byrne

Articles

Although consumer exposure to nanomaterials is ever increasing, with potential increased applications in areas such as drug and/or gene delivery, contrast agents and diagnosis, determination of cyto- and geno- toxic effect of nanomaterials on human health and the environment still remains challenging. Although many techniques have been established and adapted to determine the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of nano-sized materials, these techniques remain limited by the number of assays required, total cost, use of labels and they struggle to explain the underlying interaction mechanisms. In this study, Raman microspectroscopy is employed as an in vitro label free high content screening technique …

A Natural, Calcium-Rich Marine Multi-Material Complex Preserves Bone Structure, Composition And Strength In An Ovariectomized Rat Model Of Osteoporosis, Orlaith Brennan, Joseph Sweeney, Brian O'Meara, Amro Widaa, Franck Bonnier, Hugh Byrne, Denis O'Gorman, Fergal O'Brien

Articles

Calcium supplements are used as an aid in the prevention of osteopenia and osteoporosis and also for the treatment of patients when used along with medication. Many of these supplements are calcium carbonate based. This study compared a calcium-rich, marine multi-mineral complex (Aquamin) to calcium carbonate in an ovariectomised rat model of osteoporosis in order to assess Aquamin’s efficacy in preventing the onset of bone loss. Animals were randomly assigned to either non-ovariectomy control (Control), ovariectomy (OVX) plus calcium carbonate, ovariectomy plus Aquamin or ovariectomy plus Aquamin delay where Aquamin treatment started 8 weeks post OVX. At the end of …

Advancing Vibrational Spectroscopy For Cellular And Sub Cellular Analysis: Raman Spectroscopy As An In Vitro Chemotherapeutic Screeening And Assessment Protocol, Zeineb Farhane

Doctoral

Vibrational spectroscopy, including Raman micro-spectroscopy, has attracted considerable attention over the last few years, as a powerful, non-invasive tool for clinical applications, especially in cancer diagnosis, in vivo and ex vivo. As a molecular fingerprinting technique with optical resolution, Raman micro-spectroscopy is able to monitor biochemical processes, drug uptake, efficacy and mode of action and mechanisms of interaction of chemotherapeutic drugs at a subcellular level. In vitro applications may be more strategically achievable, and can help guide drug design and discovery, and eventually evaluate To this end, different lung cell lines were used and Raman micro-spectroscopy was coupled to valuable …

Advancing Vibrational Spectroscopy For Cellular And Sub Cellular Analysis: Raman Spectroscopy As A Novel In Vitro Nanotoxicological Assessment Protocol, Esen Efeoglu

Doctoral

This work is designed to establish a ‘High content Nanotoxicological Screening method’ using in vitro Raman microspectroscopy. The undeniable increase of nanotechnology based products has brought challenges in terms of determining their toxicological properties. Considering the total time and cost of screening nanomaterials by conventional methods, the need for a rapid, label-free technique which will provide a wide range of information on multiple parameters is unquestionable. This study investigated the applicability of Raman microspectroscopy as a High Content Screening technique to clarify cell-nanoparticle interaction by determining the localisation of the nanoparticles and consequent effects in these localised areas in terms …

Freedericksz Transition In Nematic Liquid Crystal Couette Flow, Arup Mukherjee

Department of Mathematics Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

This article investigates the effects of an external magnetic field on the Freedericksz transition for an elastically anisotropic nematic liquid crystal sample occupying the annular region between two concentric cylinders in relative (slow) rotation. Assuming both azimuthal and radial magnetic fields and strong anchoring conditions for the liquid crystal director perpendicular to the surface of the cylinders, we investigate and characterize the differences in the director distortions and the critical field value for the onset of the transition.

Maximal-Clique Partitions And The Roller Coaster Conjecture, Jonathan Cutler, Luke Pebody

Department of Mathematics Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

A graph G is well-covered if every maximal independent set has the same cardinality q. Let ik(G) denote the number of independent sets of cardinality k in G. Brown, Dilcher, and Nowakowski conjectured that the independence sequence (i0(G),i1(G),…,iq(G)) was unimodal for any well-covered graph G with independence number q. Michael and Traves disproved this conjecture. Instead they posited the so-called “Roller Coaster” Conjecture: that the termsi⌈q2⌉(G),i⌈q2⌉+1(G),…,iq(G) could be in any specified order for some well-covered graph G with independence number q. Michael and Traves proved the conjecture for q<8 and Matchett extended this to q<12. In this paper, we prove the Roller Coaster Conjecture using a construction of graphs with a property related to that of having a maximal-clique partition. In particular, we show, for all pairs of integers 0≤k

School-Level Correlates Of Perceptions Of Violence And Safety In Middle And High Schools, Jonathan Adams

All ETDs from UAB

Witnessing school violence predicts poorer academic performance and psychological well-being among adolescents. Violence rates and students’ feelings of safety vary across schools, and some variance can be attributed to school-level variables. The present study examined relationships among school-level variables and perceptions of violence and safety. Middle (grades 6-8) and high (grades 9-12) school students (N = 26,313; 52.9% middle school, 47.2% female; mean age 14.44 years; 50.1% African American, 38.0% Caucasian, 11.9% other or undisclosed) from two large urban and suburban school districts self-reported how often they perpetrated violence with and without weapons, were victims of violence, or felt unsafe …

Development Of The Framework For A Lean, Energy Efficient, And Environmentally Friendly Port: Umm Qasr Port As A Case Study, Safaa A.J. Alfayyadh

World Maritime University Ph.D. Dissertations

The research focus is to examine rigorously how the implementation of Lean within the Umm Qasr Port improves the operation processes and to explore the Lean impact on environment improvement and energy efficiency management. In this research, the ROPMEE model has been developed by the researcher to evaluate the service quality in the cargo delivery process in the Port of Umm Qasr as it covers all the functional and non-functional areas in the cargo delivery process compared to other quality dimensions. The findings confirm that the process quality dimension is the most influential factor in service quality in the Port …