Digital Commons Network^™

Modeling Impact Of Simulated Myocardial Perfusion On Cardiac Ablation For Arrhythmia, Brendan Cappon

Theses

Bioheat transfer is the study of heat transfer applied in anatomy and physiology, which is relevant to maintaining homeostatic conditions from metabolic activity, thermal exposures, and various treatments and diagnostic methods. Blood flow significantly impacts heat transfer throughout the body, facilitating the diffusion of heat. Models have been developed to quantify bioheat transfer and the effect of blood flow through tissue for many biological functions and medical procedures, one of which is radiofrequency ablation for cardiac arrhythmia. Significant improvements to models and assumptions are still required as success rates for this procedure remain low for various arrhythmia types. The research …

Development And Optimization Of Electric-Double-Layer Gated Transistors Based On Low-Dimensional Materials: Gate-All-Around Inas Nanowire Arrays And Graphene Channels, John Wyatt Morrell

Theses

Electric-double-layer (EDL) gating is a promising alternative to conventional gating methods for field-effect transistors (FETs), with potential applications spanning current logic, future logic, and neuromorphic computing architectures. This technique employs mobile ions in an electrically insulating but ionically conductive medium to generate strong local electric fields at the gate-to-channel interface, achieving field magnitudes on the order of 1 V/nm. These intense local fields enable significant charge carrier accumulation in the semiconducting channel, positioning EDL gating as a strong candidate for device applications. In this study, we investigate the use of low-dimensional channel materials, including two-dimensional graphene and one-dimensional InAs nanowires, …

The Lived Experience Of Nurses Caring For People Experiencing Homelessness: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study, Debra Guerrini

Theses & Dissertations

Background:

Marginalized patient populations, such as people experiencing homelessness, receive a lower quality of care linked to stereotyping and biases (Alspach, 2018). Populations receiving substandard healthcare are often subconsciously identified by attributes such as age, race, mental health, housing, and social status (Padilla-Moledo et al., 2016). These stigmatized attributes can be the underpinning of bias. The health status of people experiencing homelessness is generally poorer than housed populations, with evidence demonstrating the difficulties they encounter when attempting access to healthcare (Klop et al., 2018).

Purpose:

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and gain a more in-depth understanding …

The Lived Experience Of Older Adults Using Telemedicine Services, Cathy Anne Cahill

Theses & Dissertations

The coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the subsequent pandemic transformed the healthcare delivery system in the U.S. Telemedicine became an essential mode of healthcare, and its usage increased significantly during the public health emergency. Telemedicine improved access to care, especially for vulnerable patient populations and those with chronic medical conditions. There were many other benefits, including convenience, cost savings, and reduced coronavirus transmission. It also reduced the strain on healthcare facilities and overburdened healthcare providers. A qualitative, Heideggerian phenomenological method of inquiry was conducted to understand the experience of the older adult population utilizing telemedicine services. These methods included a description …

Strategic Alignment And Its Impact On Organizational Prosperity, Maryam Qies, Ali Adnan Hasan

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Purpose: The current research aims to measure strategic alignment (SA) in its dimensions (communications, value, and efficiency of information technology (IT), governance, infrastructure, human resources skills) and its impact on organizational prosperity (OP) in its dimensions (organizational awareness, organizational capacity, organizational commitment, leadership support, empowerment). Theoretical Framework: In light of what was suggested by the researchers (Barnes, 2017), (Singh & Arora, 2020), the importance of the study appears through identifying the frameworks and intellectual treatments associated with the study variables (strategic alignment, organizational prosperity). Design/Methodology/Approach: : The study was conducted in the Central Agency for Standardization, Metrology and Quality Control …

The Economic Viability Of Associated Gas Investment In Iraq During The Period (2012-2021), Maysam Abbas Mohsen, Thaer Mahmoud Rashid Al-Ani

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Purpose: Examine the feasibility of investing in and processing associated gas and the impact of increased investment in flaring associated gas on the Iraqi economy, in addition to knowing the quantities of gas produced, invested and burned in Iraq Also calculating the costs that Iraq loses due to gas flaring During the research period (2012-2021). Theoretical framework: The research addresses the feasibility of investing in associated gas from oil and its impact on the Iraqi economy, given its abundant availability. The research problem revolves around whether Iraq can achieve self-sufficiency in gas production and whether it can reach the status …

The Relationship Between Government Spending And Productivity In Iraqi Economy For The Period (2004-2022), Gawad Kadhim Mohi, Salah Mahdi Abbas Al-Birmani

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

The study examined the government expenditure patterns in Iraq, specifically focusing on its fundamental components: current and investment expenditure and total and partial productivity. The problem of the study arises in answering the following question: Does government spending have a role in increasing the productivity of the Iraqi economy? The study aims to determine whether government expenditure substantially influences the improvement of the Iraqi economy's productivity. The objective was to thoroughly analyze the alterations in government expenditure over the research duration and assess the magnitude of any deviations. Furthermore, to assess the efficiency of public expenditure and examine various methods …

Waste Recycling Strategy And Its Role In Enhancing The Dimensions Of Sustainable Development In Iraq, Mustafa H. Kzar, Hamdia Shaker Moslem

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the importance of waste recycling in addressing economic, social and environmental problems facing most countries of the world, especially developing countries, including Iraq, Where Iraq has not developed a recycling strategy for waste considering the economic and climatic changes that the world is witnessing with the increase in population growth rates and the expansion of cities. Theoretical Framework: Many economists, such as (Kirrchher J., & et al., 2017; Murray, A., & et al., 2015; Prieto-Sandoval V. & et al., 2018; Williams, 2013) have also highlighted the importance of practices in production …

Analize Exchange Rate Changes Effect On Poverty In Iraq For The Period (2004-2022), Ashraq Taleb, Azhar Hasan Hasan Ali

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Purpose: Analysis of the Impact of Exchange Rate Changes on the Poverty Index in Iraq and a Study of the Resulting Effects for the period (2004-2022). Theoretical framework: The research studied the relationship between the change in the (EX) and its role in reducing the phenomenon of poverty in Iraq for the period (2004-2022). The exchange rate is considered one of the most important tools of monetary policy in the Iraqi economy due to its sensitivity to any change taken by the monetary authority and its direct and indirect effects on all economic variables, including its impact on the poverty …

The Role Of Virtuous Leadership In Reducing Organizational Deviation: An Analytical Study Of A Sample Of Al-Rafidin In Bank Employees In Anbar, Hind Fouad Zabar, Mohsin Rashed Musaheb

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Purpose: This research works to achieve several goals, perhaps the most prominent of which is identifying the role of virtuous leadership in reducing organizational deviation. Theoretical Framework: Based on what the researchers reported (G. Wang & Hackett, 2016), (Bashir et al., 2012) this study deals with providing practical guidance to improve the virtuous leadership process and enhance its effectiveness in reducing deviations and achieving sustainable development. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study analyzed the data of Rafidain Bank employees in Anbar (2023-2024) using the virtuous leadership model and through its dimensions (courage, wisdom, justice, moderation, and humanity) in reducing organizational deviation through the …

The Role Of Customs Taxes In The Development Of The Industrial Sector In Iraq For The Period (2004-2022), Asseel Niaz Kamel, Dawood Abdul Jabbar Ahmed

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Purpose: The impact of customs taxes in supporting and protecting the domestic product and domestic industry. Conceptual framework: The paper dealt with the study of the role of customs taxes in the development of the industrial sector in Iraq, and the conceptual and theoretical framework of the industrial sector. Design /methodology /methodology: We analyzed the role of customs taxes in the development of the industrial sector in Iraq during the period 2004 - 2022. Results: The study resulted in a set of results,  most important of which lies in that the volume of customs tax revenues is low, and that's …

The Role Of Authentic Leadership In Human Resources Development: An Analytical Study In Diyala State Company, Ali Radhi Abbas*, Mohammed Matook Abood Al- Mahdi

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Purpose: This research works to achieve several objectives, the most important of which is determining the type of relationship between authentic leadership and human resource development and its dimensions. Theoretical Framework: In light of what was proposed by researchers(Walumbwa et al., 2008), (Ivancevich, 2002), this study helps public organizations on the one hand and the company being studied as well as identify the level of employees' awareness of authentic leadership and The positives that leadership can contribute to developing human resources. Design/Methodology/Approach: conducted in Diyala State Company (2024) by distributing (180) valid questionnaires that were analyzed using advanced statistical methods …

Political Instability And Its Consequences For Economic Growth In Ethiopia: A Time Series Analysis, Betselot Adisu Ayal, Esayas Bamelak Bishaw, Mulugeta Molla Aynalem, Kassa Yirga Bekalu

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Political instability in Ethiopia is highly destructive to the country's economic development and hinders progress across multiple sectors. Thus, this study investigates the impacts of political instability on economic growth in Ethiopia from 2017 to 2023. The study employs ARIMA modeling for time series analysis and OLS regression to estimate the relationship between political instability and GDP growth while considering other economic indicators such as inflation, FDI, and government expenditure. For this purpose, the necessary secondary data is collected from WB, IMF, EIA, and MoFED, covering the period from 2017 to 2023. The empirical results reveal a significant negative correlation …

Robustness & Measurement Of Multidimensional Poverty Index In Iraq, Mustafa Ahmed Hasan, Eman Mohammed Abdullah

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Purpose: This paper aims to measure poverty in Iraq and its sub-indicators using a multidimensional methodology. It also examines the robustness and sensitivity of the estimated indicators and models the determinants of poverty through a binary logistic regression approach. Theoretical framework: Poverty is commonly measured through two primary methodologies. The first is a one-dimensional approach, which defines poverty as insufficient income to meet a specific set of needs required for a decent standard of living. The second is a multidimensional approach, which aligns with Amartya Sen's capabilities framework. Sen conceptualizes poverty as "the deprivation of basic capabilities rather than merely …

Using P-Median To Solve Location Design Problems, Alaa Shnaishel Cheetar

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Purpose: This research mostly concentrates on guiding pupils to their secondary schools following their accomplishment in the early elementary education phase. The primary challenge is the establishment of additional schools to accommodate the significant population growth resulting from expansion in emerging areas. Theoretical framework: Scholarly literature has thoroughly examined the P-Median problem and applied it across various domains, including cluster analysis, quantitative psychology, marketing, the communications sector, sales force design, and political constituency division. Design/methodology/approach: This study aims to propose a customization form based on the P-Median issue, taking into account its properties and structure. The P-Median problem optimizes the …

Analysis Of The Productivity Of Educational Expenditures And Their Impact On Human Development In Iraq, Zina Imad Abdallah, Taamem Mohammad Saloom

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Purpose : Analysis of the path of public spending on the education sector with an analysis of some human development indicators and the extent to which educational spending contributes to raising the level of human development for the period (2004-2023) in Iraq. Theoretical Framework: The current research addressed the study of the relationship between government spending in the education sector and the impact of that spending on human development, and the research problem focuses on the inefficiency of educational expenditures in Iraq and their limited impact on human development. Despite significant investments, challenges such as low literacy rates and poor …

Knowledge Sharing And Its Impact On Organizational Performance- An Analytical Study In The Directorate Of Education, Al- Karkh First, Baghdad, Mohammed Hafedh Farhan, Mohammed Yaseen Raheem

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Purpose: The current research aims to identify the impact of knowledge sharing on organizational performance with a sample in the Ministry of Education/ the Directorate of Education of First Karkh. Theoretical framework: Knowledge sharing is one of the key factors that contribute to improving organizational performance through exchanging of knowledge and experiences among employees. It highlights the importance of this process in developing and improving performance in a changeable environment. Design/methodology/approach: This study was conducted in the Directorate of Education, First Karkh, Baghdad, with 187 legitimate questionnaires that were analyzed using  superior statistical techniques. Findings: Knowledge sharing significantly influences organizational …

Mimicking To Dominate: Imitation Learning Strategies For Success In Multiagent Competitive Games, The Viet Bui, Tien Mai, Hong Thanh Nguyen

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Training agents in multi-agent games presents significant challenges due to their intricate nature. These challenges are exacerbated by dynamics influenced not only by the environment but also by strategies of opponents. Existing methods often struggle with slow convergence and instability. To address these challenges, we harness the potential of imitation learning (IL) to comprehend and anticipate actions of the opponents, aiming to mitigate uncertainties with respect to the game dynamics. Our key contributions include: (i) a new multi-agent IL model for predicting next moves of the opponents --- our model works with hidden actions of opponents and local observations; (ii) …

Audit Firms' Entry Into H-Share Audit Market And Mainland Audit Pricing: Evidence From China, Rui Zhang, Gaoliang Tian, Zichen Tian, Liuchuang Li

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Purpose: This study aims to investigate whether mainland Chinese audit firms’ entry into the H-share market to provide audit services affects their mainland audit pricing. Design/methodology/approach: Using data on A-share listed companies in China from 2008 to 2018, a difference-in-differences model to test the research question is designed. Robustness tests are conducted to rule out alternative explanations and additional tests to shed light on the extent and inner workings of the main effect. Findings: The entry of mainland audit firms into the H-share audit market leads to a significant decrease in mainland audit pricing. Moreover, this main effect is (i) …

Using Simulations Of Future Extreme Weather Events To Escape The Resilience Trap: Experimental Evidence From Hong Kong, Terry Van Gevelt, J. Yang, K. N. Chan, L. Li, Fiona Williamson, B. G. Mcadoo, A. D. Switzer

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Hong Kong is a hyper-dense coastal city that has long learned to live with a potentially disastrous extreme weather event: tropical cyclones. This was largely a reactionary process, with investments in soft and hard infrastructure made in the aftermath of devastating tropical cyclones. While the experiences of devastating tropical cyclones remain strong in the collective memory of the city, Hong Kong's present-day resilience has led to complacency, especially among the general public. We suggest that Hong Kong may be caught in a resilience trap, where previous success in building resilience may be hindering the city's ability to adapt to the …

Sorry Not Sorry: Presentational Strategies And The Electoral Punishment Of Corruption, Dean C. Dulay, Seulki Lee

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

A growing literature has explored various factors that hamper the electoral punishment of corruption. Most studies have focused on how voters react to a corruption allegation, but this focus leaves out an important, common aspect of corruption allegations that voters also encounter: politicians' blame avoidance strategies. This study examines how politicians' presentational strategies in response to corruption allegations affect voter sanctioning. Employing an online survey experiment on a sample of 3531 U.S. citizens, we find that politicians' action-oriented strategies, such as denying allegations, acknowledging a problem but denying responsibility, or acknowledging a problem and taking responsibility, are more effective than …

Computer Use Frequency And Cardiovascular Health In Middle-Aged And Older Adults, Meilan Hu, Shu Fen Diong, K. T. A. Sandeeshwara Kasturiratna, Andree Hartanto

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

With increased computer usage amongst midlife and older adults, concerns are emerging with regards to the potential adverse health effects of computer use given the sedentary habits it may encourage. The current study aims to investigate the relationship between computer use and cardiovascular risk in midlife and older adults. From the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States II: Biomarker Project (2004–2009) and the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS II), 2004–2006, we examined five cardiovascular risk biomarkers—high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein—in relation to self-reported general …

Us Or Them: How Covid-19 Vaccine Priority Influences Perceptions Of Local-Migrant Worker Relations, Tengjiao Huang, Haochen Zhou, Liz Jones, Chin Wen Cong

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare pre-existing societal fault lines, placing immense strain on intergroup relations and giving rise to xenophobic sentiments. Drawing on Realistic Conflict Theory (RCT) and Social Identity Approach (SIA), our study examined how the public allocation of COVID-19 variant vaccines could influence the dynamics between local citizens and migrant workers, and under what conditions. One key idea is that valued resource distribution that favour migrant workers may produce increased perceptions of realistic threats among local citizens which could lead to exacerbated negative attitudes and behaviours of high-status local citizens towards low-status migrants, whereas higher fairness perceptions of …

Positive And Negative Affect Differentially Predict Individual Differences And Intra-Individual Changes In Daily Cognitive Failures In Younger And Older Adults, Ysabel A. Guevarra, Nadyanna M. Majeed, Nur Eva Alisha Binte Mohamed Hisham, Andree Hartanto

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

(1) Background: Cognitive failures, including lapses in attention, memory, and executive functioning, can negatively affect daily performance and well-being. Negative and positive affectivity have been implicated in cognitive functioning, yet their relationship with cognitive failures remains underexplored. This study investigates the impact of positive and negative affect on cognitive failures, using daily diary methods to examine both within-person and between-person associations in a sample of younger adults from Singapore and adults across the lifespan from the United States (US). (2) Methods: Participants (Singapore: N = 253, US: N = 1726) completed daily diaries over seven (Singapore) or eight (US) consecutive …

Advances In Research On Anthropogenic Drivers Of Climate Change, Andrew Jorgenson, Hassan El Tinay, Jared Fitzgerald, Jennifer Givens, Taekyeong Goh, Xiaorui Huang, Orla Kelly, Annika Marie Rieger, Ryan P. Thombs

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

This chapter provides an overview of advances in social science research on the anthropogenic drivers of climate change. Anthropogenic drivers refer to the social systems and human actions causing GHG emissions, and societal factors shaping and conditioning those actions. The authors summarize the contemporary drivers research literature on (1) economic growth, (2) income and wealth inequality, (3) environmental load displacement and ecologically unequal exchange, (4) militarization, and (5) corporations. In addition to summarizing recent work, the authors identify future directions for each of these areas of research, as well as ways in which they can be better integrated.

(In)Visible China: Understanding Chinese Global Orders, Hassan Karrar, William A. Callahan, Carwyn Morris, Stephen Whiteman

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Where is China going? What does its alternative global order look like? We hear a lot about China’s grand projects like the Belt and Road Initiative, but how are they experienced on the ground in Africa, South America, and Asia?The Chinese Global Orders project brings together twenty-two scholars from five continents to explore these questions. As these four commentaries show, it seeks to pluralize the discussion by exploring “Chinese” beyond the PRC nation-state, “Global” as a space beyond the international, and “Orders” as a plural set of norms.The project seeks to do more than just describe Global China’s material impact, …

The Effects Of Casein Glycomacropeptide On General Health Status In Children With Pku: A Randomized Crossover Trial, Alex Pinto, Anne Daly, Camille Newby, Abigail Robotham, Simon Heales, Simon Eaton, Helen Aitkenhead, Kimberly Gilmour, Richard Jackson, Catherine Ashmore, Sharon Evans, Júlio Cesar Rocha, Fatma Ilgaz, Mary Hickson, Anita Macdonald

School of Health Professions

In PKU, it is suggested that casein glycomacropeptide based protein substitute (GMP) may have physiological advantage when satiety, oxidative stress, renal function and inflammation are considered. Its prebiotic properties may also help gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance. In children with PKU, a randomized/crossover trial comparing phenylalanine-free amino acids (AA) vs GMP as the single source of protein substitute for 12-weeks in each arm was conducted. There was a 4-week wash out period with AA in-between. At baseline and end of each intervention, blood and fecal samples were taken to monitor gut health, oxidative stress, renal function, inflammatory markers and plasma amino acids. …

Sitravatinib In Patients With Solid Tumors Selected By Molecular Alterations: Results From A Phase Ib Study, Lyudmila Bazhenova, Dong-Wan Kim, Byoung Chul Cho, Sanjay Goel, Rebecca Heist, Theresa L Werner, Keith D Eaton, Judy S Wang, Shubham Pant, Douglas R Adkins, Collin M Blakely, Xiaohong Yan, Saskia Neuteboom, James G Christensen, Richard Chao, Todd Bauer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Improved Robustness For Deep Learning-Based Segmentation Of Multi-Center Myocardial Perfusion Cardiovascular Mri Datasets Using Data-Adaptive Uncertainty-Guided Space-Time Analysis., Dilek M Yalcinkaya, Khalid Youssef, Bobak Heydari, Janet Wei, C Noel Bairey Merz, Robert Judd, Rohan Dharmakumar, Orlando P Simonetti, Jonathan W Weinsaft, Subha V Raman, Behzad Sharif

Heart and Vascular Articles

BACKGROUND: Fully automatic analysis of myocardial perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging datasets enables rapid and objective reporting of stress/rest studies in patients with suspected ischemic heart disease. Developing deep learning techniques that can analyze multi-center datasets despite limited training data and variations in software (pulse sequence) and hardware (scanner vendor) is an ongoing challenge.

METHODS: Datasets from three medical centers acquired at 3T (n = 150 subjects; 21,150 first-pass images) were included: an internal dataset (inD; n = 95) and two external datasets (exDs; n = 55) used for evaluating the robustness of the trained deep neural network (DNN) models …

The Relationship Between Salvinia Molesta Infestation And The Microbial Ecology Of Wetlands At Caddo Lake, Tx, Usa, Martin Hadsell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wetlands are known to host many beneficial geochemical processes such as nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration. These processes are primarily driven by the microbial communities within a wetland. The establishment of non-native invasive species within wetlands has the potential to alter the once beneficial functionality of wetland microbial communities due to the sensitivity microbes have towards environmental changes. Because of this, several metagenomic studies have been conducted to assess microbial community response to aquatic plant invasion; however, there haven’t been any studies researching the influence of Salvinia molesta (D.S. Mitch.), commonly known as Giant Salvinia, on microbial communities. The goal …