Digital Commons Network^™

Photomechanical Properties Of Azobenzene Doped Lcn Films For Surface Healing Applications, Daniel Luis Mojica

Theses

Azobenzene doped liquid crystal network (LCN) polymers are being well studied for their potential in many applications such as light activated organic actuators, memory materials, and as surfaces capable of complex topographical texture changes. A novel application is explored with azobenzene doped LCN materials being used as a self-healing protective polymer layer capable of healing surface compression damage which alters its original topography. Preliminary studies showed that LCN materials are very capable of healing indentations caused by compression damage. This work delves into understanding how this material can be altered in the manufacturing process to improve its surface healing capabilities. …

Enhancing Diversity And Inclusion In Computer Science Undergraduate Programs: The Role Of Admissions, Ouldooz Baghban Karimi, Giulia Toti, Mirela Gutica, Rebecca Robinson, Lisa Zhang, James Paterson, Peggy Lindner, Michael O'Dea

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Despite continued efforts to further the participation of women in Computer Science (CS), progress has been limited during the past decades. Recent efforts have been focused on recruitment and retention, with a notable gap in exploring the impact of admissions processes on diversity and inclusion. Through an extensive literature review, contextual analysis of public admissions data from 40 universities across four regions around the world, and qualitative and quantitative analysis on surveys and interviews, we explored the role of admissions in enhancing diversity and inclusion in CS undergraduate programs. Our findings highlight the role of financials, the possible positive effects …

55 Perry Place Llc V. Wolfgang Ban

All Decisions

The case involves a nonpayment proceeding initiated by the landlord against the tenant. The tenant, represented by Manhattan Legal Services (MLS) under the Universal Access to Counsel (UAC) program, moved to amend the answer and conduct discovery regarding defenses and a counterclaim of unlawful deregulation fraudulent overcharge. The landlord sought to disqualify MLS, alleging the tenant's ineligibility for free legal services due to income levels. However, the court found the landlord lacked standing to challenge MLS's qualification, as no implied right of action was demonstrated. This decision underscores the legislative intent behind the UAC program and the limitations on landlord …

Matter Of 101 E. 16th St. Realty Llc V. New York State Div. Of Hous. & Community Renewal

All Decisions

For a Judgment Pursuant to CPLR article 78.

The Contours Of Contempt In Patent Law After Tivo, Inc. V. Echostar Corp.: An Empirical Study, Nina Elder

Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology

No abstract provided.

“They Act Like We Are Going To Heaven”: Pre-Arrival Information Experiences, Information Crafting And Settlement Of Immigrants In Canada, Nafiz Z. Shuva

Publications and Research

Purpose

Although there is a growing body of work on immigrants' information behavior, little is known about the pre-arrival information experiences of immigrants who consult formal information sources such as immigration agents. Drawn from a larger study on the information behavior of immigrants, this paper mainly reports the semi-structured interview findings on the pre-arrival information experiences of Bangladeshi immigrants who used formal information sources with discussion on how that affected their post-arrival settlement into Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a mixed method approach with semi-structured interviews (n = 60) and surveys (n = 205) with participants who arrived in Canada …

The Mechanobiology Of Cell Plasticity, Yuan Hong

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

The cell is a sophisticated machine, integrating chemical and physical inputs to decide upon the mechanobiological outputs that the body requires every second, in cardiomyocytes that make heartbeats, in fibroblasts that heal wounds, and in sarcomeres that contract muscles. Malfunction of mechanotransduction or mechanical inputs is implicated in diseases such as fibrosis, cancers, and cardiomyopathies, and a pressing quest is underway to unravel the intricacies of how mechanical force orchestrates the activation of cells. This dissertation explores these fundamental mechanisms of cell activation using integrated mathematical and engineered cell culture models. The work begins with the discovery that the directionality …

The Development And Validation Of Novel Imaging Biomarkers For Uterine Contraction, Cervix And Placenta In Pregnancy, Wenjie Wu

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Annually, nearly half a million neonates in the United States and 15 million globally are born preterm, defined as prior to 37 completed weeks of gestation. These births present elevated risks of neonatal mortality and long-term neurological deficits. The predominant obstetric precursors of preterm birth (PTB) include spontaneous preterm labor (45%), medically-indicated deliveries (30%), and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM, 25%). Each precursor is associated with distinct physiological or structural alterations such as uterine contractions, placental dysfunction, or cervical insufficiency. Current methodologies for monitoring uterine contractions, such as intrauterine pressure catheters and electrohysterography, possess limitations in spatial resolution, coverage, …

Are Human-Like Robots Trusted Like Humans? An Investigation Into The Effect Of Anthropomorphism On Trust In Robots Measured By Expected Value As Reflected By Feedback Related Negativity And P300, Lucy Olivia Wilson

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Robots are becoming more prevalently used in industry and society. However, in order to ensure effective use of the trust, must be calibrated correctly. Anthropomorphism is one factors which is important in trust in robots (Hancock et al., 2011). Questionnaires and investment games have been used to investigate the impact of anthropomorphism on trust, however, these methods have led to disparate findings. Neurophysiological methods have also been used as an implicit measure of trust. Feedback related negativity (FRN) and P300 are event related potential (ERP) components which have been associated with processes involved in trust such as outcome evaluation. This …

Diversity And Bioactive Potential Of Leaf-, And Root Sediment-Associated Bacteria From Zostera Marina In The Yealm Estuary, Southwest England, Eva Capps

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among human pathogenic bacteria demands urgent efforts to uncover novel natural products for developing new antibiotic drugs. Since terrestrial sources of natural products are overmined, attention in biodiscovery is shifting towards marine microbial ecosystems which are subject to unique environmental stressors. Resulting metabolic adaptations provide potential for potent antibacterial compounds. Thus, the microbiomes of seagrass components in Zostera marina, and the activity of culturable isolates against human pathogens, were explored in this study. The sample site used was in the Yealm Estuary, Southwest England, a location previously unexplored in this context. Seagrass leaves at 20cm and …

Assessing The Spatial And Temporal Distribution Of Microplastics Within The Sediment Of Plymouth Sound, Keira N. Lintin

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The pollution of microplastics in the marine environment is a growing issue that impacts us globally. These invasive particles have been discovered in all regions of the world, including human body tissue. It is well understood that microplastics settle within seafloor sediment and hotspots are found close to human activity. However, the way microplastics are distributed both spatially and temporally in urban marine environments, and why this might be, is little known. Using the ‘primary analytical process’, a study was conducted in Plymouth Sound, United Kingdom, to assess how microplastics were distributed within the sediment here. General sediment samples and …

Fostering Academic Literacy And Unveiling Student Excellence In Stem (Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics) Research At The University Of Plymouth, Uk, Jason B. Truscott

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Six years ago, when I stepped into the role of Editor for this journal, I couldn't have foreseen the incredible wealth of talent nestled within the student cohort at the University of Plymouth (Truscott, 2018). The journey through their undergraduate research endeavours has been truly remarkable, a testament not just to their inherent abilities but also to the exceptional guidance provided by their research project supervisors and external sponsors. Each passing year unfolds as a unique odyssey through the diverse realms of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), all thanks to the steadfast commitment of these students to inquiry within …

Bat Activity And Diversity In Plymouth’S Green Spaces: Implications For Future Conservation And Management, Ellie Hawcutt

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Urbanisation and human population growth is a threat to biodiversity at a global scale. Bats in urban green areas are becoming increasingly acknowledged within the literature as we begin to understand their importance as useful bioindicators. Bat activity and diversity was examined through passive acoustic monitoring of four sites in Plymouth (UK) during October 2022 (Central Park, Ham Wood, Radford Lake, Saltram Park). This was completed to compare sites with differing percentages of habitats, and make implications for the future management of urban green spaces to benefit bats. Basic habitat surveys of each site were undertaken, estimating the percentage of …

Testing The Potential Use Of Uk Wetland Plant Species In Paludiculture Using Examples From The Somerset Levels, Olivia Bentley

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The trade-off between economic benefits and environmental sustainability results in the unsustainable use of wetlands through conversion to agricultural land. As a result, causing peat degradation, reducing the ecosystem’s capacity to provide ecosystem services. Paludiculture, the concept of cultivating wetland plant species in rewetted conditions that can be converted and utilised commercially, presents an opportunity to harmonise economic stability and environmental protection. However, most research into paludiculture has been conducted in continental Europe; there is a knowledge gap regarding paludiculture in the UK. In this research, seven UK wetland plant species were harvested from the Somerset Levels, a low-lying wetland …

The Role Of Colony Morphology And Substratum Inclination On The Distribution Of Eunicella Verrucosa On Shallow Reefs, Luke Thompson

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Eunicella verrucosa plays an important role in shallow reefs, where they produce a complex 'sheet tree' morphology that supports a variety of benthic-dwelling organisms. E. verrucosa is considered 'vulnerable' by the IUCN Red List, which validates the importance of understanding the biotic and abiotic factors influencing the species morphology and survival. This study analyses how horizontal and vertical slope inclinations influence colony morphology. A population of 115 E. verrucosa colonies were observed at Plymouth's inner breakwater fort at 8–13.8m in depth. The influence of inclination on morphology was investigated by observing colony height, encrusting branch diameter and branch complexity for …

Impact Of Marine Heatwaves On The Physiological Health Of Two Fucoid Species, Lily Burnet

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Marine Heatwaves (MHWs) are periods of high-water temperature that have become an increasingly significant threat to marine ecosystem biodiversity in recent decades with rising anthropogenic carbon driving greater severity of MHW events. The two intertidal fucoid species, Fucus serratus and Fucus vesiculosus, are keystone primary producers supporting an extensive biodiverse community of associated flora and fauna. As intertidal species, fucoids are adapted to cope with high atmospheric temperatures during exposure at low tide, however, are prone to changes in abundance, distribution, and life cycles during MHW events. Changes to fucoid communities resulting in reduced primary production and habitat biomass will …

Diversity, Abundance, And Distribution Of Ground Invertebrates In Lower Sharpham Farm, Valeria Zavala Quiroga

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Invertebrates constitute the largest group of animals on Earth and represent the bulk of biodiversity. They are responsible for numerous essential ecosystems services and are at the centre of many terrestrial food webs. Due to habitat loss from land use change and conversion to intensive agriculture, they are experiencing a substantial decline in biodiversity, hence conservation approaches such as rewilding have been sought. There are limited studies of invertebrate biodiversity in rewilding projects, therefore the aim of this study is to investigate the diversity and abundance of ground invertebrates at Lower Sharpham Farm and the influences of vegetation structure in …

An Investigation Into How Tree Characteristics And Species Composition Associated With Veteran And Ancient Trees Influences Invertebrate Species, Brandon Clapp

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Veteran and ancient trees have distinctive characteristics that act as microhabitats: such as tree cavities and deadwood. These trees and their microhabitats are keystone features for specialised communities of invertebrates, fungi, and epiphytes. However, due to limited species data, there are still uncertainties around the relative importance of veteran and ancient trees and their associated microhabitats on these invertebrate species. This investigation aims to assess how the tree characteristics of veteran and ancient trees affect the species richness and composition of the three taxa (i) invertebrates, (ii) fungi, and (iii) epiphytes. Epiphytes, fungi, and invertebrates on the tree trunk were …

Why Are Some Beaches More Conducive To Surfing? Bathymetric Effects On Nearshore Waves At Croyde, Jonathan Bailey

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Good surfing waves require high peel angles, allowing surfers to ride the face of the wave. However, these waves are not present at every beach, leading to some having better surfing conditions than others. The production of high-quality surfing waves requires preliminary transformations such as refraction, to occur on the nearshore wave field. Mead and Black (2001), previously assessed how various bathymetric combinations, or components, affected the wave field at world-class surfing breaks. More recently, many articles have been published as a result of advancements made in numerical wave modelling, enabling a comprehensive evaluation of the impact these components have …

The Different Factors Affecting Chiroptera Emergences With A Focus On Pipistrellus Pipistrellus And Pipistrellus Pygmaeus, Hannah Mccabe

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Chiroptera (bats) are important within different ecosystems and biomes due to the different ecosystem services that they provide. The services that they provide to the United Kingdom include organic agricultural pest control and worldwide bats provide pollination and seed dispersal. The rationale for this study is to understand emergence preferences based on natural and anthropogenic factors such as building structure, habitats, and time. Bat roosts are species specific, with urban exploiter species relying on urban habitats such as Pipistrellus pipistrellus and urban-adapter species such as Nyctalus noctule relying on natural roosts. A range of surveys sites were studied across, Hampshire …

A Statistical Analysis Of The Population Of Barbel In The River Teme, Ava Keeling, Paula Oben

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The focus of this project is on the population of barbel (Barbus barbus) living in the River Teme, over a number of years with the objective of examining the fish population size specifically investigating any temporal trend in fish population numbers and, if found, with the further aim of examining any covariates that may be causing the trend. In order to answer these questions, two datasets were investigated and rigorously analysed in order to ascertain whether stocks of barbel are in decline and, if so, to further examine which covariates could be contributing to their depletion. A number of statistical …

A Statistical Analysis Of The Population Of Barbel In The River Teme

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The focus of this project is on the population of barbel (Barbus barbus) living in the River Teme, over a number of years with the objective of examining the fish population size specifically investigating any temporal trend in fish population numbers and, if found, with the further aim of examining any covariates that may be causing the trend. In order to answer these questions, two datasets were investigated and rigorously analysed in order to ascertain whether stocks of barbel are in decline and, if so, to further examine which covariates could be contributing to their depletion. A number of statistical …

Cosmic Inflation: Theoretical Exploration And Observational Constraints, Suvedha Suresh Naik

University Departments

No abstract provided.

Bidder-Optimal Information Structures In Auctions, Dirk Bergemann, Tibor Heumann, Stephen Morris

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

We characterize the bidders' surplus maximizing information structure in an optimal auction for a single unit good and related extensions to multi-unit and multi-good problems. The bidders seeks to find a balance between participation (and the avoidance of exclusion) and efficiency. The information structure that maximizes the bidders surplus is given by a generalized Pareto distribution at the center of demand distribution, and displays complete information disclosure at either end of the Pareto distribution.

Volume 25, Issue 1 Masthead And Front Matter

Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology

No abstract provided.

Regulating The Revolution: A Legal Roadmap To Optimizing Ai In Healthcare, Fazal Khan

Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology

No abstract provided.

Crawling To The Cure: The Monopolization Of The Breast Cancer Drug Market, Kira Le

Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology

No abstract provided.

Covid-19 Response In An Alternative America: Legal Tools That The Us Government Failed To Invoke, Neil Davey

Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology

No abstract provided.

Winning The Imitation Game: Setting Safety Expectations For Automated Vehicles, William H. Widen, Philip Koopman

Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology

No abstract provided.

Safety And Efficacy Of Ixoberogene Soroparvovec In Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration In The United States (Optic): A Prospective, Two-Year, Multicentre Phase 1 Study, Arshad M. Khanani, David S. Boyer, Charles C. Wykoff, Carl D. Regillo, Brandon G. Busbee, Dante Pieramici, Carl J. Danzig, Brian C. Joondeph, James C. Major, Adam Turpcu, Szilárd Kiss

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

Background

Gene therapy, successfully used in rare, monogenetic disorders, may prove to be a durable management approach for common, polygenetic conditions, including neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Repeated injections, oftentimes monthly, and possibly for decades, of vascular endothelial growth factor antagonists (anti-VEGF), is the standard for nAMD. We hypothesised that an in-office, intravitreal administration of ixoberogene soroparvovec (ixo-vec, formerly ADVM-022), a single-dose gene therapy encoding for the proven anti-VEGF protein, aflibercept, would transform retinal cells to continually produce aflibercept to minimise treatment burden in nAMD.

Methods

In this two-year, open-label, prospective, multicentre phase 1 study, patients with nAMD responding to …