Digital Commons Network^™

The Illusory Coverage Doctrine Is Not A Doctrine At All (But It Should Be), Shannon W. Conway

Catholic University Law Review

The Illusory Coverage Doctrine, if it ever becomes a true legal doctrine, has the potential to be an incredibly useful tool in insurance law. But courts around the country take very different approaches to the doctrine, ranging from one end of the spectrum—a hard-nosed “pro-insurer” stance where coverage is not illusory so long as a policy provides any coverage—to the other—a muscular “pro-policyholder” public policy approach that requires coverage even if some other exclusion might have prevented coverage under the applicable policy. And along the spectrum are various other iterations, contributing to the complete lack of certainty or consistency about …

Importance Of Social Support During Pregnancy For Girls With Limited Education, Mairo V. Bello

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social support signifies a system that provides for family, relatives, and friends or is derived from external sources such as social services or health promotion networks and can reduce depression and increase well-being. Absent from the literature was the understanding of the significance of social support for young women with limited education aged 18-25 on the journey from conception to the postpartum period in Nigeria. In this qualitative phenomenological study, the individual perception, attitude, and social support received by young women with limited education during pregnancy in Wudil LGA of Kano state in northern Nigeria were examined. The study addressed …

Intrinsic Gas-Phase Behavior Of Uranium Species: A Comprehensive Reactivity Study Of [O=U≡Ch]+ And [Uh]+, Justin Terhorst

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The intrinsic chemistry of actinide elements, particularly uranium, remains a key challenge in understanding f-block reactivity due to the complexity introduced by solvent interactions, counter-ions, and complex equilibria in the condensed phase. In this dissertation, a systematic gas-phase study utilizing preparative tandem ion-trap mass spectrometry (PTMSⁿ) is presented, focusing on the reactivity of uranium-centered species, specifically [OUCH]⁺, an oxy uranium methylidyne species, and [UH]⁺ ions. By stripping away solvent effects and isolating the ions, PTMSⁿ provides a powerful platform to probe the fundamental chemical behavior of uranium species in their intrinsic state.

The …

“Repeat A Little:” Time And Freedom In Deleuze’S Difference And Repetition, Mine Sak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, I examine Gilles Deleuze’s philosophy of time as presented in Difference and Repetition and use it to construct a concept of freedom, which is notably absent in his work. I argue that Deleuze’s exposition of the three syntheses of time provides significant insights for exploring the ontological possibility and structure of freedom. Through an analysis of his theory of the three syntheses of time, I investigate the meanings of agency, destiny, and choice within Deleuze's framework. I demonstrate that free choice necessitates both involuntary and creative action. Given the apparent tension between freedom and involuntariness, I explore …

Hidden Markov Model For Identifying Local Variants In Human Genomes Using Simulated Data, Scott Mccallum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifying adaptive mutations in genetic data is challenging due to the low frequency of occurrence of such events, and because signatures of selection are intertwined with the footprints of various other evolutionary forces that shape our genomes. Even when a larger region appears to be under selection, genomic sites that are linked to adaptive mutations have similar statistical signals, and thus can obfuscate the identification of the actual adaptive mutation. The new method described here uses a Hidden Markov Model that allows for classification of neutral, linked, and sweep (adaptive mutation) genomic sites. This model is general and can be …

Method Development Of [3 + 2] Cycloadditions Using Tertiary Amine N-Oxides And Efforts Towards The First Total Synthesis Of Chrysosporazine D, Alexander Cocolas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nitrogen-containing heterocycles are ubiquitous in bioactive molecules, pharmaceutical drugs, and natural products. For this reason, finding new and efficient ways to make such compounds remains a high priority for the organic and medicinal community. Our current endeavors build upon previously established work by our group, where we generated 1,2-diamines by coupling commercially available aldehydes with trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in two steps. This route proved to be effective in generating 20+ novel 1,2-diamines and imidazolidines with a demonstrated ability to undergo transformations. Using this chemistry, we have developed a diastereoselective synthesis of 50+ novel 7-azanorbornanes using tertiary amine N-oxides …

Development Of Methods For Predicting Second Harmonic Generation (Shg) Responses Of New Infrared Nonlinear Optical (Ir-Nlo) Materials, Katherine Colbaugh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Dissertation supervised by Dr. Jennifer A. Aitken.

In this work, calculations-based methods were evaluated for use in prediction of second harmonic generation (SHG), specifically χ⁽²⁾ values, of infrared nonlinear optical (IR-NLO) materials. Net dipole moment and dipole moment per volume were calculated by the bond valence sum method. Average F-index, proposed in this research, and group F-index, both representing induced dipole moment were also calculated. Each calculation was evaluated by comparing the results to single crystal and powder χ⁽²⁾ measurements of IR-NLO materials. The selected dataset consisted of ninety-six compounds including polar and nonpolar structures, newly discovered and …

Rna Structural-Dynamical Hierarchy: Sars-Cov, Sars-Cov-2, And Delta/Omicron Variant S2m Monomers, Kissing Complexes, And Extended Duplexes, Adam Kensinger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The power and promise of ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules are only beginning to be realized in living organisms and pharmaceutical intervention. Specifically, defining the chemical physics of RNA’s heterogenous structural ensemble and dynamics, which has experienced expansive growth over the last few years, is central to a complete understanding, yet continues to be a significant challenge. A 41-nucleotide hairpin called the stem-loop II motif (s2m), present in the viral genomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), SARS-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the Delta and Omicron variants responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, is a potential antiviral target due to its high sequence conservation …

Specifically Targeting Muc16 For Fluorescence-Guided Surgery Of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Kathryn M. Muilenburg

Theses & Dissertations

Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease with a low 5-year survival rate and a high rate of resection recurrence. However, surgery remains the only treatment with curative potential for pancreatic cancer. Many factors such as high desmoplasia, a lack of intraoperative imaging, and micrometastatic disease contribute to the high rate of incomplete resections in pancreatic cancer. Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) is a potential intraoperative tool for application in surgical resection. FGS works through passive or active targeting of a free dye or dye-containing moiety (e.g. antibody, peptide, and nanoparticles) to specifically fluoresce the tumor compared to the surrounding normal, fibrotic, and …

Development Of Titanium Dioxide Coating For Self-Cleaning Photovoltaic Panels, Chau Pham

Masters Theses

As global energy demands continue to rise amid increasing environmental concerns, the transition to renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, has become imperative. Solar energy, driven by recent advancements in photovoltaic (PV) technology, presents a promising solution for achieving greater sustainability and efficiency. However, despite these technological advancements, the persistent issue of soiling caused by dust, bird droppings, and other contaminants remains a major obstacle, diminishing sunlight absorption and reducing energy conversion efficiency, presenting a significant obstacle to optimal PV performance.

This study explores the application of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle coatings to address this challenge by enhancing the self-cleaning …

Native Freshwater Mussel Communities In The Lower Grand River, Michigan: Assessing Tributary Confluence Effects And Updating Survey Information, Grayson L. Kosak

Masters Theses

Freshwater mussels (Unionidae) are ecosystem engineers and keystone species vital to stream ecosystems yet represent the most imperiled group of freshwater fauna. Conservation of unionids necessitates further understanding how assemblages interact with watershed features. This study investigates mussel occupancy, distribution, and assemblage structure upstream and downstream of tributary confluences in the lower Grand River, Michigan, alongside updated surveys of the unionid community with comparisons to previous assessments conducted by Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) in 2002–2003. Unionid density, richness, and diversity were greater upstream of confluences. No significant distance-gradient effects were observed. Assemblage structure differed between upstream and downstream reaches …

Data For: Examining The Impacts Of Demographics, Individual Experiences, And Perceptions On Range Anxiety And Electric Vehicle Road Trips, Joshua Ward, Patrick A. Singleton, Antje Graul, Zane Regan

Browse all Datasets

Electric Vehicle Road Trip Study: These data contain anonymized responses to a survey designed to investigate the experiences, perceptions, barriers, and opportunities identified by electric vehicle (EV) drivers regarding road trips to recreational areas (like national parks) and for recreational activities.

Neuvac: Nonlinear Extreme Ultraviolet Irradiance Model For Aeronomic Calculations, Daniel A. Brandt, Aaron J. Ridley

Michigan Tech Publications

The need for reliable estimates of solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) for operational space weather nowcasting and forecasting has motivated the development of new model of solar irradiance variability in 59 wavelength bins between 1 and 1,750 Å. The model employs a nonlinear parameterization of rebinned daily FISM2 irradiances and is termed NEUVAC: Nonlinear Extreme Ultraviolet Irradiance Model for Aeronomic Calculations. The model is parameterized in terms of F10.7 and 54-day averaged F10.7 in a backwards-looking window. The model takes advantage of the high accuracy and resolution of FISM2, and the consistent availability of F10.7 data in order to provide the …

Bile Acids In Inflammatory Bowel Disease: From Pathophysiology To Treatment, Samantha H Bai, Arun Chandnani, Siyan Cao

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition that affects about 7 million people worldwide, and new therapies are needed. Understanding the complex roles that bile acids (BAs) play in IBD may lead to the development of novel IBD treatments independent of direct immunosuppression. This review discusses the latest discoveries in the roles BAs play in IBD pathogenesis and explores how these discoveries offer promising new therapeutic targets to treat IBD and improve patient outcomes. Several therapies discussed include specific BA receptor (BAR) agonists, dietary therapies, supplements, probiotics, and mesenchymal stem cell therapies that have all been shown to decrease …

Regional Differences In Three-Dimensional Fiber Organization, Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype, And Contractility In The Pregnant Mouse Cervix, Christopher J Hansen, Christine M O'Brien, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The orientation and function of smooth muscle in the cervix may contribute to the important biomechanical properties that change during pregnancy. Thus, this study examined the three-dimensional structure, smooth muscle phenotype, and mechanical and contractile functions of the upper and lower cervix of nongravid (not pregnant) and gravid (pregnant) mice. In gravid cervix, we uncovered region-specific changes in the structure and organization of fiber tracts. We also detected a greater proportion of contractile smooth muscle cells (SMCs), but an equal proportion of synthetic SMCs, in the upper versus lower cervix. Furthermore, we revealed that the lower cervix had infrequent spontaneous …

Fail-Safe Logic Design Strategies Within Modern Fpga Architectures, Priya A. Bhakta

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are vulnerable to radiation-induced single event upsets (SEUs) and fault injection attacks, requiring the use of redundancy techniques such as fail-safe computing. Fail-safe computing refers to computing systems that revert to a non-operational safe state when a fault occurs. This work investigates circuit-level techniques and implements fail-safe computing processes as mitigation for SEUs and fault injection attacks on FPGAs. The analysis reveals vulnerabilities that exist in FPGAs over those in application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC); thus, requiring a more elaborate network of redundant circuits and checking logic. The reconfiguration capability of FPGAs adds complexity to fail-safe …

Optimizing Wind Wing Wall Ventilation In High-Rise Buildings Within Dense Urban Hot And Humid Climate., Arushi Bhatia

Theses

This study investigates how wing walls can increase natural ventilation in high-rise structures, particularly in hot, humid locations such as Mumbai, India. Using wind flow simulations and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, the study investigates how wind direction and the installation of wing walls affect airflow throughout the building. The study examines four scenarios, each analyzing how airflow varies when a building is located near surrounding structures of differing heights. It uses comprehensive CFD simulations to assess how alternative wing wall depth design can affect ventilation, as well as how wall-to-window ratio variation can contribute to airflows. Following these simulations, …

From Factories To Homes: A Comparative Analysis Of Adaptive Reuse In New England Industrial Buildings For Multi-Family Residential Conversion, Jeremy Weeden

Theses

The adaptive reuse of industrial buildings offers a promising path toward sustainable urban development, particularly in New England. This study investigates the feasibility and energy efficiency of converting an older, unused industrial building into a multi-family residential structure by evaluating three distinct wall assemblies that preserves the exterior brick facade: existing structural brick, a typical adapted wall assembly with interior 2x4 wood construction, and a high-efficiency adapted wall assembly with an additional interior 2x6 wood construction. Through a detailed case study analysis focusing on the building’s core and shell, this research aims to identify the most effective wall assembly for …

Comparative Analysis Of Earth-Bermed And Conventional; Single-Family, Residential Homes In The Hudson Valley Region, Beacon, New York, Michael G. Patchen

Theses

This thesis is a comparative analysis of the environmental sustainability between two similar square-foot, single-family residential homes constructed as a bermed shelter and the conventional wood frame in the Hudson Valley Region, Beacon, New York. The research will focus on the two designs' embodied carbon, cost, and energy use. To quantify the environmental impact of these two construction methods, an in-depth understanding of the diverse host climate is necessary. Climate data and the results from the experiments are collected by performing life cycle, cost, and energy analysis, providing insights into the environmental implications of residential construction methods. The methodology will …

Toward Prototypical Vision Clustering, James Chenhao Liang

Theses

Over the past decades, deep learning methods have emerged as the predominant approach in computer vision. Most approaches rely on complex interactions among pixels, involving heavy computations. However, Human vision possesses a unique attention mechanism that selectively focuses on relevant parts of the visual field while disregarding irrelevant information. This can be likened to a clustering approach, in which individual pixel points are decomposed and reorganized into relevant concepts to address various tasks. This dissertation explores the frontier of vision clustering by integrating innovative prototypical learning with advanced Transformer architectures, which heralds a significant paradigm shift applied to vision clustering. …

Evolving Uk Biology Education, Helen R. Watson

Peninsula Medical School

School science curriculum reform is underway in the UK. Whilst each of the four devolved nations is at a different stage in this process, it is clear we are entering an era of opportunity for positive change, where curricula can be updated to reflect our current understanding of science and to better prepare learners for further study, work, and modern life more broadly.

Assembly Of Ppsu-Oligomers, Mariam Nesterov

Student Theses and Dissertations

The development of nanostructures for delivering multiple proteins to targeted antibodies has become a promising avenue in biotechnology, driven by advancements in synthetic polymers like poly(propylene sulfone), PPSU. However, the PPSU polymer faces a major limitation - its high insolubility. To address this challenge, this study investigates whether PPSU oligomers can enhance both the solubility and stability of lysozyme, a model protein that is cost-effective and widely accessible. Using dimer, trimer, tetramer, and hexamer configurations, we analyzed the interactions between PPSU oligomer and lysozyme under varying conditions. Our results show that the dimer and trimer are water soluble (no aggregate …

Fda Greenlights Early-Stage Trial For Investigational Long Covid Treatment: Phase Ii Evaluation Pending, Arin Wade, Maria Nguyen, Allie Honigford, Kennedy Kosikowski, Minhwan Yang, Rebecca Willier, Joshua Honaker, Samantha Mccord, Theresa Hempleman

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Long coronavirus disease (COVID) is a condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Long COVID manifests as persistent symptoms following acute COVID-19. These symptoms can include, but are not limited to, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and chronic inflammation often lasting for months and significantly impairing patients' quality of life. As the number of Long COVID cases continues to rise and major global health organizations begin to standardize Long COVID’s mechanisms and diagnosis, there is an increasing demand for effective treatments that can address its complex nature. While some therapies, such as metformin and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) have shown promise in …

Chelidonic Acid Abrogates Oxidative Stress And Memory Dysfunction In Experimental Aging Rats, Feri̇de Ni̇hal Si̇nan, Emel Serdaroğlu Kaşikçi, Burcu Çevreli̇

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: In an aging model established in male Wistar albino rats via the administration of D-galactose (D-gal), the aim of this study was to examine the effects of chelidonic acid on cognitive functioning and the levels of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), Total antioxidant status (TAS), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).Materials and methods: Thirty-two Wistar albino (three month old) male rats (n = 8) were used. Group 1: Control (C), Group 2: Chelidonic acid (CA) (2 mg/kg oral gavage), Group 3: D-galactose (D-gal) (150 mg/kg, s.c.), Group 4: D-gal (150 mg/kg) + CA (2 mg/kg) (DC). Following an overnight fast, the …

Copyright And Research In Latin America: Law, Courts, And Perceptions, Mariana G. Valente, Alice P. Lana, André P. Houang

Joint PIJIP/TLS Research Paper Series

Research on the intersection of copyright law, research activities, and innovation in Latin America reveals significant deficiencies in the legal framework and public discourse surrounding copyright limitations and exceptions (L&Es) for research purposes. The problem is more visible with modern data assembling and analyzing techniques, such as through artificial intelligence (AI) systems. This study highlights the scarcity of explicit provisions for research-related exceptions in the region by examining copyright legislation, case law, and stakeholder perspectives in six Latin American countries. Despite indications that judicial interpretation is expanding the scope of L&Es, particularly in Brazil, awareness of legal nuances remains low …

How Does Health Professions Student Engagement Differ Across Campuses In A Synchronous Multi-Campus Learning Environment?, Satera Nelson

Theses & Dissertations

Student engagement is positively associated with academic achievement, student satisfaction, and retention. In synchronous multi-campus learning, students learn simultaneously while physically located at several campuses throughout the state. This educational model is one way to address the rural health care shortage, as many students who study at rural campuses tend to stay in rural areas to practice. Student engagement is crucial to ensuring that students at rural campuses have a comparable learning experience and to help those students feel like they are a valued part of the class. The purpose of this study was to evaluate health professions student and …

Noise-Enhanced Network Science, Reyhaneh Abdolazimi

Dissertations - ALL

Graphs are a versatile and powerful data structure used to model complex relationships in diverse domains such as social networks, biological systems, and transportation networks. In graphs, entities are represented by nodes, and interactions or relationships between them are represented by edges. For example, in the World Wide Web, web pages are considered vertices, and if there is a link from one page to another page on the web, there will be a directed edge between those pages in its graph data structure. These structures allow us to analyze and solve important problems like community detection (identifying closely related clusters …

Modulating Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Through Lipidation, Zhe Zhang

Dissertations - ALL

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a fascinating biological phenomenon that enables cells to form membraneless organelles, creating specialized compartments for orchestrating complex biochemical reactions. While significant progress has been made in deciphering the sequence determinants underlying phase separation, precisely modulating these features remains a challenge. Inspired by biology, post-translational modifications (PTMs) offer a promising approach to modulate the protein condensates formation and their properties in real-time, without altering the sequences. Despite the identification of over 300 types of PTMs, most research has predominantly focused on charge-altering modifications. The effects of non-charged PTMs, such as lipidation, on LLPS remain poorly understood. …

Role Of Emotional Intelligence In Leadership, Sabrena Craft

M.S. in Leadership

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Benguet Pine (Pinus Kesiya) Xylem For Deep Well Water Filtration, Allen Conner C. Hizon, Robert Zachary M. Santos, Juan Jose B. Lacson, Jefferson Danilo G. Villarin, Juan Carlo T. Gumangan

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Even today, many rural and remote communities still do not have access to safe drinking water, which is a basic right of every human. To address this problem, the effectiveness of the Benguet pine tree (Pinus kesiya) xylem as a sustainable water filtration method for well water was investigated. The physical and chemical properties of the filtered and unfiltered deep well water were tested: the total dissolved solids (TDS) and the electrical conductivity using a 5-in-1 electronic water quality tester and the pH level using pH strips. On the other hand, the microbiological metrics, such as heterotrophic plate …