Digital Commons Network^™

The Intersection Of Foreign Influence And Democratization: A Case Study Of Eurasian Powers Influence On Belarus’ Democratic Movement Since 2020, Dalton Xavier Maggs

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In 2020, the world took notice of Belarus’ dictator, Alexander Lukashenko’s brutal repression of the Belarusian people, demonstrating their wish to topple his hybrid authoritarian regime to make way for a liberated and democratic Belarus. While that wish has yet to be achieved, the question of “How do the regional powers of Eurasia influence the internal democratization struggle of Belarus?” has been vital to understanding geopolitics over the past three years. Through analysis of government reports, statements, and interviews with experts in the Eurasian region, I showcase the foreign policies of the U.S., EU, Russia, and China relating to Belarus. …

Systems And Methods For Generating Tactile 3d Maps, Howard David Kaplan, Spenser Fox Mason

USF Patents

A method for generating three dimensional indicators for the visually impaired. The method includes selecting one or more pre-designed symbols from a plurality of pre-designed symbols. The pre-designed symbols represent standard building layout features and are sized to be readable via a physical touch. The method further includes inserting the one or more selected symbols into a two dimensional digital layout, and generating one or more of an orientation object and a legend object into the two dimensional digital layout. The method further includes converting the two dimensional digital layout into a three dimensional digital model, and generating an output …

The Aesthetics Of Social Innovation: The Body As The Site Of Change, Amy Phillips

Masters Projects

Social innovation scholarship often prioritizes tangible, product-based answers to questions of societal justice without examining the catalyst for change. Exploring the potential of the body to serve as a site of social innovation may complement the goals of emerging paradigms of social innovation that embrace new forms of knowing. The sensory knowledge developed through methods such as Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed is systematized in the multidisciplinary field of somaesthetics, which looks closely at the disciplined cultivation of the body. This research project tracked the perceived body awareness and self-growth of formerly incarcerated individuals following four applied theatre workshops. …

Clarence Butler (December 12, 2023), Wilmer Amina Carter Foundation

Bridges Digital Archive: Audio and Video Recordings

In this interview, Clarence Butler is the guest. Butler starts the interview by talking about his neighborhood and how his home was a place where his friends could hang out and be fed. He remembers playing with his friends, especially sports, in areas like the street or empty lots. After speaking about the alcoholics he sold bottles from and the garden he and his mother made, Butler focuses on faithful figures in the community. Some were John Scotlsn, Brother Buron, Mr. Hannah, and Nettie Wallace among others who made impacts through faith, the arts, business, and more. When asked by …

Smpdl3b Contributes To Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cells Progression By Promoting The Infiltration Of M2 Macrophages, Li Su, Jian Hao, Na Zhang, Shan Wu, Xiuhua Wu, Wei Wei

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The common disease gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) has a high morbidity and mortality, so there is an urgent need for research to explore new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. This investigation was carried out to investigate the expression of sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase acid-like 3b (SMPDL3B) in GAC and its effects on tumor progression. Materials and methods: Samples were collected from patients who underwent radical gastrectomy from January 2021 to December 2022. Along with the normal gastric epithelial cell lines GES-1 and SGC-7901, the AGS, MGC-803, and MSN-45 human gastric cancer cell lines were used to confirm SMPDL3B expression. RT-qPCR, Western blot, …

Positive Effects Of Health Behaviors Acquired During The Covid-19 Pandemic Process On The Prevention Of Other Infectious Diseases, Asi̇ye Çi̇ğdem Şi̇mşek, Turan Buzgan, Fatma Nur Baran Aksakal, Şuayip Bi̇ri̇nci̇, Hülya Şi̇ri̇n

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: It was aimed to evaluate the positive effects of health behaviors (general hygiene, wearing face masks, physical distancing, and travel restrictions) acquired during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the prevention of other infectious diseases in Ankara Province, Türkiye. Materials and methods: This study was designed retrospectively. Among the notifiable group A infectious diseases, acute intestinal infections (AIIs) with International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision diagnosis codes A09 (diarrhea and gastroenteritis presumed to be of infectious origin), R11 (nausea and vomiting), and K52 (other noninfectious gastroenteritis and colitis) , as well as influenza, tuberculosis, measles, varicella, malaria, and …

Void Formation And Mortality During Liquid Composite Molding, Jared Michael Turner

Theses and Dissertations

Within the high-performance composite manufacturing industry, there exists a need to improve the reliability of LCM (Liquid Composite Molding) manufacturing processes in producing composite parts that better approach the quality and consistency of pre-impregnated composite tapes that are cured in autoclaves with cost being a driving factor of this need. One obstacle to that end is the phenomenon of void formation during the LCM infusion processes. The formation of these voids through different mechanisms leads to composite parts with lower mechanical properties and consistency than their pre-impregnated autoclave cure counterparts. The objective of this research is to investigate the different …

Characterizing Quirky Signals, Joshua D. Forsyth

Theses and Dissertations

Large collider facilities such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) employ a variety of search methods in hopes of finding new particles. It may be that new physics beyond the SM is waiting to be discovered at energies accessible to the LHC. Quirks are particles charged under a new confining gauge group with masses much larger than their confinement scale. This project details the dynamics of quirks, as well as the production and decay of electrically charged bound states of scalar quirks. The cross section for these states is compared to existing Wγ resonance searches at the LHC. Such a …

In Vitro Observation Of Optical Changes In Whole Blood Due To Injection Of Glucose Solution, James Gordon Harkness

Theses and Dissertations

Significance: While the optical properties of blood have been extensively studied, the influence of glucose concentration on blood optics remains unquantified. This is information which could be used to develop a noninvasive blood glucose monitor. Aim: This in vitro study investigated the optics of blood. Time-dependent effects and various methods of introducing glucose into blood samples were examined. The study aimed to quantify how alterations in glucose levels impacted blood optics across 14 distinct NIR wavelengths. Approach: Blood in a cuvette was exposed to light, and the reflected and transmitted light was captured in integrating spheres. 14 distinct wavelengths from …

The State Of Active Blended Learning In Construction Education: Reviewing Research And Current Perspectives, Shandon Miles Gubler

Theses and Dissertations

STEM educators have shown a particular interest in active blended learning. Construction management education, a discipline within STEM education, has naturally considered blended instruction to engage students in the learning process. Documented efforts of construction management educators implementing blended instruction have mostly been recorded in conference proceedings. These recorded efforts often take the form of anecdotal case studies—a current review of how construction management faculty are implementing blended instruction and active learning in their blended courses was not found. In this study, we reviewed the literature for active blended instruction in construction management education. We surveyed construction management faculty about …

Linking Individual Behavior With Physiology To Understand Complex Life Histories, Doreen Cabrera

Theses and Dissertations

Life history strategies encompass a suite of co-evolved traits crucial for ensuring an individual's fitness, often evolving from trade-offs between traits competing for the same resources. Adult male crayfish in the Cambaridae family undergo seasonal morphological changes linked to reproductive status, a process called cyclic dimorphism. In this dissertation, we attempt to understand how cyclic dimorphism evolved in non-native northern crayfish (Faxonius virilis). First, in Chapter 1, we review empirical studies that have assessed animal personality across developmental periods. The results show that personality traits tend to be stable within life stages but not across developmental events. In Chapter 2, …

12.04.2023 Orsp Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

Week of December 4, 2023

2023-December-12-Etsu Rotc Cadets Will Earn Commissions.Pdf, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

The community is invited to celebrate the commissioning of cadets in the Army ROTC Program at East Tennessee State University, an elite program that is ranked No. 1 in the Volunteer State.

The 1 p.m. ceremony is in the Brown Hall Auditorium, located on the university’s main campus along Stout and Sherrod Drive near University School, on Friday, Dec. 15.

ETSU alumni Gary McAllister, a retired colonel, will be the guest speaker. The university inducted McAllister, a 1983 ETSU graduate with a distinguished military career, into the ROTC Hall of Fame earlier this year.

On Friday, the following ETSU cadets …

Migrant Labour Protection In Asean, In What Way Does Ilo Matter?, Dwi Ardhanariswari Sundrijo, Dhanny Safitri

Global: Jurnal Politik Internasional

Despite the importance of labour migration in Southeast Asia, the mechanism of migrant workers protection in the region is still lacking. Because of that, cases show that often the undocumented and/or the low-skilled workers receive inappropriate treatment in the host countries. In certain cases, they were treated as second-class citizens – this is despite the work that they do. To address these issues, ASEAN has conducted a series of dialog forums and issued various agreements. In doing so, ASEAN have been involving different key stakeholders working on the issue, including international organizations, regional and national civil society organizations, and employers’ …

2023-December-12-Etsu Student Will Fulfill Promise At Commencement.Pdf, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

All of the East Tennessee State University students who cross the commencement stage later this month will no doubt feel a range of emotions, from a deep sense of pride and excitement to reflective nostalgia and gratitude.

It will be especially meaningful for senior James “Jack” Smithey, an interior architecture major who already has a job lined up in Nashville.

On December 16, 2009 – 14 years to the day from ETSU’s commencement ceremony – he made a promise to his dad.

The pledge: He would attend and ultimately graduate from college.

“My grandfather had gotten into some trouble, and …

Study Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Realconsent2.0: A Web‑Based Intervention To Promote Prosocial Alcohol‑Involved Bystander Behavior In Young Men, Laura F. Salazar, Dominic J. Parrott, David Dilillo, Sarah J. Gervais, Anne Marie Schipani‑Mclaughlin, Ruschelle Leone, Kevin Swartout, Lauren Simpson, Renita Moore, Tiffany Wilson, Nyla Flowers, Haley Church, Amanda Baildon

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Background Sexual violence (SV) is a significant, global public health problem, particularly among young adults. Promising interventions exist, including prosocial bystander intervention programs that train bystanders to intervene in situations at-risk for SV. However, these programs suffer from critical weaknesses: (1) they do not address the proximal effect of alcohol use on bystander decision-making and (2) they rely on self-report measures to evaluate outcomes. To overcome these limitations, we integrate new content specific to alcohol use within the context of prosocial bystander intervention into an existing, evidence-based program, RealConsent1.0. The resulting program, RealConsent2.0, aims to facilitate bystander behavior …

The Diamond, December 12, 2023, Dordt University

Dordt Diamond

• Front Page: Dordt Begins Construction on Townhome Style Housing; Dordt Alumni Elected as Mayor of Sioux Center; Morality and Policy Collide at Feenstra's Faith and Family Event
• News: Voters Prepare for Iowa's January Caucus; Finals Shift Away from Traditional Exams; MOSAIC Club, Students Without Borders Hosts Christmas Around the World; Iowa Corn Includes College Agriculture Students
• Feature: Student-Led Short Films Showcase Talents; Zamboni Breaks the Ice at Dordt Hockey; Escaping War and Finding a Home in Sioux County; Dordt Dads Lend a Hand by Washing Dishes; Developing Your Career at Dordt
• Arts & Entertainment: Student-Directed One …

Quantifying Non-Muscle Myosin 2 Filament Dynamics, Melissa Ann Quintanilla

Dissertations

Non-muscle myosin 2 is a motor protein that, when assembled into filaments, works on the actin cytoskeleton to produce contractile forces within cells. This type of myosin dynamically assembles within cells to exert forces necessary for a wide variety of functions including cell division, migration, and multicellular movement. The ability to dynamically assemble contractile networks, and the ability to control the assembly and placement of these myosin filaments in both space and time, is therefore required throughout cell physiology. We used a suite of dynamic, quantitative imaging approaches to identify deterministic factors that drive myosin filament appearance and amplification as …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of A Thermoresponsive Hydrogel For Delivering Anti-Collagen Antibodies To Reduce Posttraumatic Scarring In Orthopedic Tissues., Andrzej Steplewski, Jolanta Fertala, Lan Cheng, Mark Wang, Michael Rivlin, Pedro K Beredjiklian, Andrzej Fertala

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Excessive posttraumatic scarring in orthopedic tissues, such as joint capsules, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and peripheral nerves, presents a significant medical problem, resulting in pain, restricted joint mobility, and impaired musculoskeletal function. Current treatments for excessive scarring are often ineffective and require the surgical removal of fibrotic tissue, which can aggravate the problem. The primary component of orthopedic scars is collagen I-rich fibrils. Our research team has developed a monoclonal anti-collagen antibody (ACA) that alleviates posttraumatic scarring by inhibiting collagen fibril formation. We previously established the safety and efficacy of ACA in a rabbit-based arthrofibrosis model. In this study, we evaluate …

The Experience Of Teaching Disengaged Students In Stem: Examined Through The Lens Of The Abc Engagement Framework, William Randall Hjorth

Theses and Dissertations

Young people today are increasingly disengaged from their education. Studies indicate that of all school subjects, American students struggle to engage in STEM subjects more than others. For decades, we have known that student engagement/disengagement impacts teachers. Researchers have also claimed that engagement/disengagement can be described as a construct made up of affective, behavioral, and cognitive dimensions (ABC). However, we do not understand how teachers experience student disengagement in these three areas. At a crucial time in education, investigation into the experiences of teachers with disengaged students is needed to uncover insights which may help us understand how teachers interpret …

Motherland Drip: Examining Performativity In Southern Black Motherhood, Daisha Huiel

Master's Projects

This capstone project explores the possibilities of the societal standards of southern Black motherhood creating oppositional experiences for Black women and their claims to freedom and bodily autonomy. I am writing about the lived experiences of southern Black women, including myself, within their communities to explore anti-respectability themes in the lives and performances of southern women and female hip hop performers through the lens of intersectionality. This creative nonfiction1 and scholarship reflect my academic exploration into the ways foundational Black feminist theory and relevant texts connect to my individual lived experiences of motherhood and identity within the post-hip-hop generations. I …

Unh Celebrates Students And Alumni At Annual Social Venture Innovation Challenge, Unh Communications And Public Affairs

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Patterns And Predictors Of Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Hiv Care Continuum In The Southern Usa: Protocol For A Population-Based Cohort Study, Xueying Yang Ph.D., Jiajia Zhang Ph.D., Bankole Olatosi Ph.D., Zhenlong Li, Sharon Weissman, Xiaoming Li Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Introduction Health disparities exist at every step of the HIV care continuum (HCC) among racial/ethnic minority population. Such racial/ethnic disparities may have significantly delayed the progress in HCC in the Southern US states that are strongly represented among geographic focus areas in the 2019 federal initiative titled 'Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America'. However, limited efforts have been made to quantify the long-term spatiotemporal variations of HCC disparities and their contributing factors over time, particularly in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. This project aims to identify the spatiotemporal patterns of racial disparities of each HCC outcome and then …

A Path To Full Citizenship: The Impact Of The Civil Rights Movement On The Creation Of Title I Schools Through The Elementary And Secondary Education Act Of 1965, Edwin Ryan

Washington Semester Program

Studies of the Civil Rights Movement commonly include events like Brown v. Board of Education, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, sit-ins, bus boycotts, and the Freedom Riders. The creation of Title I schools through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in 1965 to serve "disadvantaged" students also was a major move in a broader attempt to undo systematic Black poverty. As part of his War on Poverty in the formation of a "Great Society," President Lyndon Johnson and his administration proposed drastic increases for federal involvement in the funding of public school …

Volume 122, Number 3 - Tuesday, December 12th, 2023, Saint Mary's College Of California

The Collegian

No abstract provided.

In-Depth Geochemical Analysis Of Turbidite-Associated Shales Of The Pindos Basin, Greece, Jonathon Michael Sevy

Theses and Dissertations

Detailed geochemical analysis of the turbidite-associated shales of the Cretaceous Katafito Formation, Greece, reveals important details regarding the paleoenvironment, paleoproductivity, and regional tectonics of the Pindos Basin. The Katafito Formation was deposited along an active margin at the early onset of closure of the Tethys Sea in the Pindos sub-basin. While careful studies of the coarse clastic component of turbidites are common, this study consisted of a detailed geochemical characterization of the fine-grained portions, which helped reveal paleoenvironmental information about the basin. This study combined organic and inorganic geochemistry utilizing elemental, mineralogical, and organic chemical signatures from fine-grained turbidite-associated sediments …

Relationship Between Positive Body Image And Selective Visual Self-Presentation On Social Networking Sites: Moderating Role Of Gender, Asharf Sadat Ahadzadeh, Fon Sim Ong, Saeed Pahlevan Sharif

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

This study examines the association between positive body image and selective visual self-presentation behaviors on social networking sites, while also considering the moderating influence of gender. We conducted a cross-sectional survey involving 282 undergraduate students in Malaysia (Mage = 20.85, SD = 1.81). The results reveal a negative correlation between positive body image and behaviors such as posing in pictures and editing photos. However, no significant relationship was found between positive body image and photo selection. Gender differences were evident, with females exhibiting higher engagement in posing in pictures, editing, and photo selection compared to males. The findings also …

Analisis Sistem Proteksi Kebakaran Dan Keselamatan Kebakaran Di Stasiun Transit Manggarai Kereta Rel Listrik (Krl) Commuter Line Jabodetabek Tahun 2023, Naila Adinda Achmad, Hendra Hendra

National Journal of Occupational Health and Safety

Stasiun Manggarai is the most active station. In January 2023, Stasiun Manggarai has 150,000 transit users and 14,000 station users per day (Fransisca, 2023). This large number of users can certainly increase the density – and according to research – density can increase the existing potential hazards and risks, including fire hazards. Therefore, this research was conducted to find out the implementation of fire protection and fire safety system at Stasiun Transit Manggarai Kereta Rel Listrik (KRL) Commuter Line Jabodetabek using a descriptive observational method with comparative approach. The author compares the results of implementing fire protection and fire safety …

Oncogenic Kras Drives Lipofibrogenesis To Promote Angiogenesis And Colon Cancer Progression, Wen-Hao Hsu, Kyle A Labella, Yiyun Lin, Ping Xu, Rumi Lee, Cheng-En Hsieh, Lei Yang, Ashley Zhou, Jonathan M Blecher, Chang-Jiun Wu, Kangyu Lin, Xiaoying Shang, Shan Jiang, Denise J Spring, Yan Xia, Peiwen Chen, John Paul Shen, Scott Kopetz, Ronald A Depinho

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Oncogenic KRAS (KRAS*) contributes to many cancer hallmarks. In colorectal cancer, KRAS* suppresses antitumor immunity to promote tumor invasion and metastasis. Here, we uncovered that KRAS* transforms the phenotype of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAF) into lipid-laden CAFs, promoting angiogenesis and tumor progression. Mechanistically, KRAS* activates the transcription factor CP2 (TFCP2) that upregulates the expression of the proadipogenic factors BMP4 and WNT5B, triggering the transformation of CAFs into lipid-rich CAFs. These lipid-rich CAFs, in turn, produce VEGFA to spur angiogenesis. In KRAS*-driven colorectal cancer mouse models, genetic or pharmacologic neutralization of TFCP2 reduced lipid-rich CAFs, lessened tumor angiogenesis, and improved overall survival. …

Kids For A Happy Marriage? A Preliminary Study On Marriage Satisfaction And Presence Or Absence Of Children Among Married Individuals In Indonesia, Alftisya Victory Hutabarat, Karel Karsten Himawan

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

Having children after marriage tends to be seen as a normative practice in Indonesia. As a result, individuals who do not have children could be at risk of experiencing a set of social stigmas. The study aims to explore whether having children is associated with one’s marital satisfaction. In particular, the present study aims to explore the differences in marital satisfaction among married individuals who have biological children, who are childfree (voluntarily childless), and who are childless (involuntarily childless). A cross-sectional survey was conducted to 210 married individuals (M age = 34.3; SD = 7.9). The result shows that …