Digital Commons Network^™

Graph Coloring Reconfiguration, Reem Mahmoud

Theses and Dissertations

Reconfiguration is the concept of moving between different solutions to a problem by transforming one solution into another using some prescribed transformation rule (move). Given two solutions s₁ and s₂ of a problem, reconfiguration asks whether there exists a sequence of moves which transforms s₁ into s₂. Reconfiguration is an area of research with many contributions towards various fields such as mathematics and computer science.
The k-coloring reconfiguration problem asks whether there exists a sequence of moves which transforms one k-coloring of a graph G into another. A move in this case is a type …

Mechanistic Analysis Of Four-Way Dna Junctions And Cytokine-Binding Aptamers For Therapeutic Interventions, Roaa S. Mahmoud

Theses and Dissertations

DNA is inherently dynamic and topologically diverse and can fold into many different structures. Besides the canonical Watson-Crick structure, other higher-order structures such as G-quadruplexes (G4), i-motifs (iM), and four-way DNA junctions are possible. Although these high-order DNA structures are known to form transiently, they are important due to the crucial roles they play in many cellular processes including DNA replication, recombination, and repair. Among these DNA structures, 4-way junctions (also known as Holliday junctions, HJ) which are formed during the repair of double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) and interact with proteins have garnered significant attention due to their central role …

Redesign, Evaluation, And Validation Of A Commercially Viable High-Resolution Melt Based Mixture Screening Tool, Chastyn Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Analysis of evidentiary samples containing DNA from multiple contributors (“mixtures”) is a time intensive process for a forensic analyst and one where the contributor nature of a sample is not revealed until the end of the traditional forensic workflow. Often, at this stage, retesting or additional testing of mixture samples may not be possible, particularly if the DNA collection device did not preserve the DNA well enough; consequently leaving only trace amounts of a contributor’s DNA present. Thus, a new collection device that would allow for the increased preservation/integrity of evidentiary samples as well as a method that would allow …

Enhancing Accessibility : A Pilot Study For Context-Aware Image-Caption To American Sign Language (Asl) Translation, Oluwafolahanmi Adedamola Aluko

Theses

Since the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the explosion of Generative AI, much work has been done around image captioning, providing wildly accurate captions from still images, and more recently videos [3]. Alt-Text has improved dramatically with efforts to enhance context and sentiment captured during automated captioning. This thesis attempts to expand on a section on Natural Language Processing (NLP) and its relevance to promoting accessibility and context-awareness in the premise of the American Sign Language (ASL) application. This thesis explores what it means to give full context about a caption or image to the end user, including sentiments, …

Polyvictimization In Context: Identifying Patterns Of Peer, Dating, And Community Violence Among Black Early Adolescents, Carine Leslie

Theses and Dissertations

Early adolescents exposed to multiple forms of victimization (“polyvictimization”) may experience a number of detrimental psychosocial outcomes. Some person-centered research has identified victimization subgroups among adolescents but have not examined the overlap of peer, dating, and community victimization among Black early adolescents living in economically disadvantaged urban communities. Thus, this study empirically identifies victimization profiles in a sample of Black early adolescents to ascertain the patterns and correlates of polyvictimization. The present study aimed to (a) identify subgroups of Black early adolescents based on their frequency of peer, dating, and community victimization using latent profile analyses, and (b) evaluate the …

An Ecocritical Approach To Fyodor Abramov's Story "What Do The Horses Cry About", Badegül Can Emir

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Human's destructive behaviors toward the environment also harm animals. Fyodor Abramov's story, “What Do The Horses Cry About”. focuses on this issue. While this story reflects the world through the eyes of an animal, it reveals people's changing behaviors towards animals. The study tries to read the changing attitude of man toward nature in the modern age on the axis of Fyodor Abramov's story called “What Do The Horses Cry About”. On the other hand, it tries to understand how the relationship between the human and other living things has penetrated the fiction of the story. It shall be emphasized …

Navigating The International Power Struggle: A Comparative Study Of Türkiye, Germany, And Iran, Kemal İnat, Mustafa Caner, Melih Yıldız

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This article provides a comparative analysis of the foreign policies of Türkiye, Germany, and Iran with regard to the changing global political landscape. While all three countries have endeavored to safeguard their national interests through a balance of power strategy, Türkiye has emerged as a more assertive actor in this regard. Türkiye has benefited from the rising influence of Asia and growing competition with the West, while Iran has faced challenges from US sanctions and Germany's balance of power approach has been tested by the conflict in Ukraine. Utilizing economic, foreign policy, and military spending data, this article elucidates how …

Audiovisual Translation: A Case Study Of What We Wanted, Evren Barut, M.Cem Odacıoğlu, Fadimə Çoban

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This study examines the English and Turkish subtitles of the German Netflix film Was Wir Wollten based on its dubbed version. In the film, main characters Alice and Niklas speak Standard High German (Hochdeutsch), while Christl communicates in South Tyrolean German, a distinct dialect, with her husband Romed and their children. To highlight cultural contrasts between the families, Saran Digital Studios, responsible for the Turkish subtitles and dubbing, made a notable localization decision: they replaced South Tyrolean German with Aegean Turkish in the dubbed version. According to interviews with Saran Digital Studios and Netflix officials, various Turkish dialects, including the …

Southern Khanates Of Azerbaijan In The Documents Of The Russian State Military Historical Archive, Rovshan Mammedlı

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Starting from the beginning of the 19th century, Azerbaijan became the battlefield of two great powers, Russia and the Qajar Empire. After 30 years of intermittent war, the territory of Azerbaijan was occupied and divided by these two states. The Russo-Iranian war also resulted in the division of the historical territory of Azerbaijan into two parts. As the result, the concepts of North and South Azerbaijan were created. Since 1828, eleven Azerbaijani khanates located in the south of the Aras River fell under Qajar rule. However, in spite of this, in the 80 years of their existence, these khanates implemented …

Newly Redesigned Digital Commons Website, Alice Sherwood

TMC Library Newsletter (2015-)

The Digital Commons @ TMC has a new redesigned website. The new website will match the design of the main library website. Additionally, the labels peer-reviewed and journal series have been changed to "Open Journals."

Facilitative And Competitive Interactions Among Dune Grass Species In Monoculture And Polyculture Communities, Anne M. Sciolino

Theses and Dissertations

Coastal dunes are natural barriers between land and sea and are imperative to the protection and preservation of inland ecosystems and human infrastructure. However, due to global warming, seal level rise, and coastal development, coastal dunes are under constant threat of destruction. Restoration efforts have been implemented to rebuild the protective function of dunes through the planting of dune building grasses. Dune grasses build and maintain these vital sand dunes. However, little is known about facilitative and competitive relationships among the grasses. In order to maximize restoration efforts, research is needed to better understand the biotic interactions among restorative grass …

External Runtime Execution Monitoring Of A Cyber Physical System Via Trace Interfaces, Peter Vaughan Truslow

Theses and Dissertations

In the past two decades, Unmanned Aerial Systems have progressed from expensive military hardware or one-off custom builds, to include off-the-shelf drones that can be purchased for a rather affordable price and flown by nearly anyone. As the technology and performance have improved, the door is opened to applications that require operation in environments where the consequences for failure are high, such as operating in the navigable airspace or in urban environments, or with human passengers. This requires a great deal of trust in the reliability and integrity of the control systems of the aircraft. A method of monitoring the …

Repeated-Measures Latent Profile Analyses Of Intervention Fidelity To A Teacher-Delivered Intervention Program For Children At Elevated Risk For Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Katrina A. Markowicz

Theses and Dissertations

Teachers have difficulty delivering Tier-2 intervention programs for preschoolers at elevated risk for socioemotional and behavioral disorders with high intervention fidelity (Durlak, 2010; Sutherland et al., 2018). Several proximal factors that impact program fidelity have been identified, which may undermine program effects (Domitrovich et al., 2008; McLeod et al., 2022; Sutherland et al., 2018). Therefore, researchers have identified strategies, such as practice-based coaching, to improve intervention fidelity and support teachers (Hemmeter et al., 2015; Synder et al., 2015). Most of the field's knowledge of these topics is limited to variable-centered approaches (Fettig et al., 2022; Low et al., 2016). However, …

Correlates Of Coffee And Energy Drink Use Among Individuals With Severe Alcohol Use Disorder, Enkelejda Ngjelina

Theses and Dissertations

Research on caffeine consumption among college students and young adults has primarily focused on caffeinated energy drinks (EDs) and their combination with alcohol, demonstrating a strong association with heavy and problematic alcohol use. However, little attention has been directed toward older adults. Furthermore, studies have shown that regular ED consumers are more likely to meet the criteria for alcohol dependence compared to their peers. Despite this association, little is known about ED consumption among individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), particularly those undergoing treatment, and even less is understood about other caffeine sources such as coffee. This study aimed to …

Systemic Contributors To Health Equity: A Conceptual Framework And Moderation Analysis, Rachel Regal

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a line of research exploring systemic factors that influence health and health equity across the lifespan. A linking document prefaces two-manuscripts as follows. Manuscript 1, A Model for Enhanced Trauma-Informed Care: An Asset-Based, Transdisciplinary Approach to Health Equity, presents a synthesis of literature on multisystem resilience, social determinants of health, and adverse / positive childhood experiences to build an alternative framework to promote healing and health equity using an asset-based approach within enhanced trauma-informed systems of care and educational models. By adopting this enhanced framework, the counseling field and others can be responsive to emerging trends and …

Roleplaying Builds Character: Avatar Performance In Dungeons & Dragons As An Art-Form For Self-Development., Maria F. Pagola Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

This paper examines the impact of the performance and embodiment of Dungeons & Dragons characters on their player’s self-development and self-confidence. Focusing on the game’s 5th edition, this narrative inquiry study is concerned with the applications of D&D as an artistic tool to build both community in formal and informal spaces of art education and individual players’ self-development through the avatars being portrayed during game time.

Ten adult participants ranging from age 23-28 were selected using a mix of direct recruitment and voluntary response. They filled out a digital survey introducing themselves and their main D&D characters, then a 45-minute …

The Genetic Architecture Of Cervical Change During Pregnancy: From Modeling To Mechanism — Does The Cervix Mediate Maternal Risk For Spontaneous Preterm Birth?, Hope M. Wolf

Theses and Dissertations

This project leverages clinical data and biospecimens from a prospective longitudinal cohort of pregnant women to study the genetic and phenotypic relationships between cervical shortening and the duration of pregnancy. Sonographic cervical length (CL) was measured throughout pregnancy in a cohort of 5,160 Black/African American women in Detroit, Michigan. Maternal DNA samples were sequenced with a next-generation low-pass whole genome platform. The heritability of cervical change during pregnancy and its genetic correlation with gestational age at delivery (GAD) were estimated using Genome-Wide Complex Trait Analysis. These estimates suggest that cervical change is heritable (h²CL = 51%) and highly polygenic trait. …

Feasibility Of Using Somatosensory Input On Pediatric Patients Receiving Dental Treatment, Liara D. Vinson

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The aim of this randomized, cross-over designed feasibility study is to evaluate patient anxiety, patient cooperation, and patient acceptance of a vibrating weighted vest used during the restorative treatment compared to when no device is used.

Methods: Children aged 5 to 15 years, needing at least two appointments for restorative treatment requiring local anesthesia under basic behavior guidance techniques were recruited. Patients were randomly allocated to wearing a vibrating weighted vest at one of the appointments. At both appointments, behavior was evaluated using Frankl scores and anxiety was evaluated at the beginning and at the end of …

Towards The Automation Of Post-Processing Of Additive Manufacturing Using Collaborative Robots, Logan Schorr

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the incredible potential that collaborative robots have, they are underutilized in several industries that could benefit greatly. These specialized fields, such as additive manufacturing, face challenges that can be solved with the use of robotics, including advanced computer vision, end-effector tooling, and process refinement. My research aims to utilize collaborative robots in an effort to solve the above stated problems, for the specific fields of additive manufacturing. Specifically within this field is the automation of post-processing; this is normally completely manual, as the tools for automation are not sufficiently developed to handle the flexibility required for additive manufacturing. This …

Development And Evaluation Of Reactor Physics Transient Benchmarks For Molten Salt Reactors Based On The Molten Salt Reactor Experiment, Mohamed H. Elhareef

Theses and Dissertations

Molten salt reactors (MSRs) are a promising class of advanced nuclear reactors selected as

one of the generation IV reactors. This class of reactors employs a unique design, where fissile

material is dissolved in a molten salt mixture, serving as fuel and coolant of the reactor. The design

features high-temperature low-pressure operation and efficient heat transfer capability, which

leads to significant improvements in reactor thermal efficiency, safety, and waste management.

However, MSRs also have complex phenomena not observed in conventional reactors, such as

fission product transport in the circulating fuel loop. These phenomena impact neutron distribution

and reactivity feedback mechanisms …

The Feasibility Of Health Professional Student Delivered Social Visits For Stroke Survivors With Loneliness, Jason Burnett, Jordan Broussard, Bronson Ciavarra, Louisa Smitherman, Mary Li, Emma Thames, Sharon Zachariah, Grace Kim, Rachel Pijnnaken, Hannah Zeller, John Halphen, Sean I Savitz, Namkee Choi, Jennifer E S Beauchamp

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: To examine the feasibility of a social phone call program to address social isolation and loneliness in stroke survivors.

Materials and methods: We paired 14 lonely community-living stroke survivors with 14 health professional students for 6-weekly unstructured social phone calls. Feasibility data and measures of social isolation, loneliness and other psychosocial metrics were collected pre- and post-intervention. Students journaled following each unstructured call to capture the informal conversation and their sentiments.

Results: Sixty-two percent of the targeted sample was interested. Fourteen eligible and interested participants were enrolled. The 13 (93%) participants completing all calls and surveys were an average …

Effects Of Exergaming On Health And Fitness Outcomes For Students With Disabilities: A Meta-Analysis, Jordan Mauch

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

While research on VR gaming and Exergaming is in its infancy, both are interventions that have demonstrated positive results such as promoting physical activity participation and positive attitudes towards physical activity in children and adolescents. Exergaming has also been shown to be effective in increasing physical activity in children, and children with disabilities may find exergaming to be an enjoyable alternative to traditional physical activity due to increased accessibility and the focus on both gross and fine motor skills. In studies of VR and/or exergaming with participants with cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder, researchers reported increases in motor function …

Is Cognitive Fatigue Pushing Peripheral Group Members Towards Extreme Attitudes?, James E. Robinson

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Both cognitive fatigue and group membership impact how individuals respond to persuasive messaging. Cognitively demanding tasks cause mental fatigue, lessening the ability to effortfully consider persuasive messaging and increasing the likelihood of making automatic decisions based on heuristics (Schmeichel et al., 2003). Additionally, self-perception of prototypicality (i.e., level of group membership) impacts motivation to identify with and engage in group normative behavior (Hohman et al., 2017). This research project aimed to further the understanding of how prototypicality and cognitive fatigue interact and come to impact attitude and the effortful elaboration of persuasive messaging.

Review Of Policing Empires: Militarization, Race, And The Imperial Boomerang In Britain And The Us, Jonathon J. Booth

Publications

No abstract provided.

Immobilization Of Alpha-Amylase On Chitosan-Coated Iron Oxide Nanomagnetic Nanoparticles, Maysam H. Jalil, Ahmad Asoodeh

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Amylases are widely used enzymes across various industries such as clinical chemistry, pharmaceuticals, food processing, detergents, textiles, and paper manufacturing. Immobilization can enhance their effectiveness. Nanostructured materials have become important in many fields, including magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O⁴) for immobilizing enzymes. The study aimed to immobilize alpha-amylase extracted from Bacillus subtilis onto iron oxide nanoparticles coated with chitosan to compare its catalytic efficacy to its free form. Iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized and coated. The substrate underwent amylase introduction with glutaraldehyde, stabilizing formation on chitosan-iron oxide nanoparticles. XRD, FT-IR, FE-SEM, and DLS were used to analyze immobilized …

Study Of Scio-Demographic And Medical Issues Related To Tuberculosis In Baghdad, Iraq 2012-2016, Ali Kareem Durib, Loqman Juma Tawfiq, Z.A. Hassan

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Objective: The present study aimed at investigating socio-demographic issues of gender, living place, marital status, education and type of Tuberculosis, and medical issues, such as new smear positive cases, causes, treatment and new pulmonary positive cases in Baghdad City, Iraq for 2012-2016.

Methodology: A descriptive “retrospective” design was employed throughout the present study from the period of November 12^th 2017 to February 13^th 2018 in order to investigate socio-demographic and medical issues related to Tuberculosis. A convenient sample of (11680) registered patients with tuberculosis in Baghdad, Iraq for the period of 2012-2016. These patients were males and females …

Impact Of Genetic Polymorphism On Pulmonary Function And Individualized Treatment Plan In Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Hayder Ghali Wadi Algawwam, Affan Ezzat Hasan

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: Less than 10% of people infected with M. tuberculosis develop the disease, suggesting that there are individual differences in susceptibility to tuberculosis. Defective genes could impact the host's immune response toward any infection, including pulmonary TB. Numerous genetic risk loci like HLA-G, MMP-1, IFN-γ, TLR-2, MCP-1, NRAMP-1 and many others have been discovered by recent genome-wide association studies, which indicate a high polygenic heritability for tuberculosis.

Aim: The aim of this review is to shed light on the potential effect of host genetic polymorphism on the degree of impairment in pulmonary function tests in individuals with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Conclusion: …

Molecular Characterization Of Bla Oxa-51 Gene Among Acinetobacter Baumannii Isolates In Babylon Province, Huda H. Al-Hasnawy, Alya A. Rahi, Baraa H. Hadi

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii, identified as an ESKAPE pathogen, is part of a group of bacteria known for their high antibiotic resistance and significant role in nosocomial infections. Objectives: The objective of the current study is to investigate the genetic sequences of the blaOXA-51 gene in A. baumannii isolates. Materials and Methods: 600 specimens were collected during the period from September 2022 to December 2022 from three hospitals in Babylon Province/ Iraq. Results: In the present study, 20 (3.33%) out of 600 isolates from (urine, Burn, blood and wound)in percentage 6(30%), 5(25%), 5(25%), and 4(20%) respectively. The identification …

Potential Antidiabetic Activity Of Ficus Carica: The Concept Of Antioxidant Properties In A Rat Model, Hawraa Abdul-Jabbar I. Shwayekh, Reyadh H. Al-Mosawi, Alaa Jafear Mahrath

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: The benefits associated with a healthy diet can be attributed to higher concentrations of antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables such as flavonoid-polyphenolic compounds, tocopherols, and carotenoids.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of Ficus Carica and the histopathological study in striptozotocin (STZ) induced T2DM in rats and compare the effect of the plant with sitagliptin.

Materials and Methods: Forty apparently healthy male Wister rats weighing between 180 and 250 grams were used in the current investigation, which began in December 2023. To create type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2 DM), rats were fed …

Formulation And Characterization Of Poloxamer-Based Mucoadhesive Vaginal In Situ Gelling System Of Miconazole Nitrate, Omar Mohammed Alwan, Iman Sabah Jafar

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: Vaginal candidiasis is the most prevalent illness among women and is mostly caused by Candida albicans, which causes most clinic visits. Objectives: The present study aimed to formulate and improve miconazole nitrate-containing thermosensitive bioadhesive gel for vaginal drug delivery to achieve better therapeutic effectiveness and patient compliance in the management of vaginal candidiasis. Materials and Methods: Miconazole nitrate (MN) was prepared as a (2%) vaginal gel by using 18% poloxamer (PLX) 407, 2% PLX 188 as thermoresponsive polymers, and Carbopol (CP) 934 and CP 940 as bioadhesive polymers. The prepared formulations were assessed for parameters such as gelation …