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2023

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Modeling Of Functional Gene Regulation Through Machine Learning And Deep Learning Methods, Yuhao Chen Dec 2023

Modeling Of Functional Gene Regulation Through Machine Learning And Deep Learning Methods, Yuhao Chen

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Genes are specific sequences of nucleotides within the genome that undergo transcription to generate products that can diffuse throughout the cell. These gene products can take the form of either proteins or RNAs and play crucial roles in virtually all cellular functions, encompassing structural support, enzymatic activities, and signaling functions. An essential focus of contemporary biological research revolves around unraveling the functions of genes and their resulting products across different organisms. One primary means to conduct this research is through the regulation of gene expression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), short single-stranded non-coding RNAs, play vital roles in gene expression regulation. Both computational …


The Pharmacological Deprescription In Elderly Patients, Chelsey Ali, Daniel Huang, Charlene Tugwete, Stefano Del Canale, Vittorio Maio Dec 2023

The Pharmacological Deprescription In Elderly Patients, Chelsey Ali, Daniel Huang, Charlene Tugwete, Stefano Del Canale, Vittorio Maio

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.


Interleukin-17-Mediated Protective Cytokine Signaling Against Degeneration Of The Retinal Pigment Epithelium, Yan Chen, Sarah E Bounds, Xiang Ma, James Regun Karmoker, Yin Liu, Jian-Xing Ma, Jiyang Cai Dec 2023

Interleukin-17-Mediated Protective Cytokine Signaling Against Degeneration Of The Retinal Pigment Epithelium, Yan Chen, Sarah E Bounds, Xiang Ma, James Regun Karmoker, Yin Liu, Jian-Xing Ma, Jiyang Cai

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Injuries to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and outer retina often result in the accumulation of retinal microglia within the subretinal space. These subretinal microglia play crucial roles in inflammation and resolution, but the mechanisms governing their functions are still largely unknown. Our previous research highlighted the protective functions of choroidal γδ T cells in response to RPE injury. In the current study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing approach to characterize the profiles of immune cells in mouse choroid. We found that γδ T cells were the primary producer of interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the choroid. IL-17 signaled through its receptor …


The 50 Most Cited Papers On Rugby Since 2000 Reveal A Focus Primarily On Strength And Conditioning In Elite Male Players, Katherine J. Hunzinger, Eric Schussler Dec 2023

The 50 Most Cited Papers On Rugby Since 2000 Reveal A Focus Primarily On Strength And Conditioning In Elite Male Players, Katherine J. Hunzinger, Eric Schussler

Department of Exercise Science Faculty Papers

We sought to conduct a bibliometric analysis and review of the most cited publications relating to rugby since 2000 in order to identify topics of interest and those that warrant further investigations. Clarivate Web of Science database was used to perform a literature search using the search term "rugby." The top 200 papers by citation count were extracted and reviewed for the inclusion criteria: all subjects were rugby players. The top 50 manuscripts were included for analysis of author, publication year, country of lead authors, institution, journal name and impact factor, topic, participant sex, and level of rugby. The total …


Connecting With Their Students: Understanding The Impact Of Teachers Using Culturally Relevant Literacy Practices In Elementary Classrooms, Beatrice Acosta Dec 2023

Connecting With Their Students: Understanding The Impact Of Teachers Using Culturally Relevant Literacy Practices In Elementary Classrooms, Beatrice Acosta

Masters Theses (Archived)

Despite extensive research indicating the importance of educators connecting with their students, a significant number of teachers fail to associate classroom curriculum with their students’ cultural backgrounds and lived experiences. Even with the best intentions, teachers frequently encounter difficulties in establishing connections with students and seamlessly integrating their diverse cultures and experiences outside of the classroom into lessons. Culturally Relevant Pedagogy is one method teachers use to incorporate their students’ culture into the classroom so that students see themselves in the lessons and become more engaged in their learning. This study was designed to explore teachers’ feelings of cultural competency …


How Cloud, Edge, And Mist Computing Affects Resource Management In Vanets, Andrew Trombly, Izzat Alsmadi Dec 2023

How Cloud, Edge, And Mist Computing Affects Resource Management In Vanets, Andrew Trombly, Izzat Alsmadi

Masters Theses (Archived)

With public interest in automated vehicles as well as self-aware and responsive smart cities the demand for fast and efficient communication and computation will push our current infrastructure beyond its limits. Vehicular networks
(VANETs) look to solve this issue but suffer from extremely dynamic topologies
with unpredictable times and locations of high network and computational de-
minds from highly mobile units. This thesis looks into how current scholarly
works attempt resource management in VANETs and simulate VANETs with
cloud, edge, or mist computing architectures. The data of are compared and
discussed to drive a data-driven understanding and conversation of architecture …


Decolonization Of The Writing Classroom: Creating Space For Decolonial Theory, Tools, Anti-Racist Pedagogy, And Methods To Improve The Emerging Bilingual Student Experience, Desiree L. Brown Dec 2023

Decolonization Of The Writing Classroom: Creating Space For Decolonial Theory, Tools, Anti-Racist Pedagogy, And Methods To Improve The Emerging Bilingual Student Experience, Desiree L. Brown

Masters Theses (Archived)

In this thesis, the author addresses the colonial roots of the secondary writing classroom and the origin of standard academic English which enables strict standardized testing and writing assessment requirements that in-turn incite linguistic violence towards emerging bilingual students. The author frames her study within the framework of April Baker-Bell and Asao B. Inoue through a reflective/reflexive study of her teaching in a ninth grade writing classroom in a primarily Hispanic school district in South Texas, which is assessed by the state of Texas through STAAR. This study seeks to identify instances of linguistic violence being perpetuated in the writing …


How Do Staff And Families Perceive The Effects Of After School Programs On The Overall School Experience?, Selena Alonzo Dec 2023

How Do Staff And Families Perceive The Effects Of After School Programs On The Overall School Experience?, Selena Alonzo

Masters Theses (Archived)

No abstract provided.


Girls Don’T Go To School: Uncovering The Schooling Experiences Of A Tejana Growing Up On The Westside Of San Antonio, Melissa Garza Dec 2023

Girls Don’T Go To School: Uncovering The Schooling Experiences Of A Tejana Growing Up On The Westside Of San Antonio, Melissa Garza

Masters Theses (Archived)

No abstract provided.


The Effectiveness Of K-12 Online Music Education During The Covid-19 Lockdown, Christopher Lafser Dec 2023

The Effectiveness Of K-12 Online Music Education During The Covid-19 Lockdown, Christopher Lafser

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the successes of online education, students often learn and develop skills in classroom music ensembles that cannot be replicated in online learning. Virtual learning is a new tool for some educators and during the 2020-2022 COVID-19 Pandemic lockdown, many schools were not prepared for the sudden changes the lockdowns needed. Since the lockdown, there have been few studies which examine student music engagement in 100% virtual learning as compared to in-classroom instruction. This qualitative research study examines in what ways music students engage in 100% virtual learning compared to students in a traditional classroom in the areas of musical …


Wounding Words: A Phenomenological Study Of How Individuals Experience Receiving Spiritual Bypass, Peridot Reed-Gilbert Dec 2023

Wounding Words: A Phenomenological Study Of How Individuals Experience Receiving Spiritual Bypass, Peridot Reed-Gilbert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Currently spiritual bypass refers to a person's attempt to evade or sidestep significant events in his or her life by focusing solely on the spiritual dimension “bypassing” important psychological tasks necessary for healing (Cashwell & Young, 2004; Clarke et al., 2013). Several studies have been conducted proving that spiritual bypass is a phenomenon that individuals implement on themselves. However, the purpose of this study was to address the gap in the existing research literature by examining the lived experiences of those who have experienced receiving spiritual bypass from another person. Through semi-structured interviews, fourteen participants who self-identified as having experienced …


How Successful Middle School Band Directors Display Supplemental Illustrations, Instructions, And Reference Material In Their Classrooms, Christopher Ryan Kristich Dec 2023

How Successful Middle School Band Directors Display Supplemental Illustrations, Instructions, And Reference Material In Their Classrooms, Christopher Ryan Kristich

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although presenting visual information is commonplace in a learning environment, many music educators could do this more effectively. This grounded theory project aimed to determine how successful middle school band directors display supplemental illustrations, instructions, and reference material in their classrooms. School administrators often require teachers to exhibit material related to the curriculum. Music educators are typically permitted autonomy with their wall displays if they maintain the educational parameters. Despite the potential benefits of displaying quality visual information, not all middle school band directors ensure that the auxiliary material presented in their room is relevant and constructive. Available resources that …


Correlation Between Purposeful Patient Medication Education And Patient Experience Scores, Paula Shredl Dec 2023

Correlation Between Purposeful Patient Medication Education And Patient Experience Scores, Paula Shredl

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) is a national grading system that is used by payors to determine patients’ perception of their hospital stay. This public benchmarking system is tied to reimbursements and encompasses several domain areas. The medication and nursing domain questions revolve around how the nursing staff explained the purpose and possible side effects of patient medication. This project targeted a medical-surgical unit in a suburban faith-based hospital that was not meeting the national benchmarks in the nursing domain. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project, which was conducted using the Iowa Model of …


Using Mindfulness In Nursing Burnout. An Integrative Review., April Day Branham Dec 2023

Using Mindfulness In Nursing Burnout. An Integrative Review., April Day Branham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this integrative review is to evaluate if mindfulness is effective in decreasing nursing burnout. Nursing burnout has negatively affected the nursing profession for many years, and since the COVID-19 pandemic, it appears to be worse. Mindfulness is a practice that has been used for decades, however, it is gaining more attention in the nursing realm. Mindfulness consists of being present in a moment without judgment. It can consist of individual exercises that are completed using an instructor in person, in an application on a smartphone or computer, or yoga-based mindful activities. A preliminary literature review was completed …


The Intersection Of The Sibling Relationship, Parental Divorce, And Mental Health Symptoms, Taylor A. Bufton Dec 2023

The Intersection Of The Sibling Relationship, Parental Divorce, And Mental Health Symptoms, Taylor A. Bufton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although sibling relationships and parental divorce are two popular areas of study, few research studies have focused on their relationship. In this quantitative study, the researcher explored the relationship between sibling relationship quality and parental divorce conflict, as well as the relationship between perceived sibling relationship quality during parental divorce and mental health in adulthood. The participant sample included 64 adults who experienced parental divorce in childhood with at least one sibling. Participants were required to complete a demographics questionnaire, the Post-Divorce Parental Conflict Scale (PPCS), the Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale (LSRS), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A Pearson’s …


University Student Choice And Attitudes Toward Second Language Learning: A Causal-Comparative Study, Jazmin Marielis Chinea Barreto Dec 2023

University Student Choice And Attitudes Toward Second Language Learning: A Causal-Comparative Study, Jazmin Marielis Chinea Barreto

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal comparative study was to determine if student language choice at the university level affects their attitudes toward second language learning. Current literature in second language acquisition primarily focuses on English as a second language; additionally, studies that address languages other than English are primarily conducted in the United Kingdom. This study addressed this gap in the literature and added to the existing body of knowledge to ascertain student attitudes toward L2 learning based on the language of study. Participants included 190 monolingual speakers of English enrolled in a first-semester language course in a North …


The Transformation Of Rural Elementary Classroom English Language Teachers During Distance Learning: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Cecilia Frazier Salzer Dec 2023

The Transformation Of Rural Elementary Classroom English Language Teachers During Distance Learning: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Cecilia Frazier Salzer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the transformation of rural elementary classroom teachers who transitioned to distance learning with English learners (ELs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the California Central Valley. The theory guiding this study is Mezirow’s transformative learning theory. At the same time the conceptual framework is Technology, Pedagogy, and Content Knowledge (TPACK), as both will ascribe meaning to how EL teachers transformed their perspectives, assumptions, feelings, and judgments while conducting distance learning. The research question guiding this study is: What transformation did teachers experience while providing distance learning instruction to rural elementary English …


The Impact Of Effective Teaching In Closing The Achievement Gap For Minority Students Entering Post-Secondary Education: A Case Study, Diamon Cymon Ike Hughes Dec 2023

The Impact Of Effective Teaching In Closing The Achievement Gap For Minority Students Entering Post-Secondary Education: A Case Study, Diamon Cymon Ike Hughes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this instrumental case study was to explore the practices and strategies utilized by high-performing teachers to impact the learning outcomes for economically disadvantaged and minority students. The theory driving this study was Hattie’s theory of visible learning, which asserts that teaching and learning are the most significant factors impacting student achievement. The study took place at Phoenix Academy Alternative High School. Phoenix is an alternative high school for at-risk students and is a majority economically disadvantaged and minority campus. Participants in the study were teachers who teach core subjects with mandatory passing requirements for student graduation and …


Examining The Effect Of Utilizing 1:1 Ipad Technology On Third Grade Reading Achievement: A Causal-Comparative Analysis, Sharla E. Edwards Dec 2023

Examining The Effect Of Utilizing 1:1 Ipad Technology On Third Grade Reading Achievement: A Causal-Comparative Analysis, Sharla E. Edwards

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative causal-comparative study examined the effects of one-to-one (1:1) iPad instruction versus traditional instruction on urban third-grade students' English Language Arts (ELA) achievement. The research is significant given the rising use of technology, like the 1:1 iPad initiative, to combat declining reading proficiency. It highlights the pivotal role of third-grade reading proficiency in future success, aligning with education policies and catering to modern learners. This study provides valuable insights for educators, administrators, and education stakeholders by elucidating the impact of technology on reading achievement. As one-to-one instruction gains prominence, understanding its influence on students' reading performance is crucial due …


Apolipoprotein E Adopts An Antiparallel Dimer In Discoidal Lipoproteins, Michael Ray Strickland Dec 2023

Apolipoprotein E Adopts An Antiparallel Dimer In Discoidal Lipoproteins, Michael Ray Strickland

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is the major lipoprotein in the central nervous system and forms high density lipoprotein (HDL) like lipoprotein. ApoE is primarily secreted by astrocytes in the central nervous system and is thought to play an important role in cholesterol and lipid transport. The APOE gene has three major alleles, APOE2, APOE3, and APOE4. These alleles encode for 3 common APOE protein isoforms, ApoE2, ApoE3, and ApoE4. APOE3 is most common isoform of APOE with the other two isoforms differing by the loss (ApoE4, Cys112Arg) or gain (ApoE2, Arg158Cys) of a cysteine residue. APOE4 is the largest risk factor …


Beyond Sunday Morning: Communal Singing And Corporate Identity, Justin Aaron Mckinney Dec 2023

Beyond Sunday Morning: Communal Singing And Corporate Identity, Justin Aaron Mckinney

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Corporate worship singing long aided congregants in growing their communal identity and theological understanding of biblical principles. While modern singing trends help congregants grow their theological understanding, modern church singing trends suggest songs are not encouraging growth in communal identity mimicking cultural values of individualism in corporate worship song lyrics. Historically, individual first-person pronouns represented the individuals alongside the rest of the church; but with a rise in cultural individualism, first-person pronouns now represent individuals independent of one another. This individualistic focus can lead congregants to conclude they do not need the church and to remove themselves from the body …


How Does Nurse-To-Patient Ratio Impact Patient Outcomes In Adults, 18 Years And Older, That Are Admitted To Hospitals Around The World: An Integrative Review, Bre' Bryant Dec 2023

How Does Nurse-To-Patient Ratio Impact Patient Outcomes In Adults, 18 Years And Older, That Are Admitted To Hospitals Around The World: An Integrative Review, Bre' Bryant

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The field of nursing, known as the heart of health care, impacts individuals throughout every season of life: from the first cry to the last breath. It matters not how advanced the world might become; the calming presence of a nurse is irreplaceable. Considering the value of nurses, adequate work settings and staffing ratios is essential for care provision. Current practice is lacking, focusing heavily on patient satisfaction while staff contentment is not always addressed. Ratios are being increased, changing the way nurses provide care. The industry calls nurses into action to provide care that is efficient, effective, and safe. …


A Quantitative Analysis Of Servant-Leadership Characteristics Among Those Called To Serve And Protect, Louden S.B. Suggs Dec 2023

A Quantitative Analysis Of Servant-Leadership Characteristics Among Those Called To Serve And Protect, Louden S.B. Suggs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to determine if servant-leader characteristics were common among recruits enrolled in basic law enforcement training programs in North Carolina Community Colleges and the relationship between recruit commitment to preserving public safety and public order and the call or natural feeling to serve others. This study explored whether law enforcement recruits inherently possessed servant-leader characteristics defined by Greenleaf and Spears (1998, 2002) and described in Matthew and Mark. One hundred eleven law enforcement recruits, both men and women, from various demographic backgrounds actively enrolled in 22 North Carolina Community College System’s Basic Law …


Traffic Congestion Analysis Using Sir Epidemic Model, Zani Anjani Rafsanjani, Ratna Herdiana, R Heru Tjahjana, Yogi Ahmad Erlangga Dec 2023

Traffic Congestion Analysis Using Sir Epidemic Model, Zani Anjani Rafsanjani, Ratna Herdiana, R Heru Tjahjana, Yogi Ahmad Erlangga

All Works

In this work, we propose a mathematical model to represent traffic congestion in the street under some consideration. A congestion problem in a city highway becomes a critical issue since congestion at one point affected congestion propagation on the other points. We focus on the propagation of traffic propagation by adopting the concept of disease spread using the SIR model. We consider that the disease in traffic problems is congestion. Meanwhile, vehicles that enter the highway are susceptible to congestion. In contrast, vehicles free from traffic jams represent individuals free from disease. The SIR model can explain the spread of …


A Quantitative Analysis Of Preschoolers’ English Consonant Spellings: Teasing Apart The Influences Of Frequencies, Phonetics, And Children’S Own Names, Jayde Elizabeth Homer Dec 2023

A Quantitative Analysis Of Preschoolers’ English Consonant Spellings: Teasing Apart The Influences Of Frequencies, Phonetics, And Children’S Own Names, Jayde Elizabeth Homer

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Before children are formally taught how to use letters to symbolize speech sounds, they know quite a bit about both. In three studies, I explored competing predictors of the quality of preschoolers’ spellings of the first phoneme of words—the first phoneme of a word being the most likely phoneme that a 3-, 4-, or 5-year-old attempts to spell. Frequency-based predictors included how common a word is or how often caregivers talk about certain letters. Phonetic-based predictors included segmenting the phonemes within a consonant cluster, how long a word is, the extent to which a letter name gives clues to the …


Investigating The Relationship Between Smoking, Genomics, And Brain Imaging, Yoonhoo Chang Dec 2023

Investigating The Relationship Between Smoking, Genomics, And Brain Imaging, Yoonhoo Chang

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Cigarette smoking has been linked to adverse health outcomes, including several forms of cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular disease, and dementia. Despite the public health campaigns aimed at reducing tobacco use, the behavior remains prevalent, and its association with various organs is an active area of research. Recent studies showed that smoking behaviors have strong genetic contributions. Through genome-wide association studies, the genetic risk score of individuals can be created and used as a basis for more effective and precise healthcare solutions. Chapter 2 explores the creation of a polygenic risk score (PRS) for smoking cessation and its utility in two …


Following The Paper Trail: An Ethnoecology Of Hand Papermaking Traditions, James Ojascastro Dec 2023

Following The Paper Trail: An Ethnoecology Of Hand Papermaking Traditions, James Ojascastro

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Plants and their fibers have served as simple yet incredibly versatile raw materials for innovation for as long as humans have been on the planet. As the principal structural building blocks of plant cell walls, these hollow, cellulosic fibers have been co-opted by cultures around the world to meet diverse structural, absorptive, motile, and thermoregulatory needs—especially as textiles and paper. Despite (or because of!) this versatility, fibers vary considerably in physiology, and ethnographic records show that very few plant species have been chosen by tradition for use in fiber products. Surprisingly, no fiber ethnobotany study to date has attempted to …


Biodegradable Magnesium Alloys For Biomedical Implants: Properties, Challenges, And Surface Modifications With A Focus On Orthopedic Fixation Repair, Kevin Koshy Thomas, Mah Noor Zafar, William G. Pitt, Ghaleb A. Husseini Dec 2023

Biodegradable Magnesium Alloys For Biomedical Implants: Properties, Challenges, And Surface Modifications With A Focus On Orthopedic Fixation Repair, Kevin Koshy Thomas, Mah Noor Zafar, William G. Pitt, Ghaleb A. Husseini

Faculty Publications

Biomedical devices made from high-modulus and hardness materials play a critical role in enhancing the quality of life for people with bone-related ailments. While these materials have been successfully used in orthopedic applications, concerns including stress-shielding have necessitated the exploration of alternative solutions. An ideal biomedical implant requires a delicate balance of mechanical performance, corrosion resistance, tissue biocompatibility, and other properties such as tribological performance and osseointegration. This review explores the suitability of biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloys as a promising material for biomedical implants. It delves into the essential properties of biomedical implants, emphasizing the importance of matching mechanical characteristics …


Symposium Review: The Highway And Me And My Earl Grey Tea—Emily Smucker, Julia Martin, Karen Conley Dec 2023

Symposium Review: The Highway And Me And My Earl Grey Tea—Emily Smucker, Julia Martin, Karen Conley

Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies

With its poetic lilt, The Highway and Me and My Earl Grey Tea beckons with the lure of travel, comforting drink in hand. To Conservative Mennonite author Emily Smucker, it is time to explore. Her world of 28 years has been Willamette Valley, OR, a place of faith and family while dealing with West Nile Disease and finishing college. Moving beyond the educational structure to pursue a career in writing posed new questions. “Where should I live? Where do I belong? What is my purpose? What is my identity?” [First paragraph.]


Bedside Diaries And Caregiver Journals: Plain Authors’ Accounts Of Medical Experiences, Jennifer Anderson Dec 2023

Bedside Diaries And Caregiver Journals: Plain Authors’ Accounts Of Medical Experiences, Jennifer Anderson

Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies

Plain populations (Amish and some Mennonites) write nonfiction accounts of their medical experiences as a means of networking and sharing knowledge about medical conditions and care. These stories serve as a means of creating space to normalize the condition. These accounts are written in the form of medical dramas, “bedside diaries” (such as autobiographies and caregivers’ journals), and reference books. In this article, I propose that healthcare providers read bedside diaries and medical experience stories to learn how plain people process their medical experiences, utilize community support systems, and create meaning based on their faith and beliefs. A select bibliography …