Digital Commons Network^™

Performance Analysis And Improvements In Diffusion Model Which Predicts 3d Shapes From 2d Microscopy Images, Aarushi Jain

Computer Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

This study focuses on the performance analysis of a diffusion model utilized for generating realistic three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions from two-dimensional (2D) microscopy data. The research aims to assess and enhance the model's efficacy in predicting various features such as volume, surface area, curvature, and surface roughness of the reconstructed shapes. Drawing inspiration from previous work on Transformer architectures, modifications are proposed to optimize the training stability of the diffusion model. Specifically, two methods are implemented and evaluated to improve the model's performance in predicting 3D shapes from 2D microscopy images. This study focuses on the performance analysis of a diffusion …

Natural Language Generation From Large-Scale Open-Domain Knowledge Graphs, Xiao Shi

Computer Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

This dissertation delves into the realm of natural language generation (NLG) from expansive open-domain knowledge graphs, aiming to bridge the gap between existing methods primarily tested on limited datasets and the demands of real-world large-scale, diverse graph structures. Prior works in NLG often relied on small-scale or restricted datasets, neglecting the complexities of broader knowledge graphs. To address this, we introduce a new dataset called GraphNarrative, designed to encompass a wide range of graph structures and enhance the realism of NLG tasks.

The core contribution of this research lies in devising a novel approach to mitigating information hallucination, a common …

Development And Application Of Guided Mode Resonance Biosensor Platforms For Highly Sensitive And Real-Time Cell Killing Assays, Seyedmohsen Vaziri

Electrical Engineering Dissertations - Archive

In this work, we developed and investigated the cancer cell killing efficacy of different instances using real-time high-sensitivity measurements facilitated by Guided-Mode Resonance (GMR) sensors. The GMR biosensor technology detects shifts in the spectral peak caused by changes in the refractive index of the surrounding medium, offering a label-free method for monitoring cellular events.

A549 cell line wild type and HER2 knockout (lung cancer cells) were exposed to different concentrations of Triton X-100 and ADC (Herceptin with αHFc-CL-DMDM). The GMR-based cell killing assay demonstrated exceptional sensitivity and specificity, with shifts in wavelength exhibiting a robust correlation with cell viability and …

Step Squad Bundle In Older Adults With Multiple Myeloma Hospitalized For An Autologous Stem Cell Transplant, Nadya Panjwani

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy with demographic disparities. MM is a debilitating cancer mainly affecting older adults, with 66% over the age of 70. Additionally, 33% of older patients with MM are frail with weakness, fatigue, slow gait, weight loss, and malnutrition.

PICOTS: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing (DNP) scholarly project is to implement an evidence-based practice (EBP) change consisting of a Step Squad Bundle that will identify frailty in older patients with MM hospitalized for an Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) to reduce morbidity and mortality and increase the chances of a quality of …

The Influence Of Intracellular Photosymbiosis On The Evolution And Function Of Cnidarian Immunity, Madison A. Emery

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Intracellular photosymbiosis with Symbiodiniaceae is facilitated by cnidarian immunity as it is required for symbiont recognition and is subsequently suppressed to maintain stable intracellular symbiosis. To date, it is unclear how the cnidarian-Symbiodiniaceae symbiosis influences immune gene repertoires, immune gene expression, and disease pathology across its independent evolutions. To address these knowledge gaps, my dissertation approaches studying the cnidarian-Symbiodiniaceae symbiosis through a comparative lens to determine how it shapes immune gene evolution and immune responses in divergent symbiotic cnidarian species. In chapter two I survey eight non-symbiotic and seven symbiotic cnidarians proteomes for four families of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) …

The Morphological Evolution Of The Inner Ear In Lacertoidea (Squamata), Cristian Hernandez

Biology Dissertations - Archive

The popularization of high-resolution computed tomography(HRCT) has produced a revolution in the field of comparative anatomy. This technology allows us to reach a level of morphological detail in our observations that has never been possible previously. Now we can perform digital dissections isolating structures of interest such as individual bones, soft tissue organs, and even generate 3D models of body cavities (endocasts) such as the braincase and inner ear. Encompassed with the progress of the HRCT, 3D geometric morphometrics have emerged as a common tool to address morphological questions in a statistical context that outperforms the traditional 2D geometric morphometrics. …

Outpatient Fall Prevention In Ambulatory Adults 65 Years Old And Over, Dorothy L. Osborne-White

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: In the United States (U.S.), falls are the leading cause of injury among adults 65 and over, resulting in 36 million falls yearly (Moreland et al., 2020). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2023), one in four older adults experiences a fall each year. Falls are the world's second most prominent cause of accidental deaths (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021). Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults (Moreland et al., 2020).

Methods: A quality improvement project that included a fall bundle was implemented in a primary clinic. A …

New Methods In Electrical Source Imaging Based On Eeg And Post-Mortem Pathology Data, Julio Cesar Enciso Alva

Mathematics Dissertations - Archive

A central task for Neuroscience is to determine the location of electrical activity of neural origin inside the brain. Electrical signals can be recorded at a high resolution in time but low resolution in space, thus making it difficult to locate their source unambiguously. Electrical Source Imaging (ESI) is a particular framework for neural electrical source location; it is possible by modeling any additional information we may have about the electrical sources. For instance, minimal-norm estimators assume that the most plausible estimation is that with a lower norm. However, these estimators possess a low resolution in space.

In this work, …

Development Of Vacuum-Assisted Headspace High-Capacity Solid-Phase Microextraction For The Determination Of Semi-Volatile Compounds From Samples At Lower Temperatures, Shannon L. Thomas, Kevin A. Schug, Colton Myers, Jason S. Herrington, Reagan L. Miller, Anush Pabley, Frank W. Foss

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations - Archive

Vacuum-assisted headspace solid-phase microextraction (Vac-HS-SPME) is a method used to increase solid-phase microextraction sampling of semi-volatile organic compounds. Three studies were conducted using Vac-HS-SPME via gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods for analysis of various sample types. First, a study was performed using Vac- HS-SPME combined with a high-capacity (HC) SPME Arrow to determine the operational fundamentals and workflow necessary to achieve optimal extraction of semi-volatile compounds from a model solid matrix (Ottawa sand). The fundamentals investigated included the seals necessary to create a leak-free sampling vial under vacuum conditions; the magnitude of the vacuum exerted, and the time …

Gender Associations Of American Band Instruments: Exploring And Comparing The Perceptions Of Three Age Groups, Kevin R. Merkel

Music Theses - Archive

This collection of three related studies explored the current gender-related perceptions of American band instruments. The first study investigated adults’ perceptions, as they were asked to rank instrument preferences for their hypothetical son and daughter. The second study examined the perceptions of seventh- and eighth-grade band students by allowing them to rate band instruments based on their gender perceptions. The third study investigated the perceptions and experiences of university band students related to gender norms and instruments utilizing a survey and interview process. The results provided evidence that instrument gender perceptions and stereotypes can change, and they suggest that intentional …

“Criticize The Way You Fly”: Negotiations Of Femininity And Motherhood Among Young Disabled Women, Alicia Leon Luna

Sociology & Anthropology Theses - Archive

Disabled women are often excluded from the reproductive rights movement based on the wrongful assumption that women’s disability makes them unfit for motherhood. The social proscription of parenting by disabled women creates reproduction rights issues as it blocks pathways to parenthood while simultaneously ignoring the ever present influence mothering ideology (i.e., the motherhood mandate) has on the gender identity of these women. Research on disabled motherhood is sparse; thus, this study seeks to add to it by examining the intersection of disability, femininity, and motherhood through the lens of young childless disabled women. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 disabled …

Quantifying Non-Primary Dna Formations Through Mechanical And Geometric Models, Sonia E. Teodorescu

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

In this article, mechanical and geometric models for DNA strains (regarded as a helical structure in 3 dimensions, embedded into surfaces of various shapes (straight or curved cylinders, spheres, or projected into planes), are analyzed in order to obtain parameter estimates for DNA characteristics which can be used to detect the formation of secondary and tertiary formations in the presence of disorder. The models allow for the explicit representation of the DNA shape on constrained geometries and can therefore be implemented directly into {\it{ab initio}} or synthetic simulation studies.

The Brussels Effect And The Extraterritoriality Of Delaware Corporate Law, William J. Moon

Faculty Scholarship

This essay explores possible shareholder claims in the United States that may arise  if and when member states of the European Union implement the proposed Directive  on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence. As a doctrinal matter, legal compliance  obligations for corporations incorporated in Delaware extend beyond the borders of  the United States. Under Delaware law, shareholders can bring viable fiduciary suits  against directors and officers when corporations violate applicable “positive law.”  This jurisprudence, principally aimed at ascertaining whether directors and officers  betrayed shareholders by engaging in or facilitating lawbreaking, is not limited to  complying with American law. As Delaware corporations expand …

Bulletin: General Catalog Issue 2024-2025, Portland State University

Bulletin & Curriculum Change Documents

No abstract provided.

Notre Dame Lawyer - 2024, Notre Dame Law School

Notre Dame Lawyer

Cover

• 17 The Legacy of Dean David T. Link

Features

• 11 Beyond the Headlines: Exoneration Justice Clinic
• 31 From the Frontlines: Global Human Rights Clinic
• 37 Special Education Law Clinic
• 03 News Briefs
• 63 Faculty News

Alumni Profiles

• 15 Walking with the Condemned: Dale Recinella
• 25 New School of Thought: Craig Watz
• 41 Helping Immigrants Find a Better Life in America: Matthew DiCianni
• 43 Answering the Call for Help: Dan and Daria Absher
• 47 A Different Kind of Lawyer: JoAnn Chávez
• 52 Driving Business Advocacy: Stephanie Maloney, Audrey Beck, Tara Morrissey
• 55 A Life of Service, Advocacy, and Courage: John …

The Role Of Artificial Intelligence In Predictive Medicine: Review, Rizwanullah, Fardin Akbar Hyderi, Gifty E. Obadan, Samah Badr Hamad, Hashem Elessawy, Tahera Ahmadi

Transitional Year Resident Research

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare, especially in the field of predictive medicine. AI is used in predictive medicine to foresee the development of diseases, enhance treatment planning, and boost patient outcomes by enabling early intervention. Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a vital component of contemporary healthcare.

AI-powered algorithms and applications are increasingly being utilized to assist medical professionals in clinical environments and to support ongoing research efforts. Given the enormous volume of data produced in healthcare, AI systems can identify patterns, forecast outcomes, and provide tailored interventions. This review delves into the various ways AI is applied in predictive …

Malate Dehydrogenase In Parasitic Protozoans: Roles In Metabolism And Potential Therapeutic Applications, Amy L. Springer, Swati Agrawal, Eric P. Chang

Biological Sciences Research

The role of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) in the metabolism of various medically significant protozoan parasites is reviewed. MDH is an NADH-dependent oxidoreductase that catalyzes interconversion between oxaloacetate and malate, provides metabolic intermediates for both catabolic and anabolic pathways, and can contribute to NAD+/NADH balance in multiple cellular compartments. MDH is present in nearly all organisms; isoforms of MDH from apicomplexans (Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium spp.), trypanosomatids (Trypanosoma brucei, T. cruzi) and anaerobic protozoans (Trichomonas vaginalis, Giardia duodenalis) are presented here. Many parasitic species have complex life cycles and depend on the environment …

2024-2025 Fce/Scj Graduate Catalog, Nova Southeastern University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice Graduate Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

2024-2025 Halmos College Of Arts And Sciences Graduate Program Catalog, Nova Southeastern University

Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Detangling The Microbial Web: Characterizing The Soil Microbiome Of Fl Habitats To Discern Functional And Spatial Community Patterns, Halle Belden

Theses & ETDs

In the age of climate change, understanding the soil microbiome has crucial implications to food security, carbon management, and pollutant sequestration and degradation. The relationship between structure, function, and composition of microbial communities is in the early phases of being understood. In this experiment, 16S rDNA sequencing was used to characterize the microbiome of the soil with the goal of understanding if soil microbiome composition is driven by function, and therefore dependent on local ecological needs, or driven by location. Samples were taken from six distinct habitats of Triangle Ranch in Myakka City, FL. The data showed patterns of microbiome …

Eyes On The Ballpark: Exploring The Relationship Between Visual Pursuit And Athletic Performance, Marian Morera Bandera

Theses & ETDs

This study investigates the relationship between visual pursuit and athletic performance in collegiate baseball and softball players. Twelve individuals from NAIA college teams participated in the study. Participants watched video of a pitch being thrown from the batter’s perspective while data on eye movements was collected with eye tracking hardware. These data were then compared with individual in-game performance as indexed by real game statistics. The results suggest a potential positive relationship between visual pursuit and performance. Players who began tracking the ball earlier, who followed it for a longer time, and whose eyes more closely followed the path of …

Fxr Agonism With Bile Acid Mimetic Reduces Pre-Clinical Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Burden, Sydney Joseph, Samson Eugin Simon, Margaret S. Bohm, Minjeong Kim, Madeline E. Pye, Boston W. Simmons, Dillon G. Graves, Stacey M. Thomas-Gooch, Ubaid A. Tanveer, Jeremiah R. Holt, Suriyan Ponnusamy, Laura M. Sipe, Et Al.

Biological Sciences Research

Bariatric surgery is associated with improved outcomes for several cancers, including breast cancer (BC), although the mechanisms mediating this protection are unknown. We hypothesized that elevated bile acid pools detected after bariatric surgery may be factors that contribute to improved BC outcomes. Patients with greater expression of the bile acid receptor FXR displayed improved survival in specific aggressive BC subtypes. FXR is a nuclear hormone receptor activated by primary bile acids. Therefore, we posited that activating FXR using an established FDA-approved agonist would induce anticancer effects. Using in vivo and in vitro approaches, we determined the anti-tumor potential of bile …

Audiovisual Multimodal Cough Data Analysis For Tuberculosis Detection, Jyoti Yadav, Aparna S. Varde, Hao Liu, George Antoniou, Lei Xie

School of Computing Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Early detection of tuberculosis (TB) remains a critical challenge. This research presents a novel approach leveraging audio information from cough recordings for predicting TB. We move beyond traditional image-based methods (such as sputum smear microscopy and chest X-rays) and explore the feasibility of leveraging cough recordings for differentiating TB cases. Two main audio processing techniques, i.e. Mel-Spectrograms and Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCCs), are utilized to feature encoding audio recording into deep learning models for TB classification. Our proposed methods leverage a large challenge dataset encompassing clinical data from over 1,105 participants and over 502,252 cough recordings. Notably, a simple 1D …

Forensic Genetics In The Shadows, Teneille R. Brown, Sarah Duensing, Bob Wong

Utah Law Faculty Scholarship

This article examines the controversial and growing practice of law enforcement agencies searching clinical and public health genetic databases—without a warrant or consent. While police have previously used online public genealogy databases for this purpose, our article describes how they are secretly accessing private genetic information from newborn screening programs and medical tests. We argue this raises serious ethical and legal concerns, blurring the line between healthcare and law enforcement and infecting clinical encounters with the goals of prosecution. This in turn may discourage people from seeking important medical care due to distrust and privacy concerns.

To explore public attitudes …

Abortion And The Extremism Of Bright Line Rules, Teneille R. Brown

Utah Law Faculty Scholarship

Rather than eliding the workability or necessity of bright-line rules in certain domains, this Essay is a rallying cry for epistemic humility regarding what biological criteria can and cannot say. Policymakers sometimes lean on the biosciences to offer “objective” solutions to thorny
moral and legal issues. But descriptive biological data cannot answer normative questions on their own. Cloaking the theoretical, normative scaffolding in biological criteria is a disingenuous but common phenomenon I refer to as the “bio-legal mismatch.”

In this Essay, I discuss various abortion-restrictive statutes and cases to elucidate the problems with the bio-legal mismatch. Specifically, I explore the …

Health Law And Bigotry Distractions, Daniel G. Aaron, Leslie Francis

Utah Law Faculty Scholarship

Bigotry distractions are strategic invocations of racism, transphobia, or negative stigma toward other marginalized groups to shape political discourse. Although the vast majority of Americans agree on large policy issues ranging from reducing air pollution to prosecuting corporate crime, bigotry distractions divert attention from areas of agreement toward divisive identity issues. This article explores how the nefarious targeting of identity groups through bigotry distractions may be the tallest barrier to health reform, and social change more broadly. The discussion extends the literature on dog whistles, strategic racism, and scapegoating.

Exploring The Impact Of Diabetes On Feet: Analysis Of Foot Ulcers With A Focus On Eczema-Related Considerations, Namlhun Jachung

Pitzer Senior Theses

Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder, has far-reaching consequences on various organ systems, with the lower extremities being particularly susceptible to complications. This study delves into the profound effects of diabetes on the feet, specifically examining the interplay between diabetes-induced foot ulcers, and potential complications arising from coexisting eczema. Two distinct experiments were designed to investigate critical aspects of this complex relationship.

The first experiment aims to compare Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) levels among diabetic patients with and without eczema. The study involves a cohort of diabetic patients, stratified based on the presence or absence of eczema, and measured TEWL …

Targeting Metalnc9/Mir-143/Fscn1 Axis Inhibits Oxidative Stress And Myofibroblast Transdifferentiation In Oral Submucous Fibrosis, Ming-Yi Lu, Pei-Ling Hsieh, Shih-Chi Chao, Chih-Yuan Fang, Yoichi Ohiro, Yi-Wen Liao, Cheng-Chia Yu, Min-Te Chang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Abstract Background/purpose Persistent activation of myofibroblasts is attributed to various dysregulated biological events conferring multiple types of fibrosis diseases, including oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). Although the significance of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the occurrence of fibrosis has been appreciated, the detailed mechanisms still have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to identify key dysregulated ncRNAs and elucidate their pro-fibrotic mechanisms in promoting myofibroblast activation and the pathological development of OSF. Materials and methods Expression of non-coding RNAs and mRNAs in OSF cohort was determined using RNA sequencing and qRT-PCR. The molecular axis of pro-fibrotic ncRNAs were …

Why Should Early-Career Scientists Publish In Society Journals, Stephen K. Dolan, Lori D. Banks, Wenqi Yu

Molecular Biosciences Faculty Publications

In this editorial, written by early-career scientists, we advocate for the invaluable role of society journals in our scientific community. By choosing to support these journals as authors, peer reviewers, and as editors, we can reinforce our academic growth and benefit from their re-investment back into the scientific ecosystem. Considering the numerous clear merits of this system for future generations of microbiologists and more broadly, society, we argue that early-career researchers should publish our high-quality research in society journals to shape the future of science and scientific publishing landscape.

The Inaugural Mbio Junior Editorial Board—Lessons Learned And The Path Forward Toward Improving The Peer Review Process, Cynthia Ayefoumi Adinortey, Stephen K. Dolan, Sarah Doore, Rebeccah Lijek, Diana Priscila Pires, Wenqi Yu, Elizabeth B. Draganova, Lennart Schada Von Borzyskowski

Molecular Biosciences Faculty Publications

The inaugural Junior Editorial Board (JEB) of mBio consisted of 64 early-career researchers active from 2022 to 2023. The goal of the JEB was to train early-career researchers in the art of peer review under the guidance of experienced editors. JEB members gained hands-on experience in peer review by participating in modules detailing the publishing process through the lenses of the journal, editor, and reviewer. Ultimately, JEB members applied this new knowledge by reviewing mBio manuscripts. Here, we summarize the background, the mission, and the achievements of the first mBio JEB. We also include possible trajectories for the future editions …