Digital Commons Network^™

Dilated Cardiomyopathy-Associated Skeletal Muscle Actin (Acta1) Mutation R256h Disrupts Actin Structure And Function And Causes Cardiomyocyte Hypocontractility, Ankit Garg, Silvia Jansen, Lina Greenberg, Rui Zhang, Kory J Lavine, Michael J Greenberg

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Skeletal muscle actin (ACTA1) mutations are a prevalent cause of skeletal myopathies consistent with ACTA1's high expression in skeletal muscle. Rare de novo mutations in ACTA1 associated with combined cardiac and skeletal myopathies have been reported, but ACTA1 represents only ~20% of the total actin pool in cardiomyocytes, making its role in cardiomyopathy controversial. Here we demonstrate how a mutation in an actin isoform expressed at low levels in cardiomyocytes can cause cardiomyopathy by focusing on a unique ACTA1 variant, R256H. We previously identified this variant in a family with dilated cardiomyopathy, who had reduced systolic function without clinical skeletal …

Anomalous Crustal Structure Beneath The Örenli-Eğiller Depression Zone, Inferred From Magnetotelluric Studies, Western Anatolia, Türkiye, Dornadula Chandrasekharam, Khasi Raju, Prabhala Bhaskhara Venkata Subba Rao, Alper Baba

Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

In Türkiye, the prevalence of high radiogenic granites makes them ideal locations for initiating enhanced geothermal system (EGS) projects. One such occurrence of these granites is observed in the Kozak area of the Bergama region. To assess the energy potential of this site, a magnetotelluric (MT) survey was conducted, focusing on determining the depth distribution of the intrusive granite.The survey employed dimensionality analysis, utilizing Bahr skew and phase tensor analyses that denote a 2D subsurface nature up to 100 s and beyond that a 3D nature. In the present study, we interpreted MT data up to 100 s. The data …

Processing Of Pinger, Chirp, Boomer, And Parametric Subbottom Profiler Datasets, Aslihan Nasif

Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

Subbottom profiler (SBP) systems are commonly employed for geo-hazard analysis in offshore engineering studies. The joint analysis of multi-channel seismic and SBP data also provides additional information for analyzing submarine fluid-flow structures in shallow sediments. Detailed geo-hazard analyses also aim to reveal small-scale changes in the seafloor and the underlying structures. Therefore, the horizontal and vertical resolution of SBP data is a crucial parameter, and obtaining the necessary resolution requires appropriate data processing.This study analyzes the steps and parameters applied in processing pinger, Chirp, boomer, and parametric SBP data, to determine an optimal data processing flow and parameters. Compared to …

Educator Perceptions Of The Use Of Technology To Teach Digital Literacy In Urban High School Classrooms, Jessica Erin Dennis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

To engage interests and connect with 21st-century learners, educators must be able to effectively use technologies in their classrooms. The problem this study addressed was the limited understanding that language arts educators in urban school districts have of effectively using technological tools while teaching digital literacy. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore high school language arts teachers’ perceptions of the use of technology to teach digital literacy in urban school classrooms. The technology acceptance model was the conceptual framework used for this study, which aided in the discovery of how language arts educators gauge the usefulness …

Temperature Anisotropy Instabilities Driven By Intermittent Velocity Shears In The Solar Wind, Simon Opie, Daniel Verscharen, Christopher H K Chen, Christopher J. Owen, Philip A. Isenberg, Luca Sorriso-Valvo, Luca Franci, Lorenzo Matteini

Faculty Publications

Where and under what conditions the transfer of energy between electromagnetic fields and particles takes place in the solar wind remains an open question. We investigate the conditions that promote the growth of kinetic instabilities predicted by linear theory to infer how turbulence and temperature-anisotropy-driven instabilities are interrelated. Using a large dataset from Solar Orbiter, we introduce the radial rate of strain, a novel measure computed from single-spacecraft data, which we interpret as a proxy for the double-adiabatic strain rate. The solar wind exhibits high absolute values of the radial rate of strain at locations with large temperature anisotropy. We …

Temperature Anisotropy Instabilities Driven By Intermittent Velocity Shears In The Solar Wind, Simon Opie, Daniel Verscharen, Christopher H K Chen, Christopher J. Owen, Philip A. Isenberg, Luca Sorriso-Valvo, Luca Franci, Lorenzo Matteini

Faculty Publications

Where and under what conditions the transfer of energy between electromagnetic fields and particles takes place in the solar wind remains an open question. We investigate the conditions that promote the growth of kinetic instabilities predicted by linear theory to infer how turbulence and temperature-anisotropy-driven instabilities are interrelated. Using a large dataset from Solar Orbiter, we introduce the radial rate of strain, a novel measure computed from single-spacecraft data, which we interpret as a proxy for the double-adiabatic strain rate. The solar wind exhibits high absolute values of the radial rate of strain at locations with large temperature anisotropy. We …

Reducing Latency And Increasing Relibilty In Wireless Networks, Ibrahim Freewan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

In recent years, the amount of data required and consumed by users of internet applications has exponentially increased. Wireless networks play a main role in the data distribution associated with these internet networks as a substantial portion of the data is delivered to mobile clients. As the demand for wireless content delivery continues to increase, significant amounts of wireless network research effort now focus on latency reduction and methods to increase network reliability. In this dissertation, we will work in both directions, reducing latency and increasing reliability. In case of reducing latency, we will work in what is called in …

Control Of Multiagent Networks With Misbehaving Nodes, Emre Yildirim

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The overarching objective of this dissertation is to introduce system theoretical frameworks in control of misbehaving multiagent networks subject to limited resources (i.e., limited number of driver nodes), and the presence of disturbances and/or uncertainties (i.e., misbehaving nodes). Below, we briefly summarize each problem studied in this dissertation with their proposed solutions.

Specifically, we first consider multiagent networks subject to misbehaving nodes over fixed undirected graph topologies. To address this problem, we apply proportional-integral control signals to a subset of nodes (i.e., driver nodes) in the network to address the undesired effects arising from misbehaving nodes. Since multiagent networks with …

Butte Reduction Work (Brw) Phase Ii Interim Demolition Plan Construction Drawings And Floodplain Encroachment Analysis, Julia Crain

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Things Fall(Ing) Apart: Deconstructing Humanism For History Teaching In A Posthumanist Society, Lou Ellis Brassington

Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies ETDs

Abstract

This study is a reflective analysis of the discursive construction of the social studies and the teaching of history from medieval scholasticism, through Enlightenment humanism, and into our posthumanist landscape. As an exploration of the foundations of Western thought, with an emphasis on humanism as it has historically affected construction of the social studies, this investigation focuses on theorists, praxis, curriculum development, and teacher identity. My research examined the pedagogical and curriculum choices for the teaching of history along with the intersection of the humanities and humanism from the Enlightenment through the criticalities of the 20th century, and into …

Exploring The Journey Of Stem Faculty Into Justice-Centered Pedagogy, Desiree Forsythe, Bryan Dewsbury, Jeremy L. Hsu

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

In higher education and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), interlocking oppressions can lead to inequitable environments for those who hold marginalized identities. Instructors can play key roles in either exacerbating or mitigating these inequities through their pedagogical approaches and choice of curricular material. However, it remains unclear how instructors who self-identify as committed to justice achieve higher levels of consciousness around areas of injustice and develop the self-efficacy to dismantle barriers for students over time. Here, we draw upon critical race theory and critical white studies to investigate what events or life experiences influence STEM instructors to understand the …

The Green Monster Hiding In Front Of Cas A: Jwst Reveals A Dense And Dusty Circumstellar Structure Pockmarked By Ejecta Interactions, Ilse De Looze, Dan Milisavljevic, Tea Temim, Danielle Dickinson, Robert Fesen, Richard G. Arendt, Judy Schmidt, Et Al.

Michigan Tech Publications

JWST observations of the young Galactic supernova remnant Cassiopeia A revealed an unexpected structure seen as a green emission feature in colored composite MIRI F1130W and F1280W images—hence dubbed the Green Monster—that stretches across the central parts of the remnant in projection. Combining the kinematic information from NIRSpec and the MIRI Medium Resolution Spectrograph with the multiwavelength imaging from NIRCam and MIRI, we associate the Green Monster with circumstellar material (CSM) that was lost during an asymmetric mass-loss phase. MIRI images are dominated by dust emission, but their spectra show emission lines from Ne, H, and Fe with low radial …

Automated Verification Of Compiler Transformations, Yanzhao Wang

Dissertations and Theses

The ever-growing complexity of software and its target hardware makes it increasingly challenging to develop reliable compilers that preserve the semantics of source code during compilation. Traditional testing methods often lack sufficient test coverage and fail to identify subtle errors and undefined behaviors that can lead to compiler malfunctions. Furthermore, while formal compiler certification ensures semantic preservation through theorem proving, the inherent complexity of this process makes re-certification after each compiler revision substantially labor-intensive. This often significantly hinders the improvement of compilers.

This research aims to bridge the gap between increasing compiler complexity and the limited scalability of formal verification …

Building For Success? Ninth-Grade Course Failures And School Configurations, Sarah Ruth Morris, Sarah C. Mckenzie

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

This research study investigates the influence of school building configurations on the likelihood of ninth-grade student course failure. We analyze data from the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years in Arkansas, and we categorize buildings as “Non-transitional,” “Focus,” or “Traditional.” Employing logistic regression models and interaction terms, our research finds that ninth-grade students are less likely to fail in “Focus” building configurations compared to “Non-transitional” and “Traditional” building configurations. Moreover, we find economically disadvantaged ninth-grade students are less likely to fail when they attend “Focus” buildings than “Non-transitional” or “Traditional” buildings. Our findings emphasize the importance of interventions and policy adjustments …

Engaging Students With Pocketlab Interactive Mobile Technology In A Science Classroom: A Mixed Methods Study, Olha Ketsman, Juan A. Colon Santana

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

This mixed methods study explored the impact of PocketLab interactive mobile sensors on science content knowledge among undergraduate students in an algebra-based physics laboratory course. The study also examined students' perspectives and experiences using PocketLab to learn class concepts. While no statistically significant differences were found between the control and treatment groups for items evaluating definitions and conceptual mastery, the control group outperformed the treatment group on problem-solving items. This difference may be due to the alignment of traditional Vernier technology experiments with the analytical problem-solving approach emphasized in lectures. Despite this, students using PocketLab reported greater flexibility and …

Effect Of Virtual Reality Technology On Ce/Cs Based Laboratories Education – A, Mariam Abdulla Al Nuaimi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Virtual reality (VR) is becoming increasingly popular in different fields, as institutions strive to incorporate technology into the education process. This thesis explores the effect of the use of VR on the users learning experience, and whether gamification, and human-computer interaction (HCI) affect the VR experience in a positive way. The main goal of this thesis is to explore the VR environment in STEM courses/Labs and investigate its effect on learning advanced topics. Specifically, we developed Digital Design & Computer Organization Lab (CS/CE Laboratory) as a VR environment to research this topic. We set and conducted experiments, surveyed participating students …

Vol. 37, No. 12 - Whole No. 225, Eleanor M. Farrell

Mythprint

Mythprint is the monthly bulletin of the Mythopoeic Society, a nonprofit educational organization devoted to the study, discussion, and enjoyment of myth and fantasy literature, especially the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Charles Williams. To promote these interests, the Society publishes three magazines, maintains a World Wide Web site, and sponsors the annual Mythopoeic Conference and awards for fiction and scholarship, as well as local and written discussion groups.

Exclusion Tests For Approximating All Solutions Of Nonlinear Equations, Yasmeen Omar Hamida

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The exclusion test is a mathematical technique used to isolate and approximate solutions of nonlinear equations within a defined interval. This thesis introduces a new exclusion test-based approach that aims to accelerate convergence to the zeros of nonlinear equations within a compact domain. By selecting Taylor, series, and Lipschitz test and solving nonlinear equations, the proposed method substantially reduces the number of subintervals necessary for accurate approximation. The primary contribution of this research is the development of a more efficient algorithm, which significantly improves the speed of convergence. These findings have meaningful implications for the field of numerical analysis, presenting …

On Fractional Dunkl-Type Laplacian, Saba Ibrahim Aldan

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This thesis provides a comprehensive study of the fractional Dunkl-type Laplacian operator (—llxllΔ_k) ^σ for 0 < σ < 1, focusing on four key equivalent characterizations: the heat semigroup approach, the pointwise formulation, the spherical mean representation, and through an extension theorem. A significant part of the thesis is devoted to the extension theorem, where, following the approach of Caffarelli and Silvestre for the Euclidean Laplacian, we prove that (—llxllΔ_k) ^σ can be characterized as an operator that maps a Dirichlet boundary condition to a Neumann-type condition via an extension PDE problem. Further, a Poisson formula for the extension was established. These four characterizations provide distinct perspectives on the operator llxllΔ_k, extending Euclidean Laplacian results to include reflection symmetries and revealing connections between the fractional operator (—llxllΔ_k) ^σ, harmonic analysis, and applications in mathematical physics and PDEs.

The Adventures Of Trans Educators: A Comic Book Issue

Occasional Paper Series

Through remarkable comic book illustrations, issue #52 of the Occasional Paper Series presents authentic, nuanced stories about the experiences of trans educators working with children from preschool through high school. This visually engaging format brings these stories to life and invites readers to connect more deeply with the unique journeys of trans educators.

Always Been (English), Yarrow Koning, Sofía Abreu

Occasional Paper Series

No abstract provided.

Examining The Use Of Embedded Generative Strategies With Graphic Organizers To Improve Science Achievement Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Gamze Karaer, Macid A. Melekoglu, Brian Hand

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Students with learning disabilities have difficulty in science literacy because of the extensive amount of abstract concepts in comprehending science content. An adapted alternating treatments design with an extended baseline was used to compare the effectiveness and efficiency of graphic organizers (GOs) enhanced with predicting-observing-explaining (POE) (Module-I) and GOs without POE (Module-II) on science achievement of six middle school students with learning disabilities. Results indicated that both procedures were effective to improve performance on all dependent variables for all participants. However, the result of efficiency data showed that Module-I seemed to be more efficient across four students in terms of …

Scholar Perspectives On The Impact Of A Scientific Community Program For Neurodivergent Undergraduate Stem Scholars, Dylan Sullivan, Fernando Zavala, Derek Hidalgo, Jacob Stolle, Rebecca Matte, Christin B. Monroe

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Despite the adaptive strengths and unique problem-solving skills demonstrated by neurodivergent (ND) individuals, they remain underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. High unemployment rates among individuals with disabilities emphasize the need for addressing barriers to entry and persistence in the workforce. This study introduces a program designed to enhance opportunities for neurodivergent STEM scholars with financial needs, supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The program involves: 1) a weekly cohort course to engage in professional development, 2) use of the Birkman Method® survey to help scholars identify and communicate strengths, fostering self-awareness and growth, and 3) …

The Future Of Physical Education And How Instructional Technology Is Pivotal In Curriculum Design And Learner-Centered Instruction, Josh Mcmillian

Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered K-12 education, compelling physical education (PE) instructors to adapt swiftly to remote teaching. This dissertation explores the integration of instructional technology among Missouri PE teachers, analyzing practices before, during, and after the pandemic. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, the study surveyed 106 educators and conducted 12 in-depth interviews, revealing widespread use of technologies such as heart rate monitors, fitness apps, and platforms like Google Classroom.

Findings highlight that school climate, access to resources, and teacher training are pivotal in technology adoption. Veteran teachers demonstrated greater proficiency with advanced tools, while novices showed adaptability but required foundational …

Modeling And Simulation Of The 12-Meter Antenna, Antonio Pires

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Antonio Pires on November 11, 2024.

Third Ward Casper 2023 Final Report, Zuri Dale, Vishnu Nepal, Debra Maxwell, Ashlee Young

COVID Research

The 2023 Third Ward CASPER Final Report conducted by Texas Southern University (TSU) and the Houston Health Department assessed public health conditions in Houston's Third Ward community. The initiative utilized the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) methodology to gather household-based data, informing public health decisions, emergency responses, and future resource allocation.

Objective and Key Findings: The mission aimed to assess health needs, promote health resources, and build community relationships. Notable findings include that over 36% of households reported hypertension, while 19% experienced poor mental health. Access barriers to healthcare persisted, particularly due to lack of insurance. Nearly …

Assessing Economic Losses With Covid-19 Integrated Models: A Retrospective Analysis, Timothy Robin Teng, Elvira De Lara-Tuprio, Joselito T. Sescon, Cymon Kayle Lubangco, Rolly Czar Joseph T. Castillo, Mark Anthony C. Tolentino, Maria Regina Justina E. Estuar, Lenard Paulo V. Tamayo, Christian E. Pulmano

Mathematics Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a global crisis that forced governments to implement restrictive measures to control the spread of the disease. Although these restrictions, such as community quarantines, played a pivotal role in stabilizing healthcare systems, they also caused forced closures of various economic sectors that resulted in huge societal costs and severely impacted the marginalized. In order to understand and quantify the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, an integrated modeling approach, which combined an epidemiological compartmental model and an economic model, was utilized. The evolving nature of COVID-19 required continuous updating of the integrated …

The Effects Of Sunlight On The Decomposition Rate Of Opuntia Humifusa, Paul George, Elena Amonette, Celine W. Seder, Katherine Massaro

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Plant decomposition plays a critical role in community and ecosystem ecology by recycling minerals and returning nutrients to the soil. The rate of plant decomposition can be impacted by a multitude of factors including chemical composition of the plant, presence of decomposing microorganisms, temperature, and more. This study sought to quantify the effects of sunlight on plant decomposition. In this project, Opuntia humifusa (prickly pear) were placed outside on the Belmont greenroof to decompose in sunny and shaded environments. The plants were collected over a period of 12 weeks, and data on the masses of the decomposing plants was used …

How Leaf Size Affects Rate Of Leaf Litter Decomposition On A Greenroof, Douglass J. Lescher I, Makenzie T. Boylston, Faith A. Jackson, Leah Abraham, Darlene Panvini

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Leaf litter decomposition is an essential biological phenomenon that occurs within ecosystems, as it affects factors such as nutrient cycling, plant growth, soil fertility and other processes. Understanding the mechanisms that are attributed to leaf litter decomposition can help explain the role that leaf litter plays in ecosystems. A total of eight leaf litter bags were placed in environments of similar conditions on a green roof with the purpose of understanding how leaf size affects the rate of decomposition. The two species of variable size were coneflower (Echinacea tennesseensis, larger leaf) and baptisia (Baptisia australis, smaller …

Protonation Of Terbium Complexes As A Possible Chemical Sensor, Sean W. Murray

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Upon ultraviolet excitation, terbium(III)-ligand complexes exhibit strong yellow-green fluorescence in accordance with the antenna effect. Recent studies in our laboratory show remarkable quenching of the emission signature upon exposure of homoleptic complexes to water or mineral acids. The changes are completely reversible under mild conditions, suggesting possible applications as a chemical sensor. Following the synthesis of [Tb(pydm)3](NO3)3 (pydm = 2,6-pyridine dimethanol), the complex was titrated with HCl and the changing absorption spectra of the complex was monitored through ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Further, we have purified and characterized this product through 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. A deeper understanding of the reactions causing the …